In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
21. What! Do those who seek after evil ways think that We shall hold them equal
with those who believe and do righteous deeds,- that equal will be their life
and their death? Ill is the judgment that they make.
22. Allah created the heavens and the earth for just ends, and in order that
each soul may find the recompense of what it has earned, and none of them be
wronged.
23. Then seest thou such a one as takes as his god his own vain desire? Allah
has, knowing (him as such), left him astray, and sealed his hearing and his
heart (and understanding), and put a cover on his sight. Who, then, will guide
him after Allah (has withdrawn Guidance)? Will ye not then receive admonition?
24. And they say: "What is there but our life in this world? We shall die and we
live, and nothing but time can destroy us." But of that they have no knowledge:
they merely conjecture:
25. And when Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them their argument is nothing but
this: They say, "Bring (back) our forefathers, if what ye say is true!"
26. Say: "It is Allah Who gives you life, then gives you death; then He will
gather you together for the Day of Judgment about which there is no doubt": But
most men do not understand.
27. To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and the Day that
the Hour of Judgment is established,- that Day will the dealers in Falsehood
perish!
28. And thou wilt see every sect bowing the knee: Every sect will be called to
its Record: "This Day shall ye be recompensed for all that ye did!
29. "This Our Record speaks about you with truth: For We were wont to put on
Record all that ye did."
30. Then, as to those who believed and did righteous deeds, their Lord will
admit them to His Mercy that will be the achievement for all to see.
31. But as to those who rejected Allah, (to them will be said): "Were not Our
Signs rehearsed to you? But ye were arrogant, and were a people given to sin!
32. "And when it was said that the promise of Allah was true, and that the Hour-
there was no doubt about its (coming), ye used to say, 'We know not what is the
hour: we only think it is an idea, and we have no firm assurance.'"
33. Then will appear to them the evil (fruits) of what they did, and they will
be completely encircled by that which they used to mock at!
34. It will also be said: "This Day We will forget you as ye forgot the meeting
of this Day of yours! and your abode is the Fire, and no helpers have ye!
35. "This, because ye used to take the Signs of Allah in jest, and the life of
the world deceived you:" (From) that Day, therefore, they shall not be taken out
thence, nor shall they be received into Grace.
36. Then Praise be to Allah, Lord of the heavens and Lord of the earth,- Lord
and Cherisher of all the Worlds!
37. To Him be glory throughout the heavens and the earth: and He is Exalted in
Power, Full of Wisdom!
Translation by Abdullah Yusufali