16:1  God’s judgment is coming; do not try to hurry it. May He be exalted in His Glory! He is far above anything they associate with Him.

16:2  He sends down the angels with revelations by His command to whoever He may wish of His worshipers, saying, “Warn all that there is no deity other than Me. Therefore, be mindful of Me!”

16:3  He has created heaven and Earth in Truth. He is magnificently exalted above anything they associate with Him.

16:4  He created the human being out of a fertilized ovum, and suddenly he is an open adversary.

16:5  And He creates livestock for you to provide warmth and other benefits and to eat.

16:6  There is beauty in them for you when you bring them home in the evenings and release them to pasture in the mornings.

16:7  And they carry your cargoes to places that you would be unable to reach without great difficulties. Truly, your Lord is the Compassionate, the Mercy Giver.

16:8  And He creates horses, mules, and donkeys for you to ride and as adornment. And He will continue to create what you do not know.

16:9  It rests with God alone to show you the right path. However, many will deviate from it. Had He so willed it, He would have guided you all.

16:10  It is He who sends the rains from the skies; some you drink, and from it [grows] the shrubs on which you feed your cattle

16:11  And He causes your crops to grow: olive trees, date-palm, grapes, and all other types of fruit. In that, there is a message for people who think.

16:12  He has made the night and the day subservient to you and the sun, the moon, and the stars subject to his laws. There are messages in that for people who comprehend!

16:13  And all the beautiful colors that He has made for you on Earth- in that, there is a message for people who consider.

16:14  And it is He who made the sea of benefit to you so that you may eat from it fresh and tender meat and obtain ornaments which you may wear. You see ships cleaving through it so that you may search for His abundant provision, and so you may be grateful.

16:15  And He has placed solid mountains on the Earth so that it does not shift with you, and rivers and pathways, so that you can find your way

16:16  as well as other landmarks-- for it is by the stars that men are able to find their way.

16:17  So, then, is He who creates like one who does not create? Will you not, then, consider?

16:18  If you should ever try to count God’s blessings, you could not count them, for God is the Most Forgiving, the Mercy Giver

16:19  And God knows all that you keep secret and all that you declare.

16:20  Now, those they call on besides God cannot create anything since they themselves are created.

16:21  They are, in fact, dead, not living, and they do not [even] know when they will be resurrected.

16:22  Your God is the One God, but because of their arrogance, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter refuse to admit this [truth].

16:23  Truly God knows all they conceal and all they declare. He does not love the arrogant.

16:24  And whenever [the arrogant] are asked, “What has your Lord sent down?” They say, “Ancient legends!”

16:25  So, on the Day of Resurrection, they will carry the full weight of their burdens as well as some of the burdens of those ignorant whom they have misled. How heavy will be the weight of their burden!

16:26  Those who lived before them also schemed, and God destroyed their structure from its foundation, and the roof fell on top of them. Suffering came at them suddenly from an unexpected source.

16:27  On the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and say, “Where are those associates, for whose sake you denied Me and became so hostile? Those who were given knowledge will say, “Truly, disgrace and desolation have come today on the unbelievers,

16:28  those who are wronging themselves while the angels gather them in death!” Then, the schemers will offer peace: “We did not do anything wrong!” [But they will hear an answer] “Yes, you did, because God knows well what you were doing!

16:29  Now enter the gates of Hell to remain there forever! How evil will be the abode of the arrogant.”

16:30  Those who are mindful of God were asked, “What has your Lord sent down?” They said, “Absolute goodness.” There is good in this word for those who strived to perfect their benevolent deeds, and the next world is even better. How wonderful is the abode of those who are ever mindful of God

16:31  They will enter Gardens of Eden! Running waters flow, and there they will have all things they wish. This is how God will reward those who are mindful of Him.

16:32  Those who are gathered in death by the angels, being good, will be greeted with “Peace be upon you! Enter paradise by what you have done”

16:33  Are they [the unbelievers] expecting that the angels will appear or that God’s judgment will be manifested? Those who lived before them behaved in the same way. God did not wrong them. They wronged themselves.

16:34  They were struck by the consequences of the evil they had done, and they were overtaken by the very thing they used to ridicule.

16:35  Now the very ones who associate deities with God say, “Had God willed it so, we would have worshipped Him alone, and we would never have declared anything as forbidden unless he had commanded us to do so.” This is just what those who lived before them did. Are the messengers required to do more than delivering the message?

16:36  We sent a messenger to every nation, saying: “Worship God, and shun the powers of evil!” Some of them were guided by God, but others deserved to be misguided. Travel around the world and see what happened eventually to those who denied the truth.

16:37  However eager you are for them to be guided, God does not confer his guidance on any whom He judges to have gone astray, and they will have none to help them.

16:38  And so they swear by God, vowing most solemnly, “God will never raise the dead to life again!” But He will, for it is a binding promise that He will fulfill, but most people do not know

16:39  [On that day] He will make clear to them the things they differed about, and the unbelievers will know that they were lying.

16:40  Whenever We wish anything to be, we simply say, “Be!” and it is.

16:41  As for those who emigrated for God’s sake after being persecuted, We will bless them with good fortune in this world, but their life in the Hereafter will be even greater if they only knew!

16:42  They who have been patient in hard times and placed their trust in their Lord.

16:43  Even before your time [Prophet], We sent only men who were inspired, and if you [those in doubt] have not yet realized this, ask the followers of earlier revelation.

16:44  [They brought] clear signs of the truth and books of divine wisdom. And We brought down to you this Reminder so that you may clarify to people all that has been brought down to them that they may reflect on it.

16:45  Do those who conceive evil plans feel secure that God will not cause the Earth to swallow them or that suffering will not overtake them from whence they least expect it?

16:46  Or that He will not take them suddenly while they are coming and going—they being unable to escape him--

16:47  or that He will not destroy them gradually? Your Sustainer is the Compassionate, the Mercy Giver.

16:48  Have they not, then, ever considered the things that God has created—how even their shadows turn right or left, prostrating themselves before God, being absolutely submissive to His will?

16:49  For all that is in the heavens and on Earth prostrates itself before God— every beast and the angels— without any arrogance.

16:50  They fear their Lord above them and do whatever they are commanded to do.

16:51  And God said, “Do not worship two deities. There is only One God, so it is Me that you shall revere."

16:52  And to Him belongs all that is in heaven and on Earth, and to Him alone be obedient, it is His right. Why, then, will you heed anyone but God?

16:53  For all good things come to you from God, and whenever harm comes upon you, you cry to Him for help

16:54  but as soon as He has relieved you of your hardship, some of you associate others with their Lord.

16:55  They show their ingratitude for all that We have done for them! So, go ahead, enjoy your brief life, but eventually, you will come to know [the Truth]!

16:56  And they allocate for the [idols] about which they know nothing, a share of what We have provided them. By God, you will be asked about your lies!

16:57  They also ascribe daughters to God-- May He be exalted in His glory--and they chose for themselves whatever they desire.

16:58  Whenever one of them is given the good news of a daughter’s birth, his face darkens, and he fills with bottled-up anger.

16:59  Ashamed, he avoids people because of the supposed bad news he has received, [and debates with himself] should he keeps her despite the disgrace [which he feels] or should he bury her in the ground? How dreadful is their judgment?

16:60  Those who do not believe in the Hereafter set the worst example, whereas God sets the highest model, for He alone is Revered and Wise!

16:61  Now, if God were to judge men immediately for all the evil they do on Earth, He would not leave a single living creature alive. However, He gives them relief until a time appointed by Him, but when the end of their time approaches, they can neither delay it by a single second nor can they hasten it.

16:62  They attribute to God what they dislike, and [all the while] their tongues utter the lie that they deserve the best. Indeed, they deserve the Fire where they will be abandoned.

16:63  By God, We sent messengers unto [various] nations before your time, but Satan made their deeds look good to them, so he is their master now as before, and painful punishment awaits them.

16:64  We sent down the Book to you, only to make clear to them the things about which they differ and as guidance and mercy to people who will believe.

16:65  And it is God who sends down water giving life to the Earth, even after it has been lifeless. This is a sign to those who will listen.

16:66  And there is a lesson for you in the grazing cattle: We give you to drink from what is in their bellies -between dung and their blood- pure milk, pleasant to those who drink it.

16:67  And from the fruits of the palm trees and grapevines, you obtain intoxicants as well as good provision. In this, too, there is a sign for people who think.

16:68  [And consider how] your Lord has so inspired the bee [saying]: “Prepare for yourself dwellings in the mountains and trees, and in what people may build,

16:69  then eat all kinds of fruit, and follow humbly the paths ordained for you by your Lord.” From there, within these bees emerges a drink of many colors, healing food for man. In all, this is a sign for people who reflect!

16:70  And God has created you, and in time you will die, and some of you will come to an abject state in old age, ceasing to know anything that you once knew. God is All-knowing, All-Powerful!

16:71  And God has favored some of you in abundance over others. But those so favored will not share their wealth with those their right hands hold in trust, so [their dependents] will not be their equals. Will they, then, renounce God’s blessings?

16:72  And God has given you wives from among yourselves, and has given you, through your wives, children, and grandchildren, and has provided for you all of the good things of life. Will they, then, continue to believe in falsehood and reject God’s blessings?

16:73  And will they worship instead of God something that has no power whatsoever to provide them any sustenance from Earth or heaven and can do nothing at all?

16:74  So, do not propose examples of what God is. God knows, and you do not.

16:75  God set forth a parable [of two men]: one is a slave, unable to do anything of his own accord, and the other a [free] man to whom We have given ample wealth so that he can spend at will, both secretly and openly. Can these two be considered equal? All praise is due to God, but most people do not know.

16:76  And God provides another parable of two [other] men. One of them is mute, unable to do anything by himself, a burden to his caretaker. Whatever task he is directed to do, he accomplishes nothing beneficial. Can such a one be considered equal to one who commands justice [in his community] and is on the straight path?

16:77  It is God alone who possesses the hidden reality of the heavens and the Earth. The matter of the Last Hour will be like the twinkling of an eye, or closer still, for God has the power to will anything.

16:78  And God brought you out of your mothers’ wombs — knowing nothing, and He has endowed you with hearing, and sight and minds so that you might have cause to be thankful.

16:79  Have they not seen the birds, enabled by God to fly in mid-air, with none but God holding them aloft? In this, there are messages for people who will believe!

16:80  And God made your homes places to rest and enabled you to make dwellings from cattle hides—light, and easy to carry, whether you travel or camp, and [has supplied you with] furnishings and goods from the animals’ rough and soft wool and its hair [to use] for a time.

16:81  And, from what He has created, God has provided you with protection; [He has given you] shade [from the sun], places of refuge in the mountains, and gave you garments to protect you from the heat, as well as garments to protect you from your brutality towards each other. In this way, He perfects His blessings on you so that you may surrender yourselves to Him.

16:82  But if they turn away [Prophet], remember that your only responsibility is to deliver this revelation clearly.

16:83  They [who turn away] are fully aware of God’s grace, but they nevertheless refuse to recognize it because they are used to denying the truth.

16:84  The Day [of Judgment] will come when We will raise up a witness from every nation. On that day, the unbelievers will not be able to make excuses or make amends.

16:85  And when those who were unjust see the suffering that awaits them, they will recognize that the severity of their punishment will not be lightened, nor will they be given any relief.

16:86  And when those who associated other beings with God see those they associated, they will say, “Our Lord, these are our associates whom we used to call upon apart from You.” But they will throw their words back at them: “You are liars”

16:87  and on that Day, they will freely submit to God, and all their idols will forsake them.

16:88  We will heap punishment upon punishment on all the unbelievers who turned others away from God’s path in return for the corruption they caused.

16:89  On that Day, We will raise from within each nation a witness against them, and We will bring you [Prophet] as a witness against them. We have sent down to you the Book as clarification for all things and as guidance and mercy and good news to all who would surrender themselves to God [Muslims].

16:90  God orders justice, beautiful excellence, and generosity to relatives, and He forbids vice, evil, and oppression. He warns you so that you will keep all this in mind.

16:91  Fulfill the covenant of God whenever you commit to one. Do not break your oaths once they are confirmed, and you [will] have made God your guarantor. God knows all that you do.

16:92  And do not be like the woman who untwisted the thread she had firmly spun just to unravel it—do not use your oaths as means to deceive one another because some of you are more powerful than others. God is testing you through all this, and on the Day of Resurrection, He will make clear to you those things about which you disagreed.

16:93  Had God so desired, He could surely have made you all the same nation, but He lets stray those who wish to reject His messages, and He guides rightly those who wish to be guided, and all of you will be called to account for all things you have done.

16:94  So do not use your oaths as a means of deceiving each other— or else your foot will slide after having been firmly in place. You will then taste the unfortunate consequences of your having turned from God’s path, and incredible suffering will await you.

16:95  Do not exchange the covenant of God for a small price. What is with God is best for you if you only knew.

16:96  All that you currently have will come to an end, but that which God has is eternal. And We will most certainly grant to those who were patient their reward according to the best they ever did.

16:97  Whoever does good deeds, whether—man or woman—and is a believer, will live a good life and will surely receive their reward according to the best they have done.

16:98  When you recite the Qur’an, seek refuge with God from Satan, the rebel who is expelled from God’s mercy.

16:99  He has no power over those who believe and who rely on their Lord.

16:100  He has power only over those who ally themselves with him and those who, because of him, associate others with God.

16:101  And if we replace one revelation with another- and God knows best what He confers [from heaven]- they say, “You made it all up!” Truly, most of them have no understanding.

16:102  Tell them, “The Holy Spirit has revealed it from your Lord in Truth, so that it might strengthen the believers, providing guidance and good news to all who have surrendered themselves to God [Muslims].”

16:103  And We certainly know well what they are saying; “A human being is teaching him what to say.” The language of the one they allude to is a foreign one, whereas this is in clear and lucid Arabic.

16:104  Truly, as for those who refuse to believe God’s revelations, God does not guide them, and grievous suffering will await them.

16:105  It is only they who refuse to believe God’s revelations, who speak these lies, and it is they who are lying.

16:106  Whoever denies God after having once believed, [except for anyone who is forced to deny God while his heart remains true to his faith]- he who willingly opens up his heart to disbelief will have the wrath of God upon them and a grievous punishment awaiting them.

16:107  That is because they favored this worldly life over the Hereafter and because God will not guide unbelieving people

16:108  The ones God has sealed their hearts, ears, and eyes—it is they who are heedless.

16:109  No doubt they will be doomed in the life to come.

16:110  As for those who migrated after they were persecuted and who then struggled and persevered, to them, your Lord is the Most Forgiving, the Mercy Giver.

16:111  On the Day when every soul will come to plead for itself, every soul will be fully rewarded for whatever it has done, and none will be wronged.

16:112  And God proposes to you this parable: [Imagine, if you will,] a town that was once safe and secure, with its provisions coming to it abundantly from all places. Then it denied God’s grace. So God caused it to experience all-encompassing misery—hunger and fear as a result of what they had done.

16:113  And [imagine] that there had come a messenger from among them, but they denied him, so punishment overwhelmed them as they were unjust to themselves.

16:114  Eat of the lawful and good things that God has provided for you. And be grateful for the blessing of God if it is Him whom you worship.

16:115  He has only prohibited you from eating carrion, and blood, and the flesh of pigs, and that which has been dedicated to other than God, unless one is compelled to eat it out of necessity, [and then] neither desiring it nor feeding to excess. Truly God is the Most Forgiving, the Mercy Giver.

16:116  So, do not lie by letting your tongues wag: “This is lawful, and this is unlawful,” thereby attributing your lies to God. They who attribute their lies to God will never succeed!

16:117  A brief enjoyment but grievous punishment awaits them.

16:118  We forbade to the Jews all that We have related to you previously. We did nothing wrong to them, but they wronged themselves.

16:119  Then to those who sin in ignorance and afterward repent and live righteously, your Lord is the Most Forgiving, the Mercy Giver.

16:120  Truly, Abraham was equal to a community in himself; he was devoted to obeying God. He turned from all that is wrong—and he was not among those idolaters

16:121  He was grateful for the grace poured out on him by God—God had chosen him and guided him along a straight path.

16:122  And so We granted him favor in this world: truly, in the life to come, he will be among the righteous.

16:123  And We have inspired you, [Prophet]: “Follow the faith of Abraham, who turned from every false thing, and who was not among the idolaters.”

16:124  The Sabbath was made obligatory only on those who differed about it. Your Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection regarding all matters about which they differed.

16:125  Call people to the path of your Lord with wisdom and good advice and reason with them most courteously, for your Lord knows best who strays from His path and knows best those who are guided.

16:126  If you want to retaliate to an attack, make your response proportionate. But if you can be patient, it is always better to be patient.

16:127  [Prophet], be patient: your patience comes only from God. Do not grieve over them, nor be distressed by their schemes.

16:128  for, verily, God is with those who are mindful of Him and who are doers of good.