Sura 14, Abraham (Ibrahîm)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[14:1] A.L.R.* A scripture that we revealed to you, in order to
lead the people out of darkness into the light - in accordance
with the will of their Lord - to the path of the Almighty, the
Praiseworthy.
Footnote
[14:2] (The path of) GOD; the One who possesses everything in the
heavens and everything on earth. Woe to the disbelievers; they
have incurred a terrible retribution.
What is Your Priority?
[14:3] They are the ones who give priority to this life over the
Hereafter, repel from the way of GOD, and seek to make it crooked;
they have gone far astray.
The Messenger's Language
[14:4] We did not send any messenger except (to preach) in the
tongue of his people, in order to clarify things for them. GOD
then sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills.
He is the Almighty, the Most Wise.
Moses
[14:5] Thus, we sent Moses with our miracles, saying, "Lead your
people out of darkness into the light, and remind them of the days
of GOD." These are lessons for every steadfast, appreciative
person.
The Importance of Being Appreciative
[14:6] Recall that Moses said to his people, "Remember GOD's
blessings upon you. He saved you from Pharaoh's people who
inflicted the worst persecution upon you, slaughtering your sons
and sparing your daughters. That was an exacting trial from your
Lord."
Appreciative vs Unappreciative
[14:7] Your Lord has decreed: "The more you thank Me, the more I
give you." But if you turn unappreciative, then My retribution is
severe.
[14:8] Moses said, "If you disbelieve, along with all the people
on earth, GOD is in no need, Praiseworthy."
Egotistic Defiance: A Human Trait
[14:9] Have you not heard about those before you - the people of
Noah, `Aad, Thamoud, and others who came after them and known only
to GOD? Their messengers went to them with clear proofs, but they
treated them with contempt and said, "We disbelieve in what you
are sent with. We are skeptical about your message; full of
doubt."
Following Our Parents Blindly: A Great Human Tragedy
[14:10] Their messengers said, "Do you have doubts about GOD; the
Initiator of the heavens and the earth? He invites you only to
forgive your sins, and to give you another chance to redeem
yourselves." They said, "You are no more than humans like us, who
want to repel us from the way our parents used to worship. Show us
some profound authority."
[14:11] Their messengers said to them, "We are no more than humans
like you, but GOD blesses whomever He chooses from among His
servants. We could not possibly show you any kind of
authorization, except in accordance with GOD's will. In GOD the
believers shall trust.
[14:12] "Why should we not trust in GOD, when He has guided us in
our paths? We will steadfastly persevere in the face of your
persecution. In GOD all the trusters shall trust."
[14:13] Those who disbelieved said to their messengers, "We will
banish you from our land, unless you revert to our religion."
Their Lord inspired them: "We will inevitably annihilate the
transgressors.
[14:14] "And we will let you dwell in their land after them. This
is (the reward) for those who reverence My majesty, and reverence
My promise."
[14:15] They issued a challenge, and consequently, every stubborn
tyrant ended up doomed.
[14:16] Awaiting him is Hell, wherein he will drink putrid water.
[14:17] He will gulp it down, though he cannot stand it, as death
comes to him from every direction, but he will never die. Awaiting
him is a terrible retribution.*
Footnote
[14:18] The allegory of those who disbelieve in their Lord: their
works are like ashes in a violent wind, on a stormy day. They gain
nothing from whatever they earn; such is the farthest straying.
Worship Only the Omnipotent One
[14:19] Do you not realize that GOD has created the heavens and
the earth for a specific purpose? If He wills, He can remove you,
and substitute a new creation in your place.
[14:20] This is not too difficult for GOD.
On the Day of Resurrection
[14:21] When they all stand before GOD,* the followers will say to
the leaders, "We used to follow you. Can you spare us even a
little bit of GOD's retribution?" They will say, "Had GOD guided
us, we would have guided you. Now it is too late, whether we
grieve or resort to patience, there is no exit for us."
Footnote
Satan Disowns His Followers
[14:22] And the devil will say, after the judgment had been
issued, "GOD has promised you the truthful promise, and I promised
you, but I broke my promise. I had no power over you; I simply
invited you, and you accepted my invitation. Therefore, do not
blame me, and blame only yourselves. My complaining cannot help
you, nor can your complaining help me. I have disbelieved in your
idolizing me. The transgressors have incurred a painful
retribution."
[14:23] As for those who believe and lead a righteous life, they
will be admitted into gardens with flowing streams. They abide
therein forever, in accordance with the will of their Lord. Their
greeting therein is: "Peace."
Truth vs Falsehood
[14:24] Do you not see that GOD has cited the example of the good
word as a good tree whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches
are high in the sky?
[14:25] It produces its crop every season, as designed by its
Lord. GOD thus cites the examples for the people, that they may
take heed.
[14:26] And the example of the bad word is that of a bad tree
chopped at the soil level; it has no roots to keep it standing.
[14:27] GOD strengthens those who believe with the proven word, in
this life and in the Hereafter. And GOD sends the transgressors
astray. Everything is in accordance with GOD's will.
They Remove Their Families From God's Protection
[14:28] Have you noted those who responded to GOD's blessings by
disbelieving, and thus brought disaster upon their own families?
[14:29] Hell is their destiny, wherein they burn; what a miserable
end!
Idol Worship: The Mother of All Evil
[14:30] They set up rivals to rank with GOD and to divert others
from His path. Say, "Enjoy for awhile; your final destiny is
Hell."
Crucial Commandments
[14:31] Exhort My servants who believed to observe the Contact
Prayers (Salat), and to give (to charity) from our provisions to
them, secretly and publicly, before a day comes where there is
neither trade, nor nepotism.
[14:32] GOD is the One who created the heavens and the earth, and
He sends down from the sky water to produce all kinds of fruit for
your sustenance. He has committed the ships to serve you on the
sea in accordance with His command. He has committed the rivers as
well to serve you.
[14:33] He has committed the sun and the moon in your service,
continuously. He has committed the night and the day to serve you.
[14:34] And He gives you all kinds of things that you implore Him
for. If you count GOD's blessings, you can never encompass them.
Indeed, the human being is transgressing, unappreciative.
Abraham
[14:35] Recall that Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a peaceful
land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols.
[14:36] "My Lord, they have misled so many people. As for those
who follow me, they belong with me. As for those who disobey me,
You are Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[14:37] "Our Lord, I have settled part of my family in this
plantless valley, at Your Sacred House. Our Lord, they are to
observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), so let throngs of people
converge upon them, and provide for them all kinds of fruits, that
they may be appreciative.
[14:38] "Our Lord, You know whatever we conceal and whatever we
declare - nothing is hidden from GOD on earth, nor in the heavens.
[14:39] "Praise be to GOD for granting me, despite my old age,
Ismail and Isaac. My Lord answers the prayers.
The Contact Prayers: Gift From God
[14:40] "My Lord, make me one who consistently observes the
Contact Prayers (Salat), and also my children. Our Lord, please
answer my prayers.
[14:41] "My Lord, forgive me and my parents, and the believers, on
the day when the reckoning takes place."
[14:42] Do not ever think that GOD is unaware of what the
transgressors are doing. He only respites them until a day where
the eyes stare in horror.
[14:43] As they rush (out of the graves), their faces will be
looking upward, their eyes will not even blink, and their minds
will be horrified.
God Sends His Commands Through His Messengers
[14:44] You shall warn the people of the day when the retribution
comes to them. Those who transgressed will say, "Our Lord, give us
one more respite. We will then respond to Your call and follow the
messengers." Did you not swear in the past that you will last
forever?
[14:45] You dwelled in the homes of those before you, who wronged
their souls, and you have seen clearly what we did to them. We
have set many precedents for you.
[14:46] They schemed their schemes, and GOD is fully aware of
their schemes. Indeed, their schemes were sufficient to erase
mountains.
Guaranteed Victory for God's Messengers
[14:47] Do not think that GOD will ever break His promise to His
messengers. GOD is Almighty, Avenger.
New Heavens and New Earth*
[14:48] The day will come when this earth will be substituted with
a new earth, and also the heavens, and everyone will be brought
before GOD, the One, the Supreme.
Footnote
[14:49] And you will see the guilty on that day chained in
shackles.
[14:50] Their garments will be made of tar, and fire will
overwhelm their faces.
[14:51] For GOD will pay each soul for whatever it earned; GOD is
the most efficient reckoner.
[14:52] This is a proclamation for the people, to be warned
herewith, and to let them know that He is only one god, and for
those who possess intelligence to take heed.
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