M. H. Shakir, The Holy Quran; Arabic Text and English Translation; Foot-notes by M. H. Shakir (1974)

of firmness with their Lord. The unbelievers say: This is most surely a manifest enchanter.

3. Surely your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods, and He is firm in power, regulating the affair; there is no intercessor except after His permission; this is Allah, your Lord, therefore serve Him; will you not then mind?

4. To Him is your return, of all (of you); the promise of Allah (made) in truth; surely He begins the creation in the first instance, then He reproduces it, that He may with justice recom­ pense those who believe and do good; and (as for) those who disbelieve, they shall have a drink of hot water and painful punishment because they disbelieved.

5. He it is who made the sun a shining brightness and the moon a light, and ordained for it mansions that you might know the computation of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create it but with truth; He makes the signs manifest for a people who know.