Cattle

1All praise is for Allah Who created the heavens and the earth and made darkness and light.

Yet the disbelievers make others equal to their Lord.

2He is the One Who created you from clay, then set a time for your death and another time known only to Him 'for your second life—yet you

continue to doubt!

3He is the Only True God in the heavens and the earth.

He knows whatever you hide and whatever you show, and knows whatever you do.

4Whenever a sign comes to them from their Lord, they turn away from it.

5They have already rejected the truth when it came to them, so they will soon face the consequences of their mocking.

6Have they not seen how many 'evil' peoples We destroyed before them?

We had made them more established in the land than you 'Makkans'.

We sent down lots of rain for them and made rivers flow at their feet.

In the end, We destroyed them for their sins and replaced them with other peoples.

7If We sent down to you 'O Prophet' a physical Book 'as they demanded' and they touched it with their own hands, still the disbelievers would have argued,

'This is just pure magic!

'

8They say, 'Why has no visible angel come down to 'support' him?

' But if We sent down an angel, it would have been over for them, and they would have never been given any extra time.

9And if We had sent an angel, We definitely would have made it look like a man, leaving them more confused than they already are.

10Indeed, other messengers were mocked before you 'O Prophet', but those who made fun of them were shocked by what they used to mock.

11Say, 'Travel throughout the land and see the fate of the deniers.

'

12Ask 'them, O Prophet', "Who owns everything in the heavens and the earth?

" Say, "Allah!

" He has taken upon Himself to be Merciful.

He will certainly gather 'all of you together for Judgment Day, about which there is no doubt.

But those who have ruined themselves will never believe.

13Whatever exists in the day and night belongs to Him.

And He hears and knows 'everything'.

14Say, "O Prophet, 'How can I take any guardian other than Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, Who provides for everyone but needs nothing?

'" Say, "I have been commanded to be the first to submit and not to be one of the idol-worshippers.

"

15Say, "I truly fear the punishment of a horrible Day if I ever disobey my Lord.

"

16Whoever is saved from the punishment on that Day will have really been shown Allah's mercy.

And that is truly the highest success.

17If Allah touches you with harm, none can undo it except Him.

And if He touches you with a blessing, He has power over all things.

18He is the Supreme Master over His creation.

And He is the Wise and fully Aware.

19Ask 'them, O Prophet', "Who is the best witness?

" Say, "Allah is!

He is a Witness between me and you.

This Quran has been revealed to me so I can use it to warn you, along with whoever it reaches.

Do you 'Makkans' claim that there are other gods besides Allah?

" 'Then' say, "I can never accept that!

" 'And' say, "There is only One God.

And I totally reject whatever 'idols' you make equal to Him.

"

20Those We had given the Book recognize him "to be a true prophet" just as they recognize their own children.

But those who have ruined themselves will never believe.

21Who does more wrong than those who make up lies against Allah or reject His signs?

Indeed, those doing wrong will never succeed.

22Watch for' the Day We will gather them all together and then ask those who made others equal to Allah, "Where are those gods you used to claim?

"

23They will only come up with this lame argument: "By Allah, our Lord!

We never made anyone Your equal.

"

24See how they will lie about themselves and how their fake gods will fail them!

25There are some of them who pretend to' listen to your recitation 'of the Quran', but We have covered their hearts—making them unable to understand it—and blocked their

ears.

Even if they saw every sign, they still would not believe in them.

The disbelievers 'even' come to argue with you, saying, "This 'Quran' is just a bunch of fairy tales!

"

26They turn others away from the Prophet and distance themselves as well.

They ruin none but themselves, yet they do not realize it.

27If only you could see when they will be held 'in front of' the Fire!

They will cry, "Oh no!

If only we could be sent back, we would never reject the revelations of our Lord, and we would become believers.

"

28But no!

'They only say this' because the truth they used to hide will become all too clear to them.

Even if they were sent back, they would definitely do what they were told not to do.

They are such liars!

29They insisted, "There is nothing after this life and we will never be raised back from the dead.

"

30But if only you could see when they will be detained in front of their Lord!

He will ask them, "Is this 'Second Life' not real?

" They will cry, "Absolutely, by our Lord!

" He will say, "Then taste the punishment for your disbelief.

"

31Those who deny the meeting with Allah are really lost.

But once the Hour 'of Judgment' takes them by surprise, they will cry, "Oh no!

We are doomed for ignoring this!

" They will carry the burden of their sins on their backs.

How horrible is what they will carry!

32The life of this world is no more than play and entertainment.

But the 'eternal' Home of the Next Life is truly far better for those who keep Allah in mind.

Will you not then understand?

33We know that what they say really bothers you 'O Prophet'.

In fact, they do not doubt your honesty, but those doing wrong 'actually' reject Allah's revelations.

34Other messengers were already rejected before you, but they were patient with rejection and mistreatment until Our help came to them.

Allah's 'promise to help' is never broken.

And you have already received some of the stories of these messengers.

35If you cannot put up with their rejection, then build a tunnel through the earth—if you can—or stairs to the sky to bring them a 'bigger' sign.

If Allah wanted, He could have easily forced guidance upon all of them.

So do not be one of those ignorant 'of this fact'.

36Only those who pay attention will respond 'to your call.

As for the dead, Allah will raise them up, then to Him they will be returned.

37Now, they argue, 'Why has no 'other' sign been sent down to him from his Lord?

' Say, 'O Prophet, "Allah certainly has the power to send down a sign," even though most of them do not know.

38All the creatures roaming the earth and birds flying with wings belong to communities like yourselves.

We have left nothing out of the Book.

' In the end, all with be gathered to their Lord 'for Judgment'.

39Those who reject Our revelations choose to be deaf and mute, lost in darkness.

Allah leaves whoever He wants to stray and guides whoever He wants to the Straight Way.

40Ask 'them, O Prophet, "Imagine if you were hit by Allah's punishment or the Hour 'of Judgment'—would you call upon anyone other than Allah for help', if what

you claim is true?

"

41No!

He is the only One you would call.

And if He wanted, He could 'easily' remove what made you call Him, then you would 'totally' forget whatever 'idols' you make equal to Him.

"

42We have already sent 'messengers' before you to other people 'but they disbelieved', then We put them through suffering and hardship, so that they might be humbled.

43Why did they not humble themselves when We made them suffer?

Instead, their hearts became hard, and Satan made their misdeeds look good to them.

44When they kept ignoring the warnings, We showered them with everything they desired.

But just as they became too proud of what they were given, We took them by surprise, then they immediately lost all hope!

45So those doing wrong were totally wiped out.

And all praise is for Allah, Lord of the universe.

46Ask them, 'O Prophet', "Imagine if Allah took away your hearing or sight, or sealed your hearts.

Which god other than Allah could restore them for you?

" See how we explain the lessons in different ways, yet they still turn away.

47Ask them, "Imagine if Allah's punishment hits you with or without warning—who would be destroyed except those doing wrong?

"

48We only send the messengers to give good news and warnings.

Then whoever believes and does what is right, there will be no fear for them and they will never be sad.

49But those who reject Our signs will be hit with punishment for crossing all lines.

50Say, 'O Prophet,' "I am not telling you that I own Allah's treasures or know the unseen, and I do not claim to be an angel.

I only follow what is revealed to me.

" Say, "Are those blind 'to the truth' equal to those who can see?

Will you not then reflect?

"

51Use this Quran to warn those who are worried about being gathered in front of their Lord—when they will have no one instead of Him to protect them

or speak in their defence—so perhaps they will continue to avoid evil.

52Do not expel those 'poor believers' who call their Lord morning and evening, hoping to please Him.

You are not responsible for them at all, and they are not responsible for you.

So do not expel them, or you will be one of those doing wrong.

53This is how We make some people a test for others, so those 'arrogant Makkans' will say, "Has Allah favoured these 'nobodies' out of all of us?

" Does Allah not know best those who are grateful?

54When those who believe in Our revelations come to you 'O Prophet', say, "Peace be upon you!

Your Lord has taken upon Himself to be Merciful.

So, whoever among you does evil recklessly but later repents and does what is right, then Allah is truly Forgiving and Merciful.

"

55This is how We make Our signs clear, so the way of the wicked will be exposed.

56Say, 'O Prophet,' "I have been forbidden to worship those 'false gods' you call besides Allah.

" Say, "I will not follow your desires.

Otherwise, I would lose my way and fail to be 'rightly' guided.

"

57Say, "I truly have a clear proof from my Lord, which you have rejected.

That 'punishment' you want to speed up is not within my power.

Judgment rests with none but Allah.

He declares the truth, and He is the best of judges.

"

58Say, 'O Prophet,' "If I had that 'punishment' you want to hasten, the matter would have been settled between me and you.

But Allah knows best those who are unjust.

"

59With Him are the keys of the unseen—no one knows them except Him.

And He knows what is in the land and sea.

Not even a leaf falls without His knowledge.

And there is no grain in the darkness of the earth or anything—green or dry—that is not 'written' in a perfect Record.

60He is the One Who calls back your souls by night and knows what you do by day, then brings you back to life every morning until you

reach the end set for you.

To Him is your 'final' return, then He will make you realize what you did.

61He is the Supreme Master over His creation, and He sends recording-angels to watch over you.

When death comes to any of you, Our angels take their soul, never neglecting this duty.

62Then they are 'all' returned to Allah, their True Master.

Judgment is truly His.

And He is the fastest Judge.

63Say, 'O Prophet,' "Who saves you from the darkest times on land and at sea, when you cry out to Him with humility, publicly and secretly: 'If He

rescues us from this, we will always be grateful!

'"

64Say, "It is Allah Who saves you from this and any other disaster, yet you make others equal to Him.

"

65Say, "He alone has the power to unleash upon you punishments from above or below, or split you into clashing groups, and make you taste the violence of

each other.

" See how We explain the lessons in different ways so that they might understand.

66Still your people 'O Prophet' have rejected this 'Quran', although it is the truth.

Say, "I am not a keeper over you.

"

67Every matter has a set time 'to happen'.

You all will soon see.

68And when you come across those who mock Our revelations, do not sit with them unless they change the topic.

But if Satan makes you forget, then once you remember, 'do not continue to' sit with those who do wrong.

69The faithful are not responsible for those who mock 'it' at all—their duty is to advise the mockers, so perhaps they will stop.

70And stay away from those who mock this faith for fun and are deceived by the life of this world.

But continue to remind 'everyone' by this 'Quran', so no one will be ruined for their misdeeds when they will have no one except Allah to protect them

or speak in their defence.

And even if they offer everything to save themselves, none of it will be accepted from them.

Those 'mockers' will be ruined for their misdeeds.

They will have a boiling drink and painful punishment for their disbelief.

71Ask them, 'O Prophet,' "Should we call—instead of Allah—those 'idols' that cannot benefit or harm us, and turn back to disbelief after Allah has guided us?

This would be like a man who is misguided and confused by devils in the desert, even though his friends call him to guidance, 'saying, 'Come to us!

' Say, 'O Prophet, "Allah's guidance is the only true guidance.

And we are commanded to submit to the Lord of the universe,'

72pray salah, and keep Him in mind.

To Him you will all be gathered 'for judgment'.

73He is the One Who created the heavens and the earth for a reason.

On the Day He says, 'Be!

' it will be!

What He says is the absolute truth.

All authority is His 'alone' on the Day the Horn will be blown.

He is the Knower of the seen and unseen.

And He is the Wise and fully Aware.

74And 'remember when Ibrahim said to his father, Aazar, "How can you take idols as gods?

It is clear to me that you and your people are totally misguided.

"

75Also, We showed Ibrahim the wonders of the heavens and the earth in order for him to be sure in faith.

76One night, when it became all dark, he saw a star and said to his people, "Ah!

This is my Lord!

" But when it set, he said, "I do not love things that set.

"

77Then when he saw the moon rising, he said, "This one is my Lord!

" But when it disappeared, he said, "If my Lord does not guide me, I will definitely be one of the misguided people.

"

78Then when he saw the sun shining, he said, "This must be my Lord—it is much bigger!

" But again when it set, he declared, "O my people!

I totally reject whatever 'objects' you make equal to Allah.

79I have turned my face towards the One Who created the heavens and the earth—being upright—and I am not one of the idol-worshippers!

"

80Still, his people argued with him.

He responded, "Are you arguing with me about Allah, when He has guided me?

I am not afraid of whatever 'false gods' you make equal to Him—nothing can happen to me without my Lord's permission.

My Lord has perfect knowledge of everything.

Will you not then come back to your senses?

81And how can I fear your false gods, when you have no fear of making others equal to Allah—a practice He has never approved?

Which side has more right to feel secure?

'Tell me' if you really know!

"

82Only those who believe and do not spoil their faith with wrong 'beliefs' deserve to feel secure and are 'rightly' guided.

83This was the 'powerful' argument We gave Ibrahim against his people.

We raise the rank of whoever We want.

Surely your Lord has perfect wisdom and knowledge.

84And We blessed Ibrahim with Ishaq and Ya'qub.

We guided them all, as We guided Nuh before, and those among his children: Dawood, Sulaiman, Aiyub, Yusuf, Musa, and Harun.

This is how We reward those doing good.

85Also, We Zakariya, Yahya, 'Isa, and Ilyas, who were all of the faithful.

86'We did the same with' Isma'il, Al-Yasa', Yunus, and Lut, favouring each over all others.

87And 'We favoured' some of their fathers, children, and brothers.

We chose them and guided them to the Straight Path.

88This is Allah's guidance with which He guides whoever He wants of His servants.

If they ever made others equal to Him, all their 'good' deeds would have been wasted.

89Those were the ones We blessed with the Book, wisdom, and prophethood.

But if these 'Makkans' disbelieve in 'this message', then We have already trusted it to others who will never disbelieve in it.

90Those 'prophets' were 'rightly' guided by Allah, so follow their guidance.

Say, "I am not asking you for any fee for this Quran—it is a reminder to the whole world.

"

91They have not shown Allah the respect He deserves when they said, "Allah has revealed nothing to any human being.

" Say, 'O Prophet, "Who then revealed the Book that Musa came with as a light and guidance for people, which you split into separate sheets—showing some and

hiding many?

And you have been taught things 'through this Quran' that you and your fathers never knew.

" Say, 'O Prophet,' "Allah 'revealed it'!

" Then let them be busy with their nonsense.

92This 'Quran' is a blessed Book, which We have revealed—confirming what came before it—so you may warn the Mother of Cities and everyone around it.

Those who believe in the Next Life 'truly' believe in it and always keep up their salah.

93Who does more wrong than the one who makes up lies against Allah or claims, "I have received revelations!

"—even though nothing was revealed to them—or the one who claims, "I can match Allah's revelations!

"?

If you 'O Prophet' could only see those who did wrong when they suffer the pains of death while the angels are stretching out their hands 'yelling, "Give

up your souls!

Today you will be paid back with a humiliating punishment for telling lies about Allah and for being arrogant with His revelations!

"

94Now, you have come back to Us all alone as We created you the first time, leaving behind everything We gave you.

We do not see your idols—which you claimed were Allah's partners—speaking in your defence.

All your ties have been cut off, and whatever 'gods' you made up have let you down.

"