Surah 40. The Believer, The Forgiver (god)

In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

67. It is He Who has created you from dust then from a sperm-drop, then from a leech-like clot; then does he get you out (into the light) as a child: then lets you (grow and) reach your age of full strength; then lets you become old,- though of you there are some who die before;- and lets you reach a Term appointed; in order that ye may learn wisdom.

68. It is He Who gives Life and Death; and when He decides upon an affair, He says to it, "Be", and it is.

69. Seest thou not those that dispute concerning the Signs of Allah. How are they turned away (from Reality)?-

70. Those who reject the Book and the (revelations) with which We sent our apostles: but soon shall they know,-

71. When the yokes (shall be) round their necks, and the chains; they shall be dragged along-

72. In the boiling fetid fluid: then in the Fire shall they be burned;

73. Then shall it be said to them: "Where are the (deities) to which ye gave part- worship-

74. "In derogation of Allah." They will reply: "They have left us in the lurch: Nay, we invoked not, of old, anything (that had real existence)." Thus does Allah leave the Unbelievers to stray.

75. "That was because ye were wont to rejoice on the earth in things other than the Truth, and that ye were wont to be insolent.

76. "Enter ye the gates of Hell, to dwell therein: and evil is (this) abode of the arrogant!"

77. So persevere in patience; for the Promise of Allah is true: and whether We show thee (in this life) some part of what We promise them,- or We take thy soul (to Our Mercy) (before that),-(in any case) it is to Us that they shall (all) return.

78. We did aforetime send apostles before thee: of them there are some whose story We have related to thee, and some whose story We have not related to thee. It was not (possible) for any apostle to bring a sign except by the leave of Allah. but when the Command of Allah issued, the matter was decided in truth and justice, and there perished, there and then those who stood on Falsehoods.

79. It is Allah Who made cattle for you, that ye may use some for riding and some for food;

80. And there are (other) advantages in them for you (besides); that ye may through them attain to any need (there may be) in your hearts; and on them and on ships ye are carried.

81. And He shows you (always) His Signs: then which of the Signs of Allah will ye deny?

82. Do they not travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before them? They were more numerous than these and superior in strength and in the traces (they have left) in the land: Yet all that they accomplished was of no profit to them.

83. For when their apostles came to them with Clear Signs, they exulted in such knowledge (and skill) as they had; but that very (Wrath) at which they were wont to scoff hemmed them in.

84. But when they saw Our Punishment, they said: "We believe in Allah,- the one Allah - and we reject the partners we used to join with Him."

85. But their professing the Faith when they (actually) saw Our Punishment was not going to profit them. (Such has been) Allah.s Way of dealing with His Servants (from the most ancient times). And even thus did the Rejecters of Allah perish (utterly)!

Translation by Abdullah Yusufali