Koran Curious - A Guide for Infidels and Believers (24 page)

[25:38] Also ‘Aad, Thamoud, the inhabitants of Al-Russ, and many generations between them.

[25:39] To each of these groups, we delivered sufficient examples, before we annihilated them.

[25:40] They have passed by the community that was showered with a miserable shower (Sodom). Did they not see it? The fact is, they never believed in resurrection.

[25:52] Therefore, do not obey the disbelievers, and strive against them with this, a great striving.

[25:53] He is the One who merges the two seas; one is fresh and palatable, while the other is salty and undrinkable. And He separated them with a formidable, inviolable barrier (evaporation).

[25:54] He is the One who created from water a human being, then made him reproduce through marriage and mating. Your Lord is Omnipotent.

[25:69] Retribution is doubled for them on the Day of Resurrection, and they abide therein humiliated.

[25:70] Exempted are those who repent, believe, and lead a righteous life. GOD transforms their sins into credits. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[25:71] Those who repent and lead a righteous life, GOD redeems them; a complete redemption.

[25:72] They do not bear false witness. When they encounter vain talk, they ignore it.

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

[26:3] You may blame yourself that they are not believers.

[26:4] If we will, we can send from the sky a sign that forces their necks to bow.

[26:5] Whenever a reminder from the Most Gracious comes to them, that is new, they turn away in aversion.

[26:6] Since they disbelieved, they have incurred the consequences of their heedlessness.

[26:7] Have they not seen the earth, and how many kinds of beautiful plants we have grown thereon?

[26:8] This should be a sufficient proof for them, but most of them are not believers.

[26:10] Recall that your Lord called Moses: “Go to the transgressing people.

[26:12] He said, “My Lord, I fear lest they disbelieve me.

[26:15] He said, “No, (they will not). Go with My proofs. We will be with you, listening.

[26:16] “Go to Pharaoh and say, ‘We are messengers from the Lord of the universe.’

[26:57] Consequently, we deprived them of gardens and springs.

[26:58] And treasures and an honorable position.

[26:59] Then we made it an inheritance for the Children of Israel.

[26:63] We then inspired Moses: “Strike the sea with your staff,” whereupon it parted. Each part was like a great hill.

[26:64] We then delivered them all.

[26:65] We thus saved Moses and all those who were with him.

[26:66] And we drowned the others.

[26:67] This should be a sufficient proof, but most people are not believers.

[26:68] Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

[26:69] Narrate to them Abraham’s history.

[26:70] He said to his father and his people, “What is this you are worshipping?”

[26:71] They said, “We worship statues; we are totally devoted to them.”

[26:72] He said, “Can they hear you when you implore?

[26:73] “Can they benefit you, or harm you?”

[26:74] They said, “No; but we found our parents doing this.”

[26:75] He said, “Do you see these idols that you worship.

[26:76] “You and your ancestors.

[26:77] “I am against them, for I am devoted only to the Lord of the universe.

[26:78] “The One who created me, and guided me.

[26:79] “The One who feeds me and waters me.

[26:105] The people of Noah disbelieved the messengers.

[26:117] He said, “My Lord, my people have disbelieved me.

[26:118] “Grant me victory against them, and deliver me and my company of believers.”

[26:119] We delivered him and those who accompanied him in the loaded ark.

[26:120] Then we drowned the others.

[26:121] This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

[26:124] Their brother Hood said to them, “Would you not be righteous?

[26:125] “I am an honest messenger to you.

[26:126] “You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

[26:136] They said, “It is the same whether you preach, or do not preach.

[26:137] “That affliction was limited to our ancestors.

[26:138] “No retribution will ever befall us.”

[26:139] They thus disbelieved and, consequently, we annihilated them. This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

[26:142] Their brother Saaleh said to them, “Would you not be righteous?

[26:143] “I am an honest messenger to you.

[26:144] “You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

[26:153] They said, “You are bewitched.

[26:154] “You are no more than a human like us. Produce a miracle, if you are truthful.”

[26:155] He said, “Here is a camel that will drink only on a day that is assigned to her; a day that is different from your specified days of drinking.

[26:156] “Do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur retribution on an awesome day.”

[26:157] They slaughtered her, and thus incurred sorrow.

[26:158] The retribution overwhelmed them. This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

[26:160] The people of Lot disbelieved the messengers.

[26:165] “Do you have sex with the males, of all the people?

[26:166] “You forsake the wives that your Lord has created for you! Indeed, you are transgressing people.”

[26:167] They said, “Unless you refrain, O Lot, you will be banished.”

[26:168] He said, “I deplore your actions.”

[26:169] “My Lord, save me and my family from their works.”

[26:170] We saved him and all his family.

[26:171] But not the old woman; she was doomed.

[26:172] We then destroyed the others.

[26:173] We showered them with a miserable shower; what a terrible shower for those who had been warned!

[26:176] The People of the Woods disbelieved the messengers.

[26:177] Shu’aib said to them, “Would you not be righteous?

[26:178] “I am an honest messenger to you.

[26:179] “You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

[26:181] “You shall give full measure when you trade; do not cheat.

[26:182] “You shall weigh with an equitable scale.

[26:183] “Do not cheat the people out of their rights, and do not roam the earth corruptingly.

[26:184] “Reverence the One who created you and the previous generations.”

[26:185] They said, “You are bewitched.

[26:186] “You are no more than a human being like us. In fact, we think you are a liar.

[26:187] “Let masses from the sky fall on us, if you are truthful.”

[26:188] He said, “My Lord is the One who knows everything you do.”

[26:189] They disbelieved him and, consequently, they incurred the retribution of the Day of the Canopy. It was the retribution of an awesome day.

[26:198] If we revealed this to people who do not know Arabic.

[26:199] And had him recite it (in Arabic), they could not possibly believe in it.

[26:200] We thus render it (like a foreign language) in the hearts of the guilty.

[26:201] Thus, they cannot believe in it; not until they see the painful retribution.

[26:205] As you see, we allowed them to enjoy for years.

[26:206] Then the retribution came to them, just as promised.

[26:207] Their vast resources did not help them in the least.

[26:208] We never annihilate any community without sending warners.

[26:209] Therefore, this is a reminder, for we are never unjust.