In their histories, surely, there are lessons for people endowed with understanding. It is not an invented tale, but a confirmation of the scriptures before it, and a detailed explanation of everything, and a guide and a mercy to a people who believe.
ALIF LAM MIM RA. These are the signs (or verses) of the Book; that which is sent down to you from your Lord is the truth; but most people believe not.
Allah it is who has raised the heavens without supporting columns that you can see; then He established Himself firmly on the throne (of authority and control), and subjected the sun and the moon (to His Law or service). Each one runs on its course for an appointed time. He regulates affairs, (or details the signs or revelations), that per chance (or possibly) you may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord.
And He it is who has stretched out the earth and placed therein firm mountains and flowing rivers, and of every fruit has He placed therein in pairs. He makes the night cover the day. Lo! Herein are signs unto a people who reflect.
And on the earth are diverse but neighbouring tracts, gardens of vines and ploughed fields of corn, and palms growing together (from one root) alike or not; they are watered with the same water, yet We distinguish one over the other as food; verily, in these are signs unto a people who have sense (or understanding.)
And if you should wonder (at their lack of faith), wondrous are their words, "When we have become dust (or are actually dust), shall we then be created anew?" These are they who disbelieve in their Lord, and these are they with fetters (yokes of servitude to superstition) round their necks, and these are the fellows of the Fire; they shall dwell therein.
They ask you to hasten on the evil rather than the good; yet examples come to pass before them: but your Lord is rich in forgiveness unto mankind despite their wrongdoing; but, verily, your Lord is also strict in punishment.
Those who disbelieve say, "Why is no special Sign sent down upon him from his Lord." But you are only a Warner, and for every people a guide.
Allah knows what each female (womb) bears, by how much the wombs fall short of or exceed (in time or number); for everything with Him is measured (calculated or in proportion).
He is the Knower of the Invisible (or unseen or hidden) and the Visible (or obvious or apparent); He is the Great, the Most High (or the Most Exalted).
Alike among you is he who keeps secret his speech and he who broadcasts it; and he who hides by night and he who stalks abroad by day.
Each of them has a succession (of angels) before him and behind him, to keep guard over him at the command of Allah; verily, Allah changes not the condition of a people until they change that which is in their heart (or in their souls or change it for themselves). And when Allah wishes misfortune for a people there is no averting it, nor have they a protector beside Him.
He it is who shows you the lightning, a fear and hope; and He brings up the clouds heavy (with quickening, life-giving, fertilizing) rain.
And the thunder hymns His praise, and the angels too for awe of Him; and He sends the thunderclap and smites therewith whom He will while they dispute about Allah; but He is strong and All-mighty.
True prayer is only a call to Allah; and those who call on others besides Him shall not be answered at all, except as one who stretches out his hand to the water that it may reach his mouth, but it reaches it not! The call of the disbelievers is futile.
And unto Allah do prostrate whoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, as do their shadows in the morning and the evening.
Say, "Who is Lord (and Sustainer) of the heavens and the earth?" Say, "Allah" Say, "Do ye, then, take beside Allah patrons who have no control over benefit or harm to themselves?" Say, "Shall the blind and the seeing be held equal? Or shall the darkness and the light be held equal? Or have they made partners with Allah who can create as He creates, so that the creations seem similar to them?" Say, "Allah is the creator of all things, and He is the One, the Almighty."
He sends down from the sky water, and the channels flow according to their measure, and the torrent bears away the foam that mounts to the surface. Even so from that which they heat in the fire (metal ore etc.), craving to make ornaments or utensils, comes a scum like that. Thus does Allah show (by similitudes and parables) the truth and the falsehood (or vanity) - as for the scum it is thrown off, and as for what profits man it stays on the earth. Thus does Allah coin Similitudes (or parables)!
For those who respond to their Lord are all good things; but those who respond not to Him, had they all that is in the earth, and as much more, in vain would they offer it for ransom; for these there is a terrible reckoning, and their resort is hell - what a bed of misery it will be!
Is he who knows that what is revealed unto you from your Lord is the Truth like him who is blind? But only men of understanding heed.
Those who fulfil the Covenant of Allah and break not the pact,
And those who join (attain) what Allah has commanded to be joined (attained), and dread their Lord and fear the woeful reckoning;
And those who patiently persevere, craving their Lord´s Countenance, and are steadfast in prayer, and spend, secretly and openly, in charity from what We have bestowed upon them, and overcome evil with good - these shall have the sequel of the final (heavenly) Home -
Gardens of perpetual bliss, into which they shall enter with the righteous amongst their fathers and their wives and their seed; and the angels shall enter unto them from every gate: -
(With the salutation) "Peace be upon you! For that you persevered in patience; and excellent is the sequel of final home."
And those who break the Covenant of Allah after ratifying it, and who sever what Allah hath commanded to be joined, and who do mischief in the earth - upon these is the curse of Allah, and for them is an ill abode.
Allah expands his bounty freely to whomsoever He will, or He restricts its measure; and they rejoice in the life of this world, but the life of this world is naught but a temporary comfort compared with the Hereafter.
Those who disbelieve say, "Unless a sign is sent down upon him from his Lord....". Say, "Truly, Allah leads whom He will astray, but guides unto Him those who turn in repentance.
"Those who believe and whose heart have rest in Zikr (remembering or mention) of Allah. Verily, in Zikr (remembering or mention) of Allah do hearts find rest (comfort, satisfaction, fulfilment).
Those who believe and do what is right; Joy is for them and an excellent journey´s end."
Thus have We sent you to a nation before which other nations have passed away, to recite unto them that which We have inspired in you, while they are disbelievers in the Beneficent. Say, "He is my Lord; there is no God but He; On Him do I rely, and unto Him do I turn."
And if there were a Quran by which the mountains were moved, or by which the earth was torn asunder, or the dead made to speak (this would be the one, but what would be the point) - Nay, Allah´s is the whole command! Did not those who believe know that if Allah had pleased He would have guided all mankind? As for those who disbelieve calamity (disaster) does not cease to overtake them for what they do, or it dwells close by their homes until Allah´s promise comes to pass. Verily, Allah fails not in His promise.
Is He who stands over every soul, aware of what it has earned (like others)? And yet they join partners with Allah! Say, "Name (describe) them; can you inform Him of what He does not know in the earth? Or is it for their name´s sake only (that you call upon them) (Is it merely a way of speaking)? Nay, but their stratagem is made seemly to those who disbelieve, and they turn folks from the path of Allah! But whomsoever Allah does lead astray, no guide has he."
For them is torment in the life of this world; but surely the torment of the Hereafter is more wretched still, nor have they against Allah a defender.
A similitude of the Garden which is promised unto those who fear Allah, beneath it rivers flow, its food is enduring, and likewise its shade (shelter, security)! That is the reward of those who fear (keep their duty); but the reward of disbelievers is the Fire!
And those to whom We brought the Book rejoice in that which We have sent down to you; but among the clans (sects, parties, sections) are some who deny a part thereof. Say, "I am only bidden to serve Allah and not to associate partners with Him; Unto Him do I call and unto Him is my return."
Thus have We revealed it, a decisive judgment in Arabic, but had you followed their lusts (prejudices, fantasies, superstitions), after the knowledge that has come to you, then truly, would you have against Allah no protecting friend nor defender.
And verily, We sent Messengers before you, and We appointed for them wives and offsprings; and it was not given to any Messenger that he should bring a sign save by Allah´s permission. For every period there is a Book revealed (or Law decreed or Decree established).
Allah blots out what He will, or He establishes (what He wills); and with Him is the Mother of the Book (or Source of Ordinances).
Whether We will let you see a part of what We have promised them, or take you to Ourself (before this), your duty is only to deliver the message, Ours is the reckoning.
See they not how We visit the land and reduce its borders (through conquest)? Allah judges (or commands), and there is none to reverse His judgment (or command), and He is swift at reckoning!
And those who were before them plotted; but all plotting is Allah´s! He knows what every soul earns; and the disbelievers shall come to know who comes Home in the end.
And those who disbelieve say, "You ar no Messenger!" Say, "Allah is witness enough between me and you; and so is he who has the knowledge of the Book (any revealed Scripture)!"