Taa-Haa

O MAN!

We did not bestow the Qur'an on thee from on high to make thee unhappy,

but only as an exhortation to all who stand in awe [of God]:

a revelation from Him who has created the earth and the high heavens

the Most Gracious, established on the throne of His almightiness?

Unto Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth, as well as all that is between them and all that is beneath the sod.

And if thou say anything aloud, [He hears it] since, behold, He knows [even] the secret [thoughts of man] as well as all that is yet more hidden [within him].

God-there is no deity save Him; His [alone] are the attributes of perfection!

AND HAS the story of Moses ever come within thy ken?

Lo! he saw a fire [in the desert]; and so he said to his family: "Wait here! Behold, I perceive a fire [far away]: perhaps I can bring you a brand there from, or find at the fire some guidance."

But when he came close to it, a voice called out: "O Moses!

Verily, I am thy Sustainer! Take off, then, thy sandals! Behold, thou art in the twice hallowed valley,

and I have chosen thee [to be My apostle]: listen, then, to what is being revealed [unto thee].

"Verily, I - I alone - am God; there is no deity save Me. Hence, worship Me alone, and be constant in prayer, so as to remember Me!

"Behold, [although] I have willed to keep it hidden, the Last Hour is bound to come, so that every human being may be recompensed in accordance with what he strove for [in life].