Part 19
And those who expect not a Meeting with Us (i.e. those who deny
the Day of Resurrection and the life of the Hereafter), said: "Why are not
the angels sent down to us, or why do we not see our Lord?" Indeed they
think too highly of themselves, and are scornful with great pride.[] (21) On the Day they will
see the angels, no glad tidings will there be for the Mujrimūn (criminals,
disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) that day. And they (angels) will say:
"All kinds of glad tidings are forbidden to you," [none will be
allowed to enter
And no example or similitude do they bring (to oppose or to find
fault in you or in this Qur'ān), but We reveal to you the truth (against that
similitude or example), and the better explanation thereof. (33) Those who will be
gathered to Hell (prone) on their faces, such will be in an evil state, and most
astray from the (Straight) Path[]. (34) And indeed We gave Mūsa (Moses) the Scripture
[the Taurāt (Torah)], and placed his brother Hārūn (Aaron) with him as a
helper; (35) And We said: "Go you both to the people who have denied Our
Ayāt (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)." Then
We destroyed them with utter destruction (36) And Nūh's (Noah) people, when they
denied the Messengers We drowned them, and We made them as a sign for mankind.
And We have prepared a painful torment for the Zālimūn (polytheists and
wrong-doers). (37) And (also) 'Ad and Thamūd, and the Dwellers of Ar-Rass, and many
generations in between. (38) And for each (of them) We put forward
examples (as proofs and lessons), and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin
(because of their disbelief and evil deeds). (39) And indeed they have
passed by the town [of Prophet Lut (
Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are
only like cattle; nay, they are even farther astray from the Path. (i.e. even
worst than cattle). (44) Have you not seen how your Lord spread the shadow. If He
willed, He could have made it still But We have made the sun its guide
[i.e. after the sunrise, the shadow shrinks and vanishes at midnoon and then
again appears in the afternoon with the decline of the sun, and had there been
no sunlight, there would have been no shadow] (45) Then We withdraw it
to Us a gradual concealed withdrawal. (46) And it is He Who makes the night a
covering for you, and the sleep (as) a repose, and makes the day Nushūr (i.e.
getting up and going about here and there for daily work, after one's sleep at
night or like resurrection after one's death). (47) And it is He Who
sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain), and
We send down pure water from the sky. (48) That We may give life thereby to a
dead land, and We give to drink thereof many of the cattle and men that We had
created. (49) And indeed We have distributed it (rain or water) amongst them
in order that they may remember (the Grace of Allāh), but most men (refuse to
accept the Truth or Faith and) accept nothing but disbelief or ingratitude. (50) And had We willed, We
would have raised a warner in every town. (51) So obey not the
disbelievers, but strive against them (by preaching) with the utmost endeavour,
with it (the Qur'ān). (52) And it is He Who has let free the two seas (kinds of
water), one palatable and sweet, and the other salt and bitter, and He has set
a barrier and a complete partition between them. (53) And it is He Who has
created man from water, and has appointed for him kindred by blood, and kindred
by marriage. And your Lord is Ever All-Powerful to do what He wills. (54) And they
(disbelievers, polytheists) worship besides Allāh, that which can neither
profit them nor harm them, and the disbeliever is ever a helper (of the Satan)
against his Lord. (55)
And We have sent you (O Muhammad SAW ) only as a bearer of glad
tidings and a warner. (56) Say: "No reward do I ask of you for this (that which
I have brought from my Lord and its preaching), save that whosoever wills, may take
a Path to his Lord. (57) And put your trust (O Muhammad SAW) in the Ever Living
One Who dies not, and glorify His Praises, and Sufficient is He as the
All-Knower of the sins of His slaves; (58) Who created the heavens and the earth
and all that is between them in six Days. Then He rose over (Istawā) the Throne
(in a manner that suits His Majesty). The Most Gracious (Allāh)! Ask Him (O
Prophet Muhammad SAW, concerning His Qualities, His rising over His Throne, His
creations, etc.), as He is Al-Khabīr (The All-Knower of everything i.e. Allāh).
(59) And when it is said
to them: "Prostrate yourserves to the Most Gracious (Allāh)! they say:
"And what is the Most Gracious? Shall we fall down in prostration to that
which you (O Muhammad SAW) command us?" And it increases in them only
aversion. (60) Blessed is He Who has placed in the heaven big stars, and has
placed therein a great lamp (sun), and a moon giving light. (61) And He it is Who has
put the night and the day in succession, for such who desires to remember or
desires to show his gratitude. (62) And the (faithful) slaves of the Most
Gracious (Allāh) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness,
and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild
words of gentleness. (63) And those who spend the night in worship of their Lord,
prostrate and standing[] (64) And those who say: "Our Lord! Avert from
us the torment of Hell. Verily! Its torment is ever an inseparable, permanent
punishment." (65) Evil indeed it (Hell) is as an abode and as a place to
rest in. (66) And those, who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor
niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes). (67)
And those who invoke not any other ilāh (god) along with Allāh,
nor kill such person as Allāh has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit
illegal sexual intercourse - and whoever does this shall receive the
punishment[] (68) The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection,
and he will abide therein in disgrace; (69) Except those who repent and believe
(in Islāmic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, for those, Allāh will change
their sins into good deeds, and Allāh is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful[] (70) And whosoever repents
and does righteous good deeds, then verily, he repents towards Allāh with true
repentance. (71) And those who do not witness to falsehood, and if they pass by
some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity. (72) And those who, when
they are reminded of the Ayāt (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs,
revelations, etc.) of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat. (73) And those who say:
"Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of
our eyes, and make us leaders for the Muttaqūn" (pious - see V.2:2)." (74) Those will be
rewarded with the highest place (in
Al-Shuara
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Tā¬Sīn¬Mīm. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ān,
and none but Allāh (Alone) knows their meanings.] (1) These are the Verses
of the manifest Book [this Qur'ān, which was promised by Allāh in the Taurāt
(Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel), makes things clear]. (2) It may be that you (O
Muhammad SAW) are going to kill yourself with grief, that they do not become
believers [in your Risalah (Messengership) i.e. in your Message of Islāmic
Monotheism][]. (3) If We will, We could send down to them from the heaven a sign,
to which they would bend their necks in humility. (4) And never comes there
unto them a Reminder as a recent revelation from the Most Gracious (Allāh), but
they turn away therefrom. (5) So they have indeed denied (the truth this
Qur'ān), then the news of what they mocked at, will come to them. (6) Do they not observe
the earth, how much of every good kind We cause to grow therein? (7) Verily, in this is an
Ayāh (proof or sign), yet most of them (polytheists, pagans, who do not believe
in Resurrection) are not believers. (8) And verily, your Lord! He is truly the
All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. (9) And (remember) when your Lord called Mūsa
(Moses) (saying): "Go to the people who are Zālimūn (polytheists and
wrong-doing), (10) The people of Fir'aun (Pharaoh). Will they not fear Allāh and
become righteous?" (11) He said: "My Lord! Verily, I fear that
they will belie me, (12) "And my breast straitens, and my tongue expresses
not well. So send for Hārūn (Aaron) (to come along with me). (13) "And they have a
charge of crime against me, and I fear they will kill me." (14) (Allāh) said:
"Nay! Go you both with Our Signs. Verily! We shall be with you, listening.
(15) "And go both of
you to Fir'aun (Pharaoh), and say: 'We are the Messengers of the Lord of the
'Alamīn (mankind, jinn and all that exists), (16) "So allow the
Children of
Mūsa (Moses) said: "I did it then, when I was an ignorant (as
regards my Lord and His Message). (20) "So I fled from you when I feared you.
But my Lord has granted me Hukm (i.e. religious knowledge, right judgement of
the affairs and Prophethood), and appointed me one of the Messengers. (21) "And this is the
past favour with which you reproach me, that you have enslaved the Children of
"That we may follow the sorcerers [who were on Fir'aun's
(Pharaoh) religion of disbelief] if they are the winners." (40) So when the sorcerers
arrived, they said to Fir'aun (Pharaoh): "Will there surely be a reward
for us if we are the winners?" (41) He said: "Yes, and you shall then verily
be of those brought near (to myself)." (42) Mūsa (Moses) said to
them: "Throw what you are going to throw!" (43) So they threw their
ropes and their sticks, and said: "By the might of Fir'aun (Pharaoh), it
is we who will certainly win!" (44) Then Mūsa (Moses) threw his stick, and
behold, it swallowed up all that they falsely showed! (45) And the sorcerers
fell down prostrate. (46) Saying: "We believe in the Lord of the 'Alamīn
(mankind, jinn and all that exists). (47) "The Lord of Mūsa (Moses) and
Hārūn (Aaron)." (48) [Fir'aun (Pharaoh)] said: "You have believed in him
before I give you leave. Surely, he indeed is your chief, who has taught you
magic! So verily, you shall come to know. Verily, I will cut off your hands and
your feet on opposite sides, and I will crucify you all." (49) They said: "No
harm! Surely, to our Lord (Allāh) we are to return; (50) "Verily! We really
hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins, as we are the first of the
believers [in Mūsa (Moses) and in the Monotheism which he has brought from
Allāh]." (51) And We revealed to Mūsa (Moses), saying: "Depart by night
with My slaves , verily, you will be pursued." (52) Then Fir'aun
(Pharaoh) sent callers to (all) the cities. (53) (Saying):
"Verily! these indeed are but a small band. (54) "And verily,
they have done what has enraged us; (55) "But we are host all assembled, amply
fore-warned." (56) So, We expelled them from gardens and springs, (57) Treasures, and every
kind of honourable place. (58) Thus [We turned them (Pharaoh's people) out]
and We caused the Children of
And when the two hosts saw each other, the companions of Mūsa
(Moses) said: "We are sure to be overtaken." (61) [Mūsa (Moses)] said:
"Nay, verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me." (62) Then We revealed to
Mūsa (Moses) (saying): "Strike the sea with your stick." And it
parted, and each separate part (of that sea water) became like the huge
mountain. (63) Then We brought near the others [Fir'aun's (Pharaoh) party] to
that place. (64) And We saved Mūsa (Moses) and all those with him. (65) Then We drowned the
others. (66) Verily! In this is indeed a sign (or a proof), yet most of them
are not believers. (67) And verily, your Lord! He is truly the All-Mighty, the
Most Merciful. (68) And recite to them the story of Ibrāhim (Abraham). (69) When he said to his
father and his people: "What do you worship?" (70) They said: "We
worship idols, and to them we are ever devoted." (71) He said: "Do
they hear you, when you call on (them)? (72) "Or do they benefit you or do
they harm (you)?" (73) They said: "(Nay), but we found our fathers doing
so." (74) He said: "Do you observe that which you have been
worshipping, (75) "You and your ancient fathers? (76) "Verily! they
are enemies to me, save the Lord of the 'Alamīn (mankind, jinn and all that
exists); (77) "Who has created me, and it is He Who guides me; (78) "And it is He
Who feeds me and gives me to drink (79) "And when I am ill, it is He who cures
me; (80) "And Who will
cause me to die, and then will bring me to life (again); (81) "And Who, I hope
will forgive me my faults on the Day of Recompense, (the Day of
Resurrection)," (82) My Lord! Bestow Hukm (religious knowledge, right
judgement of the affairs and Prophethood) on me, and join me with the
righteous, (83)
And grant me an honourable mention in later generations. (84) And make me one of
the inheritors of the
He said: "And what knowledge have I of what they used to do?
(112) "Their account
is only with my Lord, if you could (but) know. (113) "And I am not
going to drive away the believers. (114) I am only a plain warner." (115) They said: "If
you cease not, O Nūh (Noah)! You will surely be among those stoned (to
death)." (116) He said: "My Lord! Verily, my people have belied me. (117) Therefore judge You
between me and them, and save me and those of the believers who are with
me." (118) And We saved him and those with him in the laden ship. (119) Then We drowned the
rest (disbelievers) thereafter. (120) Verily, in this is indeed a sign, yet most of
them are not believers. (121) And verily! Your Lord, He is indeed the
All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. (122) 'Ad (people) belied the Messengers. (123) When their brother
Hūd said to them: "Will you not fear Allāh and obey Him? (124) "Verily! I am a
trustworthy Messenger to you. (125) "So fear Allāh, keep your duty to Him,
and obey me. (126) "No reward do I ask of you for it (my Message of Islāmic
Monotheism), my reward is only from the Lord of the 'Alamīn (mankind, jinn, and
all that exists). (127) "Do you build high palaces on every high place,
while you do not live in them? (128) "And do you get for yourselves palaces
(fine buildings) as if you will live therein for ever[] (129) "And when you
seize (some body), seize you (him) as tyrants? (130) "So fear Allāh,
keep your duty to Him, and obey me. (131) "And keep your duty to Him, fear Him Who
has aided you with all (good things) that you know. (132) "He has aided
you with cattle and children. (133) "And gardens and springs. (134) "Verily, I fear
for you the torment of a Great Day." (135) They said: "It
is the same to us whether you preach or be not of those who preach. (136)
"This is no other than the false-tales and religion of the
ancients, [Tafsir At-Tabarī]. (137) "And we are not going to be
punished." (138) So they belied him, and We destroyed them. Verily! In this is
indeed a sign, yet most of them are not believers (139) And verily, Your
Lord, He is indeed the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. (140) Thamūd (people)
belied the Messengers. (141) When their brother Sālih said to them: "Will you not
fear Allāh and obey Him? (142) "I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. (143) "So fear Allāh,
keep your duty to Him, and obey me. (144) "No reward do I ask of you for it (my
Message of Islāmic Monotheism), my reward is only from the Lord of the 'Alamīn
(mankind, jinn and all that exists). (145) "Will you be
left secure in that which you have here? (146) "In gardens and
springs. (147) And green crops (fields) and date-palms with soft spadix. (148) "And you hew out
in the mountains, houses, with great skill. (149) "So fear Allāh,
keep your duty to Him, and obey me. (150) "And follow not the command of
Al-Musrifūn [i.e. their chiefs, leaders who were polytheists, criminals and
sinners], (151) "Who make mischief in the land, and reform not." (152) They said: "You
are only of those bewitched! (153) "You are but a human being like us. Then
bring us a sign if you are of the truthful." (154) He said: "Here
is a she-camel; it has a right to drink (water), and you have a right to drink
(water) (each) on a day, known (155) "And touch her not with harm, lest the
torment of a Great Day should seize you." (156) But they killed her,
and then they became regretful. (157) So the torment overtook them. Verily, in this
is indeed a sign, yet most of them are not believers. (158) And verily, Your
Lord, He is indeed the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. (159)
The prople of Lut (Lot) (who dwelt in the town of
"And fear Him Who created you and the generations of the men
of old." (184) They said: "You are only one of those bewitched! (185) "You are but a
human being like us and verily, we think that you are one of the liars! (186) "So cause a
piece of the heaven to fall on us, if you are of the truthful!" (187) He said: "My
Lord is the Best Knower of what you do." (188) But they belied him,
so the torment of the day of shadow (a gloomy cloud) seized them, indeed that
was the torment of a Great Day. (189) Verily, in this is indeed a sign, yet most of
them are not believers. (190) And verily! Your Lord, He is indeed the
All-Mighty, the Most Merciful. (191) And truly, this (the Qur'ān) is a revelation
from the Lord of the 'Alamīn (mankind, jinn and all that exists), (192) Which the trustworthy
Rūh [Jibril (Gabriel)] has brought down; (193) Upon your heart (O
Muhammad SAW) that you may be (one) of the warners, (194) In the plain Arabic
language. (195) And verily, it (the Qur'ān, and its revelation to Prophet
Muhammad SAW) is (announced) in the Scriptures [i.e. the Taurāt (Torah) and the
Injeel (Gospel)] of former people. (196) Is it not a sign to them that the learned
scholars (like 'Abdullāh bin Salām radhiallahu'anhu who embraced Islām)[] of
the Children of
All that with which they used to enjoy shall not avail them. (207) And never did We
destroy a township, but it had its warners (208) By way of reminder,
and We have never been unjust. (209) And it is not the Shayātin (devils) who have
brought it (this Qur'ān) down, (210) Neither would it suit them, nor they can
(produce it). (211) Verily, they have been removed far from hearing it. (212) So invoke not with Allāh
another ilāh (god) lest you be among those who receive punishment. (213) And warn your tribe
(O Muhammad SAW) of near kindred[] (214) And be kind and humble to the believers who
follow you. (215) Then if they disobey you, say: "I am innocent of what you
do." (216) And put your trust in the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful, (217) Who sees you (O
Muhammad SAW) when you stand up (alone at night for Tahajjud prayers). (218) And your movements
among those who fall prostrate (to Allāh in the five compulsory congregational
prayers). (219) Verily, He, only He, is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. (220) Shall I inform you (O
people!) upon whom the Shayātin (devils) descend? (221) They descend on every
lying, sinful person. (222) Who gives ear (to the devils and they pour what they may
have heard of the unseen from the angels), and most of them are liars. (223) As for the poets, the
erring ones follow them, (224) See you not that they speak about every
subject (praising people - right or wrong) in their poetry? (225) And that they say
what they do not do. (226) Except those who believe (in the Oneness of Allāh
Islāmic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds, and remember Allāh much and
vindicate themselves after they have been wronged [by replying back in the
poetry to the unjust poetry (which the pagan poets utter against the Muslims)].
And those who do wrong will come to know by what overturning they will be
overturned. (227)
Al-Naml
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Tā¬Sīn. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ān, and
none but Allāh (Alone) knows their meanings]. These are the Verses of the
Qur'ān, and (it is) a Book (that makes things) clear; (1) A guide (to the Right
Path); and glad tidings for the believers [who believe in the Oneness of Allāh
(i.e. Islāmic Monotheism)]. (2) Those who perform As¬Salāt (Iqāmat¬as¬Salāt)
and give Zakāt and they believe with certainty in the Hereafter (resurrection,
recompense of their good and bad deeds,
And they belied them (those Ayāt) wrongfully and arrogantly,
though their ownselves were convinced thereof [i.e. those (Ayāt) are from
Allāh, and Mūsa (Moses) is the Messenger of Allāh in truth, but they disliked
to obey Mūsa (Moses), and hated to believe in his Message of Monotheism]. So
see what was the end of the Mufsidūn (disbelievers, disobedient to Allāh,
evil-doers, liars.). (14) And indeed We gave knowledge to Dawūd (David) and
Sulaimān (Solomon), and they both said: "All the praises and thanks are to
Allāh, Who has preferred us above many of His believing slaves!" (15) And Sulaimān
(Solomon) inherited (the knowledge of) Dawūd (David). He said: "O mankind!
We have been taught the language of birds, and on us have been bestowed all
things. This, verily, is an evident grace (from Allāh)." (16) And there were
gathered before Sulaimān (Solomon) his hosts of jinn and men, and birds, and
they all were set in battle order (marching forward). (17) Till, when they came
to the valley of the ants, one of the ants said: "O ants! Enter your
dwellings, lest Sulaimān (Solomon) and his hosts should crush you, while they
perceive not." (18) So he [Sulaimān (Solomon)] smiled, amused at her speech[1] and said: "My
Lord! Grant me the power and ability that I may be grateful for Your Favours
which You have bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may do righteous
good deeds that will please You, and admit me by Your Mercy among Your
righteous slaves." (19) He inspected the birds, and said: "What
is the matter that I see not the hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees? (20) "I will surely
punish him with a severe torment, or slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear
reason." (21) But the hoopoe stayed not long, he (came up and) said: "I
have grasped (the knowledge of a thing) which you have not grasped and I have
come to you from Saba' (
"I found a woman ruling over them", she has been given
all things that could be possessed by any ruler of the earth, and she has a
great throne. (23) "I found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of
Allāh, and Shaitān (Satan) has made their deeds fair-seeming to them, and has
barred them from (Allāh's) Way, so they have no guidance," (24) [As Shaitān (Satan)
has barred them from Allāh's Way] so they do not worship (prostrate themselves
before) Allāh, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth,
and knows what you conceal and what you reveal. (Tafsir At-Tabarī) (25) Allāh, Lā ilāha illa
Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme
Throne! (26) [Sulaimān (Solomon)] said: "We shall see whether you speak
the truth or you are (one) of the liars (27) "Go you with this letter of mine,
and deliver it to them, then draw back from them, and see what (answer) they
return." (28) She said: "O chiefs! Verily! Here is delivered to me a
noble letter, (29) "Verily, It is from Sulaimān (Solomon), and verily, It
(reads): In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful; (30) "Be you not
exalted against me, but come to me as Muslims (true believers who submit to
Allāh with full submission)' " (31) She said: "O chiefs! Advise me in (this)
case of mine. I decide no case till you are present with me (and give me your
opinions)." (32) They said: "We have great strength, and great ability for
war, but it is for you to command; so think over what you will command." (33) She said:
"Verily! Kings, when they enter a town (country), they despoil it, and
make the most honourable amongst its people the lowest. And thus they do. (34) "But verily! I
am going to send him a present, and see with what (answer) the messengers
return." (35)
So when (the messengers with the present) came to Sulaimān
(Solomon), he said: "Will you help me in wealth? What Allāh has given me
is better than that which He has given you! Nay, you rejoice in your
gift!" (36) [Then Sulaimān (Solomon) said to the chief of her messengers who
brought the present]: "Go back to them. We verily shall come to them with
hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from there in
disgrace, and they will be abased." (37) He said: "O chiefs! Which of you
can bring me her throne before they come to me surrendering themselves in
obedience?" (38) An Ifrīt (strong one) from the jinn said: "I will bring it
to you before you rise from your place (council). And verily, I am indeed
strong, and trustworthy for such work." (39) One with whom was
knowledge of the Scripture said: "I will bring it to you within the twinkling
of an eye!" Then when he [Sulaimān (Solomon)] saw it placed before him, he
said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord - to test me whether I am grateful
or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for (the good
of) his ownself, and whoever is ungrateful, (he is ungrateful only for the loss
of his ownself). Certainly! my Lord is Rich (Free of all wants),
Bountiful." (40) He said: "Disguise her throne for her that we may see
whether she will be guided (to recognise her throne), or she will be one of
those not guided." (41) So when she came, it was said (to her):
"Is your throne like this?" She said: "(It is) as though it were
the very same." And [Sulaimān (Solomon) said]: "Knowledge was
bestowed on us before her, and we were submitted to Allāh (in Islām as Muslims
before her)." (42) And that which she used to worship besides Allāh has
prevented her (from Islām), for she was of a disbelieving people. (43) It was said to her:
"Enter As-Sarh" [(a glass surface with water underneath it) or a
palace], but when she saw it, she thought it was a pool, and she (tucked up her
clothes) uncovering her legs, Sulaimān (Solomon) said: "Verily, it is Sarh
[(a glass surface with water underneath it) or a palace]." She said:
"My Lord! Verily, I have wronged myself, and I submit (in Islām, together
with Sulaimān (Solomon), to Allāh, the Lord of the 'Alamīn (mankind, jinn and
all that exists)." (44)
And indeed We sent to Thamūd their brother Sālih, saying:
"Worship Allāh (Alone and none else). Then look! They became two parties
(believers and disbelievers) quarreling with each other." (45) He said: "O my
people! Why do you seek to hasten the evil (torment) before the good (Allāh's
Mercy)? Why seek you not the Forgiveness of Allāh, that you may receive mercy?"
(46) They said: "We
augur ill omen from you and those with you." He said: "Your ill omen
is with Allāh; nay, but you are a people that are being tested." (47) And there were in the
city nine men (from the sons of their chiefs), who made mischief in the land,
and would not reform. (48) They said: "Swear one to another by Allāh that we
shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and thereafter we
will surely say to his near relatives: 'We witnessed not the destruction of his
household, and verily, we are telling the truth.'" (49) So they plotted a
plot, and We plotted a plot, while they perceived not. (50) Then see how was the
end of their plot! Verily! We destroyed them and their nation, all together. (51) These are their
houses in utter ruin, for they did wrong. Verily, in this is indeed an Ayāh (a
lesson or a sign) for people who know. (52) And We saved those who believed, and
used to fear Allāh, and keep their duty to Him. (53) And (remember) Lut (