[26:137]

This is but a fable of the men of old,

[26:138]

And we shall not be doomed.

[26:139]

And they denied him; therefor We destroyed them. Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers.

[26:140]

And lo! thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.

[26:141]

(The tribe of) Thamud denied the messengers (of Allah)

[26:142]

When their brother Salih said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil) ?

[26:143]

Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you,

[26:144]

So keep your duty to Allah and obey me.

[26:145]

And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds.

[26:146]

Will ye be left secure in that which is here before us,

[26:147]

In gardens and watersprings.

[26:148]

And tilled fields and heavy-sheathed palm-trees,

[26:149]

Though ye hew out dwellings in the mountain, being skilful ?

[26:150]

Therefor keep your duty to Allah and obey me,

[26:151]

And obey not the command of the prodigal,

[26:152]

Who spread corruption in the earth, and reform not.

[26:153]

They said: Thou art but one of the bewitched;

[26:154]

Thou art but a mortal like us. So bring some token if thou art of the truthful.

[26:155]

He said: (Behold) this she-camel. She hath the right to drink (at the well), and ye have the right to drink, (each) on an appointed day.

[26:156]

And touch her not with ill lest there come on you the retribution of an awful day.

[26:157]

But they hamstrung her, and then were penitent.

[26:158]

So the retribution came on them. Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers.

[26:159]

And lo! thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.