Surah Al-Ahqaf

Hā Mīm[1].

The revelation of this Book is from Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

We have not created the heavens and earth and all that is between them except for a true purpose and for a set term, yet those who disbelieve turn away from what they have been warned of.

Say, “Tell me about those whom you invoke besides Allah; show me what they have created on the earth, or do they have a share in the heavens? Bring me a scripture revealed before this, or some remnant of knowledge, if you are truthful.”

Who is more astray than one who invokes besides Allah those who will not respond to him until the Day of Resurrection, and are in fact unaware of their invocations?

When such people are gathered, they will become their enemies and will reject their worship.

When Our clear verses are recited to them, those who disbelieve say about the truth when it comes to them, “This is clear magic.”

Or do they say, “He has fabricated it”? Say, “If I did fabricate it, there is nothing you can do to protect me against Allah. He knows best that in which you indulge[2]. He is Sufficient as a witness between me and you, and He is the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.”

Say, “I am not the first of the messengers[3], nor do I know what will happen to me or to you. I only follow what is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner.”

Say, “What do you think, if this [Qur’an] is really from Allah and yet you reject it, and a witness[4] from the Children of Israel has testified in its favor and believed[5], whereas you persist in arrogance[6]? Indeed, Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people.”

The disbelievers say about the believers, “If this [faith] were something good, they[7] would not have believed in it before us.” Now since they are not guided by it, they will say, “This is an old fabrication.”

And before it was the Scripture of Moses a guide and a mercy. This Book is a confirmation of it, in the Arabic language, in order to warn those who do wrong and give glad tidings to those who do good.

Indeed, those who say, “Our Lord is Allah”, then remain steadfast, they will have no fear, nor will they grieve.

They are the people of Paradise; abiding therein forever, as a reward for what they used to do.

We have enjoined upon man kindness to his parents. His mother bore him in hardship and gave birth to him in hardship, and his bearing and weaning take thirty months, until when he reaches full maturity and reaches forty years, he says, “My Lord, inspire me to be grateful to Your favors which You blessed me and my parents with, and to do righteous deeds that will make You pleased; and make my offspring righteous. Indeed, I repent to you, and I am one of the Muslims [submitting to You].”

Such are those from whom We will accept their best deeds and overlook their misdeeds. They will be among the people of Paradise – a true promise that they were given.

But some say to their parents, “Fie upon you both! Are you warning me that I will be resurrected, even though many generations have passed before me [yet none was resurrected]?” His parents cry seeking Allah’s help, “Woe to you! Believe! The promise of Allah is true.” But he says, “This is nothing but ancient fables.”

Such are those upon whom the punishment has become binding, as happened to communities of Jinn and men before them, for they were truly losers.

Everyone will be ranked according to what they did, so that He may recompense them in full for their deeds, and none will be wronged.

On the Day when the disbelievers will be brought to the Fire, [they will be told], “You have exhausted your share of pleasures in the life of the world, and you have enjoyed them. Today you will be recompensed with a disgracing punishment for your arrogance in the land without any right and for your rebellion.

Remember [Hūd][8] the brother of ‘Ād, when he warned his people in the [land of] sand dunes[9] – and indeed there came warners before him and after him – [saying], “Worship none but Allah. Indeed, I fear for you the punishment of a horrible day.”

They said, “Have you come to turn us away from our gods? Then bring us what you are threatening us with, if you are truthful.”

He said, “The knowledge [of its coming] is with Allah alone. I only convey to you the message that I have been sent with, but I see that you are an ignorant people.”

When they saw it as a cloud approaching their valleys, they said, “This is a cloud bringing us rain.” [Hūd said,] No, it is what you sought to hasten[10] – a wind bearing a painful punishment.

It will destroy everything by the command of its Lord. And they became such that there was nothing left visible except [ruins of] their dwellings. This is how We recompense the wicked people.

We had given them the power to an extent that We have not given you [O Makkans], and We gave them[11] hearing, sight, and hearts. But neither their hearing, nor their sight, nor their hearts availed them in the least, for they used to reject the signs of Allah. And they were overwhelmed by what they used to ridicule.

We have certainly destroyed some towns around you and had given them numerous signs, so that they might return [from disbelief].

Why is it that they were not helped by those [idols] whom they took as gods besides Allah so that they might bring them closer to Him[12]? Rather, they were lost from them. Such was [the outcome of] their falsehood and the lies they used to fabricate.

And [remember] when We sent to you a group of jinn to listen to the Qur’an. When they heard it, they said [to one another], “Listen attentively.” Then when it was over, they returned to their people as warners.

They said, “O our people, we have heard a scripture that has been sent down after Moses, confirming what came before it; it guides to the truth and to a straight path.

O our people, respond to the one[13] who is calling to Allah, and believe in him; He will forgive some of your sins and protect you from a painful punishment.

And whoever does not respond to the one who is calling to Allah will have no escape on earth, nor will he have any protectors against Him; such people are clearly misguided.”

Do they not see that Allah, Who created the heavens and earth, and was not wearied by creating them[14], is able to bring the dead to life? Yes indeed! He is the Most Capable of all things.

On the Day when the disbelievers are exposed to the Fire, [they will be asked], “Is this not the truth?” They will say, “Yes indeed, by our Lord.” He will say, “Then taste the punishment for your disbelief.”

So be patient, as the Messengers of Firm Resolve[15] were patient, and do not seek to hasten [punishment] for them. On the Day when they see what they were warned of, it will be as if they had only stayed [in this world] for an hour of a day[16]. This is a warning. Will anyone be destroyed except the rebellious people?