The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)
The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics) The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)
38. SAD This Meccan sura mentions previous prophets in support and encouragement for Muhammad, and makes a clear link between the arrogance displayed by the disbelievers of Mecca, previous generations, and Iblis, the original rebel. The first and last verses assert the truth and nobility of the Quran. In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy 1 Sad By the Quran with its reminding . . .! a 2 Yet the disbelievers are steeped in arrogance and hostility. 3 How many generations We have destroyed before them! They all cried out, once it was too late, for escape. 4 The disbelievers think it strange that a prophet of their own people has come to warn them: they say, ‘He is just a lying sorcerer. 5 How can he claim that all the gods are but one God? What an astonishing thing [to claim]!’ 6 Their leaders depart, saying, ‘Walk away! Stay faithful to your gods! That is what you must do. 7 We did not hear any such claim in the last religion: b it is all an invention. 8 Was the message sent only to him out of all of us?’ In fact they doubt My warning; in fact they have not tasted My punishment yet. 9 Do they possess the treasures of your Lord’s bounty, the Mighty, the All Giving? 10 Do they control the heavens and earth and everything between? Let them climb their ropes: c 11 their armed alliance is weak and will be crushed. 12 The people of Noah, Ad, and firmly-supported d Pharaoh rejected their prophets before them. 13 Thamud, the people of Lot, and the Forest-Dwellers each formed opposition [against theirs]. 14 They all rejected the messengers and they were deservedly struck by My punishment: 15 all the disbelievers here are waiting for is a single blast that cannot be a The complement of this oath is understood to be ‘There is only one God’ (see 50: 1–2). b An allusion to the Christian Trinity. c Cf. note to 22: 15. d Dhu’l-awtad literally means ‘with his pegs’, but is understood here metaphorically, to indicate something firmly fixed; cf. its use with reference to mountains in 78: 7.
38: 30 Sad 291 postponed. 16 They say, ‘Our Lord! Advance us our share of punishment before the Day of Reckoning!’ 17 Bear their words patiently [Prophet]. Remember Our servant David, a man of strength who always turned to Us: 18 We made the mountains join him in glorifying Us at sunset and sunrise; 19 and the birds, too, in flocks, all echoed his praise. 20 We strengthened his kingdom; We gave him wisdom and a decisive way of speaking. 21 Have you heard the story of the two litigants who climbed into his private quarters? 22 When they reached David, he took fright, but they said, ‘Do not be afraid. We are two litigants, one of whom has wronged the other: judge between us fairly – do not be unjust – and guide us to the right path. 23 This is my brother. He had ninety-nine ewes and I just the one, and he said, “Let me take charge of her,” and overpowered me with his words.’ 24 David said, ‘He has done you wrong by demanding to add your ewe to his flock. Many partners treat each other unfairly. Those who sincerely believe and do good deeds do not do this, but these are very few.’ [Then] David realized that We had been testing him, a so he asked his Lord for forgiveness, fell down on his knees, and repented: 25 We forgave him [his misdeed]. His reward will be nearness to Us, a good place to return to. 26 ‘David, We have given you mastery over the land. Judge fairly between people. Do not follow your desires, lest they divert you from God’s path: those who wander from His path will have a painful torment because they ignore the Day of Reckoning.’ 27 It was not without purpose that We created the heavens and the earth and everything in between. That may be what the disbelievers assume – how they will suffer from the Fire! – 28 but would We treat those who believe and do good deeds and those who spread corruption on earth as equal? Would We treat those who are aware of God and those who recklessly break all bounds in the same way? 29 This is a blessed Scripture which We sent down to you [Muhammad], for people to think about its messages, and for those with understanding to take heed. 30 We gave David Solomon. He was an excellent servant who a This is allegedly an allusion to David’s acquisition of another man’s wife to add to his own numerous wives.
- Page 266 and 267: 240 The Quran 27: 13 the nine signs
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- Page 278 and 279: 29. THE SPIDER A Meccan sura that t
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- Page 282 and 283: 256 The Quran 29: 61 God sustains t
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- Page 290 and 291: 32. BOWING DOWN IN WORSHIP A Meccan
- Page 292 and 293: 33. THE JOINT FORCES A Medinan sura
- Page 294 and 295: 268 The Quran 33: 21 hardly fight a
- Page 296 and 297: 270 The Quran 33: 49 49 Believers,
- Page 298 and 299: 34. SHEBA A Meccan sura that takes
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- Page 342 and 343: 43. ORNAMENTS OF GOLD A Meccan sura
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- Page 350 and 351: 45. KNEELING A Meccan sura that tak
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- Page 360 and 361: 48. TRIUMPH A Medinan sura that tak
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- Page 364 and 365: 49. THE PRIVATE ROOMS This Medinan
38. SAD<br />
This Meccan sura mentions previous prophets in support and encouragement for<br />
Muhammad, and makes a clear link between the arrogance displayed by<br />
the disbelievers of Mecca, previous generations, and Iblis, the original rebel.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first and last verses assert the truth and nobility of the Quran.<br />
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy<br />
1 Sad<br />
By the Quran with its reminding . . .! a 2 Yet the disbelievers are<br />
steeped in arrogance and hostility. 3 How many generations We have<br />
destroyed before them! <strong>The</strong>y all cried out, once it was too late, for<br />
escape. 4 <strong>The</strong> disbelievers think it strange that a prophet of their own<br />
people has come to warn them: they say, ‘He is just a lying sorcerer.<br />
5 How can he claim that all the gods are but one God? What an<br />
astonishing thing [to claim]!’ 6 <strong>The</strong>ir leaders depart, saying, ‘Walk<br />
away! Stay faithful to your gods! That is what you must do. 7 We did<br />
not hear any such claim in the last religion: b it is all an invention.<br />
8 Was the message sent only to him out of all of us?’<br />
In fact they doubt My warning; in fact they have not tasted My<br />
punishment yet. 9 Do they possess the treasures of your Lord’s<br />
bounty, the Mighty, the All Giving? 10 Do they control the heavens<br />
and earth and everything between? Let them climb their ropes: c<br />
11 their armed alliance is weak and will be crushed. 12 <strong>The</strong> people of<br />
Noah, Ad, and firmly-supported d Pharaoh rejected their prophets<br />
before them. 13 Thamud, the people of Lot, and the Forest-Dwellers<br />
each formed opposition [against theirs]. 14 <strong>The</strong>y all rejected the messengers<br />
and they were deservedly struck by My punishment: 15 all<br />
the disbelievers here are waiting for is a single blast that cannot be<br />
a <strong>The</strong> complement of this oath is understood to be ‘<strong>The</strong>re is only one God’ (see 50:<br />
1–2).<br />
b An allusion to the Christian Trinity.<br />
c Cf. note to 22: 15.<br />
d Dhu’l-awtad literally means ‘with his pegs’, but is understood here metaphorically,<br />
to indicate something firmly fixed; cf. its use with reference to mountains in 78: 7.
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