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surah.translation
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Sad
(38:1) Sad,1 and by the Qur'an full of exhortation!2
(38:2) Nay, but the unbelievers are steeped in arrogance and stubborn defiance.3
(38:3) How many a nation did We destroy before them! (When they approached
their doom) they cried out (for deliverance), but the time for deliverance was
already past.
their doom) they cried out (for deliverance), but the time for deliverance was
already past.
(38:4) They wondered that a warner had come to them from among themselves,4and
the deniers of the Truth said: “This is a sorcerer,5 and a big liar.
the deniers of the Truth said: “This is a sorcerer,5 and a big liar.
(38:5) Has he made the gods one single God? This is truly astounding.”
(38:6) And the elders among them went forth6 saying: “Go ahead
and be steadfast in adhering to your deities.7 What is being said
is with a design.”8
and be steadfast in adhering to your deities.7 What is being said
is with a design.”8
(38:7) We have not heard this in the religious community close to our time.9
This is nothing but a fabrication.
This is nothing but a fabrication.
(38:8) Has this Exhortation been sent down among us only to him, to the exclusion
of all others?” Nay, they are in doubt regarding My Exhortation,0
and are saying all this because they have not yet had any taste of My chastisement.
of all others?” Nay, they are in doubt regarding My Exhortation,0
and are saying all this because they have not yet had any taste of My chastisement.
(38:9) Do they possess the treasures of your Lord, the Most Mighty, the Great
Bestower?
Bestower?
(38:10) Or do they possess the dominion of the heavens and the earth and
of all that is in between them? If so, let them ascend the heights of the realm
of causation and see!1
of all that is in between them? If so, let them ascend the heights of the realm
of causation and see!1
(38:11) This is only a small army out of the several armies that will suffer
defeat here.2
defeat here.2
(38:12) Before them the people of Noah, Ad, and Pharaoh of the tent-pegs
gave the lie (to the Messengers)3
gave the lie (to the Messengers)3
(38:13) and so did Thamud and the people of Lot and the people of Aykah.
These were all leagued together.
These were all leagued together.
(38:14) Each of them gave the lie to Messengers and My decree of chastisement
came upon them.
came upon them.
(38:15) They are waiting for nothing except a single Cry, after which there
will be no second Cry.4
will be no second Cry.4
(38:16) They say: “Our Lord, hasten to us our share (of chastisement) before
the Day of Reckoning.”5
the Day of Reckoning.”5
(38:17) (O Prophet), bear with patience what they say,6 and call
to mind Our servant David,7 who was endowed with great strength8
and who constantly turned (to Allah).
to mind Our servant David,7 who was endowed with great strength8
and who constantly turned (to Allah).
(38:18) With him We had subjected the mountains that they join him in celebrating
Allah's glory, evening and morning,
Allah's glory, evening and morning,
(38:19) and the birds, too, in their flocks, and turn again and again to
celebrating Allah's glory.9
celebrating Allah's glory.9
(38:20) And We strengthened his kingdom and endowed him with wisdom and decisive
judgement.0
judgement.0
(38:21) Has the story of the litigants reached you � of those who entered
his private chambers by climbing over the wall?1
his private chambers by climbing over the wall?1
(38:22) As they came upon David � and he was frightened of them2
� they said: “Be not afraid. We are just two litigants: one of us has committed
excess against the other. So judge rightly between us, and be not unjust; and
guide us to the Right Way.
� they said: “Be not afraid. We are just two litigants: one of us has committed
excess against the other. So judge rightly between us, and be not unjust; and
guide us to the Right Way.
(38:23) Behold, this is my brother;3 he has ninety-nine ewes
and I have only one ewe.” And yet he said: “Give her into my charge,” and he
got the better of me in argument.4
and I have only one ewe.” And yet he said: “Give her into my charge,” and he
got the better of me in argument.4
(38:24) David said: “He has certainly wronged you in seeking to add your
ewe to his ewes;5 and indeed many who live together commit excesses,
one to the other, except those that believe and act righteously; and they are
but few.” (While so saying) David realized that it is We Who have put him to
test; therefore, he sought the forgiveness of his Lord, and fell down, bowing
and penitently turning (to Him).6
ewe to his ewes;5 and indeed many who live together commit excesses,
one to the other, except those that believe and act righteously; and they are
but few.” (While so saying) David realized that it is We Who have put him to
test; therefore, he sought the forgiveness of his Lord, and fell down, bowing
and penitently turning (to Him).6
(38:25) Thereupon We forgave him his shortcoming and indeed (an exalted position
of) nearness awaits him, and an excellent resort.7
of) nearness awaits him, and an excellent resort.7
(38:26) (We said to him): “O David, We have appointed you vicegerent on earth.
Therefore, rule among people with justice and do not follow (your) desire lest
it should lead you astray from Allah's Path. Allah's severe chastisement awaits
those who stray away from Allah's Path, for they had forgotten the Day of Reckoning.8
Therefore, rule among people with justice and do not follow (your) desire lest
it should lead you astray from Allah's Path. Allah's severe chastisement awaits
those who stray away from Allah's Path, for they had forgotten the Day of Reckoning.8
(38:27) We did not create this heaven and earth and all that lies between
them in vain. That is the fancy of those who denied the Truth.9
So woe from the Fire to all who deny the Truth.
them in vain. That is the fancy of those who denied the Truth.9
So woe from the Fire to all who deny the Truth.
(38:28) Shall We then treat alike those that believe and act righteously
and those that create mischief on earth? Or treat alike the God-fearing and
the wicked?0
and those that create mischief on earth? Or treat alike the God-fearing and
the wicked?0
(38:29) This is the Blessed Book1 that We have revealed to you,
(O Muhammad), that people with understanding may reflect over its verses and
those with understanding derive a lesson.
(O Muhammad), that people with understanding may reflect over its verses and
those with understanding derive a lesson.
(38:30) We bestowed upon David (an illustrious son), Solomon.2
How excellent a servant (of Ours he was)! Indeed he constantly turned to Us
in devotion.
How excellent a servant (of Ours he was)! Indeed he constantly turned to Us
in devotion.
(38:31) And when one evening well-trained and running horses of noble breed
were brought to him3
were brought to him3
(38:32) he said: “Lo! I have come to love this wealth4 on account
of the remembrance of my Lord.” And when the horses disappeared,
of the remembrance of my Lord.” And when the horses disappeared,
(38:33) (he ordered): “Bring these horses back to me,” and then he began
to gently stroke their shanks and necks.5
to gently stroke their shanks and necks.5
(38:34) Surely We put Solomon to the test and cast upon his throne a mere
body. Thereupon he penitently turned (to Us).
body. Thereupon he penitently turned (to Us).
(38:35) He said: “My Lord, forgive me and bestow upon me a kingdom such as
none other after me will deserve. Surely You are the Bounteous Giver.”6
none other after me will deserve. Surely You are the Bounteous Giver.”6
(38:36) We subjected the wind to him, so that it blew gently at his bidding,
wherever he directed it,7
wherever he directed it,7
(38:37) and We also subjected the devils to him � all kinds of builders and
divers;
divers;
(38:38) and others that were bound with chains.8
(38:39) “This is Our bestowal. So give or withhold as you wish without account.”9
(38:40) Indeed an exalted position of nearness awaits him and an excellent
resort.0
resort.0
(38:41) And remember Our servant Job:1 when he cried to his Lord:
“Behold, Satan has afflicted me with much hardship and suffering.”2
“Behold, Satan has afflicted me with much hardship and suffering.”2
(38:42) (We commanded him): “Stamp your foot on earth, and here is cool water
to wash with and to drink.”3
to wash with and to drink.”3
(38:43) And We granted to him his family and also the like of them,4
as a mercy from Us, and as a reminder to people of understanding,5
as a mercy from Us, and as a reminder to people of understanding,5
(38:44) (and We said to him): “Take in your hand a bundle of rushes and strike
with it, and do not break your oath.”6 Indeed We found him steadfast.
How excellent a servant (of Ours) he was. Indeed he constantly turned (to his
Lord).7
with it, and do not break your oath.”6 Indeed We found him steadfast.
How excellent a servant (of Ours) he was. Indeed he constantly turned (to his
Lord).7
(38:45) And remember Our servants � Abraham, Isaac and Jacob � they were
endowed with great strength and vision.8
endowed with great strength and vision.8
(38:46) Verily We exalted them in consideration of a sterling quality: their
remembrance of the Abode of the Hereafter.9
remembrance of the Abode of the Hereafter.9
(38:47) In Our sight they are among the chosen and excellent ones.
(38:48) And remember Ishmael, Elisha,0 and Dhu al-Kifl.1All
were of the best.
were of the best.
(38:49) This was a remembrance. An excellent retreat awaits the God-fearing
(38:50) � everlasting Gardens with gates wide open for them2
(38:51) wherein they shall recline, wherein they shall ask for abundant fruit
and drinks,
and drinks,
(38:52) and wherein there shall be with them well-matched, bashful mates.3
(38:53) All this is what you are promised for the Day of Judgement.
(38:54) This is Our provision for you, never to end.
(38:55) All this (is for the God-fearing). But for the transgressors, an
evil resort awaits them �
evil resort awaits them �
(38:56) Hell, where they will be roasted. An evil place to dwell!
(38:57) All this (is for them); so let them taste boiling water and pus,4
(38:58) and other sufferings of the kind.
(38:59) (Observing their followers advancing to Hell they will say, among
themselves: “This is a troop rushing in to you. There is no welcome for them.
They are destined to roast in the Fire.”
themselves: “This is a troop rushing in to you. There is no welcome for them.
They are destined to roast in the Fire.”
(38:60) They will reply: “Rather, no welcome to you. (You will roast in Hell.)
It is you who led us to this end. What an evil resort!”
It is you who led us to this end. What an evil resort!”
(38:61) They will say: “Our Lord, give twofold punishment in the Fire to
him who has led us to this.”
him who has led us to this.”
(38:62) They will say to one another: “But why do we not see those whom we
considered him among the wicked?5
considered him among the wicked?5
(38:63) Is it that we mistakenly made fun of them; or have they disappeared
from our sight?”
from our sight?”
(38:64) Verily all this is true. This is how the inmates of the Fire will
dispute among themselves.
dispute among themselves.
(38:65) Tell them, (O Prophet):6 “I am nothing but a warner.7
There is no deity but Allah, the One, the Supreme,
There is no deity but Allah, the One, the Supreme,
(38:66) the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is in between
them, the Most Mighty, the Most Forgiving.”
them, the Most Mighty, the Most Forgiving.”
(38:67) Say: “This is a tiding of tremendous import
(38:68) from which you are turning away.”8
(38:69) (Tell them): “I had no knowledge of the High Council when they were
disputing.
disputing.
(38:70) I am told (about matters) by means of revelation only because I am
a clear warner.”
a clear warner.”
(38:71) When your Lord said to the angels:9 “Verily I am creating
a human being from clay.0
a human being from clay.0
(38:72) After I have created him and breathed into him of My spirit,1
fall you down, prostrating yourselves to him.”2
fall you down, prostrating yourselves to him.”2
(38:73) Then the angels, all of them, prostrated themselves before Adam
(38:74) except Iblis. He waxed proud and became one of the unbelievers.3
(38:75) The Lord said: “O Iblis, what prevented you from prostrating yourself
before him whom I created of My Two Hands.4 Are you waxing proud,
or fancy yourself to be too exalted?”
before him whom I created of My Two Hands.4 Are you waxing proud,
or fancy yourself to be too exalted?”
(38:76) He replied: “I am nobler than he. You created me from fire and created
him from clay.”
him from clay.”
(38:77) He said: “Get out of here;5 surely you are accursed,6
(38:78) and My curse shall remain upon you till the Day of Resurrection.”7
(38:79) Satan said: “My Lord, then grant me respite till the Day that they
are raised up.”
are raised up.”
(38:80) He said: “You are of those who have been granted respite
(38:81) till the Day whose Hour I know.”
(38:82) (Iblis) said: “By Your glory, I shall mislead them all
(38:83) except those of Your servants, the chosen ones from amongst them.”8
(38:84) He (i.e. Allah) said: “This is the Truth � and I only speak the Truth
�
�
(38:85) I will certainly fill the Gehenna with you9 and with
all those among them who follow you.”0
all those among them who follow you.”0
(38:86) (O Prophet), tell them: “I do not ask you for any recompense for
the performance of this task;1 nor am I given to affectation.2
the performance of this task;1 nor am I given to affectation.2
(38:87) This is nothing but an Admonition for all people the world over.
(38:88) You will know the truth of the matter after a while.”3