The Rangers

By those who range themselves in ranks, ۝ 1 And so are strong in repelling (evil), ۝ 2 And thus proclaim the Message (of Allah)! ۝ 3 Verily, verily, your Allah is one!- ۝ 4 Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all between them, and Lord of every point at the rising of the sun! ۝ 5 We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars,- ۝ 6 (For beauty) and for guard against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits, ۝ 7 (So) they should not strain their ears in the direction of the Exalted Assembly but be cast away from every side, ۝ 8 Repulsed, for they are under a perpetual penalty, ۝ 9 Except such as snatch away something by stealth, and they are pursued by a flaming fire, of piercing brightness. ۝ 10 Just ask their opinion: are they the more difficult to create, or the (other) beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay! ۝ 11 Truly dost thou marvel, while they ridicule, ۝ 12 And, when they are admonished, pay no heed,- ۝ 13 And, when they see a Sign, turn it to mockery, ۝ 14 And say, "This is nothing but evident sorcery! ۝ 15 "What! when we die, and become dust and bones, shall we (then) be raised up (again) ۝ 16 "And also our fathers of old?" ۝ 17 Say thou: "Yea, and ye shall then be humiliated (on account of your evil)." ۝ 18 Then it will be a single (compelling) cry; and behold, they will begin to see! ۝ 19 They will say, "Ah! Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment!" ۝ 20 (A voice will say,) "This is the Day of Sorting Out, whose truth ye (once) denied!" ۝ 21 "Bring ye up", it shall be said, "The wrong-doers and their wives, and the things they worshipped- ۝ 22 "Besides Allah, and lead them to the Way to the (Fierce) Fire! ۝ 23 "But stop them, for they must be asked: ۝ 24 "´What is the matter with you that ye help not each other?´" ۝ 25 Nay, but that day they shall submit (to Judgment); ۝ 26 And they will turn to one another, and question one another. ۝ 27 They will say: "It was ye who used to come to us from the right hand (of power and authority)!" ۝ 28 They will reply: "Nay, ye yourselves had no Faith! ۝ 29 "Nor had we any authority over you. Nay, it was ye who were a people in obstinate rebellion! ۝ 30 "So now has been proved true, against us, the word of our Lord that we shall indeed (have to) taste (the punishment of our sins). ۝ 31 "We led you astray: for truly we were ourselves astray." ۝ 32 Truly, that Day, they will (all) share in the Penalty. ۝ 33 Verily that is how We shall deal with Sinners. ۝ 34 For they, when they were told that there is no god except Allah, would puff themselves up with Pride, ۝ 35 And say: "What! shall we give up our gods for the sake of a Poet possessed?" ۝ 36 Nay! he has come with the (very) Truth, and he confirms (the Message of) the messengers (before him). ۝ 37 Ye shall indeed taste of the Grievous Penalty;- ۝ 38 But it will be no more than the retribution of (the Evil) that ye have wrought;- ۝ 39 But the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah,- ۝ 40 For them is a Sustenance determined, ۝ 41 Fruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity, ۝ 42 In Gardens of Felicity, ۝ 43 Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity): ۝ 44 Round will be passed to them a Cup from a clear-flowing fountain, ۝ 45 Crystal-white, of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof), ۝ 46 Free from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom. ۝ 47 And besides them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes (of wonder and beauty). ۝ 48 As if they were (delicate) eggs closely guarded. ۝ 49 Then they will turn to one another and question one another. ۝ 50 One of them will start the talk and say: "I had an intimate companion (on the earth), ۝ 51 "Who used to say, ´what! art thou amongst those who bear witness to the Truth (of the Message)? ۝ 52 "´When we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed receive rewards and punishments?´" ۝ 53 (A voice) said: "Would ye like to look down?" ۝ 54 He looked down and saw him in the midst of the Fire. ۝ 55 He said: "By Allah! thou wast little short of bringing me to perdition! ۝ 56 "Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I should certainly have been among those brought (there)! ۝ 57 "Is it (the case) that we shall not die, ۝ 58 "Except our first death, and that we shall not be punished?" ۝ 59 Verily this is the supreme achievement! ۝ 60 For the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive. ۝ 61 Is that the better entertainment or the Tree of Zaqqum? ۝ 62 For We have truly made it (as) a trial for the wrong-doers. ۝ 63 For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire: ۝ 64 The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils: ۝ 65 Truly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith. ۝ 66 Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water. ۝ 67 Then shall their return be to the (Blazing) Fire. ۝ 68 Truly they found their fathers on the wrong Path; ۝ 69 So they (too) were rushed down on their footsteps! ۝ 70 And truly before them, many of the ancients went astray;- ۝ 71 But We sent aforetime, among them, (messengers) to admonish them;- ۝ 72 Then see what was the end of those who were admonished (but heeded not),- ۝ 73 Except the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah. ۝ 74 (In the days of old), Noah cried to Us, and We are the best to hear prayer. ۝ 75 And We delivered him and his people from the Great Calamity, ۝ 76 And made his progeny to endure (on this earth); ۝ 77 And We left (this blessing) for him among generations to come in later times: ۝ 78 "Peace and salutation to Noah among the nations!" ۝ 79 Thus indeed do we reward those who do right. ۝ 80 For he was one of our believing Servants. ۝ 81 Then the rest we overwhelmed in the Flood. ۝ 82 Verily among those who followed his Way was Abraham. ۝ 83 Behold! he approached his Lord with a sound heart. ۝ 84 Behold! he said to his father and to his people, "What is that which ye worship? ۝ 85 "Is it a falsehood- gods other than Allah- that ye desire? ۝ 86 "Then what is your idea about the Lord of the worlds?" ۝ 87 Then did he cast a glance at the Stars. ۝ 88 And he said, "I am indeed sick (at heart)!" ۝ 89 So they turned away from him, and departed. ۝ 90 Then did he turn to their gods and said, "will ye not eat (of the offerings before you)?... ۝ 91 "What is the matter with you that ye speak not (intelligently)?" ۝ 92 Then did he turn upon them, striking (them) with the right hand. ۝ 93 Then came (the worshippers) with hurried steps, and faced (him). ۝ 94 He said: "Worship ye that which ye have (yourselves) carved? ۝ 95 "But Allah has created you and your handwork!" ۝ 96 They said, "Build him a furnace, and throw him into the blazing fire!" ۝ 97 (This failing), they then sought a stratagem against him, but We made them the ones most humiliated! ۝ 98 He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me! ۝ 99 "O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!" ۝ 100 So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear. ۝ 101 Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!" ۝ 102 So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice), ۝ 103 We called out to him "O Abraham! ۝ 104 "Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!" - thus indeed do We reward those who do right. ۝ 105 For this was obviously a trial- ۝ 106 And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice: ۝ 107 And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times: ۝ 108 "Peace and salutation to Abraham!" ۝ 109 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right. ۝ 110 For he was one of our believing Servants. ۝ 111 And We gave him the good news of Isaac - a prophet,- one of the Righteous. ۝ 112 We blessed him and Isaac: but of their progeny are (some) that do right, and (some) that obviously do wrong, to their own souls. ۝ 113 Again (of old) We bestowed Our favour on Moses and Aaron, ۝ 114 And We delivered them and their people from (their) Great Calamity; ۝ 115 And We helped them, so they overcame (their troubles); ۝ 116 And We gave them the Book which helps to make things clear; ۝ 117 And We guided them to the Straight Way. ۝ 118 And We left (this blessing) for them among generations (to come) in later times: ۝ 119 "Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron!" ۝ 120 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right. ۝ 121 For they were two of our believing Servants. ۝ 122 So also was Elias among those sent (by Us). ۝ 123 Behold, he said to his people, "Will ye not fear (Allah)? ۝ 124 "Will ye call upon Baal and forsake the Best of Creators,- ۝ 125 "Allah, your Lord and Cherisher and the Lord and Cherisher of your fathers of old?" ۝ 126 But they rejected him, and they will certainly be called up (for punishment),- ۝ 127 Except the sincere and devoted Servants of Allah (among them). ۝ 128 And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times: ۝ 129 "Peace and salutation to such as Elias!" ۝ 130 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right. ۝ 131 For he was one of our believing Servants. ۝ 132 So also was Lut among those sent (by Us). ۝ 133 Behold, We delivered him and his adherents, all ۝ 134 Except an old woman who was among those who lagged behind: ۝ 135 Then We destroyed the rest. ۝ 136 Verily, ye pass by their (sites), by day- ۝ 137 And by night: will ye not understand? ۝ 138 So also was Jonah among those sent (by Us). ۝ 139 When he ran away (like a slave from captivity) to the ship (fully) laden, ۝ 140 He (agreed to) cast lots, and he was condemned: ۝ 141 Then the big Fish did swallow him, and he had done acts worthy of blame. ۝ 142 Had it not been that he (repented and) glorified Allah, ۝ 143 He would certainly have remained inside the Fish till the Day of Resurrection. ۝ 144 But We cast him forth on the naked shore in a state of sickness, ۝ 145 And We caused to grow, over him, a spreading plant of the gourd kind. ۝ 146 And We sent him (on a mission) to a hundred thousand (men) or more. ۝ 147 And they believed; so We permitted them to enjoy (their life) for a while. ۝ 148 Now ask them their opinion: Is it that thy Lord has (only) daughters, and they have sons?- ۝ 149 Or that We created the angels female, and they are witnesses (thereto)? ۝ 150 Is it not that they say, from their own invention, ۝ 151 "Allah has begotten children"? but they are liars! ۝ 152 Did He (then) choose daughters rather than sons? ۝ 153 What is the matter with you? How judge ye? ۝ 154 Will ye not then receive admonition? ۝ 155 Or have ye an authority manifest? ۝ 156 Then bring ye your Book (of authority) if ye be truthful! ۝ 157 And they have invented a blood-relationship between Him and the Jinns: but the Jinns know (quite well) that they have indeed to appear (before his Judgment-Seat)! ۝ 158 Glory to Allah! (He is free) from the things they ascribe (to Him)! ۝ 159 Not (so do) the Servants of Allah, sincere and devoted. ۝ 160 For, verily, neither ye nor those ye worship- ۝ 161 Can lead (any) into temptation concerning Allah, ۝ 162 Except such as are (themselves) going to the blazing Fire! ۝ 163 (Those ranged in ranks say): "Not one of us but has a place appointed; ۝ 164 "And we are verily ranged in ranks (for service); ۝ 165 "And we are verily those who declare (Allah´s) glory!" ۝ 166 And there were those who said, ۝ 167 "If only we had had before us a Message from those of old, ۝ 168 "We should certainly have been Servants of Allah, sincere (and devoted)!" ۝ 169 But (now that the Qur´an has come), they reject it: But soon will they know! ۝ 170 Already has Our Word been passed before (this) to our Servants sent (by Us), ۝ 171 That they would certainly be assisted, ۝ 172 And that Our forces,- they surely must conquer. ۝ 173 So turn thou away from them for a little while, ۝ 174 And watch them (how they fare), and they soon shall see (how thou farest)! ۝ 175 Do they wish (indeed) to hurry on our Punishment? ۝ 176 But when it descends into the open space before them, evil will be the morning for those who were warned (and heeded not)! ۝ 177 So turn thou away from them for a little while, ۝ 178 And watch (how they fare) and they soon shall see (how thou farest)! ۝ 179 Glory to thy Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they ascribe (to Him)! ۝ 180 And Peace on the messengers! ۝ 181 And Praise to Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds. ۝ 182