[23:0] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

[23:1] Successful indeed are the believers;

[23:2] who are reverent during their Contact Prayers (Salat).

[23:3] And they avoid vain talk.

[23:4] And they give their obligatory charity (Zakat).

[23:5] And they maintain their chastity.

[23:6] Only with their spouses, or those who are rightfully theirs, do they have sexual relations; they are not to be blamed.

[23:7] Those who transgress these limits are the transgressors.

[23:8] When it comes to deposits entrusted to them, as well as any agreements they make, they are trustworthy.

[23:9] And they observe their Contact Prayers (Salat) regularly.

[23:10] Such are the inheritors.

[23:11] They will inherit Paradise, wherein they abide forever.

Accurate Embryology

[23:12] We created the human being from a certain kind of mud.

[23:13] Subsequently, we reproduced him from a tiny drop, that is placed into a well protected repository.

[23:14] Then we developed the drop into a hanging (embryo), then developed the hanging (embryo) into a bite-size (fetus), then created the bite-size (fetus) into bones, then covered the bones with flesh. We thus produce a new creature. Most blessed is GOD, the best Creator.

[23:15] Then, later on, you die.

[23:16] Then, on the Day of Resurrection, you will be resurrected.

The Seven Universes

[23:17] We created above you seven universes in layers, and we are never unaware of a single creature in them.

Innumerable Blessings From God

[23:18] We send down from the sky water, in exact measure, then we store it in the ground. Certainly, we can let it escape.

[23:19] With it, we produce for you orchards of date palms, grapes, all kinds of fruits, and various foods.

[23:20] Also, a tree native to Sinai produces oil, as well as relish for the eaters.

[23:21] And the livestock should provide you with a lesson. We let you drink (milk) from their bellies, you derive other benefits from them, and some of them you use for food.

[23:22] On them, and on the ships, you ride.

Noah

[23:23] We sent Noah to his people, saying, "O my people, worship GOD. You have no other god beside Him. Would you not be righteous?"

[23:24] The leaders who disbelieved among his people said, "This is no more than a human like you, who wants to gain prominence among you. Had GOD willed, He could have sent down angels. We never heard of anything like this from our ancestors.

[23:25] "He is simply a man gone crazy. Just ignore him for awhile."

[23:26] He said, "My Lord, grant me victory, for they have disbelieved me."

[23:27] We then inspired him: "Make the watercraft under our watchful eyes, and in accordance with our inspiration. When our command comes, and the atmosphere boils up, put on it a pair of every kind (of your domesticated animals), and your family, except those condemned to be doomed. Do not speak to Me on behalf of those who transgressed; they will be drowned.

[23:28] "Once you are settled, together with those who are with you, on the watercraft, you shall say, `Praise GOD for saving us from the evil people.'

[23:29] "And say, `My Lord, let me disembark onto a blessed location; You are the best deliverer.' "

[23:30] These should provide sufficient proofs for you. We will certainly put you to the test.

[23:31] Subsequently, we established another generation after them.

[23:32] We sent to them a messenger from among them, saying, "You shall worship GOD. You have no other god beside Him. Would you not be righteous?"

[23:33] The leaders among his people who disbelieved and rejected the idea of the Hereafter - although we provided for them generously in this life - said, "This is no more than a human being like you. He eats from what you eat, and drinks as you drink.

[23:34] "If you obey a human being like you, then you are really losers.

[23:35] "Does he promise you that, after you die and turn into dust and bones, you will come out again?

[23:36] "Impossible, impossible indeed is what is promised to you.

[23:37] "We only live this life - we live and die - and we will never be resurrected.

[23:38] "He is just a man who fabricated lies and attributed them to GOD. We will never believe him."

[23:39] He said, "My Lord, grant me victory, for they have disbelieved me."

[23:40] He said, "Soon they will be sorry."

[23:41] The retribution struck them, equitably, and thus, we turned them into ruins. The wicked people perished.

[23:42] Subsequently, we established other generations after them.

[23:43] No community can advance its predetermined fate, nor delay it.

[23:44] Then we sent our messengers in succession. Every time a messenger went to his community, they disbelieved him. Consequently, we annihilated them, one after the other, and made them history. The people who disbelieved have perished.

Moses and Aaron

[23:45] Then we sent Moses and his brother Aaron with our revelations and a profound proof.

[23:46] To Pharaoh and his elders, but they turned arrogant. They were oppressive people.

[23:47] They said, "Shall we believe for two men whose people are our slaves?"

[23:48] They rejected the two, and consequently, they were annihilated.

[23:49] We gave Moses the scripture, that they may be guided.

[23:50] We made the son of Mary and his mother a sign, and we gave them refuge on a mesa with food and drink.

One God/One Religion

[23:51] O you messengers, eat from the good provisions, and work righteousness. I am fully aware of everything you do.

[23:52] Such is your congregation - one congregation - and I am your Lord; you shall reverence Me.

[23:53] But they tore themselves into disputing factions; each party happy with what they have.

[23:54] Therefore, just leave them in their confusion, for awhile.

[23:55] Do they think that, since we provided them with money and children,

[23:56] we must be showering them with blessings? Indeed, they have no idea.

[23:57] Surely, those who are reverently conscious of their Lord,

[23:58] And who believe in the revelations of their Lord,

[23:59] And who never set up any idols beside their Lord,

[23:60] As they give their charities, their hearts are fully reverent. For they recognize that they will be summoned before their Lord,

[23:61] They are eager to do righteous works; they compete in doing them.

The Disbelievers Unappreciative

[23:62] We never burden any soul beyond its means, and we keep a record that utters the truth. No one will suffer injustice.

[23:63] Because their minds are oblivious to this, they commit works that do not conform with this; their works are evil.

[23:64] Then, when we requite their leaders with retribution, they complain.

[23:65] Do not complain now; you have given up all help from us.

[23:66] My proofs have been presented to you, but you turned back on your heels.

[23:67] You were too arrogant to accept them, and you defiantly disregarded them.

[23:68] Why do they not reflect upon this scripture? Do they not realize that they have received something never attained by their ancestors?

[23:69] Have they failed to recognize their messenger? Is this why they are disregarding him?

[23:70] Have they decided that he is crazy? Indeed, he has brought the truth to them, but most of them hate the truth.

[23:71] Indeed, if the truth conformed to their wishes, there would be chaos in the heavens and the earth; everything in them would be corrupted. We have given them their proof, but they are disregarding their proof.

[23:72] Are you asking them for a wage? Your Lord's wage is far better. He is the best Provider.

[23:73] Most assuredly, you are inviting them to a straight path.

[23:74] Those who disbelieve in the Hereafter will surely deviate from the right path.

[23:75] Even when we showered them with mercy, and relieved their problems, they plunged deeper into transgression, and continued to blunder.

[23:76] Even when we afflicted them with retribution, they never turned to their Lord imploring.

[23:77] Subsequently, when we requited them with the severe retribution they had incurred, they were shocked.

[23:78] He is the One who granted you the hearing, the eyesight, and the brains. Rarely are you appreciative.

[23:79] He is the One who established you on earth, and before Him you will be summoned.

[23:80] He is the One who controls life and death, and He is the One who alternates the night and day. Do you not understand?

[23:81] They said what their ancestors said.

[23:82] They said, "After we die and become dust and bones, we get resurrected?

[23:83] "Such promises were given to us and to our parents in the past. These are no more than tales from the past."

Most Believers are Destined for Hell*

[23:84] Say, "To whom belongs the earth and everyone on it, if you know?"

[23:85] They will say, "To GOD." Say, "Why then do you not take heed?"

[23:86] Say, "Who is the Lord of the seven universes; the Lord of the great dominion?"

[23:87] They will say, "GOD." Say, "Why then do you not turn righteous?"

[23:88] Say, "In whose hand is all sovereignty over all things, and He is the only one who can provide help, but needs no help, if you know?"

[23:89] They will say, "GOD." Say, "Where did you go wrong?"

[23:96] Therefore, counter their evil works with goodness; we are fully aware of their claims.

To Be Protected From Satan

[23:97] Say, "My Lord, I seek refuge in You from the whispers of the devils.

[23:98] "And I seek refuge in You, my Lord, lest they come near me."

The Dead Never Come Back Until the Day of Resurrection

[23:99] When death comes to one of them, he says, "My Lord, send me back.

[23:100] "I will then work righteousness in everything I left." Not true. This is a false claim that he makes. A barrier will separate his soul from this world until resurrection.

[23:101] When the horn is blown, no relations among them will exist on that day, nor will they care about one another.

[23:102] As for those whose weights are heavy, they will be the winners.

[23:103] Those whose weights are light are the ones who lost their souls; they abide in Hell forever.

[23:104] Fire will overwhelm their faces, and they last miserably therein.

[23:105] Were not My revelations recited to you, and you kept on rejecting them?

[23:106] They will say, "Our Lord, our wickedness overwhelmed us, and we were people gone astray.

[23:107] "Our Lord, take us out of this; if we return (to our old behavior), then we are really wicked."

[23:108] He will say, "Abide therein, humiliated, and do not speak to Me.

They Ridiculed the Believers

[23:109] "A group of My servants used to say, `Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us and shower us with mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful.'

[23:110] "But you mocked and ridiculed them, to the extent that you forgot Me. You used to laugh at them.

[23:111] "I have rewarded them today, in return for their steadfastness, by making them the winners."

[23:112] He said, "How long have you lasted on earth? How many years?"

[23:113] They said, "We lasted a day or part of a day. Ask those who counted."

[23:114] He said, "In fact, you stayed but a brief interim, if you only knew.

[23:115] "Did you think that we created you in vain; that you were not to be returned to us?"

[23:116] Most exalted is GOD, the true Sovereign. There is no other god beside Him; the Most Honorable Lord, possessor of all authority.

[23:117] Anyone who idolizes beside GOD any other god, and without any kind of proof, his reckoning rests with his Lord. The disbelievers never succeed.

[23:118] Say, "My Lord, shower us with forgiveness and mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful."

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