23:1  Successful indeed are the believers (or the believers will eventually win

23:2  Who in their prayers are humble

23:3  And who shun vain talk

23:4  And who are constantly active in charitable works

23:5  And who abstain from sexual immodesty (or guard their modesty or chastity or sexual purity)

23:6  Except for with those joined with them in marriage or the captive whom their right hand possesses, for then, verily, they are free from blame

23:7  But whoever craves aught beyond that, they are the transgressor

23:8  And those who faithfully observe their trusts and covenants

23:9  And who guard well (pay heed to) their prayers

23:10  These will be the heirs

23:11  Who shall inherit Paradise; they shall dwell therein

23:12  We have created man from an extract of clay

23:13  Then We made him a drop (sperm) in a safe depository (the womb)

23:14  Then We made the drop into a clot, and We made the clot into a lump (foetus); then We made the lump into bone, and We clothed the bone with flesh; then We produced from it another creature. Blessed be Allah, the best of Creators

23:15  Then shall you after that surely die

23:16  Then, lo! On the Day of Resurrection shall you surely be raised

23:17  And We have created above you seven paths; and We are never heedless of creation

23:18  And We send down from the heaven water by measure, and We make it rest in the earth; but, verily, We are able to withdraw it

23:19  Then We produce for you thereby gardens of date-palms and grapes wherein you have much fruits, and whereof you eat

23:20  And a tree growing out of Mount Sinai (Olives) which produces oil, and a relish for eaters

23:21  And, verily, you have a lesson in the cattle; We give you to drink of what is in their bodies; and you have therein many uses, and of them you eat

23:22  And on them and on ships you are carried

23:23  We sent Noah unto his people, and he said, "O my people! Serve Allah, you have no God but Him; do you then not fear (evil)?"

23:24  Said the chiefs of those who disbelieved among his people, "This is nothing but a mortal like yourselves who wishes to make himself superior to you. Had Allah pleased He could surely have sent angels. We have not heard of this from our forefathers

23:25  "He is nothing but a man possessed; so watch him for a while."

23:26  Said he, "My Lord! Help me, for they deny me."

23:27  And We inspired him, saying "Make the ark under Our eyes and Our inspiration; and when the oven (of Allah´s wrath) boils over (or the fountains or springs of the earth are about to gush forth), conduct into it of every kind two spouses, and yo

23:28  "But when you are settled, you and those with you in the ark, say, "Praise belongs to Allah, Who saved us from the unjust people."

23:29  "And say, ´My Lord! Cause me to land on a blessed landing place, for you are the best of all who bring to land.´"

23:30  Verily, in this is a sign, and, verily, We are ever trying them (mankind)

23:31  Then We raised up after them another generation

23:32  And We sent amongst them a messenger of their own (or from among them), saying, "Serve Allah, you have no God but He; will you then not fear (evil)?"

23:33  Said the chiefs of the people who disbelieved, and denied the meeting in the Hereafter, and to whom We gave enjoyment in the life of this world, "This is only a mortal like yourselves, who eats of what you eat, and drinks of what you drink

23:34  "If you obey a mortal like yourselves, verily, you will then be surely losers

23:35  "Does he promise you that when you are dead, and have become dust and bones, that then you will be brought forth

23:36  "Be gone, be gone, with that which you are promised (or it is far-fetched)

23:37  "There is only our life in this world. We die and we live, and we shall not be raised again

23:38  "He is only a man who invents a lie about Allah. And we believe him not."

23:39  Said he, "My Lord! Help me, for they deny me."

23:40  He said, "Within a little while they will surely be sorry!"

23:41  Then the blast seized them rightfully; and We made them as rubbish borne by a torrent (of Time); so, away with the wrong-doing people

23:42  Then after them We brought forth other generations

23:43  No nation (or people) can hasten its appointed term, nor delay it

23:44  Then We sent Our messengers one after another. Whenever its messenger came unto any nation they denied him; so We caused them to follow one another (to disaster); and We made them bywords. Away then with a people who believe not

23:45  Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our signs, and with plain authorit

23:46  To Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they were inflated with pride, and were a despotic people

23:47  And they said, "Shall we believe two mortals like ourselves, and whose people are servile unto us?"

23:48  So they accused them of lying, and became of those who perished

23:49  And We verily gave Moses the Book, that per chance (or possibly) they might be guided

23:50  And We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign; and We gave them both shelter on high, a place of security and springs

23:51  O you messengers! Eat of the good things and do right; verily, I am aware of what you do

23:52  And, verily, this your religion (or brotherhood) is one religion (or brotherhood), and I am your Lord; so keep your duty unto Me

23:53  But they (mankind) have broken their religion (or affair) between them into sects, each sect rejoicing in its own tenets

23:54  So leave them in their confused error (or ignorance) for a time

23:55  Think they that in the wealth and children, wherewith We provide the

23:56  We hasten unto them with good things? Nay, but they perceive not

23:57  Verily, those who walk in awe of their Lord

23:58  And those who believe in the revelations of their Lord

23:59  And those who ascribe not partners unto their Lor

23:60  And those who give what they give with heart afraid because they are about to return unto their Lord

23:61  These race to good things, and they shall be the first in the race

23:62  But We will not oblige a soul beyond its capacity; for with us is a Record that utters the truth, and they shall not be wronged

23:63  Nay, their heart are in ignorance of this, and they do deeds beside this which they continue to do

23:64  Until, when We catch the affluent ones amongst them with the punishment, then lo! They cry in supplication

23:65  Supplicate not this day! Assuredly, you will not be helped by (or against) Us

23:66  My revelations were recited to you, but you turned back upon your heels

23:67  In arrogant scorn thereof, raving vain nonsensical tales by night

23:68  Have they not pondered over the words, or has something new come unto them which came not to their forefathers

23:69  Or know they not their messenger that they thus deny him

23:70  Or do they say, "He is possessed"? Nay, but he came to them with the Truth, and most of them are haters of Truth

23:71  But if the truth were to conform to their desires, verily, the heavens and the earth and whoever is therein would be corrupted. Nay, We brought them their Reminder (The Quran), but from their Reminder they now turn away

23:72  Or do you ask them for a tribute? But the bounty of your Lord is better, for He is the best of those who provide

23:73  And, verily, you do call them to the Straight Way

23:74  But, verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter, they are indeed astray from that Way

23:75  But if We had mercy on them, and relieved their distress, they still would persist in their rebellion, blindly wandering on

23:76  And We caught them with the punishment, but they humble not themselves before their Lord, nor do they pray

23:77  Until, when We open for them the gate of extreme torment, then lo! They are plunged into despair

23:78  He it is who produced for you hearing and sight, and heart (or feelings, understanding, mind). Little thanks give you

23:79  And He it is Who has sown you broadcast in the earth, and unto Him shall you be gathered

23:80  And He it is Who gives you life and death; and His is the alternation of the night and the day; have you then no sense

23:81  Nay, but they say the like of that which those of yore did say

23:82  They said, "What! When we have become earth and bones, are we then going to be raised again

23:83  "We were already promised this, we and our forefathers. Lo! this is naught but old folks´ tales!"

23:84  Say, "Whose is the earth and those who are therein, if you have knowledge?"

23:85  They will say, "Allah´s." Say, "Will you then not remember?"

23:86  Say, "Who is Lord of the seven heavens, and Lord of the Mighty Throne?"

23:87  They will say, "Allah." Say, "Will you then not keep your duty unto Him?"

23:88  Say, "In whose hand is the dominion over all things; He succours (or protects) but is not succoured (or needs no protection or against whom there is no protection), if you did but know?"

23:89  They will say, "Allah´s". Say, "How then can you be so deluded?"

23:90  Nay, We have brought them the Truth, but, verily, they are Liars

23:91  Allah never took a son, nor was there ever any God with Him; else would each God have assuredly gone off with (or championed, controlled) that which he had created, and some would assuredly have exalted themselves over (or overcome) others. Glorified be

23:92  Knower of the invisible and the visible, exalted be He above what they associate with Him

23:93  Say, "My Lord! if you should show me what they are promised

23:94  My Lord! Then place me not amongst the wrong-doing people."

23:95  And verily We are able to show you that which We have promised them

23:96  Repel evil by that which is best. We are best Aware of that which they allege

23:97  And say, "My Lord! I seek refuge in Thee from the suggestions of the devils

23:98  And I seek refuge in Thee from their presence!"

23:99  Until when death comes to any one of them he says, "My Lord! Send me back

23:100  That I may do right in that which I have left behind." Nay! It is but a mere word he speaks; behind them is a barrier until the Day they shall be raised

23:101  And when the trumpet shall be blown, and there shall be no kinship between them on that day, nor will they ask about each other then

23:102  And those whose scales are heavy (with good deeds), they are the successful

23:103  But those whose scales are light, these are they who lose their souls, in hell will they abide

23:104  The fire shall scorch their faces, and they shall curl their lips (in gloom) therein

23:105  (It will be said) "Were not My revelations recited to you? And did you not treat them as falsehoods?"

23:106  They will say, "Our Lord our misfortune overcame us, and we became a people astray

23:107  "Our Lord! Take us out of this, and if we return to evil, then shall we be unjust indeed."

23:108  He will say, "Be gone into it, and speak you not to Me."

23:109  "Verily, there was a sect of My servants who used to pray, "Our Lord! We believe, so forgive us, and have mercy upon us, for Thou art the best of the merciful ones."

23:110  "But you took them for a jest (treated them with ridicule) until you forgot My reminder and did laugh at them

23:111  "Verily, I have rewarded them this day that they were steadfast; verily, they are indeed triumphant, blissful now

23:112  He will say, "How long a number of years did you tarry on earth?"

23:113  They will say, "We tarried but a day or part of a day, but ask those who keep count."

23:114  He will say, "You have only tarried a little, if you but knew

23:115  "Did you then think that We created you for jest (or sport, without purpose), and that you would not be returned to Us?"

23:116  But exalted be Allah, the True King; there is no God but He, the Lord of the Noble Throne (or Throne of Honour)

23:117  He who calls unto any other God along with Allah has no proof thereof; verily, his account is only with his Lord; verily, the disbelievers shall not be successful

23:118  And say, "Lord, Forgive and have mercy, for you are the best of the merciful ones!"