[Saad 38:1] Saad* - By oath of the renowned Qur’an, (Alphabet of the Arabic language; Allah and to whomever He reveals, know their precise meanings.)

[Saad 38:2] In fact, the disbelievers are in false pride and opposition.

[Saad 38:3] Many a generation We did destroy before them – thereupon they cried out whereas it is not the time to escape!

[Saad 38:4] And they were surprised that a Herald of Warning came to them from among themselves; and the disbelievers said, “He is a magician, a great liar!”

[Saad 38:5] “Has he made all the Gods into One God? This is really something very strange!”

[Saad 38:6] And their leaders went about, “Leave him and cling steadfastly to your Gods! Indeed he has a hidden objective in this!”

[Saad 38:7] “We never heard of this even in Christianity, the latest religion; this is clearly a newly fabricated matter.”

[Saad 38:8] “Is the Qur’an which is sent to him, among us?” In fact they are in a doubt concerning My Book; in fact, they have not yet tasted My punishment.

[Saad 38:9] Or do they hold the treasures of the mercy of your Lord, the Almighty, the Great Bestower?

[Saad 38:10] Is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, for them? So would they not just ascend using ropes?

[Saad 38:11] This is just one of the disgraced armies, that will be routed there and then.

[Saad 38:12] Before them, the people of Nooh had denied, and the tribe of A’ad, and Firaun who used to crucify.

[Saad 38:13] And the tribe of Thamud, and the people of Lut, and the People of the Woods; these are the groups.

[Saad 38:14] None of them was such that it did not deny the Noble Messengers, therefore My punishment became inevitable.

Section 2

[Saad 38:15] They await just one Scream, which no one can avert.

[Saad 38:16] And they said, “Our Lord! Give us our share quickly, before the Day of Reckoning.”

[Saad 38:17] Have patience upon what they say, and remember Our bondman Dawud, the one blessed with favours; he is indeed most inclined (towards His Lord).

[Saad 38:18] Indeed We subjected the hills to say the praise with him, at night and at morn.

[Saad 38:19] And birds gathered together; they were all obedient to him.

[Saad 38:20] And We strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and just speech.

[Saad 38:21] And did the news of the two disputants reach you? When they scaled over the wall into Dawud’s mosque.

[Saad 38:22] When they entered upon David, so he feared them - they said, “Do not fear! We are two disputants, one of whom has wronged the other, therefore judge fairly between us and do not judge unjustly - and show us the right way.”

[Saad 38:23] “This is my brother; he has ninety nine ewes and I have one ewe; and he now says ‘Give that one also to me’ - and he is very demanding in speech.”

[Saad 38:24] Said Dawud, “He is indeed being unjust to you in that he demands to add your ewe to his ewes; and indeed most partners wrong one another, except those who believe and do good deeds - and they are very few!” Thereupon Dawud realised that We had tested him, so he sought forgiveness from his Lord, and fell prostrate and inclined (towards his Lord). (Command of Prostration # 10)

[Saad 38:25] We therefore forgave him this; and indeed for him in Our presence are, surely, proximity and an excellent abode.

[Saad 38:26] “O Dawud! We have indeed appointed you as a Viceroy in the earth, therefore judge between mankind with the truth, and do not follow desire for it will lead you astray from Allah’s path; indeed for those who stray away from Allah’s path is a severe punishment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning.”

Section 3

[Saad 38:27] And We have not created the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose; this is what the disbelievers assume; therefore ruin is for the disbelievers, by the fire.

[Saad 38:28] Shall We make those who believe and do good deeds equal to those who spread turmoil in the earth? Or shall We equate the pious with the disobedient?

[Saad 38:29] This is a Book which We have sent down upon you, a blessed Book, for them to ponder upon its verses, and for men of intellect to accept advice.

[Saad 38:30] And We bestowed Sulaiman to Dawud; what an excellent bondman! He is indeed most inclined.

[Saad 38:31] When fast footed steeds were presented to him at evening.

[Saad 38:32] Therefore Sulaiman said, “I cherish the love of these horses *, out of remembrance of my Lord”; he then ordered them to be raced until they vanished in a curtain out of sight. (To be used in holy war.)

[Saad 38:33] He then ordered, “Bring them back to me”; and he began caressing their shins their necks.

[Saad 38:34] And We indeed tested Sulaiman, and placed a dead body on his throne – he therefore inclined towards His Lord.

[Saad 38:35] He said, “My Lord! Forgive me and bestow upon me a kingdom, which shall not befit anyone after me; indeed only You are the Great Bestower.”

[Saad 38:36] We therefore gave the wind under his control, moving steadily by his command wherever he wished.

[Saad 38:37] And made the demons subservient to him, all builders and divers.

[Saad 38:38] And other demons bound in chains.

[Saad 38:39] “This is Our bestowal - you may therefore bestow favours or withhold them – you will not be questioned.”

[Saad 38:40] And indeed for him in Our presence are, surely, proximity and an excellent abode.

Section 4

[Saad 38:41] And remember Our bondman Ayyub (Job); when he cried out * to his Lord, “The devil has struck me with hardship and pain.” (After seven years of patience.)

[Saad 38:42] We said to him, “Strike the earth with your foot; this cool spring is for bathing and drinking.” (A spring of gushed forth when he struck the earth – this was a miracle.)

[Saad 38:43] And We bestowed his household to him and one more similar to it – as a mercy from Us, and as a remembrance for the people of intellect.

[Saad 38:44] And We said, “Take a broom in your hand and strike her with it, and do not break your vow”; We indeed found him patiently enduring; what an excellent bondman! He is indeed most inclined.

[Saad 38:45] And remember Our bondmen Ibrahim, and Ishaq, and Yaqub – the men of power and knowledge.

[Saad 38:46] We indeed gave them distinction with a genuine affair – the remembrance of the (everlasting) abode.

Section 5

[Saad 38:47] And in Our sight, they are indeed the chosen ones, the beloved.

[Saad 38:48] And remember Ismail and Yasa’a (Elisha) and Zul-Kifl; and they are all excellent.

[Saad 38:49] This is an advice; and indeed for the pious is an excellent abode.

[Saad 38:50] Everlasting Gardens - all its gates are open for them.

[Saad 38:51] Reclining on pillows, in it they ask for fruits and drinks in plenty.

[Saad 38:52] And with them are the pure spouses, who do not set gaze upon men except their husbands, of single age.

[Saad 38:53] This is the promise being given to you, for the Day of Reckoning.

[Saad 38:54] Indeed this is Our sustenance, which will never end.

[Saad 38:55] This is for the virtuous; and indeed for the rebellious is a wretched destination.

[Saad 38:56] Hell; which they shall enter; what an evil resting-place!

[Saad 38:57] This is for the criminals – so that they may taste it - boiling hot water and pus.

[Saad 38:58] And similar other punishments in pairs.

[Saad 38:59] “Here is another group that was with you, falling along with you”; they will answer, “Do not give them plenty of open space; they surely have to enter the fire – let them also be confined!”

[Saad 38:60] The followers will say, “In fact, for you! May you not get open space! It is you who brought this calamity upon us!” So what a wretched destination.

[Saad 38:61] They say, “Our Lord! Whoever has brought this calamity upon us - double the punishment of the fire for him!”

[Saad 38:62] And they say, “What is the matter with us that we do not see the men whom we thought were evil?”

[Saad 38:63] “Did we mock at them or did our eyes turn away from them?”

[Saad 38:64] Indeed this is really true –the people of the hell quarrelling among themselves.

[Saad 38:65] Proclaim (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him), “I am purely a Herald of Warning - and there is no God except Allah, the One, the All Dominant.”

[Saad 38:66] “Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them - the Almighty, the Oft Forgiving.”

[Saad 38:67] Say, “That is a great tidings.”

[Saad 38:68] “You are neglectful of it!”

[Saad 38:69] “What did I know of the heavenly world, when the angels had disputed.”

[Saad 38:70] “I receive only the divine revelations, that I am purely a clear Herald of Warning.”

[Saad 38:71] (Remember) When your Lord said to the angels, “I will create a human from clay.” -

[Saad 38:72] “So when I have perfected him and breathed into him a spirit from Myself, (you all) fall down before him in prostration.”

[Saad 38:73] So all the angels prostrated, every one, without exception.

[Saad 38:74] Except Iblis; he was proud and was, from the beginning, a disbeliever.

[Saad 38:75] Said Allah, “O Iblis! What prevented you from prostrating before one whom I have created with My hands*? Have you become proud or were you haughty from the beginning?” (Used as a metaphor).

[Saad 38:76] Said Iblis, “I am better than him; You made me from fire, and You have created him from clay!”

[Saad 38:77] He said, “Therefore exit from heaven, for you have been outcast.” (To disrespect the Prophets – peace and blessings be upon them – is blasphemy.)

[Saad 38:78] “And indeed My curse is upon you till the Day of Judgement.”

[Saad 38:79] He said, “My Lord! Therefore give me respite till the day when all will be raised.”

[Saad 38:80] Said Allah, “You are therefore among those given respite.”

[Saad 38:81] “Until the time of the known day.”

[Saad 38:82] He said, “Therefore, by oath of Your honour, I will surely mislead all of them.”

[Saad 38:83] “Except Your chosen bondmen among them.”

[Saad 38:84] Said Allah, “So this is the truth; and I speak only the truth.” -

[Saad 38:85] “That I will fill hell with you and with those among them who follow you, all together.”

[Saad 38:86] Say (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him) “I do not ask any fee from you for the Qur’an, and I am not a fabricator.”

[Saad 38:87] “It is not but an advice for the entire world.”

[Saad 38:88] “And you will come to know of its tidings, after a while.”