Sura 13

Surah 13. The Thunder

13:1. A.L.M.R. (Almighty, Loving, Merciful, Redeemer) These are the Signs of the Book: that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the Truth; but most men believe not.
13:2. "I AM" is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that ye can see; is firmly established on The Throne (of Authority); He has subjected the Sun and the Moon (to His Law)! Each one runs (its course) for a term appointed. He doth regulate all affairs, explaining the Signs in detail, that ye may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord.
13:3. And it is He Who spread out the earth, and set thereon mountains standing firm, and (flowing) rivers: and fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two and two: He draweth the Night as a veil over the Day. Behold, verily in these things there are Signs for those who consider!
13:4. And in the earth are tracts (diverse though) neighbouring, and gardens of vines and fields sown with corn, and palm trees - growing out of single roots or otherwise: watered with the same water, yet some of them We make more excellent than others to eat. Behold, verily in these things there are Signs for those who understand!
13:5. If thou dost marvel (at their want of faith), strange is their saying: "When we are (actually) dust, shall we indeed then be in a renewed creation?" They are those who deny their Lord! They are those round whose necks will be yokes (of servitude): they will be Companions of The Fire, to dwell therein (for ever)!
13:6. They ask thee to hasten on the evil in preference to the good: yet have come to pass, before them, (many) exemplary punishments! But verily thy Lord is full of forgiveness for mankind for their wrong-doing, and verily thy Lord is (also) strict in punishment.
13:7. And the Unbelievers say: "Why is not a Sign sent down to him from his Lord?" But thou art truly a warner, and to EVERY people a guide (towards redemption).
13:8. "I AM" doth know what every female (womb) doth bear, by how much the wombs fall short (of their time or number) or do exceed. Every single thing is before His sight, in (due) proportion.
13:9. He knoweth the Unseen and that which is open: He is the Great, The Most High.
13:10. It is the same (to Him) whether any of you conceal his speech or declare it openly; whether he lie hid by night or walk forth freely by day.
13:11. For each (such person) there are (angels) in succession, before and behind him: they guard him by command of "I AM". Verily never will "I AM" change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (by changing [purifying] their own souls). But when (once) "I AM" willeth a people's punishment, there can be no turning it back; nor will they find, besides Him, any to protect.
13:12. It is He Who doth show you the lightning, by way both of fear and of hope: it is He Who doth raise up the clouds, heavy with (fertilizing) rain!
13:13. Nay, thunder repeateth His praises, and so do the angels, with awe: He flingeth the loud-voiced thunder-bolts, and therewith He striketh whomsoever He will... yet these (are the men) who (dare to) dispute about "I AM", with the strength of His power (Supreme)!
13:14. For Him (alone) is prayer in Truth: any others that they call upon besides Him hear them no more than if they were to stretch forth their hands, for water to reach their mouths, but it reaches them not: for the prayer of those without Faith is nothing but (futile) wandering (in the mind).
13:15. Whatever beings there are in the heavens and the Earth do prostrate themselves to "I AM" (acknowledging subjection),- with good-will or in spite of themselves: so do their shadows in the mornings and evenings.
13:16. Say: "Who is the Lord and Sustainer of the heavens and the Earth?" Say: "(It is) "I AM"." Say: "Do ye then take (for worship) protectors other than Him, such as have no power either for good or for harm to themselves?" Say: "Are the blind equal with those who see? Or the depths of darkness equal with Light?" Or do they assign to "I AM" partners who have created (anything) like He has created, so that the creation seemed similar to them? Say: "("I AM") is The Creator of all things: He is the One, the Supreme and Irresistible."
13:17. He sends down water from the skies, and the channels flow, each according to its measure: but the torrent bears away the foam that mounts up to the surface. Even so, from that (ore) which they heat in the fire, to make ornaments or utensils therewith, there is a scum likewise. Thus doth "I AM" (by parables) show forth Truth and Vanity. For the scum disappears like froth cast out; while that which is for the good of mankind remains on the Earth. Thus doth "I AM" set forth parables.
13:18. For those who respond to their Lord, are (all) good things. But those who respond not to Him,- even if they had all that is in the heavens and on Earth, and as much more, (in vain) would they offer it for ransom (Matt. 16:26). For them will the reckoning be terrible: their abode will be Hell-Fire,- what a bed of misery!
13:19. Is then one who doth know that that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the Truth, like one who is blind? It is those who are endued with understanding that accept advice;-
13:20. Those who fulfill The Covenant of "I AM" (in the Bible) and fail not in their plighted word;
13:21. Those who join together those things which "I AM" hath commanded to be joined, hold their Lord in awe, and fear the terrible reckoning;
13:22. Those who patiently persevere, seeking the countenance of their Lord; establish constant prayer (1 Thess. 5:17); spend, out of (the gifts) We have bestowed for their sustenance, secretly and openly; and turn off Evil with good: for such there is the final attainment of the (Eternal) Home,-
13:23. Gardens of perpetual bliss: they shall enter there, as well as the righteous among their dads, their spouses, and their offspring: and angels shall enter unto them from every gate (with the salutation):
13:24. "Peace unto you for that ye persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final Home!"
13:25. But those who break The Covenant of "I AM" (in the Bible), after having plighted their word thereto, and cut asunder those things which "I AM" has commanded to be joined (Matt. 12:30), and work mischief in the land;- on them is The Curse; for them is the terrible Home!
13:26. "I AM" doth enlarge, or grant by (strict) measure, the sustenance (which He giveth) to whomso He pleaseth. (The worldly) rejoice in the life of this world: but the life of this world is but little comfort in the Hereafter.
13:27. The Unbelievers say: "Why is not a Sign sent down to him from his Lord?" Say: "Truly "I AM" leaveth, to stray, whom He will; but He guideth to Himself those who turn to Him in penitence,-
13:28. Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of "I AM": for without doubt in the remembrance of "I AM" do hearts find satisfaction.
13:29. For those who believe and work righteousness, is (every) blessedness, and a beautiful place of (final) return."
13:30. Thus have We sent thee amongst a People before whom (long since) have (other) Peoples (gone and) passed away; in order that thou mightest rehearse unto them what We send down unto thee by inspiration; yet do they reject (Him), the Most Gracious! Say: "He is my Lord! There is no God but He! On Him is my trust, and to Him do I turn!"
13:31. If there were a Koran (revelation) with which "mountains" were moved, or the earth were cloven asunder, or the "dead" (Matt. 8:22) were made to speak, (THIS would be the one! - Isaiah 42:14-16) But, truly, the Command is with "I AM" in all things! Do not the Believers know, that, had "I AM" (so) willed, He could have guided all mankind (to the right)? But the Unbelievers,- never will disaster cease to seize them for their (ill) deeds, or to settle close to their homes, until the Promise of "I AM" comes to pass, for, verily, "I AM" will not fail in His promise.
13:32. Mocked were (many) Apostles before thee: but I granted respite to the unbelievers, and finally I punished them: then how (terrible) was My requital!
13:33. Is then He Who standeth over every soul (and knoweth) all that it doeth, (like any others)? And yet they ascribe partners to "I AM". Say: "But name them! Is it that ye will inform Him of something He knoweth not on Earth, or is it (just) a show of words?" Nay! To those who believe not, their pretence seems pleasing, but they are kept back (thereby) from The Way. And those whom "I AM" leaves to stray, no one can guide.
13:34. For them is a Penalty in the life of this world, but harder, truly, is The Penalty of the Hereafter: and they have no defender against "I AM".
13:35. The parable of The Garden which the righteous are promised!- beneath it flow rivers: perpetual is the enjoyment thereof and the shade therein: such is the End for the Righteous; and the End of Unbelievers is The Fire.
13:36. Those to whom We have given the Book rejoice at what hath been revealed unto thee: but there are among the sects those who reject a part thereof. Say: "I am commanded to worship "I AM", and not to join partners (or wives - Jeremiah 44:19-29) with Him. Unto Him do I call, and unto Him is my return."
13:37. Thus have We revealed it to be a Judgment of Authority in the Arabian language. Wert thou to follow their (vain) desires after the knowledge which hath reached thee, then wouldst thou find neither protector nor defender against "I AM".
13:38. We did send Apostles before thee, and appointed for them wives and children: and it was never the part of an Apostle to bring a Sign except as "I AM" permitted (or commanded). For each period is a Book (revealed).
13:39. "I AM" doth blot out or confirm what He pleaseth: with Him is the "Mother of the Book".
13:40. Whether We shall show thee (within thy life-time) part of what We promised them or take to ourselves thy soul (before it is all accomplished),- thy duty is to make (the Message) reach them: it is Our part to call them to account.
13:41. See they not that We gradually reduce the land (in their control) from its outlying borders? (Where) "I AM" commands, there is none to put back His Command: and He is Swift in calling to account.
13:42. Those before them did (also) devise plots; but in all things the Master-Planning is "I AM"'s. He knoweth the doings of every soul: and soon will the Unbelievers know who gets Home in The End.
13:43. The Unbelievers say: "No Apostle art thou." Say: "Enough for a witness between me and you is "I AM", and such as have knowledge of The Book."

JAH