وَمَا أُبَرِّىءُ

53. And I do not absolve myself, for the (lower) self strongly commands to evil, except to whom my Lord shows mercy. Indeed, my Lord is Most-Forgiving, All-Merciful.’

54. And the king said: ‘Bring him to me. I will select him exclusively for myself.’ Then, once he had spoken to him, he said: ‘Indeed, from this day on, you will have a high position of honour and trust with us.’

55. He said: ‘Make me incharge of the treasures of the country. Surely, I am protective (of economic resources) and knowledgeable (in financial management).’

56. That is how We established Yusuf (Joseph) in the land that he may settle wherever he wished. We confer Our mercy upon whomsoever We please. And We do not waste the reward of the virtuously excellent.

57. And the reward of the Hereafter is even better for those who believe and are God-conscious.

58. (During the days of famine) Yusuf’s brothers came (to Egypt) and entered his presence. And he recognised them; however, they did not recognise him.

59. When he had provided them with their supplies, he said: ‘Bring me your (half) brother from your father. Do you not see that I give full measure, and I am the best of hosts?

60. But if you do not bring him to me, there shall be no ration for you with me (in the future), nor shall you approach me (ever again).’

61. They said: ‘We will try to persuade his father to send him. And we are surely going to do (it).’

62. He said to his servants: ‘Put their money (or traded goods back) into their saddlebags; perhaps they will recognise them when they return to their family. Hopefully, they will come back (again).’

63. So, when they returned to their father, they said: ‘Our father! We have been denied the (further) measure of corn. Send our brother along with us so we can obtain the measure (again). And we shall most surely be his (careful) guardians.’

64. He said: ‘Should I entrust you with him, just as I entrusted you with his brother (Joseph)? Yet Allah is the Best Protector. And He is the Most Merciful of the merciful.’

65. When they opened their baggage, they found their money had been returned to them. They said: ‘Our father! What (more) do we want? This is our money returned to us! Now, we will get (more) provisions for our family and take good care of our brother. And we will add another camel load of ration. That (additional) ration would be easy (to get).*

* It may also mean: ‘The load we have already bought is little.’

66. He said: ‘I will not send him along with you until you give me a solemn pledge in Allah’s Name that you will surely bring him back to me unless you are surrounded (to the point of death). When they had given him their solemn pledge, he said: ‘Allah is Guardian over what we say.’

67. And he said: ‘My sons! Do not enter together through one gate; rather, enter from different gates, though I cannot render you any help against (the will of) Allah. Ultimate authority belongs to Allah alone. In Him, I have put my trust. And in Him, should all trusting (people) put their trust.’

68. And when they entered as their father had commanded them, it could not render them any help against (the will of) Allah; however, it fulfilled a wish in Ya‘qub’s heart. Indeed, he possessed the knowledge of what We had taught him. But most people do not know.

69. And when they entered the presence of Yusuf (Joseph), he drew his (younger) brother (Benjamin) close to him (and) said (to him quietly): ‘Indeed, I am your brother (Yusuf), therefore do not grieve for what they have been doing.’

70. So when he had furnished them with their provisions, he placed the (king’s) drinking cup in his brother’s saddlebag. Then a herald called out: ‘O you men of the caravan! You are surely thieves.’

71. They turned towards them and said: ‘What are you missing?’

72. They (the officials of the king’s court) said: ‘We are missing the king’s goblet. Whoever brings it shall have a camel load (of corn).’ (The steward said:) ‘I shall be its guarantor.’

73. They said: ‘By Allah! You certainly know that we did not come to cause corruption in the land, and we are not thieves.’

74. They (the officials of the king’s court) said: ‘What shall be its penalty if you are lying?’

75. They said: ‘Its penalty will be that in whoever’s saddlebag it is found, he shall give himself as its requital. That is how We punish the wrongdoers.’

76. Then he (Yusuf) began with their bags before (opening) his brother’s bag. Then he took that (goblet) out of his brother’s bag. In this way, We devised a plan for Yusuf. He could not have held his brother under the king’s law unless Allah had so willed. We elevate in degrees whomever We please. And above every man of knowledge is one who knows better.*

* It may also mean: ‘Above every man of knowledge, there is the One Who is All-Knowing.’

77. They said: ‘If he has stolen, (it comes as no surprise as) his full brother has also stolen before.’ So Yusuf (Joseph) kept his secret hidden in his heart and did not disclose it to them. He said (in his heart): ‘You are (still) in a worse state. And Allah knows best what you allege.’

78. They said: ‘Respectable governor! Indeed, he has a venerable, aged father. Could you take one of us in his place? Indeed, we see you are a gracious person.’

79. He said: ‘Allah forbid that we should take other than the one in whose possession we found our property! For then, we should surely be wrongdoers.’

80. So when they lost hope of (convincing) him, they withdrew to consult in private. The eldest of them said: ‘Do you not know that your father has taken a solemn pledge from you in Allah’s Name, and previously you have been negligent in your duty towards Yusuf (Joseph)? Therefore, I will not leave this land until my father grants me permission or Allah decides for me (something else). And He is the best of judges.

81. Go back to your father and say: ‘Our father! Indeed, your son has committed theft, and we did not testify except what we knew. And we could not guard against the unforeseen.

82. So ask (the people of) the town where we were and the caravan with which we travelled. Indeed, we are truthful.’’

83. He (Jacob) said: ‘Rather your (sinful) souls have seduced you to this (evil) matter. Yet patience is graceful. I trust that Allah will bring them (back) to me altogether. Indeed He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.’

84. Then he turned away from them and said: ‘O my sorrow for Yusuf (Joseph)!’ And his eyes became white with grief. Yet he was controlling and hiding his emotions.

85. They said: ‘By Allah! You will go on remembering Yusuf (Joseph) until you lose your health or even die.’

86. He said: ‘I am only pleading to Allah my sorrow and sadness, and I know from Allah what you do not know.

87. My sons! Go and search for Yusuf (Joseph) and his brother, and do not despair of Allah’s mercy. Indeed, none despairs of Allah’s mercy except the disbelieving people.’

88. So when they entered his presence (again), they said: ‘Respectable governor! Severe hardship has struck us and our family, and we have brought just a minimal amount. So grant us full measure (of corn against it) and be charitable to us. Indeed, Allah rewards the charitable.’

89. He said: ‘Do you know how you treated Yusuf (Joseph) and his brother when you were ignorant?’

90. They said (in shock): ‘Are you truly Yusuf?’ He said: ‘(Yes,) I am Yusuf, and this is my brother (Binyamin). Surely, Allah has been gracious to us. Indeed, if one is God-conscious and patient, Allah does not waste the reward of the virtuously excellent.’

91. They said: ‘By Allah, surely Allah has chosen and preferred you over us, and we were indeed sinners.’

92. Yusuf (Joseph) said: ‘There shall be no blame on you today. May Allah forgive you. And He is the Most Merciful of the merciful!’

93. (Yusuf said to his brothers:) ‘Take this shirt of mine and place it over my father’s face; he will regain his sight. And bring your whole family to me.’

94. As the caravan set off, their father said: ‘I smell the fragrance of Yusuf if you do not think me senile.’

95. They (i.e. some people of his tribe) said: ‘By Allah, you are (still) lost in your old delusion of love.’

96. When the bearer of good news arrived, he placed it (i.e. the shirt of Joseph) over his face, so he was immediately restored to sight. He said: ‘Did I not tell you that I know from Allah what you do not know?’

97. They said: ‘Our father! Pray for the forgiveness of our sins. Indeed, we have been committing errors.’

98. He said: ‘I shall seek forgiveness for you from my Lord. Indeed, He is the Most Forgiving, the All-Merciful.’

99. So when they entered the presence of Yusuf, he drew his parents close to him and said: ‘Welcome to Egypt, you will all be safe here, if Allah wills!’

100. He raised his parents to the throne, and they (all) fell before him in prostration. He said: ‘Father! This is the fulfilment of my dream, I had long ago, which my Lord has made come true. He was undoubtedly gracious to me when He brought me out of prison, and He brought you (here) from the desert after Satan had incited ill feelings between me and my brothers. Indeed, My Lord is Benevolent in what He wishes. Indeed, He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise.

101. My Lord! You have granted me a share of the kingdom and taught me the interpretation of dreams. Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Guardian in this world and in the Hereafter. Let me die in a state of total submission (to You) and join me with the righteous.’

102. (O Prophet!) These are the accounts of the Unseen, which We reveal to you. And you were not present with them when they conspired together and devised a plan (against Yusuf).

103. Yet most people will not believe, no matter how eagerly you desire (for them).

104. You are not asking them for any reward for it. This (Qur’an) is just a reminder for all nations.

105. And how many a sign is there in the heavens and the earth which they pass by, yet they turn away from them!

106. And most of them do not believe in Allah without ascribing partners to Him (in worship).

107. Do they feel secure that an overwhelming punishment from Allah will not come to them or that the Last Hour will not overtake them suddenly while they are unaware?

108. Say (O Prophet): ‘This is my way. I call to Allah with clear insight, I and those who follow me. And Glory be to Allah, and I am not among those who ascribe partners (to Him).’

109. And We did not send (any messenger) before you except men, to whom We revealed from among the people of the towns. Have they not travelled across the earth so that they may observe how was the end of those before them? And surely the abode of the Hereafter is better for those who are God-conscious. Do you not then understand?

110. When the messengers lost hope (of their people accepting their message), and the (disbelieving) people thought they (the messengers) had been denied, Our help came to them (all of a sudden). And whomever We wished was saved, and Our punishment is not averted from the guilty people.

111. Indeed, there is a lesson in their accounts for those who possess intellect. This (Qur’an) is not a fabricated discourse. Instead, it is a confirmation of what was revealed before it, an elaboration of all things and a guidance and a mercy for people who believe.

1. Alif, Lam, Mim, Ra. These are the Verses of the Book. And what has been revealed to you from your Lord is the truth, but most people do not believe.

2. It is Allah Who raised the heavens without any pillars that you see. Then (befitting His Glory), He established His command on the Throne. And He subjected the sun and the moon, each orbiting for a specified time. He regulates the affairs (and) elaborates the signs (of creation) so that you may be certain of the meeting with your Lord.

3. He is the One Who has spread out the earth and placed firm mountains and rivers upon it. And of all the fruits, He has made therein a pair. He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed, there are signs for people who reflect.

4. And on the earth, there are (diverse) neighbouring tracks, vineyards, (various) farms and date palms growing from the same root and (others) from different roots. (All these are) irrigated by the same water. Yet We give some of them an advantage over others in taste and flavour. There are indeed signs in this for people who understand.

5. If you are to be amazed (at anything), then be amazed at their saying: ‘Once we have turned to dust, shall we be (raised) into a new creation?’ They are the ones who disbelieve in their Lord, and they shall have shackles around their necks. They shall be the inhabitants of the Fire. And they shall remain in it forever.

6. They ask you to hasten the evil (i.e. the divine punishment) before the good (i.e. the divine mercy), though (many) examples have already passed before them. Indeed, your Lord is the Lord of forgiveness for humankind despite their wrongdoing. And indeed, your Lord is severe in retribution.

7. And those who disbelieve say: ‘Why has not some (miraculous) sign been sent down upon him from his Lord?’ You are but a warner, and every nation has a guide.

8. Allah knows what every female carries (in her womb), how much their wombs contract and how much they expand. And (the knowledge of) everything is with Him by a precise measure.

9. [He is] the Knower of the Unseen and the seen, the All-Great, the Most Exalted.

10. It is all the same (to Him), whether anyone among you speaks secretly or speaks loudly, or whether one tries to hide in the (darkness of the) night or he is walking in broad daylight (in plain sight).

11. For each person, there are (attendant) angels following one another, to his front and his rear, watching over him by Allah’s command. Indeed, Allah never changes the condition of a people until they change it themselves. And when Allah intends an affliction for a people (due to their evil deeds), nothing can repel it. And they have no protector besides Him.

12. He is the One Who shows you lightning, inspiring fear and hope. And He produces heavy clouds (loaded with rain).

13. Thunder glorifies His praise and the angels (too) out of His fearful reverence. And He releases the thunderbolts and strikes with them whomever He wishes. Yet they continue to dispute regarding Allah, though He is Great in Might.

14. To Him (alone) belongs the true prayer, and those (false idol-gods) they worship besides Allah do not answer them in the least. (They are) like someone who stretches his hands towards the water so that it may reach his mouth, but it does not reach it. And (this is how) the prayers of the disbelievers are in vain.

15. To Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, and their shadows (too) in the morning and the evening.

16. Say: ‘Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?’ Say: ‘Allah!’ Say: ‘Have you then taken (the idols as) protectors besides Him, who have no control over their (own) benefit or harm?’ Say: ‘Can the blind and the seeing be equal? Or can the darkness and the light be equal? Have they set up for Allah partners, who (supposedly) have created (something) like His creation, so that the creations appear to them confusingly similar?’ Say: ‘Allah is the Creator of everything, and He is the One, the All-Supreme.’

17. He sends down water from the clouds, causing the valleys to flow according to their capacity. Then, the floodwater carries a growing layer of foam on its surface, like the foam that appears when people melt (metal) in the fire to make ornaments or tools. In this way, Allah illustrates truth and falsehood. As for the foam (produced by water or fire), it disappears as a useless thing, while what benefits people remains on the earth. That is how Allah illustrates examples.

18. For those who respond to their Lord is the excellent reward. But those who do not respond to Him, even if they possess all that is in the earth and as much of it besides, will surely offer to ransom themselves with it. For such, there shall be an evil reckoning, and their refuge shall be Hell. And it is a dreadful resting place.

19. Can someone who knows that whatever is revealed to you from your Lord is the truth be like someone who is blind? Only those who possess intellect can be mindful of advice.

20. Those who fulfil the covenant of Allah and do not break (their) solemn pledge;

21. and those who maintain ties that Allah has commanded to be kept connected, and fear their Lord and are afraid of the evil reckoning;

22. and those who are patient, seeking the pleasure of their Lord, establish the prayer, spend (in charity) from what We have provided them, secretly and openly, and repel evil with good—for them shall be (the reward of) the Ultimate Abode:

23. Gardens of Eternity, which they shall enter along with those who were righteous, from among their ancestors, their spouses and their descendants. And the angels will enter upon them from every door (of Paradise),

24. (welcoming them and saying:) ‘Peace be upon you for your being patient! How excellent is the Ultimate Abode!’

25. However, those who break Allah’s covenant after its confirmation and break apart (the ties) that Allah has commanded to be kept and cause corruption in the land, it is they who shall have the curse, and for them will be the evil abode.

26. Allah expands the provision for whom He pleases and restrains (it for whom He wills). They may be delighted with the life of this world, yet compared to the Hereafter, the life of this world is nothing but a momentary enjoyment.

27. And the disbelievers say: ‘Why has not some (miraculous) sign been sent down upon him from his Lord?’ Say: ‘Indeed, Allah leaves to stray whomever He wills and guides to Himself whoever turns to Him in repentance.

28. (They are) the ones who believe and their hearts find peace in Allah’s remembrance. Indeed, it is by Allah’s remembrance that hearts find peace.

29. Those who believe and perform righteous deeds, there is blessedness for them and beautiful destination.’

30. (O Prophet!) Thus, We have sent you to a nation, before which many (other) nations have passed, that you may recite to them what We have revealed to you. Yet they disbelieve in the Most Compassionate (Lord). Say: ‘He is my Lord. There is no god but Him. In Him, I have put my trust, and to Him will be my return.’

31. If there were ever a recitation (of a Book) whereby the mountains could be moved, the earth could be split apart, or the dead could be made to speak (it would have been only the Qur’an). But all matters occur by Allah’s will. Have not the believers yet realised that if Allah had willed, He would have guided the entire humankind (to the true faith)? And as for those who disbelieve, tragedy will never cease to afflict them because of their (wrong) doings, or else it will strike near their towns until Allah’s promise comes (to be fulfilled). Indeed, Allah never fails to keep His promise.

32. Surely the messengers before you were mocked (by the disbelievers). But then I gave respite to those who disbelieved and seized them after that. So how was My retribution?

33. Is He Who is watching (the conduct of) every soul as to what it earns (comparable to the idols)? And yet, they ascribe partners to Allah! Say: ‘Name them! Do you want to inform Him of something on the earth that He does not know, or is this (merely) a display of words?’ Instead, their scheming has been made alluring to the disbelievers, and they have been blocked from the (right) path. And whomever Allah leaves to stray, he will have no guide.

34. There is a punishment for them in the life of this world, and the punishment of the Hereafter would surely be harder. And they shall have none to shield them from Allah.

35. The depiction of Paradise, which the God-conscious have been promised, is rivers flowing beneath them, and its fruits everlasting as its shade. Such is the ultimate end of those who are God-conscious, while the ultimate end of the disbelievers is the Fire.

36. And those to whom We have given the Book are delighted at what has been revealed to you. And among their factions, some deny parts of it. Say: ‘Indeed I have been commanded to worship Allah only and not to associate (any) partner with Him. To Him do I invite, and to Him will be my return.’

37. Thus, We have revealed it as a judgement in Arabic. And (O listener!) if you follow their desires after the knowledge has come to you, you shall have neither any guardian against Allah, nor any protector.

38. Indeed, We have sent messengers before you, and We gave them wives and children. And it is not for a messenger to bring a (miraculous) sign except with Allah’s permission. For every term, there is a Book.

39. Allah erases whatever He wishes and confirms (whatever He wills). And with Him lies the Master Record.

40. And whether We show you some part of that (worldly punishment) which We have promised them (during your life), or We take you (to Our Presence before that), you only have to communicate (the message), and the reckoning is upon Us.

41. Have they not seen how We are moving forward into (their) territory, shrinking its borders? And Allah decides; there is none to repeal His decision, and He is swift at reckoning.

42. Those before them (also) schemed, but ultimate plans belong to Allah entirely. He knows what every soul will earn. But the disbelievers will soon know who has the Final Abode!

43. The disbelievers say: ‘You have not been sent (by Allah).’ Say: ‘Allah suffices as a Witness between me and you, and as the One Who possesses the knowledge of the Book.’

1. Alif, Lam, Ra. (This is) a Book We have revealed to you so that you may bring humankind out of darkness into light, by the command of their Lord, (and lead them) to the path of the All-Mighty, the All-Praiseworthy.

2. (He is) Allah, to Whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. And woe to the disbelievers for the suffering of a terrible punishment.

3. (They are) the ones who prefer the life of this world over the Hereafter, and bar (others) from the way of Allah and seek to make it crooked. Such people have gone far astray.

4. We have not sent any messenger except with the language of his people so that He could explain (Our message) to them clearly. Then Allah leaves to stray whomsoever He wills and guides whomsoever He wills. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

5. Indeed, We sent Musa (Moses) with Our signs (telling him): ‘Bring your people out of the darkness into the light, and remind them of Allah’s Days (of special favour).’ Surely, there are signs in that for whoever is patient and thankful.

6. And when Musa (Moses) said to his people: ‘Remember Allah’s blessing upon you, when He saved you from the people of Pharaoh, while they were subjecting you to terrible punishment and they were slaughtering your sons and sparing only your women. And in that (situation) was a great trial from your Lord.’

7. And when your Lord proclaimed: ‘If you are grateful, I shall surely increase you (in blessings), but if you are ungrateful, My punishment is surely severe.’

8. And Musa (Moses) said: ‘Even if you and everyone on the earth were to be ungrateful all together, yet Allah is most surely Self-Sufficient, All-Praised.’

9. Has there not come to you the account of those (generations) who were before you—the people of Nuh (Noah), the ‘Ad and the Thamud, and those after them, whom no one knows except Allah? Their messengers brought them clear signs, but they thrust their hands into their mouths and said: ‘We disbelieve in what you have been sent with, and indeed, We have serious doubts about what you are inviting us to.’

10. Their messengers said: ‘Is there any doubt about (the existence of) Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth? He invites you to forgive some of your sins and grant you respite until a specified time.’ They said: ‘You are nothing but a human being like us; you want to turn us away from what our forefathers used to worship. So bring us some clear authority.’

11. Their messengers said to them: ‘We may be human beings like yourselves, but Allah bestows (His) grace upon whomever He pleases among His servants. And it is not for us to bring you authority except by Allah’s permission. And in Allah, let the believers put their trust.

12. Why should We not trust in Allah, seeing that He has guided us in our ways? And surely, We will patiently endure whatever harm you inflict upon us. And in Allah let all the trusting (people) put their trust.’

13. The disbelievers said to their messengers: ‘We shall surely expel you from our land, or you shall revert to our creed.’ So their Lord revealed to them: ‘We shall surely destroy the wrongdoers,

14. and We shall surely settle you in the land after them. This (promise) is for whoever fears standing in My presence and fears My warning (of torment).’

15. And they (i.e. the messengers) asked for victory (against the disbelievers), and every stubborn tyrant has failed,

16. with Hell lying ahead of him, (where) he shall be given oozing pus to drink.

17. He will try to gulp it down but can hardly swallow it. Death will encroach on him from every side, but he will not die. And there is (yet) more intense punishment ahead of him.

18. The example of those who disbelieve in their Lord: Their deeds are like ashes over which the wind blows intensely on a stormy day (causing them to scatter). They will have no control over anything they have earned. That is the farthest error.

19. Do you not see that Allah created the heavens and the earth with a truthful purpose? If He wills, He can remove you (all) and bring a new creation,

20. and that is not a great matter for Allah.

21. They will appear before Allah together. Then the weak (followers) will say to the arrogant (leaders): ‘Indeed we were your followers. So will you rescue us from Allah’s punishment in any way?’ They will say: ‘If Allah had guided us, we too would have guided you. It is the same to us whether we become impatient or remain patient; there is no escape for us.’

22. And Satan will say (to his followers), once the judgement is passed: ‘Indeed, Allah promised you (and it was) a true promise, whereas I (too) made you a promise, but I failed you. And I had no authority over you, except that I called you (towards falsehood), and you responded to me (for your own interest). So, do not blame me; blame yourselves. I cannot respond to your distress calls, nor can you respond to my distress calls. Surely, I deny your taking me as Allah’s partner previously. As for the wrongdoers, surely there shall be a painful punishment for them.

23. Those who believe and perform righteous deeds shall be made to enter Gardens with rivers flowing beneath them. They will remain in them forever by the leave of their Lord. Their greeting therein will be: ‘Peace!’

24. Have you not considered how Allah makes comparisons? A good word is like a good tree: its roots are firm (in the earth), and its branches are (high) in the sky.

25. It gives its fruit every season by the leave of its Lord. And Allah makes such comparisons for people so that they may be mindful of advice.

26. And the example of a bad word is that of a rotten tree: uprooted from the earth’s surface, having no stability.

27. Allah reassures those who believe with the firm word (of truth) in the life of this world and the Hereafter, and Allah leaves the wrongdoers to stray. And Allah does whatever He pleases.

28. Have you not seen those who have exchanged the blessing of Allah with disbelief (or ingratitude) and caused their people to dwell in the abode of destruction?

29. (That is) Hell, where they shall enter to burn, and it is an evil abode.

30. And they have set up equals to Allah, to lead (people) astray from His way. Say: ‘Enjoy yourselves (for a while), for indeed your destination is towards the Fire.’

31. Tell My believing servants to establish the prayer and to spend (in charity) out of what We have provided them, secretly and openly, before there comes a day wherein there will be neither any bargain nor (any worldly) friendship.

32. Allah is (the One) Who created the heavens and the earth, sent down water from the clouds, and brought forth crops for your sustenance with it. And He has subjected the ships for your service so that they may sail through the sea by His command. And He has (also) subjected the rivers for you.

33. And He has subjected the sun and the moon for you, constantly rotating (in their respective orbits). And He has (also) subjected the night and the day for you.

34. And He has provided you with everything you demanded from Him (for your needs). If you count the blessings of Allah, you will not be able to number them. Indeed, human being is most unjust (and) ungrateful.

35. And (recall) when Ibrahim (Abraham) said: ‘O my Lord, make this city (Mecca) a secure sanctuary, and save me and my children from worshipping idols.

36. My Lord! These (idols) have indeed led many people astray! So whoever follows me certainly belongs to me, but as for anyone who disobeys me, You are surely Most-Forgiving, All-Merciful.

37. Our Lord! I have settled (some) of my children (i.e. Isma‘il [Ishmael]) in a barren valley (of Mecca) near Your Sacred House, our Lord, that they may establish the prayer. So cause the hearts of (the believing) people to incline towards them, and provide them with fruits, that they may be grateful.

38. Our Lord! Indeed, You know whatever we conceal and whatever we reveal. And nothing is hidden from Allah on the earth or in the sky.

39. All praise belongs to Allah Who, despite (my) old age, bestowed upon me Isma‘il (Ishmael) and Ishaq (Isaac). Indeed, my Lord is the Hearer of supplications.

40. My Lord! Make me a maintainer of the prayer and among my offspring (too). Our Lord, accept my supplication.

41. Our Lord! Forgive me, my parents and the believers on the Day when the reckoning is held.’

* Here reference is made to the real father of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) Tarakh who was neither a disbeliever nor a polytheist. He was rather a believer in the true Din (Religion). Azar was in fact Ibrahim’s uncle who brought him up after his father’s demise and was called his father figuratively. He was a polytheist, and Ibrahim (Abraham) was forbidden to pray for his forgiveness. In this Verse the prayer is meant for his real parents. Allah liked this prayer so much that it has been prescribed for the Umma (Community) to supplicate with it in all of the ritual Prayers.

42. And do not think Allah to be unaware of what the wrongdoers are doing. He is only delaying them for a Day when (their) eyes will stare (in horror),

43. running forward with their heads upraised (and necks outstretched). Their glance will not return to them, and their hearts will be vacant (having been drained of strength and hope).

44. And warn the people of the Day when the punishment shall overtake them, then the wrongdoers will say: ‘Our Lord, grant us respite for a little while. We will respond to Your call and follow the messengers.’ (They will be told:) ‘Did you not use to swear before that there would be no end for you (in the worldly life)?’

45. You settled in the dwellings of those who had wronged themselves (before). And it was made clear to you how We had dealt with them, and We have (also) cited examples for you.

46. Indeed, they devised their schemes, but (the undoing of) their schemes lies with Allah, even if their schemes were such to dislodge the mountains.

47. Therefore, do not think Allah would fail to keep His promise to His messengers. Indeed, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Capable of Retribution.

48. (It will be) on the Day when the earth will be transformed into a different earth and the heavens (as well). And all will appear before Allah, the One, the Supreme.

49. And you will see the guilty on that Day, bound together in chains,

50. their garments (will be) made of sulphur (or coal-tar pitch), and the Fire will cover their faces.

51. (All will be judged,) so that Allah may recompense every soul for what it has earned. Indeed, Allah is Swift in Reckoning.

52. This (Qur’an) is a proclamation for humankind so that they may be warned by it and know that He is indeed the One God, and that the possessors of intellect may accept admonition.

1. Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the Verses of the Book and a Manifest Qur’an.