[Remember] when Moses said to his family, “I have spotted a fire. I will bring you some news[2] from there, or bring you a burning brand so that you may warm yourselves.”
[2] For they lost their way in the dark while traveling from Midian to Egypt.
Throw down your staff!” But when he saw it slithering as if it were a snake, he turned and ran away without looking back. “O Moses, do not be afraid! Indeed, the messengers should have no fear in My presence,
Put your hand into your garment, it will come out shining white without blemish, as one of nine signs to Pharaoh and his people[4], for they are indeed a rebellious people.”
They denied them wrongfully and arrogantly, although their hearts were convinced that they were true. See then how was the end of those who spread corruption!
Solomon succeeded David, and said, “O people, we have been taught the speech of birds, and we have been given from all things. This is indeed a clear favor.”
So he smiled in amusement at its words and said, “My Lord, inspire me to be grateful for Your favor which You have bestowed upon me and my parents, and to do righteous deeds that please you. And admit me, by Your mercy, among Your righteous slaves.”
I found her and her people prostrating before the sun instead of Allah. Satan has made their deeds appealing to them and turned them away from the right way, so they are not guided.
so that they do not prostrate before Allah Who brings forth what is hidden in the heavens and earth, and Who knows all that you conceal and all that you reveal.
When the envoy came to Solomon, he said, “Do you seek to appease me with wealth? What Allah has given me is far better than what He has given you. Rather, it is you who take pleasure in gifts.
Go back to them; we will surely come to them with forces that they cannot resist, and we will surely drive them out therefrom in disgrace, fully humbled[9].”
But the one who had some knowledge of the scripture[10] said, “I will bring it to you in the blink of your eye.” When he saw it placed before him, he said, “This is a favor of my Lord, to test me whether I will be grateful or ungrateful. Whoever is grateful, it is only for his own good; and whoever is ungrateful, then my Lord is Self-Sufficient, Most Generous.”
[10] i.e., A man of righteousness and knowledge of the scripture who also knew Allah's Magnificent Name (Al-’Ism Al-‘Azam), by Which if supplication was made would be answered.
So when she came, she was asked, “Is your throne like this?” She said, “It looks as if it is the same. We were given knowledge beforehand[11], and have submitted [to Allah].”
[11] Because he had refused our tribute sent to him, or we had known about his kingdom and authority before seeing this sign of bringing the throne from this long distance. Or "We were given knowledge beforehand" was Prophet Solomon’s statement, which means: We were given knowledge beforehand that she will come submitting to Allah, and we were submissive and obedient to Allah Almighty.
It was said to her, “Enter the palace.” But when she saw it, she thought it was a body of water[13], so she uncovered her calves. He said, “This is a palace paved with crystal.” She said, “My Lord, I have wronged myself, and now I submit along with Solomon to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”
[13] The floor of the palace was transparent, under which was flowing water.
He said, “O my people, why do you seek to hasten punishment rather than good?[15] If only you sought Allah’s forgiveness, so that you may be shown mercy!”
[15] They challenged Sālih to bring them the punishment rather than asking for mercy from Allah.
They said, “Let us all swear by Allah that we will kill him and his family by night. Then we will tell his heir[16], ‘We did not witness the murder of his family, and we are indeed truthful.’”
[16] i.e., the one who executes his will and avenges his blood.
Say, [O Prophet], “All praise is for Allah, and peace be upon His slaves whom He has chosen. Is Allah better, or those partners whom they associate with Him?”
Is He [not better] Who created the heavens and earth, and sent down for you rain from the sky, by which We caused to grow gardens of cheerful beauty? You could never cause their trees to grow. Is there any god besides Allah? No, but they are people who ascribe equals [to Allah].
Is He [not better] Who made the earth a stable place to live, and caused rivers to flow through it, and placed therein firm mountains, and made a barrier between two flowing bodies of water[19]? Is there any god besides Allah? No, but most of them do not know.
Is He [not better] Who responds to the distressed when he calls out to Him, and Who relieves suffering, and Who makes you successors[20] on earth? Is there any god besides Allah? Little is it that you take heed!
Is He [not better] Who guides you in the depths of the darkness of the land and sea[21], and Who sends the winds as harbingers ahead of His mercy[22]? Is there any god besides Allah? Exalted is Allah far above the partners they associate with Him!
[21] Through the stars, constellations, and landmarks.
[22] i.e., the rain.
Is He [not better] Who originates creation then repeats it, and Who gives you provision from the heaven and earth? Is there any god besides Allah? Say, “Produce your evidence, if you are truthful.”
Nor can you guide the blind out of their error, nor can you make anyone hear except those who believe in Our verses, for they are ready to submit to Allah.
When the decree [of the Hour] comes to pass against them, We will bring forth to them a beast[27] out of the earth that will tell them that the people had no faith in Our verses.
[27] The emergence of this beast is one of the major signs of the Day of Judgment; it will speak to people.
And [beware of] the Day when the Trumpet will be blown, and all those who are in the heavens and on earth will be horrified except whom Allah wills[28], and all will come to Him, fully humbled.
[28] The Trumpet will be blown twice: The first blow will cause all to be horrified and then they will die, except whom Allah spares, and the second blow will cause all to be resurrected.
You will see the mountains, thinking them firmly fixed[29], but they will be moving like clouds – such is the design of Allah, Who has perfected everything. Indeed, He is All-Aware of what you do.
Say, “I have been commanded only to worship the Lord of this city [of Makkah] Who made it sacred and to Whom belongs all things. And I am commanded to be one of those who submit to Allah [in Islam],
and to recite the Qur’an.” Then whoever chooses guidance, it is only for his own good; but whoever chooses to go astray, say [O Prophet], “I am only one of the warners.”
