38:2
But those who disbelieve are in pride and dissension.
38:3
How many generations have We destroyed before them, and they [then] called out; but it was not a time for escape.
38:4
And they wonder that a warner has come to them from among themselves. And the disbelievers say, "This is a magician and a liar.
38:5
Has he made the gods [only] one God? Indeed, this is a curious thing."
38:6
And the eminent among them went forth, [saying], "Continue and be patient over [the defense of] your gods. Indeed, this is an intended thing.
38:7
We have not heard of this in the latest religion. This is nothing but a fabrication.
38:8
Has the reminder been sent down to him out of [all of] us?" Rather, they are in doubt about My reminder. Rather, they have not yet tasted My punishment.
38:9
Or do they have the depositories of the mercy of your Lord, the Almighty, the Bestower?
38:10
Or is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them theirs? Then let them ascend through [any] ways of access.
38:11
[They are merely] soldiers [who will be] defeated there among the companies [of disbelievers].
38:12
The people of Noah denied before them, and [the tribe of] 'Aad and Pharaoh, the owner of stakes,
38:13
And [the tribe of] Thamud and the people of Lot and the companions of the thicket. Those are the companies.
38:14
Each of them denied the messengers, so My penalty was justified.
38:15
And these [disbelievers] do not await [anything] except for one blast [of the Trumpet]; there will be no delay for it.
38:16
And they say, "Our Lord, hasten our share [of the punishment] for us before the Day of Account."
38:17
Be patient over what they say and remember Our servant, David, the possessor of strength; indeed, he was one who repeatedly turned back [to God].
38:18
Indeed, We subjected the mountains [to praise] with him, exalting [God] in the [late] afternoon and sunrise.
38:19
And the birds were assembled, all repeating [praises] with him. *Psalms 148:7 - 10
38:20
And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and discernment in speech.
38:21
And has the news of the adversaries come to you, when they climbed over the wall of [his] prayer chamber -
38:22
When they entered upon David and he was alarmed by them? They said, "Do not fear. [We are] two adversaries, one of whom has wronged the other, so judge between us with truth and do not exceed [it] and guide us to the sound path.
38:23
Indeed this, my brother, has ninety-nine ewes, and I have one ewe; so he said, 'Entrust her to me,' *2 Samuel 12:1 - 4 and he overpowered me in speech."
38:24
[David] said, "He has certainly wronged you in demanding your ewe [in addition] to his ewes. *2 Samuel 12:5 - 6 And indeed, many associates oppress one another, except for those who believe and do righteous deeds - and they are few." And David became certain that We had tried him, and he asked for forgiveness from his Lord and fell down bowing [in prostration] and turned in repentance [to God].
38:25
So We forgave him for that; *2 Samuel 12:13 and indeed, there is nearness to Us for him, and a good place of return.
38:26
[We said], "O David, indeed We have made you a successor upon the earth, so judge between the people in truth and do not follow [your own] desire, as it will lead you astray from the way of God. Indeed, those who go astray from the way of God will have a severe punishment for having forgotten the Day of Account."
38:27
And We did not create the heaven and the earth and that between them aimlessly. *Isaiah 45:18 That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire.
38:28
Or should We treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like corrupters in the land? Or should We treat those who fear [God] like the wicked?
38:29
[This is] a blessed Book which We have sent down to you so that they might reflect upon its verses and so that those of understanding would be reminded.
38:30
And We gave Solomon to David - an excellent servant, indeed he was one repeatedly turning back [to God].
38:31
[Remember] when the excellent bred steeds were exhibited before him in the [late] afternoon.
38:32
And he said, "Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good [things] over the remembrance of my Lord [in prayer] until [the sun] disappeared into the curtain [of darkness]."
38:33
[He said], "Return them to me," and he set about [to] pass [his hand] over [their] legs and necks.
38:34
And We certainly tried Solomon and placed a body on his throne; then he turned [in repentence].
38:35
He said, "My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. *1 Kings 3:10 - 13, *2 Chronicles 1:11 - 12 Indeed, You are the Bestower."
38:36
So We subjected the wind to [Solomon], blowing gently by his command wherever he directed,
38:37
And [also] the devils [of jinn] - every builder *Testament of Solomon 11, *Testament of Solomon 30, *Testament of Solomon 42 and diver
38:38
And others bound together in shackles. *Testament of Solomon 20, *Testament of Solomon 21, *Testament of Solomon 34, *Testament of Solomon 107
38:39
[We said], "This is Our gift, so grant or withhold without account."
38:40
And indeed, there is nearness to Us for him, and a good place of return.
38:41
And remember Our servant Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, Satan has touched me with hardship and punishment."
38:42
[So he was told], "Strike [the ground] with your foot; this is a [spring for] a cool bath and drink."
38:43
And We granted him his family and a like [number] with them *Job 42:10 as mercy from Us and a reminder for those of understanding.
38:44
[We said], "And take a bunch in your hand and set forth with it and do not break your oath." Indeed, We found him patient, an excellent servant. Indeed, he was one repeatedly turning back [to God].
38:45
And remember Our servants, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - those of strength and vision.
38:46
Indeed, We chose them for an exclusive quality: remembrance of the home [of the Hereafter].
38:47
And indeed, they are among the chosen and the best to Us.
38:48
And remember Ishmael, Elisha and Dhul-Kifl, and all are among the best.
38:49
This is a reminder. And indeed, there is a good place of return for those who fear [God] -
38:50
Gardens of Eden, whose gates will be opened to them.
38:51
Reclining within them, they will call for abundant fruit and drink therein.
38:52
And companions of modest gaze and of equal age will be with them.
38:53
This is what you are promised for the Day of Account.
38:54
Indeed, this is Our provision; there is no depletion for it.
38:55
This [is so]. But indeed, there is an evil place of return for the transgressors -
38:56
Gehenna, which they will [enter to] burn, and it is wretched as a resting place.
38:57
This [is theirs] - scalding water and [foul] purulence - so let them taste it.
38:58
And other [punishments] of its type [in various] kinds.
38:59
[Its inhabitants will say], "This is a company bursting in with you. [There is] no welcome for them. Indeed, they will burn in the Fire."
38:60
They will say, "No! [There is] no welcome for you. You, [our leaders], brought this upon us, and it is wretched as a settlement."
38:61
They will say, "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us - increase the punishment by double for him in the Fire."
38:62
And they will say, "Why do we not see men whom we used to count among the worst?
38:63
Is it [because] we took them in ridicule, or has [our] vision turned away from them?"
38:64
Indeed, that is truth - the quarreling of the people of the Fire.
38:65
Say, "I am only a warner, and there is no god except God, *Deuteronomy 4:35, *Deuteronomy 4:39, *1 Samuel 2:2, *2 Samuel 7:22, *1 Kings 8:60, *Isaiah 44:6, *Isaiah 44:8, *Isaiah 45:5 - 6, *Isaiah 45:21, *Mark 12:32 the One, the Prevailing.
38:66
Lord of the heavens and the earth *Acts 17:24 and whatever is between them, the Almighty, the Perpetual Forgiver."
38:68
From which you turn away.
38:69
I had no knowledge of the exalted assembly [of angels] when they were disputing.
38:70
It has not been revealed to me except that I am a clear warner."
38:71
[So remember] when your Lord said to the angels, "Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay.
38:72
So when I have proportioned him and breathed My [Holy] Spirit into him, *Genesis 2:7, *2 Ezra 3:5 then fall down to him in prostration." *Hebrews 1:6
38:73
So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely.
38:74
Except Iblees; he was arrogant and became among the disbelievers.
38:75
[God] said, "O Iblees, what prevented you from prostrating to that which I created with My hands? Were you arrogant [then], or are you [now] among the haughty?"
38:76
He said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire and created him from clay." ~*Gospel of Barnabas 35:3
38:77
[God] said, "Then get out of [the Garden], for indeed, you are expelled.
38:78
And indeed, My curse is upon you until the Day of the Religion."
38:79
He said, "My Lord, then reprieve me until the Day they are resurrected."
38:80
[God] said, "So indeed, you are among those reprieved
38:81
Until the Day of the well-known time."
38:82
[Iblees] said, "By Your might, I will surely mislead them all,
38:83
Except for Your chosen servants among them."
38:84
[God] said, "The truth [is My oath], and the truth I say -
38:85
[That] I will surely fill Gehenna with you *John 16:11 and those of them who follow you all together."
38:86
Say, "I do not ask you for any payment for [the Qur'an], *Shepherd of Hermas 43:12 and I am not of the pretentious.
38:87
It is nothing except a reminder to the worlds.