Soul Re-flex

We all have a certain set of criteria we expect of ourselves before doing something meaningful. Whether it's a decision, a goal, or a responsibility, there's always a form of preparation — a mental checklist, emotional readiness, spiritual intention — that precedes the act. We often don't move until something within us feels secure enough to proceed. This is human nature. We weigh outcomes, we anticipate results, and this influences how we commit.

When it comes to our faith, this preparation becomes even more delicate. Our iman (faith) comes in degrees and ranks, shaped by our knowledge, our intention, our life experiences, and our aspirations. No one begins with full certainty or perfect understanding. Rather, we walk into it, often cautiously, relying on discipline, patience, and perseverance to deepen and purify our belief. It's a lifetime commitment that must be renewed regularly — not an achievement we simply arrive at.

This is one reason why religion is such a sensitive topic, especially in the Muslim community. There's a historical weight to how Islam is perceived and practiced — a weight that often boxes faith into an “all or nothing” category. You're either completely devoted or you're failing. You're either righteous or you're a sinner. This false dichotomy leaves little room for growth, nuance, or the diversity of individual journeys.

When someone outwardly displays their piety — through hijab, niqab, a beard, or other signs — assumptions are quickly made: “They must have the Qur'an memorized,” “They must be perfect in their deen.” But this is the impact of historical and societal expectations, not divine instruction. It wrongly frames belief in Allah (SWT) as a final destination, as if once we reach a certain point, we can wash our hands of striving and coast in spiritual autopilot. In truth, we are all in a constant process of becoming.

The fabric we wear — the clothing that symbolizes piety — is not a certificate of religious completion. It is a mere message that the person has channeled a deeper sense of understanding. It reflects a connection with the deen that doesn’t conform to society’s standards, not out of spite, but to Allah's standards for that attained level of guidance. And as Allah reminds us in Surah Al-Ahqaf (46:9), the role of the Messenger was not to intimidate, but to remind. The purpose of religious symbols, like modest clothing, is to invite reflection — not judgment.

“Say, ‘I am not something original among the messengers, nor do I know what will be done with me or with you. I only follow that which is revealed to me, and I am not but a clear warner.’” (46:9)

Connecting with Allah is not a blind walk. In fact, the Qur'an warns us about those who claim Islam outwardly but walk blindly inwardly because they do not reflect on His signs. (Surah 7:179, Surah 22:46) The discipline of the heart is not found in image, but in our intention, principles, and the ability to uphold boundaries in the face of temptation.

“Have they not traveled through the land, and have they hearts wherewith to understand and ears wherewith to hear? Verily, it is not the eyes that grow blind, but it is the hearts which are in the breasts that grow blind.”

When a person values moral integrity and fair conduct, they naturally bring order and light to their environment. Why? Because their intention radiates that demand for justice and peace. This kind of character isn’t inherited — it’s built. It’s carved by situations, circumstances, and repeated efforts to align one’s actions with divine purpose.

Allah tells us clearly in Surah Al-Ahzab (33:5):

“There is no blame upon you for that in which you have erred, but [only] for what your hearts intended.”
And in Surah Al-An’am (6:71):

“…Say: Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the only guidance. And we are commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.”

These verses reveal that Allah pays attention to what’s deliberately intended. But how do we develop such clarity in intention? Through discipline. It’s through the practice of wudu, of tahara (purity), of turning to Allah regularly, that we learn how to override our circumstances. Wudu, for instance, is not merely a cleansing — it's a spiritual act that oxygenates the soul, reviving it so we can "clock in" for our service to Allah, with angels as our witnesses.

This is the heart of believing in the Unseen — to not belittle it, but to honor it as sacred, knowing that while we may see only so much, there’s always more to give, to reflect, and to learn.

Allah reminds us in Surah Al-Jathiya (45:20):

“This [Qur’an] is enlightenment for mankind, and guidance and mercy for a people who are certain [in faith].”

The choice to live with clarity, to uphold sincere intentions, to seek truth — it’s a conscious decision. Just like when we intend to purchase something, or intend to go somewhere-- we act with purpose. The same applies to seeking knowledge, spiritual elevation, and closeness to Allah. When our intention is correct, our actions and the resources around us align accordingly.

Allah cautions us in Surah Al-Furqan (25:4–6) about those who fabricate lies and project doubt onto truth. The issue isn’t only their falsehood — it’s the intention behind it that leads to corruption. The same idea is reinforced in Surah Ash-Shura (42:30–32) where Allah tells us we are given signs again and again as reminders, as tools for guidance:

“Whatever misfortune befalls you is because of what your hands have earned — and He pardons much. You can never escape [His punishment] on earth. You have no protector or helper besides Allah. And of His signs are the ships that sail the sea like mountains...”

These verses show us that signs are everywhere. But those who hone sincere intentions and reflective hearts will benefit from them.

Finally, in Surah An-Nur (24:34–35), Allah speaks of His guidance as a light that nourishes hearts:

“We have indeed sent down clear verses, and the example of those who passed away before you, and an admonition for those who fear Allah. Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth…”

He designed the Qur’an not just as a personal guide, but as a communal light — a resource to build hearts, families, and societies. When we purify our inputs — our intentions, thoughts, and actions — the outputs of our lives reflect divine beauty and spiritual presence.

Ultimately, we all carry a deep internal need for comfort, care, and connection — and through the trial and error of life’s relationships, we begin to differentiate between the connections that nourish us and those that drain us. So Allah sent down the Qur’an as a Mercy, to teach us how to live and deal with others in peace — to prevent those spiritual droughts and to highlight the abundance found in His 99 Names. When we strive for this sincerely, Allah promises to respond in accordance with the depth and purity of our intention.

“Indeed, We have sent down manifest Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.). And Allah guides whom He wills to a Straight Path.” (Surah An-Nur 24:46)

This final reminder anchors everything: our journey is guided not solely by effort, but by divine permission. It is Allah who ultimately grants clarity, strength, and direction to those whose hearts sincerely seek Him. So we prepare, we reflect, we commit — not because we are perfect, but because we are willing. And Allah meets us there with His Light.

This message is a reflection of my own journey — how someone like me, once deeply neutral and mainstream in life, came to realize that Allah, in His infinite wisdom, placed me in that space of neutral abundance for a purpose. It was in that space that I began to understand the value of spiritual renewal and the depth of faith in the Light He continually extends. He allowed others to question and doubt me, yet He sustained me with signs of His guidance, time and time again. In doing so, He entrusted me with a voice — not as a prophet, but as a messenger in this time, carrying truth preserved in the most unusual and overlooked circumstances, hidden in plain sight. I am sent only as a giver of good news and a warner, promoting peace to all.

Surah Fatir:

1. All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the (Only) Originator of the heavens and the earth, Who made the angels messengers with wings, two or three or four. He increases in creation what He wills. Verily, Allah is Able to do all things.
2. Whatever of mercy (i.e., of good), Allah may grant to mankind, none can withhold it; and whatever He may withhold, none can grant it thereafter. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.
3. O mankind! Remember the Grace of Allah upon you! Is there any creator other than Allah who provides for you from the sky and the earth? None has the right to be worshipped but He. How then are you turning away (from Him)?
4. And if they belie you (O Muhammad), so were Messengers belied before you. And to Allah return all matters (for decision).
5. O mankind! Verily, the Promise of Allah is true. So let not this present life deceive you, and let not the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allah.
6. Surely, Satan is an enemy to you, so take (treat) him as an enemy. He only invites his followers that they may become the dwellers of the blazing Fire.
7. Those who disbelieve, theirs will be a severe torment. And those who believe and do righteous good deeds, theirs will be forgiveness and a great reward (Paradise).
8. Is he, then, to whom the evil of his deeds is made fair-seeming, so that he considers it as good (equal to the one who is rightly guided)? Verily, Allah sends astray whom He wills, and guides whom He wills. So destroy not yourself (O Muhammad) in sorrow for them. Truly, Allah is the All-Knower of what they do!
9. And it is Allah Who sends the winds, so that they raise up the clouds, and We drive them to a dead land, and revive therewith the earth after its death. As such (will be) the Resurrection!
10. Whosoever desires honour, power and glory then to Allah belong all honour, power and glory. To Him ascend all the goodly words, and the righteous deeds exalt it. But those who plot evils, theirs will be severe torment. And the plotting of such will perish.
11. And Allah did create you (Adam) from dust, then from Nutfah (mixed semen drops of male and female discharge), then He made you pairs (male and female). And no female conceives or gives birth, but with His Knowledge. And no aged man is granted a length of life, nor is a part cut off from his life, but is in a Book. Surely, that is easy for Allah.
12. And the two seas (kinds of water) are not alike: this is fresh, sweet and pleasant to drink, and that is salt and bitter. And from them both you eat fresh tender meat (fish), and derive the ornaments that you wear. And you see the ships ploughing through it that you may seek of His Bounty, and that you may give thanks.
13. He merges the night into the day (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the night is added to the hours of the day), and He merges the day into the night (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the day is added to the hours of the night). And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each runs its course for a term appointed. Such is Allah, your Lord; His is the kingdom. And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmir (the thin membrane over the date stone).
14. If you invoke them, they hear not your call, and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant your request. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them. And none can inform you (O Muhammad) like Him Who is the All-Knower (of each and everything).
15. O mankind! It is you who stand in need of Allah. But Allah is Rich (Free of all wants and needs), Worthy of all praise.
16. If He will, He could destroy you and bring about a new creation.
17. And that is not hard for Allah.
18. And no bearer of burdens shall bear another's burden, and if one heavily laden calls another to (bear) his load, nothing of it will be lifted even though he be near of kin. You (O Muhammad) can warn only those who fear their Lord unseen and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat). And he who purifies himself (from all kinds of sins), then he purifies only for the benefit of his ownself. And to Allah is the final Return (of all).
19. Not alike are the blind (disbelievers in Islamic Monotheism) and the seeing (believers in Islamic Monotheism).
20. Nor are (alike) the darkness (disbelief) and the light (belief in Islamic Monotheism).
21. Nor are (alike) the shade and the sun's heat.
22. Nor are (alike) the living (believers) and the dead (disbelievers). Verily, Allah makes whom He wills to hear, but you cannot make hear those who are in graves.
23. You (O Muhammad) are only a warner.
24. Verily! We have sent you with the truth, a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner. And there never was a nation but a warner had passed among them.
25. And if they belie you, those before them also belied. Their Messengers came to them with clear signs, and with the Scriptures, and with the Book giving light.
26. Then I took hold of those who disbelieved, and how terrible was My denial (punishment)!
27. See you not that Allah sends down water (rain) from the sky, and We produce therewith fruits of various colours, and among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colours and (others) very black.
28. And of men and Ad-Dawab (moving living creatures, beasts, etc.), and cattle, are of various colours. It is only those who have knowledge among His slaves that fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, Oft-Forgiving.
29. Verily, those who recite the Book of Allah (this Qur’an), and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and spend out of what We have provided for them, secretly and openly, hope for a sure trade-gain that will never perish.
30. That He may pay them their wages in full, and give them (even) more, out of His Grace. Verily, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (good deeds and to recompense).
31. And what We have inspired in you (O Muhammad) of the Book (the Qur’an), it is the truth confirming what was (revealed) before it. Verily! Allah is indeed All-Aware, and All-Seer of His slaves.
32. Then We gave the Book (the Qur’an) as inheritance to such of Our slaves whom We chose. Then of them are some who wrong their own selves, and of them are some who follow a middle course, and of them are some who are, by Allah’s Leave, foremost in good deeds. That (inheritance of the Qur’an) that is indeed a great grace.
33. ‘Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens) will they enter, therein will they be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls, and their garments therein will be of silk.
34. And they will say: “All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has removed from us (all) grief. Verily, our Lord is indeed Oft-Forgiving, Most Ready to appreciate (good deeds and to recompense).
35. Who, out of His Grace, has lodged us in a home that will last forever; neither toil will touch us therein, nor weariness will touch us.”
36. But those who disbelieve, for them will be the Fire of Hell. Neither it will have a complete killing effect on them so that they die, nor shall its torment be lightened for them. Thus do We requite every disbeliever!
37. Therein they will cry: “Our Lord! Bring us out, we shall do righteous good deeds, not (the evil deeds) that we used to do.” (Allah will reply): “Did We not give you lives long enough, so that whosoever would receive admonition – could receive it? And the warner came to you. So taste you (the evil of your deeds). For the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers) there is no helper.”
38. Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of the unseen of the heavens and the earth. Verily! He is the All-Knower of that is in the breasts.
39. He it is Who has made you successors (generations after generations) in the earth. So whosoever disbelieves, on him will be his disbelief. And the disbelief of the disbelievers adds nothing but hatred to their Lord. And the disbelief of the disbelievers adds nothing but loss.
40. Say (O Muhammad): “Tell me or inform me (what) do you think about your (so-called) partner-gods to whom you call upon besides Allah? Show me, what they have created of the earth. Or have they any share in the heavens? Or have We given them a Book, so that they act on clear proof therefrom?” Nay, the Zalimun (polytheists and wrongdoers) promise one another nothing but delusions.
41. Verily! Allah grasps the heavens and the earth lest they should move away from their places, and if they were to move away from their places, there is not one that could grasp them after Him. Truly, He is Ever Most Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving.
42. And they swore by Allah their strongest oaths, that if a warner came to them, they would be more guided than any of the nations before them. But when a warner came to them, it increased in them nothing but aversion.
43. (They behave arrogantly) through pride in the land, and plotting evil. But the evil plot encompasses only him who makes it. Then, can they expect anything (else) but the Sunnah (torment) of the ancients? So no change will you find in Allah’s Sunnah, and no turning off will you find in Allah’s Sunnah.
44. Have they not travelled in the land, and seen what was the end of those before them – though they were superior to them in strength? Allah is not such that anything in the heavens or in the earth escapes Him. Verily, He is All-Knowing, All-Omnipotent.
45. And if Allah were to punish men for that which they earned, He would not leave a moving (living) creature on the surface of the earth! But He gives them respite to an appointed term, and when their term comes, then verily, Allah is Ever All-Seer of His slaves.

Surah Ahzab:

O Prophet! Fear Allah and obey not the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Verily, Allah is Ever All-Knower, All-Wise.
And follow that which is inspired in you from your Lord. Verily, Allah is Well-Acquainted with what you do.
And put your trust in Allah, and Sufficient is Allah as a Wakil.
Allah has not put for any man two hearts inside his body. Neither has He made your wives whom you declare to be like your mothers' backs, your real mothers. Nor has He made your adopted sons your real sons. That is but your saying with your mouths. But Allah says the truth, and He guides to the right way.
Call them by the names of their fathers, that is more just with Allah. But if you know not their father's names, call them your brothers in faith and your Mawla (friends, protectors, supporters, etc.). And there is no sin on you concerning that in which you made a mistake, except in regard to what your hearts deliberately intend. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
The Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves, and his wives are their mothers. And blood relations among each other have closer personal ties in the Decree of Allah than the believers and the Muhajirun, except that you do kindness to those brothers. This has been written in the Book.
And when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from you, and from Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, and Isa, son of Maryam. We took from them a strong covenant.
That He may ask the truthfuls about their truth. And He has prepared for the disbelievers a painful torment.
O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance.
And glorify His Praises morning and afternoon.
He it is Who sends Salat on you, and His angels too, that He may bring you out from darkness into light. And He is Ever Most Merciful to the believers.
Their greeting on the Day they shall meet Him will be “Salam (peace)!” And He has prepared for them a generous reward.
O Prophet! Verily, We have sent you as a witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a warner,
And as one who invites to Allah by His Leave, and as a lamp spreading light.
And announce to the believers the glad tidings, that they will have from Allah a great Bounty.
And obey not the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and harm them not. And put your trust in Allah, and Sufficient is Allah as a Wakil.
O you who believe! Enter not the Prophet’s houses, unless permission is given to you for a meal, and then not so early as to wait for its preparation. But when you are invited, enter, and when you have taken your meal, disperse, without sitting for a talk. Verily, such behavior annoys the Prophet, and he is shy of asking you to go, but Allah is not shy of telling you the truth. And when you ask his wives for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen. That is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. And it is not right for you that you should annoy Allah’s Messenger, nor that you should ever marry his wives after him. Verily, with Allah that shall be an enormity.
Whether you disclose a thing or conceal it, verily, Allah is Ever All-Knower of everything.
There is no sin on them (the Prophet’s wives) before their fathers, or their sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their own women, or those whom their right hands possess. And keep your duty to Allah. Verily, Allah is Ever All-Witness over everything.
Verily, Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe! Send your blessings on him, and salute him with all respect.
Verily, those who annoy Allah and His Messenger, Allah has cursed them in this world and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them a humiliating torment.
And those who annoy believing men and women undeservedly, bear on themselves the crime of slander and plain sin.
O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
If the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease, and those who spread false news among the people of Al-Madinah, stop not, We shall certainly let you overpower them, then they will not be able to stay in it as your neighbors but a little while.
Accursed, wherever found, they shall be seized and killed with a terrible slaughter.
That was the way of Allah in the case of those who passed away of old. And you will not find any change in the way of Allah.
People ask you concerning the Hour – say: "The knowledge of it is with Allah only. What do you know? It may be that the Hour is near!"
Verily, Allah has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them a flaming Fire.
Wherein they will abide forever, and they will find neither a protector nor a helper.
On the Day when their faces will be turned over in the Fire, they will say: "Oh, would that we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger!"
And they will say: "Our Lord! Verily, we obeyed our chiefs and our great ones, and they misled us from the right way."
Our Lord! Give them double torment and curse them with a mighty curse!
O you who believe! Be not like those who annoyed Musa, but Allah cleared him of that which they alleged, and he was honorable before Allah.
O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak always the truth.
He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed achieved a great achievement.
Verily, We offered the trust to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they declined to bear it and were afraid of it, but man bore it. Verily, he was unjust and ignorant.
So that Allah may punish the hypocrites, men and women, and the men and women who are polytheists. And Allah may pardon the believing men and women, and Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Surah Naml 27

So there was no answer of his people except that they said: "Drive out the family of Lut from your city. Verily, these are men who want to be pure!"
But We saved him and his family, except his wife; We destined her to be of those who remained behind.
And We rained down on them a rain. So evil was the rain of those who were warned.
Say: "Praise and thanks be to Allah, and peace be on His slaves whom He has chosen! Is Allah better, or what they ascribe as partners to Him?"
Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth, and sends down for you water from the sky, whereby We cause to grow wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight? It is not in your ability to cause the growth of their trees. Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Nay, but they are a people who ascribe equals to Him.
Is not He Who has made the earth as a fixed abode, and has placed rivers in its midst, and has placed firm mountains therein, and has set a barrier between the two seas? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Nay, but most of them know not.
Is not He Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him, and Who removes the evil, and makes you inheritors of the earth, generations after generations? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Little is that you remember!
Is not He Who guides you in the darkness of the land and the sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? High Exalted be Allah above all that they associate as partners to Him!
Is not He Who originates creation, and shall thereafter repeat it, and Who provides for you from the heaven and the earth? Is there any ilah (god) with Allah? Say, "Bring forth your proofs, if you are truthful."
Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen except Allah, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected.
Nay, those who disbelieve in the Hereafter are in false pride and denial.
And those who disbelieve say: "When we have become dust, we and our fathers, shall we really be brought forth again?"
Indeed, we were promised this – we and our forefathers – before. Verily, these are nothing but tales of the ancients.
Say: Travel in the land and see how has been the end of the criminals.
And grieve you not over them, nor be straitened because of what they plot.
And they say: "When will this promise come to pass, if you are truthful?"
Say: Perhaps that which you wish to hasten on, may be close behind you.
And verily, your Lord is full of Grace for mankind, yet most of them give no thanks.
And verily, your Lord knows what their breasts conceal and what they reveal.
And there is nothing hidden in the heaven and the earth, but it is in a Clear Book.
Verily, this Qur'an narrates to the Children of Israel most of that about which they differ.
And truly, it is a guide and a mercy to the believers.
Verily, your Lord will decide between them by His Judgment. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.
So put your trust in Allah; surely, you are on manifest truth.
Verily, you cannot make the dead to hear, nor can you make the deaf to hear the call, when they flee, turning their backs.
Nor can you guide the blind out of their error. You can only make to hear those who believe in Our Ayat, and who have submitted.
And when the Word is fulfilled against them, We shall bring out from the earth a beast for them, to speak to them because mankind believed not with certainty in Our Ayat.
And (remember) the Day when We shall gather out of every nation a troop of those who denied Our Ayat, and they shall be set in array.
Till, when they come before their Lord, He will say: "Did you deny My Ayat while you comprehended them not in knowledge, or what was it that you used to do?"
And the Word will be fulfilled against them, because they have done wrong, and they will be unable to speak.
See they not that We have made the night for them to rest therein, and the day sight-giving? Verily, in this are Ayat for the people who believe.
And the Day when the Trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens and all who are on the earth will be terrified except him whom Allah wills. And all shall come to Him humbled.
And you will see the mountains, thinking them solid, and they shall pass away as the passing away of the clouds – the Work of Allah, Who perfected all things. Verily! He is Well-Acquainted with what you do.
Whoever brings a good deed, shall have better than its worth; and they will be safe from the terror on that Day.
And whoever brings an evil deed, they will be cast down on their faces in the Fire: "Are you being recompensed for what you used to do?"
I have been commanded only to worship the Lord of this city, Who has made it sacred and to Whom belongs all things. And I am commanded to be from the Muslims.
And to recite the Qur’an, and whosoever receives guidance, receives it for the good of his own self; and whosoever goes astray, say: "I am only one of the warners."
And say: All the praises and thanks be to Allah. He will show you His Ayat, and you shall recognize them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do.

Surah Saba
Intercession with Him profits not, except for him whom He permits. Until when fear is banished from their hearts, they say: "What is it that your Lord has said?" They say: "The truth. And He is the Most High, the Most Great."
Say: "Who gives you provision from the heavens and the earth?" Say: "Allah. And verily, either we or you are rightly guided or in plain error."
Say: "You will not be asked about our sins, nor shall we be asked about what you do."
Say: "Our Lord will assemble us all together, then He will judge between us with truth. And He is the All-Knowing Judge."
Say: "Show me those whom you have joined with Him as partners. Nay! But He is Allah, the Almighty, the All-Wise."
And We have not sent you but as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not.
And they say: "When is this promise, if you are truthful?"
Say: "The appointment to you is for a Day, which you cannot put back for an hour nor put forward."
And those who disbelieve say: "We believe not in this Qur’an nor in that which was before it." But if you could see when the wrongdoers will be made to stand before their Lord, throwing back the word at one another! Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Had it not been for you, we should certainly have been believers!"
And those who were arrogant will say to those who were deemed weak: "Did we keep you back from guidance after it had come to you? Nay, but you were criminals."
Those who were deemed weak will say to those who were arrogant: "Nay, but it was your plotting by night and day, when you ordered us to disbelieve in Allah and set up rivals to Him." And each of them will conceal their own regrets when they behold the torment. And We shall put iron collars round the necks of those who disbelieved. Are they recompensed aught except what they used to do?
And We never sent a warner to a town but the affluent ones among them said: "We believe not in what you have been sent with."
And they say: "We are more in wealth and in children, and we are not going to be punished."
Say: "Verily, my Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases, but most men know not."
And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us in position, but only those who believe and do righteous deeds; as for such, there will be a twofold reward for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings in peace and security.
And those who strive against Our Ayat to frustrate them, they will be brought to the torment.
Say: "Verily, my Lord enlarges and restricts the provision to whom He pleases of His slaves, and whatsoever you spend of anything, He will replace it. And He is the Best of providers."
And remember the Day when He will gather them all together, and then will say to the angels: "Was it you that these people used to worship?"
They will say: "Glorified be You! You are our Protector instead of them. Nay, but they used to worship the jinn; most of them were believers in them."
So today, none of you can profit or harm one another. And We shall say to those who did wrong: "Taste the torment of the Fire which you used to belie."
And when Our clear Verses are recited to them, they say: "This is naught but a man who wishes to hinder you from that which your fathers used to worship." And they say: "This is nothing but an invented lie." And those who disbelieve say of the truth when it has come to them: "This is nothing but evident magic!"
And We had not given them any Scriptures which they could study, nor sent to them before you any warner.
And those before them belied; these have not received a tenth of what We had granted to those, yet they belied My Messengers. Then how terrible was My denial!
Say: "I preach unto you only one thing, that you stand up for Allah’s sake in pairs and singly, and reflect: there is no madness in your companion. He is only a warner to you in face of a severe torment."
Say: "Whatever wage I might have asked of you is yours. My wage is from Allah only. And He is Witness over all things."
Say: "Verily! My Lord sends down the truth, the All-Knower of the unseen."
Say: "The truth has come, and falsehood can neither create nor resurrect anything."
Say: "If I err, I err only to my own loss; and if I am guided, it is because of what my Lord reveals to me. Truly, He is All-Hearer, Ever Near."
And if you could see when they will be terrified with no escape, and they will be seized from a near place.
And they will say: "We do believe (now);" but how could they receive faith from a place so far off,
Indeed they did disbelieve before, and they conjectured about the unseen from a far place.
And a barrier will be set between them and that which they desire, as was done in the past with the likes of them. Verily, they were in grave doubt.