The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

c
and the whole glorious Qur
an. 88Do not look longingly at the
good things We have given some to enjoy. Do not grieve over the
a
Cf. 
26: 176–191; 38: 13; 50: 14.
b
The tribe of Thamud who lived north of Medina. Al-Hijr means ‘stone city’, like
Petra in Jordan.
c
According to most interpreters this refers to al-Fatiha ‘The Opening’ (Sura 
1).
The Qur
an
15: 56
164

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[disbelievers], but lower your wings over the believers 
89and say, ‘I
am here to give plain warning,’
90like the [warning] We have sent
down for those who divide themselves into bands
a
91and abuse the
Qur
an
b
––
92by your Lord, We will question them all 93about their
deeds. 
94So proclaim openly what you have been commanded [to
say], and ignore the idolaters. 
95We are enough for you against all those
who ridicule your message, 
96who set up another god beside God––
they will come to know. 
97We are well aware that your heart is
weighed down by what they say. 
98Celebrate the glory of your Lord
and be among those who bow down to Him: 
99worship your
Lord until what is certain comes to you.
a
This refers to some disbelievers who organized themselves into groups to meet
pilgrims and warn them against the Qur
an.
b
There are two interpretations of the word 
 idina given by Razi. One is ‘parts/
shreds’, the other is ‘lies/inventions’: ‘abuse’ covers both.
Al-Hijr
165
15: 99

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16. THE BEE
A Meccan sura. It takes its title from the bee (verses 
68–9) inspired in its
remarkable way by God. This is just one of the numerous examples given in this
sura of God’s grace and the many things man should be grateful for. The sura
condemns the idolaters who attribute God’s bounty to other powers and worship
false deities. Abraham is given at the end as an example for the Muslim
community to follow. Until verse 
88, the sura is directed at the polytheists; from
verse 
90 onwards it teaches the Muslims in various ways. Verse 89 connects the
two parts by naming the Prophet as witness to the believers and disbelievers of
his community.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1God’s Judgement is coming,
a
so do not ask to bring it on sooner.
Glory be to Him! He is far above anything they join with Him! 
2He
sends down angels with inspiration at His command, to whichever of
His servants He chooses, to give [His] warning: ‘There is no god but
Me, so beware of Me.’ 
3He created the heavens and earth for a true
purpose, and He is far above whatever they join with Him! 
4He
created man from a drop of 
fluid, and yet man openly challenges
Him.
5And livestock––He created them too. You derive warmth
and other bene
fits from them: you get food from them; 6you find
beauty in them when you bring them home to rest and when you
drive them out to pasture. 
7They carry your loads to lands you
yourselves could not reach without great hardship –– truly your Lord
is kind and merciful ––
8horses, mules, and donkeys for you to ride
and use for show, and other things you know nothing about. 
9God
points out the right path, for some paths lead the wrong way: if He
wished, He could guide you all.
10It is He who sends down water for you from the sky, from which
comes a drink for you, and the shrubs that you feed to your animals.
11With it He grows for you grain, olives, palms, vines, and all kinds
of other crops. There truly is a sign in this for those who re
flect. 12By
His command He has made the night and day, the sun, moon, and
stars all of bene
fit to you. There truly are signs in this for those who