مَرْيَم

Gardens of Eternity, those which (Allah) Most Gracious has promised to His servants in the Unseen: for His promise must (necessarily) come to pass.

They will not there hear any vain discourse, but only salutations of Peace: And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening.

Such is the Garden which We give as an inheritance to those of Our servants who guard against Evil.

(The angels say:) "We descend not but by command of thy Lord: to Him belongeth what is before us and what is behind us, and what is between: and thy Lord never doth forget,-

"Lord of the heavens and of the earth, and of all that is between them; so worship Him, and be constant and patient in His worship: knowest thou of any who is worthy of the same Name as He?"

Man says: "What! When I am dead, shall I then be raised up alive?"

But does not man call to mind that We created him before out of nothing?

So, by thy Lord, without doubt, We shall gather them together, and (also) the Evil Ones (with them); then shall We bring them forth on their knees round about Hell;

Then shall We certainly drag out from every sect all those who were worst in obstinate rebellion against (Allah) Most Gracious.

And certainly We know best those who are most worthy of being burned therein.

Not one of you but will pass over it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished.

But We shall save those who guarded against evil, and We shall leave the wrong-doers therein, (humbled) to their knees.

When Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them, the Unbelievers say to those who believe, "Which of the two sides is best in point of position? Which makes the best show in council?"

But how many (countless) generations before them have we destroyed, who were even better in equipment and in glitter to the eye?

Say: "If any men go astray, (Allah) Most Gracious extends (the rope) to them, until, when they see the warning of Allah (being fulfilled) - either in punishment or in (the approach of) the Hour,- they will at length realise who is worst in position, and (who) weakest in forces!

"And Allah doth advance in guidance those who seek guidance: and the things that endure, Good Deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best in respect of (their) eventual return."

Hast thou then seen the (sort of) man who rejects Our Signs, yet says: "I shall certainly be given wealth and children?"

Has he penetrated to the Unseen, or has he taken a contract with (Allah) Most Gracious?

Nay! We shall record what he says, and We shall add and add to his punishment.

To Us shall return all that he talks of and he shall appear before Us bare and alone.