Spiritual Seclusion

Alif, Lam, Meem.

And they say, "Why has a sign not been sent down to him from his Lord?" Say, "Indeed, Allah is Able to send down a sign, but most of them do not know."

Then, did the people of the cities feel secure from Our punishment coming to them at night while they were asleep?

Or did the people of the cities feel secure from Our punishment coming to them in the morning while they were at play?

Then did they feel secure from the plan of Allah? But no one feels secure from the plan of Allah except the losing people.

Has it not become clear to those who inherited the earth after its [previous] people that if We willed, We could afflict them for their sins? But We seal over their hearts so they do not hear.

Those cities - We relate to you, [O Muhammad], some of their news. And certainly did their messengers come to them with clear proofs, but they were not to believe in that which they had denied before. Thus does Allah seal over the hearts of the disbelievers.

And obey Allah and His Messenger, and do not dispute and [thus] lose courage and [then] your strength would depart; and be patient. Indeed, Allah is with the patient.

And do not be like those who came forth from their homes insolently and to be seen by people and avert [them] from the way of Allah. And Allah is encompassing of what they do.

Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the verses of the clear Book.

And say, "Indeed, I am the clear warner" -

Just as We had revealed [scriptures] to the separators

Who have made the Qur'an into portions.

Then declare what you are commanded and turn away from the polytheists.

So they will deny what We have given them. Then enjoy yourselves, for you are going to know.

And they attribute to Allah daughters - exalted is He - and for them is what they desire.

And do not exchange the covenant of Allah for a small price. Indeed, what is with Allah is best for you, if only you could know.

So We cast [a cover of sleep] over their ears within the cave for a number of years.

[The youths said to one another], "And when you have withdrawn from them and that which they worship other than Allah, retreat to the cave. Your Lord will spread out for you of His mercy and will prepare for you from your affair facility."

And We send not the messengers except as bringers of good tidings and warners. And those who disbelieve dispute by [using] falsehood to [attempt to] invalidate thereby the truth and have taken My verses, and that of which they are warned, in ridicule.