The Dunes (Al-Ahqaaf)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
۞ Ha. Mim. 1 THE BESTOWAL from on high of this divine writ issues from God, the Almighty, the Wise. 2 We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them purely for just ends, and for a specific term, but those who reject Faith turn away from what they have been warned of. 3 Say thou: bethink ye: whatsoever ye call upon beside Allah - show me whatsoever they have created of the earth? Or have they any partnership in the heavens? Bring me a Book before this, or some trace of knowledge if ye say sooth. 4 And who is more astray than he who calleth beside Allah, unto such as will answer it not till the Day of Resurrection and who are of their call unaware. 5 When all men are gathered together (on that Day) they will become their enemies and deny their worship. 6 But whenever Our messages are conveyed to them in all their clarity, they who are bent on denying the truth speak thus of the truth as soon as it is brought to them: "This is clearly nothing but spellbinding eloquence!" 7 Or do they say, "He has forged it"? Say: "Had I forged it, then can ye obtain no single (blessing) for me from Allah. He knows best of that whereof ye talk (so glibly)! Enough is He for a witness between me and you! And he is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." 8 Say, “I am not something new* among the Noble Messengers, nor do I know (on my own) what will happen to me** or with you; I only follow that which is divinely revealed to me, and I am purely a Herald of clear warning. (* I am like the earlier ones. ** My knowledge comes due to divine revelations.) 9 Say, "Have you thought: what if this Quran really is from God and you reject it? What if one of the Children of Israel testifies to its similarity to earlier scripture and believes in it, and yet you are too arrogant to do the same? God certainly does not guide evil-doers." 10