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43. Ornaments of Gold (46 – 78)
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46We sent Moses to Pharaoh and his courtiers and he said, ‘I am truly a messenger from the Lord of the Worlds,’ 47but when he presented Our signs to them, they laughed, 48even though each sign We showed them was greater than the previous one. We inflicted torment on them so that they might return to the right path.49They said, ‘Sorcerer, call on your Lord for us, by virtue of His pledge to you: we shall certainly accept guidance,’ 50but as soon as We relieved their torment they broke their word. 51Pharaoh proclaimed to his people, ‘My people, is the Kingdom of Egypt not mine? And these rivers that flow at my feet, are they not mine? Do you not see?52Am I not better than this contemptible wretch who can scarcely express himself? 53Why has he not been given any gold bracelets? Why have no angels come to accompany him?’ 54In this way he moved his people to accept and they obeyed him—they were perverse people. 55When they provoked Us, We punished and drowned them all: 56We made them a lesson and an example for later people.
57When the son of Mary is cited as an example, your people [Prophet] laugh and jeer, 58saying, ‘Are our godsb The angels, whom they worshipped as the daughters of God and superior to Jesus, whom they considered to be a god worshipped by Christians as the Son of God. better or him?’— they cite him only to challenge you: they are a contentious people— 59but he is only a servant We favoured and made an example for the Children of Israel: 60if it had been Our will, We could have made you angels,a Just as God was able to create Jesus without a father. succeeding one another on earth.
61This [Qurʾan] gives knowledge of the Hour:b Alternatively, the pronoun hu can also be seen to refer to Jesus: ‘[Jesus] gives knowledge of the Hour’. do not doubt it. Follow Me for this is the right path; 62do not let Satan hinder you, for he is your sworn enemy. 63When Jesus came with clear signs he said, ‘I have brought you wisdom; I have come to clear up some of your differences for you. Be mindful of God and obey me: 64God is my Lord and your Lord. Serve Him: this is the straight path.’ 65Yet still the different factions among them disagreed—woe to the evildoers: they will suffer the torment of a grievous day!—66what are they waiting for but the Hour, which will come upon them suddenly and take them unawares? 67On that Day, friends will become each other's enemies. Not so the righteous—68’My servants, there is no fear for you today, nor shall you grieve’—69those who believed in Our revelations and devoted themselves to Us.70‘Enter Paradise, you and your spouses: you will be filled with joy.’71Dishes and goblets of gold will be passed around them with all that their souls desire and their eyes delight in. ‘There you will remain: 72this is the Garden you are given as your own, because of what you used to do,73and there is abundant fruit in it for you to eat.’ 74But the evildoers will remain in Hell's punishment,75from which there is no relief: they will remain in utter despair. 76We never wronged them; they were the ones who did wrong. 77They will cry, ‘Malik,c The angel in charge of Hell. if only your Lord would finish us off,’ but he will answer, ‘No! You are here to stay.’ 78We have brought you the Truth but most of you despise it.
Notes:
b The angels, whom they worshipped as the daughters of God and superior to Jesus, whom they considered to be a god worshipped by Christians as the Son of God.
a Just as God was able to create Jesus without a father.
b Alternatively, the pronoun hu can also be seen to refer to Jesus: ‘[Jesus] gives knowledge of the Hour’.
c The angel in charge of Hell.
