A. L. R. These are the Ayats of Revelation,- of a Qur'an that makes things clear.

Again and again will those who disbelieve, wish that they had bowed (to Allah's will) in Islam.

Leave them alone, to enjoy (the good things of this life) and to please themselves: let (false) hope amuse them: soon will knowledge (undeceive them).

Never did We destroy a population that had not a term decreed and assigned beforehand.

Neither can a people anticipate its term, nor delay it.

They say: "O thou to whom the Message is being revealed! truly thou art mad (or possessed)!

"Why bringest thou not angels to us if it be that thou hast the Truth?"

We send not the angels down except for just cause: if they came (to the ungodly), behold! no respite would they have!

We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).

We did send messengers before thee amongst the religious sects of old:

But never came a messenger to them but they mocked him.

Even so do we let it creep into the hearts of the sinners -

That they should not believe in the (Message); but the ways of the ancients have passed away.

Even if We opened out to them a gate from heaven, and they were to continue (all day) ascending therein,

They would only say: "Our eyes have been intoxicated: Nay, we have been bewitched by sorcery."

It is We Who have set out the zodiacal signs in the heavens, and made them fair-seeming to (all) beholders;

And (moreover) We have guarded them from every cursed devil:

But any that gains a hearing by stealth, is pursued by a flaming fire, bright (to see).

And the earth We have spread out (like a carpet); set thereon mountains firm and immovable; and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance.

And We have provided therein means of subsistence,- for you and for those for whose sustenance ye are not responsible.

And there is not a thing but its (sources and) treasures (inexhaustible) are with Us; but We only send down thereof in due and ascertainable measures.

And We send the fecundating winds, then cause the rain to descend from the sky, therewith providing you with water (in abundance), though ye are not the guardians of its stores.

And verily, it is We Who give life, and Who give death: it is We Who remain inheritors (after all else passes away).

To Us are known those of you who hasten forward, and those who lag behind.

Assuredly it is thy Lord Who will gather them together: for He is perfect in Wisdom and Knowledge.

We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape;

And the Jinn race, We had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind.

Behold! thy Lord said to the angels: "I am about to create man, from sounding clay from mud moulded into shape;

"When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him."

So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together:

Not so Iblis: he refused to be among those who prostrated themselves.

(Allah) said: "O Iblis! what is your reason for not being among those who prostrated themselves?"

(Iblis) said: "I am not one to prostrate myself to man, whom Thou didst create from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape."

(Allah) said: "Then get thee out from here; for thou art rejected, accursed.

"And the curse shall be on thee till the day of Judgment."

(Iblis) said: "O my Lord! give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are raised."

(Allah) said: "Respite is granted thee

"Till the Day of the Time appointed."

(Iblis) said: "O my Lord! because Thou hast put me in the wrong, I will make (wrong) fair-seeming to them on the earth, and I will put them all in the wrong,-

"Except Thy servants among them, sincere and purified (by Thy Grace)."

(Allah) said: "This (way of My sincere servants) is indeed a way that leads straight to Me.

"For over My servants no authority shalt thou have, except such as put themselves in the wrong and follow thee."

And verily, Hell is the promised abode for them all!

To it are seven gates: for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.

The righteous (will be) amid gardens and fountains (of clear-flowing water).

(Their greeting will be): "Enter ye here in peace and security."

And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury: (they will be) brothers (joyfully) facing each other on thrones (of dignity).

There no sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave.

Tell My servants that I am indeed the Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful;

And that My Penalty will be indeed the most grievous Penalty.