And He it is who has created the heavens and the earth in six aeons; and [ever since He has willed to create life,] the throne of His almightiness has rested upon water. [God reminds you of your dependence on Him] in order to test you [and thus to make manifest] which of you is best in conduct. For thus it is: if thou sayest [unto men], 'Behold, you shall be raised again after death!' - they who are bent on denying the truth are sure to answer, 'This is clearly nothing but an enchanting delusion' (asad) Audio   ⟶

ARE, THEN, they who are bent on denying the truth not aware that the heavens and the earth were [once] one single entity, which We then parted asunder? – and [that] We made out of water every living thing? Will they not, then, [begin to] believe? (asad) Audio   ⟶

And it is God who has created all animals out of water; and [He has willed that] among them are such as crawl on their bellies, and such as walk on two legs, and such as walk on four. God creates what He will: for, verily, God has the power to will anything. (asad) Audio   ⟶

And He it is who out of this [very] water has created man, and has endowed him with [the con­sciousness of] descent and marriage-tie: for thy Sustainer is ever infinite in His power. (asad) Audio   ⟶

O YOU who have attained to faith! Do not attempt to pray while you are in a state of drunkenness, [but wait] until you know what you are saying; nor yet [while you are] in a state requiring total ablution, until you have bathed - except if you are travelling [and are unable to do so]. But if you are ill, or are travelling, or have just satisfied a want of nature, or have cohabited with a woman, and can find no water - then take resort to pure dust, passing [there­with] lightly over your face and your hands. Behold, God is indeed an absolver of sins, much-forgiving. (asad) Audio   ⟶

O YOU who have attained to faith! When you are about to pray, wash your face, and your hands and arms up to the elbows, and pass your [wet] hands lightly over your head, and [wash] your feet up to the ankles. And if you are in a state. requiring total ablution, purify yourselves. But if you are ill, or are travelling, or have just satisfied a want of nature, or have cohabited with a woman, and can find no water-then take resort to pure dust, passing therewith lightly over your face and your hands. God does not want to impose any hardship on you, but wants to make you pure, and to bestow upon you the full measure of His blessings, so that you might have cause to be grateful. (asad) Audio   ⟶

Do you, perchance, regard the [mere] giving of water to pilgrims and the tending of the Inviolable House of Worship as being equal to [the works of] one who believes in God and the Last Day and strives hard in God's cause? These [things] are not equal in the sight of God. And God does not grace with His guidance people who [deliberately] do wrong. (asad) Audio   ⟶

And there are on earth [many] tracts of land close by one another [and yet widely differing from one another ]; and [there are on it] vinyards, and fields of grain, and date-palms growing in clusters from one root or standing alone, [all] watered with the same water: and yet, some of them have We favoured above others by way of the food [which they provide for man and beast]. Verily, in all this there are messages indeed for people who use their reason! (asad) Audio   ⟶

Unto Him [alone] is due all prayer aiming at the Ultimate Truth, since those [other beings or powers] whom men invoke instead of God cannot respond to them in any way - [so that he who invokes them is] but like one who stretches his open hands towards water, [hoping] that it will reach his mouth, the while it never reaches him. Hence, the prayer of those who deny the truth amounts to no more than losing oneself in grievous error. (asad) Audio   ⟶

[Whenever] He sends down water from the sky, and [once-dry] river-beds are running high according to their measure, the stream carries scum on its surface; and, likewise, from that [metal] which they smelt in the fire in order to make ornaments or utensils, [there rises] scum. In this way does God set forth the parable of truth and falsehood: for, as far as the scum is concerned, it passes away as [does all] dross; but that which is of benefit to man abides on earth. In this way does God set forth the parables (asad) Audio   ⟶

with hell awaiting him; and he shall be made to drink of the water of most bitter distress, (asad) Audio   ⟶

gulping it [unceasingly,] little by little, and yet hardly able to swallow it. And death will beset him from every quarter - but he shall not die: for [yet more] severe suffering lies ahead of him. (asad) Audio   ⟶

And We let loose the winds to fertilize [plants] and We send down water from the skies and let you drink thereof: and it is not you who dispose of its source- (asad) Audio   ⟶

or thou have a garden of date-palms and vines and cause rivers to gush forth in their midst in a sudden rush, (asad) Audio   ⟶

And say: 'The truth [has now come] from your Sustainer: let, then, him who wills, believe in it, and let him who wills, reject it.' Verily, for all who sin against themselves [by rejecting Our truth] We have readied a fire whose billowing folds will encompass them from all sides; and if they beg for water, they will be given water [hot] like molten lead, which will scald their faces: how dreadful a drink, and how evil a place to rest! (asad) Audio   ⟶

or its water sinks deep into the ground, so that thou wilt never be able to find it again!' (asad) Audio   ⟶

[And he marched westwards] till, when he came to the setting of the sun, it appeared to him that it was setting in a dark, turbid sea; and nearby he found a people [given to every kind of wrongdoing]. We said: 'O thou Two-Horned One! Thou mayest either cause [them] to suffer or treat them with kindness!' (asad) Audio   ⟶

These two contrary kinds of man have become engrossed in contention about their Sus­tainer! But [thus it is:] as for those who are bent on denying the truth garments of fire shall be cut out for them [in the life to come]; burning despair will be poured over their heads, (asad) Audio   ⟶

But as for those who are bent on denying the truth, their [good] deeds are like a mirage in the desert, which the thirsty supposes to be water – until, when he approaches it, he finds that it was nothing: instead, he finds [that] God [has always been present] with him, and [that] He will pay him his account in full - for God is swift in reckoning! (asad) Audio   ⟶

And He it is who sends forth the winds as a glad tiding of His coming grace; and [thus, too,] We cause pure water to descend from the skies, (asad) Audio   ⟶

so that We may bring dead land to life thereby, and give to drink thereof to many [beings] of Our creation, beasts as well as humans. (asad) Audio   ⟶

And, indeed, many times have We repeated [all] this unto men, so that they might take it to heart: but most men refuse to be aught but ingrate. (asad) Audio   ⟶

AND HE it is who has given freedom of movement to the two great bodies of water – the one sweet and thirst-allaying, and the other salty and bitter - and yet has wrought between them a barrier and a forbidding ban. (asad) Audio   ⟶

[After a while] she was told: “Enter this court!” - but when she saw it, she thought that it was a fathomless expanse of water, and she bared her legs. Said he: “Behold, it is [but] a court smoothly paved with glass!” Cried she: “O my Sustainer! I have been sinning against myself thy worshipping aught but Thee]: but [now] I have surrendered myself, with Solomon, unto the Sustainer of all the worlds!” (asad) Audio   ⟶

[Easy is it for Him to create likeness and variety:] thus, the two great bodies of water [on earth] are not alike the one sweet, thirst-allaying, pleasant to drink, and the other salty and bitter: and yet, from either of them do you eat fresh meat, and [from either] you take gems which you may wear; and on either thou canst see ships ploughing through the waves, so that you might [be able to] go forth in quest of some of His bounty, and thus have cause to be grateful. (asad) Audio   ⟶

And, behold, above all this they will be confounded with burning des­pair! (asad) Audio   ⟶

[and thereupon was told:] “Strike [the ground] with thy foot: here is cool water to wash with and to drink!” (asad) Audio   ⟶

This, [then, for them -] so let them taste it: burning despair and ice-cold darkness (asad) Audio   ⟶

like the boiling of burning despair. (asad) Audio   ⟶

then pour over his head the anguish of burning despair! (asad) Audio   ⟶

[And can] the parable of the paradise which the God-conscious are promised [a paradise] wherein there are rivers of water which time does not corrupt, and rivers of milk the taste whereof never alters, and rivers of wine delightful to those who drink it, and rivers of honey of all impurity cleansed, and the enjoyment of all the fruits [of their good deeds] and of forgiveness from their Sustainer -: can this [parable of paradise] be likened unto [the parable of the recompense of] such as are to abide in the fire and be given waters of burning despair to drink, so that it will tear their bowels asunder? (asad) Audio   ⟶

And so We caused the gates of heaven to open with water pouring down in torrents, (asad) Audio   ⟶

and caused the earth to burst forth with springs, so that the waters met for a purpose pre-ordained: (asad) Audio   ⟶

And let them know that the water [of their wells] is to be divided between them, with each share of water equitably apportioned.” (asad) Audio   ⟶

He has given freedom to the two great bodies of water, so that they might meet: (asad) Audio   ⟶

between it and [their own] burning-hot despair will they wander to and fro! (asad) Audio   ⟶

and waters gushing, (asad) Audio   ⟶

[They will find themselves] in the midst of scorching winds, and burning despair, (asad) Audio   ⟶

and will thereupon have to drink [many a draught] of burning despair - (asad) Audio   ⟶

Have you ever considered the water which you drink? (asad) Audio   ⟶

a welcome of burning despair [awaits him in the life to come,] (asad) Audio   ⟶

Say [unto those who deny the truth]: 'What do you think? If of a sudden all your water were to vanish underground, who [but God] could provide you with water from [new] unsullied springs?' (asad) Audio   ⟶

and have We not set on it proud, firm mountains, and given you sweet water to drink? (asad) Audio   ⟶

only burning despair and ice-cold darkness: (asad) Audio   ⟶

and has caused its waters to come out of it, and its pastures, (asad) Audio   ⟶

[how it is] that We pour down water, pouring it down abundantly; (asad) Audio   ⟶

given to drink from a boiling spring. (asad) Audio   ⟶

who has made the earth a resting-place for you and the sky a canopy, and has sent down water from the sky and thereby brought forth fruits for your sustenance: do not, then, claim that there is any power that could rival God, when you know [that He is One]. (asad) Audio   ⟶

And [remember] when Moses prayed for water for his people and We replied, 'Strike the rock with thy staff!'-whereupon twelve springs gushed forth from it, so that all the people knew whence to drink. [And Moses said:] 'Eat and drink the sustenance provided by God, and do not act wickedly on earth by spreading corruption.' (asad) Audio   ⟶

[Moses] answered: 'Behold, He says it is to be a cow not broken-in to plough the earth or to water the crops, free of fault, without markings of any other colour.'Said they: 'At last thou hast brought out the truth!'-and thereupon they sacrificed her, although they had almost left it undone. (asad) Audio   ⟶

And yet, after all this, your hearts hardened and became like rocks, or even harder: for, behold, there are rocks from which streams gush forth; and, behold, there are some from which, when they are cleft, water issues; and, behold, there are some that fall down for awe of God And God is not unmindful of what you do! (asad) Audio   ⟶

Verily, in the creation of the heavens and of the earth, and the succession of night and day: and in the ships that speed through the sea with what is useful to man: and in the waters which God sends down from the sky, giving life thereby to the earth after it had, been lifeless, and causing all manner of living creatures to multiply thereon: and in the change of the winds, and the clouds that run their appointed courses between sky and earth: [in all this] there are messages indeed for people who use their reason. (asad) Audio   ⟶

And when Saul set out with his forces, he said: 'Behold, God will now try you by a river: he who shall drink of it will not belong to me, whereas he who shall refrain from tasting it - he, indeed, will belong to me; but forgiven shall be he who shall scoop up but a single handful.' However, save for a few of them, they all drank [their fill] of it. And as soon as he and those who had kept faith with him had crossed the river, the others said: 'No strength have we today [to stand up] against Goliath and his forces!' [Yet] those who knew with certainty that they were destined to meet God, replied: 'How often has a small host overcome a great host by God's leave! For God is with those who are patient in adversity.' (asad) Audio   ⟶

Would any of you like to have a garden of date-palms and vines, through which running waters flow, and have all manner of fruit therein - and then be overtaken by old age, with only weak children to [look after] him-and then [see] it smitten by a fiery whirlwind and utterly scorched? In this way God makes clear His messages unto you, so that you might take thought. (asad) Audio   ⟶

Say: 'Shall I tell you of better things than those [earthly joys]? For the God-conscious there are, with their Sustainer, gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide, and spouses pure, and God's goodly acceptance.' And God sees all that is in [the hearts of] His servants - (asad) Audio   ⟶

These it is who shall have as their reward forgiveness from their Sustainer, and gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide: and how excellent a reward for those who labour! (asad) Audio   ⟶

whereas those who remain conscious of their Sustainer shall have gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide: a ready welcome from God. And that which is with God is best for the truly virtuous. (asad) Audio   ⟶

These are the bounds set by God. And whoever pays heed unto God and His Apostle, him will He bring into gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide: and this is a triumph supreme. (asad) Audio   ⟶

But those who attain to faith and do righteous deeds We shall bring into gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide beyond the count of time; there shall they have spouses pure: and [thus] We shall bring them unto happiness abounding. (asad) Audio   ⟶

Yet those who attain to faith and do righteous deeds We shall bring into gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide beyond the count of time: this is, in truth, God's promise - and whose word could be truer than God's? (asad) Audio   ⟶

AND, INDEED, God accepted a [similar] solemn pledge from the children of Israel when We caused twelve of their leaders to be sent [to Canaan as spies]. And God said: 'Behold, I shall be with you! If you are constant in prayer, and spend in charity, and believe in My apostles and aid them, and offer up unto God a goodly loan, I will surely efface your bad deeds and bring you into gardens through which running waters flow. But he from among you who, after this, denies the truth, will indeed have strayed from the right path!' (asad) Audio   ⟶

Lawful to you is all water-game, and what the sea brings forth, as a provision for you [who are settled] as well as for travellers, although you are forbidden to hunt on land while you are in the state of pilgrimage. And be conscious of God, unto whom you shall be gathered. (asad) Audio   ⟶

Do they not see how many a generation We have destroyed before their time - [people] whom We had given a [bountiful] place on earth, the like of which We never gave unto you, and upon whom We showered heavenly blessings abundant, and at whose feet We made running waters flow? And yet we destroyed them for their sins, and gave rise to other people in their stead. (asad) Audio   ⟶

And leave to themselves all those who, beguiled by the life of this world, have made play and passing delights their religion; but remind [them] herewith that [in the life to come] every human being shall be held in pledge for whatever wrong he has done, and shall have none to protect him from God, and none to intercede for him; and though he offer any conceivable ransom, it shall not be accepted from him. It is [people such as] these that shall be held in pledge for the wrong they have done; for them there is [in the life to come] a draught of burning despair and grievous suffering awaits them because of their persistent refusal to acknowledge the truth. (asad) Audio   ⟶

And He it is who has caused waters to come down from the sky; and by this means have We brought forth all living growth, and out of this have We brought forth verdure. Out of this do We bring forth close-growing grain; and out of the spathe of the palm tree, dates in thick clusters; and gardens of vines, and the olive tree, and the pomegranate: [all] so alike, and yet so different! Behold their fruit when it comes to fruition and ripens! Verily, in all this there are messages indeed for people who will believe! (asad) Audio   ⟶

after We shall have removed whatever unworthy thoughts or feelings may have been [lingering] in their bosoms. Running waters will flow at their feet; and they will say: 'All praise is due to God, who has guided us unto this; for we would certainly not have found the right path unless God had guided us! Indeed, our Sustainer's apostles have told us the truth!' And [a voice] will call out unto them: 'This is the paradise which you have inherited by virtue of your past deeds!' (asad) Audio   ⟶

And the inmates of the fire will call out unto the inmates of paradise: 'Pour some water upon us, or some of the sustenance [of paradise] which God has provided for you!' [The inmates of paradise] will reply: 'Verily, God has denied both to those who have denied the truth - (asad) Audio   ⟶

And He it is who sends forth the winds as a glad tiding of His coming grace-so that, when they have brought heavy clouds, We may drive them towards dead land and cause thereby water to descend; and by this means do We cause all manner of fruit to come forth. Even thus shall We cause the dead to come forth: [and this] you ought to keep in mind. (asad) Audio   ⟶

And We divided them into twelve tribes, [or] communities. And when his people asked Moses for water, We inspired him, 'Strike the rock with thy staff!' -whereupon twelve springs gushed forth from it, so that all the people knew whence to drink., And We caused the clouds to comfort them with their shade, and We sent down unto them manna and quails, [saying:] 'Partake of the good things which We have provided for you as sustenance.' And [by all their sinning] they did no harm unto Us-but [only] against their own selves did they sin. (asad) Audio   ⟶

And ask them about that town which stood by the sea: how its people would profane the Sabbath whenever their fish came to them, breaking the water's surface, on a day on which they ought to have kept Sabbath -because they would not come to them on other than Sabbath-days! Thus did We try them by means of their [own] iniquitous doings. (asad) Audio   ⟶

[Remember how it was] when He caused inner calm to enfold you, as an assurance from Him, and sent down upon you water from the skies, so that He might purify you thereby and free you from Satan's unclean whisperings and strengthen your hearts and thus make firm your steps. (asad) Audio   ⟶

God has promised the believers, both men and women, gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide, and goodly dwellings in gardens of perpetual bliss: but God's goodly acceptance is the greatest [bliss of all] -for this, this is the triumph supreme! (asad) Audio   ⟶

God has readied for them gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide: and this is the triumph supreme! (asad) Audio   ⟶

And as for the first and foremost of those who have forsaken the domain of evil and of those who have sheltered and succoured the Faith, as well as those who follow them in [the way of] righteousness - God is well-pleased with them, and well--pleased are they with Him. And for them has He readied gardens through which running waters flow, therein to abide beyond the count of time: this is the triumph supreme! (asad) Audio   ⟶

Which. then, is the better: he who has founded his building on God-consciousness and [a desire for] His goodly acceptance-or he who has founded his building on the edge of a water-worn, crumbling river-bank, so that it [is bound to] tumble down with him into the fire of hell? For, God does not grace with His guidance people who [deliberately] do wrong: (asad) Audio   ⟶

Unto Him you all must return: this is, in truth, God's promise-for, behold, He creates [man] in the first instance, and then brings him forth anew to the end that He may reward with equity all who attain to faith and do righteous deeds; whereas for those who are bent on denying the truth there is in store a draught of burning despair and grievous suffering because of their persistent refusal to acknowledge the truth. (asad) Audio   ⟶

[But,] verily, as for those who have attained to faith and do righteous deeds - their Sustainer guides them aright by means of their faith. [In the life to come,] running waters will flow at their feet in gardens of bliss; (asad) Audio   ⟶

The parable of the life of this world is but that of rain which We send down from the sky, and which is absorbed by the plants of the earth whereof men and animals draw nourishment, until -when the earth has assumed its artful adornment and has been embellished, and they who dwell on it believe that they have gained mastery over it -there comes down upon it Our judgment, by night or by day, and We cause it to become [like] a field mown down, as if there had been no yesterday. Thus clearly do We spell out these messages unto people who think! (asad) Audio   ⟶

[And so it went on] till, when Our judgment came to pass, and waters gushed forth in torrents over the face of the earth, We said [unto Noah]: 'Place on board of this [ark] one pair of each [kind of animal] of either sex, as well as thy family -except those on whom [Our] sentence has already been passed -and all [others] who have attained to faith!'-for, only a few [of Noah's people] shared his faith. (asad) Audio   ⟶