Do they not reflect on themselves? Allah did not create the heavens and earth and all that is between them except for a true purpose and for an appointed term, but most people deny the meeting with their Lord.
Have they not traveled through the land to see how was the end of those who came before them? They were more powerful than them, and they tilled the land and built it more than these people have ever built. Their messengers came to them with clear proofs. It was not Allah Who wronged them, but it was they who wronged themselves.
He brings the living out of the dead and the dead out of the living, and gives life to the earth after its death. This is how you will be brought forth[8].
And among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves that you may find comfort in them, and He placed between you love and mercy. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who reflect.
And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colors. Indeed, there are signs in this for those who have knowledge.
And among His signs is that He shows you lightning, causing fear and hope[9], and He sends down water from the sky, reviving therewith the earth after its death. Indeed, there are signs in this for people who understand.
It is He Who originates the creation and then repeats it, which is easier for Him. To Him belong the most sublime attributes in the heavens and earth, and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
He makes this comparison for you from your own lives: do you have among your slaves any partners who equally share with you whatever wealth we have given you[10], so you are fearing them as you fear one another[11]? This is how We make the verses clear for people who understand.
Adhere sincerely to the true religion in all uprightness. This is the natural disposition[12] with which Allah has created mankind. There is no change in Allah’s creation. This is the straight religion, but most people do not know[13].
When people are afflicted with hardship, they cry out to their Lord, turning to Him penitently. But as soon as He gives them a taste of His mercy, some of them associate partners with their Lord,
When We give people a taste of mercy, they rejoice in pride. But when they are afflicted with evil because of what their hands have done, they fall into utter despair.
So give your close relatives their due, and the needy, and the wayfarer. That is best for those who seek Allah’s pleasure[15], and it is they who will be successful.
Whatever you lend in usury in order to gain more at the expense of people’s wealth[16], it will not increase [in reward] with Allah. But whatever you give as charity[17], seeking Allah’s pleasure – it is they who will have multiple rewards[18].
It is Allah Who created you, then gave you provision, then He will cause you to die and then will bring you back to life. Is there any of your [so-called] partners who can do anything of this? Glorified and Exalted is He far above what they associate with Him!
Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what people’s hands have earned, so that He may cause them to taste the consequence of some of their deeds, so that they may return.
Whoever disbelieves will bear [the burden of] his disbelief, and whoever does righteous deeds, they are preparing for themselves [a place in Paradise],
Among His signs is that He sends the winds as harbingers [of rain], so that He may give you a taste of His mercy, and that the ships may sail by His command, and that you may seek His bounty, and so that you may be grateful.
Indeed, We sent before you messengers to their people, and they came to them with clear signs. Then We took vengeance on those who persisted in wickedness, for it is incumbent upon Us to help the believers[20].
It is Allah Who sends the winds that stir up clouds, then He spreads them in the sky as He wills, and He splits them into different fragments, and then you see the rain pouring down from their midst. Then as soon as He makes it fall upon whoever He wills of His slaves, they rejoice,
See then the effects of Allah’s mercy, how He revives the earth after its death. Indeed, it is He Who will raise the dead, and He is Most Capable of all things.
Nor can you guide the blind out of their misguidance. You cannot make anyone hear except those who believe in Our verses, for they are ready to submit [to Allah].
It is Allah Who created you in a state of weakness, then after weakness He gave you strength, then after strength He made you weak and old. He creates what He wills, and He is the All-Knowing, the Most Capable.
On the Day when the Hour begins, the wicked will swear that they had not stayed [in this world] more than an hour. This is how they were deluded [from the truth][22].
As for those who were given knowledge and faith will say, “You did stay, according to Allah’s decree, until the Day of Resurrection. This is the Day of Resurrection, but you did not know[23].”
We have presented in this Qur’an every kind of example for mankind. But no matter what sign you bring them, the disbelievers will surely say, “You follow nothing but falsehood.”
