Sura 7, The Purgatory (Al-A`arãf)
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[7:1] A. L. M. S.*
Footnote
[7:2] This scripture has been revealed to you - you shall not
harbor doubt about it in your heart - that you may warn with it,
and to provide a reminder for the believers.
[7:3] You shall all follow what is revealed to you from your Lord;
do not follow any idols besides Him. Rarely do you take heed.
[7:4] Many a community we annihilated; they incurred our
retribution while they were asleep, or wide awake.
[7:5] Their utterance when our retribution came to them was:
"Indeed, we have been transgressors."
[7:6] We will certainly question those who received the message,
and we will question the messengers.
[7:7] We will inform them authoritatively, for we were never
absent.
[7:8] The scales will be set on that day, equitably. Those whose
weights are heavy will be the winners.
[7:9] As for those whose weights are light, they will be the ones
who lost their souls* as a consequence of disregarding our
revelations, unjustly.
Footnote
[7:10] We have established you on earth, and we have provided for
you the means of support therein. Rarely are you appreciative.
[7:11] We created you, then we shaped you, then we said to the
angels, "Fall prostrate before Adam." They fell prostrate, except
Iblees (Satan); he was not with the prostrators.
The Test Begins
[7:12] He said, "What prevented you from prostrating when I
ordered you?" He said, "I am better than he; You created me from
fire, and created him from mud."
[7:13] He said, "Therefore, you must go down, for you are not to
be arrogant here. Get out; you are debased."
[7:14] He said, "Grant me a respite, until the Day of
Resurrection."
[7:15] He said, "You are granted a respite."
[7:16] He said, "Since You have willed that I go astray,* I will
skulk for them on Your straight path.
Footnote
[7:17] "I will come to them from before them, and from behind
them, and from their right, and from their left, and You will find
that most of them are unappreciative."
[7:18] He said, "Get out therefrom, despised and defeated. Those
among them who follow you, I will fill Hell with you all.
[7:19] "As for you, Adam, dwell with your wife in Paradise, and
eat therefrom as you please, but do not approach this one tree,
lest you fall in sin."
[7:20] The devil whispered to them, in order to reveal their
bodies, which were invisible to them. He said, "Your Lord did not
forbid you from this tree, except to prevent you from becoming
angels, and from attaining eternal existence."
[7:21] He swore to them, "I am giving you good advice."
[7:22] He thus duped them with lies. As soon as they tasted the
tree, their bodies became visible to them, and they tried to cover
themselves with the leaves of Paradise. Their Lord called upon
them: "Did I not enjoin you from that tree, and warn you that the
devil is your most ardent enemy?"
[7:23] They said, "Our Lord, we have wronged our souls, and unless
You forgive us and have mercy on us, we will be losers."
[7:24] He said, "Go down as enemies of one another. On earth shall
be your habitation and provision for awhile."
[7:25] He said, "On it you will live, on it you will die, and from
it you will be brought out."
[7:26] O children of Adam, we have provided you with garments to
cover your bodies, as well as for luxury. But the best garment is
the garment of righteousness. These are some of GOD's signs, that
they may take heed.
[7:27] O children of Adam, do not let the devil dupe you as he did
when he caused the eviction of your parents from Paradise, and the
removal of their garments to expose their bodies. He and his tribe
see you, while you do not see them. We appoint the devils as
companions of those who do not believe.
Examine All Inherited Information
[7:28] They commit a gross sin, then say, "We found our parents
doing this, and GOD has commanded us to do it." Say, "GOD never
advocates sin. Are you saying about GOD what you do not know?"
[7:29] Say, "My Lord advocates justice, and to stand devoted to
Him alone at every place of worship. You shall devote your worship
absolutely to Him alone. Just as He initiated you, you will
ultimately go back to Him."
Beware: They Believe that They Are Guided
[7:30] Some He guided, while others are committed to straying.
They have taken the devils as their masters, instead of GOD, yet
they believe that they are guided.
Dress Nicely For The Masjid
[7:31] O children of Adam, you shall be clean and dress nicely
when you go to the masjid. And eat and drink moderately; Surely,
He does not love the gluttons.
Innovated Prohibitions Condemned
[7:32] Say, "Who prohibited the nice things GOD has created for
His creatures, and the good provisions?" Say, "Such provisions are
to be enjoyed in this life by those who believe. Moreover, the
good provisions will be exclusively theirs on the Day of
Resurrection." We thus explain the revelations for people who
know.
[7:33] Say, "My Lord prohibits only evil deeds, be they obvious or
hidden, and sins, and unjustifiable aggression, and to set up
beside GOD powerless idols, and to say about GOD what you do not
know."
[7:34] For each community, there is a predetermined life span.
Once their interim comes to an end, they cannot delay it by one
hour, nor advance it.
Messengers From Among You
[7:35] O children of Adam, when messengers come to you from among
you, and recite My revelations to you, those who take heed and
lead a righteous life, will have nothing to fear, nor will they
grieve.
[7:36] As for those who reject our revelations, and are too
arrogant to uphold them, they have incurred Hell, wherein they
abide forever.
[7:37] Who is more evil than those who invent lies about GOD, or
reject His revelations? These will get their share, in accordance
with the scripture, then, when our messengers come to terminate
their lives, they will say, "Where are the idols you used to
implore beside GOD?" They will say, "They have abandoned us." They
will bear witness against themselves that they were disbelievers.
Mutual Blaming
[7:38] He will say, "Enter with the previous communities of jinns
and humans into Hell." Every time a group enters, they will curse
their ancestral group. Once they are all in it, the latest one
will say of the previous one, "Our Lord, these are the ones who
misled us. Give them double the retribution of Hell." He will say,
"Each receives double, but you do not know."
[7:39] The ancestral group will say to the later group, "Since you
had an advantage over us, taste the retribution for your own
sins."
Rejecting God's Revelations: An Unforgivable Offence
[7:40] Surely, those who reject our revelations and are too
arrogant to uphold them, the gates of the sky will never open for
them, nor will they enter Paradise until the camel passes through
the needle's eye. We thus requite the guilty.
[7:41] They have incurred Hell as an abode; they will have
barriers above them. We thus requite the transgressors.
[7:42] As for those who believe and lead a righteous life - we
never burden any soul beyond its means - these will be the
dwellers of Paradise. They abide in it forever.
By God's Grace
[7:43] We will remove all jealousy from their hearts. Rivers will
flow beneath them, and they will say, "GOD be praised for guiding
us. We could not possibly be guided, if it were not that GOD has
guided us. The messengers of our Lord did bring the truth." They
will be called: "This is your Paradise. You have inherited it, in
return for your works."
[7:44] The dwellers of Paradise will call the dwellers of Hell:
"We have found our Lord's promise to be the truth; have you found
your Lord's promise to be the truth?" They will say, "Yes." An
announcer between them will announce: "GOD's condemnation has
befallen the transgressors;
[7:45] "who repel from the path of GOD, and strive to make it
crooked, and, with regard to the Hereafter, they are
disbelievers."
[7:46] A barrier separates them, while the Purgatory* is occupied
by people who recognize each side by their looks. They will call
the dwellers of Paradise: "Peace be upon you." They did not enter
(Paradise) through wishful thinking.
Footnote
[7:47] When they turn their eyes towards the dwellers of Hell,
they will say, "Our Lord, do not put us with these wicked people."
The Majority Doomed
[7:48] The dwellers of the Purgatory will call on people they
recognize by their looks, saying, "Your great numbers did not
avail you in any way, nor did your arrogance.
[7:49] "Are those the people you swore that GOD will never touch
them with mercy?" (The people in the Purgatory will then be told,)
"Enter Paradise; you have nothing to fear, nor will you grieve."
[7:50] The dwellers of Hell will call on the dwellers of Paradise:
"Let some of your water, or some of GOD's provisions to you flow
towards us." They will say, "GOD has forbidden them for the
disbelievers."
[7:51] Those who do not take their religion seriously, and are
totally preoccupied with this worldly life, we forget them on that
day, because they forgot that day, and because they spurned our
revelations.
Quran: Fully Detailed
[7:52] We have given them a scripture that is fully detailed, with
knowledge, guidance, and mercy for the people who believe.
[7:53] Are they waiting until all (prophecies) are fulfilled? The
day such fulfillment comes to pass, those who disregarded it in
the past will say, "The messengers of our Lord have brought the
truth. Are there any intercessors to intercede on our behalf?
Would you send us back, so that we change our behavior, and do
better works than what we did?" They have lost their souls, and
their own innovations have caused their doom.
[7:54] Your Lord is the one GOD, who created the heavens and the
earth in six days,* then assumed all authority. The night
overtakes the day, as it pursues it persistently, and the sun, the
moon, and the stars are committed to serve by His command.
Absolutely, He controls all creation and all commands. Most
Exalted is GOD, Lord of the universe.
Footnote
[7:55] You shall worship your Lord publicly and privately; He does
not love the transgressors.
[7:56] Do not corrupt the earth after it has been set straight,
and worship Him out of reverence, and out of hope. Surely, GOD's
mercy is attainable by the righteous.
[7:57] He is the One who sends the wind with good omen, as a mercy
from His hands. Once they gather heavy clouds, we drive them to
dead lands, and send down water therefrom, to produce with it all
kinds of fruits. We thus resurrect the dead, that you may take
heed.
[7:58] The good land readily produces its plants by the leave of
its Lord, while the bad land barely produces anything useful. We
thus explain the revelations for people who are appreciative.
Noah
[7:59] We sent Noah to his people, saying, "O my people, worship
GOD; you have no other god beside Him. I fear for you the
retribution of an awesome day."
[7:60] The leaders among his people said, "We see that you are far
astray."
[7:61] He said, "O my people, I am not astray; I am a messenger
from the Lord of the universe.
[7:62] "I deliver to you the messages of my Lord, and I advise
you, and I know from GOD what you do not know.
[7:63] "Is it too much of a wonder that a reminder should come to
you from your Lord, through a man like you, to warn you, and to
lead you to righteousness, that you may attain mercy?"
[7:64] They rejected him. Consequently, we saved him and those
with him in the ark, and we drowned those who rejected our
revelations; they were blind.
Hûd
[7:65] To `Aad we sent their brother Hûd. He said, "O my people,
worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. Would you then
observe righteousness?"
[7:66] The leaders who disbelieved among his people said, "We see
that you are behaving foolishly, and we think that you are a
liar."
[7:67] He said, "O my people, there is no foolishness in me; I am
a messenger from the Lord of the universe.
[7:68] "I deliver to you my Lord's messages, and I am honestly
advising you.
[7:69] "Is it too much of a wonder that a message should come to
you from your Lord, through a man like you, to warn you? Recall
that He made you inheritors after the people of Noah, and
multiplied your number. Remember GOD's blessings, that you may
succeed."
Following the Parents Blindly: A Human Tragedy
[7:70] They said, "Did you come to make us worship GOD alone, and
abandon what our parents used to worship? We challenge you to
bring the doom you threaten us with, if you are truthful."
[7:71] He said, "You have incurred condemnation and wrath from
your Lord. Do you argue with me in defense of innovations you have
fabricated - you and your parents - which were never authorized by
GOD? Therefore, wait and I will wait along with you."
[7:72] We then saved him and those with him, by mercy from us, and
we annihilated those who rejected our revelations and refused to
be believers.
Sãleh
[7:73] To Thamoud we sent their brother Sãleh. He said, "O my
people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. Proof has
been provided for you from your Lord: here is GOD's camel, to
serve as a sign for you. Let her eat from GOD's land, and do not
touch her with any harm, lest you incur a painful retribution.
[7:74] "Recall that He made you inheritors after `Aad, and
established you on earth, building mansions in its valleys, and
carving homes from its mountains. You shall remember GOD's
blessings, and do not roam the earth corruptingly."
The Message: Proof of Messengership
[7:75] The arrogant leaders among his people said to the common
people who believed, "How do you know that Sãleh is sent by his
Lord?" They said, "The message he brought has made us believers."
[7:76] The arrogant ones said, "We disbelieve in what you believe
in."
[7:77] Subsequently, they slaughtered the camel, rebelled against
their Lord's command, and said, "O Sãleh, bring the doom you
threaten us with, if you are really a messenger."
[7:78] Consequently, the quake annihilated them, leaving them dead
in their homes.
[7:79] He turned away from them, saying, "O my people, I have
delivered my Lord's message to you, and advised you, but you do
not like any advisers."
Lot: Homosexuality Condemned
[7:80] Lot said to his people, "You commit such an abomination; no
one in the world has done it before!
[7:81] "You practice sex with the men, instead of the women.
Indeed, you are a transgressing people."
[7:82] His people responded by saying, "Evict them from your town.
They are people who wish to be pure."
[7:83] Consequently, we saved him and his family, but not his
wife; she was with the doomed.
[7:84] We showered them with a certain shower; note the
consequences for the guilty.
Shu`aib: Cheating, Dishonesty Condemned
[7:85] To Midyan we sent their brother Shu`aib. He said, "O my
people, worship GOD; you have no other god beside Him. Proof has
come to you from your Lord. You shall give full weight and full
measure when you trade. Do not cheat the people out of their
rights. Do not corrupt the earth after it has been set straight.
This is better for you, if you are believers.
[7:86] "Refrain from blocking every path, seeking to repel those
who believe from the path of GOD, and do not make it crooked.
Remember that you used to be few and He multiplied your number.
Recall the consequences for the wicked.
[7:87] "Now that some of you have believed in what I was sent
with, and some have disbelieved, wait until GOD issues His
judgment between us; He is the best judge."
[7:88] The arrogant leaders among his people said, "We will evict
you, O Shu`aib, together with those who believed with you, from
our town, unless you revert to our religion." He said, "Are you
going to force us?
[7:89] "We would be blaspheming against GOD if we reverted to your
religion after GOD has saved us from it. How could we revert back
to it against the will of GOD our Lord? Our Lord's knowledge
encompasses all things. We have put our trust in GOD. Our Lord,
grant us a decisive victory over our people. You are the best
supporter."
[7:90] The disbelieving leaders among his people said, "If you
follow Shu`aib, you will be losers."
[7:91] The quake annihilated them, leaving them dead in their
homes.
[7:92] Those who rejected Shu`aib vanished, as if they never
existed. Those who rejected Shu`aib were the losers.
[7:93] He turned away from them, saying, "O my people, I have
delivered to you the messages of my Lord, and I have advised you.
How can I grieve over disbelieving people."
Blessings in Disguise
[7:94] Whenever we sent a prophet to any community, we afflicted
its people with adversity and hardship, that they may implore.
[7:95] Then we substituted peace and prosperity in place of that
hardship. But alas, they turned heedless and said, "It was our
parents who experienced that hardship before prosperity."
Consequently, we punished them suddenly when they least expected.
Most People Make the Wrong Choice
[7:96] Had the people of those communities believed and turned
righteous, we would have showered them with blessings from the
heaven and the earth. Since they decided to disbelieve, we
punished them for what they earned.
[7:97] Did the people of the present communities guarantee that
our retribution will not come to them in the night as they sleep?
[7:98] Did the people of today's communities guarantee that our
retribution will not come to them in the daytime while they play?
[7:99] Have they taken GOD's plans for granted? None takes GOD's
plans for granted except the losers.
[7:100] Does it ever occur to those who inherit the earth after
previous generations that, if we will, we can punish them for
their sins, and seal their hearts, causing them to turn deaf?
[7:101] We narrate to you the history of those communities: their
messengers went to them with clear proofs, but they were not to
believe in what they had rejected before. GOD thus seals the
hearts of the disbelievers.
[7:102] We found that most of them disregard their covenant; we
found most of them wicked.*
Footnote
Moses
[7:103] After (those messengers,) we sent Moses with our signs to
Pharaoh and his people, but they transgressed. Note the
consequences for the wicked.
[7:104] Moses said, "O Pharaoh, I am a messenger from the Lord of
the universe.
[7:105] "It is incumbent upon me that I do not say about GOD
except the truth. I come to you with a sign from your Lord; let
the Children of Israel go."
[7:106] He said, "If you have a sign, then produce it, if you are
truthful."
[7:107] He threw down his staff, and it turned into a tremendous
serpent.
[7:108] He took out his hand, and it was white to the beholders.
[7:109] The leaders among Pharaoh's people said, "This is no more
than a clever magician.
[7:110] "He wants to take you out of your land; what do you
recommend?"
[7:111] They said, "Respite him and his brother, and send
summoners to every city.
[7:112] "Let them summon every experienced magician."
[7:113] The magicians came to Pharaoh and said, "Do we get paid if
we are the winners?"
[7:114] He said, "Yes indeed; you will even become close to me."
[7:115] They said, "O Moses, either you throw, or we are
throwing."
[7:116] He said, "You throw." When they threw, they tricked the
people's eyes, intimidated them, and produced a great magic.
[7:117] We then inspired Moses: "Throw down your staff," whereupon
it swallowed whatever they fabricated.
The Truth Recognized by the Experts
[7:118] Thus, the truth prevailed, and what they did was
nullified.
[7:119] They were defeated then and there; they were humiliated.
[7:120] The magicians fell prostrate.
[7:121] They said, "We believe in the Lord of the universe.
[7:122] "The Lord of Moses and Aaron."
[7:123] Pharaoh said, "Did you believe in him without my
permission? This must be a conspiracy you schemed in the city, in
order to take its people away. You will surely find out.
[7:124] "I will cut your hands and feet on alternate sides, then I
will crucify you all."
[7:125] They said, "We will then return to our Lord.
[7:126] "You persecute us simply because we believed in the proofs
of our Lord when they came to us." "Our Lord, grant us
steadfastness, and let us die as submitters."
[7:127] The leaders among Pharaoh's people said, "Will you allow
Moses and his people to corrupt the earth, and forsake you and
your gods?" He said, "We will kill their sons, and spare their
daughters. We are much more powerful than they are."
[7:128] Moses said to his people, "Seek GOD's help, and
steadfastly persevere. The earth belongs to GOD, and He grants it
to whomever He chooses from among His servants. The ultimate
victory belongs to the righteous."
[7:129] They said, "We were persecuted before you came to us, and
after you came to us." He said, "Your Lord will annihilate your
enemy and establish you on earth, then He will see how you
behave."
The Plagues
[7:130] We then afflicted Pharaoh's people with drought, and
shortage of crops, that they may take heed.
[7:131] When good omens came their way, they said, "We have
deserved this," but when a hardship afflicted them, they blamed
Moses and those with him. In fact, their omens are decided only by
GOD, but most of them do not know.
[7:132] They said, "No matter what kind of sign you show us, to
dupe us with your magic, we will not believe."
The Warnings Go Unheeded
[7:133] Consequently, we sent upon them the flood, the locusts,
the lice, the frogs, and the blood - profound signs. But they
maintained their arrogance. They were evil people.
[7:134] Whenever a plague afflicted them, they said, "O Moses,
implore your Lord - you are close to Him. If you relieve this
plague, we will believe with you, and will send the Children of
Israel with you."
[7:135] Yet, when we relieved the plague for any length of time,
they violated their pledge.
The Inevitable Retribution
[7:136] Consequently, we avenged their actions, and drowned them
in the sea. That is because they rejected our signs, and were
totally heedless thereof.
[7:137] We let the oppressed people inherit the land, east and
west, and we blessed it. The blessed commands of your Lord were
thus fulfilled for the Children of Israel, to reward them for
their steadfastness, and we annihilated the works of Pharaoh and
his people and everything they harvested.
After All the Miracles
[7:138] We delivered the Children of Israel across the sea. When
they passed by people who were worshiping statues, they said, "O
Moses, make a god for us, like the gods they have." He said,
"Indeed, you are ignorant people.
[7:139] "These people are committing a blasphemy, for what they
are doing is disastrous for them.
[7:140] "Shall I seek for you other than GOD to be your god, when
He has blessed you more than anyone else in the world?"
Reminder to the Children of Israel
[7:141] Recall that we delivered you from Pharaoh's people, who
inflicted the worst persecution upon you, killing your sons and
sparing your daughters. That was an exacting trial for you from
your Lord.
Our World Cannot Stand the Physical Presence of God
[7:142] We summoned Moses for thirty* nights, and completed them
by adding ten.* Thus, the audience with his Lord lasted forty*
nights. Moses said to his brother Aaron, "Stay here with my
people, maintain righteousness, and do not follow the ways of the
corruptors."
Footnote
[7:143] When Moses came at our appointed time, and his Lord spoke
with him, he said, "My Lord, let me look and see You." He said,
"You cannot see Me. Look at that mountain; if it stays in its
place, then you can see Me." Then, his Lord manifested Himself to
the mountain, and this caused it to crumble. Moses fell
unconscious. When he came to, he said, "Be You glorified. I repent
to You, and I am the most convinced believer."
[7:144] He said, "O Moses, I have chosen you, out of all the
people, with My messages and by speaking to you. Therefore, take
what I have given you and be appreciative."
[7:145] We wrote for him on the tablets all kinds of
enlightenments and details of everything: "You shall uphold these
teachings strongly, and exhort your people to uphold them - these
are the best teachings. I will point out for you the fate of the
wicked."
Divine Intervention Keeps the Disbelievers in the Dark
[7:146] I will divert from My revelations those who are arrogant
on earth, without justification. Consequently, when they see every
kind of proof they will not believe. And when they see the path of
guidance they will not adopt it as their path, but when they see
the path of straying they will adopt it as their path. This is the
consequence of their rejecting our proofs, and being totally
heedless thereof.
[7:147] Those who reject our revelations and the meeting of the
Hereafter, their works are nullified. Are they requited only for
what they committed?
The Golden Calf
[7:148] During his absence, Moses' people made from their jewelry
the statue of a calf, complete with the sound of a calf.* Did they
not see that it could not speak to them, or guide them in any
path? They worshiped it, and thus turned wicked.
Footnote
[7:149] Finally, when they regretted their action, and realized
that they had gone astray, they said, "Unless our Lord redeems us
with His mercy, and forgives us, we will be losers."
[7:150] When Moses returned to his people, angry and disappointed,
he said, "What a terrible thing you have done in my absence! Could
you not wait for the commandments of your Lord?" He threw down the
tablets, and took hold of his brother's head, pulling him towards
himself. (Aaron) said, "Son of my mother, the people took
advantage of my weakness, and almost killed me. Let not my enemies
rejoice, and do not count me with the transgressing people."
[7:151] (Moses) said, "My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and
admit us into Your mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the
Most Merciful."
[7:152] Surely, those who idolized the calf have incurred wrath
from their Lord, and humiliation in this life. We thus requite the
innovators.
[7:153] As for those who committed sins, then repented thereafter
and believed, your Lord - after this - is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[7:154] When Moses' anger subsided, he picked up the tablets,
containing guidance and mercy for those who reverence their Lord.
[7:155] Moses then selected seventy men from among his people, to
come to our appointed audience. When the quake shook them, he
said, "My Lord, You could have annihilated them in the past,
together with me, if You so willed. Would You annihilate us for
the deeds of those among us who are foolish? This must be the test
that You have instituted for us. With it, You condemn whomever You
will, and guide whomever You will. You are our Lord and Master, so
forgive us, shower us with Your mercy; You are the best Forgiver.
Requirements For Attaining God's Mercy The Importance of Zakat
[7:156] "And decree for us righteousness in this world, and in the
Hereafter. We have repented to You." He said, "My retribution
befalls whomever I will. But My mercy encompasses all things.
However, I will specify it for those who (1) lead a righteous
life, (2) give the obligatory charity (Zakat),* (3) believe in our
revelations, and
Footnote
[7:157] "(4) follow the messenger, the gentile prophet (Muhammad),
whom they find written in their Torah and Gospel.* He exhorts them
to be righteous, enjoins them from evil, allows for them all good
food, and prohibits that which is bad, and unloads the burdens and
the shackles imposed upon them. Those who believe in him, respect
him, support him, and follow the light that came with him are the
successful ones."
Footnote
[7:158] Say, "O people, I am GOD's messenger to all of you. To Him
belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. There is no
god except He. He controls life and death." Therefore, you shall
believe in GOD and His messenger, the gentile prophet, who
believes in GOD and His words. Follow him, that you may be guided.
The Guided Jews
[7:159] Among the followers of Moses there are those who guide in
accordance with the truth, and the truth renders them righteous.
Miracles in Sinai
[7:160] We divided them into twelve tribal communities, and we
inspired Moses when his people asked him for water: "Strike the
rock with your staff," whereupon twelve springs gushed out
therefrom. Thus, each community knew its water. And we shaded them
with clouds, and sent down to them manna and quails: "Eat from the
good things we provided for you." It is not us that they wronged;
it is they who wronged their own souls.
Rebellion Despite the Miracles
[7:161] Recall that they were told, "Go into this town to live,
and eat therefrom as you please, treat the people amicably, and
enter the gate humbly. We will then forgive your transgressions.
We will multiply the reward for the righteous."
[7:162] But the evil ones among them substituted other commands
for the commands given to them. Consequently, we sent upon them
condemnation from the sky, because of their wickedness.
Observing the Commandments Brings Prosperity
[7:163] Remind them of the community by the sea, who desecrated
the Sabbath. When they observed the Sabbath, the fish came to them
abundantly. And when they violated the Sabbath, the fish did not
come. We thus afflicted them, as a consequence of their
transgression.
Mocking and Ridiculing God's Message
[7:164] Recall that a group of them said, "Why should you preach
to people whom GOD will surely annihilate or punish severely?"
They answered, "Apologize to your Lord," that they might be saved.
[7:165] When they disregarded what they were reminded of, we saved
those who prohibited evil, and afflicted the wrongdoers with a
terrible retribution for their wickedness.
[7:166] When they continued to defy the commandments, we said to
them, "Be you despicable apes."
[7:167] Additionally, your Lord has decreed that He will raise up
against them people who will inflict severe persecution upon them,
until the Day of Resurrection. Your Lord is most efficient in
enforcing retribution, and He is certainly the Forgiver, Most
Merciful.
[7:168] We scattered them among many communities throughout the
land. Some of them were righteous, and some were less than
righteous. We tested them with prosperity and hardship, that they
may return.
[7:169] Subsequent to them, He substituted new generations who
inherited the scripture. But they opted for the worldly life
instead, saying, "We will be forgiven." But then they continued to
opt for the materials of this world. Did they not make a covenant
to uphold the scripture, and not to say about GOD except the
truth? Did they not study the scripture? Certainly, the abode of
the Hereafter is far better for those who maintain righteousness.
Do you not understand?
[7:170] Those who uphold the scripture, and observe the Contact
Prayers (Salat), we never fail to recompense the pious.
[7:171] We raised the mountain above them like an umbrella, and
they thought it was going to fall on them: "You shall uphold what
we have given you, strongly, and remember the contents thereof,
that you may be saved."
We Are Born With Instinctive Knowledge About God*
[7:172] Recall that your Lord summoned all the descendants of
Adam, and had them bear witness for themselves: "Am I not your
Lord?" They all said, "Yes. We bear witness." Thus, you cannot say
on the Day of Resurrection, "We were not aware of this."
Footnote
[7:173] Nor can you say, "It was our parents who practiced
idolatry, and we simply followed in their footsteps. Will You
punish us because of what others have innovated?"
[7:174] We thus explain the revelations, to enable the people to
redeem themselves.*
Footnote
[7:175] Recite for them the news of one who was given our proofs,
but chose to disregard them. Consequently, the devil pursued him,
until he became a strayer.
[7:176] Had we willed, we could have elevated him therewith, but
he insisted on sticking to the ground, and pursued his own
opinions. Thus, he is like the dog; whether you pet him or scold
him, he pants. Such is the example of people who reject our
proofs. Narrate these narrations, that they may reflect.
[7:177] Bad indeed is the example of people who reject our proofs;
it is only their own souls that they wrong.
[7:178] Whomever GOD guides is the truly guided one, and whomever
He commits to straying, these are the losers.
Satan Hypnotizes His Constituents
[7:179] We have committed to Hell multitudes of jinns and humans.
They have minds with which they do not understand, eyes with which
they do not see, and ears with which they do not hear. They are
like animals; no, they are far worse - they are totally unaware.
[7:180] To GOD belongs the most beautiful names; call upon Him
therewith, and disregard those who distort His names. They will be
requited for their sins.
[7:181] Among our creations, there are those who guide with the
truth, and the truth renders them righteous.
[7:182] As for those who reject our revelations, we lead them on
without them ever realizing it.
[7:183] I will even encourage them; My scheming is formidable.
[7:184] Why do they not reflect upon their friend (the messenger)?
He is not crazy. He is simply a profound warner.
[7:185] Have they not looked at the dominion of the heavens and
the earth, and all the things GOD has created? Does it ever occur
to them that the end of their life may be near? Which Hadith,
beside this, do they believe in?
[7:186] Whomever GOD commits to straying, there is no way for
anyone to guide him. He leaves them in their sins, blundering.
[7:187] They ask you about the end of the world (the Hour),* and
when it will come to pass. Say, "The knowledge thereof is with my
Lord. Only He reveals its time.* Heavy it is, in the heavens and
the earth. It will not come to you except suddenly."** They ask
you as if you are in control thereof. Say, "The knowledge thereof
is with GOD," but most people do not know.
Footnote
Messengers Are Powerless; They Do Not Know the Future
[7:188] Say, "I have no power to benefit myself, or harm myself.
Only what GOD wills happens to me. If I knew the future, I would
have increased my wealth, and no harm would have afflicted me. I
am no more than a warner, and a bearer of good news for those who
believe."
Our Children Can be Idols
[7:189] He created you from one person (Adam). Subsequently, He
gives every man a mate to find tranquility with her. She then
carries a light load that she can hardly notice. As the load gets
heavier, they implore GOD their Lord: "If You give us a good baby,
we will be appreciative."
[7:190] But when He gives them a good baby, they turn His gift
into an idol that rivals Him. GOD be exalted, far above any
partnership.
[7:191] Is it not a fact that they are idolizing idols who create
nothing, and are themselves created?
[7:192] Idols that can neither help them, nor even help
themselves?
[7:193] When you invite them to the guidance, they do not follow
you. Thus, it is the same for them whether you invite them, or
remain silent.
[7:194] The idols you invoke besides GOD are creatures like you.
Go ahead and call upon them; let them respond to you, if you are
right.
[7:195] Do they have legs on which they walk? Do they have hands
with which they defend themselves? Do they have eyes with which
they see? Do they have ears with which they hear? Say, "Call upon
your idols, and ask them to smite me without delay.
[7:196] "GOD is my only Lord and Master; the One who revealed this
scripture. He protects the righteous.
[7:197] "As for the idols you set up beside Him, they cannot help
you, nor can they help themselves."
[7:198] When you invite them to the guidance, they do not hear.
And you see them looking at you, but they do not see.
[7:199] You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and
disregard the ignorant.
[7:200] When the devil whispers to you any whisper, seek refuge in
GOD; He is Hearer, Omniscient.
[7:201] Those who are righteous, whenever the devil approaches
them with an idea, they remember, whereupon they become seers.
[7:202] Their brethren ceaselessly entice them to go astray.
[7:203] If you do not produce a miracle that they demand, they
say, "Why not ask for it?" Say, "I simply follow what is revealed
to me from my Lord." These are enlightenments from your Lord, and
guidance, and mercy for people who believe.
[7:204] When the Quran is recited, you shall listen to it and take
heed, that you may attain mercy.
[7:205] You shall remember your Lord within yourself, publicly,
privately, and quietly, day and night; do not be unaware.*
Footnote
[7:206] Those at your Lord are never too proud to worship Him;
they glorify Him and fall prostrate before Him.
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