The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

a
–– His
rule
b
extends over the waters
c
too –– so as to test which of you does
best.
Yet [Prophet], if you say to them, ‘You will be resurrected after
death,’ the disbelievers are sure to answer, ‘This is clearly nothing
but sorcery.’ 
8If We defer their punishment for a determined time,
a
See also 
22: 47; 32: 4; 41: 9 ff.
b
‘Rule’ is one of the meanings of the Arabic word 
 arsh, normally translated as
‘throne’ (al-Mu
 jam al-Wasit).
c
Cf. 
21: 30.

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they are sure to say, ‘What is holding it back?’ But on the Day it
comes upon them, nothing will divert it from them; what they
mocked will be all around them. 
9How desperate and ungrateful
man becomes when We let him taste Our mercy and then withhold
it!
10And if We let him taste mercy after some harm has touched him,
he is sure to say, ‘Misfortune has gone away from me.’ He becomes
exultant and boastful. 
11Not so those who are steadfast and do good
deeds: they will have forgiveness and a great reward.
12So [Prophet] are you going to
a
abandon some part of what is
revealed to you, and let your heart be oppressed by it, because they
say, ‘Why is no treasure sent down to him? Why has no angel come
with him?’? You are only there to warn; it is God who is in charge of
everything. 
13If they say, ‘He has invented it himself,’ say, ‘Then
produce ten invented suras like it, and call in whoever you can beside
God, if you are truthful.’
14If they do not answer you, then you will
all know that it is sent down containing knowledge from God, and
that there is no god but Him. Then will you submit to Him? 
15If any
desire [only] the life of this world with all its 
finery, We shall repay
them in full in this life for their deeds –
– they will be given no less –
–
16but such people will have nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire:
their work here will be fruitless and their deeds futile. 
17Can they be
compared to those who have clear proof from their Lord,
b
recited
by a witness from Him,
c
and before it the Book of Moses, as a guide
and mercy? These people believe in it, whereas those groups that
deny its truth are promised the Fire. So have no doubt about it
[Prophet]: it is the Truth from your Lord, though most people do
not believe so.
18Who could do more wrong than someone who invents lies about
God? Such people will be brought before their Lord, and the wit-
nesses will say, ‘These are the ones that lied about their Lord.’ God’s
rejection is the due of those who do such wrong, 
19who hinder others
from God’s path, trying to make it crooked, and deny the life to
come. 
20They will not escape on earth, and there will be no one other
than God to protect them. Their punishment will be doubled. They
could not hear, and they did not see. 
21It is they who will have lost
a
Literally ‘Perhaps you will . . .’, but this is a challenging 
figure of speech.
b
The Qur
an.
c
The Angel Gabriel, see 
4: 166.
Hud
137
11: 21

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their souls, and what they invented will have deserted them. 
22There
is no doubt they will be the ones to lose most in the life to come.
23But those who believed, did good deeds, and humbled themselves
before their Lord will be companions in Paradise and there they will
stay. 
24These two groups are like the blind and the deaf as compared
with those who can see and hear well: can they be alike? How can you
not take heed?
25We sent Noah to his people to say, ‘I have come to you to give a
clear warning: 
26worship no one but God. I fear you will have tor-
ment on a painful Day.’
27But the prominent disbelievers among his
people said, ‘We can see that you are nothing but a mortal like
ourselves, and it is clear to see that only the vilest among us follow
you. We cannot see how you are any better than we are. In fact, we
think you are a liar.’
28He said, ‘My people, think: if I did have a clear
sign from my Lord, and He had given me grace of His own, though
it was hidden from you, could we force you to accept it against your
will?
29My people, I ask no reward for it from you; my reward comes
only from God. I will not drive away the faithful: they are sure to
meet their Lord. I can see you are foolish. 
30My people, who could
help me against God if I drove the faithful away? Will you not take
heed?
31I am not telling you that I hold God’s treasures, or have any
knowledge of what is hidden, or that I am an angel. Nor do I say that
God will not grant any good to those who are despised in your eyes:
God Himself knows best what is in their souls. If I did this I would
be one of the wrongdoers.’
32They said, ‘Noah! You have argued
with us for too long. Bring down on us the punishment you threaten
us with, if you are telling the truth.’
33He said, ‘It is God who will
bring it down, if He wishes, and you will not be able to escape. 
34My
advice will be no use to you if God wishes to leave you to your
delusions: He is your Lord and to Him you will be returned.’
35If [these disbelievers]
a
say, ‘He has made this up,’ say
[Muhammad], ‘If I have made this up, I am responsible for my own
crime, but I am innocent of the crimes you commit.’
36It was revealed to Noah, ‘None of your people will believe,
other than those who have already done so, so do not be distressed by,
what they do. 
37Build the Ark under Our [watchful] eyes and with
Our inspiration. Do not plead with Me for those who have done