(38:1) Sad, and by the Qur'an full of exhortation! (38:2) Nay, but the unbelievers are steeped in arrogance and stubborn defiance. (38:3) How many a nation did We destroy before them! (When they approached their doom) they cried out (for deliverance), but the time for deliverance was already past. (38:4) They wondered that a warner had come to them from among themselves,and the deniers of the Truth said: “This is a sorcerer, and a big liar. (38:5) Has he made the gods one single God? This is truly astounding.” (38:6) And the elders among them went forth saying: “Go ahead and be steadfast in adhering to your deities. What is being said is with a design.” (38:7) We have not heard this in the religious community close to our time. This is nothing but a fabrication. (38:8) Has this Exhortation been sent down among us only to him, to the exclusion of all others?” Nay, they are in doubt regarding My Exhortation, and are saying all this because they have not yet had any taste of My chastisement. (38:9) Do they possess the treasures of your Lord, the Most Mighty, the Great Bestower? (38:10) Or do they possess the dominion of the heavens and the earth and of all that is in between them? If so, let them ascend the heights of the realm of causation and see! (38:11) This is only a small army out of the several armies that will suffer defeat here. (38:12) Before them the people of Noah, Ad, and Pharaoh of the tent-pegs gave the lie (to the Messengers) (38:13) and so did Thamud and the people of Lot and the people of Aykah. These were all leagued together. (38:14) Each of them gave the lie to Messengers and My decree of chastisement came upon them. (38:15) They are waiting for nothing except a single Cry, after which there will be no second Cry. (38:16) They say: “Our Lord, hasten to us our share (of chastisement) before the Day of Reckoning.” (38:17) (O Prophet), bear with patience what they say, and call to mind Our servant David, who was endowed with great strength and who constantly turned (to Allah). (38:18) With him We had subjected the mountains that they join him in celebrating Allah's glory, evening and morning, (38:19) and the birds, too, in their flocks, and turn again and again to celebrating Allah's glory. (38:20) And We strengthened his kingdom and endowed him with wisdom and decisive judgement. (38:21) Has the story of the litigants reached you of those who entered his private chambers by climbing over the wall? (38:22) As they came upon David and he was frightened of them they said: “Be not afraid. We are just two litigants: one of us has committed excess against the other. So judge rightly between us, and be not unjust; and guide us to the Right Way. (38:23) Behold, this is my brother; he has ninety-nine ewes and I have only one ewe.” And yet he said: “Give her into my charge,” and he got the better of me in argument. (38:24) David said: “He has certainly wronged you in seeking to add your ewe to his ewes; and indeed many who live together commit excesses, one to the other, except those that believe and act righteously; and they are but few.” (While so saying) David realized that it is We Who have put him to test; therefore, he sought the forgiveness of his Lord, and fell down, bowing and penitently turning (to Him). (38:25) Thereupon We forgave him his shortcoming and indeed (an exalted position of) nearness awaits him, and an excellent resort. (38:26) (We said to him): “O David, We have appointed you vicegerent on earth. Therefore, rule among people with justice and do not follow (your) desire lest it should lead you astray from Allah's Path. Allah's severe chastisement awaits those who stray away from Allah's Path, for they had forgotten the Day of Reckoning....
