The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

a
Literally ‘I took a handful from the trail of the messenger and 
flung it . . .’.
b
Another interpretation is that the Samiri will become a social outcast.
c
Harraqa in classical usage has the meaning ‘grind’, as used here, rather than ‘burn’.
d
Zurq from azraq, which means, among other things, ‘blind’. Cf. verses 
124–6.
20: 88
200
The Qur
an

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that Day, intercession will be useless except from those to whom
the Lord of Mercy has granted permission and whose words He
approves –
–
110He knows what is before and behind them, though
they do not comprehend Him –
–
111and [all] faces
a
will be humbled
before the Living, Ever Watchful One. Those burdened with evil
deeds will despair, 
112but whoever has done righteous deeds and
believed need have no fear of injustice or deprivation.’
113We have
sent the Qur
an down in the Arabic tongue and given all kinds of
warnings in it, so that they may beware or take heed –
–
114exalted be
God, the one who is truly in control.
[Prophet], do not rush to recite before the revelation is fully
complete
b
but say, ‘Lord, increase me in knowledge!’
115We also
commanded Adam before you, but he forgot and We found him
lacking in constancy. 
116When We said to the angels, ‘Bow down
before Adam,’ they did. But Iblis refused, 
117so We said, ‘Adam, this
is your enemy, yours and your wife’s: do not let him drive you out of
the garden and make you miserable. 
118In the garden you will never
go hungry, feel naked, 
119be thirsty, or suffer the heat of the sun.’
120But Satan whispered to Adam, saying, ‘Adam, shall I show you
the tree of immortality and power that never decays?’
121and they
both ate from it. They became conscious of their nakedness and
began to cover themselves with leaves from the garden. Adam dis-
obeyed his Lord and was led astray –
–
122later his Lord brought him
close, accepted his repentance, and guided him –
–
123God said, ‘Get
out of the garden as each other’s enemy.’
c
Whoever follows My guidance, when it comes to you [people],
will not go astray nor fall into misery, 
124but whoever turns away
from it will have a life of great hardship. We shall bring him blind to
the Assembly on the Day of Resurrection 
125and he will say, ‘Lord,
why did You bring me here blind? I was sighted before!’
126God will
say, ‘This is how it is: You ignored Our revelations when they came
to you, so today you will be ignored.’
127This is how We reward those
who go too far, and who do not believe in their Lord’s revelations.
The greatest and most enduring punishment is in the Hereafter.
a
This can also mean ‘their faces’.
b
Muhammad, when repeating to Gabriel each revelation, after the angel delivered it,
sometimes in his eagerness started repeating even before Gabriel had 
finished revealing.
See also 
75: 16–19.
c
Both parties, cf. 
2: 36 and note.
201
20: 127
Ta Ha

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128Do they not draw a lesson from the many generations We
destroyed before them, through whose dwelling places they now
walk? There truly are signs in this for anyone with understanding!
129If it were not for a preordained Word from your Lord [Prophet],
they would already have been destroyed. Their time has been set,
130so [Prophet] be patient with what they say–– celebrate the praise
of your Lord, before the rising and setting of the sun, celebrate His
praise during the night, and at the beginning and end of the day, so
that you may 
find contentment–– 131and do not gaze longingly at
what We have given some of them to enjoy, the 
finery of this present
life: We test them through this, but the provision of your Lord is
better and more lasting. 
132Order your people