| | Linda “iLHam” Barto rendition of Surah The Letter Sad(Sad)
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| 38:1 | | Saad. Consider the Qur’an, filled with reminders. |
| 38:2 | | The unbelievers are egotistical and defiant. |
| 38:3 | | How many generations before them did We destroy? In the end, they called out, when there was no longer time for being saved. |
| 38:4 | | They wonder that a warner has come to them from among themselves. The unbelievers say, “This is a deceitful sorcerer! |
| 38:5 | | He has made all the gods into one God! This is truly incredible.” |
| 38:6 | | The leaders among (the unbelievers) go away [saying], “Walk away and remain faithful to your gods, for this is certainly a contrived thing. |
| 38:7 | | “We never heard of such a religion among the people of the latter days. This is nothing but conjecture. |
| 38:8 | | “Has the message been sent to him –out of all among us?” They are in doubt concerning My message. They have not yet tasted My punishment. |
| 38:9 | | Do they have the treasures of the mercy of your Lord, the Victorious, the Bountiful Provider? |
| 38:10 | | Do they have dominion of the skies and Earth and all among them? If so, let them ascend by whatever means. |
| 38:11 | | Even a team of warriors will be put to flight. |
| 38:12 | | Before them, in denial were the people of Noah, the Ad, and Pharaoh the owner of stakes. |
| 38:13 | | Also, there were the Thamud, the people of Lot, and the companions of the wood. They were the opposition. |
| 38:14 | | There was not a one that did not reject the messengers. My punishment came justly. |
| 38:15 | | These wait only for a single blast which will allow no delay. |
| 38:16 | | They say, “Our Lord, hurry our sentence upon us before the day of reckoning.” |
| 38:17 | | Have patience with what they say. Remember Our servant David, owner of strength. Indeed, he always turned [to Allah]. |
| 38:18 | | Indeed, We made the hills declare, along with him, Our praises in the evening and at daybreak. |
| 38:19 | | The birds flocked. All with him turned [to Allah]. |
| 38:20 | | We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and decisive speech. |
| 38:21 | | Have you heard the story of the plaintiffs? They climbed over the wall into the prayer room. |
| 38:22 | | They entered the presence of David; he was frightened by them. They said, “Don’t be afraid. We are two plaintiffs. One of us is wrong; decide between us with truth, and do not treat us unjustly, but guide us to the right way.” |
| 38:23 | | [One testified:] “This is my brother. He has ninety-nine ewes, and I have one ewe. Yet he says, ‘Give her unto my care,’ and he demanded harshly.” |
| 38:24 | | (David) said, “He has undoubtedly wronged you by demanding that your ewe be added to his ewes. Many partners betray one another –but not those who believe and perform righteous deeds. How few they are!” David realized, however, that We had tested him, and he asked forgiveness from his Lord [for his own sin of betrayal]. He fell down, bowed, and repented. |
| 38:25 | | We forgave him for that, and he had closeness with Us and a beautiful return. |
| 38:26 | | O David, We certainly made you a representative on earth, so judge among men in truth. Do not follow lusts for they will guide you away from the path of Allah. Those who wander astray from the path of Allah will have a horrid punishment because they forgot the day of reckoning. |
| 38:27 | | We did not create Heaven and Earth and all between them without purpose. That’s what the unbelievers think. Woe to the unbelievers because of the fire! |
| 38:28 | | Should We treat those who believe and perform righteous deeds the same as those who commit evil on the earth? Should We treat the righteous like the sinners? |
| 38:29 | | The Book We send to you is full of blessings so they may meditate on its signs and so that people of understanding may receive warning. |
| 38:30 | | We gave Solomon to David. [He was] an excellent servant. Indeed, he always turned [to Us]. |
| 38:31 | | In the afternoon, thoroughbred horses were brought before him. |
| 38:32 | | He said, “I truly have appreciated the good things more than the glory of my Lord until they became hidden in the veil [of darkness].” |
| 38:33 | | [After the evening prayer, he ordered,] “Bring them back to me.” He passed his hand over their legs and neck. |
| 38:34 | | We tested Solomon. We placed a [thoughtless] body on his throne, and he did turn [to Us]. |
| 38:35 | | He said, “O my Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom that will not be suitable for another after me. You are the Bountiful Provider.” |
| 38:36 | | We subjected the wind to his power, to flow gently to his order as he willed. |
| 38:37 | | Also, [We subjected to him] the evil ones, every kind of builder and diver… |
| 38:38 | | …and others bound together in fetters. |
| 38:39 | | Such are Our bounties whether you give them or keep them without keeping account. |
| 38:40 | | He certainly enjoyed a near approach to Us and a beautiful place to which to return. |
| 38:41 | | Honor Our Servant Job. He cried to his Lord, “Satan has afflicted me with distress and suffering!” |
| 38:42 | | [He was commanded:] “Strike your foot!” [A spring was uncovered.] “Now here is cool water for washing and drinking.” |
| 38:43 | | We restored his family for him and doubled its number [from the number of family members he had lost]. This was a grace from Us and a thing for commemoration for all who have understanding. |
| 38:44 | | [Job’s wife had lost patience, and Job had vowed to punish her.] [Allah commanded:] “Take just a little handful of grass and whisk [her] with it, so you will not fault on your vow.” Truly We found (Job) full of patience. How excellent a servant! He was truly repentant. |
| 38:45 | | Honor our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob –endowed with strength and vision. |
| 38:46 | | We purified them with excellent thoughts of the [Heavenly] home. |
| 38:47 | | They were with Us and from among the chosen and honorable. |
| 38:48 | | Honor Ishmael, Elijah, and he [Elisha] who took the pledge of the cloak [which he inherited from Elijah]. Each of them was from among the honorable. |
| 38:49 | | This is a reminder, and, truly, for the righteous there is a beautiful place of return… |
| 38:50 | | …–Gardens of Eden, which will have open doors for them. |
| 38:51 | | Therein they will relax, and they can order abundant fruit and drink. |
| 38:52 | | Along with them will be [others] who are not flirtatious, of the same age. |
| 38:53 | | Such is the promise made to you for the Day of Accounting! |
| 38:54 | | That will be Our gift; which will never decay. |
| 38:55 | | This is so, but truly the sinners will have an evil place to which to return. |
| 38:56 | | That is Hell. They will burn in it on a wretched bed. |
| 38:57 | | This is so. They will taste it –boiling despair and bitterly cold emptiness. |
| 38:58 | | There will be other penalties of a similar kind to match them. |
| 38:59 | | Here is a company rushing headlong with you. No welcome is for them. Truly, they will burn in the fire. |
| 38:60 | | They will say, “Not you! There is no welcome for you. You brought this upon us. This place is evil.” |
| 38:61 | | They will say, “Our Lord, to whoever brought this upon us, add a double penalty in the fire!” |
| 38:62 | | They will also say, “What is the matter with us that we do not see the people we used to count among the wicked? |
| 38:63 | | “Did we [wrongly] ridicule them, or have our eyes failed to see them?” |
| 38:64 | | Truly, that is just and fitting as mutual blame of the people of the fire. |
| 38:65 | | [Prophet Muhammed,] say, “Truly, I am a warner. No god is there except Allah, the One, the Conqueror. |
| 38:66 | | “[He is] the Lord of the skies and Earth and all among them, the Victorious, the Redeemer.” |
| 38:67 | | Say, “This is the ultimate message… |
| 38:68 | | “…from which you turn. |
| 38:69 | | “I have no knowledge of the chiefs on high when they argue. |
| 38:70 | | “Only this has been revealed to me: that I am to give precise warning.” |
| 38:71 | | Your Lord said to the angels, “Truly, I am going to create humanity from clay. |
| 38:72 | | “When I have formed him and breathed into him of My Spirit, fall down in prostration to him.” |
| 38:73 | | The angels bowed themselves, all of them together. |
| 38:74 | | The exception was Iblis [the Satan]. He was arrogant and became one of the unbelievers. |
| 38:75 | | (Allah) said, “O Iblis, what prevents you from bowing yourself to one whom I have created with My hands? Are you arrogant, or are you one of the exalted ones?” |
| 38:76 | | (Iblis) said, “I am better than he. You created me from fire, and You created him from clay.” |
| 38:77 | | (Allah) said, “Remove yourself from here. You are indeed condemned. |
| 38:78 | | “My condemnation will be on you until the Day of Judgment.” |
| 38:79 | | (Iblis) said, “My Lord, give me respite until the day they are resurrected.” |
| 38:80 | | (Allah) said, “Then indeed you are among those given respite… |
| 38:81 | | “…until the day of the appointed time.” |
| 38:82 | | (Iblis) said, “Then, by Your power, I will surely mislead all of them. |
| 38:83 | | “The exceptions are Your servants among them who are chosen.” |
| 38:84 | | (Allah) said, “Then it is just and fitting, and I say what is just and fitting. |
| 38:85 | | “I will certainly fill Hell with you and every one of those who follow you.” |
| 38:86 | | Say, “No reward do I ask of you for this, and I am not one of the pretentious. |
| 38:87 | | “This is no less than a reminder to the worlds. |
| 38:88 | | “You will certainly learn the truth of it after a while.” |
