{"collection":"Islam","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/isl/pick/026.htm","path":"isl/pick/026.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/isl/pick/026.htm","text":"The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'\u00e2n, by M.M. Pickthall\n 26. ash-Shu`ara': The Poets\n 1\u00a0Ta. Sin. Mim. \n 2\u00a0These are revelations of the Scripture that maketh plain. \n 3\u00a0It may be that thou tormentest thyself (O Muhammad) because they believe not. \n 4\u00a0If We will, We can send down on them from the sky a portent so that their necks would remain bowed before it. \n 5\u00a0Never cometh there unto them a fresh reminder from the Beneficent One, but they turn away from it. \n 6\u00a0Now they have denied (the Truth); but there will come unto them tidings of that whereat they used to scoff. \n 7\u00a0Have they not seen the earth, how much of every fruitful kind We make to grow therein ? \n 8\u00a0Lo! herein is indeed a portent; yet most of them are not believers. \n 9\u00a0And lo! thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. \n 10\u00a0And when thy Lord called Moses, saying: Go unto the wrongdoing folk, \n 11\u00a0The folk of Pharaoh. Will they not ward off (evil) ? \n 12\u00a0He said: My Lord! Lo! I fear that they will deny me, \n 13\u00a0And I shall be embarrassed, and my tongue will not speak plainly, therefor send for Aaron (to help me). \n 14\u00a0And they have a crime against me, so I fear that they will kill me. \n 15\u00a0He said: Nay, verily. So go ye twain with Our tokens. Lo! We shall be with you, Hearing. \n 16\u00a0And come together unto Pharaoh and say: Lo! we bear a message of the Lord of the Worlds, \n 17\u00a0(Saying): Let the Children of Israel go with us. \n 18\u00a0(Pharaoh) said (unto Moses): Did we not rear thee among us as a child ? And thou didst dwell many years of thy life among us, \n 19\u00a0And thou didst that thy deed which thou didst, and thou wast one of the ingrates. \n 20\u00a0He said: I did it then, when I was of those who are astray. \n 21\u00a0Then I fled from you when I feared you, and my Lord vouchsafed me a command and appointed me (of the number) of those sent (by Him). \n 22\u00a0And this is the past favour wherewith thou reproachest me: that thou hast enslaved the Children of Israel. \n 23\u00a0Pharaoh said: And what is the Lord of the Worlds ? \n 24\u00a0(Moses) said: Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if ye had but sure belief. \n 25\u00a0(Pharaoh) said unto those around him: Hear ye not ? \n 26\u00a0He said: Your Lord and the Lord of your fathers. \n 27\u00a0(Pharaoh) said: Lo! your messenger who hath been sent unto you is indeed a madman! \n 28\u00a0He said: Lord of the East and the West and all that is between them, if ye did but understand. \n 29\u00a0(Pharaoh) said: If thou choosest a god other than me, I assuredly shall place thee among the prisoners. \n 30\u00a0He said: Even though I show thee something plain ? \n 31\u00a0(Pharaoh) said: Produce it then, if thou art of the truthful! \n 32\u00a0Then he flung down his staff and it became a serpent manifest, \n 33\u00a0And he drew forth his hand and lo! it was white to the beholders. \n 34\u00a0(Pharaoh) said unto the chiefs about him: Lo! this is verily a knowing wizard, \n 35\u00a0Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye ? \n 36\u00a0They said: Put him off, (him) and his brother, and send into the cities summoners \n 37\u00a0Who shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard. \n 38\u00a0So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed. \n 39\u00a0And it was said unto the people: Are ye (also) gathering ? \n 40\u00a0(They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners. \n 41\u00a0And when the wizards came they said unto Pharaoh: Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners ? \n 42\u00a0He said: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me). \n 43\u00a0Moses said unto them: Throw what ye are going to throw! \n 44\u00a0Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh's might, lo! we verily are the winners. \n 45\u00a0Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show. \n 46\u00a0And the wizards were flung prostrate, \n 47\u00a0Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds, \n 48\u00a0The Lord of Moses and Aaron. \n 49\u00a0(Pharaoh) said: Ye put your faith in him before I give you leave. Lo! he doubtless is your chief who taught you magic! But verily ye shall come to know. Verily I will cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and verily I will crucify you every one. \n 50\u00a0They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return. \n 51\u00a0Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers. \n 52\u00a0And We inspired Moses, saying: Take away My slaves by night, for ye will be pursued. \n 53\u00a0Then Pharaoh sent into the cities summoners, \n 54\u00a0(Who said): Lo! these indeed are but a little troop, \n 55\u00a0And lo! they are offenders against us. \n 56\u00a0And lo! we are a ready host. \n 57\u00a0Thus did We take them away from gardens and watersprings, \n 58\u00a0And treasures and a fair estate. \n 59\u00a0Thus (were those things taken from them) and We caused the Children of Israel to inherit them. \n 60\u00a0And they overtook them at sunrise. \n 61\u00a0And when the two hosts saw each other, those with Moses said: Lo! we are indeed caught. \n 62\u00a0He said: Nay, verily! for lo! my Lord is with me. He will guide me. \n 63\u00a0Then We inspired Moses, saying: Smite the sea with thy staff. And it parted, and each part was as a mountain vast. \n 64\u00a0Then brought We near the others to that place. \n 65\u00a0And We saved Moses and those with him, every one; \n 66\u00a0And We drowned the others. \n 67\u00a0Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers. \n 68\u00a0And lo, thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. \n 69\u00a0Recite unto them the story of Abraham: \n 70\u00a0When he said unto his father and his folk: What worship ye ? \n 71\u00a0They said: We worship idols, and are ever devoted unto them. \n 72\u00a0He said: Do they hear you when ye cry ? \n 73\u00a0Or do they benefit or harm you ? \n 74\u00a0They said: Nay, but we found our fathers acting on this wise. \n 75\u00a0He said: See now that which ye worship, \n 76\u00a0Ye and your forefathers! \n 77\u00a0Lo! they are (all) an enemy unto me, save the Lord of the Worlds, \n 78\u00a0Who created me, and He doth guide me, \n 79\u00a0And Who feedeth me and watereth me. \n 80\u00a0And when I sicken, then He healeth me, \n 81\u00a0And Who causeth me to die, then giveth me life (again), \n 82\u00a0And Who, I ardently hope, will forgive me my sin on the Day of Judgment. \n 83\u00a0My Lord! Vouchsafe me wisdom and unite me to the righteous. \n 84\u00a0And give unto me a good report in later generations. \n 85\u00a0And place me among the inheritors of the Garden of Delight, \n 86\u00a0And forgive my father. Lo! he is of those who err. \n 87\u00a0And abase me not on the day when they are raised, \n 88\u00a0The day when wealth and sons avail not (any man) \n 89\u00a0Save him who bringeth unto Allah a whole heart. \n 90\u00a0And the Garden will be brought nigh for those who ward off (evil). \n 91\u00a0And hell will appear plainly to the erring. \n 92\u00a0And it will be said unto them: Where is (all) that ye used to worship \n 93\u00a0Instead of Allah ? Can they help you or help themselves ? \n 94\u00a0Then will they be hurled therein, they and the seducers \n 95\u00a0And the hosts of Iblis, together. \n 96\u00a0And they will say, when they are quarrelling therein: \n 97\u00a0By Allah, of a truth we were in error manifest \n 98\u00a0When we made you equal with the Lord of the Worlds. \n 99\u00a0It was but the guilty who misled us. \n 100\u00a0Now we have no intercessors \n 101\u00a0Nor any loving friend. \n 102\u00a0Oh, that we had another turn (on earth), that we might be of the believers! \n 103\u00a0Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers! \n 104\u00a0And lo, thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. \n 105\u00a0Noah's folk denied the messengers (of Allah), \n 106\u00a0When their brother Noah said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil) ? \n 107\u00a0Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you, \n 108\u00a0So keep your duty to Allah, and obey me. \n 109\u00a0And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds. \n 110\u00a0So keep your duty to Allah, and obey me. \n 111\u00a0They said: Shall we put faith in thee, when the lowest (of the people) follow thee ? \n 112\u00a0He said: And what knowledge have I of what they may have been doing (in the past) ? \n 113\u00a0Lo! their reckoning is my Lord's concern, if ye but knew; \n 114\u00a0And I am not (here) to repulse believers. \n 115\u00a0I am only a plain warner. \n 116\u00a0They said: If thou cease not, O Noah, thou wilt surely be among those stoned (to death). \n 117\u00a0He said: My Lord! Lo! my own folk deny me. \n 118\u00a0Therefor judge Thou between us, a (conclusive) judgment, and save me and those believers who are with me. \n 119\u00a0And We saved him and those with him in the laden ship. \n 120\u00a0Then afterward We drowned the others. \n 121\u00a0Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers. \n 122\u00a0And lo, thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. \n 123\u00a0(The tribe of) A'ad denied the messengers (of Allah). \n 124\u00a0When their brother Hud said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil) ? \n 125\u00a0Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you, \n 126\u00a0So keep your duty to Allah and obey me. \n 127\u00a0And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds. \n 128\u00a0Build ye on every high place a monument for vain delight ? \n 129\u00a0And seek ye out strongholds, that haply ye may last for ever ? \n 130\u00a0And if ye seize by force, seize ye as tyrants ? \n 131\u00a0Rather keep your duty to Allah, and obey me. \n 132\u00a0Keep your duty toward Him Who hath aided you with (the good things) that ye know, \n 133\u00a0Hath aided you with cattle and sons. \n 134\u00a0And gardens and watersprings. \n 135\u00a0Lo! I fear for you the retribution of an awful day. \n 136\u00a0They said: It is all one to us whether thou preachest or art not of those who preach; \n 137\u00a0This is but a fable of the men of old, \n 138\u00a0And we shall not be doomed. \n 139\u00a0And they denied him; therefor We destroyed them. Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers. \n 140\u00a0And lo! thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. \n 141\u00a0(The tribe of) Thamud denied the messengers (of Allah) \n 142\u00a0When their brother Salih said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil) ? \n 143\u00a0Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you, \n 144\u00a0So keep your duty to Allah and obey me. \n 145\u00a0And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds. \n 146\u00a0Will ye be left secure in that which is here before us, \n 147\u00a0In gardens and watersprings. \n 148\u00a0And tilled fields and heavy-sheathed palm-trees, \n 149\u00a0Though ye hew out dwellings in the mountain, being skilful ? \n 150\u00a0Therefor keep your duty to Allah and obey me, \n 151\u00a0And obey not the command of the prodigal, \n 152\u00a0Who spread corruption in the earth, and reform not. \n 153\u00a0They said: Thou art but one of the bewitched; \n 154\u00a0Thou art but a mortal like us. So bring some token if thou art of the truthful. \n 155\u00a0He said: (Behold) this she-camel. She hath the right to drink (at the well), and ye have the right to drink, (each) on an appointed day. \n 156\u00a0And touch her not with ill lest there come on you the retribution of an awful day. \n 157\u00a0But they hamstrung her, and then were penitent. \n 158\u00a0So the retribution came on them. Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers. \n 159\u00a0And lo! thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. \n 160\u00a0The folk of Lot denied the messengers (of Allah), \n 161\u00a0When their brother Lot said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil) ? \n 162\u00a0Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you, \n 163\u00a0So keep your duty to Allah and obey me. \n 164\u00a0And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds. \n 165\u00a0What! Of all creatures do ye come unto the males, \n 166\u00a0And leave the wives your Lord created for you ? Nay, but ye are froward folk. \n 167\u00a0They said: If thou cease not, O Lot, thou wilt soon be of the outcast. \n 168\u00a0He said: I am in truth of those who hate your conduct. \n 169\u00a0My Lord! Save me and my household from what they do. \n 170\u00a0So We saved him and his household, every one, \n 171\u00a0Save an old woman among those who stayed behind. \n 172\u00a0Then afterward We destroyed the others. \n 173\u00a0And We rained on them a rain. And dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned. \n 174\u00a0Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers. \n 175\u00a0And lo! thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. \n 176\u00a0The dwellers in the wood (of Midian) denied the messengers (of Allah), \n 177\u00a0When Shu'eyb said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil) ? \n 178\u00a0Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you, \n 179\u00a0So keep your duty to Allah and obey me. \n 180\u00a0And I ask of you no wage for it; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds. \n 181\u00a0Give full measure, and be not of those who give less (than the due). \n 182\u00a0And weigh with the true balance. \n 183\u00a0Wrong not mankind in their goods, and do not evil, making mischief, in the earth. \n 184\u00a0And keep your duty unto Him Who created you and the generations of the men of old. \n 185\u00a0They said: Thou art but one of the bewitched; \n 186\u00a0Thou art but a mortal like us, and lo! we deem thee of the liars. \n 187\u00a0Then make fragments of the heaven fall upon us, if thou art of the truthful. \n 188\u00a0He said: My Lord is Best Aware of what ye do. \n 189\u00a0But they denied him, so there came on them the retribution of the day of gloom. Lo! it was the retribution of an awful day. \n 190\u00a0Lo! herein is indeed a portent; yet most of them are not believers. \n 191\u00a0And lo! thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful. \n 192\u00a0And lo! it is a revelation of the Lord of the Worlds, \n 193\u00a0Which the True Spirit hath brought down \n 194\u00a0Upon thy heart, that thou mayst be (one) of the warners, \n 195\u00a0In plain Arabic speech. \n 196\u00a0And lo! it is in the Scriptures of the men of old. \n 197\u00a0Is it not a token for them that the doctors of the Children of Israel know it ? \n 198\u00a0And if We had revealed it unto one of any other nation than the Arabs, \n 199\u00a0And he had read it unto them, they would not have believed in it. \n 200\u00a0Thus do We make it traverse the hearts of the guilty. \n 201\u00a0They will not believe in it till they behold the painful doom, \n 202\u00a0So that it will come upon them suddenly, when they perceive not. \n 203\u00a0Then they will say: Are we to be reprieved ? \n 204\u00a0Would they (now) hasten on Our doom ? \n 205\u00a0Hast thou then seen, if We content them for (long) years, \n 206\u00a0And then cometh that which they were promised, \n 207\u00a0(How) that wherewith they were contented naught availeth them ? \n 208\u00a0And We destroyed no township but it had its warners \n 209\u00a0For reminder, for We never were oppressors. \n 210\u00a0The devils did not bring it down. \n 211\u00a0It is not meet for them, nor is it in their power, \n 212\u00a0Lo! verily they are banished from the hearing. \n 213\u00a0Therefor invoke not with Allah another god, lest thou be one of the doomed. \n 214\u00a0And warn thy tribe of near kindred, \n 215\u00a0And lower thy wing (in kindness) unto those believers who follow thee. \n 216\u00a0And if they (thy kinsfolk) disobey thee, say: Lo! I am innocent of what they do. \n 217\u00a0And put thy trust in the Mighty, the Merciful. \n 218\u00a0Who seeth thee when thou standest up (to pray) \n 219\u00a0And (seeth) thine abasement among those who fall prostrate (in worship). \n 220\u00a0Lo! He, only He, is the Hearer, the Knower. \n 221\u00a0Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend ? \n 222\u00a0They descend on every sinful, false one. \n 223\u00a0They listen eagerly, but most of them are liars. \n 224\u00a0As for poets, the erring follow them. \n 225\u00a0Hast thou not seen how they stray in every valley, \n 226\u00a0And how they say that which they do not ? \n 227\u00a0Save those who believe and do good works, and remember Allah much, and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged. Those who do wrong will come to know by what a (great) reverse they will be overturned!","title":"The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'\u00e2n,: 26. ash-Shu`ara': The Poets","type":"page"}