The letter Saad · Surah 38

Sad. By the renowned Qur'an

Nay, but those who disbelieve are in false pride and schism

How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape

And they marvel that a warner from among themselves hath come unto them, and the disbelievers say: This is a wizard, a charlatan

Maketh he the gods One Allah? Lo! that is an astounding thing

The chiefs among them go about, exhorting: Go and be staunch to your gods! Lo! this is a thing designed

We have not heard of this in later religion. This is naught but an invention

Hath the reminder been unto him (alone) among us? Nay, but they are in doubt concerning My reminder; nay but they have not yet tasted My doom

Or are theirs the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower

Or is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them theirs? Then let them ascend by ropes

A defeated host are (all) the factions that are there

The folk of Noah before them denied (their messenger) and (so did the tribe of) A'ad, and Pharaoh firmly planted

And (the tribe of) Thamud, and the folk of Lot, and the dwellers in the wood: these were the factions

Not one of them but did deny the messengers, therefor My doom was justified

These wait for but one Shout, there will be no second thereto

They say: Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning

Bear with what they say, and remember Our bondman David, lord of might, Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah)

Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise

And the birds assembled; all were turning unto Him

We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech

And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber

How they burst in upon David, and he was afraid of them. They said: Be not afraid! (We are) two litigants, one of whom hath wronged the other, therefor judge aright between us; be not unjust; and show us the fair way

Lo! this my brother hath ninety and nine ewes while I had one ewe; and he said: Entrust it to me, and he conquered me in speech

(David) said: He hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe in addition to his ewes, and lo! many partners oppress one another, save such as believe and do good works, and they are few. And David guessed that We had tried him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented

So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey's end

(And it was said unto him): O David! Lo! We have set thee as a viceroy in the earth; therefor judge aright between mankind, and follow not desire that it beguile thee from the way of Allah. Lo! those who wander from the way of Allah have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning

And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in vain. That is the opinion of those who disbelieve. And woe unto those who disbelieve, from the Fire

Shall We treat those who believe and do good works as those who spread corruption in the earth; or shall We treat the pious as the wicked

(This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto thee, full of blessing, that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding may reflect

And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah)

When there were shown to him at eventide lightfooted coursers

And he said: Lo! I have preferred the good things (of the world) to the remembrance of my Lord; till they were taken out of sight behind the curtain

(Then he said): Bring them back to me, and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks

And verily We tried Solomon, and set upon his throne a (mere) body. Then did he repent

He said: My Lord! Forgive me and bestow on me sovereignty such as shall not belong to any after me. Lo! Thou art the Bestower

So We made the wind subservient unto him, setting fair by his command whithersoever he intended

And the unruly, every builder and diver (made We subservient)

And others linked together in chains

(Saying): This is Our gift, so bestow thou, or withhold, without reckoning

And lo! he hath favour with Us, and a happy journey's end