- Dialogue between the followers and the leaders who mislead them. 37 AS-SAFFAT - IN RANKS In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful. By those who range themselves in ranks[1] and by those who cast out demons,[2] and by those who proclaim the message [3] : surely your God is One,[4] the Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all that lies between them, and the Lord of the easts.[5] We have indeed decked the worldly heaven with beautiful stars[6] and have secured it against all obstinate rebellious Satans.[7] They cannot even hear the words of the exalted assembly of angels and they are darted at from every side[8] they are repulsed and are under a constant chastisement.[9] Eavesdroppers are persuaded by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.[10] Ask them: "What is more difficult - their creation or the rest of Our creation? - Them We have created out of a sticky clay.[11] You marvel at the wonders of Allah’s creation, while they ridicule at it.[12] When they are admonished, they pay no heed,[13] and when they see a sign, they mock at it[14] and say: "This is nothing but plain sorcery.[15] What! When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we be raised to life again[16] - we and also our forefathers of the ancient time?"[17] Tell them: "Yes and you shall be held up to shame."[18] It will be just a single cry, and they will see it all with their own eyes.[19] Ah, woe to us! They shall exclaim, "this is the Day of Judgement!"[20] It will be said: "Yes, this is the same Day of Judgement which you used to deny."[21] It will be commanded: "Gather all the wrongdoers, their spouses and those whom they used to worship[22] besides Allah and show them the way to hell.[23] When they will all be gathered and angels will start pushing them towards hell, Allah shall say: "Stop for a while, they have to be questioned:[24] What is the matter with you today that you do not help each other?[25] Nay! On that Day they shall all be submissive.[26] Some of them will step forward to question one another.[27] The followers will say to their leaders: "It was you who used to come at us from the right hand and forced us towards the wrong way."[28] They will reply: "Nay! But it was you who had no faith.[29] We had no power over you, the fact is that you were an inordinate people;[30] true is the verdict which Our Lord has passed upon us, we shall indeed taste the punishment of our sins:[31] We misled you, for we ourselves were astray."[32] So on that Day they shall all be partners in the punishment.[33] Thus, shall We deal with the criminals;[34] for when they were told: "There is no god except Allah," they used to puff themselves up with pride[35] and say: "What! Should we give up our gods for the sake of a mad poet?"[36] Whereas he had come with the truth and had confirmed the message of prior Messengers.[36] Then it will be said: "You are surely going to taste the painful punishment:[38] and this reward is nothing except what you had done.[39] But the sincere devotees of Allah[40] shall have familiar sustenance[41] - fruits, and shall be honored[42] in the gardens of delight.[43] Reclining face to face upon soft couches,[44] they shall be served with goblets filled at a fountain of wine,[45] a crystal-white drink, delicious to those who drink it.[46] It will neither dull their senses nor they will become drunk.[47] And beside them there will be bashful, dark big beautiful-eyed virgins,[48] as if they were delicate eggs closely guarded.[49] Some of them will be asking questions to others.[50] One of them will say: "I had a friend[51] who used to ask: ‘Are you really of those who affirm (the message of Islam)?[52] When we are dead and turned to dust and bones, shall we ever be brought to judgement?’"[53] It will be said: "Would you like to see him?"[54] He will look down and see his friend in the midst of hellfire.[55] Then he will say: "By Allah! You had almost ruined me.[56] Had it not been for the grace of my Lord, I should certainly have been among those who are brought there.[57] Is it not so that we shall not die[58] after our first death and that we shall not be chastised?"[59] Most surely it is a mighty achievement.[60] For such an end, let every one strive who wishes to strive.[61] Is this a better entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum?[62] Surely We have made this tree a trial for the wrongdoers.[63] Surely it is a tree that grows in the bottom of the hellfire,[64] bearing fruits as if they were heads of Satans,[65] on it they shall feed and with it they shall fill their bellies.[66] Then on top of that, they will be given a concoction made from boiling water.[67] Then to hellfire they shall be returned.[68] In fact, they found their fathers on the wrong path,[69] and they are eagerly following their footsteps.[70] Most of the ancients went astray before them,[71] though We had sent Warners to them.[72] See what was the end of those who had been forewarned: they all perished,[73] except the sincere devotees of Allah.[74] Noah prayed to Us; see how excellent was Our response to his prayer![75] We delivered him and his people from the mighty distress,[76] and made his progeny to be the only survivors,[77] and We left his good name among the later generations.[78] SaLotation to Noah among the people of the worlds.[79] Thus do We reward the righteous.[80] Surely he was one of Our believing devotees.[81] Then the rest We drowned in the great flood.[82] Surely Abraham belonged to the first group,[83] when he came to his Lord with a pure heart.[84] Behold, he said to his father and to his people: "What are these that you worship?[85] Would you serve false gods instead of Allah?[86] What is your idea about the Lord of the worlds?"[87] Then he looked at the stars one time[88] and said "I am feeling sick."[89] So his people left him behind and went away to their national fair.[90] He sneaked into the temple of their gods and addressed them: "Why don’t you eat from these offerings before you?[91] What is the matter with you that you don’t even speak?"[92] Then he fell upon them, smiting them with his right hand.[93] The people came running to the scene.[94] Would you worship that which you have carved with your own hands, he said,[95] when Allah is the One Who created you and that which you have made?[96] They said to one another: "Prepare for him a furnace and throw him into the blazing flames."[97] Thus did they scheme against him: but We humiliated them in their scheme.[98] Abraham said: "I am going to take refuge with my Lord, He will surely guide me.[99] O Lord! Grant me a righteous son."[100] So We gave him the good news of a gentle son.[101] When he reached the age to work with him, Abraham said to him: "O my son! I have seen a vision that I should offer you as a sacrifice, now tell me what is your view." He replied: "O my father! Do as you are commanded: you will find me, if Allah so wills, of the patient."[102] And when they both submitted to Allah and Abraham laid down his son prostrate upon his forehead for sacrifice;[103] We called out to him: "O Abraham stop![104] You have fulfilled your vision." Thus do We reward the righteous.[105] That was indeed a manifest test.[106] We ransomed his son for a great sacrifice[107] and We left his good name among the later generations.[108] SaLotation to Abraham.[109] Thus We reward the righteous.[110] Surely he was one of Our believing devotees.[111] We gave him the good news of Isaac - a prophet - one of the righteous.[112] We blessed him and Isaac both. Among their progeny there are some who are righteous and some who are clearly doing wrong to their own souls.[113] We bestowed Our favor on Moses and Haroon.[114] We delivered them with all their people from the mighty distress.[115] We helped them so they became victorious.[116] We gave them the Glorious Book (Torah),[117] and guided them both to the Right Way.[118] We left their good names among the later generations.[119] SaLotation to Moses and Haroon.[120] Thus do We reward the righteous.[121] Surely they were two of Our believing devotees.[122] Ilyas (Elias) was surely one of Our Messengers.[123] Behold, he said to his people: "Have you no fear of Allah?[124] Would you invoke Bal (their invented god) and forsake the best of the Creators[125] - Allah - Who is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers?"[126] But they denied him, so they will certainly be called to account,[127] with the exception of sincere devotees of Allah.[128] We left his good name among the later generations.[129] SaLotation to Ilyas.[130] Thus do We reward the righteous.[131] He was surely one of Our believing devotees.[132] Lot was one of Our Messengers.[133] Behold, We delivered him and his whole family[134] except an old woman who was among those who remained behind,[135] and We destroyed the others.[136] Surely you pass by their ruins by day[137] and by night. Will you not use your common sense?[138] Jonah was surely one of Our Messengers.[139] When he ran to the laden ship,[140] took part in casting of lots, and was condemned.[141] A whale swallowed him for he had become blameworthy.[142] Had he not repented and became of those who glorify Allah,[143] he would certainly have remained inside its belly till the Day of Resurrection.[144] Then We cast him upon a desolate shore in a state of serious illness[145] and caused a gourd plant to grow over him.[146] Then We sent him to a nation of one hundred thousand people or more.[147] They believed in him, so We permitted them to enjoy their life for a while.[148] Just ask the unbelievers: Does it make any sense that their Lord should have daughters while they choose to have sons?[149] Or is it that We created the angels as females and they were present at their creation?[150] Surely they invent a lie when they say: [151] Allah has children. They are utter liars.[152] Would He choose daughters rather than sons?[153] What is the matter with you? How do you judge?[154] Will you not take heed?[155] Or do you have any proof of what you are saying?[156] Show us your scriptures if you are truthful![157] They assert blood- relationship between Him and the jinns; and the jinns know quite well that they will be called to account.[158] Glory be to Allah! He is free from what they ascribe to Him[159] except His sincere devotees who do not attribute such things to Him.[160] Therefore neither you nor those whom you worship[161] can deceive anyone about Allah[162] except him who is destined for hell.[163] The angels in fact say: "We each have our appointed place.[164] We range ourselves in ranks for His service[165] and we are surely those who declare His glory."[166] Before this, the same disbelievers used to say:[167] If we had received a reminder which the earlier people had received,[168] We certainly would have been sincere devotees of Allah.[169] But now that the Qur’an has come, they reject it: but soon they will find out the consequences of this attitude.[170] We have already promised Our servants whom We sent as Messengers[171] that they would certainly be helped,[172] and that Our forces will surely be victorious.[173] So give no heed to them for a while;[174] you will see their downfall as they shall see your victory.[175] Do they wish to hurry on Our punishment?[176] But dreadful will be that morning, when it will descend in the courtyards of those who have been forewarned.[177] So pay no heed to them for a while.[178] You will surely see their downfall as they shall see your victory.[179] Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Honor, He is free from what they ascribe to Him![180] Peace be on the Messengers,[181] and praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.[182]