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 We verily, have made it a Quran in Arabic, that you may be able to understand (its meanings and its admonitions). 3 It is in the Origin of the Book with Us, sublime and wise. 4 Should We have withdrawn the Reminder from you as you are a people who exceed the bounds? 5 And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old. 6 And whenever any Prophet came to them, they only mocked at him. 7 and so, [in the end,] We destroyed them [even though they were] of greater might than these: and the [very] image of those people of old became a thing of the past. 8 Yet if you were to ask them: “Who created the heavens and the earth?” they will certainly say: “The All-Mighty, the All-Knowing has created them.” 9 (Yea, the same that) has made for you the earth (like a carpet) spread out, and has made for you roads (and channels) therein, in order that ye may find guidance (on the way); 10 And Who sends down water (rain) from the sky in due measure. Then We revive a dead land therewith, and even so you will be brought forth (from the dead), 11 That has created pairs in all things, and has made for you ships and cattle on which ye ride, 12 so that you can sit upon their backs and then remember the Favors of your Lord and say: 'Exaltations to Him who has subjected these to us otherwise, we ourselves were not capable of it, 13 “And indeed we have to return to our Lord.” 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