Surah Ash-Shu'ara (The Poets) 26

Revealed 47th in the Qur'an

Read the Full Text in Modern English in the Chronological Order of Revelation with References to the Torah and the Gospel

26:1
Ta, Seen, Meem.

26:2
These are the verses of the clear Book.

26:3
Perhaps you would kill yourself with grief because they will not be believers.

26:4
If We willed, We could send down a sign to them from the heaven for which their necks would remain humbled.

26:5
And no reminder comes to them anew from the Most Gracious except that they turn away from it.

26:6
For they have already denied, but the news will come to them [concerning] that which they used to ridicule.

26:7
Did they not look at the earth - how much We have produced therein from every noble pair?

26:8
Indeed, there is a sign in that, but most of them are not believers.

26:9
And indeed, your Lord - He is the Almighty, the Merciful.

26:10
And when your Lord called Moses, [saying], "Go to the wrongdoing people -

26:11
The people of Pharaoh. Will they not fear [God]?"

26:12
He said, "My Lord, indeed I fear that they will deny me

26:13
And that my heart will tighten and my tongue will not proceed [to speak], *Exodus 4:10 so send for Aaron. *Exodus 4:13

26:14
And they have a sin upon me, so I fear that they will kill me."

26:15
[God] said, "No. Go with Our signs, both of you; indeed, We are listening with you.

26:16
Go to Pharaoh and say, 'We [have] a message from the Lord of the worlds -

26:17
That you send the Children of Israel with us.'" *Exodus 7:2

26:18
[Pharaoh] said, "Did we not raise you as a child among us, and you remained among us for years of your life?

26:19
And [then] you did your deed which you did, and you were among the disbelievers."

26:20
[Moses] said, "I did it then, while I was among those astray.

26:21
So I fled from you when I feared you. Then my Lord granted me wisdom and prophethood and appointed me [as one] of the messengers.

26:22
And is this a favor of which you remind me - that you have enslaved the Children of Israel?"

26:23
Pharaoh said, "And what is the Lord of the worlds?" *Exodus 5:2

26:24
[Moses] said, "The Lord of the heavens and earth and that between them, if you should be convinced."

26:25
[Pharaoh] said to those around him, "Do you not hear?"

26:26
[Moses] said, "Your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers."

26:27
[Pharaoh] said, "Indeed, your 'messenger' who has been sent to you is possessed [by devils of jinn]."

26:28
[Moses] said, "Lord of the east and the west and that between them, if you were to reason."

26:29
[Pharaoh] said, "If you take a god other than me, I will surely place you among those imprisoned."

26:30
[Moses] said, "Even if I brought you something clear?"

26:31
[Pharaoh] said, "Then bring it, if you should be among the truthful."

26:32
So [Moses] threw his staff, and suddenly it was a clear serpent.

26:33
And he drew out his hand; thereupon it was white for the observers.

26:34
[Pharaoh] said to the eminent [people] around him, "Indeed, this is a learned magician.

26:35
He wants to drive you out of your land by his magic, so what do you advise?"

26:36
They said, "Postpone [the matter of] him and his brother and send gatherers among the cities

26:37
Who will bring you every learned, skilled magician."

26:38
So the magicians were assembled for the appointment of a well-known day.

26:39
And it was said to the people, "Will you congregate

26:40
So that we might follow the magicians if they are predominant?"

26:41
And when the magicians arrived, they said to Pharaoh, "Is there indeed a reward for us if we are predominant?"

26:42
He said, "Yes, and indeed, you will then be among those near [to me]."

26:43
Moses said to them, "Throw whatever you will throw."

26:44
So they threw their ropes and their staffs and said, "By the might of Pharaoh, indeed it is we who are predominant."

26:45
Then Moses threw his staff, and at once it devoured what they falsified. ~*Exodus 7:12

26:46
So the magicians fell down in prostration [to God].

26:47
They said, "We have believed in the Lord of the worlds, ~*Exodus 8:19

26:48
The Lord of Moses and Aaron."

26:49
[Pharaoh] said, "You believed Moses before I gave you permission. Indeed, he is your leader who has taught you magic, but you are going to know. I will surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will surely crucify you all."

26:50
They said, "No harm. Indeed, we will return to our Lord.

26:51
Indeed, we aspire that our Lord will forgive our sins because we were the first of the believers."

26:52
And We inspired to Moses, "Travel with My servants *Leviticus 25:55 by night; *Exodus 12:42 indeed, you will be pursued."

26:53
Then Pharaoh sent gatherers amongst the cities

26:54
[And said], "Indeed, those are only a small band,

26:55
And indeed, they are enraging us,

26:56
And indeed, we are a cautious society..."

26:57
So We removed them from gardens and springs

26:58
And treasures and a noble place -

26:59
Thus. And We caused the Children of Israel to inherit it.

26:60
So they pursued them at sunrise.

26:61
And when the two companies saw one another, the companions of Moses said, "Indeed, we are to be overtaken!" *Exodus 14:10

26:62
[Moses] said, "No! Indeed, my Lord is with me; *Exodus 14:13 He will guide me."

26:63
Then We inspired to Moses, "Strike the sea with your staff," *Exodus 14:16 and it parted, and each portion was like a great towering mountain. *Book of Enoch 89:24, *Exodus 14:21 - 22

26:64
And We brought the others near there.

26:65
And We saved Moses and those with him, all together.

26:66
Then We drowned the others.

26:67
Indeed, there is a sign in that, but most of them are not believers.

26:68
And indeed, your Lord - He is the Almighty, the Merciful.

26:69
And recite the news of Abraham to them,

26:70
When he said to his father and his people, "What do you serve?"

26:71
They said, "We serve idols ~*Joshua 24:2 and remain devoted to them."

26:72
He said, "Do they hear you when you supplicate?

26:73
Or do they benefit you, or do they harm?" *Book of Jubilees 12:1 - 3

26:74
They said, "No, but we found our fathers doing thus."

26:75
He said, "Then do you see what you have been serving,

26:76
You and your ancient forefathers?

26:77
Indeed, they are enemies to me, except the Lord of the worlds,

26:78
Who created me, and He [is the One who] guides me.

26:79
And it is He who feeds me and gives me drink.

26:80
And when I am ill, it is He who cures me. *Psalms 103:2 - 3, *Wisdom of Solomon 16:12

26:81
And who will cause me to die and then bring me to life. *1 Samuel 2:6

26:82
And who I aspire that He will forgive my sin on the Day of the Religion.

26:83
My Lord, grant me authority and join me with the righteous.

26:84
And make a tongue of truth for me among later [generations].

26:85
And place me among the inheritors of the Garden of Pleasure.

26:86
And forgive my father. Indeed, he has been among those astray.

26:87
And do not disgrace me on the Day they are [all] resurrected -

26:88
The Day when wealth or children will not benefit [anyone]

26:89
But only one who comes to God with a sound heart."

26:90
And the Garden will be brought near [that Day] to those who fear [God].

26:91
And Hellfire will be brought forth for the deviators,

26:92
And it will be said to them, "Where are those you used to serve

26:93
Other than God? Can they help you or help themselves?"

26:94
So they will be overturned into [Hellfire], they and the deviators

26:95
And the hosts of Iblees, all together. *Matthew 25:41

26:96
They will say while they dispute therein,

26:97
"By God, indeed we were in clear error

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

26:99
And no one misguided us except the criminals.

26:100
So now we have no intercessors

26:101
And no warm friend.

26:102
Then if we only had a return [to the world] and could be among the believers..." *Book of Enoch 63:1, *Book of Enoch 63:5, *Shepherd of Hermas 17:5

26:103
Indeed, there is a sign in that, but most of them are not believers.

26:104
And indeed, your Lord - He is the Almighty, the Merciful.

26:105
The people of Noah denied the messengers

26:106
When their brother Noah said to them, "Will you not fear [God]?

26:107
Indeed, I am a trustworthy messenger to you.

26:108
So fear God and obey me.

26:109
And I do not ask you for any payment for it. *Shepherd of Hermas 43:12 My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds.

26:110
So fear God and obey me."

26:111
They said, "Should we believe you while you are followed by the lowest [class of people]?"

26:112
He said, "And what is my knowledge of what they used to do?

26:113
Their account is only upon my Lord, if you [could] perceive.

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

26:115
I am only a clear warner."

26:116
They said, "If you do not desist, O Noah, you will surely be among those who are stoned."

26:117
He said, "My Lord, indeed my people have denied me.

26:118
Then judge between me and them with decisive judgement, and save me and those of the believers with me."

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

26:120
Then We drowned the remaining ones thereafter.

26:121
Indeed, there is a sign in that, but most of them are not believers.

26:122
And indeed, your Lord - He is the Almighty, the Merciful.

26:123
'Aad denied the messengers

26:124
When their brother Hud said to them, "Will you not fear [God]?

26:125
Indeed, I am a trustworthy messenger to you.

26:126
So fear God and obey me.

26:127
And I do not ask you for any payment for it. *Shepherd of Hermas 43:12 My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds.

26:128
Do you construct a sign on every elevation, amusing yourselves,

26:129
And take fortresses for yourselves so that you might abide eternally?

26:130
And when you strike, you strike as tyrants.

26:131
So fear God and obey me.

26:132
And fear He who provided you with that which you know,

26:133
Provided you with grazing livestock and children

26:134
And gardens and springs.

26:135
Indeed, I fear the punishment for you on a great day."

26:136
They said, "It is all the same to us whether you advise or are not among the advisors.

26:137
This is nothing but the custom of the former [peoples],

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

26:139
And they denied him, so We destroyed them. Indeed, there is a sign in that, but most of them are not believers.

26:140
And indeed, your Lord - He is the Almighty, the Merciful.

26:141
Thamud denied the messengers

26:142
When their brother Salih said to them, "Will you not fear [God]?

26:143
Indeed, I am a trustworthy messenger to you.

26:144
So fear God and obey me.

26:145
And I do not ask you for any payment for it. *Shepherd of Hermas 43:12 My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds.

26:146
Will you be left secure in what is here,

26:147
Within gardens and springs

26:148
And fields of crops and palm trees with softened fruit?

26:149
And you carve homes with skill out of the mountains.

26:150
So fear God and obey me.

26:151
And do not obey the order of the transgressors,

26:152
Who cause corruption in the land and do not amend."

26:153
They said, "You are only among those affected by magic.

26:154
You are nothing but a man like ourselves, so bring a sign, if you should be among the truthful."

26:155
He said, "This is a she-camel. There is a drink for her, and there is a drink for you, [each] on a known day.

26:156
And do not touch her with harm, otherwise you will be seized by the punishment of a great day."

26:157
But they hamstrung her and so became regretful.

26:158
So the punishment seized them. Indeed, there is a sign in that, but most of them are not believers.

26:159
And indeed, your Lord - He is the Almighty, the Merciful.

26:160
The people of Lot denied the messengers

26:161
When their brother Lot said to them, "Will you not fear [God]?

26:162
Indeed, I am a trustworthy messenger to you.

26:163
So fear God and obey me.

26:164
And I do not ask you for any payment for it. *Shepherd of Hermas 43:12 My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds.

26:165
Do you approach males among the worlds

26:166
And leave what your Lord has created as mates for you? But you are a transgressing people."

26:167
They said, "If you do not desist, O Lot, you will surely be among those evicted."

26:168
He said, "Indeed, I am among those who detest your deed.

26:169
My Lord, save me and my family from what they do."

26:170
So We saved [Lot] *Book of Jubilees 16:11, *2 Peter 2:7 and his family, all,

26:171
Except an old woman among those who remained behind.

26:172
Then We destroyed the others.

26:173
And We rained a rain [of stones] upon them, *Genesis 19:24, *Luke 17:29 and the rain of those who were warned was [indeed] evil.

26:174
Indeed, there is a sign in that, but most of them are not believers.

26:175
And indeed, your Lord - He is the Almighty, the Merciful.

26:176
The companions of the thicket denied the messengers

26:177
When Shu'ayb said to them, "Will you not fear [God]?

26:178
Indeed, I am a trustworthy messenger to you.

26:179
So fear God and obey me.

26:180
And I do not ask you for any payment for it. *Shepherd of Hermas 43:12 My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds.

26:181
Give full measure and do not be among those who cause loss.

26:182
And weigh with an even balance. *Deuteronomy 25:15, *Leviticus 19:35 - 36

26:183
And do not deprive people of their due and do not commit abuse on earth, spreading corruption.

26:184
And fear He who created you and the former creation."

26:185
They said, "You are only among those affected by magic.

26:186
You are nothing but a man like ourselves, and indeed, we think you are among the liars.

26:187
So cause fragments of the heaven to fall upon us, if you should be among the truthful."

26:188
He said, "My Lord is most knowing of what you do."

26:189
And they denied him, so the punishment of the day of the black cloud seized them. Indeed, it was the punishment of a great day.

26:190
Indeed, there is a sign in that, but most of them are not believers.

26:191
And indeed, your Lord - He is the Almighty, the Merciful.

26:192
And indeed, [the Qur'an] is the revelation of the Lord of the worlds.

26:193
The Trustworthy Spirit has brought [the Qur'an] down

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

26:195
In a clear Arabic language.

26:196
And indeed, it is [mentioned] in the Scriptures of former [peoples].

26:197
And has it not been a sign to them that it is recognized by the scholars of the Children of Israel? *John 14:16 - 17, *John 14:26, *John 15:26, *John 16:13

26:198
And even if We had sent it down to one among the foreigners

26:199
And he had recited it to them, they would [still] not have been believers in it.

26:200
Thus We have inserted [disbelief] into the hearts of the criminals.

26:201
They will not believe in it until they see the painful punishment.

26:202
And it will come to them suddenly while they do not perceive.

26:203
And they will say, "May we be reprieved?"

26:204
So are they impatient for Our punishment?

26:205
Then have you considered if We gave them enjoyment for years

26:206
And then that which they were promised came to them?

26:207
They would not be availed by the enjoyment which they were provided with.

26:208
And We did not destroy any city except that it had warners

26:209
As a reminder; and We have never been unjust.

26:210
And the devils have not brought the revelation down.

26:211
It is not allowable for them, nor would they be able.

26:212
Indeed they are removed from [its] hearing.

26:213
So do not invoke another god with God and [thus] be among the punished.

26:214
And warn your closest kindred.

26:215
And lower your wing to those who follow you among the believers.

26:216
And if they disobey you, then say, "Indeed, I am innocent from what you are doing."

26:217
And trust in the Almighty, the Merciful,

26:218
Who sees you when you arise

26:219
And your movement among those who prostrate.

26:220
Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

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

26:222
They descend upon every sinful liar.

26:223
They pass on what is heard, and most of them are liars.

26:224
And the poets - the deviators follow them;

26:225
Do you not see that they roam in every valley

26:226
And that they say what they do not do? -

26:227
Except those [poets] who believe and do righteous deeds and remember God often and defend one another after they were wronged. And those who have wronged are going to know what [kind of] return they will be returned to.