The Spider (Al-Ankaboot)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ A. L. M. 1 Do men think they will get away by saying: "We believe," and will not be tried? 2 Yea, indeed, We did test those who lived before them; and so, [too, shall be tested the people now living: and] most certainly will God mark out those who prove themselves true, and most certainly will He mark out those who are lying. 3 Do those who do evil think that they will get the better of Us? How bad is the judgement that they make! 4 He who hopes to meet God (should know) that God's appointed time will surely come. He is all-hearing and all-knowing. 5 Hence, whoever strives hard [in God's cause] does so only for his own good: for, verily, God does not stand in need of anything in all the worlds! 6 And those who accepted faith and did good deeds – We will indeed relieve their sins and reward them for the best of their deeds. 7 Now [among the best of righteous deeds which] We have enjoined upon man [is] goodness towards his parents; yet [even so,] should they endeavour to make thee ascribe divinity, side by side with Me, to something which thy mind cannot accept [as divine,] obey them not: [for] it is unto Me that you all must return, whereupon I shall make you [truly] understand [the right and wrong of] all that you were doing [in life]. 8 We shall admit those who believe and do the right among the righteous. 9 Now there is among men many a one who says [of himself and of others like him,] "We do believe in God" - but whenever he is made to suffer in God's cause, he thinks that persecution at the hands of man is as [much to be feared, or even more than,] God's chastisement; whereas, if succour from thy Sustainer comes [to those who truly believe] he is sure to say: "Behold, we have always been with you!" Is not God fully aware of what is in the hearts of all creatures? 10 Verily, Allah knows those who believe, and verily, He knows the hypocrites [i.e. Allah will test the people with good and hard days to discriminate the good from the wicked (although Allah knows all that before putting them to test)]. 11 Those who deny the truth say to the faithful, "Follow our way, and we will bear the burden of your sins." But they will bear none of their sins. They are surely lying. 12 They shall bear their own burdens, and other burdens besides. On the Day of Resurrection they shall be questioned about their false assertions. 13