2 Not only seas, properly so called, but the great masses of fresh water in the Nile, Tigris, inland lakes, etc. 3 The Gospel.

4 This idea was probably suggested by Muhammad’s reminiscences of the view from the Cave of Hira, to the north and west of which there is a prospect thus described by Burckhardt (Travels, p. 176).  “The country before us had a dreary aspect, not a single green spot being visible; barren, black, and grey hills, and white sandy valleys were the only objects in sight.”

5 Lit. shall encompass its people.

6 Method of dealing, i.e., first warning, then punishing.

SURA VII.-AL ARAF [LXXXVII.]

Mecca.-205 Verses

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

ELIF.  Lam.  Mim.  Sad.1 A Book hath been sent down to thee:  therefore let there be no difficulty in thy breast concerning it:  to the intent that thou mayest warn thereby, and that it may be a monition to the faithful.

Follow ye what hath been sent down to you from your Lord; and follow no masters beside Him.  How little will ye be monished!

How many cities have we destroyed!  By night, or while they were in their midday slumber, did our wrath reach them!

And what was their cry when our wrath reached them, but to say, “Verily, we have been impious.”

Surely, therefore, will we call those to account, to whom an Apostle hath been sent, and of the sent ones themselves will we certainly demand a reckoning.

And with knowledge will we tell them of their deeds, for we were not absent from them.

The weighing2 on that day, with justice! and they whose balances shall be heavy, these are they who shall be happy.

And they whose balances shall be light, these are they who have lost their souls, for that to our signs they were unjust: 

And now have we stabilished you on the earth, and given you therein the supports of life.  How little do ye give thanks!

We created you; then fashioned you; then said we to the angels, “Prostrate yourselves unto Adam:  and they prostrated them all in worship, save Eblis:  He was not among those who prostrated themselves.

To him said God:  “What hath hindered thee from prostrating thyself in worship at my bidding?” He said, “Nobler am I than he:  me hast thou created of fire; of clay hast thou created him.”

He said, “Get thee down hence:  Paradise is no place for thy pride:  Get thee gone then; one of the despised shalt thou be.”

He said, “Respite me till the day when mankind shall be raised from the dead.”

He said, “One of the respited shalt thou be.”

He said, “Now, for that thou hast caused me to err, surely in thy straight path will I lay wait for them: 

Then will I surely come upon them from before, and from behind, and from their right hand, and from their left, and thou shalt not find the greater part of them to be thankful.”