16:1  Allah’s command has come— seek not to rush [the unfolding of] it. Limitless is HE in HIS glory, immeasurably exalted beyond anything they associate with HIM.

16:2  HE sends down the Angels with the Spirit, pursuant to HIS command, upon whomever of HIS devotees HE wills: “Warn that there is no god except I. So be ever conscious of ME.”

16:3  HE created the heavens and the earth in [expression of] the Truth. Immeasurably exalted is HE above what they associate with HIM.

16:4  HE created man from a drop [of semen], then in sudden change he is a blatant disputant.

16:5  And the cattle— HE created them. For you, through them are warmth and many profits. And of them you eat.

16:6  And for you is a pleasing spectacle in them, the while you let them rest and the while you take them out to roam.

16:7  And they carry your loads to a land you would not reach except with great trouble to yourselves. Surely, your Rabb is indeed kind, ever merciful.

16:8  And [HE created] the horses, the mules, and the donkeys, so you may ride on them, and for pomp and show. And HE creates that which you do not know.

16:9  The course of the Path is on Allah, and from it is the deviant. And if HE had willed it, HE would indeed have guided you all.

16:10  It is HE WHO sent down water from the sky. From it, for you, is every drink, and from it is the foliage in which you let loose your cattle to freely graze.

16:11  With it HE proliferates the crops, and the olive, and the date palm, and the grape vines, and the offerings from all the blossoms— for you. Surely, an [ever present] sign is in that, for a people who reflect.

16:12  And for you, HE has put in compliance, the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. And the stars are rendered compliant by HIS command. Indeed, in that are [deep] signs for a people who engage their intellect.

16:13  And whatever HE has proliferated for you on the land—different are the hues of each. Indeed, [rich] signs are in that, for a people who mindfully reflect.

16:14  It is HE WHO has put the sea in compliance, so you may eat fresh meat from it, and from it you extract the finery which you wear. And you see the vessels upon it [cutting through the water] as ploughs, for you to attain of HIS bounties, and to enable you to be grateful.

16:15  And HE has strewn firmly anchored mountains across the earth, lest it shakes with you, and rivers and roads to enable you to find your way.

16:16  And [HE has strewn the other] landmarks. And by the stars they find their way.

16:17  Is HE WHO creates, like one who does not create? Will you then not mindfully reflect?

16:18  If you go on to quantify one blessing of Allah, you cannot reckon it. Surely, Allah categorically is, ever forgiving, all-merciful.

16:19  And Allah knows what you hide and what you make known.

16:20  While those they invoke besides Allah do not create anything, and they themselves are created.

16:21  They are dead— anything but living, and they have no sense of when and where they are evoked.

16:22  Your God is One God. So then, those who do not believe in the Hereafter, their hearts are averse to the Truth, and they are arrogantly defiant.

16:23  Without any exception: Allah knows what they hide and what they declare. Surely, HE does not love the arrogantly defiant ones.

16:24  When they are asked, “What has your Rabb revealed to you?” They say, “Fables of the earlier peoples.”

16:25  Let them bear their own burdens in full on the Day of Resurrection, and [also] from the burdens of the ones they mislead, bereft of knowledge. Unquestionably, odious is what they bear.

16:26  The ones before them had also plotted. So, Allah struck down their structures from the very foundations, and so the roof fell upon them from above, and the punishment advanced on them, from a place they were not to conceive.

16:27  Furthermore, on the Day of Resurrection, HE will shame them, saying, “Where are MY partners? The ones through whom you were being consistently contrarian. The ones given the knowledge had said [to them on earth], “Surely, shame, and misery this day will bear upon the disbelievers—

16:28  The ones the angels collect [in death], while in a state of wronging their own souls.” So [here they are], having offered their surrender [saying], “We were not doing anything ill.” Nay! Indeed, Allah is ever aware of what you were doing.

16:29  So now, enter the gates of Jahannam, abiders therein. Wretched indeed is the dwelling of the arrogant.

16:30  And it was said to those who were conscious of God, “What was revealed to you by your Rabb?” They said, “Blessings.” For those who do good in this world there is a good return, but the home of the Hereafter is better. And most excellent is the home of the God-conscious.

16:31  They enter the Gardens of Eden, with the rivers flowing in subservience to them. For them therein is whatever they will for. Thus does Allah reward the God-conscious—

16:32  the ones the Angels collect, in purified states. [The Angels] say to them, “Peace [Salaam] upon you. Enter the Garden on account of what you used to do.”

16:33  Do they [i.e., the disbelievers] await anything except that the Angels come to them, or that the command of your Rabb comes into effect? Those before them did the same. Allah did not wrong them, but they were wronging themselves.

16:34  Thus, the ills which they did afflicted them, and they were surrounded by that which they were mocking.

16:35  It is said by those who worshipped false gods, “If Allah had willed, we would not have worshipped anything beside HIM—neither us nor our forefathers— and we would not have deemed sacred anything other than HIM” Likewise, acted those before them. So then, is there any [other duty] upon the Messengers except the clear and open conveyance?

16:36  And WE did send into each nation a messenger: “Worship Allah and avoid false beliefs and overlords.” Among them is such whom Allah had guided, and among them is such upon whom the error [of false worship] was befitting. So do travel the land to see how the end of truth-beliers was.

16:37  Even if you be bent upon their guidance— Allah does not guide one who misleads others. For them there are no helpers.

16:38  They swear by Allah, the most strenuous of their oaths: “Allah will not resurrect anyone who dies.” Nay! It is a promise, rightfully binding upon HIM, but most of humankind know not:

16:39  [That they are to be resurrected] so that HE may make clear to them that wherein they were differing, and so that those who had disbelieved may know that they were liars.

16:40  OUR only word for anything—when WE intend it— is that WE say to it, “BE.” So, it comes to be.

16:41  The ones who left their homes [counting of refuge] in Allah, after they were wronged, WE shall surely settle them in the world, with a deserved share of good, and the sure reward of the Hereafter is greater yet— were they to know.

16:42  They are ones who persevered, and on their Rabb they rely.

16:43  WE did not send [messengers] before you, other than men, toward whom WE directed inspiration. So, ask [you all] the conscientious ponderers of the Reminder if you all do not know—

16:44  [They were sent] with telling proofs and the Scriptural texts, and WE have sent down the Reminder upon you so you may make clear to humankind, what was sent down to them, and to enable them to reflect.

16:45  So then, have those who have devised their dark doings, acquired security against Allah causing the earth to swallow them, or the onset of their punishment from a place or at a time they cannot conceive?

16:46  Or [security against] HIS seizing them during their normal movements? For not can they be thwarters in any way.

16:47  Or [security against] HIS seizing them through sheer fear? Yet indeed, your Rabb is certainly kind, ever merciful.

16:48  Do they not look at anything which Allah has created? Its shadows self-project to the right and the left— ever in prostration to Allah, ever humble.

16:49  And unto Allah prostrates whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in upon the earth, any moving creature and the Angels and they do not wax in arrogance.

16:50  They fear their Rabb above them, and they do what they are commanded. ۩

16:51  Allah has said, “Do not take two gods. HE is only ONE God— only I [there is no other God]. So be in awe of ME.”

16:52  To HIM belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth, and the surrender belongs to HIM in perpetuity. Will you then revere other than Allah?

16:53  There is not a blessing with you which is not from Allah. Then when a particular hardship grazes you, it is unto HIM you supplicate.

16:54  Then when HE removes that hardship from you, right away a group from among you starts setting partners with their Rabb.

16:55  Let them be ungrateful for what WE have bestowed upon them. And so, indulge yourselves with the temporal, for you shall soon come to know.

16:56  And they set up a share of what WE have given to them to what they do not know. By Allah, you shall most certainly be asked about what you were fabricating.

16:57  And they set up daughters for Allah— limitless is HE in HIS glory— while they would have for themselves what they fancy!

16:58  When one of them is given news of [the birth of] a female, his face grows dark with gloom, while he is choked with anger.

16:59  He hides himself from the people, injured by the tiding he was given, [struggling with himself]: Should he own it [i.e., the baby], risking humiliation, or should he bury it in the dust. Unquestionably evil is whatever they decide.

16:60  The similitude of evil is for those who do not believe in the Hereafter. And the loftiest similitude is for Allah. HE is the Almighty, the all-wise.

16:61  If Allah were to take humankind to task for their injustice, HE would not leave to itself [i.e., its freewill] any moving creature on it. But HE gives them time [to make amends] through to a defined term. Then when their terms are due, they cannot delay an hour, nor can they advance it.

16:62  They ascribe to Allah, what they dislike. And their tongues assert the lie that the best is for them. No exception: for them is the fire, and they will be abandoned [therein].

16:63  By Allah, WE did send messengers to communities before you, but Satan made their deeds fair seeming to them. So today he is their ally. And for them is an agonizing punishment.

16:64  WE did not send down the timeless Book upon you, except that you clarify for them that in which they differ, and as guidance and mercy for a people who believe.

16:65  And Allah has sent down the water from the sky, then revived the land after its death. In that is a definite sign for a people who pay attention.

16:66  And in the livestock too, there is a definite lesson for you. WE give you to drink from what is in internal cisterns of milk; from between waste and blood is pure milk, palatably pleasing for the drinkers.

16:67  And from the fruits of the date palm and vines, you extract wine and wholesome food. Indeed, in that is a teaching sign for a people who seek to gain a deeper understanding.

16:68  And your Rabb inspired the bee: “Take up homes in the mountains and amongst the trees, and in what they erect.

16:69  Then from all the fruits partake, and traverse the vistas unfolded by your Rabb.” A fluid of diverse hues flows from its insides, in which is healing for humankind. Surely, a profound sign is that, for a people who reflect.

16:70  Allah has created you then HE will collect you back [in death]. And of you is the one sent back to the most decrepit of the [stages of] life, purposed to his not knowing anything, post knowing. Surely, Allah is ever-knowing, ever in almighty control.

16:71  Allah has favored some of you over others through the means [HE allots]. Thereupon, the ones who have been favored are not re-routers of the means to those under their control, so for them to be equals in it. Do they then repudiate Allah’s blessings?

16:72  Allah has rendered spouses for you from yourselves, and rendered for you from your spouses, children, and grandchildren, and given you sustenance from the pristine [and wholesome] things. Will they then believe in falsehood and disbelieve in the blessings of Allah?

16:73  They worship beside Allah that which does not possess sustenance from the sky and the land for them— nor will they ever be able.

16:74  So, do not expound [your own] notions of Allah. Verily, Allah knows while you do not know.

16:75  Allah has offered an example: an enslaved servant without control over anything, and one on whom WE have bestowed handsome provision from US, and he then spends of it secretly and openly. Do they match up? Praise belongs to Allah alone, though most do not realize.

16:76  Allah sets an example of two men: One of them is mute, without control over anything, and he is a liability upon his guardian. Wherever his guardian directs him, he does not bring about any good. Does he and one who bids with justice, while he is on a timelessly straight path, match up?

16:77  To Allah belongs the unseen of the heavens and the earth. The decree of the Last Hour is but like a moment of the glance, or closer. Surely, Allah is ever in control of all things and their measure.

16:78  It is Allah Who has brought you forth from your mothers’ wombs, while you knew not a thing. And HE gave you sound, and sight, and intellect, to enable you to be grateful.

16:79  Do you not look at the birds adapted [to fly] in the airy expanse of the sky? None holds them save Allah. Verily, in that are telling signs for a people who believe.

16:80  Allah had made for you, from some of your homes, a place to settle, and HE has also made for you homes from the hides of cattle, which you require to be light the day of your move and the day of your camping. And from their coarse wool, and their soft wool, and their hair are assets and provisions, through to a time.

16:81  Allah has placed cover and shade for you, from what HE has created. And HE has provided safe hideouts for you in the mountains and rendered garments for you to protect you from the heat, and coats of arms to save you from your [own extreme] violence. Thus, does HE consummate HIS blessing upon you, that you may submit with Faith.

16:82  So, if they turn away—upon you is only the clear and open conveyance.

16:83  They do experience the blessings of Allah, then they deny them. Most of them are ingrates.

16:84  And on a day, WE will raise up a witness from every people. Thereafter, no leave [to plead] shall be given to the ones who had disbelieved, and neither shall they be asked to redeem themselves.

16:85  And once the ones who did wrong have seen their punishment, it will not be lightened for them, nor will they be reprieved.

16:86  And when the ones who had associated partners with God, see their ‘partners,’ they will say, “Our Rabb, these, our partners, were the ones we called upon besides you. The [‘partners’] will throw the refrain at them: “You are blatant liars.”

16:87  And that day they proffered the submission of Faith. And what they had been inventing had forsaken them.

16:88  The ones who had disbelieved and had hindered others from the pathway of Allah— WE added punishment on top of their punishment, because they had been sowing discord.

16:89  And the day WE raise in every people a witness over them, from among them, and WE bring you as a witness over these— while WE have sent down upon you the timeless Book to be revelatory over all matters, and as guidance, mercy, and joyous tidings for those who have submitted themselves unto HIM.

16:90  Behold! Allah enjoins Justice, and selfless service, and giving to the ones close by kinship and proximity, and HE forbids the immoral, and the improper, and the infringement [of the rights of others]. HE counsels you, so you may be ever mindful.

16:91  Fulfill the pledge of Allah, whenever you make a pledge, and do not break the oaths after their affirmation. And you have, in fact, appointed Allah as guarantor over you. Surely, Allah knows what you do.

16:92  Do not be like her who unravels her spun thread into separate strands, subsequent to a strength— taking your oaths for manipulative intervention between yourselves, that there be a people [of a creed] more thriving than another people. Allah tries you thereby and will lay bare for you on the Day of Resurrection, all that in which you were differing.

16:93  If Allah had willed, HE would have made you as one people, but HE [justly] sets astray whom HE wills and HE [mercifully] guides whom HE wills. You surely shall be questioned regarding what you were doing.

16:94  Do not take your oaths among yourselves for manipulative intervention between yourselves — lest you let a firm foot slip, and taste misery because you hindered [others] from the way of Allah, and lest a transcendent consequence be there for you.

16:95  And do not trade the covenant of Allah for a paltry [worldly] value. Surely, that which is with Allah is ever better for you, if you only knew.

16:96  What is with you will dissipate, but what is with Allah has permanence. And WE will most certainly deliver their reward to those who persevered patiently, by the best of what they were doing.

16:97  Anyone, whether male or female, who does a good deed and is a believer—WE will most certainly revive him [or her], to a pristine life. WE will most certainly deliver their reward to them by the best of what they were doing.

16:98  So, when you recite the Quran, seek refuge in Allah from Satan, the outcast.

16:99  Surely, he [i.e., Satan] holds no sway over those who have embraced Faith and rely on their Rabb.

16:100  He only has authority over the ones who take him as an ally, and those who ascribe partners with HIM.

16:101  When in place of a sign WE give in exchange a sign— whereas Allah knows best about what HE sends down progressively— they say, “You are only a fabricator.” Nay! Most of them do not know.

16:102  Say, “The Spirit of the Holy has progressively delivered it from your Rabb in [expression of] the Truth, so it may strengthen the ones who believe, and as guidance and good tidings for the ones who submit to HIM.”

16:103  WE do indeed know that they say, “It is only a mortal teaching him.” The language of the one they allude to is foreign, and this language is expressive Arabic.

16:104  Surely, those who do not believe in the signs of Allah, Allah does not guide them, and for them is an agonizing punishment.

16:105  The ones who do not believe in the signs of Allah, only they fabricate falsehoods, and those very ones are the liars.

16:106  Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his Faith, except one who was forced to, while his heart was content and at peace with the Faith— but [other than that] whoever opens his bosom to disbelief, upon them is the indignation of Allah and for them is a transcendent consequence—

16:107  That, because they valued the life of the world over the Hereafter, and that because Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.

16:108  Those are the ones upon whose hearts, and ears, and eyes, Allah has set a seal. And they are the unmindful ones.

16:109  Undoubtedly, it is they who in the Hereafter are the losers.

16:110  Still! Indeed! Your Rabb—to those who emigrated after they were persecuted, and thereafter strove [in God’s way] and persevered— after that, assuredly, your Rabb, is indeed forgiving, ever merciful.

16:111  On a day, every soul is to come pleading for itself, and every soul will be faithfully paid for what it did, and they will not be wronged.

16:112  Allah presents a similitude: A community which was secure and content with its sustenance coming to it abundantly from every place. They became ungrateful of the blessings of Allah, so Allah gave them a taste of the garment of hunger and fear, because of what they were systematically doing.

16:113  And there did come to them a messenger from their midst—they denied him, and so the punishment seized them while they were doing wrong.

16:114  So, eat of the pristinely lawful food which Allah has provided for you and give thanks for the blessing of Allah, if it is HE WHOM you worship.

16:115  HE has forbidden you only the carrion, and blood, and the flesh of swine, and anything meant as an offering to other than Allah. Yet whosoever is forced by necessity to [eat the forbidden]—other than wanting to, while not assailing [the decree], then surely, Allah is forgiving, ever merciful.

16:116  And do not assert the lie, for that is what your tongues attribute: “This is lawful, and this is forbidden,” fabricating the lie against Allah. Surely, those who fabricate the lie against Allah will not succeed.

16:117  A little temporal indulgence— and [then] for them is an agonizing punishment.

16:118  And unto those who follow the Jewish faith, WE forbade what WE have related to you earlier. WE did not wrong them, but they were doing wrong to themselves.

16:119  Still! Indeed! Your Rabb— for the ones who committed the foul deeds in ignorance, then repented after that and made amends— surely, your Rabb is forgiving, ever merciful, after it all.

16:120  Surely, Abraham is one with a spiritual legacy, obedient to Allah, ever an earnest seeker. And he was not of the polytheists.

16:121  He was always thankful for HIS blessings. HE designated him [to be a spiritual archetype], and HE guided him unto a timelessly straight path.

16:122  And WE gave him good in the world, and he is indeed of the righteous in the Hereafter.

16:123  It follows that WE revealed to you: “Follow the spiritual legacy of Abraham, the earnest seeker. He was not of the polytheists.”

16:124  The Sabbath was placed upon those who fell into differences about him [i.e., Abraham and his teachings]. Surely, your Rabb will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning all in which they were differing.

16:125  Call to the path of your Rabb with the wisdom and the admonition [revealed to you], and counter argue with them with a [counter] which is beautiful. Surely, your Rabb—HE is best aware of who has strayed from HIS path, and HE is best knowing about the rightly-guided ones.

16:126  If you pursue redress, then pursue with the like of what you were made to endure. But if you remain patient, surely that is better for the persevering.

16:127  Persevere. Your perseverance is only through Allah. And do not grieve over them, nor be in any duress from what they are plotting.

16:128  Surely, Allah is with the ones who are conscious of HIM, and the ones who do good in selfless devotion to God.