The Column (Al-Suff)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
ALL THAT IS in the heavens and all that is on earth extols God's limitless glory: for He alone is almighty, truly wise! 1 O YOU who have attained to faith! Why do you say one thing and do another? 2 How despicable it is in the sight of Allah that you may preach what you do not practice. 3 Indeed Allah likes those who fight in His cause, positioned in rows, as if they were an edifice fortified. 4 Now when Moses spoke to his people, [it was this same truth that he had in mind:] "O my people! Why do you cause me grief, the while you know that I am an apostle of God sent unto you?" And so, when they swerved from the right way, God let their hearts swerve from the truth: for God does not bestow His guidance upon iniquitous folk. 5 And recall what time Isa, son of Maryam, said: children of Israi'l! verily I am Allah's apostle unto you, confirming the Taurat which was before me, and giving the glad tidings of an apostle who cometh after me; his name will be Ahmad. Then when he brought unto them evidences, they said: this is magic manifest. 6 And who does greater evil than he who forges a lie against Allah, when he is being called to Islam? Allah does not guide the harmdoing people. 7 They want to extinguish the light of God by uttering blasphemies. But God wills to perfect His light, however the unbelievers may dislike it. 8 It is He who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, that he may uplift it above every religion, though the unbelievers be averse. 9