Koran Curious - A Guide for Infidels and Believers (30 page)

[41:5] They said, “Our minds are made up, our ears are deaf to your message, and a barrier separates us from you. Do what you want, and so will we.”

[41:6] Say, “I am no more than a human being like you, who has been inspired that your god is one god. You shall be devoted to Him, and ask His forgiveness. Woe to the idol worshipers.

[1:13] If they turn away, then say, “I am warning you of a disaster like the disaster that annihilated ‘Aad and Thamoud.”

[41:18] We always save those who believe and lead a righteous life.

[41:19] The day will come when the enemies of GOD will be summoned to the hellfire, forcibly.

[41:20] Once they get there, their own hearing, eyes, and skins will bear witness to everything they had done.

[41:41] Those who have rejected the Quran’s proof when it came to them, have also rejected an Honorable book.

[41:42] No falsehood could enter it, in the past or in the future; a revelation from a Most Wise, Praiseworthy.

[41:49] The human being never tires of imploring for good things. And when adversity befalls him, he turns despondent, desperate.

[41:50] And when we bless him after suffering some adversity, he says, “This belongs to me. I do not believe that the Hour will ever come to pass. Even if I am returned to my Lord, I will find at Him better things.” Most certainly, we will inform the disbelievers of all their works, and will commit them to severe retribution.

[41:51] When we bless the human being, he turns away, and drifts farther and farther away, and when he suffers any affliction, he implores loudly.

[41:52] Proclaim: “What if this is truly from GOD, then you decide to reject it? Who are farther astray than those who decide to oppose this?”

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

[42:7] We thus reveal to you an Arabic Quran to warn the central community and all around it, and to warn about the Day of Summoning that is inevitable. Some will end up in Heaven, and some in Hell.

[42:11] Initiator of the heavens and the earth. He created for you from among yourselves spouses - and also for the animals. He thus provides you with the means to multiply. There is nothing that equals Him. He is the Hearer, the Seer.

[42:12] To Him belongs absolute control of the heavens and the earth. He is the One who increases the provision for whomever He wills, or reduces it. He is fully aware of all things.

[42:13] He decreed for you the same religion decreed for Noah, and what we inspired to you, and what we decreed for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: “You shall uphold this one religion, and do not divide it.”

[42:15] This is what you shall preach, and steadfastly maintain what you are commanded to do, and do not follow their wishes. And proclaim: “I believe in all the scriptures sent down by GOD. I was commanded to judge among you equitably. GOD is our Lord and your Lord. We have our deeds and you have your deeds. There is no argument between us and you. GOD will gather us all together; to Him is the ultimate destiny.”

[42:16] Those who argue about GOD, after receiving His message, their argument is nullified at their Lord. They have incurred condemnation, and have deserved a severe retribution.

[42:17] GOD is the One who sent down the scripture, to deliver the truth and the law. For all that you know, the Hour (Day of Judgment) may be very close.

[42:21] They follow idols who decree for them religious laws never authorized by GOD. If it were not for the predetermined decision, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, the transgressors have incurred a painful retribution.

[42:32] Among His proofs are the ships that sail the sea with sails like flags.

[42:33] If He willed, He could have stilled the winds, leaving them motionless on top of the water. These are proofs for those who are steadfast, appreciative.

[42:34] He can annihilate them, as a consequence of their own works. Instead, He overlooks many (of their sins).

[42:35] Those who argue against our proofs will find out that they have no basis.

[42:37] They avoid gross sins and vice, and when angered they forgive.

[42:38] They respond to their Lord by observing the Contact Prayers (Salat). Their affairs are decided after due consultation among themselves, and from our provisions to them they give (to charity).

[42:39] When gross injustice befalls them, they stand up for their rights.

[42:40] Although the just requital for an injustice is an equivalent retribution, those who pardon and maintain righteousness are rewarded by GOD. He does not love the unjust.

[42:41] Certainly, those who stand up for their rights, when injustice befalls them, are not committing any error.

[42:42] The wrong ones are those who treat the people unjustly, and resort to aggression without provocation. These have incurred a painful retribution.

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

[43:3] We have rendered it an Arabic Quran, that you may understand.

[43:4] It is preserved with us in the original master, honorable and full of wisdom.

[43:12] He is the One who created all kinds, in pairs (male and female), and He created for you ships and livestock to ride.

[43:13] As you rest on top of them, you shall appreciate such a blessing from your Lord, and say, “Glory be to the One who subdued this for us. We could not have controlled them by ourselves.

[43:14] “We ultimately return to our Lord.”

[43:16] Has He chosen from among His creations daughters for Himself, while blessing you with sons?

[43:17] When one of them is given news (of a daughter) as they claimed for the Most Gracious, his face is darkened with misery and anger!

[43:18] (They say,) “What is good about an offspring that is brought up to be beautiful, and cannot help in war?”

[43:19] They claimed that the angels, who are servants of the Most Gracious, are females! Have they witnessed their creation? Their claims are recorded, and they will be asked.

[43:20] They even said, “If the Most Gracious willed, we would not have worshipped them.” They have no basis for such a claim; they only conjecture.

[43:26] Abraham said to his father and his people, “I disown what you worship.

[43:27] “Only the One who initiated me can guide me.”

[43:28] This example (of Abraham) was rendered an everlasting lesson for subsequent generations; perhaps they redeem their souls.

[43:29] Indeed, I have given these people and their ancestors sufficient chances, then the truth came to them, and a clarifying messenger.

[43:31] They said, “If only this Quran was sent down through another man from the two communities (Mecca or Yathrib) who is prominent!”

[43:32] Are they the ones who assign your Lord’s mercy? We have assigned their shares in this life, raising some of them above others in ranks, in order to let them serve one another. The mercy from your Lord is far better than any material they may hoard.

[43:33] If it were not that all the people might become one (disbelieving) congregation, we would have granted everyone who disbelieves in the Most Gracious mansions with silver roofs, and stairs upon which they could climb.

[43:34] Their mansions would have impressive gates, and luxurious furnishings.

[43:35] Also many ornaments. All these are the temporary materials of this lowly life. The Hereafter - at your Lord - is far better for the righteous.

[43:57] When the son of Mary was cited as an example, your people disregarded it.

[43:58] They said, “Is it better to worship our gods, or to worship him?” They said this only to argue with you. Indeed, they are people who have joined the opposition.

[43:59] He was no more than a servant whom we blessed, and we sent him as an example for the Children of Israel.

[43:60] If we willed, we could have made you angels who colonize and reproduce on earth.

[43:61] He is to serve as a marker for knowing the end of the world, so you can no longer harbor any doubt about it. You shall follow Me; this is the right path.

[43:62] Let not the devil repel you; he is your most ardent enemy.

[43:63] When Jesus went with the proofs, he said, “I bring to you wisdom, and to clarify some of the matters in which you dispute. You shall reverence GOD and obey me.

[43:64] “GOD is my Lord and your Lord, you shall worship Him alone. This is the right path.”

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful