Quran — Page 373

This [religion of ours] is none other than that to which our forebears clung,

and we are not going to be chastised [for adhering to it]!”

And so they gave him the lie: and thereupon We destroyed them. In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

[AND the tribe of] Thamud gave the lie to [one of God’s] message-hearers

when their brother Salih said unto them: “Will you not be conscious of God?

Behold, I am an apostle [sent by Him] to you, [and therefore] worthy of your trust:

be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me!

“And no reward whatever do I ask of you for it: my reward rests with none but the Sustainer of all the worlds.

“Do you think that you will be left secure [forever] in the midst of what you have here and now?

amidst [these] gardens and springs

and fields, and [these] palm-trees with slender spathes? –

and that you will [always be able to] hew dwellings out of the mountains with [the same] great skill?”

“Be, then, conscious of God, and pay heed unto me,

and pay no heed to the counsel of those who are given to excesses –

those who spread corruption on earth instead of setting things to rights!”

Said they: “Thou art but one of the be­witched!

Thou art nothing but a mortal like our­selves! Come, then, forward with a token [of thy mission] if thou art a man of truth!”

Replied he: “This she-camel shall have a share of water, and you shall have a share of water, on the days appointed [therefor];

and do her no harm, lest suffering befall you on an awesome day!”

But they cruelly slaughtered her - and then they had cause to regret it:

for the suffering [predicted by Salih,] befell them [then and there]. In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone – is almighty, a dispenser of grace!