The Believers · Surah 23

So the (Awful) Cry overtook them rightfully, and We made them like as wreckage (that a torrent hurleth). A far removal for wrongdoing folk

Then after them We brought forth other generations

No nation can outstrip its term, nor yet postpone it

Then We sent our messengers one after another. Whenever its messenger came unto a nation they denied him; so We caused them to follow one another (to disaster) and We made them bywords. A far removal for folk who believe not

Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our tokens and a clear warrant

Unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they scorned (them) and they were despotic folk

And they said: Shall we put faith in two mortals like ourselves, and whose folk are servile unto us

So they denied them, and became of those who were destroyed

And We verily gave Moses the Scripture, that haply they might go aright

And We made the son of Mary and his mother a portent, and We gave them refuge on a height, a place of flocks and watersprings

O ye messengers! Eat of the good things, and do right. Lo! I am Aware of what ye do

And lo! this your religion is one religion and I am your Lord, so keep your duty unto Me

But they (mankind) have broken their religion among them into sects, each group rejoicing in its tenets

So leave them in their error till a time

Think they that in the wealth and sons wherewith We provide them

We hasten unto them with good things? Nay, but they perceive not

Lo! those who go in awe for fear of their Lord

And those who believe in the revelations of their Lord

And those who ascribe not partners unto their Lord

And those who give that which they give with hearts afraid because they are about to return unto their Lord

These race for the good things, and they shall win them in the race

And we task not any soul beyond its scope, and with Us is a Record which speaketh the truth, and they will not be wronged

Nay, but their hearts are in ignorance of this (Qur'an), and they have other works, besides, which they are doing

Till when We grasp their luxurious ones with the punishment, behold! they supplicate

Supplicate not this day! Assuredly ye will not be helped by Us

My revelations were recited unto you, but ye used to turn back on your heels

In scorn thereof. Nightly did ye rave together

Have they not pondered the Word, or hath that come unto them which came not unto their fathers of old

Or know they not their messenger, and so reject him

Or say they: There is a madness in him? Nay, but he bringeth them the Truth; and most of them are haters of the Truth

And if the Truth had followed their desires, verily the heavens and the earth and whosoever is therein had been corrupted. Nay, We have brought them their Reminder, but from their Reminder they now turn away

Or dost thou ask of them (O Muhammad) any tribute? But the bounty of thy Lord is better, for He is Best of all who make provision

And lo! thou summonest them indeed unto a straight path

And lo! those who believe not in the Hereafter are indeed astray from the path

Though We had mercy on them and relieved them of the harm afflicting them, they still would wander blindly on in their contumacy

Already have We grasped them with punishment, but they humble not themselves unto their Lord, nor do they pray

Until, when We open for them the gate of extreme punishment, behold! they are aghast thereat

He it is Who hath created for you ears and eyes and hearts. Small thanks give ye

And He it is Who hath sown you broadcast in the earth, and unto Him ye will be gathered

And He it is Who giveth life and causeth death, and His is the difference of night and day. Have ye then no sense