38:1  S.      (There is) Evidence of Al-Quran, possessor of the Message

38:2  Nay, those who have disbelieved (are) in false pride and opposition

38:3  How many a generation We have destroyed before them, so they called out (to Us) and it was not a time for a place of escape

38:4  And the people wondered that has come unto them a warner from amongst them. And the disbelievers said: “This is a magician, a liar

38:5  Has he made the aaliha (gods) into One Ilah? Verily, this indeed is a curious concept!”

38:6  And the leaders from among them moved away (disappointed, saying among themselves) that: “Get away, and remain constant to your aaliha. Verily, this (concept of One God) is indeed a thing designed (against us)

38:7  We heard not about this in the immediately previous community. It is not but an invention

38:8  Has Az-Zikr (The Message) been sent down to him (alone) from amongst us?” Nay, they are in doubt (and suspicion) against My Zikr. Behold! They have not yet tasted My Punishment

38:9  Or with them are the treasures of the Mercy of your Nourisher-Sustainer — the All-Mighty, the Real Bestower

38:10  Or for them is the dominion of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between those two? If so, let them ascend in the pathways (of the heavens)

38:11  (They are) a horde which is to become routed then and there (like one) of Al-Ahzab [the allied forces (destroyed, before them)]

38:12  Before them belied the nation of Nuh, and ’Ad and Firaun — of the pyramids

38:13  and Samud, and the nation of Lout, and the dwellers of Aika — they are Al-Ahzab

38:14  Not all, but belied the Messengers, so My retribution became justified (against them)

38:15  And all these await not but a single blast (a wild sound); (there is) no pause or interruption applicable to it

38:16  And they said: “Our Nourisher-Sustainer! Hasten to us Qittana [our portion (of the punishment)] prior to the Day of Reckoning .

38:17  Bear patiently what they say, and bring to mind Our abd Daud, (man) of a (strong) hand (i.e., a very powerful person). Surely he was ever-returning (to Allah — even when he committed a minor error)

38:18  Verily, We controlled and regulated the mountains alongwith him. They glorify (Allah, along with Daud) in the Ashi and Al-Ishraq

38:19  And (also We regulated and controlled) the birds assembled in formation. All (were those) who respond to him

38:20  And We strengthened his head of statedom and We delivered unto him Al-Hikmah (‘The Wisdom’. This is an attribute for Al-Kitab) and a decisive force to (his) address and speech

38:21  And has the news of the dispute reached you when men climbed over the wall of the fortified structure

38:22  When they entered in upon Daud, so he felt disturbed of them. They said: “Fear not, (we are) two disputants: some of us has transgressed against some (other), so judge between us with justice, and deviate not, and guide us to the rightness of the path

38:23  Verily, this is my brother; unto him are nine plus ninety ewes, while for me, one ewe (only). But he said: ' Hand over its control to me,' and he had been harsh to me in speech.

38:24  (Daud, without listening to the other party) said: " Surely, indeed he has wronged you in demanding your ewe (to go) towards his ewes. And verily, many of the partners: surely oppress, some of them, some (others) — except those who have Believed and did righteous deeds, and very little (are those) who are they." And (immediately) Daud realised that what (is a fact is that) we have put him to test (and that he should have given a patient hearing to the other party before producing comments against him), so he sought forgiveness of his Nourisher-Sustainer, and as one bowing down, he fell (in prostration) and turned (to Allah in repentance)

38:25  So We forgave this (slip) unto him. And surely, for him, with Us (is) indeed nearness, and excellence of abode

38:26  O Daud! Verily, We have placed you as a Khalifa (caliph) on the earth, so judge between mankind in full justice and follow not vain desire because that leads you astray against the Path of Allah. Surely, those who wander away from the Path of Allah, for them is a severe punishment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning

38:27  And We created not the heaven and the earth and whatever is between those two without purpose. That (happens to be the) view of those who have disbelieved. Then woe to those who have disbelieved — from the Fire (that awaits them)

38:28  Shall We treat those who have Believed (in the Book of Allah) and have done righteous deeds, like Mufsidun on the earth? Or shall We regard the Muttaqun (Pious and righteous), like the Fujjar

38:29  A Book, which We have sent down to you, full of blessings: that the people may ponder over its Verses, and that people of understanding may remind themselves and remind others

38:30  And to Daud We bestowed Sulaiman — how excellent an Abd! Surely, he (is) oft-returning (to Us, in repentance)

38:31  When there were brought for review before him, in the later part of afternoon, As-Safinat (noblest breed, well trained) Al-Jiyad (horses, specially desired in the military)