The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

a
Ummi can mean ‘unlettered’ or ‘gentile’.
b
Cf. 
6: 146. This reference is said by interpreters to refer to the difficult obligations
imposed on the Children of Israel.
The Heights
105
7: 162

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163[Prophet], ask them about the town by the sea; how its people
broke the Sabbath when their 
fish surfaced for them only on that
day, never on weekdays –
– We tested them in this way: because of
their disobedience –
–
164how, when some of them asked [their
preachers], ‘Why do you bother preaching to people God will des-
troy, or at least punish severely?’ [the preachers] answered, ‘In order
to be free from your Lord’s blame, and so that they may perhaps take
heed.’
165When they ignored [the warning] they were given, We
saved those who forbade evil, and punished the wrongdoers severely
because of their disobedience. 
166When, in their arrogance, they per-
sisted in doing what they had been forbidden to do, We said to them,
‘Be like apes!
a
Be outcasts!’
167And then your Lord declared that,
until the Day of Resurrection, He would send people against them to
in
flict terrible suffering on them. Your Lord is swift in punishment
but He is most forgiving and merciful.
168We dispersed them over the earth in separate communities––
some are righteous and some less so: We tested them with blessings
and misfortunes, so that they might all return [to righteousness] –
–
169and they were succeeded by generations who, although they
inherited the Scripture, took the 
fleeting gains of this lower world,
saying, ‘We shall be forgiven,’ and indeed taking them again if other
such gains came their way. Was a pledge not taken from them, writ-
ten in the Scripture, to say nothing but the truth about God? And
they have studied its contents well. For those who are mindful of
God, the Hereafter is better. ‘Why do you not use your reason?’
170But as for those who hold fast to the Scripture and keep up the
prayer, We do not deny righteous people their rewards. 
171When We
made the mountain loom high above them like a shadow, and they
thought it would fall on them, We said, ‘Hold fast to what We have
given you, and remember what it contains, so that you may remain
conscious of God.’
172[Prophet], when your Lord took out the offspring from the
loins of the Children of Adam and made them bear witness about
themselves, He said, ‘Am I not your Lord?’ and they replied, ‘Yes,
we bear witness.’ So you cannot say on the Day of Resurrection, ‘We
were not aware of this,’
173or, ‘It was our forefathers who, before us,
ascribed partners to God, and we are only the descendants who came
a
Cf. note to 
2: 65.
The Qur
an
7: 163
106

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after them: will you destroy us because of falsehoods they invented?’
174In this way We explain the messages, so that they may turn [to the
right path].
175[Prophet], tell them the story of the man to whom We gave Our
messages: he sloughed them o
ff, so Satan took him as his follower
and he went astray –
–
176if it had been Our will, We could have used
these signs to raise him high, but instead he clung to the earth and
followed his own desires –
– he was like a dog that pants with a lolling
tongue whether you drive it away or leave it alone. Such is the image
of those who reject Our signs. Tell them the story so that they may
re
flect. 177How foul is the image of those who reject Our signs! It is
themselves they wrong: 
178whoever God guides is truly guided, and
whoever God allows to stray is a loser. 
179We have created many jinn
and people who are destined for Hell, with hearts they do not use for
comprehension, eyes they do not use for sight, ears they do not use
for hearing. They are like cattle, no, even further astray: these are
the ones who are entirely heedless.
180The Most Excellent Names belong to God: use them to call on
Him, and keep away from those who abuse them –
– they will be
requited for what they do. 
181Among those We created are a group of
people who guide with truth and act justly according to it. 
182But We
lead on those who reject Our messages, step by step, without them
realizing it: 
183I will give them respite, but My plan is sure. 184Has it
not occurred to them that their companion
a
is not mad but is giving
clear warning? 
185Have they not contemplated the realm of the
heavens and earth and all that God created, and that the end of their
time might be near? What [other revelation] will they believe in if
they do not believe in this? 
186No one can guide those God allows to
stray: He leaves them blundering about in their insolence.
187They ask you [Prophet] about the Hour, ‘When will it happen?’
Say, ‘My Lord alone has knowledge of it: He alone will reveal when
its time will come, a time that is momentous
b
in both the heavens and
earth. All too suddenly it will come upon you.’ They ask you about
it as if you were eager [to 
find out]. Say, ‘God alone has knowledge
of [when it will come], though most people do not realize it.’
188Say
[Prophet], ‘I have no control over bene
fit or harm, [even] to myself,