Surah 21 - Al Anbiya THE PROPHETS -021.051-021.100

[Anne Terri]

Surah 21 - Al Anbiya THE PROPHETS - 021.051-021.100

021.051 We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his rectitude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with him.

021.052 Behold! he said to his father and his people, "What are these images, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted?"

021.053 They said, "We found our fathers worshipping them."

021.054 He said, "Indeed ye have been in manifest error - ye and your fathers."

021.055 They said, "Have you brought us the Truth, or are you one of those who jest?"

021.056 He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He Who created them (from nothing): and I am a witness to this (Truth).

021.057 "And by God, I have a plan for your idols - after ye go away and turn your backs"..

021.058 So he broke them to pieces, (all) but the biggest of them, that they might turn (and address themselves) to it.

021.059 They said, "Who has done this to our gods? He must indeed be some man of impiety!"

021.060 They said, "We heard a youth talk of them: He is called Abraham."

021.061 They said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness."

021.062 They said, "Art thou the one that did this with our gods, O Abraham?"

021.063 He said: "Nay, this was done by - this is their biggest one! ask them, if they can speak intelligently!"

021.064 So they turned to themselves and said, "Surely ye are the ones in the wrong!"

021.065 Then were they confounded with shame: (they said), "Thou knowest full well that these (idols) do not speak!"

021.066 (Abraham) said, "Do ye then worship, besides God, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm?

021.067 "Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides God! Have ye no sense?"..

021.068 They said, "Burn him and protect your gods, If ye do (anything at all)!"

021.069 We said, "O Fire! be thou cool, and (a means of) safety for Abraham!"

021.070 Then they sought a stratagem against him: but We made them the ones that lost most!

021.071 But We delivered him and (his nephew) Lut (and directed them) to the land which We have blessed for the nations.

021.072 And We bestowed on him Isaac and, as an additional gift, (a grandson), Jacob, and We made righteous men of every one (of them).

021.073 And We made them leaders, guiding (men) by Our Command, and We sent them inspiration to do good deeds, to establish regular prayers, and to practise regular charity; and they constantly served Us (and Us only).

021.074 And to Lut, too, We gave Judgment and Knowledge, and We saved him from the town which practised abominations: truly they were a people given to Evil, a rebellious people.

021.075 And We admitted him to Our Mercy: for he was one of the Righteous.

021.076 (Remember) Noah, when he cried (to Us) aforetime: We listened to his (prayer) and delivered him and his family from great distress.

021.077 We helped him against people who rejected Our Signs: truly they were a people given to Evil: so We drowned them (in the Flood) all together.

021.078 And remember David and Solomon, when they gave judgment in the matter of the field into which the sheep of certain people had strayed by night: We did witness their judgment.

021.079 To Solomon We inspired the (right) understanding of the matter: to each (of them) We gave Judgment and Knowledge; it was Our power that made the hills and the birds celebrate Our praises, with David: it was We Who did (all these things).

021.080 It was We Who taught him the making of coats of mail for your benefit, to guard you from each other's violence: will ye then be grateful?

021.081 (It was Our power that made) the violent (unruly) wind flow (tamely) for Solomon, to his order, to the land which We had blessed: for We do know all things.

021.082 And of the evil ones, were some who dived for him, and did other work besides; and it was We Who guarded them.

021.083 And (remember) Job, when He cried to his Lord, "Truly distress has seized me, but Thou art the Most Merciful of those that are merciful."

021.084 So We listened to him: We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his people to him, and doubled their number,- as a Grace from Ourselves, and a thing for commemoration, for all who serve Us.

021.085 And (remember) Isma'il, Idris, and Zul-kifl, all (men) of constancy and patience;

021.086 We admitted them to Our mercy: for they were of the righteous ones.

021.087 And remember Zun-nun, when he departed in wrath: He imagined that We had no power over him! But he cried through the depths of darkness, "There is no god but thou: glory to thee: I was indeed wrong!"

021.088 So We listened to him: and delivered him from distress: and thus do We deliver those who have faith.

021.089 And (remember) Zakariya, when he cried to his Lord: "O my Lord! leave me not without offspring, though thou art the best of inheritors."

021.090 So We listened to him: and We granted him Yahya: We cured his wife's (Barrenness) for him. These (three) were ever quick in emulation in good works; they used to call on Us with love and reverence, and humble themselves before Us.

021.091 And (remember) her who guarded her chastity: We breathed into her of Our spirit, and We made her and her son a sign for all peoples.

021.092 Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other).

021.093 But (later generations) cut off their affairs (of unity), one from anot her: (yet) will they all return to Us.

021.094 Whoever works any act of righteousness and has faith,- His endeavour will not be rejected: We shall record it in his favour.

021.095 But there is a ban on any population which We have destroyed: that they shall not return,

021.096 Until the Gog and Magog (people) are let through (their barrier), and they swiftly swarm from every hill.

021.097 Then will the true promise draw nigh (of fulfilment): then behold! the eyes of the Unbelievers will fixedly stare in horror: "Ah! Woe to us! we were indeed heedless of this; nay, we truly did wrong!"

021.098 Verily ye, (unbelievers), and the (false) gods that ye worship besides God, are (but) fuel for Hell! to it will ye (surely) come!

021.099 If these had been gods, they would not have got there! but each one will abide therein.

021.100 There, sobbing will be their lot, nor will they there hear (aught else).