ash-Shu`ara` (The Poets) at IslamAwakened.com

26:1 Ta. Seen. Meem.

26:2 These are the verses of the Book that makes things clear.

26:3 You may be grieving because they don’t believe.

26:4 If We will, We could send down upon them a sign from the heavens, making their necks bow in humility.

26:5 Whenever a new revelation comes to them from the Most Merciful, they turn away in denial.

26:6 They denied the truth, but soon, the news of what they mocked will reach them.

26:7 Don’t they observe the earth and the myriad of diverse and unique species We produced upon it?

26:8 In this are signs, but most of them aren’t believers.

26:9 Your Lord is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.

26:10 When your Lord called Moses: “Go to the oppressive people.

26:11 The people of Pharaoh. Won’t they fear and reform?”

26:12 He replied, “My Lord, I fear they might reject me.

26:13 And my chest constricts, and my speech stutters. Therefore, send Aaron with me.

26:14 They also have a claim against me, and I’m afraid they might kill me.”

26:15 “No,” He responded, “Go, both of you, with Our signs. We are with you, listening.

26:16 Go to Pharaoh and say, ‘We are the messengers of the Lord of the worlds.

26:17 Release the Children of Israel with us.’”

26:18 He responded, “Didn’t we raise you among us as a child, and you stayed among us for years of your life?

26:19 And yet, you performed your action, and you were ungrateful.”

26:20 “I did it,” he confessed, “when I was misguided.

26:21 I fled from you when I feared you. But my Lord gave me wisdom and appointed me as one of the messengers.

26:22 Is this the favor of which you remind me—that you’ve enslaved the Children of Israel?”

26:23 Pharaoh questioned, “And who is this ‘Lord of the worlds’?”

26:24 He replied, “The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them, if you could be certain.”

26:25 He then addressed those around him, “Did you hear this?”

26:26 He said, “Your Lord, and the Lord of your ancient ancestors.”

26:27 He said, “Your messenger who was sent to you is delusional.”

26:28 He responded, “The Lord of the East and the West and all that’s between, if you would use reason.”

26:29 He threatened, “If you take a god other than me, I will surely imprison you.”

26:30 He countered, “What if I brought you something convincing?”

26:31 He challenged, “Then bring it, if you are truthful.”

26:32 So he threw down his staff, and it instantly transformed into a striking serpent.

26:33 Then drew out his hand, and lo and behold, it was radiant to the observers.

26:34 He said to the chiefs around him, “This man is a proficient magician.

26:35 He seeks to expel you from your land with his magic. What do you command?”

26:36 They suggested, “Delay him and his brother and send gatherers into the cities.

26:37 To summon to you every accomplished magician.”

26:38 The magicians were thus gathered at the appointed time on the designated day.

26:39 And the people were notified, “Are you going to assemble?

26:40 Perhaps we will follow the magicians if they are the victors.”

26:41 Upon their arrival, the magicians asked Pharaoh, “Will we be rewarded if we prevail?”

26:42 He replied, “Indeed, and you will be counted among those near me.”

26:43 Moses then said to them, “Present whatever you’re going to present.”

26:44 And they threw their ropes and staffs, proclaiming, “By Pharaoh’s might, it is us who will prevail.”

26:45 Then Moses threw his staff, and behold, it started swallowing what they had fabricated.

26:46 The sorcerers fell down in prostration.

26:47 Declaring, “We have believed in the Lord of the worlds.

26:48 The Lord of Moses and Aaron.”

26:49 He said, “How dare you believe in Him before I gave you permission! He is your chief who taught you magic. But you will soon know. I will cut off your hands and feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you all.”

26:50 They said, “No harm, we are returning to our Lord anyway.

26:51 We aspire that our Lord will forgive our sins, as we are among the first believers.”

26:52 We then revealed to Moses: “Depart with My servants at night, and expect pursuit.”

26:53 Pharaoh then dispatched messengers throughout the cities:

26:54 “These people are just a small gang.

26:55 Yet, they provoked our wrath.

26:56 But we are a united and vigilant multitude.”

26:57 Thus, We drove them out of gardens and springs.

26:58 And from treasured, luxurious homes.

26:59 Thus it was, and We passed it to the Children of Israel.

26:60 And they pursued them towards the east.

26:61 When the two groups sighted each other, Moses’ companions said, “We are certainly being overtaken!”

26:62 He replied, “Never! My Lord is with me, He will guide me.”

26:63 We then revealed to Moses, “Strike the sea with your staff.” And it parted, and each side was like a towering mountain.

26:64 We then drew the others near.

26:65 Thus, We rescued Moses and all those with him.

26:66 Then We drowned the others.

26:67 There is a lesson in this, but most of them aren’t believers.

26:68 Certainly, your Lord is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

26:69 Relate to them the story of Abraham.

26:70 When he asked his father and his people, “What do you worship?”

26:71 They replied, “We worship idols, to which we are fervently devoted.”

26:72 He asked, “Can they hear you when you pray to them?

26:73 Can they benefit you or harm you?”

26:74 They responded, “But this is what we found our ancestors doing.”

26:75 He then challenged, “Did you ever consider what you worship?

26:76 You and your ancient forefathers?

26:77 They are enemies to me; but not so the Lord of the Worlds.

26:78 He who created me, and it is He who guides me.

26:79 He who provides me with food and drink.

26:80 And when I fall ill, it’s He who heals me.

26:81 He who will cause me to die, then revives me.

26:82 And He, in whom I aspire, will forgive my sins on Judgment Day.”

26:83 “My Lord, grant me sound judgment and include me among the righteous.

26:84 And grant me a reputation of truthfulness among the later generations.

26:85 And grant me a place among the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss.

26:86 And forgive my father; he was among those astray.

26:87 And don’t disgrace me on the Day they are resurrected.

26:88 The Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit anyone.

26:89 Except for those who come to God with a pure heart.”

26:90 And Paradise will be brought near to the righteous.

26:91 And Hellfire will be unveiled for the deviants.

26:92 And it will be asked, “Where are those you used to worship?

26:93 Besides God? Can they help you, or help themselves?”

26:94 They will be flung into it, they and the deceitful.

26:95 And all of the forces of evil.

26:96 Therein, they will engage in heated disputes, proclaiming.

26:97 “By God, we were in manifest error.

26:98 When we equated you with the Lord of the worlds.

26:99 It was only the transgressors who misled us.

26:100 Now, we have no intercessors.

26:101 And no loyal friend.

26:102 If only we had another chance, so that we could be believers.”

26:103 There is a lesson in this, but most of them aren’t believers.

26:104 Your Lord, indeed, is the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

26:105 The people of Noah denied the messengers.

26:106 When their brother Noah said to them, “Will you not embrace righteousness?

26:107 I am a trustworthy messenger to you.

26:108 So fear God, and obey me.

26:109 I ask no compensation from you; my recompense is only from the Lord of the worlds.

26:110 So Fear God, and obey me.”

26:111 They responded, “Should we believe in you, when the lowest class follows you?”

26:112 He replied, “I have no knowledge of what they’ve been doing.

26:113 Their account is only with my Lord, if you could perceive.

26:114 And I am not going to drive away the believers.

26:115 I am only a clear warner.”

26:116 They warned, “Noah, if you don’t stop, you will be stoned.”

26:117 He pleaded, “My Lord, my people have rejected me.

26:118 Judge decisively between me and them, and rescue me and the believers with me.”

26:119 So We saved him and those with him in the laden Ark.

26:120 Then, We drowned the others.

26:121 There is a lesson in this, but most of them aren’t believers.

26:122 Indeed your Lord—He is the Almighty, the Merciful.

26:123 Aad denied the messengers.

26:124 When their brother Hud implored them, “Won’t you exercise restraint?

26:125 I am a trustworthy messenger to you.

26:126 So, revere God, and obey me.

26:127 I ask no reward from you; my recompense is only from the Lord of the worlds.

26:128 You erect monuments on every hill in vanity.

26:129 And you build strongholds, as if you will live forever.

26:130 And when you strike, you strike mercilessly.

26:131 So Fear God, and obey me.

26:132 Fear Him who supplied you with what you know.

26:133 He provided you with livestock and offspring.

26:134 And gardens and springs.

26:135 I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous day.”

26:136 They responded, “It makes no difference to us whether you lecture us or not.

26:137 This is nothing but the traditions of the ancients.

26:138 And we are not to be punished.”

26:139 They disbelieved him, and so We destroyed them. There is a lesson in this, but most of them aren’t believers.

26:140 Your Lord is the Exalted in Might, the Most Merciful.

26:141 Thamud denied the messengers.

26:142 When their brother Saleh urged them, “Will you not behave righteously?

26:143 I am a reliable messenger to you.

26:144 So, fear God and obey me.

26:145 I ask for no reward from you; my recompense is only from the Lord of the worlds.

26:146 Won’t you be secure in this?

26:147 In gardens and springs?

26:148 In fields and palm trees with tender and delicate shoots?

26:149 In skillfully carved homes within the mountains?

26:150 So Fear God, and obey me.

26:151 And don’t obey the command of the extravagant.

26:152 Those who spread corruption in the land and don’t reform.”

26:153 They replied, “You are under an enchantment.

26:154 You are just a man like us. So bring a sign, if you are truthful.”

26:155 He said, “This is a she-camel. She has her turn of drinking, and you have yours—each on a known day.

26:156 And don’t harm her, lest you be overtaken by the punishment of a terrible day.”

26:157 But they hamstrung her, and then they became remorseful.

26:158 So, the punishment seized them. There is a lesson in this, but most of them aren’t believers.

26:159 Your Lord is the Mighty, the Merciful.

26:160 The people of Lot denied the messengers.

26:161 When their brother Lot exhorted them, “Won’t you behave righteously?

26:162 I am a credible messenger to you.

26:163 So fear God, and obey me.

26:164 I ask no reward from you; my reward is only from the Lord of the realms.

26:165 Do you approach the males of the world?

26:166 And abandon the wives that your Lord created for you? But you are a transgressing people.”

26:167 They replied, “If you don’t stop, O Lot, you will be among those expelled.”

26:168 He responded, “I am of those who disapprove of your conduct.”

26:169 “O my Lord, save me and my family from their deeds.”

26:170 And so, We rescued him and his entire family.

26:171 Except an old woman with those who stayed behind.

26:172 Then We destroyed the others.

26:173 And We rained down on them a downpour. How terrible was the rain of those who had been warned!

26:174 There is a sign in this, but most of them aren’t believers.

26:175 Your Lord is the Almighty, the Merciful.

26:176 The inhabitants of the Forest denied the messengers.

26:177 When Shuaib pleaded with them, “Will you not embrace righteousness?

26:178 I am a trustworthy messenger to you.

26:179 So fear God, obey me.

26:180 I ask no payment from you; my payment is only from the Lord of the cosmos.

26:181 Give full measure and don’t shortchange.

26:182 And weigh with an even scale.

26:183 And don’t defraud people of their rights or commit abuse on earth.

26:184 And fear the One who created you and the earlier generations.”

26:185 They responded, “You are certainly among those bewitched.

26:186 You are but a man like us, and we think you are a liar.

26:187 Bring down upon us chunks of the sky, if you are truthful.”

26:188 He responded, “My Lord is more aware of your actions.”

26:189 They disbelieved him, so the punishment of the Day of the Shadow befell them: a day of immense suffering.

26:190 Therein lies a lesson, yet most of them refuse to believe.

26:191 Your Lord is the Almighty, the Merciful.

26:192 This is a revelation from the Lord of the universes.

26:193 The Trustworthy Spirit came down with it.

26:194 Upon your heart, so you may be among the warners.

26:195 In a clear Arabic language.

26:196 And it was foretold in the scriptures of old.

26:197 Is it not a sign for them that the learned among the Children of Israel recognize it?

26:198 Even if We had revealed it to a foreigner.

26:199 And he had recited it to them, they still wouldn’t have believed it.

26:200 Thus have caused it to enter the hearts of the criminals.

26:201 They won’t believe it until they witness the severe torment.

26:202 It will come upon them unexpectedly, while they are unaware.

26:203 Then, they will exclaim, “Could we be given more time?”

26:204 Are they trying to expedite Our punishment?

26:205 Consider this: even if We were to grant them enjoyment for years.

26:206 Then, what they were promised will come upon them.

26:207 All their enjoyed comforts won’t avail them.

26:208 Never did We destroy a township but it had warners.

26:209 As a reminder, for We were never unjust.

26:210 It is not revealed by the devils.

26:211 It is neither in their interest nor within their power.

26:212 They are barred from hearing.

26:213 So don’t call upon any other god with God, lest you be among the tormented.

26:214 And warn your close kin.

26:215 And be lenient with your followers who are believers.

26:216 If they disobey you, say, “I am innocent of what you do.”

26:217 And rely on the Almighty, the Most Merciful.

26:218 Who sees you when you stand.

26:219 And your movement among those who bow down.

26:220 He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.

26:221 Should I inform you upon whom the devils descend?

26:222 They descend upon every sinful liar.

26:223 They lend an ear, but most of them are liars.

26:224 As for the poets, those astray follow them.

26:225 Don’t you see how they ramble in every style?

26:226 And that they say what they don’t do?

26:227 Except for those who believe, perform righteous deeds, remember God often, and defend themselves after being wronged. Those who do wrong will soon know which way they will turn.