Sura 37

Surah 37. Those Who Set The Ranks, Drawn Up In Ranks

37:1. By those who range themselves in ranks,
37:2. And so are strong in repelling (evil),
37:3. And thus proclaim the Message (of the "I AM")!
37:4. Verily, verily, your God is One! -
37:5. Lord of the heavens and of the Earth and all between them, and Lord of every point at the rising of the Sun!
37:6. We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars, -
37:7. (For beauty) and for guard against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits,
37:8. (So) they should not strain their ears in the direction of the Exalted Assembly but be cast away from every side,
37:9. Repulsed, for they are under a perpetual penalty,
37:10. Except such as snatch away something by stealth, and they are pursued by a flaming fire, of piercing brightness.
37:11. Just ask their opinion: are they the more difficult to create, or the Beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay!
37:12. Truly dost thou marvel, while they ridicule,
37:13. And, when they are warned, pay no heed, -
37:14. And, when they see a Sign, turn it to mockery,
37:15. And say, "This is nothing but obvious sorcery!
37:16. What! When we die, and become dust and bones, shall we (then) be raised up (again)?
37:17. And also our ancestors of old?"
37:18. Say thou: "Yea, and ye shall then be humiliated (on account of your evil)."
37:19. Then it will be a single (compelling) cry; and behold, they will begin to see!
37:20. They will say, "Ah! Woe to us! This is The Day of Judgment!"
37:21. (A voice will say,) "This is The Day of Sorting Out, whose Truth ye (once) denied!"
37:22. "Bring ye up", it shall be said, "The wrong-doers and their wives, and the things they worshipped -
37:23. Besides "I AM", and lead them to the Way to The (Fierce) Fire!
37:24. But stop them, for they must be asked:
37:25. 'What is the matter with you that ye do not help each other'?"
37:26. Nay, but that day they shall submit (to Judgment);
37:27. And they will turn to one another, and question one another.
37:28. They will say: "It was ye who used to come to us from the right hand (of power and authority)!"
37:29. They will reply: "Nay, ye yourselves had no Faith!
37:30. Nor had we any authority over you. Nay, it was ye who were a people in obstinate rebellion!
37:31. So now has been proved true, against us, the Word of our Lord that we shall indeed (have to) taste (the punishment for our sins).
37:32. We led you astray: for truly we were ourselves astray (Matt. 15:14; 23:16, 24)."
37:33. Truly, that Day, they will (all) share in The Penalty (Matt. 23:15).
37:34. Verily that is how We shall deal with Sinners.
37:35. For they, when they were told that there is no God except the "I AM", would puff themselves up with Pride,
37:36. And say: "What! Shall we give up our gods for the sake of a Poet possessed?"
37:37. Nay! He has come with the (very) Truth, and he confirms (the Message of) the Apostles (before him).
37:38. Ye shall indeed taste of the Grievous Penalty;-
37:39. But it will be no more than the retribution of (the Evil) that ye have wrought; -
37:40. But the sincere (and devoted) servants of "I AM", -
37:41. For them is a Sustenance determined,
37:42. Fruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity,
37:43. In Gardens of Joy,
37:44. Facing each other on Thrones (of dignity):
37:45. Round will be passed to them a Cup from a clear-flowing fountain (the "Water of Life"),
37:46. Crystal-white, of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof),
37:47. Free from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.
37:48. And besides them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes (of wonder and beauty).
37:49. As if they were (delicate) eggs closely guarded.
37:50. Then they will turn to one another and question one another.
37:51. One of them will start the talk and say: "I had an intimate companion (on the Earth),
37:52. Who used to say, 'What! Art thou amongst those who bear witness to the Truth (of the Message)?
37:53. When we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed receive rewards and punishments'?"
37:54. (A voice) said: "Would ye like to look down?"
37:55. He looked down and saw him in the midst of The Fire.
37:56. He said: "By "I AM"! Thou wast little short of bringing me to perdition!
37:57. Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I should certainly have been among those brought (there)!
37:58. Is it (the case) that we shall not die,
37:59. Except our first death (the death of "Self"), and then we shall not be punished?"
37:60. Verily this is the Supreme Achievement!
37:61. For the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive.
37:62. Is that the better entertainment or the Tree of the knowledge of evil?
37:63. For We have truly made it (as) a trial for the wrong-doers.
37:64. For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire:
37:65. The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils:
37:66. Truly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith.
37:67. Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water.
37:68. Then shall their return be to The (Blazing) Fire.
37:69. Truly they found their dads on the wrong Path;
37:70. So they (too) rushed down following in their footsteps!
37:71. And truly before them, many of the ancients went astray; -
37:72. But We sent aforetime, among them, (Apostles) to warn them; -
37:73. Then see what was the End of those who were warned (but heeded not),-
37:74. Except the sincere (and devoted) Servants of "I AM".
37:75. (In the days of old), Noah cried to Us, and We are the Best to hear prayer.
37:76. And We delivered him and his people from the Great Calamity,
37:77. And made his progeny to endure (on this Earth);
37:78. And We left (this blessing) for him among generations to come in later times:
37:79. "Peace and salutation to Noah among the nations!"
37:80. Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
37:81. For he was one of Our believing Servants.
37:82. Then the rest We overwhelmed in The Flood.
37:83. Verily among those who followed his Way was Abraham.
37:84. Behold! He approached his Lord with a sound heart.
37:85. Behold! He said to his dad and to his people, "What is that which ye worship?
37:86. Is it a falsehood- gods other than God- that ye desire?
37:87. Then what is your idea about the Lord of the Worlds?"
37:88. Then did he cast a glance at the Stars.
37:89. And he said, "I am indeed sick (at heart)!"
37:90. So they turned away from him, and departed.
37:91. Then did he turn to their gods and said, "Will ye not eat (of the offerings before you)?...
37:92. What is the matter with you that ye speak not (intelligently)?"
37:93. Then did he turn upon them, striking (them) with the right hand.
37:94. Then came (the worshippers) with hurried steps, and faced (him).
37:95. He said: "Worship ye that which ye have (yourselves) carved?
37:96. But God has created you and your handiwork!"
37:97. They said, "Build him a furnace, and throw him into the blazing fire!"
37:98. (This failing), they then sought a stratagem against him, but We made them the ones most humiliated!
37:99. He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me!
37:100. O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!"
37:101. So We gave him the GOOD NEWS of a boy (Isaac - 37:112; Gen. 17) ready to suffer and forbear.
37:102. Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice (Gen. 22): now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if God so wills, one practising Patience and Constancy!"
37:103. So when they had both submitted their wills (to God), and he had bound him and laid him on the altar upon the firewood (for sacrifice - Gen. 22:9),
37:104. We called out to him, "O Abraham! (Gen. 22:11-12)
37:105. Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!" - Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
37:106. For this was obviously a trial -
37:107. And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice:
37:108. And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:
37:109. "Peace and salutation to Abraham!"
37:110. Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
37:111. For he was one of our believing Servants.
37:112. And We gave him the GOOD NEWS of Isaac - a Prophet,- one of the Righteous.
37:113. We blessed him and Isaac: but of their progeny are (some) that do right, and (some) that obviously do wrong, to their own souls.
37:114. Again (of old) We bestowed Our favour on Moses and Aaron,
37:115. And We delivered them and their People from (their) Great Calamity;
37:116. And We helped them, so they overcame (their troubles);
37:117. And We gave them The Book (The Torah - The Law - The Criterion) which helps to make things clear;
37:118. And We guided them to The Straight Way.
37:119. And We left (this blessing) for them among generations (to come) in later times:
37:120. "Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron!"
37:121. Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
37:122. For they were two of our believing Servants.
37:123. So also was Elijah among those sent (by Us) (1 kings 18:25-40).
37:124. Behold, he said to his People, "Will ye not fear (the "I AM")?
37:125. Will ye call upon Baal (god of fertility) and forsake the Best of Creators,-
37:126. (The "I AM"), your Lord and Cherisher and the Lord and Cherisher of your ancestors?"
37:127. But they rejected him, and they will certainly be called up (for punishment),-
37:128. Except the sincere and devoted Servants of "I AM" (among them).
37:129. And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:
37:130. "Peace and salutation to such people as Elijah!"
37:131. Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
37:132. For he was one of our believing Servants.
37:133. So also was Lot among those sent (by Us).
37:134. Behold, We delivered him and his adherents, all
37:135. Except an old woman who was among those who lagged behind:
37:136. Then We destroyed the rest.
37:137. Verily, ye pass by their (sites), by day -
37:138. And by night: will ye not understand?
37:139. So also was Jonah among those sent (by Us).
37:140. When he ran away (like a slave from captivity) to the ship (fully) laden,
37:141. He (agreed to) cast lots, and he was condemned:
37:142. Then the big Fish did swallow him, and he had done acts worthy of blame.
37:143. Had it not been that he (repented and) glorified "I AM",
37:144. He would certainly have remained inside the Fish till The Day of Resurrection.
37:145. But We cast him forth on the naked shore in a state of sickness,
37:146. And We caused to grow, over him, a spreading plant of the gourd kind.
37:147. And We sent him (on a mission) to a hundred thousand (men) or more.
37:148. And they believed; so We permitted them to enjoy (their life) for a while.
37:149. Now ask them their opinion: is it that thy Lord has (only) daughters, and they have sons? -
37:150. Or that We created the angels female, and they are witnesses (thereto)?
37:151. Is it not that they say, from their own invention,
37:152. "("I AM") has begotten (human) children"? but they are liars!
37:153. Did He (then) choose daughters rather than sons?
37:154. What is the matter with you? How judge ye?
37:155. Will ye not then receive Warning?
37:156. Or have ye an authority to manifest?
37:157. Then bring ye your Book (of authority) if ye be truthful!
37:158. And they have invented a BLOOD-relationship between Him and the Beings: but the Beings know (quite well) that they [like Him are SPIRIT and] have indeed to appear (before His Judgment-Seat)!
37:159. Glory to "I AM"! (He is free) from the things they ascribe (to Him)!
37:160. Not (so, do) the sincere and devoted Servants of "I AM".
37:161. For, verily, neither ye nor those ye worship -
37:162. Can lead (any) into temptation concerning "I AM",
37:163. Except such as are (themselves) going to the blazing Fire!
37:164. (Those ranged in ranks say): "Not one of us is without a place appointed;
37:165. And we are verily ranged in ranks (for service);
37:166. And we are verily those who declare ("I AM"'s) glory!"
37:167. And there were those who said,
37:168. "If only we had had before us a Message from those of old,
37:169. We should certainly have been Servants of "I AM", sincere (and devoted)!"
37:170. But (now that the Koran has come), they reject it: but soon will they know!
37:171. Already has Our Word been passed before (this) to our Servants sent (by Us),
37:172. That they would certainly be assisted,
37:173. And that Our "Forces",- they surely must conquer.
37:174. So turn thou away from them for a little while,
37:175. And watch them (how they fare), and they soon shall see (how thou farest)!
37:176. Do they wish (indeed) to hurry on Our Punishment?
37:177. But when it descends into the open space before them, evil will be the morning for those who were warned (and heeded not)!
37:178. So turn thou away from them for a little while,
37:179. And watch (how they fare) and they soon shall see (how thou farest)!
37:180. Glory to thy Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they ascribe (to Him)!
37:181. And Peace on the Apostles!
37:182. And Praise to "I AM", the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds.

JAH