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

SÛRAH XXXVIII

Ṣad. This Sûrah takes its name from the letter of the Arabic Alphabet which stands alone as the first verse. Tradition says that the first ten verses were revealed when the leaders of Qureysh tried to persuade Abû Talib to withdraw his protection from the Prophet, or when Abû Talib died. The former is the more probable.

Its place is early in the middle group of Meccan Sûrahs.

Ṣad

1. Ṣad.

2. By the renowned Qur’ân,

3. Nay, but those who disbelieve are in false pride and schism.

4. How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape!

5. And they marvel that a warner from among themselves hath, come unto them, and the disbelievers say: This is a wizard, a charlatan.

6. Maketh he the gods One God? Lo! that is an astounding thing.

7. The chiefs among them go about, exhorting: Go and be staunch to your gods! Lo! this is a thing designed.

8. We have not heard of this in later religion. This is naught but an invention.

9. Hath, the reminder been revealed unto him (alone) among us? Nay, but they are in doubt concerning My reminder; nay but they have not yet tasted My doom.