7:1  Alif. Lam. Mim. ?ad

7:2  [This is] a Book sent down unto thee—so let there be no constriction in thy breast because of it—that thou mayest warn thereby, and a Reminder for the believers

7:3  Follow that which has been sent down unto you from your Lord, and follow not any protectors apart from Him. Little do you reflect

7:4  How many a town have We destroyed! Our Might came upon them by night, or while they took their ease at midday

7:5  Their plea, when Our Might came upon them, was but to say, “Truly we were wrongdoers.

7:6  Then We shall surely question those unto whom Our message was sent, and We shall surely question the messengers

7:7  Then We shall recount unto them with knowledge, for We were never absent

7:8  And the weighing on that Day is true. So those whose balance is heavy, it is they who shall prosper

7:9  And as for those whose balance is light, it is they who have ruined their souls by having treated Our signs wrongfully

7:10  And We have indeed established you upon the earth and placed means of livelihood for you therein. Little do you give thanks

7:11  Indeed, We created you, then We formed you, then We said unto the angels, “Prostrate yourselves before Adam.” And they all prostrated, save Iblis; he was not among those who prostrated

7:12  He said, “What prevented thee from prostrating when I commanded thee?” He said, “I am better than him. Thou hast created me from fire, while Thou hast created him from clay.

7:13  He said, “Get down from it! It is not for thee to wax arrogant here. So go forth! Thou art surely among those who are humbled.

7:14  He said, “Grant me respite till the Day they are resurrected.

7:15  He said, “Truly thou art among those granted respite.

7:16  He said, “Because Thou hast caused me to err, I shall surely lie in wait for them on Thy straight path

7:17  Then I shall come upon them from in front of them and from behind them, and from their right and from their left. And Thou wilt not find most of them thankful.

7:18  He said, “Go forth from it, disgraced and banished! Whosoever among them follows you, I shall surely fill Hell with you all.

7:19  “O Adam! Dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and eat from wheresoever you two will, but approach not this tree, lest you two be among the wrongdoers.

7:20  Then Satan whispered to them, that he might expose to them that which was hidden from them of their nakedness. And he said, “Your Lord has only forbidden you this tree, lest you should become angels, or among those who abide [forever].

7:21  And he swore unto them, “Truly I am a sincere adviser unto you.

7:22  Thus he lured them on through deception. And when they tasted of the tree, their nakedness was exposed to them, and they began to sew together the leaves of the Garden to cover themselves. And their Lord called out to them, “Did I not forbid you from that tree, and tell you that Satan is a manifest enemy unto you?

7:23  They said, “Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If Thou dost not forgive us and have Mercy upon us, we shall surely be among the losers.

7:24  He said, “Get down, each of you an enemy to the other! There will be for you on earth a dwelling place, and enjoyment for a while.

7:25  He said, “Therein you shall live, and therein you shall die, and from there shall you be brought forth.

7:26  O Children of Adam! We have indeed sent down upon you raiment to cover your nakedness, and rich adornment. But the raiment of reverence, that is better. This is among the signs of God, that haply they may remember

7:27  O Children of Adam! Let not Satan tempt you, as he caused your parents to go forth from the Garden, stripping them of their raiment to show them their nakedness. Surely he sees you—he and his tribe—whence you see them not. We have indeed made the satans the friends of those who do not believe

7:28  When they commit an indecency, they say, “We found our fathers practicing it, and God has commanded us thus.” Say, “Truly God commands not indecency. Do you say of God that which you know not?

7:29  Say, “My Lord has commanded justice. So set your faces [toward Him] at every place of prayer, and call upon Him, devoting religion entirely to Him. Just as He originated you, so shall you return.

7:30  Some He has rightly guided, and some are deserving of error. Truly they took satans as their protectors apart from God and deem them rightly guided

7:31  O Children of Adam! Put on your adornment at every place of worship, and eat and drink, but be not prodigal. Truly He loves not the prodigal

7:32  Say, “Who has forbidden the adornment of God, which He has brought forth for His servants, and the good things among [His] provision?” Say, “These are for those who believe, in the life of this world, and on the Day of Resurrection they are for them alone.” Thus do We expound the signs for a people who know

7:33  Say, “My Lord has only forbidden indecencies—both outward and inward—and sin, and tyranny without right, and that you should ascribe partners unto God, for which He has sent down no authority, and that you should say of God that which you know not.

7:34  And for every community there is a term appointed. When their term comes, they shall not delay it by a single hour, nor shall they advance it

7:35  O Children of Adam! Should there come unto you messengers from among yourselves, recounting My signs unto you, then whosoever is reverent and makes amends, no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve

7:36  But those who deny Our signs and treat them with disdain, it is they who are the inhabitants of the Fire. They shall abide therein

7:37  And who does greater wrong than one who fabricates a lie against God or denies His signs? For such as these, their portion of the book will reach them, till, when Our messengers come to take them away, they will say, “Where is that which you used to call upon apart from God?” They will respond, “They have forsaken us.” And they bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers

7:38  He will say, “Enter the Fire among communities of jinn and men that have passed away before you!” Every time a community enters, it curses its sister, till, when they have all successively arrived there, the last of them will say of the first of them, “Our Lord, it was they who led us astray; so give them a double punishment in the Fire.” He will say, “For each of you it shall be doubled, but you know not.

7:39  And the first of them will say to the last of them, “You are no better than us; so taste the punishment for that which you have earned.

7:40  Truly those who deny Our signs and wax arrogant against them, the gates of Heaven shall not be opened for them, nor shall they enter the Garden till the camel pass through the eye of the needle. Thus do We recompense the guilty

7:41  Hell shall be their resting place, with coverings above them. And thus do We recompense the wrongdoers

7:42  As for those who believe and perform righteous deeds—We task no soul beyond its capacity—it is they who are the inhabitants of the Garden; they shall abide therein

7:43  And We shall remove whatever rancor lies within their breasts. Rivers shall run below them. And they will say, “Praise be to God, Who guided us unto this. We would not have been rightly guided, had God not guided us. The messengers of our Lord certainly brought the truth.” And a call will be made unto them, “This is the Garden. You have inherited it for that which you used to do.

7:44  The inhabitants of the Garden will call out to the inhabitants of the Fire, “We have found that which our Lord promised us to be true. Have you found that which your Lord promised to be true?” They will respond, “Yes.” Thereupon a herald shall proclaim in their midst, “The curse of God be upon the wrongdoers!

7:45  Those who turn from the way of God and seek to make it crooked, disbelieving in the Hereafter

7:46  And there will be a veil between them. And upon the Heights are men who know all by their marks. They will call out to the inhabitants of the Garden, “Peace be upon you!” They will not have entered it, though they hope

7:47  And when their eyes turn toward the inhabitants of the Fire, they will say, “Our Lord! Place us not among the wrongdoing people!

7:48  And the inhabitants of the Heights will call out to men whom they know by their marks, “Your accumulating has not availed you, nor has your waxing arrogant

7:49  Are these the ones concerning whom you swore that God would not extend any mercy?” “Enter the Garden! No fear shall come upon you, nor shall you grieve.

7:50  The inhabitants of the Fire will call out to the inhabitants of the Garden, “Pour some water down upon us, or some of that which God has provided you.” They will respond, “Truly God has forbidden them both to the disbelievers,

7:51  who took their religion to be diversion and play, and were deluded by the life of this world. So this Day We forget them, as they forgot the meeting with this Day of theirs, and as they used to reject Our signs

7:52  We have indeed brought them a Book, which We have expounded with knowledge, as a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe

7:53  Do they wait for aught save the full disclosure thereof? The Day when its full disclosure comes, those who forgot it beforehand will say, “The messengers of our Lord indeed brought the truth! Have we any intercessors who might intercede for us? Or might we be returned, that we might do other than what we used to do?” They have surely lost their souls, and that which they used to fabricate has forsaken them

7:54  Truly your Lord is God, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then mounted the Throne. He causes the night to cover the day, which pursues it swiftly; and the sun, the moon, and the stars are made subservient by His Command. Do not creation and command belong to Him? Blessed is God, Lord of the worlds

7:55  Call upon your Lord humbly and in secret. Truly He loves not the transgressors

7:56  And work not corruption upon the earth after it has been set aright, but call upon Him in fear and in hope. Surely the Mercy of God is ever nigh unto the virtuous

7:57  He it is Who sends the winds as glad tidings ahead of His Mercy, so that when they bear heavy-laden clouds, We may drive them toward a land that is dead, and send down water upon it, and thereby bring forth every kind of fruit. Thus shall We bring forth the dead, that haply you may remember

7:58  As for the good land, its vegetation comes forth by the leave of its Lord. And as for the bad, it comes forth but sparsely. Thus do We vary the signs for a people who give thanks

7:59  Indeed, We sent Noah unto his people, and he said, “O my people! Worship God! You have no god other than Him. Truly I fear for you the punishment of a tremendous day!

7:60  The notables among his people said, “Truly we think that you are in manifest error.

7:61  He said, “O my people! There is no error in me, but rather I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds

7:62  I deliver unto you the messages of my Lord, and advise you sincerely, and I know from God what you know not

7:63  Or do you marvel that a reminder from your Lord should come unto you by means of a man from among yourselves, so as to warn you, that you might be reverent, and that haply you may receive mercy?

7:64  Yet they denied him. So We saved him and those who were with him in the Ark, and We drowned those who denied Our signs. Truly they were a blind people

7:65  And unto ?Ad, their brother, Hud. He said, “O my people! Worship God! You have no god other than Him. Will you not be reverent?

7:66  The notables among his people who disbelieved said, “Truly we think that you are foolish, and we consider you to be among the liars.

7:67  He said, “O my people! There is no foolishness in me, but rather I am a messenger from the Lord of the worlds

7:68  I deliver unto you the messages of my Lord, and truly I am a trustworthy adviser unto you

7:69  Or do you marvel that a reminder from your Lord should come to you by means of a man from among yourselves, so as to warn you? Remember when He made you vicegerents after the people of Noah, and increased you amply in stature. So remember the boons of God, that haply you may prosper.

7:70  They said, “Have you come unto us so that we may worship God alone, and leave aside what our fathers worshipped? Then bring upon us that wherewith you have threatened us, if you are truthful.

7:71  He said, “Defilement and wrath have already come upon you from your Lord. Do you dispute with me over names that you have named—you and your fathers—for which God has sent down no authority? Then wait! Truly I am waiting along with you.

7:72  So We saved him and those who were with him through a mercy from Us, and We cut off the last remnant of those who denied Our signs and were not believers

7:73  And unto Thamud, their brother, ?ali?. He said, “O my people! Worship God! You have no god other than Him. There has come unto you a clear proof from your Lord. This she-camel of God is a sign unto you. Leave her to graze freely on God’s earth, and cause her no harm, lest a painful punishment seize you

7:74  Remember when He made you vicegerents after ?Ad and settled you on the earth: you build castles for yourselves on the open plain and hew dwellings in the mountains. So remember the boons of God, and behave not wickedly upon the earth, working corruption.

7:75  The notables among his people who were arrogant said to those among them who believed and whom they deemed weak, “Do you know that ?ali? has been sent by his Lord?” They said, “Truly we believe in that wherewith he has been sent.

7:76  Those who were arrogant said, “Truly we believe not in that which you believe.

7:77  So they hamstrung the she-camel and insolently defied the Command of their Lord. And they said, “O ?ali?! Bring upon us that wherewith you have threatened us, if you are among those sent [by God].

7:78  So the earthquake seized them, and morning found them lying lifeless in their abode

7:79  So he turned away from them and said, “O my people! I indeed delivered unto you the message of my Lord, and advised you sincerely, but you love not sincere advisers.

7:80  And Lot, when he said to his people, “What! Do you commit an indecency such as none in the world committed before you

7:81  Verily you come with desire unto men instead of women. Indeed, you are a prodigal people!

7:82  And the reply of his people was but to say, “Expel them from your town! Truly they are a people who keep themselves pure.

7:83  So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; she was among those who lagged behind

7:84  And We sent down a rain upon them; so behold how the guilty fared in the end

7:85  And unto Midian, their brother, Shu?ayb. He said, “O my people! Worship God! You have no god other than Him. There has come unto you a clear proof from your Lord. So observe fully the measure and the balance and diminish not people’s goods, nor work corruption upon the earth after it has been set aright. That is better for you, if you are believers

7:86  And do not lie in wait on every path, threatening and turning away those who believe in Him from the way of God, and seeking to make it crooked. And remember when you were few, and He made you many. And behold how the workers of corruption fared in the end

7:87  If a group of you believe in that wherewith I have been sent, and a group of you believe not, then be patient till God shall judge between us, and He is the best of judges.

7:88  The notables among his people who were arrogant said, “We shall surely expel you, O Shu?ayb, and those who believe along with you from our town, unless you revert to our creed.” He said, “What! Even though we are unwilling

7:89  We would be fabricating a lie against God were we to revert to your creed after God had delivered us from it. It is not for us to revert thereto unless God, our Lord, should will. Our Lord encompasses all things in knowledge. In God do we trust. Our Lord! Decide between us and our people in truth, and Thou art the best of deciders.

7:90  The notables among his people who disbelieved said, “Verily if you follow Shu?ayb, you shall surely be the losers.

7:91  So the earthquake seized them, and morning found them lying lifeless in their abode

7:92  Those who denied Shu?ayb, it was as though they had never dwelt there. Those who denied Shu?ayb, they themselves were the losers

7:93  So he turned away from them and said, “O my people! I indeed delivered unto you the messages of my Lord, and advised you sincerely. So how can I grieve for a disbelieving people?

7:94  We sent no prophet to a town but that We seized its people with misfortune and hardship, that haply they would humble themselves

7:95  Then We replaced evil [circumstances] with good, till they multiplied and said, “Hardship and ease visited our fathers [as well].” Then We seized them suddenly, while they were unaware

7:96  Had the people of the towns believed and been reverent, We would surely have opened unto them blessings from Heaven and earth. But they denied, so We seized them for that which they used to earn

7:97  Did the people of the towns feel secure from Our Might coming upon them by night, while they were sleeping

7:98  Or did the people of the towns feel secure from Our Might coming upon them in broad daylight, while they were playing

7:99  Did they feel secure from God’s plotting? None feels secure from God’s plotting, save the people who are losers

7:100  Does it not serve as guidance unto those who inherited the earth after its [earlier] inhabitants that, if We willed, We could smite them for their sins and set a seal upon their hearts such that they would not hear

7:101  These are the towns whose stories We have recounted unto thee. Their messengers certainly brought them clear proofs, but they would not believe in what they had denied earlier. Thus does God set a seal upon the hearts of the disbelievers

7:102  We did not find most of them [faithful to their] pact. Indeed, We found most of them to be iniquitous

7:103  Then after them We sent Moses with Our signs unto Pharaoh and his notables, but they treated them wrongfully; so behold how the workers of corruption fared in the end

7:104  And Moses said, “O Pharaoh! I am truly a messenger from the Lord of the worlds

7:105  obligated to speak naught about God save the truth. I have brought you a clear proof from your Lord; so send forth with me the Children of Israel.

7:106  He said, “If you have brought a sign, then bring it forth, if you are among the truthful.

7:107  So he cast his staff and, behold, it was a serpent manifest

7:108  And he drew forth his hand and, behold, it was white to the onlookers

7:109  The notables among Pharaoh’s people said, “Truly this is a knowledgeable sorcerer

7:110  He desires to expel you from your land; so what do you command?

7:111  They said, “Put him and his brother off for a while, and send marshalers to the citie

7:112  to bring you every knowledgeable sorcerer.

7:113  And the sorcerers came unto Pharaoh. They said, “We shall surely have a reward if it is we who are victorious.

7:114  He said, “Yes, and indeed you shall be among those brought nigh.

7:115  They said, “O Moses! either you cast, or we will be the ones who cast.

7:116  He said, “Cast!” And when they cast, they bewitched the eyes of the people and struck them with awe, and they brought forth a mighty sorcery

7:117  And We revealed unto Moses, “Cast thy staff!” And, behold, it devoured all their deceptions

7:118  Thus the truth came to pass, and whatsoever they did was shown to be false

7:119  Then and there they were vanquished and turned back, humbled

7:120  And the sorcerers were cast down prostrate

7:121  They said, “We believe in the Lord of the worlds

7:122  the Lord of Moses and Aaron.

7:123  Pharaoh said, “You believe in him before I grant you leave! This is surely a plot you have devised in the city, that you might expel its people therefrom. Soon you shall know

7:124  I shall surely cut off your hands and your feet on alternate sides; then I shall surely crucify you all!

7:125  They said, “Truly we turn unto our Lord

7:126  You take vengeance upon us only because we believed in the signs of our Lord when they came unto us. Our Lord, shower us with patience, and let us die as submitters.

7:127  The notables among Pharaoh’s people said, “Will you leave Moses and his people to work corruption in the land and to leave you and your gods?” He said, “We shall slay their sons and spare their women. Truly we are above them, dominant.

7:128  Moses said unto his people, “Seek help from God and be patient. Truly the land belongs to God; He bequeaths it to whomsoever He will among His servants. And the end belongs to the reverent.

7:129  They said, “We were persecuted before you came to us, and after you came to us.” He said, “It may be that your Lord will destroy your enemies and make you vicegerents upon the earth, that He may observe how you behave.

7:130  And We indeed afflicted the House of Pharaoh with drought and a shortage of crops, that haply they would be reminded

7:131  But whenever good came to them, they would say, “This is ours.” And if an evil befell them, they would consider it an ill omen on account of Moses and those who were with him. Nay, their ill omen lies with God, though most of them know not

7:132  And they said, “Whatever sign you may bring to bewitch us thereby, we will not believe in you.

7:133  So We sent against them the flood and the locusts, and the lice and the frogs and the blood—signs expounded. But they waxed arrogant, and they were a guilty people

7:134  And when the torment came down upon them, they said, “O Moses! Call upon your Lord for us by the covenant He has made with you. If you lift this torment from us, we shall surely believe in you, and we shall surely send forth the Children of Israel with you.

7:135  But when We lifted the torment from them, for a term they were to fulfill, behold, they reneged

7:136  So We took vengeance upon them and drowned them in the sea for their having denied Our signs and for having been heedless of them

7:137  And We bequeathed unto the people who were oppressed the eastern and western parts of the land that We blessed. And the most beautiful Word of thy Lord was fulfilled for the Children of Israel because they were patient. And We demolished all that Pharaoh and his people had wrought and that which they used to build

7:138  And We brought the Children of Israel across the sea, and they came upon a people clinging to their idols. They said, “O Moses! Make for us a god as they have gods.” He said, “Truly you are an ignorant people

7:139  As for these, what they practice shall perish, and vain is that which they used to do.

7:140  He said, “Shall I seek for you a god other than God, when He has favored you above the worlds?

7:141  And when We saved you from the House of Pharaoh, who inflicted terrible punishment upon you, slaying your sons and sparing your women. And in this was a great trial from your Lord

7:142  And We appointed for Moses thirty nights, and We completed them with ten [more]; thus was completed the appointed term of his Lord: forty nights. And Moses said unto his brother, Aaron, “Take my place among my people, set matters aright, and follow not the way of those who work corruption.

7:143  And when Moses came to Our appointed meeting and his Lord spoke unto him, he said, “My Lord, show me, that I might look upon Thee.” He said, “Thou shalt not see Me; but look upon the mountain: if it remains firm in its place, then thou wilt see Me.” And when his Lord manifested Himself to the mountain, He made it crumble to dust, and Moses fell down in a swoon. And when he recovered, he said, “Glory be to Thee! I turn unto Thee in repentance, and I am the first of the believers.

7:144  He said, “O Moses! Verily I have chosen thee above mankind through My messages and My speaking [unto thee]. So take that which I have given thee, and be among the thankful.

7:145  And We wrote for him upon the Tablets an exhortation concerning all things, and an elaboration of all things. “Take hold of them with strength, and command thy people to hold to the best of them. Soon I shall show thee the abode of the iniquitous.

7:146  I shall turn away from My signs those who wax arrogant upon the earth without right. Even if they were to see every sign, they would not believe in them. And if they were to see the way of sound judgment, they would not take it as a way, but if they were to see the way of error, they would take it as a way. That is because they denied Our signs and were heedless of them

7:147  As for those who deny Our signs and the meeting of the Hereafter, their deeds have come to naught. Are they recompensed for aught save that which they used to do

7:148  And while he was away, the people of Moses took a calf [made] from their ornaments—a body that lowed. Did they not consider that it spoke not unto them, nor guided them to any way? They took it up, and they were wrongdoers

7:149  And when they wrung their hands and saw that they had gone astray, they said, “If our Lord does not have mercy upon us and forgive us, we shall surely be among the losers!

7:150  And when Moses returned unto his people angry and aggrieved, he said, “How evil is the course you have followed after me! Would you hasten the Command of your Lord?” And he cast down the Tablets and seized his brother by the head, dragging him toward himself. He said, “Son of my mother! Truly the people deemed me weak, and they were about to kill me. So let not the enemies rejoice in my misfortune, and place me not with the wrongdoing people.

7:151  He said, “My Lord, forgive me and my brother and bring us into Thy Mercy, for Thou art the most Merciful of the merciful.

7:152  As for those who took up the calf, anger from their Lord shall seize them, and abasement in the life of this world. Thus do We recompense those who fabricate

7:153  But as for those who commit evil deeds and then repent thereafter and believe, surely, thereafter, thy Lord is Forgiving, Merciful

7:154  And when the anger abated from Moses, he took up the Tablets; and in their inscription lay a guidance and a mercy for those who are in awe of their Lord

7:155  And Moses chose seventy men from his people for Our meeting. And when the earthquake seized them, he said, “My Lord! Hadst Thou willed, Thou wouldst have destroyed them and me beforehand. Wilt Thou destroy us for that which the fools among us have done? It is naught but Thy trial, whereby Thou leadest astray whomsoever Thou wilt, and guidest whomsoever Thou wilt. Thou art our Protector, so forgive us and have mercy upon us, and Thou art the best of forgivers

7:156  And prescribe good for us in the life of this world, and in the Hereafter; truly we have turned unto Thee.” He said, “I cause My Punishment to smite whomsoever I will, though My Mercy encompasses all things. I shall prescribe it for those who are reverent, and give alms, and those who believe in Our signs

7:157  those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find inscribed in the Torah and the Gospel that is with them, who enjoins upon them what is right, and forbids them what is wrong, and makes good things lawful for them, and forbids them bad things, and relieves them of their burden and the shackles that were upon them. Thus those who believe in him, honor him, help him, and follow the light that has been sent down with him; it is they who shall prosper.

7:158  Say, “O mankind! Truly I am the Messenger of God unto you all—Him to Whom belongs Sovereignty over the heavens and the earth. There is no god but He. He gives life and causes death. So believe in God and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, who believes in God and His Words; and follow him, that haply you may be guided.

7:159  And among the people of Moses is a community that guides by the truth and does justice thereby

7:160  And We divided them into twelve tribes, communities. And We revealed to Moses, when his people asked him for water, “Strike the rock with thy staff.” Then twelve springs gushed forth from it: all the people knew their drinking place. And We shaded them with clouds, and sent down manna and quails upon them, “Eat of the good things We have provided you.” And they wronged Us not, but themselves did they wrong

7:161  And when it was said unto them, “Settle in this town, and eat of that which is therein wheresoever you will, and say, ‘Remove the burden!’ And enter the gate prostrating, that We may forgive you your iniquities. We shall increase the virtuous.

7:162  Then those among them who did wrong substituted a word other than that which had been said unto them. So We sent down upon them a torment from heaven for the wrong they used to do

7:163  And ask them about the town that was by the sea, when they transgressed the Sabbath. Their fish would come to them, surfacing on the day of their Sabbath, but on the day when they did not observe the Sabbath, they would not come to them. Thus did We try them for their having been iniquitous

7:164  And when a community among them said, “Why do you admonish a people whom God is about to destroy or punish with a severe punishment?” They said, “As an excuse before your Lord, and that haply they may be reverent.

7:165  And when they forgot that whereof they had been reminded, We saved those who forbade evil, and We seized those who did wrong with a dreadful punishment for their having committed iniquity

7:166  When they were insolent concerning that which they had been forbidden, We said unto them, “Be you apes, outcast.

7:167  And when thy Lord proclaimed that He would surely send against them, till the Day of Resurrection, those who would inflict upon them a terrible punishment. Truly thy Lord is swift in retribution, and truly He is Forgiving, Merciful

7:168  And We divided them into communities on the earth: some of them are righteous and some are otherwise. And We tried them with good things and with evil things, that haply they would return

7:169  Then a generation succeeded them who inherited the Book. They grasp the ephemeralities of this lower world and say, “It will be forgiven us.” And if other ephemeralities like them were to come their way, they would grasp them [also]. Did not the covenant of the Book commit them to say naught of God save the truth? They have studied what is in it. And the Abode of the Hereafter is better for those who are reverent. Will you not understand

7:170  As for those who cling to the Book and perform the prayer—surely We neglect not the reward of the workers of righteousness

7:171  And when We lifted the mountain above them, as if it were a canopy, and they thought it would fall upon them, “Take hold of that which We have given you with strength, and remember what is therein, that haply you may be reverent.

7:172  And when thy Lord took from the Children of Adam, from their loins, their progeny and made them bear witness concerning themselves, “Am I not your Lord?” they said, “Yea, we bear witness”—lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, “Truly of this we were heedless,

7:173  or lest you should say, “[It is] only that our fathers ascribed partners unto God beforehand, and we were their progeny after them. Wilt Thou destroy us for that which the falsifiers have done?

7:174  Thus do We expound the signs, that haply they may return

7:175  And recite unto them the account of the one to whom We gave Our signs, but he cast them off. So Satan made him his follower, and he became one of the deviant

7:176  Had We willed, We would surely have elevated him thereby, but he inclined toward the earth and followed his caprice. Thus his parable is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, and if you leave him alone, he lolls out his tongue. That is the likeness of the people who deny Our signs. So recount the stories, that haply they may reflect

7:177  Evil is the parable of the people who denied Our signs and wronged themselves

7:178  Whomsoever God guides, he is rightly guided; and whomsoever He leads astray, it is they who are the losers

7:179  We have indeed created for Hell many among jinn and men: they have hearts with which they understand not; they have eyes with which they see not; and they have ears with which they hear not. Such as these are like cattle. Nay, they are even further astray. It is they who are heedless

7:180  Unto God belong the Most Beautiful Names; so call Him by them, and leave those who deviate with regard to His Names. Soon they shall be recompensed for that which they used to do

7:181  And among those We have created, there is a community that guides by the truth and does justice thereby

7:182  And as for those who deny Our signs, We shall lead them on little by little, whence they know not

7:183  And I will grant them respite; truly My scheme is firm

7:184  Have they not reflected? There is no madness in their companion. He is naught but a clear warner

7:185  Or have they not contemplated the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and what things God has created, and that their term may already have drawn nigh? So in what discourse after this will they believe

7:186  Whomsoever God leads astray, no guide has he. And He leaves them to wander confused in their rebellion

7:187  They question thee about the Hour, when it will set in. Say, “Knowledge thereof lies only with my Lord. None save He shall manifest it at its proper time. Heavy shall it weigh upon the heavens and the earth. It shall not come upon you but suddenly.” They question thee as if thou knew it well. Say, “Knowledge thereof lies only with God, but most of mankind know not.

7:188  Say, “I have no power over what benefit or harm may come to me, save as God wills. Had I knowledge of the unseen, I would have acquired much good, and no evil would have touched me. I am naught save a warner and a bearer of glad tidings unto a people who believe

7:189  He it is Who created you from a single soul, and made from it its mate, that he might find rest in her. Then, when he covered her, she bore a light burden, and carried it about. But when she had grown heavy, they called upon God, their Lord, “If Thou giveth us a healthy child, we shall surely be among the thankful.

7:190  Then, when He gave them a healthy child, they ascribed partners unto Him with regard to that which He had given them. Exalted is God above the partners they ascribe

7:191  Do they ascribe as partners those who created naught and are themselves created

7:192  Those who can neither help them, nor help themselves

7:193  And if you call them to guidance, they follow you not. It is the same for you whether you call them or whether you remain silent

7:194  Truly those whom they call upon apart from God are servants like you. So call upon them! Let them answer you, if you are truthful

7:195  Have they feet with which they walk? Have they hands with which they grasp? Have they eyes with which they perceive? Have they ears with which they hear? Say, “Call upon your partners, then scheme against me, and grant me no respite

7:196  Truly my Protector is God, Who sent down the Book, and He protects the righteous

7:197  And those whom you call upon apart from Him can neither help you, nor help themselves.

7:198  If thou callest them unto guidance, they hear not. Thou seest them looking upon thee, but they see not

7:199  Take to pardoning, and enjoin right, and turn away from the ignorant

7:200  And should a temptation from Satan provoke thee, seek refuge in God. Truly He is Hearing, Knowing

7:201  Truly those who are reverent, when they are touched by a visitation from Satan, they remember; then behold, they see

7:202  But as for their brethren, they draw them ever further into error, and then they cease not

7:203  And when thou bringest them not a sign, they say, “Why do you not choose it?” Say, “I only follow that which is revealed unto me from my Lord. These are insights from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.

7:204  And when the Quran is recited, hearken unto it, and listen, that haply you may receive mercy

7:205  And remember thy Lord within thy soul, humbly and in awe, being not loud of voice, in the morning and the evening, and be not among those who are heedless

7:206  Surely those who are with thy Lord are not too arrogant to worship Him. And they glorify Him, and prostrate unto Him