A 'araaf (Al-A 'araaf)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
۞ Alif Lam Mim Suad. 1 A Book sent down to thee -- so let there be no impediment in thy breast because of it -- to warn thereby, and as a reminder to believers: 2 Follow what has been sent down to you by your Lord and do not follow any protector other than Him. How seldom you take heed. 3 How many towns have We destroyed (for their sins)? Our punishment took them on a sudden by night or while they slept for their afternoon rest. 4 And when Our punishment came upon them, they had nothing to say for themselves, and could only cry, "Verily, we were wrongdoers!" 5 Then shall we question those to whom Our message was sent and those by whom We sent it. 6 We will tell them with absolute certainty (what they had done) for We had never been absent from them (during their lifetime). 7 The balance that day will be true (to nicety): those whose scale (of good) will be heavy, will prosper: 8 and those whose scales are light will be the losers, for they, are the ones who have been unjust to Our signs. 9 We have established you in the earth and there appointed for you livelihood; little thanks you show. 10