23:1  Verily, those who live by Faith will ultimately achieve salvation.

23:2  They are the ones who humble themselves in their prayers,

23:3  Who walk away from the evil vain talk,

23:4  Who pay zakāt,

23:5  Who guard their chastity

23:6  Except from their wives or those whom their right hands possess, for indeed, they won’t be held responsible for a fault or wrong-

23:7  But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors -

23:8  And they who are extraordinarily perceptive for their trusts and covenant,

23:9  And they who observe their prayers.

23:10  Those are the inheritors

23:11  Who will inherit the Paradise wherein they will live forever.

23:12  Verily, We created man from an essence of clay.

23:13  Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging.

23:14  Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging substance; and We made the clinging substance into an embryonic lump. And We made from the embryonic lump, bones, then We covered the bones with flesh, then We developed him into another creation. So Blessed is Allâh, the Best of creators.

23:15  After that you will definitely die.

23:16  Then on the Day of Resurrection, you will definitely be raised up.

23:17  And verily, We have created above you seven layered heavens. We have full knowledge of Our creation.

23:18  We send down water from the sky in due measure and lodged it in the earth. Indeed, We are Most Capable of taking it away.

23:19  Then We bring forth for you thereby gardens of palms and vines yielding abundant fruit for you to eat.

23:20  Also, a tree growing on the Mount of Sinai, which produces oil, and a relish for those who eat.

23:21  And most certainly there is a lesson for you in the cattle. We give you drink of that which is in their bellies, and there are numerous benefits in them for you and of them you eat.

23:22  And on them, and on the ships, you are carried.

23:23  Verily We sent Noah (as Our Messenger) to his people, and he said: "O’ my people, do worship Allâh! You have no other god beside Him. Will you not then act piously ?”

23:24  But the chiefs of his people, who refuse to Yield to the Truth, said: "This (man) is no more than a mortal like yourselves who seeks to attain superiority over you. Had Allâh willed, He would have surely sent down Angels (instead of him). We never heard of such a thing among our forefathers.

23:25  He is only a mad man, so bear with him for a while ’.

23:26  (He) said: "O’ my Lord! Help me, for they belie me.”

23:27  So We inspired him: ‘Start building the Ark under Our Eyes and through Our Inspiration. And when Our Command comes and water gushes forth from the Tanūr,- (an oven cave in the house of Noah)- embark therein two of every kind, a pair (male & female), and your family, except the ones for whom the decree (of the punishment) has already gone forth. Don’t plead with Me for those who have voluntarily and consciously abandoned the Full Knowledge of the Truth in favour of their own whims. Most assuredly, they are going to be drowned’.

23:28  Then, when you are firmly seated along with those with you in the Ark, say: "All praise is due unto Allâh Who has saved us from the iniquitous people’.

23:29  And say: ‘My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing place. You are the Best of all who bring to land’.

23:30  Obviously, in that there are Signs (of Allâh’s power & glory), and most certainly We put (people) to the test.

23:31  Then, after them, We brought into being another generation,

23:32  We sent to them a Messenger from their own race - saying: "Do worship Allâh! You have no other god beside Him. Will you not then act piously?”

23:33  But the chiefs of his people who refuse to Yield to the Truth and deny the Meeting (with their Lord) in the Hereafter, and on whom We had bestowed great comfort and extravagant living in this worldly life, said: “He is no more than a mortal like yourselves. He eats of what you eat and drinks of what you drink.

23:34  And If it happens that you yield (to the whims of) a mortal like yourselves, then you will definitely be in the grip of perdition.

23:35  What! Does he promise you that when you are dead and become dust and bones, you will be brought back to life again?

23:36  (It is) far impossible, far impossible, that which you are promised!

23:37  There is nothing but our worldly life! We live and die! We will never ever be resurrected!

23:38  He is not more than a man who attributes falsehood to Allâh. So, we are not going to yield to his belief’.

23:39  He said: "O’ my Lord! Help me, for they belie me’.

23:40  (Allâh) said: "After a little, they will definitely become regretful."

23:41  So the (dreadful) Cry overtook them for a just reason. And We made them look like rubbish of dead leaves. Deprived of the Mercy of Allâh are those who have voluntarily and consciously abandoned the Full Knowledge of the Truth in favour of their own whims.

23:42  Then, after them, We brought into being other generations.

23:43  No nation can outstrip its term, neither can they delay it.

23:44  Then sent We Our Messengers in succession. And whenever there came to a nation its Messenger, they denied him. So We made them follow one another (to destruction). And We made them narrations. Deprived of the Mercy of Allâh are the ones who have no tendency to live by Faith.

23:45  Then, We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our Signs and with decisive argument

23:46  To Pharaoh and his Chiefs. But they behaved arrogantly since they were supercilious people.

23:47  They said: ‘Are we going to yield to the belief of two men like ourselves and their people are submissive to our will?’

23:48  So they accused them of lying and became of those who were destroyed.

23:49  Verily, We gave Moses the Scripture so that they might grasp the opportunity for receiving salvation.

23:50  And We made the son of Mary- (Jesus)- and his mother a Sign and gave them both shelter on high ground having meadows and springs.

23:51  O’ Messengers! Eat of the pure and wholesome things and strive to do righteousness acts. And most certainly I have full knowledge of whatever you do.

23:52  Truly this, your Ummah, is one Ummah, and I am your Lord. Now, therefore, act piously.

23:53  Yet they split in their Faith between them into sects, each group rejoicing in what it has.

23:54  So leave them alone in their confusion for a time.

23:55  Do they think that by giving them wealth and children

23:56  We are hastening to them of good things? Nay, they lack the ability to perceive (the truth).

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

23:58  Who have Absolute Faith in Revelations of their Lord,

23:59  Who ascribe no partners to their Lord,

23:60  And who give that which they give (of the voluntary alms) while their hearts tremble with awe of knowing that they will return to their Lord-

23:61  These are the ones who hasten to do righteous acts, and they are foremost in doing them.

23:62  Never have We tasked any one beyond his scope, and with Us is a Record that speaks the truth. And they won’t be wronged.

23:63  Nay! But their hearts are in deep ignorance of this (Qur’ān), and they have other (evil) deeds, besides denial of the truth, which they persistently continue to commit.

23:64  Until, when We seize with punishment those of them who live in great comfort and extravagant living, they will suddenly start crying to Allâh for help.

23:65  Don’t cry for help today. surely you shall receive no help from Us:

23:66  My Verses were recited to you, but you used to turn back on your heels ,

23:67  Displaying an arrogant attitude, talking nonsense about the (Qur'ân) by night.

23:68  Have they not pondered the 'Qur’ān, or has there come upon them that which had not come upon their forefathers?

23:69  Or did they fail to recognize their Messenger and so they denied him?

23:70  Or do they say: "He is possessed?’ Nay, but he brought them the Truth. But most of them do loathe the truth.

23:71  But if the Truth -(the Qur’ān)- had yielded to their whims, then the heavens, the earth and whosoever is therein would have surely been corrupted! Nay, We have given to them their admonition, but they didn't take serious thought of their admonition.

23:72  Or do you ask them for any recompense? Yet the recompense of your Lord is far better, and He is the Best of those who provide sustenance.

23:73  And Most assuredly you summon them unto a straight path.

23:74  Yet those who have no Faith in the Hereafter are deviating from the path of truth.

23:75  Even if We showed them Mercy and removed the distress which is on them, they would still persist in their transgression, blindly wandering.

23:76  Verily, We overtook them with punishment, but they didn’t capitulate to their Lord, neither did they humbly implore Him.

23:77  As soon as We opened on them a gate of extreme chastisement, (suddenly) they were plunged into despair therein!

23:78  He is the One Who has created for you the sense of hearing and sight , as well as hearts, yet you show little gratitude

23:79  He is the One Who multiplied you in the earth, and to Him you are (destined) to be gathered.

23:80  He is the One Who gives life and causes death, and unto Him belongs the difference of night and day. Don't you have conscious thoughts at least in this sense?

23:81  Nay, but they say things similar to what the ancients said.

23:82  They said: "What! When we are dead and become dust and bones, are we going to be resurrected indeed?

23:83  Verily, we and our forefathers were already been promised this before. Lo! This is no more than myths of ancients."

23:84  Say: "Unto whom belongs the earth and whosoever is therein, if you really have the knowledge?”

23:85  They will say: “Unto Allâh!" Say: "Will you not then take heed?"

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

23:87  They will say: "Allâh”. Say: “Will you not then act piously?”

23:88  Say: "In Whose Hand is the sovereignty of everything? He is the One Who protects when none can be protected against His Own will, if you do have spiritual knowledge!

23:89  They will say: "(All that belongs) unto Allâh”. Say: "Then how are you deceived (into falling away from the true Faith)?"

23:90  Nay, but We have brought them the Truth and they are most surely liars.

23:91  Allâh has not taken to Himself any son, nor has there ever been with Him any god. Were this otherwise each god would surely have taken away what he had created, and some of them would surely have overpowered others. All Glory Be To Allâh above all that of which they attribute to Him!

23:92  (He is) All-Knowing of the unseen and the seen! High Exalted is He above all that which they associate with Him!

23:93  Say: “My Lord, If You would show me that which they are promised!

23:94  My Lord, (If You are going to punish them), then exclude me from those who have voluntarily and consciously abandoned the Full Knowledge of the Truth in favour of their own whims.

23:95  Indeed, We are Most Capable of showing you what We have promised them.

23:96  So repel evil with that which is good. We have full knowledge of what they describe.

23:97  Say: "My Lord, I earnestly seek refuge in You from the evil incitements of the devils."

23:98  "And I earnestly seek refuge in You, My Lord, lest they may approach me."

23:99  As soon as death comes to one of them, he says: "My Lord, send me back again

23:100  In order that I may do righteousness in that which I left behind." Never! It is but a word that he speaks. And there is a barrier behind them until the day when they are resurrected.

23:101  So when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that day, nor will they ask about one another.

23:102  So as for those whose scale (of good deeds) is heavy, they are the ones who ultimately have achieved salvation.

23:103  But, as for those whose scale (of good deeds) is light, they are ones who are doomed to perdition. And in Gehenna will they abide.

23:104  The Fire will scorch their faces and therein they will grin, with displaced lips.

23:105  (They will be told), "Were not My Verses recited to you? But you used to deny them."

23:106  They will say: "Our Lord, our misery overcame us, and we were a people living in deception.

23:107  Our Lord, bring us out of this: if ever we return (to Evil), then shall we be ungodly sinners indeed.

23:108  He will say: “Sink into it and don’t speak to Me.”

23:109  Verily! There was a party of My servants, who used to say: "Our Lord, we live by Faith, therefore forgive us and grant us Mercy. You are the Best of all who show mercy!"

23:110  You used to mock and laugh at them to the extent that you forgot to celebrate My praise and declare my glory.

23:111  Verily, I have rewarded them this day for what they patiently endured . And they are indeed the ones who have gained salvation.

23:112  Allâh will ask: "How long did you stay on earth in number of years?"

23:113  They will reply: "We stayed a day or part of a day: ask the ones who have kept account."

23:114  Allâh will say: "You tarried but a little, if you had only known!

23:115  "Did you think that We created you without a reason, and that you would not be returned unto Us?"

23:116  So Highly Exalted is Allâh, the Sovereign, the Truth. There is no other god beside Him, Lord of the Glorious Throne.

23:117  And whoever invokes another god along with Allâh has no proof thereof. His reckoning is only with his Lord. Indeed, those who voluntarily and consciously will never gain salvation.

23:118  Say: "My Lord, forgive and have Mercy, for You are the Best of all those who show mercy.”