Surah 23-Al Mu'minun THE BELIEVERS-023.001-023.050

[Anne Terri]

Surah 23 - Al Mu'minun THE BELIEVERS-023.001-023.050

023.001 The believers must (eventually) win through,-

023.002 Those who humble themselves in their prayers;

023.003 Who avoid vain talk;

023.004 Who are active in deeds of charity;

023.005 Who abstain from sex,

023.006 Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (in their case) they are free from blame,

023.007 But those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors;-

023.008 Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants;

023.009 And who (strictly) guard their prayers;-

023.010 These will be the heirs,

023.011 Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (for ever).

023.012 Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay);

023.013 Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed;

023.014 Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (foetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be God, the best to create!

023.015 After that, at length ye will die

023.016 Again, on the Day of Judgment, will ye be raised up.

023.017 And We have made, above you, seven tracts; and We are never unmindful of (our) Creation.

023.018 And We send down water from the sky according to (due) measure, and We cause it to soak in the soil; and We certainly are able to drain it off (with ease).

023.019 With it We grow for you gardens of date-palms and vines: in them have ye abundant fruits: and of them ye eat (and have enjoyment),-

023.020 Also a tree springing out of Mount Sinai, which produces oil, and relish for those who use it for food.

023.021 And in cattle (too) ye have an instructive example: from within their bodies We produce (milk) for you to drink; there are, in them, (besides), numerous (other) benefits for you; and of their (meat) ye eat;

023.022 An on them, as well as in ships, ye ride.

023.023 (Further, We sent a long line of prophets for your instruction). We sent Noah to his people: He said, "O my people! worship God! Ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?"

023.024 The chiefs of the Unbelievers among his people said: "He is no more than a man like yourselves: his wish is to assert his superiority over you: if God had wished (to send messengers), He could have sent down angels; never did we hear such a thing (as he says), among our ancestors of old."

023.025 (And some said): "He is only a man possessed: wait (and have patience) with him for a time."

023.026 (Noah) said: "O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood!"

023.027 So We inspired him (with this message): "Construct the Ark within Our sight and under Our guidance: then when comes Our Command, and the fountains of the earth gush forth, take thou on board pairs of every species, male and female, and thy family- except those of them against whom the Word has already gone forth: And address Me not in favour of the wrong-doers; for they shall be drowned (in the Flood).

023.028 And when thou hast embarked on the Ark - thou and those with thee,- say: "Praise be to God, Who has saved us from the people who do wrong."

023.029 And say: "O my Lord! enable me to disembark with thy blessing: for Thou art the Best to enable (us) to disembark."

023.030 Verily in this there are Signs (for men to understand); (thus) do We try (men).

023.031 Then We raised after them another generation.

023.032 And We sent to them an apostle from among themselves, (saying), "Worship God! ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?"

023.033 And the chiefs of his people, who disbelieved and denied the Meeting in the Hereafter, and on whom We had bestowed the good things of this life, said: "He is no more than a man like yourselves: he eats of that of which ye eat, and drinks of what ye drink.

023.034 "If ye obey a man like yourselves, behold, it is certain ye will be lost.

023.035 "Does he promise that when ye die and become dust and bones, ye shall be brought forth (again)?

023.036 "Far, very far is that which ye are promised!

023.037 "There is nothing but our life in this world! We shall die and we live! But we shall never be raised up again!

023.038 "He is only a man who invents a lie against God, but we are not the ones to believe in him!"

023.039 (The prophet) said: "O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood."

023.040 (God) said: "In but a little while, they are sure to be sorry!"

023.041 Then the Blast overtook them with justice, and We made them as rubbish of dead leaves (floating on the stream of Time)! So away with the people who do wrong!

023.042 Then We raised after them other generations.

023.043 No people can hasten their term, nor can they delay (it).

023.044 Then sent We our apostles in succession: every time there came to a people their apostle, they accused him of falsehood: so We made them follow each other (in punishment): We made them as a tale (that is told): So away with a people that will not believe!

023.045 Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron, with Our Signs and authority manifest,

023.046 To Pharaoh and his Chiefs: But these behaved insolently: they were an arrogant people.

023.047 They said: "Shall we believe in two men like ourselves? And their people are subject to us!"

023.048 So they accused them of falsehood, and they became of those who were destroyed.

023.049 And We gave Moses the Book, in order that they might receive guidance.

023.050 And We made the son of Mary and his mother as a Sign: We gave them both shelter on high ground, affording rest and security and furnished with springs.