Sura 26: The Poets (Al-Shu‘arã’)

[26:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[26:1] T. S. M.*

[26:2] These (letters) constitute proofs of this clarifying scripture.

[26:3] You may blame yourself that they are not believers.

[26:4] If we will, we can send from the sky a sign that forces their necks to bow.

The Quran's Mathematical Code

[26:5] Whenever a reminder from the Most Gracious comes to them, that is new, they turn away in aversion.

[26:6] Since they disbelieved, they have incurred the consequences of their heedlessness.

[26:7] Have they not seen the earth, and how many kinds of beautiful plants we have grown thereon?

[26:8] This should be a sufficient proof for them, but most of them are not believers.

[26:9] Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

Moses

[26:10] Recall that your Lord called Moses: "Go to the transgressing people.

[26:11] "Pharaoh's people; perhaps they reform."

[26:12] He said, "My Lord, I fear lest they disbelieve me.

[26:13] "I may lose my temper. My tongue gets tied; send for my brother Aaron.

[26:14] "Also, they consider me a fugitive; I fear lest they kill me."

[26:15] He said, "No, (they will not). Go with My proofs. We will be with you, listening.

[26:16] "Go to Pharaoh and say, 'We are messengers from the Lord of the universe.

[26:17] "'Let the Children of Israel go.'"

[26:18] He said, "Did we not raise you from infancy, and you spent many years with us?

[26:19] "Then you committed the crime that you committed, and you were ungrateful."

[26:20] He said, "Indeed, I did it when I was astray.

[26:21] "Then I fled, when I feared you, and my Lord endowed me with wisdom and made me one of the messengers.

[26:22] "You are boasting that you did me a favor, while enslaving the Children of Israel!"

[26:23] Pharaoh said, "What is the Lord of the universe?"

[26:24] He said, "The Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them. You should be certain about this."

[26:25] He said to those around him, "Did you hear this?"

[26:26] He said, "Your Lord and the Lord of your ancestors."

[26:27] He said, "Your messenger who is sent to you is crazy."

[26:28] He said, "The Lord of the east and the west, and everything between them, if you understand."

[26:29] He said, "If you accept any god, other than me, I will throw you in the prison."

[26:30] He said, "What if I show you something profound?"

[26:31] He said, "Then produce it, if you are truthful."

[26:32] He then threw his staff, whereupon it became a profound snake.

[26:33] And he took out his hand, and it was white to the beholders.

[26:34] He said to the elders around him, "This is an experienced magician.

[26:35] "He wants to take you out of your land, with his magic. What do you suggest?"

[26:36] They said, "Respite him and his brother, and send summoners to every town.

[26:37] "Let them summon every experienced magician."

[26:38] The magicians were gathered at the appointed time, on the appointed day.

[26:39] The people were told: "Come one and all; let us gather together here.

[26:40] "Maybe we will follow the magicians, if they are the winners."

[26:41] When the magicians came, they said to Pharaoh, "Do we get paid, if we are the winners?"

[26:42] He said, "Yes indeed; you will even be close to me."

[26:43] Moses said to them, "Throw what you are going to throw."

[26:44] They threw their ropes and sticks, and said, "By Pharaoh's majesty, we will be the victors."

[26:45] Moses threw his staff, whereupon it swallowed what they fabricated.

The Experts See the Truth

[26:46] The magicians fell prostrate.

[26:47] They said, "We believe in the Lord of the universe.

[26:48] "The Lord of Moses and Aaron."

[26:49] He said, "Did you believe with him before I give you permission? He must be your teacher, who taught you magic. You will surely find out. I will cut your hands and feet on alternate sides. I will crucify you all."

[26:50] They said, "This will not change our decision; to our Lord we will return.

[26:51] "We hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, especially that we are the first believers."

[26:52] We inspired Moses: "Travel with My servants; you will be pursued."

[26:53] Pharaoh sent to the cities callers.

[26:54] (Proclaiming,) "This is a small gang.

[26:55] "They are now opposing us.

[26:56] "Let us all beware of them."

The Inevitable Retribution

[26:57] Consequently, we deprived them of gardens and springs.

[26:58] And treasures and an honorable position.

[26:59] Then we made it an inheritance for the Children of Israel.

[26:60] They pursued them towards the east.

[26:61] When both parties saw each other, Moses' people said, "We will be caught."

[26:62] He said, "No way. My Lord is with me; He will guide me."

[26:63] We then inspired Moses: "Strike the sea with your staff," whereupon it parted. Each part was like a great hill.

[26:64] We then delivered them all.

[26:65] We thus saved Moses and all those who were with him.

[26:66] And we drowned the others.

[26:67] This should be a sufficient proof, but most people are not believers.

[26:68] Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

Abraham

[26:69] Narrate to them Abraham's history.

[26:70] He said to his father and his people, "What is this you are worshiping?"

[26:71] They said, "We worship statues; we are totally devoted to them."

[26:72] He said, "Can they hear you when you implore?

[26:73] "Can they benefit you, or harm you?"

[26:74] They said, "No; but we found our parents doing this."

[26:75] He said, "Do you see these idols that you worship.

[26:76] "You and your ancestors.

[26:77] "I am against them, for I am devoted only to the Lord of the universe.

[26:78] "The One who created me, and guided me.

[26:79] "The One who feeds me and waters me.

[26:80] "And when I get sick, He heals me.

[26:81] "The One who puts me to death, then brings me back to life.

[26:82] "The One who hopefully will forgive my sins on the Day of Judgment.

[26:83] "My Lord, grant me wisdom, and include me with the righteous.

[26:84] "Let the example I set for the future generations be a good one.

[26:85] "Make me one of the inheritors of the blissful Paradise.

[26:86] "And forgive my father, for he has gone astray.

[26:87] "And do not forsake me on the Day of Resurrection."

[26:88] That is the day when neither money, nor children, can help.

[26:89] Only those who come to GOD with their whole heart (will be saved).

[26:90] Paradise will be presented to the righteous.

[26:91] Hell will be set up for the strayers.

They Will Disown Their Idols

[26:92] They will be asked, "Where are the idols you had worshiped

[26:93] "beside GOD? Can they help you now? Can they help themselves?"

[26:94] They will be thrown therein, together with the strayers.

[26:95] And all of Satan's soldiers.

[26:96] They will say as they feud therein,

[26:97] "By GOD, we were far astray.

[26:98] "How could we set you up to rank with the Lord of the universe?

[26:99] "Those who misled us were wicked.

[26:100] "Now we have no intercessors.

[26:101] "Nor a single close friend.

[26:102] "If only we could get another chance, we would then believe."

[26:103] This should be a good lesson. But most people are not believers.

[26:104] Your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

Noah

[26:105] The people of Noah disbelieved the messengers.

[26:106] Their brother Noah said to them, "Would you not be righteous?

[26:107] "I am an honest messenger to you.

[26:108] "You shall reverence GOD and obey me.

[26:109] "I do not ask you for any wage. My wage comes from the Lord of the universe.

[26:110] "You shall reverence GOD and obey me."

[26:111] They said, "How can we believe with you, when the worst among us have followed you?"

[26:112] He said, "How do I know what they did?

[26:113] "Their judgment rests only with my Lord, if you could perceive.

[26:114] "I will never dismiss the believers.

[26:115] "I am no more than a clarifying warner."

[26:116] They said, "Unless you refrain, O Noah, you will be stoned."

[26:117] He said, "My Lord, my people have disbelieved me.

[26:118] "Grant me victory against them, and deliver me and my company of believers."

[26:119] We delivered him and those who accompanied him in the loaded ark.

[26:120] Then we drowned the others.

[26:121] This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

[26:122] Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

Hûd

[26:123] 'Ãd disbelieved the messengers.

[26:124] Their brother Hûd said to them, "Would you not be righteous?

[26:125] "I am an honest messenger to you.

[26:126] "You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

[26:127] "I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes from the Lord of the universe.

[26:128] "You build on every hill a mansion for vanity's sake.

[26:129] "You set up buildings as if you last forever.

[26:130] "And when you strike, you strike mercilessly.

[26:131] "You shall reverence GOD and obey me.

[26:132] "Reverence the One who provided you with all the things you know.

[26:133] "He provided you with livestock and children.

[26:134] "And gardens and springs.

[26:135] "I fear for you the retribution of an awesome day."

[26:136] They said, "It is the same whether you preach, or not preach.

[26:137] "That affliction was limited to our ancestors.

[26:138] "No retribution will ever befall us."

[26:139] They thus disbelieved and, consequently, we annihilated them. This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

[26:140] Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

Sãleh

[26:141] Thamûd disbelieved the messengers.

[26:142] Their brother Sãleh said to them, "Would you not be righteous?

[26:143] "I am an honest messenger to you.

[26:144] "You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

[26:145] "I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.

[26:146] "Do you suppose you will be left forever, secure in this state?

[26:147] "You enjoy gardens and springs.

[26:148] "And crops and date palms with delicious fruits.

[26:149] "You carve out of the mountains luxurious mansions.

[26:150] "You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

[26:151] "Do not obey the transgressors.

[26:152] "Who commit evil, not good works."

[26:153] They said, "You are bewitched.

[26:154] "You are no more than a human like us. Produce a miracle, if you are truthful."

[26:155] He said, "Here is a camel that will drink only on a day that is assigned to her; a day that is different from your specified days of drinking.

[26:156] "Do not touch her with any harm, lest you incur retribution on an awesome day."

[26:157] They slaughtered her, and thus incurred sorrow.

[26:158] The retribution overwhelmed them. This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

[26:159] Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

Lot

[26:160] The people of Lot disbelieved the messengers.

[26:161] Their brother Lot said to them, "Would you not be righteous?

[26:162] "I am an honest messenger to you.

[26:163] "You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

[26:164] "I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.

[26:165] "Do you have sex with the males, of all the people?

[26:166] "You forsake the wives that your Lord has created for you! Indeed, you are transgressing people."

[26:167] They said, "Unless you refrain, O Lot, you will be banished."

[26:168] He said, "I deplore your actions."

[26:169] "My Lord, save me and my family from their works."

[26:170] We saved him and all his family.

[26:171] But not the old woman; she was doomed.

[26:172] We then destroyed the others.

[26:173] We showered them with a miserable shower; what a terrible shower for those who had been warned!

[26:174] This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

[26:175] Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

Shu'aib

[26:176] The People of the Woods disbelieved the messengers.

[26:177] Shu'aib said to them, "Would you not be righteous?

[26:178] "I am an honest messenger to you.

[26:179] "You shall reverence GOD, and obey me.

[26:180] "I do not ask you for any wage; my wage comes only from the Lord of the universe.

[26:181] "You shall give full measure when you trade; do not cheat.

[26:182] "You shall weigh with an equitable scale.

[26:183] "Do not cheat the people out of their rights, and do not roam the earth corruptingly.

[26:184] "Reverence the One who created you and the previous generations."

[26:185] They said, "You are bewitched.

[26:186] "You are no more than a human being like us. In fact, we think you are a liar.

[26:187] "Let masses from the sky fall on us, if you are truthful."

[26:188] He said, "My Lord is the One who knows everything you do."

[26:189] They disbelieved him and, consequently, they incurred the retribution of the Day of the Canopy. It was the retribution of an awesome day.

[26:190] This should be a lesson, but most people are not believers.

[26:191] Most assuredly, your Lord is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

The Quran

[26:192] This is a revelation from the Lord of the universe.

[26:193] The Honest Spirit (Gabriel) came down with it.

[26:194] To reveal it into your heart, that you may be one of the warners.

[26:195] In a perfect Arabic tongue.

[26:196] It has been prophesied in the books of previous generations.

[26:197] Is it not a sufficient sign for them that it was known to the scholars among the Children of Israel?

The Quran Must Be Translated

[26:198] If we revealed this to people who do not know Arabic.

[26:199] And had him recite it (in Arabic), they could not possibly believe in it.

[26:200] We thus render it (like a foreign language) in the hearts of the guilty.

[26:201] Thus, they cannot believe in it; not until they see the painful retribution.

[26:202] It will come to them suddenly, when they least expect it.

[26:203] They will then say, "Can we have a respite?"

[26:204] Did they not challenge our retribution?

[26:205] As you see, we allowed them to enjoy for years.

[26:206] Then the retribution came to them, just as promised.

[26:207] Their vast resources did not help them in the least.

[26:208] We never annihilate any community without sending warners.

[26:209] Therefore, this is a reminder, for we are never unjust.

False Messengers Incapable of Preaching the Worship of God ALONE*

[26:210] The devils can never reveal this.

[26:211] They neither would, nor could.

[26:212] For they are prevented from hearing.

[26:213] Therefore, do not idolize beside GOD any other god, lest you incur the retribution.

God's Messenger of the Covenant*

[26:214] You shall preach to the people who are closest to you.

[26:215] And lower your wing for the believers who follow you.

[26:216] If they disobey you, then say, "I disown what you do."

[26:217] And put your trust in the Almighty, Most Merciful.

[26:218] Who sees you when you meditate during the night.

[26:219] And your frequent prostrations.

[26:220] He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.

[26:221] Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend?

[26:222] They descend upon every guilty fabricator.

[26:223] They pretend to listen, but most of them are liars.

[26:224] As for the poets, they are followed only by the strayers.

[26:225] Do you not see that their loyalty shifts according to the situation?

[26:226] And that they say what they do not do?

[26:227] Exempted are those who believe, lead a righteous life, commemorate GOD frequently, and stand up for their rights. Surely, the transgressors will find out what their ultimate destiny is.