Quran English Translation |Surah 23-24-Al-Muminun- An-Nur
Sura 23: The Believers (Al-Mu’minun)
Number of verses in sura: 118
Order of revelation: 74
[23:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[23:1] Successful indeed are the believers;
[23:2] who are reverent during their Contact Prayers (Salat).
[23:3] And they avoid vain talk.
[23:4] And they give their obligatory charity (Zakat).
[23:5] And they maintain their chastity.
[23:6] Only with their spouses, or those who are rightfully theirs, do they have sexual relations; they are not to be blamed.
[23:7] Those who transgress these limits are the transgressors.
[23:8] When it comes to deposits entrusted to them, as well as any agreements they make, they are trustworthy.
[23:9] And they observe their Contact Prayers (Salat) regularly.
[23:10] Such are the inheritors.
[23:11] They will inherit Paradise, wherein they abide forever.
[23:12] We created the human being from a certain kind of mud.
[23:13] Subsequently, we reproduced him from a tiny drop, that is placed into a well protected repository.
[23:14] Then we developed the drop into a hanging (embryo), then developed the hanging (embryo) into a bite-size (fetus), then created the bite-size (fetus) into bones, then covered the bones with flesh. We thus produce a new creature. Most blessed is GOD, the best Creator.
[23:15] Then, later on, you die.
[23:16] Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be resurrected.
[23:17] We created above you seven universes in layers, and we are never unaware of a single creature in them.
[23:18] We send down from the sky water, in exact measure, then we store it in the ground. Certainly, we can let it escape.
[23:19] With it, we produce for you orchards of date palms, grapes, all kinds of fruits, and various foods.
[23:20] Also, a tree native to Sinai produces oil, as well as relish for the eaters.
[23:21] And the livestock should provide you with a lesson. We let you drink (milk) from their bellies, you derive other benefits from them, and some of them you use for food.
[23:22] On them, and on the ships, you ride.
[23:23] We sent Noah to his people, saying, “O my people, worship GOD. You have no other god beside Him. Would you not be righteous?”
[23:24] The leaders who disbelieved among his people said, “This is no more than a human like you, who wants to gain prominence among you. Had GOD willed, He could have sent down angels. We never heard of anything like this from our ancestors.
[23:25] “He is simply a man gone crazy. Just ignore him for awhile.”
[23:26] He said, “My Lord, grant me victory, for they have disbelieved me.”
[23:27] We then inspired him: “Make the watercraft under our watchful eyes, and in accordance with our inspiration. When our command comes, and the atmosphere boils up, put on it a pair of every kind (of your domesticated animals), and your family, except those condemned to be doomed. Do not speak to Me on behalf of those who transgressed; they will be drowned.
[23:28] “Once you are settled, together with those who are with you, on the watercraft, you shall say, `Praise GOD for saving us from the evil people.’
[23:29] “And say, `My Lord, let me disembark onto a blessed location; You are the best deliverer.’ ”
[23:30] These should provide sufficient proofs for you. We will certainly put you to the test.
[23:31] Subsequently, we established another generation after them.
[23:32] We sent to them a messenger from among them, saying, “You shall worship GOD. You have no other god beside Him. Would you not be righteous?”
[23:33] The leaders among his people who disbelieved and rejected the idea of the Hereafter – although we provided for them generously in this life – said, “This is no more than a human being like you. He eats from what you eat, and drinks as you drink.
[23:34] “If you obey a human being like you, then you are really losers.
[23:35] “Does he promise you that, after you die and turn into dust and bones, you will come out again?
[23:36] “Impossible, impossible indeed is what is promised to you.
[23:37] “We only live this life – we live and die – and we will never be resurrected.
[23:38] “He is just a man who fabricated lies and attributed them to GOD. We will never believe him.”
[23:39] He said, “My Lord, grant me victory, for they have disbelieved me.”
[23:40] He said, “Soon they will be sorry.”
[23:41] The retribution struck them, equitably, and thus, we turned them into ruins. The wicked people perished.
[23:42] Subsequently, we established other generations after them.
[23:43] No community can advance its predetermined fate, nor delay it.
[23:44] Then we sent our messengers in succession. Every time a messenger went to his community, they disbelieved him. Consequently, we annihilated them, one after the other, and made them history. The people who disbelieved have perished.
[23:45] Then we sent Moses and his brother Aaron with our revelations and a profound proof.
[23:46] To Pharaoh and his elders, but they turned arrogant. They were oppressive people.
[23:47] They said, “Shall we believe for two men whose people are our slaves?”
[23:48] They rejected the two, and consequently, they were annihilated.
[23:49] We gave Moses the scripture, that they may be guided.
[23:50] We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign, and we gave them refuge on a mesa with food and drink.
[23:51] O you messengers, eat from the good provisions, and work righteousness. I am fully aware of everything you do.
[23:52] Such is your congregation – one congregation – and I am your Lord; you shall reverence Me.
[23:53] But they tore themselves into disputing factions; each party happy with what they have.
[23:54] Therefore, just leave them in their confusion, for awhile.
[23:55] Do they think that, since we provided them with money and children,
[23:56] we must be showering them with blessings? Indeed, they have no idea.
[23:57] Surely, those who are reverently conscious of their Lord,
[23:58] And who believe in the revelations of their Lord,
[23:59] And who never set up any idols beside their Lord,
[23:60] As they give their charities, their hearts are fully reverent. For they recognize that they will be summoned before their Lord,
[23:61] They are eager to do righteous works; they compete in doing them.
[23:62] We never burden any soul beyond its means, and we keep a record that utters the truth. No one will suffer injustice.
[23:63] Because their minds are oblivious to this, they commit works that do not conform with this; their works are evil.
[23:64] Then, when we requite their leaders with retribution, they complain.
[23:65] Do not complain now; you have given up all help from us.
[23:66] My proofs have been presented to you, but you turned back on your heels.
[23:67] You were too arrogant to accept them, and you defiantly disregarded them.
[23:68] Why do they not reflect upon this scripture? Do they not realize that they have received something never attained by their ancestors?
[23:69] Have they failed to recognize their messenger? Is this why they are disregarding him?
[23:70] Have they decided that he is crazy? Indeed, he has brought the truth to them, but most of them hate the truth.
[23:71] Indeed, if the truth conformed to their wishes, there would be chaos in the heavens and the earth; everything in them would be corrupted. We have given them their proof, but they are disregarding their proof.
[23:72] Are you asking them for a wage? Your Lord’s wage is far better. He is the best Provider.
[23:73] Most assuredly, you are inviting them to a straight path.
[23:74] Those who disbelieve in the Hereafter will surely deviate from the right path.
[23:75] Even when we showered them with mercy, and relieved their problems, they plunged deeper into transgression, and continued to blunder.
[23:76] Even when we afflicted them with retribution, they never turned to their Lord imploring.
[23:77] Subsequently, when we requited them with the severe retribution they had incurred, they were shocked.
[23:78] He is the One who granted you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains. Rarely are you appreciative.
[23:79] He is the One who established you on earth, and before Him you will be summoned.
[23:80] He is the One who controls life and death, and He is the One who alternates the night and day. Do you not understand?
[23:81] They said what their ancestors said.
[23:82] They said, “After we die and become dust and bones, we get resurrected?
[23:83] “Such promises were given to us and to our parents in the past. These are no more than tales from the past.”
[23:84] Say, “To whom belongs the earth and everyone on it, if you know?”
[23:85] They will say, “To GOD.” Say, “Why then do you not take heed?”
[23:86] Say, “Who is the Lord of the seven universes; the Lord of the great dominion?”
[23:87] They will say, “GOD.” Say, “Why then do you not turn righteous?”
[23:88] Say, “In whose hand is all sovereignty over all things, and He is the only one who can provide help, but needs no help, if you know?”
[23:89] They will say, “GOD.” Say, “Where did you go wrong?”
[23:90] We have given them the truth, while they are liars.
[23:91] GOD has never begotten a son. Nor was there ever any other god beside Him. Otherwise, each god would have declared independence with his creations, and they would have competed with each other for dominance. GOD be glorified; far above their claims.
[23:92] The Knower of all secrets and declarations; be He exalted, far above having a partner.
[23:93] Say, “My Lord, whether You show me (the retribution) they have incurred
[23:94] “My Lord, let me not be one of the transgressing people.”
[23:95] To show you (the retribution) we have reserved for them is something we can easily do.
[23:96] Therefore, counter their evil works with goodness; we are fully aware of their claims.
[23:97] Say, “My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils.
[23:98] “And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they come near me.”
[23:99] When death comes to one of them, he says, “My Lord, send me back.
[23:100] “I will then work righteousness in everything I left.” Not true. This is a false claim that he makes. A barrier will separate his soul from this world until resurrection.
[23:101] When the horn is blown, no relations among them will exist on that day, nor will they care about one another.
[23:102] As for those whose weights are heavy, they will be the winners.
[23:103] Those whose weights are light are the ones who lost their souls; they abide in Hell forever.
[23:104] Fire will overwhelm their faces, and they last miserably therein.
[23:105] Were not My revelations recited to you, and you kept on rejecting them?
[23:106] They will say, “Our Lord, our wickedness overwhelmed us, and we were people gone astray.
[23:107] “Our Lord, take us out of this; if we return (to our old behavior), then we are really wicked.”
[23:108] He will say, “Abide therein, humiliated, and do not speak to Me.
[23:109] “A group of My servants used to say, `Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and shower us with mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful.’
[23:110] “But you mocked and ridiculed them, to the extent that you forgot Me. You used to laugh at them.
[23:111] “I have rewarded them today, in return for their steadfastness, by making them the winners.”
[23:112] He said, “How long have you lasted on earth? How many years?”
[23:113] They said, “We lasted a day or part of a day. Ask those who counted.”
[23:114] He said, “In fact, you stayed but a brief interim, if you only knew.
[23:115] “Did you think that we created you in vain; that you were not to be returned to us?”
[23:116] Most exalted is GOD, the true Sovereign. There is no other god beside Him; the Most Honorable Lord, possessor of all authority.
[23:117] Anyone who idolizes beside GOD any other god, and without any kind of proof, his reckoning rests with his Lord. The disbelievers never succeed.
[23:118] Say, “My Lord, shower us with forgiveness and mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful.”
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Sura 24: Light (Al-Noor)
Number of verses in sura: 64
Order of revelation: 102
[24:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[24:1] A sura that we have sent down, and we have decreed as law. We have revealed in it clear revelations, that you may take heed.
[24:2] The adulteress and the adulterer you shall whip each of them a hundred lashes. Do not be swayed by pity from carrying out GOD‘s law, if you truly believe in GOD and the Last Day. And let a group of believers witness their penalty.
[24:3] The adulterer will end up marrying an adulteress or an idol worshiper, and the adulteress will end up marrying an adulterer or an idol worshiper. This is prohibited for the believers.
[24:4] Those who accuse married women of adultery, then fail to produce four witnesses, you shall whip them eighty lashes, and do not accept any testimony from them; they are wicked.
[24:5] If they repent afterwards and reform, then GOD is Forgiver, Merciful.
[24:6] As for those who accuse their own spouses, without any other witnesses, then the testimony may be accepted if he swears by GOD four times that he is telling the truth.
[24:7] The fifth oath shall be to incur GOD‘s condemnation upon him, if he was lying.
[24:8] She shall be considered innocent if she swears by GOD four times that he is a liar.
[24:9] The fifth oath shall incur GOD‘s wrath upon her if he was telling the truth.
[24:10] This is GOD‘s grace and mercy towards you. GOD is Redeemer, Most Wise.
[24:11] A gang among you produced a big lie. Do not think that it was bad for you; instead, it was good for you. Meanwhile, each one of them has earned his share of the guilt. As for the one who initiated the whole incident, he has incurred a terrible retribution.
[24:12] When you heard it, the believing men and the believing women should have had better thoughts about themselves, and should have said, “This is obviously a big lie.”
[24:13] Only if they produced four witnesses (you may believe them). If they fail to produce the witnesses, then they are, according to GOD, liars.
[24:14] If it were not for GOD‘s grace towards you, and His mercy in this world and in the Hereafter, you would have suffered a great retribution because of this incident.
[24:15] You fabricated it with your own tongues, and the rest of you repeated it with your mouths without proof. You thought it was simple, when it was, according to GOD, gross.
[24:16] When you heard it, you should have said, “We will not repeat this. Glory be to You. This is a gross falsehood.”
[24:17] GOD admonishes you that you shall never do it again, if you are believers.
[24:18] GOD thus explains the revelations for you. GOD is Omniscient, Wise.
[24:19] Those who love to see immorality spread among the believers have incurred a painful retribution in this life and in the Hereafter. GOD knows, while you do not know.
[24:20] GOD showers you with His grace and mercy. GOD is Most Kind towards the believers, Most Merciful.
[24:21] O you who believe, do not follow the steps of Satan. Anyone who follows the steps of Satan should know that he advocates evil and vice. If it were not for GOD‘s grace towards you, and His mercy, none of you would have been purified. But GOD purifies whomever He wills. GOD is Hearer, Knower.
[24:22] Those among you who are blessed with resources and wealth shall be charitable towards their relatives, the poor, and those who have immigrated for the sake of GOD. They shall treat them with kindness and tolerance; do you not love to attain GOD‘s forgiveness? GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
[24:23] Surely, those who falsely accuse married women who are pious believers have incurred condemnation in this life and in the Hereafter; they have incurred a horrendous retribution.
[24:24] The day will come when their own tongues, hands, and feet will bear witness to everything they had done.
[24:25] On that day, GOD will requite them fully for their works, and they will find out that GOD is the Truth.
[24:26] The bad women for the bad men, and the bad men for the bad women, and the good women for the good men, and the good men for the good women. The latter are innocent of such accusations. They have attained forgiveness and a generous reward.
[24:27] O you who believe, do not enter homes other than yours without permission from their inhabitants, and without greeting them. This is better for you, that you may take heed.
[24:28] If you find no one in them, do not enter them until you obtain permission. If you are told, “Go back,” you must go back. This is purer for you. GOD is fully aware of everything you do.
[24:29] You commit no error by entering uninhabited homes wherein there is something that belongs to you. GOD knows everything you reveal, and everything you conceal.
[24:30] Tell the believing men that they shall subdue their eyes (and not stare at the women), and to maintain their chastity. This is purer for them. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything they do.
[24:31] And tell the believing women to subdue their eyes, and maintain their chastity. They shall not reveal any parts of their bodies, except that which is necessary. They shall cover their chests, and shall not relax this code in the presence of other than their husbands, their fathers, the fathers of their husbands, their sons, the sons of their husbands, their brothers, the sons of their brothers, the sons of their sisters, other women, the male servants or employees whose sexual drive has been nullified, or the children who have not reached puberty. They shall not strike their feet when they walk in order to shake and reveal certain details of their bodies. All of you shall repent to GOD, O you believers, that you may succeed.
[24:32] You shall encourage those of you who are single to get married. They may marry the righteous among your male and female servants, if they are poor. GOD will enrich them from His grace. GOD is Bounteous, Knower.
[24:33] Those who cannot afford to get married shall maintain morality until GOD provides for them from His grace. Those among your servants who wish to be freed in order to marry, you shall grant them their wish, once you realize that they are honest. And give them from GOD‘s money that He has bestowed upon you. You shall not force your girls to commit prostitution, seeking the materials of this world, if they wish to be chaste. If anyone forces them, then GOD, seeing that they are forced, is Forgiver, Merciful.
[24:34] We have revealed to you clarifying revelations, and examples from the past generations, and an enlightenment for the righteous.
[24:35] GOD is the light of the heavens and the earth. The allegory of His light is that of a concave mirror behind a lamp that is placed inside a glass container. The glass container is like a bright, pearl-like star. The fuel thereof is supplied from a blessed oil-producing tree, that is neither eastern, nor western. Its oil is almost self-radiating; needs no fire to ignite it. Light upon light. GOD guides to His light whoever wills (to be guided). GOD thus cites the parables for the people. GOD is fully aware of all things.
[24:36] (God’s guidance is found) in houses exalted by GOD, for His name is commemorated therein. Glorifying Him therein, day and night –
[24:37] People who are not distracted by business or trade from commemorating GOD; they observe the Contact Prayers (Salat), and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and they are conscious of the day when the minds and the eyes will be horrified.
[24:38] GOD will certainly reward them for their good works, and will shower them with His grace. GOD provides for whomever He wills without limits.
[24:39] As for those who disbelieve, their works are like a mirage in the desert. A thirsty person thinks that it is water. But when he reaches it, he finds that it is nothing, and he finds GOD there instead, to requite him fully for his works. GOD is the most efficient reckoner.
[24:40] Another allegory is that of being in total darkness in the midst of a violent ocean, with waves upon waves, in addition to thick fog. Darkness upon darkness – if he looked at his own hand, he could barely see it. Whomever GOD deprives of light, will have no light.
[24:41] Do you not realize that everyone in the heavens and the earth glorifies GOD, even the birds as they fly in a column? Each knows its prayer and its glorification. GOD is fully aware of everything they do.
[24:42] To GOD belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and to GOD is the final destiny.
[24:43] Do you not realize that GOD drives the clouds, then gathers them together, then piles them on each other, then you see the rain coming out of them? He sends down from the sky loads of snow to cover whomever He wills, while diverting it from whomever He wills. The brightness of the snow almost blinds the eyes.
[24:44] GOD controls the night and day. This should be a lesson for those who possess eyes.
[24:45] And GOD created every living creature from water. Some of them walk on their bellies, some walk on two legs, and some walk on four. GOD creates whatever He wills. GOD is Omnipotent.
[24:46] We have sent down to you clarifying revelations, then GOD guides whoever wills (to be guided) in a straight path.
[24:47] They say, “We believe in GOD and in the messenger, and we obey,” but then some of them slide back afterwards. These are not believers.
[24:48] When they are invited to GOD and His messenger to judge among them, some of them get upset.
[24:49] However, if the judgment is in their favor, they readily accept it!
[24:50] Is there a disease in their hearts? Are they doubtful? Are they afraid that GOD and His messenger may treat them unfairly? In fact, it is they who are unjust.
[24:51] The only utterance of the believers, whenever invited to GOD and His messenger to judge in their affairs, is to say, “We hear and we obey.” These are the winners.
[24:52] Those who obey GOD and His messenger, and reverence GOD and observe Him, these are the triumphant ones.
[24:53] They swear by GOD, solemnly, that if you commanded them to mobilize, they would mobilize. Say, “Do not swear. Obedience is an obligation. GOD is fully Cognizant of everything you do.”
[24:54] Say, “Obey GOD, and obey the messenger.” If they refuse, then he is responsible for his obligations, and you are responsible for your obligations. If you obey him, you will be guided. The sole duty of the messenger is to deliver (the message).
[24:55] GOD promises those among you who believe and lead a righteous life, that He will make them sovereigns on earth, as He did for those before them, and will establish for them the religion He has chosen for them, and will substitute peace and security for them in place of fear. All this because they worship Me alone; they never set up any idols beside Me. Those who disbelieve after this are the truly wicked.
[24:56] You shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), and obey the messenger, that you may attain mercy.
[24:57] Do not think that those who disbelieve will ever get away with it. Their final abode is Hell; what a miserable destiny.
[24:58] O you who believe, permission must be requested by your servants and the children who have not attained puberty (before entering your rooms). This is to be done in three instances – before the Dawn Prayer, at noon when you change your clothes to rest, and after the Night Prayer. These are three private times for you. At other times, it is not wrong for you or them to mingle with one another. GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.
[24:59] Once the children reach puberty, they must ask permission (before entering) like those who became adults before them have asked permission (before entering). GOD thus clarifies His revelations for you. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.