38:1  Sad. (I swear) By the Quran, full of Zikr (remembrance in reverence and praising Allah, admonition, reciting, teaching, giving the message)

38:2  Nay! But those who disbelieve are in self-exaltation (pride) and separatism (schism)

38:3  How many generations did We destroy before them, then they cried when there was no longer time to escape

38:4  And they marvel that there has come to them a Warner from among themselves, and the disbelievers say: "This is an enchanter, a liar"

38:5  What! Makes he a single God out of the many gods? A strange thing is this, to be sure

38:6  And the leaders among them go about exhorting, "Go and remain constant to your gods; for this is most surely a thing designed against you

38:7  "We never heard of this in the former faith; this is nothing but an invention

38:8  "Has the reminder been revealed to him alone from among us?" Nay! They are in doubt as to My reminder. Nay! They have not yet tasted My chastisement

38:9  Or is it that they have the treasures of the mercy of your Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower

38:10  Or is it that theirs is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them? Then let them ascend by rope

38:11  But there they shall be put to flight, even as a confederated host

38:12  The people of Noah before them denied the messengers and so did the people of A´ad, and Pharaoh, the Lord of Stakes (of stability)

38:13  And the people of Thamud and the people of Lot and the Companions of the Woods; these were the factions

38:14  There was none of them but denied the messengers, therefore, just was My retribution

38:15  These wait aught but a single Shout, which brooks no delay

38:16  And they say, "Our Lord! Hasten on to us our portion before the Day of Reckoning."

38:17  Bear patiently what they say, and remember Our servant David, the possessor of power; surely he was frequent in turning (to Allah)

38:18  Surely We made the mountains sing the glory (of Allah) in unison with him at nightfall and sunrise

38:19  And the birds gathered together; all joined in singing with him

38:20  And We strengthened his kingdom and We gave him wisdom and a clear judgment

38:21  And has there come to you the story of the Disputants (litigants), when they made an entry into the private chamber by ascending over the walls

38:22  When they entered in upon David and he was frightened by them, they said, "Fear not; we are two litigants, of whom one has acted wrongfully towards the other, therefore decide between us with justice, and do not act unjustly, and guide us to the rig

38:23  "Lo! This is my brother; he has ninety-nine ewes and I have but one; but he said, ´Give to me´, and he has prevailed against me in discourse."

38:24  He said, "Surely he has been unjust to you in demanding your ewe (to add) to his own ewes. Lo! Many partners act wrongfully towards one another, except those who believe and do good, and very few are they." And David was sure that We had tried

38:25  Therefore, We rectified for him this lapse, and most surely he had nearness to Us and an excellent journey´s end (return)

38:26  "O David! Surely We have made you a Vicegerent in the land; so judge between men with justice and follow not desire, lest it should lead you astray from the path of Allah. Lo! Those who go astray from the path of Allah, they shall surely have a seve

38:27  And We create not the heaven and the earth and that which is between them in vain; that is the opinion of those who disbelieve; then woe to those who disbelieve because of the Fire

38:28  Shall We treat those who believe and do good like the mischief-makers in the earth? Or shall We make those who guard (against evil) like the wicked

38:29  (It is) a Book We have revealed to you abounding in good that they may ponder over its verses, and that those endowed with understanding may reflect

38:30  And We bestowed on David, Solomon, a most excellent servant! Surely he was frequent in turning (to Allah)

38:31  Lo! There were brought to him. in the evening, horses still when standing, swift when running

38:32  And he said, "Surely I have preferred the good things (of the world) over (or because of) the remembrance of my Lord." - until they were taken out of sight behind a veil (or the sun was hidden behind the veil of night)

38:33  (Then he said,) "Bring them back to me"; and he began to slash (or stroke) their legs and necks

38:34  And certainly We tried Solomon, and We put on his throne a mere (soulless) body; then did he repent

38:35  He said, "My Lord! Do you forgive me and grant me a kingdom which (may be) suits not anyone after me; for you are the Bestower of Bounties

38:36  Then We made the wind subservient to him; it made his command to run gently wherever he desired

38:37  And the devils (the unruly), every builder and diver

38:38  And others fettered in chains

38:39  (Saying,) "These are Our Bounties (gift), therefore give freely or withhold, without reckoning."

38:40  And most surely he had a nearness to Us and an excellent journey´s end (return)

38:41  And remember Our servant Job, when he called upon his Lord saying, "The devil has afflicted me with distress and torment."

38:42  (It was said unto him) "Strike with your foot; here is a cool, refreshing washing-place and a drink."

38:43  And We gave him back his people and doubled their number, as a mercy from Us, and as a reminder to those possessed of understanding

38:44  And (It was said,) "Take in your hand a green branch (or grass) and beat her (his rebellious wife gently) with it (rather than with cruelty), and break not your oath. Surely We found him patient; a most excellent servant! Surely he was frequent in t

38:45  And remember Our servants Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, men of power and vision

38:46  Surely, We purified them with a pure thought, the remembrance of the Home of the Hereafter

38:47  And most surely they were, in Our sight, of the company of the elect, the excellent

38:48  And remember Ishmael and Elisha and Zul-Kifl - all were of the Company of the Good (or Chosen)

38:49  This is a reminder; and most surely there is an excellent destination for those who guard (against evil)

38:50  The Gardens of Eternity, whose doors are opened for them

38:51  Wherein reclining, they call for many fruits and cool drink therein

38:52  And with them shall be those restrained (modest) eyes, companions equal in age

38:53  This is what you are promised for the Day of Reckoning

38:54  Verily, this in truth is Our provision which will never fail

38:55  This (shall be so for the righteous). And lo! There is an evil destination for the transgressors

38:56  Hell; they will burn in it, an evil resting-place

38:57  This (shall be so); then shall they taste it, boiling and intensely cold

38:58  And other (punishment) of similar kind in pairs (of the two extremes)

38:59  Here is an army plunging in without consideration along with you; no welcome for them; surely they shall burn in the Fire

38:60  They shall say, "Nay! Thee too! No welcome for you: it is you who have brought this upon us; evil is this resting-place."

38:61  They shall say, "Our Lord! Whoever prepared it first for us, add you to him a double chastisement in the Fire."

38:62  And they shall say, "What ails us that we do not see men whom we used to count among the wicked

38:63  "Was it that we took them wrongly in scorn, or have our eyes missed them

38:64  Verily, this is the truth - the mutual wrangling of the inmates of the fire

38:65  Say, "I am only a Warner, and there is no God but Allah, the One, the Absolute (or Supreme and Irresistible)

38:66  "The Lord of the heavens and the earth and that which is between them, the Mighty Enforcer, the most Forgiving

38:67  Say, "It is a message of great importance

38:68  "From which you are turning away

38:69  "1 had no knowledge of the Exalted Chiefs (in heaven) when they discussed (affairs)

38:70  "Naught is revealed to me save this, that I am a plain Warner."

38:71  Behold, your Lord said to the angels; Surely I am going to create a mortal from dust (or clay)

38:72  So when I have fashioned him in due proportions and breathed into him of My spirit, then fall down making obeisance unto him

38:73  And the angels did obeisance, all of them

38:74  But not Iblis: he was too proud and became one of the disbelievers

38:75  He said, "O Iblis! What prevented you from doing obeisance to him whom I created with My two hands? Are you too proud or are you of the Exalted Ones?"

38:76  He said, "I am better than he; Thou hast created me of Fire, and him Thou did create of dust (or clay)."

38:77  He said, "Then get you hence, for lo! you are outcast

38:78  "And surely My curse is on you till the Day of Judgment."

38:79  He said, "My Lord! then reprieve me till the day that they are raised."

38:80  He said, "Surely you are of the reprieved ones

38:81  "Until the Day of the time appointed."

38:82  He said, "Then by Thy Might I will surely beguile (tempt them to evil), every one

38:83  "Except Thy single-minded servants from among them, the purified ones."

38:84  He said, "The Truth Is, and the Truth I speak

38:85  "That I will most certainly fill hell with you and with those among them who follow you, every one."

38:86  Say (O Muhammad unto mankind), "I do not ask you for any reward for it; nor am I of the impostors

38:87  "Lo! It (the Quran) is nothing but a reminder for all peoples (nations)

38:88  "And you will, in time, come to know the truth thereof."