Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
Ha. Mim. 1 By the Clear Book, 2 That We made it a distinctly lucid Qur'an that you may understand. 3 and behold, it is in the Essence of the Book, with Us; sublime indeed, wise. 4 Then should We turn the message away, disregarding you, because you are a transgressing people? 5 But how many were the prophets We sent amongst the peoples of old? 6 but whenever a prophet came to them, they mocked him, 7 So We destroyed (them)- stronger in power than these;- and (thus) has passed on the Parable of the peoples of old. 8 And if thou askest them: who hath created the heavens and the earth? they will surely say: created them the Mighty, the Knower. 9 He Who made the earth a resting-place for you, and made in it ways for you that you may go aright; 10 That sends down (from time to time) rain from the sky in due measure;- and We raise to life therewith a land that is dead; even so will ye be raised (from the dead);- 11 He Who created all the pairs, and appointed for you ships and cattle whereupon ye ride. 12 So that you may properly mount their backs, and may remember your Lord’s favour when you have mounted them, and say, “Purity is to Him, Who has given this ride in our control, and we did not have the strength for 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