The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

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The Quran 37: 114
offspring were good, but some clearly wronged themselves. 114 We
also bestowed Our favour on Moses and Aaron: 115 We saved them
and their people from great distress; 116 We helped them, so they were
the ones to succeed; 117 We gave them the Scripture that makes things
clear; 118 We guided them to the right path; 119 We let them be praised
by succeeding generations: 120 ‘Peace be upon Moses and Aaron!’
121 This is how We reward those who do good: 122 truly they were
among Our faithful servants.
123 Elijah too was one of the messengers. 124 He said to his people,
‘Have you no fear of God? 125 How can you invoke Baal and forsake
the Most Gracious Creator, 126 God, your Lord and the Lord of your
forefathers?’ 127 but they rejected him. They will be brought to punishment
a as a consequence; 128 not so the true servants of God. 129 We
let him be praised by succeeding generations: 130 ‘Peace be to Elijah!’
131 This is how We reward those who do good: 132 truly he was one of
Our faithful servants.
133 Lot was also one of the messengers. 134 We saved him and all his
family – 135 except for an old woman who stayed behind – 136 and We
destroyed the rest. 137 You [people] pass by their ruins morning
138 and night: will you not take heed? 139 Jonah too was one of the
messengers. 140 He fled to the overloaded ship. 141 They cast lots, he
suffered defeat, 142 and a great fish swallowed him, for he had committed
blameworthy acts. 143 If he had not been one of those who
glorified God, 144 he would have stayed in its belly until the Day when
all are raised up, 145 but We cast him out, sick, on to a barren shore,
146 and made a gourd tree grow above him. 147 We sent him to a
hundred thousand people or more. 148 They believed, so We let them
live out their lives. b
149 Now [Muhammad], ask the disbelievers: is it true that your
Lord has daughters, while they choose sons for themselves? c 150 Did
We create the angels as females while they were watching? 151 No
indeed! It is one of their lies when they say, 152 ‘God has begotten.’
How they lie! 153 Did He truly choose daughters in preference to
sons? 154 What is the matter with you? How do you form your
a It is inaccurate to say ‘brought to account’, since this would apply to everyone,
including the true servants of God.
b One of the classical meanings of mattaa is ‘to give long life’.
c The pagan Arabs were ashamed to have daughters themselves, yet attributed
daughters to God.