The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

d
We shall not destroy, or punish severely, before the Day
of Resurrection –
– this is written in the Book.
e
59Nothing prevents Us from sending miraculous signs,
f
except
a
In arguing about religion and proving it as God has shown here. See 
16: 125; 29: 46.
b
See also 
4: 163–6.
c
See verse 
40.
d
Of evildoers. See 
18: 16; 7: 101.
e
God’s divine Record.
f
See
2: 118 for signs demanded by those without knowledge.
The Qur
an
17: 45
178

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the fact that previous peoples denied them. We gave the people of
Thamud the she-camel as a clear sign, yet they maltreated it. We
send signs only to give warning. 
60[Prophet], We have told you that
your Lord knows all about human beings. The vision We showed
you
a
was only a test for people, as was the cursed tree [mentioned] in
the Qur
an.
b
We warn them, but this only increases their insolence.
61When We said to the angels, ‘Bow down before Adam,’ they all
bowed down, but not Iblis. He retorted, ‘Why should I bow down to
someone You have created out of clay?’
62and [then] said, ‘You see
this being You have honoured above me? If You reprieve me until the
Day of Resurrection, I will lead all but a few of his descendants by
the nose.’
63God said, ‘Go away! Hell will be your reward, and the
reward of any of them who follow you –
– an ample reward. 
64Rouse
whichever of them you can with your voice, muster your cavalry and
infantry against them, share their wealth and their children with
them, and make promises to them –
– Satan promises them nothing
but delusion –
–
65but you will have no authority over My [true]
servants: Your Lord can take care of them well enough.’
66[People], it is your Lord who makes ships go smoothly for you
on the sea so that you can seek His bounty: He is most merciful
towards you. 
67When you get into distress at sea, those you pray to
besides Him desert you, but when He brings you back safe to land
you turn away: man is ever ungrateful. 
68Can you be sure that God
will not have you swallowed up into the earth when you are back on
land, or that He will not send a sandstorm against you? Then you
will
find no one to protect you. 69Or can you be sure that He will
not send you back out to sea, and send a violent storm against you
to drown you for being so ungrateful? You will 
find no helper
against Us there. 
70We have honoured the children of Adam and
carried them by land and sea; We have provided good sustenance
for them and favoured them specially above many of those We have
created.
71On the Day when We summon each community, along with its
leader,
c
those who are given their record in their right hand will read
a
The vision he was shown on the Night Journey.
b
Said to refer to the tree of Zaqqum in Hell (see 
56: 52; 44: 43–6). The eater will curse
its fruits (Razi). Both the vision and the tree in Hell were objects of derision for the
disbelievers.
c
See
16: 89.
The Night Journey
179
17: 71

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it [with pleasure].
a
But no one will be wronged in the least: 
72those
who were blind in this life will be blind in the Hereafter, and even
further o
ff the path. 73[Prophet], the disbelievers tried to tempt you
away from what We revealed to you, so that you would invent some
other revelation and attribute it to Us and then they would have
taken you as a friend. 
74If We had not made you stand firm, you
would almost have inclined a little towards them. 
75In that case, We
would have made you taste a double punishment in this life, and a
double punishment after death and then you would have found no
one to help you against Us. 
76They planned to scare you off the land,
but they would not have lasted for more than a little while after you.
77Such was Our way with the messengers We sent before you, and
you will 
find no change in Our ways.
78So perform the regular prayers in the period from the time the
sun is past its zenith till the darkness of the night, and [recite] the
Qur