Vanity (Al-Zukhruf)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
HaMeem. 1 I swear by the illustrious Book. 2 Lo! We have appointed it a Lecture, in Arabic that haply ye may understand. 3 It (the Quran) exists in the original Book with Us which is certainly Most Exalted, full of wisdom and (beyond linguistic structures). 4 Shall We then take away from you the admonition because ye are a people extravagant? 5 And how many a prophet We sent among the ancients. 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 If thou askest them, 'Who created the heavens and earth?' they will say, 'The All-mighty, the All-knowing created them.' 9 He it is who has made the earth a cradle for you, and has provided for you ways [of livelihood] thereon, so that you might follow the right path. 10 Who sent down water in due measure from the sky, then quickened a region that was dead -- So shall We bring you forth -- 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 verily unto our Lord we are to return. 14 Yet they attribute to some of His servants a share with Him (in his godhead)! truly is man a blasphemous ingrate avowed! 15