Sura 38, Sad (Saad)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[38:1] S. (Saad),* and the Quran that contains the proof.**
Footnote
[38:2] Those who disbelieve have plunged into arrogance and
defiance.
[38:3] Many a generation before them we annihilated. They called
for help, in vain.
[38:4] They wondered that a warner should come to them, from among
them. The disbelievers said, "A magician, a liar.
[38:5] "Did he make the gods into one god? This is really
strange."
[38:6] The leaders announced, "Go and steadfastly persevere in
worshiping your gods. This is what is desired.
[38:7] "We never heard of this from the religion of our fathers.
This is a lie.
[38:8] "Why did the proof come down to him, instead of us?"
Indeed, they are doubtful of My proof. Indeed, they have not yet
tasted My retribution.
[38:9] Do they own the treasures of mercy of your Lord, the
Almighty, the Grantor.
[38:10] Do they possess the sovereignty of the heavens and the
earth, and everything between them? Let them help themselves.
[38:11] Instead, whatever forces they can muster - even if all
their parties banded together - will be defeated.
[38:12] Disbelieving before them were the people of Noah, `Aad,
and the mighty Pharaoh.
[38:13] Also, Thamoud, the people of Lot, the dwellers of the
Woods (of Midyan); those were the opponents.
[38:14] Each of them disbelieved the messengers and thus, My
retribution was inevitable.
[38:15] These people can expect a single blow, from which they
never recover.
[38:16] They challenged: "Our Lord, why do you not rush the
retribution for us, before the Day of Reckoning."
[38:17] Be patient in the face of their utterances, and remember
our servant David, the resourceful; he was obedient.
[38:18] We committed the mountains in his service, glorifying with
him night and day.
[38:19] Also the birds were committed to serve him; all were
obedient to him.
[38:20] We strengthened his kingship, and endowed him with wisdom
and good logic.
[38:21] Have you received news of the feuding men who sneaked into
his sanctuary?
[38:22] When they entered his room, he was startled. They said,
"Have no fear. We are feuding with one another, and we are seeking
your fair judgment. Do not wrong us, and guide us in the right
path.
[38:23] "This brother of mine owns ninety nine* sheep, while I own
one sheep. He wants to mix my sheep with his, and continues to
pressure me."
Footnote
David's Exemplary Piety
[38:24] He said, "He is being unfair to you by asking to combine
your sheep with his. Most people who combine their properties
treat each other unfairly, except those who believe and work
righteousness, and these are so few." Afterwards, David wondered
if he made the right judgment. He thought that we were testing
him. He then implored his Lord for forgiveness, bowed down, and
repented.*
Footnote
[38:25] We forgave him in this matter. We have granted him a
position of honor with us, and a beautiful abode.
[38:26] O David, we have made you a ruler on earth. Therefore, you
shall judge among the people equitably, and do not follow your
personal opinion, lest it diverts you from the way of GOD. Surely,
those who stray off the way of GOD incur severe retribution for
forgetting the Day of Reckoning.
[38:27] We did not create the heaven and the earth, and everything
between them, in vain. Such is the thinking of those who
disbelieve. Therefore, woe to those who disbelieve; they will
suffer in Hell.
[38:28] Shall we treat those who believe and lead a righteous life
as we treat those who commit evil on earth? Shall we treat the
righteous as we treat the wicked?
[38:29] This is a scripture that we sent down to you, that is
sacred - perhaps they reflect on its verses. Those who possess
intelligence will take heed.
Solomon's Exemplary Devotion
[38:30] To David we granted Solomon; a good and obedient servant.
[38:31] One day he became preoccupied with beautiful horses, until
the night fell.
[38:32] He then said, "I enjoyed the material things more than I
enjoyed worshiping my Lord, until the sun was gone.*
Footnote
[38:33] "Bring them back." (To bid farewell,) he rubbed their legs
and necks.
[38:34] We thus put Solomon to the test; we blessed him with vast
material wealth, but he steadfastly submitted.*
Footnote
[38:35] He said, "My Lord, forgive me, and grant me a kingship
never attained by anyone else. You are the Grantor."
[38:36] We (answered his prayer and) committed the wind at his
disposal, pouring rain wherever he wanted.
[38:37] And the devils, building and diving.
[38:38] Others were placed at his disposal.
[38:39] "This is our provision to you; you may give generously, or
withhold, without limits."
[38:40] He has deserved an honorable position with us, and a
wonderful abode.
The Devil Afflicts Job*
[38:41] Remember our servant Job: he called upon his Lord, "The
devil has afflicted me with hardship and pain."
Footnote
[38:42] "Strike the ground with your foot. A spring will give you
healing and a drink."
God Makes it up to the Believers
[38:43] We restored his family for him; twice as many. Such is our
mercy; a reminder for those who possess intelligence.
[38:44] "Now, you shall travel the land and preach the message, to
fulfill your pledge." We found him steadfast. What a good servant!
He was a submitter.
[38:45] Remember also our servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They
were resourceful, and possessed vision.
[38:46] We bestowed upon them a great blessing: awareness of the
Hereafter.
[38:47] They were chosen, for they were among the most righteous.
[38:48] Remember Ismail, Elisha, and Zal-Kifl; among the most
righteous.
The Righteous
[38:49] This is a reminder: the righteous have deserved a
wonderful destiny.
[38:50] The gardens of Eden will open up their gates for them.
[38:51] Relaxing therein, they will be given many kinds of fruits
and drinks.
[38:52] They will have wonderful spouses.
[38:53] This is what you have deserved on the Day of Reckoning.
[38:54] Our provisions are inexhaustible.
The Disbelievers: Feuding With One Another
[38:55] As for the transgressors, they have incurred a miserable
destiny.
[38:56] Hell is where they burn; what a miserable abode!
[38:57] What they taste therein will be hellish drinks and bitter
food.
[38:58] And much more of the same kind.
[38:59] "This is a group to be thrown into Hell with you." They
will not be welcomed (by the residents of Hell). They have
deserved to burn in the hellfire.
[38:60] The newcomers will respond, "Nor are you welcomed. You are
the ones who preceded us and misled us. Therefore, suffer this
miserable end."
[38:61] They will also say, "Our Lord, these are the ones who led
us into this; double the retribution of hellfire for them."
[38:62] They will say, "How come we do not see (in Hell) people we
used to count among the wicked?
[38:63] "We used to ridicule them; we used to turn our eyes away
from them."
[38:64] This is a predetermined fact: the people of Hell will feud
with one another.
[38:65] Say, "I warn you; there is no other god beside GOD, the
One, the Supreme.
[38:66] "The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything
between them; the Almighty, the Forgiving."
The Great Feud
[38:67] Say, "Here is awesome news.
[38:68] "That you are totally oblivious to.
[38:69] "I had no knowledge previously, about the feud in the High
Society.*
Footnote
[38:70] "I am inspired that my sole mission is to deliver the
warnings to you."
[38:71] Your Lord said to the angels, "I am creating a human being
from clay.
[38:72] "Once I design him, and blow into him from My spirit, you
shall fall prostrate before him."
[38:73] The angels fell prostrate, all of them,
[38:74] except Satan; he refused, and was too arrogant,
unappreciative.
[38:75] He said, "O Satan, what prevented you from prostrating
before what I created with My hands? Are you too arrogant? Have
you rebelled?"
[38:76] He said, "I am better than he; You created me from fire,
and created him from clay."
[38:77] He said, "Therefore, you must be exiled, you will be
banished.
[38:78] "You have incurred My condemnation until the Day of
Judgment."
[38:79] He said, "My Lord, respite me till the Day of
Resurrection."
[38:80] He said, "You are respited.
[38:81] "Until the appointed day."
[38:82] He said, "I swear by Your majesty, that I will send them
all astray.
[38:83] "Except Your worshipers who are devoted absolutely to You
alone."
[38:84] He said, "This is the truth, and the truth is all that I
utter.
[38:85] "I will fill Hell with you and all those who follow you."
[38:86] Say, "I do not ask you for any wage, and I am not an
imposter.
[38:87] "This is a reminder for the world.
[38:88] "And you will certainly find out in awhile."
|