Sura 11: Hood (Hood)
 

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

1. A.L.R. This is a scripture whose
verses have been perfected,
then elucidated.* It comes from
a Most Wise, Most Cognizant.

The Quran: Messenger of God

2. Proclaiming: "You shall not worship
except GOD. I come to you from
Him as a warner, as well as a bearer
of good news.

3. "You shall seek your Lord's forgive-
ness, then repent to Him. He will
then bless you generously for a pre-
determined period, and bestow His
grace upon those who deserve it.
If you turn away, then I fear for you
the retribution of an awesome day."

4. To GOD is your ultimate return, and He is Omnipotent.

5. Indeed, they hide their innermost thoughts, as if to keep Him from knowing
them. In fact, as they cover themselves with their clothes, He knows all their
secrets and declarations. He knows the innermost thoughts.
 

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*11:1 Our generation is fortunate to witness two awesome phenomena in the Quran: (1) an extraordinary mathematical code (Appendix 1), and (2) a literary miracle of incredible dimensions. If humans attempt to write a mathematically structured work, the numerical manipulations will adversely affect the literary quality. The Quran sets the standard for literary excellence.
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Provisions Guaranteed

6. There is not a creature on earth whose provision is not guaranteed by GOD.
And He knows its course and its final destiny.
All are recorded in a profound record.

7. He is the One who created the heavens and the earth in six days--*
and His (earthly) domain was completely covered with water--**
in order to test you, to distinguish those among you who work righteousness.
Yet, when you say, "You will be resurrected after death,"
those who disbelieve would say,
"This is clearly witchcraft."

8. And if we delay the retribution
they have incurred--for we reserve
it for a specific community--they
say, "What is keeping Him?" In fact,
once it comes to them, nothing can
stop it, and their mocking will come
back to haunt them.

9. Whenever we bless the human
being with mercy from us, then
remove it, he turns despondent,
unappreciative.

10. Whenever we bless him, after
adversity had afflicted him, he says,
"All adversity has gone away from
me;" he becomes excited, proud.

11. As for those who steadfastly per-
severe, and lead a righteous life,
they deserve forgiveness
and a generous recompense.


God's Revelation is Heavy

12. You may wish to disregard some of that which is revealed to you,
and you may be annoyed by it. Also, they may say,
"How come no treasure comes down to him, or an angel?"
You are only a warner; GOD controls all things

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*11:7 The six days are simply a yardstick providing us with a lot of information. Thus, we learn that the vast lifeless physical universe was created in two days, while the tiny mote called "Earth" was created in four days (41:10-12). The provision of food, water,
and oxygen for the earth's inhabitants had to be precisely calculated and arranged.
**11:7 The earth was initially covered with water. Subsequently, the land mass emerged, and the continents drifted apart.
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The Quran: Impossible to Imitate

13. If they say, "He fabricated (the Quran)," tell them,
"Then produce ten suras like these, fabricated,
and invite whomever you can, other than GOD,
if you are truthful."*

14. If they fail to meet your challenge, then know that this is revealed with GOD's
knowledge, and that there is no god except He. Will you then submit?

15. Those who pursue this worldly life
and its material vanities, we will pay
them for their works in this life;
without the least reduction.

16. It is they who gave up their share
in the Hereafter, and, consequently,
Hell is their lot. All their works are
in vain; everything they have done
is nullified.

The Quran's Mathematical Code

17. As for those who are given solid
proof* from their Lord, reported by
a witness from Him, and before it,
the book of Moses has set a prece-
dent and a mercy,** they will surely
believe. As for those who disbelieve
among the various groups, Hell is
awaiting them. Do not harbor any
doubt; this is the truth from your
Lord, but most people disbelieve.

18. Who are more evil than those who
fabricate lies about GOD? They
will be presented before their
Lord, and the witnesses will say,
"These are the ones who lied about their Lord.
GOD's condemnation has befallen the transgressors."

19. They repel from the way of GOD
and seek to make it crooked, and they are disbelievers in the Hereafter.

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*11:13 The Quran's mathematical miracle is inimitable (See Appendix 1).
*11:17 The Quran's 19-based mathematical code is a built-in proof of divine authorship. It is noteworthy that the word "Bayyinah" (proof) is mentioned in the Quran 19 times.
**11:17 As it turns out, Moses' book was also mathematically composed, with "19" as the common denominator. See Footnote 46:10 and Appendix 1.
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The Disbelievers

20. These will never escape, nor will they find
any lords or masters to help them against GOD.
Retribution will be doubled for them.
They have failed to hear, and they have failed to see.

21. These are the ones who lose their souls,
and the idols they had fabricated will disown them.

22. There is no doubt that,
in the Hereafter,
they will be the worst losers.

The Believers

23. As for those who believe
and lead a righteous life, and
devote themselves to their Lord,
they are the dwellers of Paradise;
they abide therein forever.

24. The example of these two groups is
like the blind and deaf, compared to
the seer and hearer. Are they equal?
Would you not take heed?

Noah

25. We sent Noah to his people, saying,
"I come to you as a clear warner.

26. "You shall not worship except GOD.
I fear for you the retribution
of a painful day."

27. The leaders who disbelieved
among his people said,
"We see that you are no more
than a human being like us,
and we see that the first people to
follow you are the worst among us.
We see that you do not possess
any advantage over us.
Indeed, we think you are liars."

28. He said, "O my people, what if I have a solid proof from my Lord?
What if He has blessed me out of His mercy, though you cannot see it?
Are we going to force you to believe therein?

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29. "O my people, I do not ask you for any money;
my wage comes only from GOD.
I am not dismissing those who believed;
they will meet their Lord (and He alone will judge them).
I see that you are ignorant people.

30. "O my people, who can support me against GOD,
if I dismiss them? Would you not take heed?

All Power Belongs to God

31. "I do not claim that I possess
the treasures of GOD,
nor do I know the future,
nor do I claim to be an angel.
Nor do I say to those despised by
your eyes that GOD will not bestow
any blessings upon them.
GOD knows best what is in their
innermost thoughts. (If I did this,)
I would be a transgressor."

32. They said, "O Noah, you have
argued with us, and kept on
arguing. We challenge you to bring
the doom you threaten us with,
if you are truthful."

33. He said, "GOD is the One who
brings it to you, if He so wills,
then you cannot escape.

34. "Even if I advised you,
my advice cannot benefit you
if it is GOD's will to send you
astray. He is your Lord,
and to Him you will be returned."

35. If they say, "He made up this story,"
then say, "If I made it up, then I am
responsible for my crime, and I am innocent of any crime you commit."

36. Noah was inspired: "No more of your people are going to believe,
beyond those who already believe. Do not be saddened by their actions.

37. "Build the ark under our watchful eyes,
and with our inspiration, and do not implore Me
on behalf of those who have transgressed; they are destined to drown."

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He Who Laughs Last Laughs Best

38. While he was building the ark, whenever some of his people passed by him
they laughed at him. He said, "You may be laughing at us,
but we are laughing at you, just as you are laughing.

39. "You will surely find out who will suffer a shameful retribution,
and incur an everlasting punishment."

40. When our judgment came, and the atmosphere boiled over,
we said, "Carry on it a pair of each
kind,* together with your family,
except those who are condemned.
Carry with you those who have
believed," and only a few have
believed with him.

41. He said, "Come on board.
In the name of GOD shall be
its sailing, and its mooring.
My Lord is Forgiver, Most Merciful."

42. As it sailed with them in waves like
hills, Noah called his son, who was
isolated: "O my son, come ride with
us; do not be with the disbelievers."

43. He said, "I will take refuge on top
of a hill, to protect me from the
water." He said, "Nothing can
protect anyone today from GOD's
judgment; only those worthy of His
mercy (will be saved)." The waves
separated them, and he was
among those who drowned.

Where Did the Ark Land

44. It was proclaimed: "O earth,
swallow your water," and "O sky, cease." The water then subsided;
the judgment was fulfilled. The ark finally rested on the hills of Judea.*
It was then proclaimed: "The transgressors have perished."

45. Noah implored his Lord: "My Lord, my son is a member of my family, and
Your promise is the truth. You are the wisest of the wise."

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*11:40 & 44 This is God's proven truth: Noah's ark was made of logs, tied together with primitive ropes (54:13). Contrary to common belief, the flood was limited to the area around today's Dead Sea, and the animals were only Noah's livestock; not every animal that lived on earth.
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The Myth of Intercession*

46. He said, "O Noah, he is not of your family. It is unrighteous to ask Me for
something you do not know.* I enlighten you, lest you be like the ignorant."

47. He said, "My Lord, I seek refuge in You, lest I implore You again
for something I do not know. Unless You forgive me,
and have mercy on me, I will be with the losers."

48. It was proclaimed: "O Noah, disembark, with peace and blessings
upon you, and upon nations who
will descend from your companions.
As for the other nations descending
from you, we will bless them for
awhile, then commit them to painful
retribution."

49. This is news from the past that
we reveal to you. You had no
knowledge about them--neither
you, nor your people--before this.
Therefore, be patient. The ultimate
victory belongs to the righteous.

Hood: One and the Same Message

50. To `Aad we sent their brother Hood.
He said, "O my people, worship
GOD; you have no other god
besides Him. You are inventing.

51. "O my people, I do not ask you for
any wage. My wage comes only
from the One who initiated me.
Do you not understand?

52. "O my people, seek forgiveness
from your Lord, then repent to
Him. He will then shower you
with provisions from the sky, and augment your strength.
Do not turn back into transgressors."

53. They said, "O Hood, you did not show us any proof,
and we are not abandoning our gods on account of what you say.
We will never be believers with you.

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*11:46 Intercession is Satan's most effective bait to entice people into idol worship. However, Abraham could not help his father, nor could Noah help his son, nor could Muhammad help his own relatives (2:254, 9:80 & 114).
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54. "We believe that some of our gods have afflicted you with a curse."
He said, "I bear witness before GOD, and you bear witness as well,
that I disown the idols you have set up--

55. "--beside Him. So, give me your collective decision, without delay.

56. "I have put my trust in GOD, my Lord and your Lord.
There is not a creature that He does not control.
My Lord is on the right path.

57. "If you turn away, I have delivered
to you what I was sent with.
My Lord will substitute other
people in your place; you cannot
harm Him in the least. My Lord
is in control of all things."

58. When our judgment came, we saved
Hood and those who believed
with him, by mercy from us.
We saved them from a terrible
retribution.

59. Such was `Aad--they disregarded
the revelations of their Lord,
disobeyed His messengers, and
followed the ways of every
stubborn tyrant.

60. Consequently, they incurred
condemnation in this world,
and on the Day of Resurrection.
Indeed, `Aad rejected their Lord.
Indeed, `Aad, the people of Hood,
have perished.

Saaleh: One and the Same Message

61. To Thamoud we sent their brother
Saaleh. He said, "O my people, worship GOD;
you have no other god beside Him.
He initiated you from the earth, then settled you in it.
You shall seek His forgiveness, then repent to Him.
My Lord is always near, responsive."

62. They said, "O Saaleh, you used to be popular among us before this.
Are you enjoining us from worshiping what our parents are worshiping?
We are full of doubt concerning everything you have told us."

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The Disbelievers Always Losers

63. He said, "O my people, what if I have solid proof from my Lord,
and mercy from Him? Who would support me against GOD,
if I disobeyed Him? You can only augment my loss.

64. "O my people, this is GOD's camel
to serve as a proof for you.
You shall let her eat from GOD's earth,
and do not touch her with any harm, lest
you incur an immediate retribution."

65. They slaughtered her. He then said,
"You have only three days to live.
This is a prophecy that is inevitable."

66. When our judgment came,
we saved Saaleh and those who
believed with him by mercy
from us, from the humiliation
of that day. Your Lord is the
Most Powerful, the Almighty.

67. Those who transgressed were
annihilated by the disaster,
leaving them in their homes, dead.

68. It was as if they never lived there.
Indeed, Thamoud have rejected
their Lord. Absolutely, Thamoud
have incurred their annihilation.

Abraham and Lot

69. When our messengers went to
Abraham with good news,
they said, "Peace." He said,
"Peace," and soon brought
a roasted calf.

70. When he saw that their hands did not touch it,
he became suspicious and fearful of them.
They said, "Do not be afraid,
we are being dispatched to the people of Lot."

71. His wife was standing,
and she laughed when we gave her
the good news about Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob.
 

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72. She said, "Woe to me, how could I bear a child at my age,
and here is my husband; an old man? This is really strange!"

73. They said, "Do you find it strange for GOD?
GOD has bestowed His mercy and blessings upon you,
O inhabitants of the shrine.
He is Praiseworthy, Glorious."

74. When Abraham's fear subsided, and
the good news was delivered to him,
he proceeded to argue with us on
behalf of Lot's people.

75. Indeed, Abraham was clement,
extremely kind, and obedient.

76. "O Abraham, refrain from this.
Your Lord's judgment has been
issued; they have incurred
unavoidable retribution."

Homosexuality Condemned

77. When our messengers went to Lot,
they were mistreated, and he was
embarrassed by their presence.
He said, "This is a difficult day."

78. His people came rushing; they had
grown accustomed to their sinful acts.
He said, "O my people, it would be
purer for you, if you take my
daughters instead. You shall
reverence GOD; do not embarrass
me with my guests. Have you not
one reasonable man among you?"

79. They said, "You know well that we
have no need for your daughters;
you know exactly what we want."

80. He said, "I wish I were strong enough,
or had a powerful ally!"

81. (The angels) said, "O Lot, we are your Lord's messengers, and
these people cannot touch you. You shall leave with your family
during the night, and let not anyone of you look back,
except your wife; she is condemned along with those who are condemned.
Their appointed time is the morning. Is not the morning soon enough?"

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Sodom & Gomorrah Destroyed

82. When our judgment came, we turned it upside down,
and we showered it with hard, devastating rocks.

83. Such rocks were designated by your Lord to strike the transgressors.

Shu`aib: One and the Same Message

84. To Midyan we sent their brother Shu`aib.
He said, "O my people, worship GOD;
you have no other god beside Him.
Do not cheat when you measure
or weigh. I see that you are
prosperous, and I fear for you
the retribution of an
overwhelming day.

85. "O my people, you shall give full
measure and full weight, equitably.
Do not cheat the people out of
their rights, and do not roam the
earth corruptingly.

86. "Whatever GOD provides
for you, no matter how small,
is far better for you,
if you are really believers.
I am not a guardian over you."

87. They said, "O Shu`aib, does your
religion dictate upon you that
we must abandon our parents'
religion, or running our businesses
in any manner we choose?
Surely, you are known for being
clement, wise."

88. He said, "O my people,
what if I have solid proof
from my Lord; what if He has
provided me with a great blessing?
It is not my wish to commit
what I enjoin you from.
I only wish to correct as many wrongs as I can.
My guidance depends totally on GOD; I have put my trust in Him.
To Him I have totally submitted.

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89. "And, O my people, do not be provoked
by your opposition to me into incurring
the same disasters as the people of Noah,
or the people of Hood, or the people of Saaleh;
and the people of Lot are not too far from you.

90. "You shall implore your Lord for forgiveness,
then repent to Him. My Lord is Most Merciful, Kind."

91. They said, "O Shu`aib, we do not
comprehend many of the things
you are telling us, and we see
that you are powerless among us.
If it were not for your tribe,
we would have stoned you.
You have no value for us."

92. He said, "O my people, does my tribe
command a greater respect than
GOD? Is this why you have been
heedless of Him? My Lord is
fully aware of everything you do.

93. "O my people, go on doing what
you wish, and so will I. You will
certainly find out which of us
will incur shameful retribution;
you will find out who the liar is.
Just wait in anticipation, and I will
wait in anticipation along with you."

94. When our judgment came,
we saved Shu`aib and those
who believed with him,
by mercy from us.
As for the evil ones,
they were struck by a disaster
that left them dead in their homes.

95. It was as though they never existed.
Thus, Midyan perished, just like Thamoud had perished before that.


Moses

96. We sent Moses with our signs and a profound authority.

97. To Pharaoh and his elders. But they followed the command of Pharaoh,
and Pharaoh's command was not wise.

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98. He will lead his people on the Day of Resurrection,
all the way to Hell; what a miserable abode to live in!

99. They have incurred condemnation in this life,
as well as on the Day of Resurrection; what a miserable path to follow!


Lessons to be Learned

100. This is news from the past communities that we narrate to you.
Some are still standing, and some have vanished.

101. We never wronged them; they wronged
their own souls. Their gods, whom
they invoked beside GOD,
could not help them in the least
when the judgment of your Lord
came. In fact, they only ensured
their doom.

102. Such was the retribution enforced
by your Lord when the communi-
ties transgressed. Indeed, His
retribution is painful, devastating.

103. This should be a lesson for those
who fear the retribution of the
Hereafter. That is a day when
all the people will be summoned--
a day to be witnessed.

104. We have appointed a specific time
for it to take place.

105. The day it comes to pass, no soul
will utter a single word, except in
accordance with His will.
Some will be miserable,
and some will be happy.

106. As for the miserable ones,
they will be in Hell, wherein they sigh and wail.

107. Eternally they abide therein, for as long as the heavens and the earth endure,
in accordance with the will of your Lord.
Your Lord is doer of whatever He wills.

108. As for the fortunate ones, they will be in Paradise.
Eternally they abide therein, for as long as the heavens and the earth endure,
in accordance with the will of your Lord--an everlasting reward.

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Following Our Parents Blindly
A Great Human Tragedy

109. Do not have any doubt regarding what these people worship;
they worship exactly as they found their parents worshiping.
We will requite them their due share fully, without reduction.

110. We have given Moses the scripture, but it was disputed, and
if it were not for a predetermined word decreed by your Lord,
they would have been judged immediately.
They are full of doubt about this,
suspicious.

111. Your Lord will surely recompense
everyone for their works. He is fully
Cognizant of everything they do.

112. Therefore, continue on the path
you have been enjoined to follow,
together with those who repented
with you, and do not transgress.
He is Seer of everything you do.

113. Do not lean towards those who
have transgressed, lest you incur
Hell, and find no allies to help you
against GOD, then end up losers.

Three of the Five Prayers

114. You shall observe the Contact
Prayers (Salat) at both ends of the
day, and during the night.
The righteous works wipe out
the evil works. This is a reminder
for those who would take heed.

115. You shall steadfastly persevere,
for GOD never fails to recompense the righteous.

116. If only some of those among the previous generations
possessed enough intelligence to forbid evil!
Only a few of them deserved to be saved by us.
As for the transgressors, they were preoccupied
with their material luxuries; they were guilty.

117. Your Lord never annihilates any community unjustly,
while its people are righteous.

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Why Were We Created

118. Had your Lord willed, all the people would have been one congregation
(of believers). But they will always dispute (the truth).

119. Only those blessed with mercy from your Lord (will not dispute the truth).
This is why He created them.* The judgment of your Lord has already
been issued: "I will fill Hell with jinns and humans, all together."**

120. We narrate to you enough history of the messengers to strengthen your heart.
The truth has come to you herein, as well as enlightenments
and reminders for the believers.

121. Say to those who disbelieve, "Do
whatever you can, and so will we.

122. "Then wait; we too will wait."

123. To GOD belongs the future of the
heavens and the earth, and all
matters are controlled by Him.
You shall worship Him and trust in
Him. Your Lord is never unaware
of anything you do.

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*11:119 The Most Merciful has created us on this earth to give us yet another chance to denounce our original crime and to be redeemed (see the Introduction and Appendix 7)
**11:119 God does not put a single person in Hell; they choose and insist upon going to Hell.
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