S (Saad)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
Sad [These letters (Sad etc.) are one of the miracles of the Quran and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. By the Quran full of reminding. 1 Nay, but those who disbelieve are in false pride and schism. 2 How many a nation did We destroy before them! (When they approached their doom) they cried out (for deliverance), but the time for deliverance was already past. 3 They marvel now that, from among themselves, a warner has come to them. The unbelievers say: 'This is a lying sorcerer. 4 Maketh he the gods One Allah? Lo! that is an astounding thing. 5 And their leaders launch forth [thus]: "Go ahead, and hold steadfastly onto your deities: this, behold, is the only thing to do! 6 We heard not thereof in the later faith; this is naught but an invention. 7 What! Upon him alone from among all of us should a [divine] reminder have been bestowed from on high?" Nay, but it is My Own reminder that they distrust! Nay, they have not yet tasted the suffering which I do impose! 8 Or do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Exalted in Might, the Bestower? 9 Or [that] the dominion over the heavens and the earth and all that is between them is theirs? Why, then, let them try to ascend [to God-like power] by all [conceivable] means! 10 The army is defeated as (were) the confederates. 11 The folk of Noah before them denied (their messenger) and (so did the tribe of) A'ad, and Pharaoh firmly planted, 12 And the Thamud, and the people of Lut, and the dwellers of the wood; these were the confederates. 13 not one [was there] but gave the lie to the apostles - and thereupon My retribution fell due. 14