Alif Lâm Mîm - I am Allâh, the All- Knowing.
The Byzantines have been defeated,
In the land nearby (- Syria and Palestine); and they after their defeat shall overpower (their enemies, the Persians)
Within three to nine years. The power belongs to Allâh after (their defeat) as (it belonged to Him) before it. And on that day the believers (too) will rejoice
Over the victory (given to them) by Allâh. He gives victory to whom He will, and He is the All-Mighty, the Ever Merciful.
(This is) Allâh´s promise. It is far from Allâh to break His promise. Yet most of the people do not know (this).
They know only the apparent side of the present life, and they are completely unmindful of the next.
Do they never think over in their own minds that Allâh has created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between the two only to suit the requirements of truth and wisdom (and with a definite end in view), but for a stated term (after which the doom must come)? Yet many among the people do not believe in the meeting with their Lord ever.
Have they not travelled through the land and seen how (evil) was the end of those who were before them? They (- their predecessors) were superior to them in prowess and strength. They tilled the land (built structures and dug up minerals from it), and populated it more and better than these have populated it. And their Messengers (of God) had come to them with manifest signs (but they denied them and were destroyed). It was indeed far from Allâh to have done injustice to them but they themselves wronged their own souls.
Then evil was the end of those who did evil, because they cried lies to the Messages of Allâh and they treated them as something of least importance.
Allâh originates creation then He keeps on repeating and reproducing it, then to Him shall you be brought back.
And on the day when the (promised) Hour (of Reckoning) will arrive those who have cut their ties (with Allâh and were lost in sin) will be confronted with despair.
None from among their associate-gods will intercede for them, though they had renounced their faith (in Allâh) because of these gods whom they associated (with Him).
And day when the Hour (of Reckoning) will arrive on that day they (the virtuous and the sinful) will be sorted out (into different groups).
Then as for those who had believed and done deeds of righteousness, they will be welcomed with all honours and entertained in a stately and delightful Garden.
But as for those who had disbelieved and cried lies to Our Messages and the meeting of the Hereafter, it is they who shall be given over to punishment (lasting long).
So glorify Allâh when you enter the evening and when you enter the morning,
For to Him belongs all type of perfect and true praise in the heavens and the earth, and (glorify Him) in the afternoon and when you enter upon the hour of noon.
Out of the dead He brings forth the living and out of the living He brings forth the dead. And He gives life to the earth (making it look green and flourishing) after its death. That is how you shall be raised (to life from the state of death).
And (it is one) of His signs that He created you of dust; and then lo, you are human beings who are spreading (far and wide over the earth).
And (it is one) of His signs that He has created spouses for you from your own species that you may find comfort in them. And He has induced mutual love and tenderness between you. Behold! there are signs in this for a people who would reflect.
The creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your tongues and colours are (also some) of His signs. Behold there are sure signs for the learned people in this (unity of mankind and Oneness of the Creator).
And among His signs is your sleeping and your seeking of His bounty by night and day. Behold, there are sure signs in this for a people who would listen.
And (one) of His signs is that He shows you (the flash of) lightning to create fear (of thunder and storm) and hope (for fruitful rain), and sends down water from the clouds and revives therewith the earth after its death (like barrenness). Behold there are (many) signs in this for a people who make use of their understanding.
And (it is one) of His signs that the heavens and the earth stand firm by His command. Then as soon as He calls you forth from the earth by a single call, behold you will come forth all at once and suddenly
All those who are in the heavens and the earth belong to Him (and serve Him); all are obedient to Him.
It is He Who originates the creation then keeps on repeating and reproducing it. This (work of creation and reproduction) is most easy, for Him. His is the most exalted state (and the noblest attributes) in the heavens and the earth; and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
He sets forth for you an illustration drawn from your own lives. Do any of those whom your right hands own equally share with you that which We have provided you with. It is, however, a fact that you all (the owner and the owned) are equal (partners) in it, so that you take care of them as you take care of your own selves. That is how We explain many of Our Messages to a people who make use of their understanding.
Nay, but those who behave unjustly, they pursue their own low desires without (any) knowledge (whatsoever). So who can guide one whom Allâh has adjudged as lost? There will be none to help them.
So pay your whole-hearted attention to (the cause of) faith as one devoted (to pure faith), turning away from all that is false. (And follow) the Faith of Allâh (-Islam) to suit the requirements of which He has made the nature of mankind. There can be no change in the nature (of creation) which Allâh has made. That is the right and most perfect Faith, yet most people do not know (it).
(Believers! you should all be attentive to Him) turning to Him (in repentance), and take Him as (your) shield (for protection) and observe Prayer and be not of those who associate partners (with Him) -
Of those who have split up their faith and have divided themselves into sects so that every party is happy with what they have.
When some evil befalls the people they call on their Lord, turning sincerely to Him (in repentance). But no sooner He lets them enjoy mercy from Him than a section of them associate partners with Him (and starts worshipping gods besides Allâh),
With the result that they show ingratitude for what We have given them. So (you ungrateful people,) enjoy yourselves (for a while) but shortly you will come to know (the consequences).
Have We revealed to them some authoritative proof which speaks (highly in favour) of what they associate with Him?
And when We let people enjoy Our mercy they rejoice over it. But no sooner does an evil befall them, because of their own evil deeds, then they grow despondent.
Do they not see that Allâh multiplies the means of livelihood for whomsoever He will and makes them scant (for whomsoever He will). Behold there are signs in this for a people who would believe.
So present to the near of kin his due, and to the needy and the wayfarer. This is best for those who seek the pleasure of Allâh, it is they alone who will attain their goal.
And that which you lay out as interest and usuary with a view to increase the wealth of the people does not help increase it in the sight of Allâh. But that which you present as Zakât (purifying dues) with a view to seek (thereby) the pleasure of Allâh, it is they (- the regular payers of Zakât) then who will increase (their wealth) many times over.
It is Allâh Who has created you, then He provides for you, then He will call you to death, (and) then He will bring you to life. Is there any of your (socalled) associate-gods who can do the least of these things? Holy is He and Highly-Exalted and far above the things they associate (with Him).
Disorder and corruption has prevailed on land and sea owing to the evil (deeds) which people have wrought. The result will be that He will make them taste (in this world) the fruit of (some of) their misdeeds so that they may return (to the right path, giving up their evil ways).
Say, `Travel all over the earth and behold how (evil) the end of your predecessors was. Most of them were those who assigned associates (with God).´
So pay your whole-hearted attention to (the cause of) the right and perfect faith before there comes from Allâh the day for which there will be no averting. On that day they (- the believers and disbelievers) shall split up (into different groups).
So that those who disbelieve will pay for their disbelief while those who do righteous deeds will find that they have made provisions for their own good.
And so that He will reward those who believe and do deeds of righteousness through His bounty and grace. And He does not love the disbelievers, of course.
And (it is one) of His signs that He sends the winds as heralds of glad-tidings. He does it that He may let you enjoy (the blessings of) His mercy and that the ships may sail at His command and that you may seek His bounty and grace and so that you may render ( Him) thanks.
Indeed, We have already sent Messengers to their (respective) people before you, and they came to them with clear proofs. Then We punished those who had (denied their Apostles and) cut their ties (with God). And it is of course ever incumbent upon Us to help the believers.
It is Allâh alone who sends forth the winds and they raise (the vapours to form) a cloud which He spreads out in the sky as He will and sets it layer upon layer, and you see the rain falling from its midst. And no sooner does He cause it to fall on whom He will of His servants than they are filled with joy,
Though shortly before it was sent down upon them they were in a state of despondency.
Look, therefore, at the evidences of Allâh´s mercy! how He breathes life into the earth (making it green and flourishing) after its (state of) death. Surely, He (it is), the same (God), Who will raise the dead to life (in the Hereafter), for He is the Possessor of power over every desired thing.
And if We send (another kind of blasting) wind and they see it turn yellow (for its having taken the form of punishment) they will even after that continue to disbelieve (for their being engrossed in evil doings).
And you cannot make the dead hear, nor can you make the deaf hear the call when they retreat turning their backs (on you),
Nor can you guide the blind out of their error. You can make only those hear who would believe in Our Messages and submit (to Us).
(It is) Allâh alone Who creates you in (a state of) weakness, He then replaces your weakness with strength (of youth) and again (replaces your) strength with weakness and gray hair (of old age). He creates what He will. He is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful.
And on the day when the Hour shall arrive (and the Resurrection takes place) the guilty will swear that they stayed (in the world) for not more than a very brief period. Just as they had been turned away (from the right way so they will be turned away from Allâh´s protection on that day).
And those who (in their present life) have been given (true) knowledge and the faith will say, `You have indeed stayed (behind) according to the Record of Allâh till the Day of being raised up (to life of the Hereafter). This then is the Day of being raised up (to life) but you did not (care to) know.
So on that Day no excuses (in their defence) will avail those who had acted unjustly, nor will they be allowed to approach the threshold (to be admitted into the fold of the near ones of God).
We have indeed described for mankind every excellent thing in this Qur´ân; and even if you bring them a sign those who disbelieve would certainly say, `You and your followers are all devotees of falsehood.´
That is how Allâh seals the hearts of those who do not (bother to) know (and be guided).
Therefore, (Prophet!) have patience and perseverance. Surely, the promise of Allâh (about your victory and the defeat of the disbelievers) is (bound to be) true; so let not those who are not convinced of the truth hold you in light estimation (so as to move you from your stand).