7:1  A. L. M. S. (These are the names of letters of the Arabic alphabet and only Allah knows their meaning here)

7:2  A Book has been sent down to you [Muhammad], so do not let your breast feel it is under any constraint because of it, so you may warn by means of it; [it is] a Reminder for believers.

7:3  Follow whatever has been sent down to you by your Lord and do not follow any sponsors besides Him; yet how seldom do you remember!

7:4  How many towns have We wiped out? Our might has come upon them at dead of night or while they were napping.

7:5  Once Our might came to them, their appeal was merely to say: "We have been such wrongdoers!"

7:6  Let Us ask those to whom it was sent and let Us (also) ask the emissaries;

7:7  let Us relate what We know about them since We have not been absent.

7:8  The weighing-in that day will be correct: those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds] will be prosperous;

7:9  while those whose scales are light are the ones who have lost their souls because they had been damaging Our signs.

7:10  We have established you on earth and granted you means by which to live on it. Yet seldom are you grateful!

7:11  We created you (all); then We shaped you. Then We told the angels: "Bow down before Adam". They bowed down on their knees except for Diabolis; he was no one to bow down on his knees!

7:12  He said: "What prevents you from bowing down when I have commanded you to [do so]?" He said: "I am better than he is; You created me from fire, while You created him from clay."

7:13  He said: "Clear out of here; you have no reason to act so proud about it. Get out; you are such a petty person!"

7:14  He said: "Give me respite until the day when they are raised up again."

7:15  He said: "You are one who will be allowed respite."

7:16  He said: "Since you have let me wander off, I'll waylay them along Your Straight Road;

7:17  then I'll come at them from in front of them and from behind them, on their right and on their left. You will not find that most of them are grateful."

7:18  He said: "Get out of here, despised, rejected! I'll fill Hell with all of those who follow you.

7:19  "And Adam, settle down in the Paradise, you and your wife. Eat wherever you wish; yet do not approach this tree lest you should become wrongdoers."

7:20  So Satan whispered to them to show them both their private parts which had gone unnoticed by either of them. He said: 'Your Lord only forbids you this tree so that you will not become two angels, or lest you both become immortal."

7:21  He swore to them: "I am a sincere counselor with both of you!"

7:22  He led them on by deceiving [them]. Once they had tasted the tree['s fruit], their private parts became apparent to both of them, and they started to patch together leaves from the Paradise for themselves. Their Lord called out to them: "Did I not forbid you that tree and tell you both that Satan is an open enemy of yours?"

7:23  They said: "Our Lord, we have harmed ourselves! If You do not forgive us and grant us mercy, we'll be losers."

7:24  He said: "Clear out! You will become one another's enemies. Yet you may have a residence on earth and enjoyment for a while."

7:25  He [further] said: "You will live on it and you will die on it, and from it will you be brought forth [again]."

7:26  "Children of Adam, We have sent you down clothing with which to conceal your private parts and to dress up in. Yet the clothing of heedfulness is best!" That is one of Allah (God)'s signs, so that they may bear it in mind.

7:27  Children of Adam, do not let Satan tempt you just as he turned your two ancestors out of the Paradise, stripping them of their clothing in order to show them their private parts. He and his tribe watch you from where you do not see them! We have placed devils as patrons for those who do not believe.

7:28  Whenever they perform any obscene act (circumambulating the Kaaba naked) they say: "We found out our forefathers were performing it, and Allah (God) has ordered us to do so." SAY: "Allah (God) does not order any misconduct. Do you say something you do not know about Allah (God)?"

7:29  SAY: "My Lord has ordered me to play fair. Keep your faces set towards every place of prayer and appeal to Him sincerely; religion belongs to Him. Even as He started you off, so will you return.

7:30  One party has He guided while another party ought to be allowed to go astray: they have adopted the devils as patrons instead of Allah (God), and think they are guided!

7:31  Children of Adam, wear your most [clean] appropriate clothes to every place of worship! Eat and drink, yet do not overdo things; He does not love the extravagant.

7:32  SAY: "Who has forbidden Allah (God)'s amenities which He has produced for His servants, and the wholesome things from [His] provisions SAY: 'On Resurrection Day they will be [reserved] exclusively for those who have believed during worldly life." Thus do We set forth signs for folk who know.

7:33  SAY: "My Lord has only forbidden shocking deeds whether they are flagrant or kept hidden; and vice and oppression [on people] without any right to do so; and that you should associate anything with Allah (God) for which He has not sent down any authority; and that you should say something you do not know concerning Allah (God).

7:34  Every nation has its term; so whenever their deadline comes, they will not postpone it for an hour, nor will they advance it.

7:35  Children of Adam, whenever any messengers from among yourselves come to relate My signs to you, then anyone who does his duty and reforms will have no fear nor need they feel saddened;

7:36  while those who reject My signs and act too haughty towards them will become inmates of the Fire; they will remain there forever.

7:37  Who is more in the wrong than someone who invents a lie about Allah (God) or rejects His signs? Those will have their portion from the Book (of destiny) presented to them so that when Our messengers come to carry them off, they will say: 'Where are whatever you used to appeal to instead of to Allah (God)?" They will say: "They have left us in the lurch," and so they shall testify against themselves as to how they have been disbelievers.

7:38  He will say: "[O’ Disbelievers] Enter the Fire along with the nations [like you] of sprites and humankind who have passed away before you." Every time some nation enters it, it will curse its sister [-nation] until, when they have all caught up with one another, the last of them will say to the first: "Our Lord, these [people] have misled us, so give them double torment from the Fire!" He will say: "Each shall have double, even though you do not realize it."

7:39  The first of them will tell the last: "What advantage have you over us? Taste torment because of what you have earned!"

7:40  Heaven's gates will not swing open for those who reject Our signs and feel too arrogant for them, nor will they enter the Paradise until a camel can be led through the eye of a needle. Thus We reward criminals:

7:41  In Hell, they will have [fire underneath as] a couch and over them as awnings. Thus We reward wrongdoers!

7:42  Those who believe and perform honorable deeds [will find] We never assign any soul more than it can cope with. Those will become inhabitants of the Paradise; they will live in it for ever.

7:43  We will strip away any rancor [that lingers] in their breasts. Rivers will flow beneath them and they will say: "Praise be to Allah (God) Who led us to this! We would never have been guided if Allah (God) had not led us on. Our Lord's messengers have brought the Truth." They will hear someone call out: "Here is the Paradise you have inherited because of what you have done!"

7:44  The inhabitants of the Paradise will call out to the inmates of the Fire: 'We have found out that what our Lord promised us is true. Have you found what your Lord promised you to be true?" They will say: "Yes!" So an announcer among them will call out: "Allah (God)'s curse rests on wrongdoers

7:45  who obstruct Allah (God)'s path and try to make it crooked, and are disbelievers in the Hereafter."

7:46  Between them both there will be a separator [between the Paradise and the Hell), while on the Heights [of the separator] above there will be men who recognize everyone by their features. They will call out to the inhabitants of the Paradise: "Peace be upon you!" They have not yet entered it even though they long to.

7:47  When their sight is shifted towards the inmates of the Fire, they will say: "Our Lord, do not place us alongside such wrongdoing folk!"

7:48  The Companions on the Heights will call out to some men [of the known disblevers] whom they will recognize by their features; they will say: "How did all your storing things up and how arrogant you acted benefit you?

7:49  Are these the people you swore that Allah (God) would not confer any mercy on them? [People of the Heights] Enter the Paradise; there is no [need] for you to fear nor should you feel saddened."

7:50  The inmates of the Fire will call out to the inhabitants of the Paradise: "Pour some water over us, or anything Allah (God) has provided you with!" They will say: "Allah (God) has forbidden either of them to disbelievers

7:51  who have taken their religion as a pastime and for amusement; worldly life has lured them on." Today We shall forget them just as they forgot about meeting on this day of theirs. Did they not repudiate Our signs?

7:52  We have given them the Book (the Quran); We have spelled it out knowingly as a guideline and mercy for folk who believe.

7:53  Are they only waiting for it (the punishment) to fulfilled? The day its fulfillment comes along, those who have already forgotten it will say: "Our Lord's messengers did bring the Truth! Have we any intercessors to intercede for us? Or should we be sent back, then we would act so differently from the way we have been acting." They have lost their souls and what they have been inventing has left them in the lurch.

7:54  Your Lord is Allah (God), Who created Heaven and Earth in six days; then He mounted on the Throne. He wraps night up with daytime, seeking it automatically. The sun, moon and stars are regulated by His command. Surely creation and authority belong to Him. Blessed be Allah (God), Lord of the Universe!

7:55  Appeal to your Lord beseeching and in private; He does not love those who are aggressive.

7:56  Do not spoil things on earth once they have been improved. Appeal to Him out of fear and expectation; Allah (God)'s mercy lies close to those who act kindly.

7:57  He is the One Who sends winds to announce His mercy directly, so that whenever they lift up heavy clouds, We drive them along to a dead countryside and send down water from them; and thus We bring forth every kind of fruit. Thus We bring forth the dead too so you may bear this in mind.

7:58  A good land brings forth its plants with its Lord's permission, while whatever is sterile will produce only grudgingly. Thus We spell out signs for folk who act grateful.

7:59  We sent Noah to his people, and he said: "My folk, serve Go [Alone]; you have no other deity than Him. I fear the torment of an awful day for you!"

7:60  The elders of his people said: "We see you are in obvious astray."

7:61  He said: "My folk, no trace of misguidance lies in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the Universe,

7:62  I transmit my Lord's messages to you, and counsel you sincerely. I know something you do not know about Allah (God).

7:63  Are you surprised that a Reminder should come to you from your Lord through one of your own men, so He may warn you and you will do your duty, and in order that you may receive mercy.?"

7:64  Yet they said he was lying, so We saved him and those who were along with him in the Ark. We let those who rejected Our signs drown; they were such blind folk!

7:65  To Ad [there was sent] their brother Hud: "O my people, serve Allah (God) [Alone]. You have no other deity than Him. Will you not do your duty?"

7:66  The elders who disbelieved among his folk said: "We see you are [full] of nonsense, and think you are a liar!"

7:67  He said: "My people, there is no nonsense in me, but I am a messenger from the Lord of the Universe!

7:68  I transmit my Lord's messages to you; I am a trustworthy counselor for you.

7:69  Are you surprised that a Reminder from your Lord should come to you through one of your own men, so that He may warn you? Remember when He set you up as overlords following Noah's folk, and made you grow so very tall. Remember Allah (God)'s benefits so that you may prosper.

7:70  They said: "Have you come to us so we will worship Allah (God) Alone and forsake whatever our forefathers have been serving? Bring us whatever you threaten us with if you are so truthful."

7:71  He said: "A torment plus wrath from your Lord have already fallen on you. Are you arguing with me about some names [of idols] that you and your forefathers have made up? Allah (God) has not sent down any authority for them. Just wait: I am waiting alongside you."

7:72  So We saved him and those who stood with him through mercy from Ourself, and We cut off the last remnant of those who rejected Our signs and were not believers.

7:73  To Thamud [there was sent] their brother Salih. He said: "My folk, worship Allah (God)! You have no other deity than Him. A proof has come to you from your Lord: this camel belonging to Allah (God) is a sign for you, so leave her grazing on Allah (God)'s earth and do not let any harm touch her lest some painful torment should overtake you.

7:74  Remember when He set you up as overlords after Ad, and settled you down on the earth. You occupy palaces on its plains and carve houses out of the mountains. Remember Allah (God)'s benefits and do not cause havoc on earth like mischief makers."

7:75  The elders among his people who acted arrogantly told the ones they considered helpless even thou the still believed: "Do you know whether Salih is an emissary from his Lord?" They said: 'We are believers in whatever he has been sent with."

7:76  Those who acted arrogantly said: "We are disbelievers in what you believe in."

7:77  So they hamstrung the camel, objected to their Lord's command, and said: "Salih, bring us what you promise us with if you are an emissary!"

7:78  A tremor caught them; so one morning they lay cowering in their home.

7:79  He turned away from them and said: "My people, I have delivered my Lord's message to you and counseled you sincerely, but you do not like sincere advisors."

7:80  And there was Lot when he told his people: "Do you indulge in a sexual practice such as no one in the Universe has ever indulged in previously?

7:81  You approach men lustfully instead of women! Rather are dissipated folk."

7:82  His people's answer was merely to say: "Run them out of your town: they are persons who are trying to keep pure."

7:83  We saved him and his family except for his wife; she was one of those who lagged behind.

7:84  We sent a rain down on them: look how the outcome was for such criminals!

7:85  To Midian [We sent] their brother Shuayb. He said: 'My people, worship Allah (God) [Alone]! You have no other deity besides Him. A token has come to you from your Lord, so offer full measure and weight, and do not undersell people in their dealings nor spoil things on earth once it has been set right; that will be best for you if you are believers.

7:86  Do not lurk along every road, threatening and blocking anyone off from Allah (God)'s way who believes in Him, and seeking to make it crooked. Remember how few you were and He increased you. See what the outcome was for those who act depraved.

7:87  If there is a faction of you who believe in what I have been sent with, and another faction which does not so believe, still be patient until Allah (God) judges between us. He is the best of Judges."

7:88  The elders among his people who had acted arrogantly said: "We'll run you out of our town, Shuayb, as well as those who believe along with you; or else you will return to our sect!" He said: "Even though we detest it?

7:89  We'd invent a lie about Allah (God) if we returned to your sect now after Allah (God) has saved us from it. There is no means for us to return to it unless Allah (God) our Lord should wish us to; our Lord comprises everything in knowledge. On Allah (God) have we relied. Our Lord, judge between us and our own people; You are the best of all judges."

7:90  The elders among his people who disbelieved said: 'If you follow Shuayb, you will then be losers."

7:91  So the Tremor caught them, and one morning they lay dead in their homes:

7:92  those who rejected Shuayb [ended up] as if they had never been there; those who rejected Shuayb were the losers!

7:93  So he turned away from them and said: 'My people, I have delivered my Lord's messages to you and counselled you sincerely. Why should I grieve over a disbelieving folk?"

7:94  We have never sent a prophet into any town unless We [first] seized its people with suffering and hardship, so that they might he humbled

7:95  Then We turned evil into good so that they were thriving, and said: 'Both hardship and happiness befell our ancestors." So We seized them suddenly while they did not even notice it.

7:96  If the townsfolk had (only) believed and done their duty, We would have showered blessings from Heaven and Earth on them, but they rejected [them], so We seized them for what they had been acquiring."

7:97  Do townsfolk feel secure from Our might's striking them at dead of night while they are asleep?

7:98  Or do the people of the towns feel safe from Our night's striking them in broad daylight while they are playing around?

7:99  Do they feel safe from Allah (God)'s plan? No one should feel safe from Allah (God)'s plan except for folk who will lose out.

7:100  Were those who will inherit the earth after its (present] people never shown how We would strike them down for their offences and seal off their hearts if We so wished, so they would not hear?

7:101  We have related news concerning those towns to you: their messengers came to them with explanations, yet they were not in any mood to believe in something they had already rejected. Thus Allah (God) seals off disbelievers' hearts.

7:102  We did not find any agreement was ever kept by most of them, although we did find most of them were quite immoral!

7:103  Then after them, we dispatched Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his courtiers, and they mistreated them. See how the outcome was for mischief makers!

7:104  Moses said: "Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of the Universe.

7:105  It is (only) right for me to say nothing except the Truth about Allah (God). I have brought you an explanation from your Lord, so send the Children of Israel away with me."

7:106  He said: 'If you have brought some sign, well produce it then if you are so truthful!"

7:107  He tossed his staff down and imagine, it obviously became a snake!

7:108  He pulled out his hand (from his shirtfront), and imagine, it was white to the onlookers!

7:109  The notables among Pharaoh's people said: 'This is some clever magician!

7:110  He wants to drive you out of your land; so what do you command?"

7:111  They said: 'Put him and his brother off, and send recruiters out through the cities

7:112  who will bring you in every clever magician."

7:113  The magicians came to Pharaoh. They said: 'Will we have some payment if we are the winners?"

7:114  He said: "Yes, and you will become courtiers."

7:115  They said: 'Moses, will you throw something down or shall we be the ones to throw [first]?"

7:116  He said: "You throw [first]!" So when they threw, they charmed the people's eyes and overawed them. They produced a splendid trick!

7:117  We inspired Moses with: 'Throw your staff," and imagine, it swallowed up whatever they had trumped up!

7:118  Truth prevailed and what they had been doing collapsed;

7:119  those men were defeated and were turned back belittled.

7:120  The magicians dropped down on their knees;

7:121  they said: "We believe in the Lord of the Universe,

7:122  the Lord of Moses and Aaron."

7:123  Pharaoh said: "You have believed in Him before I permit you to! This is some scheme which you have hatched in the city in order to drive its people out. You will soon find out!

7:124  I'll cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides; then I'll crucify you all."

7:125  They said: "We will be sent home to our Lord.

7:126  You are persecuting us only because we have believed in our Lord's signs once they were brought us. Our Lord, pour patience over us, and gather us up [at death] as Muslims!"

7:127  The notables among Pharaoh's people said: "Are you letting Moses and his people ruin the earth, and forsake you and your gods?" He said: "We shall slaughter their sons and let their women live; we stand irresistible over them."

7:128  Moses told his people: "Seek help from Allah (God) and act patient; the earth belongs to Allah (God). Anyone He wishes from among His servants will inherit it, and the outcome belongs to the heedful."

7:129  They said: "We were oppressed before you came to us, and [will be again] after you have come to us." He said: 'Perhaps your Lord will wipe out your enemy and leave you as overlords on earth, so He may observe how you act."

7:130  We gripped Pharaoh's household with years [of trial] and a shortage of fruit so they might bear it in mind.

7:131  Whenever something fine came to them, they said: "This is ours;" while if something evil afflicted them, they took it as an omen connected with Moses and whoever was with him. Did not their omen only lie with Allah (God)? Yet most of them do not realize it.

7:132  They (pharaoh’s people) said: "No matter what sign you may bring us to charm us with, we will never believe in you."

7:133  We sent the flood and grasshoppers, lice, frogs and blood on them as distinguishing signs, yet they (still) acted arrogantly and were criminal folk.

7:134  Whenever some plague fell upon them, they said: "Moses, appeal to your Lord for us, because of what He has pledged for you; if you will lift the plague from us, we will believe in you and send the Children of Israel away with you."

7:135  Yet whenever We lifted the plague from them for a period which they were to observe, why, they failed to keep it!

7:136  We avenged Ourselves on them and drowned them in the deep, because they had rejected Our signs and been so heedless of them.

7:137  We let a folk whom they considered to be inferior inherit the Eastern and Western parts of the land which We had blessed. Your Lord's finest word was accomplished for the Children of Israel because they had been so patient. We destroyed everything Pharaoh and his people had been producing and whatever they had been building.

7:138  We led the Children of Israel across the sea. They came upon a people who were dedicated to some idols they had. They said: "Moses, make a god for us like the gods they have." He said: "You are a folk who act ignorantly.

7:139  Anything those people are busy at is doomed and whatever they have been doing is absurd."

7:140  He said: 'Should I seek something instead of Allah (God) as a deity for you, while He has preferred you ahead of [everyone in] the Universe?

7:141  When We saved you from Pharaoh's household, they were imposing the worst torment on you: they slaughtered your sons and spared your women. That meant a serious trial from your Lord."

7:142  We appointed thirty nights for Moses and completed them with ten; the appointment with his Lord was complete in forty nights. Moses told his brother Aaron: "Rule my people in my stead and set a good example; do not pursue the mischief makers' course."

7:143  When Moses came for Our appointment and his Lord spoke to him, he said: "My Lord, show [yourself] to me so I may look at You." He said: "You will never see Me, but look at the mountain [instead]. If it remains in its place, then you shall see Me." When his Lord displayed his glory to the mountain, He left it flattened off, and Moses fell down stunned. When he came back to his senses, he said: "Glory be to You! I have turned to You and am the first believer!"

7:144  He said: "Moses, I have selected you ahead of [all] mankind for My messages and My word; so accept whatever I may give you and act grateful [for it]."

7:145  We wrote down a bit of everything for him on Tablets for instruction and as an analysis of everything: "Hold to it firmly and command your folk to hold on to whatever is best in it (following God’s orders in it). I shall show you (all) the home for immoral people.

7:146  I shall divert those from My signs who have strutted around the earth so arrogantly without having any right to do so." Even if they saw every sign, they still would not believe in them. If they saw the way to normal behavior they would not accept it as any way [to behave], while if they saw any way to err, they would accept it as a course [of action]. That is because they have rejected Our signs and been heedless of them.

7:147  Those who reject Our signs and [the idea of] a meeting in the Hereafter will [see] their works collapse. Will they not be rewarded for just what they have been doing?

7:148  After he had gone, Moses' folk designed a calf [made] out of their jewelry, a (mere) body that mooed. Did they not see that it neither spoke to them nor guided them along any way? They adopted it and (thereby) became wrongdoers.

7:149  When the matter was dropped in their hands (they regretted what they did) and they saw that they were lost, they said: "If our Lord does not show us mercy and forgive us, we will be losers."

7:150  When Moses returned angry, sorrowful to his folk, he said: 'What an awful thing you have committed behind my back! Have you tried to hurry up your Lord's command?" He dropped the Tablets and seized his brother by the head, pulling him towards himself. He said: "Son of my mother, the people felt I was weak and they almost killed me! Don’t let any enemies gloat over me nor place me with such wrongdoing folk!"

7:151  He said: 'My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and let us enter Your mercy! You are the most Merciful of those who show mercy!"

7:152  Anger and disgrace from their Lord will be awarded those who accepted the calf during worldly life. Thus We reward those who invent [such things];

7:153  as for those who perform evil deeds, then repent later on and believe, your Lord will later on be Forgiving, Merciful.

7:154  When his anger had subsided, Moses picked up the Tablets whose text contained guidance and mercy for those who revere their Lord.

7:155  Moses chose his people, seventy men, for an appointment with Us. When the Tremor seized them, he said: "My Lord, even though You may have wished to wipe them out and myself (as well) earlier, are You wiping us out just because of what some fools among us have done? It is only Your manner of testing: You let anyone You wish to, go astray by means of it, and let anyone You wish, to be guided. You are our Patron, so pardon us and show us mercy; You are the best Pardoner.

7:156  Prescribe a fine thing for us in this world and in the Hereafter; let us be guided towards You!" He said: "I afflict anyone I wish with My torment while My mercy embraces everything; I shall prescribe it for those who do their duty, pay the welfare tax, and who believe in Our signs,

7:157  those who follow the Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet (Muhammad) whom they will find written down for them in the Torah and the Gospel. He commands them to be decent and forbids them dishonor. He permits them wholesome things and prohibits them evil things, and relieves them of their obligation and the shackles which have lain upon them. Those who believe in him, revere him and support him, and follow the Light which was sent down with him (the Quran); those will be successful."

7:158  SAY: "Mankind, for all of you I am but a messenger from Allah (God) [Alone], Who holds control over Heaven and Earth. There is no deity except Him; He gives life and brings death. Believe in Allah (God) and His messenger, the Unlettered Prophet who himself believes in Allah (God) [Alone] and His words: follow him so you may be guided."

7:159  Out of Moses' folk [there grew] a nation who guided by means of the Truth and dealt justly by means of it.

7:160  We split them up into twelve tribes, communities, and inspired Moses when his people asked for water: 'Strike the rock with your staff." Twelve springs gushed forth from it. Each set of people knew its own drinking-place. We shaded them with clouds and sent down manna and quail for them: 'Eat some of the wholesome things which We have supplied you with." Yet they did not harm Us, but they themselves were the persons whom they harmed.

7:161  When they were told: "Settle down in this town and eat wherever you wish in it, and say: 'Relieve [us]!' Enter the gate [walking] on your knees. We will forgive you your mistakes; We will give even more to those who act kindly,"

7:162  those among them who did wrong changed the statement into something else than what had been told them; so We sent a plague from Heaven upon them because of how wrong they had been acting.

7:163  Ask them about the town which lay facing the sea, when they broke the Sabbath. Their fish came to them swimming on the surface on their Sabbath Day, while any day they did not cease work, it did not come to them. Thus We tested them since they had been acting so immorally.

7:164  Whenever a community among them said: "Why do you lecture a folk whom Allah (God) will destroy anyhow, or [at least] punish them severely?" they said: "To gain absolution from your Lord, and so they may do their duty."

7:165  When they forgot what they had been reminded of, We rescued those who had forbidden evil while We seized those who were doing wrong with dreadful torment because they had been acting so immorally.

7:166  When they became insolent about what had been forbidden them, we told them: "Become apes who will be chased away."

7:167  So your Lord announced that He would send someone against them who would impose the worst torment on them until Resurrection Day. Your Lord is Prompt with punishment, while He is (also) Forgiving, Merciful,

7:168  We split them up into nations (that exist) on earth. Some of them are righteous while some of them are otherwise. We have tested them with the good and the bad so they might repent.

7:169  Successors replaced them afterward who inherited the Book (the Bible), taking on the show of this lowly place and saying: 'It will be forgiven us.' If a show like it were give them (again), they would accept it. Was not an agreement concerning the Book (the Bible) accepted by them: that they would tell nothing but the Truth about Allah (God)? They studied what was in it. A home in the Hereafter is better for those who do their duty - do they not use their reason?

7:170  As for those who hold onto the Book (the Bible) and keep up prayer-We shall never forfeit reformers' wages.

7:171  Thus We suspended the Mountain over them as if it were an awning, and they thought it was going to fall down on them: "Hold on firmly to anything We have given you and remember what is in it, so that you may do your duty!"

7:172  When your Lord took their offspring from the Children of Adam's loins, and made them bear witness about themselves: 'Am I not your Lord?"; they said: 'Of course, we testify to it!" lest you (all) might say on Resurrection Day: "We were unaware of this;"

7:173  or lest you say: "It was only our forefathers who associated [others with Allah (God)] previously; offspring following them. Will You wipe us out because of what futile men have done?"

7:174  Thus We spell out signs so that they may repent.

7:175  Recite news to them about someone to whom We gave Our signs. He slipped away from them, so Satan followed him and he became misguided.

7:176  If We had so wished, We might have raised him up by means of them, but he clung to the earth and followed his own whim. He might be compared to a dog: no matter how you drive him off, he just pants away. Or if you leave him alone, he still pants on. That is what folk who reject Our signs are like; tell such stories so they may think things over.

7:177  How evil is the comparison of folk who reject Our signs; it is their own souls they hurt!

7:178  Anyone whom Allah (God) guides has been (really) guided; while those He lets go astray will he the losers.

7:179  We have bred many sprites and humans for Hell: they have hearts they do not understand with, and eyes they do not see with, and ears they do not hear with. Those persons are like livestock: in fact, they are even further off track, They are heedless!

7:180  Allah (God) has the Finest Names, so appeal to Him by name and leave those who blaspheme against His names alone; they will be rewarded for whatever they have been doing.

7:181  Some of those whom We have created form a nation which guides [men] by means of the Truth, and because of it they act justly.

7:182  We shall gradually bring those who reject Our signs [step by step] in a way they do not recognize.

7:183  I shall let them go on, for My scheme is sure.

7:184  Have they not thought things over? There is no madness in their companion (Muhammad); he is merely a plain warner.

7:185  Have they not observed in the sovereignty over Heaven and Earth and whatever Allah (God) has created of any sort, that perhaps their deadline may be approaching? In what report will they believe later on?

7:186  Anyone whom Allah (God) lets go astray will have no guide; He leaves them groping along in their arrogance.

7:187  They may ask you about the Hour (the Day of Judgement): "When will it arrive?' SAY "Knowledge about it rests only with my Lord; He Alone will disclose its time. It is momentous [and unknown] to Heaven and Earth [‘s creatures]; it will simply come upon you all of a sudden!" They will even ask you as if you yourself were anxious about it. SAY 'Knowledge about it rests only with Allah (God), though most people do not realize it." The Heights Part 9 175

7:188  SAY: "I control no advantage nor any disadvantage by myself except whatever Allah (God) may wish. If I had known the Unseen, I would have tried to increase [my share] of good, while no evil would ever touch me. am merely a warner and news bearer for people who believe."

7:189  He is the One Who has created you [all] from a single soul, and made its mate from it, so he may settle down with her. Once he has covered her, she conceives a light burden and walks around [unnoticed] with it; then when she begins to feel heavy, they both appeal to Allah (God), their Lord: "if You will grant us a healthy [child], we will be grateful."

7:190  Once He gives them a healthy child, they both set up associates for Him despite what He has given them. Exalted is Allah (God) over anything they may associate [with Him]!

7:191  Do they associate something [with Allah (God)] that has never created anything, while they themselves have been created?

7:192  They cannot offer them any support nor can they even assist themselves!

7:193  If you summon them to guidance, they will not follow you; it is the same for you whether you appeal to them or keep silent:

7:194  "Those you appeal to instead of to Allah (God) are servants just like yourselves. Appeal to them so they may respond to you if you are so truthful!

7:195  Have they feet to walk with, or hands to grasp things with, or eyes to see with, or ears to listen with?" SAY: "Appeal to your associates [instead of to Allah (God)]; then plot away against me, and do not wait for me [to act]!

7:196  My Patron is Allah (God) [Alone] who has sent down the Book (the Quran). He befriends the honorable

7:197  while those you appeal to instead of Him cannot lend you any support nor do they even support themselves.

7:198  If you summon them to guidance, they will not hear, and you will see them looking towards you while they are [really] not seeing [anything]."

7:199  Practise forgiveness, command decency; and avoid ignorant people.

7:200  If some urge from Satan should prompt you, seek refuge with Allah (God); He is Alert, Aware.

7:201  The ones who perform their duty bear it in mind whenever some impulse from Satan bothers them, and so they are granted insight.

7:202  Their brethren (devils) will trail off into aimlessness; and they do not spare efforts [to do so].

7:203  If you had not brought them any sign, they would (still) say: "Why didn’t you pick one out?" SAY: "I follow only what has been inspired in me by my Lord. These are insights from Your Lord, as well as guidance and mercy for folk who believe."

7:204  Whenever the Quran is being recited, listen to it [attentively] and hush, so that you may receive mercy.

7:205  Keep your Lord in mind within your own soul, beseeching and fearfully, and without raising your voice, both in the early morning and in the evening; do not act so heedless!

7:206  Those who are with your Lord do not feel too proud to worship Him; they glorify Him and drop down on their knees before Him The Struggle Part 9