Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)

SÛRAH XXV

Al-Furqân, “The Criterion,” takes its name from a word occurring in v. 1. The subject is the folly of superstition and the craving for miraculous events in face of the wonders of God’s creation.

It belongs to the middle group of Meccan Sûrahs, except vv. 68–70 which were revealed at Al-Madînah.

The Criterion (of Right and Wrong)

1. Blessed is He Who hath revealed unto His slave the Criterion (of right and wrong), that he may be a warner to the peoples.

2. He unto Whom belongeth the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, He hath chosen no son nor hath He any partner in the sovereignty. He hath created everything and hath meted out for it a measure.

3. Yet they choose beside Him other gods who create naught but are themselves created, and possess not hurt nor profit for themselves, and possess not death nor life, nor power to raise the dead.

4. Those who disbelieve say: This is naught but a lie that he hath invented, and other folk have helped him with it, so that they have produced a slander and a lie.

5. And they say: Fables of the men of old which he hath had written down so that they are dictated to him morn and evening.