| | N J Dawood (2014) rendition of Surah The Poets(ash-Shu`ara`)
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| 26:1 | | Tā‘ sīn mīm |
| 26:2 | | These are the revelations of the veritable Book |
| 26:3 | | you will perhaps fret yourself to death on account of their unbelief |
| 26:4 | | If We will, We can reveal to them a sign from heaven before which they will bow their necks in utter humility |
| 26:5 | | They turn their backs on each fresh Admonition they received from the Merciful |
| 26:6 | | they disbelieved, but the truth of that which they have laughed to scorn will dawn upon them |
| 26:7 | | Do they not see the earth, how We have planted on it all kinds of beneficial plants? |
| 26:8 | | Surely in this there is a sign; yet most of them do not believe |
| 26:9 | | And surely your Lord is the Mighty One, the Compassionate |
| 26:10 | | Your Lord called out to Moses, saying: ‘Go to those wicked people |
| 26:11 | | the people of Pharaoh. Will they not take heed?&lsquo |
| 26:12 | | Lord,‘ he said, ‘I fear they will deny me |
| 26:13 | | I may become impatient and stammer in my speech. Send for Aaron |
| 26:14 | | They accuse me of a crime,¹ and I fear that they may put me to death.&lsquo |
| 26:15 | | Never fear,‘ said He. ‘Go both of you with Our signs; We shall be with you and shall hear all |
| 26:16 | | Go to Pharaoh and say to him: "We are messengers from the Lord of the Universe |
| 26:17 | | Let the Israelites depart with us."&lsquo |
| 26:18 | | Pharaoh said: ‘Did we not bring you up when you were an infant? And did you not stay in our midst several years of your life |
| 26:19 | | Yet you have done the deed you did; surely you are ungrateful.&lsquo |
| 26:20 | | He said: ‘I did that when I had gone astray |
| 26:21 | | I fled from you because I feared you. But my Lord has given me wisdom and made me an apostle |
| 26:22 | | And this is the favour with which you taunt me: you have made the Israelites your bondsmen.&lsquo |
| 26:23 | | Who is the Lord of the Universe?‘ said Pharaoh |
| 26:24 | | He said: ‘The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them. If only you believed!&lsquo |
| 26:25 | | Do you hear?‘ said he to those around him |
| 26:26 | | Your Lord,‘ he went on, ‘and the Lord of your forefathers.&lsquo |
| 26:27 | | He said: ‘The apostle who has been sent to you is surely possessed!&lsquo |
| 26:28 | | The Lord of the East and of the West,‘ said Moses, ‘and all that lies between them. If only you could understand!&lsquo |
| 26:29 | | If you serve any other god but myself,‘ he said, ‘I shall have you thrown into prison.&lsquo |
| 26:30 | | Even if I showed you a convincing sign?‘ he said |
| 26:31 | | He replied: ‘Show it to us, if what you say be true.&lsquo |
| 26:32 | | He threw down his staff and thereupon it changed to a veritable serpent |
| 26:33 | | Then he drew out his hand, and it was white to all who saw it |
| 26:34 | | This man,‘ he said to the nobles around him, ‘is a skilful sorcere |
| 26:35 | | who seeks to drive you from your land by his sorcery. What is your counsel?&lsquo |
| 26:36 | | They said: ‘Put them off awhile, him and his brother, and send forth criers to the cities to brin |
| 26:37 | | every skilled enchanter to your presence.&lsquo |
| 26:38 | | The sorcerers were gathered on an appointed day |
| 26:39 | | and the people were asked: ‘Are you all assembled |
| 26:40 | | We may follow the sorcerers if they win the day.&lsquo |
| 26:41 | | And when the sorcerers came they said to Pharaoh: ‘Shall we be rewarded if we win?&lsquo |
| 26:42 | | ‘Yes,‘ he answered, ‘and you shall become my favoured friends.&lsquo |
| 26:43 | | Moses said to them: ‘Throw down all that you wish to throw.&lsquo |
| 26:44 | | They threw down their ropes and staffs, saying: ‘By Pharaoh‘s glory, we shall surely win!&lsquo |
| 26:45 | | Then Moses threw down his staff, and it swallowed up their false devices |
| 26:46 | | The sorcerers prostrated themselves |
| 26:47 | | saying: ‘We now believe in the Lord of the Universe |
| 26:48 | | the Lord of Moses and Aaron.&lsquo |
| 26:49 | | He said: ‘Do you dare believe in him before I give you leave? He must surely be your master, who has taught you witchcraft. But you shall see. I will cut off your hands and feet on alternate sides and crucify you all.&lsquo |
| 26:50 | | That cannot harm us,‘ they replied, ‘for to our Lord we shall return |
| 26:51 | | We hope our Lord will forgive us our sins, since we are the first who have believed.&lsquo |
| 26:52 | | Then We revealed Our will to Moses, saying: ‘Set forth with My servants in the night, for you will be pursued.&lsquo |
| 26:53 | | Pharaoh sent forth criers to the cities |
| 26:54 | | These,‘ they said, ‘are but a puny band |
| 26:55 | | who have provoked us much |
| 26:56 | | But we are a numerous army, well-prepared.&lsquo |
| 26:57 | | Thus did We make them leave their gardens and their fountains |
| 26:58 | | their treasures and their sumptuous dwellings |
| 26:59 | | Even thus; and to the Israelites We gave those |
| 26:60 | | At sunrise the Egyptians followed them |
| 26:61 | | And when the two multitudes came within sight of each other, Moses‘ companions said: ‘We are surely undone!&lsquo |
| 26:62 | | No,‘ he said, ‘my Lord is with me, and He will guide me.&lsquo |
| 26:63 | | We bade Moses strike the sea with his staff, and the sea was cleft asunder, each part as high as a massive mountain |
| 26:64 | | In between We made the others follow |
| 26:65 | | We delivered Moses and all who were with him |
| 26:66 | | and the others We drowned |
| 26:67 | | Surely in that there was a sign; yet most of them did not believe |
| 26:68 | | Surely, your Lord is the Mighty One, the Compassionate |
| 26:69 | | Recount to them the story of Abraham |
| 26:70 | | He said to his father and to his people: ‘What is that which you worship?&lsquo |
| 26:71 | | They said: ‘We worship idols and pray to them with all fervour.&lsquo |
| 26:72 | | Do they hear you when you pray?‘ he asked |
| 26:73 | | ‘Can they help you or do you harm?&lsquo |
| 26:74 | | They said: ‘This was what our fathers did before us.&lsquo |
| 26:75 | | He said: ‘Do you see those you have worshipped |
| 26:76 | | you and your forefathers of old |
| 26:77 | | They are my enemies. Not so the Lord of the Universe |
| 26:78 | | who has created me; who gives me guidance |
| 26:79 | | food and drink |
| 26:80 | | who, when I am sick, restores me |
| 26:81 | | who will cause me to die and bring me back to life hereafter |
| 26:82 | | who, I hope, will forgive me my sins on the Day of Judgement |
| 26:83 | | Lord, bestow wisdom upon me, and admit me among the righteous |
| 26:84 | | Endow me with a tongue of truthfulness among posterit |
| 26:85 | | and count me among the heirs of the Blissful Garden |
| 26:86 | | Forgive my father, for he has gone astray |
| 26:87 | | Do not hold me up to shame on the Day of Resurrection |
| 26:88 | | the day when wealth and offspring will be of no avail |
| 26:89 | | and when none shall be saved but him who comes before his Lord with a pure heart |
| 26:90 | | when Paradise shall be brought within sight of the righteou |
| 26:91 | | and Hell be revealed to the erring |
| 26:92 | | They will be asked: "Where are the idols which you worshipped besides God |
| 26:93 | | Can they help you or help themselves? |
| 26:94 | | And into Hell they shall be hurled, they and those who misled them |
| 26:95 | | and Satan‘s legions all |
| 26:96 | | "By the Lord," they will say, as they contend with them |
| 26:97 | | "we clearly erre |
| 26:98 | | when we made you equals with the Lord of the Universe |
| 26:99 | | It was but the transgressors who led us astray |
| 26:100 | | We have no intercessors now |
| 26:101 | | no loving friend |
| 26:102 | | Could we but live our lives again we would be true believers."&lsquo |
| 26:103 | | Surely in that there was a sign, yet most of them did not believe |
| 26:104 | | Surely your Lord is the Mighty One, the Compassionate |
| 26:105 | | The people of Noah disbelieved the emissaries |
| 26:106 | | Will you not fear God?‘ said Noah, their kin, to them |
| 26:107 | | I am indeed your truthful apostle |
| 26:108 | | Fear God, then, and follow me |
| 26:109 | | For this I demand of you no recompense, for none can reward me except the Lord of the Universe |
| 26:110 | | Fear God, and follow me.&lsquo |
| 26:111 | | They said: ‘Are we to believe in you when your followers are but the lowest of the low?&lsquo |
| 26:112 | | I have no knowledge of what they did,‘ he said |
| 26:113 | | ‘My Lord alone can bring them to account. Would that you understood |
| 26:114 | | Nor will I drive away the true believers |
| 26:115 | | I am sent forth only to give plain warning.&lsquo |
| 26:116 | | Noah,‘ they said, ‘desist, or you shall be stoned to death.&lsquo |
| 26:117 | | He said: ‘Lord, my people disbelieve me |
| 26:118 | | Judge rightly between us. Save me and the believers who are with me.&lsquo |
| 26:119 | | So We delivered him and those who were with him in the laden ark |
| 26:120 | | and drowned the others thereafter |
| 26:121 | | Surely in that there was a sign; yet most of them did not believe |
| 26:122 | | Surely your Lord is the Mighty One, the Compassionate |
| 26:123 | | Ad disbelieved the apostles |
| 26:124 | | Their kin Hūd had said to them: ‘Will you not fear God |
| 26:125 | | I am indeed your truthful apostle |
| 26:126 | | Fear God, then, and follow me |
| 26:127 | | For this I demand of you no recompense; none can reward me except the Lord of the Universe. &lsquo |
| 26:128 | | Will you erect a monument on every hill |
| 26:129 | | Vain is your work. You build strong fortresses, hoping that you may last for ever |
| 26:130 | | When you exercise your power, you act like cruel tyrants |
| 26:131 | | Fear God, and follow me |
| 26:132 | | Fear Him who has given you all the things you know |
| 26:133 | | He has given you flocks and children |
| 26:134 | | gardens and fountains |
| 26:135 | | Beware the torment of a fateful day.&lsquo |
| 26:136 | | They said: ‘We care nothing whether or not you preach to us |
| 26:137 | | This is but a myth of the ancients |
| 26:138 | | Surely we shall not be punished.&lsquo |
| 26:139 | | They denied him, and thus We utterly destroyed them. Surely in that there was a sign; yet most of them did not believe |
| 26:140 | | Surely your Lord is the Mighty One, the Compassionate |
| 26:141 | | Thamūd disbelieved the apostles |
| 26:142 | | Their kin Ṣālih had said to them: ‘Will you not fear God |
| 26:143 | | I am indeed your truthful apostle |
| 26:144 | | Fear God and follow me |
| 26:145 | | For this I demand of you no recompense; none can reward me except the Lord of the Universe |
| 26:146 | | Are you to be left secure in this land |
| 26:147 | | amid gardens and fountains |
| 26:148 | | cornfields and palm-trees laden with fine fruit |
| 26:149 | | hewing your dwellings out of the mountains and leading a wanton life |
| 26:150 | | Have fear of God and follow me |
| 26:151 | | Do not obey the bidding of transgressor |
| 26:152 | | who perpetrate corruption in the land and do no good at all.&lsquo |
| 26:153 | | They said: ‘Surely you are bewitched |
| 26:154 | | You are but a mortal like ourselves. Show us a sign, if what you say be true.&lsquo |
| 26:155 | | ‘Here,‘ he said, ‘is this she-camel. She shall have her share of water as you have yours, each drinking on an appointed day |
| 26:156 | | Do not harm her, or the scourge of a fateful day shall take you.&lsquo |
| 26:157 | | Yet they hamstrung her, and in the morning were repentant |
| 26:158 | | The scourge took them. Surely in that there was a sign. Yet most of them did not believe |
| 26:159 | | Surely your Lord is the Mighty One, the Compassionate |
| 26:160 | | Lot‘s people disbelieved the apostles |
| 26:161 | | Their kin Lot had said to them: ‘Will you not fear God |
| 26:162 | | I am indeed your truthful apostle |
| 26:163 | | Fear God and follow me |
| 26:164 | | For this I demand of you no recompense; none can reward me except the Lord of the Universe |
| 26:165 | | Will you fornicate with the males of human |
| 26:166 | | and eschew the wives whom God has created for you? Surely you are a sinful people |
| 26:167 | | Lot,‘ they said, ‘desist or you shall be banished.&lsquo |
| 26:168 | | He said: ‘I abhor your ways |
| 26:169 | | Lord, deliver me and my kin from their practices.&lsquo |
| 26:170 | | We delivered him and his kindred all |
| 26:171 | | save for one old woman who stayed behind, |
| 26:172 | | and the others We utterly destroyed |
| 26:173 | | We pelted them with rain, and evil was the rain which fell on those who were forewarned |
| 26:174 | | Surely in that there was a sign. Yet most of them did not believe |
| 26:175 | | Your Lord is the Mighty One, the Compassionate |
| 26:176 | | The dwellers of the Forest¹ disbelieved the apostles |
| 26:177 | | Shu‘aib had said to them: ‘Will you not fear God |
| 26:178 | | I am indeed your truthful apostle |
| 26:179 | | Fear God and follow me |
| 26:180 | | For this I demand of you no recompense: none can reward me except the Lord of the Universe |
| 26:181 | | Give just measure and defraud none |
| 26:182 | | Weigh with even scale |
| 26:183 | | and do not cheat the people of what is rightly theirs; nor shall you corrupt the land with evil |
| 26:184 | | And fear Him who created you and the earlier generation.&lsquo |
| 26:185 | | They said: ‘You are surely bewitched |
| 26:186 | | You are but a mortal like ourselves. Indeed, we believe that you are lying |
| 26:187 | | Bring down upon us a fragment of the sky if what you say be true.&lsquo |
| 26:188 | | He said: ‘My Lord has better knowledge of what you do.&lsquo |
| 26:189 | | They disbelieved him, and thus the scourge of the Day of Darkness smote them; it was surely the scourge of a fateful day |
| 26:190 | | Surely in that there was a sign; yet most of them did not believe |
| 26:191 | | Your Lord is the Mighty One, the Compassionate |
| 26:192 | | This is surely revealed by the Lord of the Universe |
| 26:193 | | The Faithful Spirit has brought it dow |
| 26:194 | | into your heart, that you may give warnin |
| 26:195 | | in eloquent Arabic speech |
| 26:196 | | It was surely foretold in the Scriptures of the ancients |
| 26:197 | | Is it not sufficient proof for them that the doctors of the Israelites recognize it |
| 26:198 | | If We had revealed it to a foreign man |
| 26:199 | | and he had recited it to them, they still would not have believed |
| 26:200 | | Thus do We put unbelief in the hearts of the guilty |
| 26:201 | | they shall not believe in it until they see the woeful scourge |
| 26:202 | | which shall suddenly smite them when they are heedless |
| 26:203 | | And then they will say: ‘Shall we ever be reprieved?&lsquo |
| 26:204 | | Is it their wish to hurry on Our scourge |
| 26:205 | | Think! If We let them live in ease for many years |
| 26:206 | | and then the promised scourge does fall upon them |
| 26:207 | | of what avail will their past enjoyments be to them |
| 26:208 | | Never have We destroyed a city We did not war |
| 26:209 | | and admonish beforehand. We are never unjust |
| 26:210 | | It was not the demons who brought this down |
| 26:211 | | it is neither in their interest nor in their power |
| 26:212 | | Indeed, they are too far away to overhear it |
| 26:213 | | Therefore call on no other god besides God, lest you suffer torment |
| 26:214 | | Admonish your nearest ki |
| 26:215 | | and show kindness to those of the believers who follow you |
| 26:216 | | If they disobey you, say: ‘I am not accountable for what you do.&lsquo |
| 26:217 | | Put your trust in the Mighty One, the Compassionate |
| 26:218 | | who observes you when you stand uprigh |
| 26:219 | | and when you walk among the worshippers |
| 26:220 | | He it is who hears all and knows all |
| 26:221 | | Shall I tell you on whom the demons descend |
| 26:222 | | They descend on every lying sinner |
| 26:223 | | They eagerly listen, but most of them are liars |
| 26:224 | | Poets are followed by erring men |
| 26:225 | | Behold how aimlessly they rove in every valley |
| 26:226 | | preaching what they never practise |
| 26:227 | | Not so the true believers, who do good works and remember God with fervour and defend themselves only when wronged. The wrongdoers will then learn to what end they will be overturned |
