Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)
though he had not cried unto us because of a misfortune that afflicted him. Thus is what they do made (seeming) fair unto the prodigal.
14. We destroyed the generations before you when they did wrong; and their messengers (from Allah) came unto them with clear proofs (of His Sovereignty) but they would not believe. Thus do We reward the guilty folk.
15. Then We appointed you viceroys in the earth after them, that We might see how ye behave.
16. And when Our clear revelations are recited unto them, they who look not for the meeting with Us say: Bring a Lecture 1 other than this, or change it. Say (O Muhammad): It is not for me to change it of my own accord. I only follow that which is inspired in me. Lo! if I disobey my Lord I fear the retribution of an awful Day.
17. Say: If Allah had so willed I should not have recited it to you nor would He have made it known to you. I dwelt among you a whole lifetime before it (came to me). Have ye then no sense?
18. Who doeth greater wrong than he who inventeth a lie concerning Allah and denieth His revelations? Lo! the guilty never are successful.
19. They worship beside Allah that which neither hurteth them nor profiteth them, and they say: These are our intercessors with Allah. Say: Would ye inform Allah of (something) that He knoweth not in the heavens or in the earth? Praised be He and high exalted above all that ye associate (with Him)!
20. Mankind were but one community; then they differed; and had it not been for a word that had already gone forth from thy Lord it had been judged between them in respect of that wherein they differ.
1 Ar. Qur’ân.
