Surah 7 - Al A'raf THE HEIGHTS-007.151-007-206

[Anne Terri]

Surah 7 - Al A'raf THE HEIGHTS-007.151-007-206

007.151 Moses prayed: "O my Lord! forgive me and my brother! admit us to Thy mercy! for Thou art the Most Merciful of those who show mercy!"

007.152 Those who took the calf (for worship) will indeed be overwhelmed with wrath from their Lord, and with shame in this life: thus do We recompense those who invent (falsehoods).

007.153 But those who do wrong but repent thereafter and (truly) believe-- verily thy Lord is thereafter Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

007.154 When the anger of Moses was appeased, he took up the tablets: in the writing thereon was guidance and Mercy for such as fear their Lord.

007.155 And Moses chose seventy of his people for Our place of meeting: when they were seized with violent quaking, he prayed: "O my Lord! if it had been Thy will Thou couldst have destroyed, long before, both them and me: wouldst Thou destroy us for the deeds of the foolish ones among us? this is no more than Thy trial: by it Thou causest whom Thou wilt to stray, and Thou leadest whom Thou wilt into the right path. Thou art our Protector: so forgive us and give us Thy mercy; for Thou art the best of those who forgive.

007.156 "And ordain for us that which is good, in this life and in the Hereafter: for we have turned unto Thee." He said: "With My punishment I visit whom I will; but My mercy extendeth to all things. That (mercy) I shall ordain for those who do right, and practise regular charity, and those who believe in Our Signs--

007.157 "Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures)-- in the Law and the Gospel;- for he commands them what is just and forbids them what is evil; he allows them as lawful what is good (and pure) and prohibits them from what is bad (and impure); He releases them from their heavy burdens and from the yokes that are upon them. So it is those who believe in him, honour him, help him, and follow the light which is sent down with him, - it is they who will prosper."

007.158 Say: "O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of God, to Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He That giveth both life and death. So believe in God and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believeth in God and His words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided."

007.159 Of the people of Moses there is a section who guide and do justice in the light of truth.

007.160 We divided them into twelve tribes or nations. We directed Moses by inspiration, when his (thirsty) people asked him for water: "Strike the rock with thy staff": out of it there gushed forth twelve springs: Each group knew its own place for water. We gave them the shade of clouds, and sent down to them manna and quails, (saying): "Eat of the good things We have provided for you": (but they rebelled); to Us they did no harm, but they harmed their own souls.

007.161 And remember it was said to them: "Dwell in this town and eat therein as ye wish, but say the word of humility and enter the gate in a posture of humility: We shall forgive you your faults; We shall increase (the portion of) those who do good."

007.162 But the transgressors among them changed the word from that which had been given them so we sent on them a plague from heaven. For that they repeatedly transgressed.

007.163 Ask them concerning the town standing close by the sea. Behold! they transgressed in the matter of the Sabbath. For on the day of their Sabbath their fish did come to them, openly holding up their heads, but on the day they had no Sabbath, they came not: thus did We make a trial of them, for they were given to transgression.

007.164 When some of them said: "Why do ye preach to a people whom God will destroy or visit with a terrible punishment?"- said the preachers:" To discharge our duty to your Lord, and perchance they may fear Him."

007.165 When they disregarded the warnings that had been given them, We rescued those who forbade Evil; but We visited the wrong-doers with a grievous punishment because they were given to transgression.

007.166 When in their insolence they transgressed (all) prohibitions, We said to them: "Be ye apes, despised and rejected."

007.167 Behold! thy Lord did declare that He would send against them, to the Day of Judgement, those who would afflict them with grievous penalty. Thy Lord is quick in retribution, but He is also Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

007.168 We broke them up into sections on this earth. There are among them some that are the righteous, and some that are the opposite. We have tried them with both prosperity and adversity: In order that they might turn (to us).

007.169 After them succeeded an (evil) generation: They inherited the Book, but they chose (for themselves) the vanities of this world, saying (for excuse): "(Everything) will be forgiven us." (Even so), if similar vanities came their way, they would (again) seize them. Was not the covenant of the Book taken from them, that they would not ascribe to God anything but the truth? and they study what is in the Book. But best for the righteous is the home in the Hereafter. Will ye not understand?

007.170 As to those who hold fast by the Book and establish regular prayer,- never shall We suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.

007.171 When We shook the Mount over them, as if it had been a canopy, and they thought it was going to fall on them (We said): "Hold firmly to what We have given you, and bring (ever) to remembrance what is therein; perchance ye may fear God."

007.172 When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins- their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying): "Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?"- They said: "Yea! We do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgement: "Of this we were never mindful":

007.173 Or lest ye should say: "Our fathers before us may have taken false gods, but we are (their) descendants after them: wilt Thou then destroy us because of the deeds of men who were futile?"

007.174 Thus do We explain the signs in detail; and perchance they may turn (unto Us).

007.175 Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent Our Signs, but he passed them by: so Satan followed him up, and he went astray.

007.176 If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our Signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he Laughing with Joyls out his tongue, or if you leave him alone, he (still) Laughing with Joyls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject Our Signs; So relate the story; perchance they may reflect.

007.177 Evil as an example are people who reject Our Signs and wrong their own souls.

007.178 Whom God doth guide,- he is on the right path: whom He rejects from His guidance,- such are the persons who perish.

007.179 Many are the Jinns and men we have made for Hell: They have hearts wherewith they understand not, eyes wherewith they see not, and ears wherewith they hear not. They are like cattle,- nay more misguided: for they are heedless (of warning).

007.180 The most beautiful names belong to God: so call on him by them; but shun such men as use profanity in his names: for what they do, they will soon be requited.

007.181 Of those We have created are people who direct (others) with truth. And dispense justice therewith.

007.182 Those who reject Our Signs, We shall gradually visit with punishment, in ways they perceive not;

007.183 Respite will I grant unto them: for My scheme is strong (and unfailing ).

007.184 Do they not reflect? Their companion is not seized with madness: he is but a perspicuous warner.

007.185 Do they see nothing in the government of the heavens and the earth and all that God hath created? (Do they not see) that it may well be that their terms is nigh drawing to an end? In what message after this will they then believe?

007.186 To such as God rejects from His guidance, there can be no guide: He will leave them in their trespasses, wandering in distraction.

007.187 They ask thee about the (final) Hour - when will be its appointed time? Say: "The knowledge thereof is with my Lord (alone): None but He can reveal as to when it will occur. Heavy were its burden through the heavens and the earth. Only, a ll of a sudden will it come to you." They ask thee as if thou wert eager in search thereof: Say: "The knowledge thereof is with God (alone), but most men know not."

007.188 Say: "I have no power over any good or harm to myself except as God willeth. If I had knowledge of the unseen, I should have multiplied all good, and no evil should have touched me: I am but a warner, and a bringer of glad tidings to those who have faith."

007.189 It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her (in love). When they are united, she bears a light burden and carries it about (unnoticed). When she grows heavy, they both pray to God their Lord, (saying): "If Thou givest us a goodly child, we vow we shall (ever) be grateful."

007.190 But when He giveth them a goodly child, they ascribe to others a share in the gift they have received: but God is exalted high above the partners they ascribe to Him.

007.191 Do they indeed ascribe to Him as partners things that can create nothing, but are themselves created?

007.192 No aid can they give them, nor can they aid themselves!

007.193 If ye call them to guidance, they will not obey: For you it is the same whether ye call them or ye hold your peace!

007.194 Verily those whom ye call upon besides God are servants like unto you: Call upon them, and let them listen to your prayer, if ye are (indeed) truthful!

007.195 Have they feet to walk with? Or hands to lay hold with? Or eyes to see with? Or ears to hear with? Say: "Call your 'god-partners', scheme (your worst) against me, and give me no respite!

007.196 "For my Protector is God, Who revealed the Book (from time to time), and He will choose and befriend the righteous.

007.197 "But those ye call upon besides Him, are unable to help you, and indeed to help themselves."

007.198 If thou callest them to guidance, they hear not. Thou wilt see them looking at thee, but they see not.

007.199 Hold to forgiveness; command what is right; But turn away from the ignorant.

007.200 If a suggestion from Satan assail thy (mind), seek refuge with God; for He heareth and knoweth (all things).

007.201 Those who fear God, when a thought of evil from Satan assaults them, bring God to remembrance, when lo! they see (aright)!

007.202 But their brethren (the evil ones) plunge them deeper into error, and never relax (their efforts).

007.203 If thou bring them not a revelation, they say: "Why hast thou not got it together?" Say: "I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord: this is (nothing but) lights from your Lord, and Guidance, and mercy, for any who have faith."

007.204 When the Qur'an is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace: that ye may receive Mercy.

007.205 And do thou (O reader!) Bring thy Lord to remembrance in thy (very) soul, with humility and in reverence, without loudness in words, in the mornings and evenings; and be not thou of those who are unheedful.

007.206 Those who are near to thy Lord, disdain not to do Him worship: They celebrate His praises, and bow down before Him.