23:1

The believers must (eventually) win through,-

23:2

Those who humble themselves in their prayers;

23:3

Who avoid vain talk;

23:4

Who are active in deeds of charity;

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Who abstain from sex,

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Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (in their case) they are free from blame,

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But those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors;-

23:8

Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants;

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And who (strictly) guard their prayers;-

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These will be the heirs,

23:11

Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (for ever).

23:12

Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay);

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Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed;

23:14

Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (foetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the best to create!

23:15

After that, at length ye will die

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Again, on the Day of Judgment, will ye be raised up.

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And We have made, above you, seven tracts; and We are never unmindful of (our) Creation.

23:18

And We send down water from the sky according to (due) measure, and We cause it to soak in the soil; and We certainly are able to drain it off (with ease).

23:19

With it We grow for you gardens of date-palms and vines: in them have ye abundant fruits: and of them ye eat (and have enjoyment),-

23:20

Also a tree springing out of Mount Sinai, which produces oil, and relish for those who use it for food.

23:21

And in cattle (too) ye have an instructive example: from within their bodies We produce (milk) for you to drink; there are, in them, (besides), numerous (other) benefits for you; and of their (meat) ye eat;

23:22

An on them, as well as in slips, ye side.

23:23

(Further, We sent a long line of prophets for your instruction). We sent Noah to his people: He said, "O my people! worship Allah. Ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?"

23:24

The chiefs of the Unbelievers among his people said: "He is no more than a man like yourselves: his wish is to assert his superiority over you: if Allah had wished (to send messengers), He could have sent down angels; never did we hear such a thing (as he says), among our ancestors of old."

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(And some said): "He is only a man possessed: wait (and have patience) with him for a time."

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(Noah) said: "O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood!"

23:27

So We inspired him (with this message): "Construct the Ark within Our sight and under Our guidance: then when comes Our Command, and the fountains of the earth gush forth, take thou on board pairs of every species, male and female, and thy family- except those of them against whom the Word has already gone forth: And address Me not in favour of the wrong-doers; for they shall be drowned (in the Flood).

23:28

And when thou hast embarked on the Ark - thou and those with thee,- say: "Praise be to Allah, Who has saved us from the people who do wrong."

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And say: "O my Lord! enable me to disembark with thy blessing: for Thou art the Best to enable (us) to disembark."

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Verily in this there are Signs (for men to understand); (thus) do We try (men).

23:31

Then We raised after them another generation.

23:32

And We sent to them an apostle from among themselves, (saying), "Worship Allah. ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?"

23:33

And the chiefs of his people, who disbelieved and denied the Meeting in the Hereafter, and on whom We had bestowed the good things of this life, said: "He is no more than a man like yourselves: he eats of that of which ye eat, and drinks of what ye drink.

23:34

"If ye obey a man like yourselves, behold, it is certain ye will be lost.

23:35

"Does he promise that when ye die and become dust and bones, ye shall be brought forth (again)?

23:36

"Far, very far is that which ye are promised!

23:37

"There is nothing but our life in this world! We shall die and we live! But we shall never be raised up again!

23:38

"He is only a man who invents a lie against Allah, but we are not the ones to believe in him!"

23:39

(The prophet) said: "O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood."

23:40

((Allah)) said: "In but a little while, they are sure to be sorry!"

23:41

Then the Blast overtook them with justice, and We made them as rubbish of dead leaves (floating on the stream of Time)! So away with the people who do wrong!

23:42

Then We raised after them other generations.

23:43

No people can hasten their term, nor can they delay (it).

23:44

Then sent We our apostles in succession: every time there came to a people their apostle, they accused him of falsehood: so We made them follow each other (in punishment): We made them as a tale (that is told): So away with a people that will not believe!

23:45

Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron, with Our Signs and authority manifest,

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To Pharaoh and his Chiefs: But these behaved insolently: they were an arrogant people.

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They said: "Shall we believe in two men like ourselves? And their people are subject to us!"

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So they accused them of falsehood, and they became of those who were destroyed.

23:49

And We gave Moses the Book, in order that they might receive guidance.

23:50

And We made the son of Mary and his mother as a Sign: We gave them both shelter on high ground, affording rest and security and furnished with springs.