{"collection":"Islam","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/isl/pick/037.htm","path":"isl/pick/037.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/isl/pick/037.htm","text":"The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'\u00e2n, by M.M. Pickthall\n 37. as-Saffat: The Rangers\n 1\u00a0By those who set the ranks in battle order \n 2\u00a0And those who drive away (the wicked) with reproof \n 3\u00a0And those who read (the Word) for a reminder, \n 4\u00a0Lo! thy Lord is surely One; \n 5\u00a0Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all that is between them, and Lord of the sun's risings. \n 6\u00a0Lo! We have adorned the lowest heaven with an ornament, the planets; \n 7\u00a0With security from every froward devil. \n 8\u00a0They cannot listen to the Highest Chiefs for they are pelted from every side, \n 9\u00a0Outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment; \n 10\u00a0Save him who snatcheth a fragment, and there pursueth him a piercing flame. \n 11\u00a0Then ask them (O Muhammad): Are they stronger as a creation, or those (others) whom we have created ? Lo! We created them of plastic clay. \n 12\u00a0Nay, but thou dost marvel when they mock \n 13\u00a0And heed not when they are reminded, \n 14\u00a0And seek to scoff when they behold a portent. \n 15\u00a0And they say: Lo! this is mere magic; \n 16\u00a0When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised (again) ? \n 17\u00a0And our forefathers ? \n 18\u00a0Say (O Muhammad): Ye, in truth; and ye will be brought low. \n 19\u00a0There is but one Shout, and lo! they behold, \n 20\u00a0And say: Ah, woe for us! This is the Day of Judgment. \n 21\u00a0This is the Day of Separation, which ye used to deny. \n 22\u00a0(And it is said unto the angels): Assemble those who did wrong, together with their wives and what they used to worship \n 23\u00a0Instead of Allah, and lead them to the path to hell; \n 24\u00a0And stop them, for they must be questioned. \n 25\u00a0What aileth you that ye help not one another ? \n 26\u00a0Nay, but this day they make full submission. \n 27\u00a0And some of them draw near unto others, mutually questioning. \n 28\u00a0They say: Lo! ye used to come unto us, imposing, (swearing that ye spoke the truth). \n 29\u00a0They answer: Nay, but ye (yourselves) were not believers. \n 30\u00a0We had no power over you, but ye were wayward folk. \n 31\u00a0Now the Word of our Lord hath been fulfilled concerning us. Lo! we are about to taste (the doom). \n 32\u00a0Thus we misled you. Lo! we were (ourselves) astray. \n 33\u00a0Then lo! this day they (both) are sharers in the doom. \n 34\u00a0Lo! thus deal We with the guilty. \n 35\u00a0For when it was said unto them, There is no God save Allah, they were scornful \n 36\u00a0And said: Shall we forsake our gods for a mad poet ? \n 37\u00a0Nay, but he brought the Truth, and he confirmed those sent (before him). \n 38\u00a0Lo! (now) verily ye taste the painful doom - \n 39\u00a0Ye are requited naught save what ye did - \n 40\u00a0Save single-minded slaves of Allah; \n 41\u00a0For them there is a known provision, \n 42\u00a0Fruits. And they will be honoured \n 43\u00a0In the Gardens of delight, \n 44\u00a0On couches facing one another; \n 45\u00a0A cup from a gushing spring is brought round for them, \n 46\u00a0White, delicious to the drinkers, \n 47\u00a0Wherein there is no headache nor are they made mad thereby. \n 48\u00a0And with them are those of modest gaze, with lovely eyes, \n 49\u00a0(Pure) as they were hidden eggs (of the ostrich). \n 50\u00a0And some of them draw near unto others, mutually questioning. \n 51\u00a0A speaker of them saith: Lo! I had a comrade \n 52\u00a0Who used to say: Art thou in truth of those who put faith (in his words) ? \n 53\u00a0Can we, when we are dead and have become mere dust and bones - can we (then) verily be brought to book ? \n 54\u00a0He saith: Will ye look ? \n 55\u00a0Then looketh he and seeth him in the depth of hell. \n 56\u00a0He saith: By Allah, thou verily didst all but cause my ruin, \n 57\u00a0And had it not been for the favour of my Lord, I too had been of those haled forth (to doom). \n 58\u00a0Are we then not to die \n 59\u00a0Saving our former death, and are we not to be punished ? \n 60\u00a0Lo! this is the supreme triumph. \n 61\u00a0For the like of this, then, let the workers work. \n 62\u00a0Is this better as a welcome, or the tree of Zaqqum ? \n 63\u00a0Lo! We have appointed it a torment for wrong-doers. \n 64\u00a0Lo! it is a tree that springeth in the heart of hell. \n 65\u00a0Its crop is as it were the heads of devils \n 66\u00a0And lo! they verily must eat thereof, and fill (their) bellies therewith. \n 67\u00a0And afterward, lo! thereupon they have a drink of boiling water \n 68\u00a0And afterward, lo! their return is surely unto hell. \n 69\u00a0They indeed found their fathers astray, \n 70\u00a0But they make haste (to follow) in their footsteps. \n 71\u00a0And verily most of the men of old went astray before them, \n 72\u00a0And verily We sent among them warners. \n 73\u00a0Then see the nature of the consequence for those warned, \n 74\u00a0Save single-minded slaves of Allah. \n 75\u00a0And Noah verily prayed unto Us, and gracious was the Hearer of his prayer \n 76\u00a0And We saved him and his household from the great distress, \n 77\u00a0And made his seed the survivors, \n 78\u00a0And left for him among the later folk (the salutation): \n 79\u00a0Peace be unto Noah among the peoples! \n 80\u00a0Lo! thus do We reward the good. \n 81\u00a0Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves. \n 82\u00a0Then We did drown the others. \n 83\u00a0And lo! of his persuasion verily was Abraham \n 84\u00a0When he came unto his Lord with a whole heart; \n 85\u00a0When he said unto his father and his folk: What is it that ye worship ? \n 86\u00a0Is it a falsehood - gods beside Allah - that ye desire ? \n 87\u00a0What then is your opinion of the Lord of the Worlds ? \n 88\u00a0And he glanced a glance at the stars \n 89\u00a0Then said: Lo! I feel sick! \n 90\u00a0And they turned their backs and went away from him. \n 91\u00a0Then turned he to their gods and said: Will ye not eat ? \n 92\u00a0What aileth you that ye speak not ? \n 93\u00a0Then he attacked them, striking with his right hand. \n 94\u00a0And (his people) came toward him, hastening. \n 95\u00a0He said: Worship ye that which ye yourselves do carve \n 96\u00a0When Allah hath created you and what ye make ? \n 97\u00a0They said: Build for him a building and fling him in the red-hotfire. \n 98\u00a0And they designed a snare for him, but We made them the undermost. \n 99\u00a0And he said: Lo! I am going unto my Lord Who will guide me. \n 100\u00a0My Lord! Vouchsafe me of the righteous. \n 101\u00a0So We gave him tidings of a gentle son. \n 102\u00a0And when (his son) was old enough to walk with him, (Abraham) said: O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice thee. So look, what thinkest thou ? He said: O my father! Do that which thou art commanded. Allah willing, thou shalt find me of the steadfast. \n 103\u00a0Then, when they had both surrendered (to Allah), and he had flung him down upon his face, \n 104\u00a0We called unto him: O Abraham! \n 105\u00a0Thou hast already fulfilled the vision. Lo! thus do We reward the good. \n 106\u00a0Lo! that verily was a clear test. \n 107\u00a0Then We ransomed him with a tremendous victim. \n 108\u00a0And We left for him among the later folk (the salutation): \n 109\u00a0Peace be unto Abraham! \n 110\u00a0Thus do We reward the good. \n 111\u00a0Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves. \n 112\u00a0And we gave him tidings of the birth of Isaac, a prophet of the righteous. \n 113\u00a0And We blessed him and Isaac. And of their seed are some who do good, and some who plainly wrong themselves. \n 114\u00a0And We verily gave grace unto Moses and Aaron, \n 115\u00a0And saved them and their people from the great distress, \n 116\u00a0And helped them so that they became the victors. \n 117\u00a0And We gave them the clear Scripture \n 118\u00a0And showed them the right path. \n 119\u00a0And We left for them among the later folk (the salutation): \n 120\u00a0Peace be unto Moses and Aaron! \n 121\u00a0Lo! thus do We reward the good. \n 122\u00a0Lo! they are two of Our believing slaves. \n 123\u00a0And lo! Elias was of those sent (to warn), \n 124\u00a0When he said unto his folk: Will ye not ward off (evil) ? \n 125\u00a0Will ye cry unto Baal and forsake the Best of creators, \n 126\u00a0Allah, your Lord and Lord of your forefathers ? \n 127\u00a0But they denied him, so they surely will be haled forth (to the doom) \n 128\u00a0Save single-minded slaves of Allah. \n 129\u00a0And we left for him among the later folk (the salutation): \n 130\u00a0Peace be unto Elias! \n 131\u00a0Lo! thus do We reward the good. \n 132\u00a0Lo! he is one of our believing slaves. \n 133\u00a0And lo! Lot verily was of those sent (to warn). \n 134\u00a0When We saved him and his household, every one, \n 135\u00a0Save an old woman among those who stayed behind; \n 136\u00a0Then We destroyed the others. \n 137\u00a0And lo! ye verily pass by (the ruin of) them in the morning \n 138\u00a0And at night-time; have ye then no sense ? \n 139\u00a0And lo! Jonah verily was of those sent (to warn) \n 140\u00a0When he fled unto the laden ship, \n 141\u00a0And then drew lots and was of those rejected; \n 142\u00a0And the fish swallowed him while he was blameworthy; \n 143\u00a0And had he not been one of those who glorify (Allah) \n 144\u00a0He would have tarried in its belly till the day when they are raised; \n 145\u00a0Then We cast him on a desert shore while he was sick; \n 146\u00a0And We caused a tree of gourd to grow above him; \n 147\u00a0And We sent him to a hundred thousand (folk) or more \n 148\u00a0And they believed, therefor We gave them comfort for a while. \n 149\u00a0Now ask them (O Muhammad): Hath thy Lord daughters whereas they have sons ? \n 150\u00a0Or created We the angels females while they were present ? \n 151\u00a0Lo! it is of their falsehood that they say: \n 152\u00a0Allah hath begotten. Allah! verily they tell a lie. \n 153\u00a0(And again of their falsehood): He hath preferred daughters to sons. \n 154\u00a0What aileth you ? How judge ye ? \n 155\u00a0Will ye not then reflect ? \n 156\u00a0Or have ye a clear warrant ? \n 157\u00a0Then produce your writ, if ye are truthful. \n 158\u00a0And they imagine kinship between him and the jinn, whereas the jinn know well that they will be brought before (Him). \n 159\u00a0Glorified be Allah from that which they attribute (unto Him), \n 160\u00a0Save single-minded slaves of Allah. \n 161\u00a0Lo! verily, ye and that which ye worship, \n 162\u00a0Ye cannot excite (anyone) against Him. \n 163\u00a0Save him who is to burn in hell. \n 164\u00a0There is not one of us but hath his known position. \n 165\u00a0Lo! we, even we are they who set the ranks, \n 166\u00a0Lo! we, even we are they who hymn His praise \n 167\u00a0And indeed they used to say: \n 168\u00a0If we had but a reminder from the men of old \n 169\u00a0We would be single-minded slaves of Allah. \n 170\u00a0Yet (now that it is come) they disbelieve therein; but they will come to know. \n 171\u00a0And verily Our word went forth of old unto Our bondmen sent (to warn) \n 172\u00a0That they verily would be helped, \n 173\u00a0And that Our host, they verily would be the victors. \n 174\u00a0So withdraw from them (O Muhammad) awhile, \n 175\u00a0And watch, for they will (soon) see. \n 176\u00a0Would they hasten on Our doom ? \n 177\u00a0But when it cometh home to them, then it will be a hapless morn for those who have been warned. \n 178\u00a0Withdraw from them awhile \n 179\u00a0And watch, for they will (soon) see. \n 180\u00a0Glorified be thy Lord, the Lord of Majesty, from that which they attribute (unto Him) \n 181\u00a0And peace be unto those sent (to warn). \n 182\u00a0And praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!","title":"The Meaning of the Glorious Qur'\u00e2n,: 37. as-Saffat: The Rangers","type":"page"}