Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Ha-Mim. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. 1 I call to witness the lucent Book, 2 Lo! We have appointed it a Lecture, in Arabic that haply ye may understand. 3 And surely it is in the original of the Book with Us, truly elevated, full of wisdom. 4 So shall We divert the advice away from you, because you are a nation that exceeds the limits? 5 And how many a prophet We sent among the ancients. 6 but not a Prophet came to them, without they mocked at him; 7 We destroyed the strongest among them in power. The stories of the ancient people have already been mentioned. 8 If thou askest them, 'Who created the heavens and earth?' they will say, 'The All-mighty, the All-knowing 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 He it is who sends down, again and again, waters from the sky in due measure: and [as] We raise therewith dead land to life, even thus will you be brought forth [from the dead]. 11 and who created the pairs, all of them, and appointed for you ships and cattle such as you ride, 12 so that you may sit firmly on their backs. Then once you have mounted them, remember your Lord's favour and say, "Glory be to Him who has subjected these creatures to us; we would never on our own have subdued them. 13 "And to our Lord, surely, must we turn back!" 14 And they allot to Him a portion of His bondmen! Lo! man is verily a mere ingrate. 15