Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
Ha-Meem. (Alphabets of the Arabic language – Allah, and to whomever He reveals, know their precise meanings.) 1 By the manifest Book (that makes things clear, i.e. this Quran). 2 Lo! We have appointed it a Lecture, in Arabic that haply ye may understand. 3 and behold, it is in the Essence of the Book, with Us; sublime indeed, wise. 4 Shall We then take away the Message from you and repel (you), for that ye are a people transgressing beyond bounds? 5 And how many a Prophet have We sent amongst the men of old. 6 No Prophet came to them whom they did not mock. 7 so We destroyed men stronger in valour than they, and the example of the ancients passed away. 8 And if you should ask them, "Who has created the heavens and the earth?" they would surely say, "They were created by the Exalted in Might, the Knowing." 9 He who appointed the earth to be a cradle for you, and appointed ways for you therein, that haply you may be guided; 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 And, (it is He) who has created all the pairs and appointed for you ships and the cattle on which 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 indeed we have to return to our Lord.” 14 Yet they make some of His creatures His offspring! Man is surely most ungrateful. 15