We bestowed aforetime on Abraham his rectitude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with him.

Behold! he said to his father and his people, "What are these images, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted?"

They said, "We found our fathers worshipping them."

He said, "Indeed ye have been in manifest error - ye and your fathers."

They said, "Have you brought us the Truth, or are you one of those who jest?"

He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He Who created them (from nothing): and I am a witness to this (Truth).

"And by Allah, I have a plan for your idols - after ye go away and turn your backs"..

So he broke them to pieces, (all) but the biggest of them, that they might turn (and address themselves) to it.

They said, "Who has done this to our gods? He must indeed be some man of impiety!"

They said, "We heard a youth talk of them: He is called Abraham."

They said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness."

They said, "Art thou the one that did this with our gods, O Abraham?"

He said: "Nay, this was done by - this is their biggest one! ask them, if they can speak intelligently!"

So they turned to themselves and said, "Surely ye are the ones in the wrong!"

Then were they confounded with shame: (they said), "Thou knowest full well that these (idols) do not speak!"

(Abraham) said, "Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm?

"Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides Allah! Have ye no sense?"..

They said, "Burn him and protect your gods, If ye do (anything at all)!"

We said, "O Fire! be thou cool, and (a means of) safety for Abraham!"

Then they sought a stratagem against him: but We made them the ones that lost most!

But We delivered him and (his nephew) Lut (and directed them) to the land which We have blessed for the nations.

And We bestowed on him Isaac and, as an additional gift, (a grandson), Jacob, and We made righteous men of every one (of them).

And We made them leaders, guiding (men) by Our Command, and We sent them inspiration to do good deeds, to establish regular prayers, and to practise regular charity; and they constantly served Us (and Us only).

And to Lut, too, We gave Judgment and Knowledge, and We saved him from the town which practised abominations: truly they were a people given to Evil, a rebellious people.

And We admitted him to Our Mercy: for he was one of the Righteous.

(Remember) Noah, when he cried (to Us) aforetime: We listened to his (prayer) and delivered him and his family from great distress.

We helped him against people who rejected Our Signs: truly they were a people given to Evil: so We drowned them (in the Flood) all together.

And remember David and Solomon, when they gave judgment in the matter of the field into which the sheep of certain people had strayed by night: We did witness their judgment.

To Solomon We inspired the (right) understanding of the matter: to each (of them) We gave Judgment and Knowledge; it was Our power that made the hills and the birds celebrate Our praises, with David: it was We Who did (all these things).

It was We Who taught him the making of coats of mail for your benefit, to guard you from each other's violence: will ye then be grateful?

(It was Our power that made) the violent (unruly) wind flow (tamely) for Solomon, to his order, to the land which We had blessed: for We do know all things.

And of the evil ones, were some who dived for him, and did other work besides; and it was We Who guarded them.

And (remember) Job, when He cried to his Lord, "Truly distress has seized me, but Thou art the Most Merciful of those that are merciful."

So We listened to him: We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his people to him, and doubled their number,- as a Grace from Ourselves, and a thing for commemoration, for all who serve Us.

And (remember) Isma'il, Idris, and Zul-kifl, all (men) of constancy and patience;

We admitted them to Our mercy: for they were of the righteous ones.

And remember Zun-nun, when he departed in wrath: He imagined that We had no power over him! But he cried through the deptHs of darkness, "There is no god but thou: glory to thee: I was indeed wrong!"

So We listened to him: and delivered him from distress: and thus do We deliver those who have faith.

And (remember) Zakariya, when he cried to his Lord: "O my Lord! leave me not without offspring, though thou art the best of inheritors."

So We listened to him: and We granted him Yahya: We cured his wife's (Barrenness) for him. These (three) were ever quick in emulation in good works; they used to call on Us with love and reverence, and humble themselves before Us.

And (remember) her who guarded her chastity: We breathed into her of Our spirit, and We made her and her son a sign for all peoples.

Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other).

But (later generations) cut off their affair (of unity), one from another: (yet) will they all return to Us.

Whoever works any act of righteousness and has faith,- His endeavour will not be rejected: We shall record it in his favour.

But there is a ban on any population which We have destroyed: that they shall not return,

Until the Gog and Magog (people) are let through (their barrier), and they swiftly swarm from every hill.

Then will the true promise draw nigh (of fulfilment): then behold! the eyes of the Unbelievers will fixedly stare in horror: "Ah! Woe to us! we were indeed heedless of this; nay, we truly did wrong!"

Verily ye, (unbelievers), and the (false) gods that ye worship besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! to it will ye (surely) come!

If these had been gods, they would not have got there! but each one will abide therein.

There, sobbing will be their lot, nor will they there hear (aught else).