Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Ha-Mim. 1 CONSIDER this divine writ, clear in itself and clearly showing the truth: 2 Indeed, We have made it an Arabic Qur'an that you might understand. 3 and behold, it is in the Essence of the Book, with Us; sublime indeed, wise. 4 Should We divert this Good Counsel from you because you are a people immersed in extravagance? 5 How many a Prophet We sent among the ancients, 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 And (it is He), who sends down water from the sky in its measure thereby We revive the land that was dead, as such you shall be brought forth. 11 He who created pairs of everything, and fashioned for you boats and beasts on which you ride, 12 That you may settle yourselves upon their backs and then remember the favor of your Lord when you have settled upon them and say. "Exalted is He who has subjected this to us, and we could not have [otherwise] subdued it. 13 It is to our Lord that we shall eventually return.” 14 Yet they assign to some of His slaves a share with Him (by pretending that He has children, and considering them as equals or co-partners in worship with Him). Verily, man is indeed a manifest ingrate! 15