Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Ha-Meem. (Alphabets of the Arabic language – Allah, and to whomever He reveals, know their precise meanings.) 1 I swear by the illustrious Book. 2 We have made it a Qur'an in Arabic, that ye may be able to understand (and learn wisdom). 3 Truly, it is inscribed in the Original Book, in Our keeping; it is sublime and full of wisdom. 4 [O YOU who deny the truth!] Should We, perchance, withdraw this reminder from you altogether, seeing that you are people bent on wasting your own selves? 5 And how many Prophets We did send among the earlier people! 6 And never came there a prophet to them but they mocked him. 7 Then We destroyed men stronger (in power) than these, and the example of the ancients has passed away (before them). 8 And if you should ask them, Who created the heavens and the earth? they would most certainly say: The Mighty, the Knowing One, has created them; 9 He Who made the earth a resting-place for you, and made in it ways for you that you may go aright; 10 And Who sendeth down water from the sky in (due) measure, and We revive a dead land therewith. Even so will ye be brought forth; 11 And the One Who created all pairs, and made the ships and cattle as rides for you. 12 That ye mount firmly on the backs thereof, and then may remember the favour of your Lord when ye mount thereon, and may say: hallowed be He Who hath subjected this unto us, and we for it were not fit. 13 "And to our Lord, surely, must we turn back!" 14 And they allot to Him a portion of His bondmen! Lo! man is verily a mere ingrate. 15