Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
Ha-Mim 1 By the Book that makes things clear,- 2 Lo! We have appointed it a Lecture, in Arabic that haply ye may understand. 3 And verily, [originating as it does] in the source, with Us, of all revelation, it is indeed sublime, 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 How many Messengers did We send to the ancient people? 6 And there came not to them a prophet but they mocked at him. 7 Wherefore We destroyed peoples mightier than these in prowess; and there hath gone forth the example of the ancients. 8 Yet thus it is [with most people]: if thou ask them, "Who is it that has created the heavens and the earth?" - they will surely answer, "The Almighty, the All-Knowing has created them." 9 Who has made for you the earth like a bed, and has made for you roads therein, in order that you may find your way, 10 He Who sent down water from the sky in a determined measure, and thereby We revived a dead land: likewise will you be raised up (from the earth) -- 11 He Who created all the pairs, and appointed for you ships and cattle whereupon ye ride. 12 In order that you may mount firmly on their backs, and then may remember the Favour of your Lord when you mount thereon, and say: "Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts)." 13 And lo! unto our Lord we surely are returning. 14 Yet they make some of His creatures His offspring! Man is surely most ungrateful. 15