31 Say [Prophet], ‘Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Who controls hearing and sight? Who brings forth the living from the dead and the dead from the living, and who governs everything?’ They are sure to say, ‘God.’ Then say, ‘So why do you not take heed of Him? 32 That is God, your Lord, the Truth. Apart from the Truth, what is there except error? So how is it that you are dissuaded?’ 33 In this way, your Lord’s word about those who defy [the Truth] has been proved– they do not believe. 34 Ask them, ‘Can any of your partner-gods originate creation, then bring it back to life again in the end?’ Say, ‘It is God that originates creation, and then brings it back to life, so how can you be misled?’ 35 Say, ‘Can any of your partner-gods show the way to the Truth?’ Say, ‘God shows the way to the Truth. Is someone who shows the way to the Truth more worthy to be followed, or someone who cannot find the way unless he himself is shown? What is the matter with you? How do you judge?’ 36 Most of them follow nothing but assumptions, but assumptions can be of no value at all against the Truth: God is well aware of what they do.
37 Nor could this Quran have been devised by anyone other than God. It is a confirmation of what was revealed before it and an explanation of the Scripture– let there be no doubt about it– it is from the Lord of the Worlds. 38 Or do they say, ‘He has devised it’? Say, ‘Then produce a sura like it, and call on anyone you can beside God if you are telling the truth.’ 39 But they are denying what they cannot comprehend– its prophecy has yet to be fulfilled for them. In the same way, those before them refused to believe– see what was the end of those evildoers!
40 Some of them believe in it, and some do not: your Lord knows best those who cause corruption.
Losers in the Hereafter
41 If they do not believe you, [Prophet], say, ‘I act for myself, and you for yourselves. You are not responsible for my actions nor am I responsible for yours.’ 42 Some of them do listen to you: but can you make the deaf hear if they will not use their minds? 43 Some of them look at you: but can you guide the blind if they will not see? 44 God does not wrong people at all– it is they who wrong themselves.
45 On the Day He gathers them together, it will be as if they have stayed [in the world] no longer than a single hour, and they will recognize one another. Those who denied the meeting with God will be the losers, for they did not follow the right guidance. 46 Whether We let you [Prophet] see some of the punishment We have threatened them with, or cause you to die [first], they will return to Us: God is witness to what they do. 47 Every community is sent a messenger, and when their messenger comes, [a] they will be judged justly; they will not be wronged. 48 They ask, ‘When will this promise be fulfilled, if what you say is true?’ 49 Say [Prophet], ‘I cannot control any harm or benefit that comes to me, except as God wills. There is an appointed term for every community, and when it is reached they can neither delay nor hasten it, even for a moment.’ 50 Say, ‘Think: if His punishment were to come to you, during the night or day, what part of it would the guilty wish to hasten? 51 Will you believe in it, when it actually happens?’ It will be said, ‘Now [you believe], when [before] you sought to hasten it?’ 52 It will be said to the evildoers, ‘Taste lasting punishment. Why should you be rewarded for anything but what you did?’
53 They ask you [Prophet], ‘Is it true?’ Say, ‘Yes, by my Lord, it is true, and you cannot escape it.’ 54 Every soul that has done evil, if it possessed all that is on the earth, would gladly offer it as ransom. When they see the punishment, they will repent in secret, but they will be judged with justice and will not be wronged. 55 It is to God that everything in the heavens and the earth truly belongs: God’s promise is true, but most people do not realize it. 56 It is He who gives life and takes it, and you will all be returned to Him.
Guidance has Come
57 People, a teaching from your Lord has come to you, a healing for what is in [your] hearts, and guidance and mercy for the believers. 58 Say [Prophet], ‘In God’s grace and mercy let them rejoice: these are better than all they accumulate.’ 59 Say, ‘Think about the provision God has sent down for you, some of which you have made unlawful and some lawful.’ [b] Say, ‘Has God given you permission [to do this], or are you inventing lies about God?’ 60 What will those people who invent lies about Him think on the Day of Resurrection? God is bountiful towards people, but most of them do not give thanks.
God Witnesses Everything
61 In whatever matter you [Prophet] may be engaged and whatever part of the Quran you are reciting, whatever work you [people] are doing, We witness you when you are engaged in it. Not even the weight of a speck of dust in the earth or sky escapes your Lord, nor anything lesser or greater: it is all written in a clear record. 62 But for those who are on God’s side there is no fear, nor shall they grieve. 63 For those who believe and are conscious of God, 64 for them there is good news in this life and in the Hereafter– there is no changing the promises of God– that is truly the supreme triumph. 65 Do not let their words grieve you [Prophet]. Power belongs entirely to God; He hears all and knows all; 66 indeed, all who are in the heavens and on the earth belong to Him. Those who call upon others beside God are not really following partner-gods; they are only following assumptions and telling lies. 67 It is He who made the night so that you can rest in it and the daylight so that you can see– there truly are signs in this for those who hear.
Footnotes
a. At the Judgement. The messengers will bear witness, see 39: 69.
b. See 5: 103.
The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)
The Qur'an / a new translation by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem, copyright © 2004 Oxford World's Classics (Oxford University Press). Used by permission. All rights reserved.