The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

14. ABRAHAM
A Meccan sura named after Abraham (verses 35–41), who prays to God that
Mecca may be made prosperous so that its people may be thankful and continue
to worship God. The ungrateful are condemned, and the grateful commended,
throughout the sura. Abraham also asks that he and his descendants may be
protected from idol-worship. This serves to remind the Meccans that they
should shun the worship of idols.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1 Alif Lam Ra
This is a Scripture which We have sent down to you [Prophet] so
that, with their Lord’s permission, you may bring people from the
depths of darkness into light, to the path of the Almighty, the
Praiseworthy One, 2 God, to whom everything in the heavens and
earth belongs. How terrible will be the torment of those who ignore
[Him], 3 those who prefer the life of this world over the life to come,
who turn others from God’s way, trying to make it crooked: such
people have gone far astray. 4 We have never sent a messenger who
did not use his own people’s language to make things clear for them.
But still God leaves whoever He will to stray, and guides whoever He
will: He is the Almighty, the All Wise.
5 We sent Moses with Our signs: ‘Bring out your people from the
depths of darkness into light. Remind them of the Days of God: a
there truly are signs in this for every steadfast, thankful person.’
6 And so Moses said to his people, ‘Remember God’s blessing on you
when He saved you from Pharaoh’s people, who were inflicting
terrible suffering on you, slaughtering your sons and sparing only
your women––that was a severe test from your Lord! 7 Remember
that He promised, “If you are thankful, I will give you more, but
if you are thankless, My punishment is terrible indeed.” ’ 8 And
Moses said, ‘Even if you, together with everybody else on earth, are
thankless, God is self-sufficient, worthy of all praise.’
a The times when God singled them out for special favour or tribulation (cf.
2: 30–61).