37 Those Who Set the 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 God)!
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 (other) 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 admonished, pay no heed,-
37:14 And, when they see a Sign, turn it to mockery,
37:15 And say, “This is nothing but evident sorcery!
37:16 “What! when we die, and become dust and bones, shall we (then) be raised up (again)
37:17 “And also our fathers 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-
Those who “did wrong” will go to hell, and their wives will go to hell with them (no matter how they behaved).
Hell in the Quran
37:23 “Besides God, 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 help not 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 of our sins).
(31-38) “Taste the painful doom.”
Those who refuse to believe in Muhammad’‘s revelations will face a painful doom.
Doom in the Quran
For disbelievers a painful doom
37:32 “We led you astray: for truly we were ourselves astray.”
37:33 Truly, that Day, they will (all) share in the Penalty.
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 God, 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 God,-
(37:40-48) But the single-minded slaves of Allah will enjoy a Garden filled with lovely-eyed virgins.
37:41 For them is a Sustenance determined,
37:42 Fruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity,
37:44 Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):
37:45 Round will be passed to them a Cup from a clear-flowing fountain,
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.
“Then looketh he and seeth him in the depth of hell.”
Hell in the Quran
37:56 He said: “By God! 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)!
If you’‘re not favored by Allah, you’‘re doomed.
Doom in the Quran
For disbelievers a painful doom
37:58 “Is it (the case) that we shall not die,
37:59 “Except our first death, and that 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 Zaqqum?
(37:62-68) “And afterward ... a drink of boiling water”
Those in hell must eat from a tree with the heads of devils, and then drink boiling water. After that they return to hell.
Hell in the Quran
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 fathers on the wrong Path;
37:70 So they (too) were rushed down on their footsteps!
37:71 And truly before them, many of the ancients went astray;-
37:72 But We sent aforetime, among them, (apostles) to admonish them;-
37:73 Then see what was the end of those who were admonished (but heeded not),-
37:74 Except the sincere (and devoted) Servants of God.
37:75 (In the days of old), Noah cried to Us, and We are the best to hear prayer.
Did one of Noah’‘s sons die in the flood?
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.
Allah drowned everyone except Noah and his family 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 father 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 handwork!”
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 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: 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!”
Allah tells Abraham in a dream to sacrifice his son. (But is the son Ishmael or Isaac?)
37:103 So when they had both submitted their wills (to God), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice),
37:104 We called out to him “O Abraham!
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 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 Elias among those sent (by Us).
37:124 Behold, he said to his people, “Will ye not fear (God)?
37:125 “Will ye call upon Baal and forsake the Best of Creators,-
37:126 “God, your Lord and Cherisher and the Lord and Cherisher of your fathers of old?”
37:127 But they rejected him, and they will certainly be called up (for punishment),-
Only the “single-minded slaves of Allah” will be saved from the doom.
Doom in the Quran
For disbelievers a painful doom
37:128 Except the sincere and devoted Servants of God (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 as Elias!”
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 Lut 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.
Allah killed everyone in Sodom except for Lot and his family.
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.
(37:142) “And the fish swallowed him.”
Jonah was swallowed by a fish.
37:143 Had it not been that he (repented and) glorified God,
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 “God has begotten 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 admonition?
37:156 Or have ye an authority 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 Jinns: but the Jinns know (quite well) that they have indeed to appear (before his Judgment- Seat)!
37:159 Glory to God! (He is free) from the things they ascribe (to Him)!
37:160 Not (so do) the Servants of God, sincere and devoted.
37:161 For, verily, neither ye nor those ye worship-
37:162 Can lead (any) into temptation concerning God,
No one is against Allah, except those who burn in hell.
Hell in the Quran
37:163 Except such as are (themselves) going to the blazing Fire!
37:164 (Those ranged in ranks say): “Not one of us but has a place appointed;
The words, “There is not one of us ... ” could not have been spoken by Allah. So how is Allah the author of the Quran
37:165 “And we are verily ranged in ranks (for service);
37:166 “And we are verily those who declare (God’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 God, sincere (and devoted)!”
“We would be single-minded slaves of Allah.”
Just what the world needs: a few more single-minded slaves of Allah!
37:170 But (now that the Qur’an 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?
Just wait a while and watch. The unbelievers will soon be destroyed in the doom.
Doom in the Quran
For disbelievers a painful doom
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 God, the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds.
