Surah Shuara
Contents
T.S.M. [26:1]
These are the signs of the clarifying Book. [26:2]
You may be killing yourself with grief that they may not become believers. [26:3]
If We wished, We would send a sign to them from the sky so their necks would bow to it in submission. [26:4]
But whenever a reminder from the Benevolent One comes to them, newly revealed, they turn away from it, [26:5]
so they have repudiated truth; but news of what they used to sneer at will soon come to them. [26:6]
Don’t they see the earth, how many noble species of all kinds We have produced there? [26:7]
There is surely a sign in that, but most of them are not believers. [26:8]
Yet your Lord is surely the almighty, the merciful. [26:9]
Your Lord called to Moses, “Go to the tyrannical people, [26:10]
“the people of Pharaoh; won’t they be conscientious?” [26:11]
He said, “My Lord, I fear they’ll call me a liar, [26:12]
“and my chest will be constricted, and my speech will not be fluent; so address Aaron. [26:13]
“And they hold me responsible for a crime, so I fear they will kill me.” [26:14]
“Certainly not! Now go, both of you, with Our signs, for We are with you, listening. [26:15]
“So go to Pharaoh, the two of you, and say, We are messengers of the Lord of all worlds, [26:16]
‘“that you should send the Israelites with us.’” [26:17]
[Pharaoh] said, “Didn’t we take care of you as a child in our home? You stayed with us for years of your life; [26:18]
“yet you committed that act of yours that you did, as you are an ingrate.” [26:19]
[Moses] said, “I did it then, when I was one of those astray. [26:20]
“So I fled from you when I was afraid of you; but God granted me wisdom, and made me one of the emissaries. [26:21]
“And this is a favor for which you reproach me— that you enslaved the Israelites?” [26:22]
Pharaoh said, “And what is the Lord of all worlds?” [26:23]
[Moses] said, “The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if your judgment is correct.” [26:24]
[Pharaoh] said to those around him, “Don’t you hear?” [26:25]
[Moses] said, “Your Lord, and the Lord of your ancestors of old.” [26:26]
[Pharaoh] said, “Your messenger, the one who has been sent to you, is certainly insane!” [26:27]
[Moses] said, “Lord of the East and the West and all that is between them, if you realize.” [26:28]
[Pharaoh] said, “If you take to any deity other than me, I will make you a prisoner.” [26:29]
[Moses] said, “Even if I show you something revealing?” [26:30]
[Pharaoh] said, “Then present it, if you are being truthful.” [26:31]
So he tossed his staff and lo— it was a serpent, plain to see. [26:32]
And he drew out his hand and lo— it was white to the onlookers. [26:33]
[Pharaoh] said to the chiefs around him, “This is an expert magician indeed. [26:34]
“He wants to eject you from your land by his magic. So what do you advise?” [26:35]
They said, “Delay him and his brother; meanwhile send recruiters to the cities [26:36]
“to bring you all the expert magicians.” [26:37]
So the magicians were assembled for the appointment on a specified day, [26:38]
and it was said to the people, “Are you all together [26:39]
“that we may follow the magicians if they are the winners?” [26:40]
Then when the magicians arrived, they said to Pharaoh, “There is a reward for us if we are the winners, isn’t there?” [26:41]
He said, “Yes, and then you will be favorites.” [26:42]
Moses said to them, “Throw what you’re going to throw.” [26:43]
So they threw their ropes and canes, and they said, “By the power of Pharaoh, we will be the winners.” [26:44]
Then Moses threw his staff, and lo—it seized their counterfeits: [26:45]
and the magicians were thrown down prostrate. [26:46]
They said, “We believe in the Lord of all worlds, [26:47]
“the Lord of Moses and Aaron.” [26:48]
[Pharaoh] said, “You put your trust in him before I give you permission: he must be your chief, the one who taught you magic. Well, you will know— [26:49]
“I will cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you all.” [26:50]
They said, “No harm— for we are returning to our Lord. [26:51]
“We hope our Lord will forgive us our errors, since we were the first of the believers.” [26:52]
And We inspired Moses, “Set out by night with My devotees, for you will be followed.” [26:53]
So Pharaoh sent recruiters to the cities: [26:54]
“These are a small band, to be sure, [26:55]
“but they are certainly vexing to us, [26:56]
“even if we are united on the alert.” [26:57]
Then We expelled them from gardens and springs, [26:58]
and treasures, and an eminent position. [26:59]
So it was. And We had the Israelites inherit them. [26:60]
Now then, they followed them at dawn, [26:61]
and when the two throngs saw each other, the company of Moses said, “We will surely be overtaken.” [26:62]
He said, “Certainly not! For with me is my Lord, who will guide me.” [26:63]
Then We inspired Moses, “Strike the sea with your staff!” Then it divided, each part like an enormous mountain. [26:64]
Then We caused the others to approach: [26:65]
now We rescued Moses and those with him, all of them, [26:66]
and We drowned the others. [26:67]
Surely there is a sign in that; yet most of them are not believers: [26:68]
still your Lord is in fact the Almighty, the Merciful. [26:69]
Now tell them the story of Abraham: [26:70]
Remember how he said to his father and his people, “What are you worshipping?” [26:71]
They said, “We worship idols; we are constantly devoted to them.” [26:72]
He said, “Do they hear you when you pray? Do they provide you any benefit or do you any harm?” [26:73]
They said, “No, but we found our fathers doing thus.” [26:74]
He said, “Then do you see what you have been worshipping, [26:75]
“you and your ancestors? [26:76]
“They are inimical to me, except the Lord of all worlds, [26:77]
“who created me and who guides me, [26:78]
“and who feeds me and gives me drink, [26:79]
“and who heals me when I’m sick, [26:80]
“and who will cause me to die and then revive me, [26:81]
“and who I hope will forgive me on the day of requital. [26:82]
“My Lord, grant me wisdom, and admittance to the society of the righteous, [26:83]
“and give me a reputation for truth among later generations, [26:84]
“and make me an heir of paradise, [26:85]
“and forgive my father, as he is among those in error; [26:86]
“and do not disgrace me on the day they’re resurrected, [26:87]
“the day when neither wealth nor children will be of help, [26:88]
“except those who bring God an unblemished heart. [26:89]
“And the garden will be brought near the conscientious, [26:90]
“while the blaze will be displayed to those astray; [26:91]
“and it will be said to them, ‘Where are those you used to worship [26:92]
“‘besides God? Will they deliver you, or deliver themselves?’ [26:93]
“Then they’ll be toppled into the fire, they and those astray, [26:94]
“and the armies of the devil, all of them. [26:95]
“They will say, disputing there, [26:96]
“‘By God, we were indeed in evident error [26:97]
“‘when we took you for equals to the Lord of all worlds, [26:98]
“‘and no one led us astray but the sinners. [26:99]
‘“So there are no intercessors for us [26:100]
“‘and nary an intimate friend. [26:101]
“‘Now if only we could return, we would be believers.’” [26:102]
Surely in that is a sign; but most of them aren’t believers. [26:103]
Still your Lord is in fact the Almighty, the Merciful. [26:104]
Noah’s people repudiated the emissaries: [26:105]
Remember how their brother Noah said to them, “Won’t you be conscientious? [26:106]
“For I am a faithful messenger to you; [26:107]
“so be conscious of God, and obey me. [26:108]
“I ask you no reward for it, either; for my reward is up to the Lord of all worlds alone. [26:109]
“So be conscious of God, and obey me.” [26:110]
They said, “Should we believe in you, when the most abject follow you?” [26:111]
He said, “What do I know of what they do? [26:112]
“Their account is up to my Lord alone, if you understand: [26:113]
“and I am not about to drive away the believers. [26:114]
“I am only a herald, speaking plainly.” [26:115]
They said, “If you don’t give up, Noah, you will be stoned.” [26:116]
He said, “My Lord, my people have repudiated me; [26:117]
“so judge between us, and deliver me and the believers with me.” [26:118]
So We delivered him and those with him, on the laden Ark. [26:119]
Then We drowned those who stayed behind. [26:120]
Surely there is a sign in that, but most of them aren’t believers. [26:121]
Still your Lord is in fact the Almighty, the Merciful. [26:122]
The ‘Ad repudiated the emissaries: [26:123]
Remember how their brother Hud said to them, “Won’t you be conscientious? [26:124]
“I am a faithful messenger to you. [26:125]
“So be conscious of God, and obey me. [26:126]
“I don’t ask you reward for it; my reward is up to the Lord of all worlds alone. [26:127]
“Do you erect a sign on every hill for fun? [26:128]
“And do you occupy buildings so you might stay forever? [26:129]
“When you attack, you attack as oppressors. [26:130]
“So be conscious of God, and obey me. [26:131]
“Be conscious of the One who supplied you with all you know; [26:132]
“supplied you with cattle and children, [26:133]
“and gardens and springs. [26:134]
“Indeed, I fear for you the torment of a distressing day.” [26:135]
They said, “It is the same to us whether you preach or not; [26:136]
“for this is only an invention of the ancients— [26:137]
“we are not going to be punished.” [26:138]
Thus they called him a liar, and so We destroyed them. Surely there is a sign in that, but most of them aren’t believers. [26:139]
Still your Lord is in fact the Almighty, the Merciful. [26:140]
The Thamud repudiated the emissaries: [26:141]
Remember how their brother Salih said to them, “Won’t you be conscientious? [26:142]
“I am a faithful messenger to you, [26:143]
“so be conscious of God, and obey me. [26:144]
“I don’t ask you any reward for it; my reward is up to the Lord of all worlds alone. [26:145]
“Will you be left secure in what is here— [26:146]
“in gardens and springs, [26:147]
“and fields, and date palms with heavily laden spathes, [26:148]
“with you nimbly carving houses from the mountains? [26:149]
“So be conscious of God, and obey me; [26:150]
“and don’t obey the command of those who are immoderate, [26:151]
“who corrupt the land and do nothing to improve.” [26:152]
They said, “You are merely bewitched. [26:153]
“You are nothing but a man like us. Produce a sign if you are being truthful.” [26:154]
He said, “Here is a she-camel. There is a portion of water for it, and a portion of water for you on a determined day. [26:155]
“So do it no harm, lest the torment of a distressing day overtake you.” [26:156]
But they hamstrung it, and then they became rueful; [26:157]
and the torment overtook them. There is surely a sign in that, but most of them aren’t believers. [26:158]
Still your Lord is in fact the Almighty, the Merciful. [26:159]
Lot’s people repudiated the emissaries: [26:160]
Remember how their brother Lot said to them, “Won’t you be conscientious? [26:161]
“I am a faithful messenger to you, [26:162]
“so be conscious of God, and obey me. [26:163]
“I don’t ask you any reward for it, either; my reward is up to the Lord of all worlds alone. [26:164]
“Do you approach males, [26:165]
“leaving alone the mates your Lord created for you? You are an immoral people!” [26:166]
They said, “If you don’t stop, Lot, you will be banished.” [26:167]
He said, “I certainly abhor your activity! [26:168]
“My Lord, deliver me and my family from what they are doing!” [26:169]
So we rescued him and his family, all together, [26:170]
except an old woman among those who tarried behind; [26:171]
then We destroyed the rest— [26:172]
We rained a shower on them; and grievous is the shower rained on those who have been warned! [26:173]
There is surely a sign in that, but most of them aren’t believers. [26:174]
Still your Lord is in fact the Almighty, the Merciful. [26:175]
The people of the woods repudiated the emissaries: [26:176]
Remember how Shu‘aib said to them, “Won’t you be conscientious? [26:177]
“I am a faithful messenger to you, [26:178]
“so be conscious of God, and obey me. [26:179]
“And I ask you no reward for it, either; my reward is up to the Lord of all worlds alone. [26:180]
“Give full measure, and do not cause loss: [26:181]
“weigh with accurate scales, [26:182]
“and don’t withhold from people anything due them, and don’t do harm in the land as spoilers. [26:183]
“And be conscious of the One who created you and the multitudes of yore.” [26:184]
They said, “You are merely bewitched. [26:185]
“You are no more than a man, like us; and we think you are a liar. [26:186]
“Now bring pieces of the sky down on us, if you are telling the truth.” [26:187]
He said, “My Lord knows better what you are doing.” [26:188]
But they still called him a liar. Then the agony of the day of the overshadowing cloud struck them; and that was the agony of a distressing day. [26:189]
There is surely a sign in that, but most of them aren’t believers. [26:190]
Still your Lord is in fact the Almighty, the Merciful. [26:191]
This is a revelation from the Lord of all worlds: [26:192]
the faithful spirit brought it down [26:193]
to your heart, that you may be a herald [26:194]
in clear Arabic speech: [26:195]
and this is in the ancient scriptures too: [26:196]
isn’t it a sign to them that the learned of the Israelites acknowledge it? [26:197]
Even if We had revealed it to some of the non-Arabs, [26:198]
and had he recited it to them, they would not have believed in it. [26:199]
Thus have We introduced it into the hearts of the sinners: [26:200]
they won’t believe in it until they see the painful penalty; [26:201]
but it will come to them suddenly, while they are unawares: [26:202]
Then they will say, “Will we be granted a stay?” [26:203]
Do they seek to hasten Our punishment? [26:204]
Do you see—if We let them enjoy life for years, [26:205]
then there comes upon them what they were promised, [26:206]
what they had been allowed to enjoy will be of no avail to them. [26:207]
Yet We never destroyed a population that did not have its warners [26:208]
to remind; and We have never been unjust. [26:209]
The devils haven’t brought this down: [26:210]
it is not fitting for them, and they are not able; [26:211]
for they are cut off from hearing. [26:212]
So do not pray to any deity besides God, or you will be punished. [26:213]
And warn your closest relatives. [26:214]
And lower your wing to the believers who follow you. [26:215]
Then if they disobey you, then say, “I am innocent of what you are doing.” [26:216]
And trust in the Almighty, the Merciful, [26:217]
who sees you as you stand, [26:218]
and your movements in the company of those bowing down; [26:219]
for God is all-hearing, all-knowing. [26:220]
Shall I tell you about those on whom the devils descend? [26:221]
They descend on all lying sinners, [26:222]
who listen to them though most of them are liars; [26:223]
and the seducing poets follow them: [26:224]
don’t you see that they’re in every valley, roaming in rapture, [26:225]
and that they say what they do not do? [26:226]
The exception are those who believe and do good works and remember God a lot, and defend themselves after they’re oppressed. And as for the oppressors, they’ll find out what turn of fate they’ll undergo. [26:227]