11HūdHūdسُورَةُ هود

Alif-Lām-Ra’ [A-L-R]. A divine Writ [is this], with [miraculous] messages that have been made clear in and by themselves, and have been distinctly spelled out as well — [bestowed upon you] out of the [bonding] grace of One who is wise, all-aware,

So that you may adapt to none but Allah. [Say, O Prophet], “Behold, I come to you from Him [as] a warner and a bearer of good news:

“Ask your Sustainer to forgive you your sins [and impulsiveness] and then turn toward Him in repentance — [whereupon] He will grant you a proper enjoyment of life [in this world] until a term set [by Him is fulfilled]; and [in the life to come] He will bestow upon everyone possessed of merit [a full reward for] his merit. But if you turn away, then, verily, I dread for you the suffering [that is bound to befall you] on that massive Day!

“Unto Allah you all must return; and He has the power to will anything.”

Oh, verily, they [who are bent on denying the truth and justice of this divine Writ] are enshrouding their hearts in order to hold back from Him. Oh, verily, [even] when they cover themselves with their [status] fashions [in order not to see or hear], He knows all that they keep secret as well as all that they bring into the open — for, behold, He has full knowledge of what is [concealed] in the bosoms.1

And there is no living creature on earth but depends for its sustenance on Allah; and He knows its time limit [on earth] and its resting-place [after death]: all [this] is laid down in [His] patent record.

And He it is who has created the heavens and the earth in six eons; and [ever since He has willed to create life], the throne of His almightiness has rested upon water. [Allah reminds you of your dependence on Him] in order to test you [and thus to make manifest] which of you is best in [conduct and] deed. For thus it is: if you say [to people], “Look! You shall be raised again after death!” — they who are bent on denying the truth [about Allah’s ability and authority] are sure to answer, “This [life after death] is clearly nothing but an enchanting delusion!”

And thus it is: if We defer their suffering until a time limit set [by Us], they are sure to say, “What is preventing it [from coming now]?” Oh, truly, on the Day when it befalls them there will be nothing to avert it from them; and they shall be overwhelmed by the very thing they were keen to deride.

And thus it is: if We let man sample some of Our grace, and then take it away from him — watch how he abandons all hope, forgetting all gratitude [for Our past favors].

And thus it is: if We let him experience ease and plenty after hardship has visited him, he is sure to say, “Gone is all affliction from me!” — for, behold, he is given to vain exultation, and glories only in himself.

[And thus it is with many] save those who persevere and do righteous [and decent] deeds: it is they whom forgiveness of sins [and lapses] awaits, and a great reward.

Is it, then, conceivable [O Prophet] that you could omit any part of what is being revealed to you [because the deniers of Allah’s truth and justice dislike it, and] because your heart is distressed at their saying, “Why has not a treasure been bestowed upon him from on high?” — or, “[Why has not] an angel come [visibly] with him?” [They fail to understand that] you are only a warner, whereas Allah has everything in His care;

And so they assert, “[Muhammad himself] has invented this [Qur’an]!” Say [to them], “Produce, then, ten sūrahs of similar merit, invented [by yourselves], and [to this end] call to your aid whomever you can, other than Allah, if what you say is true!

And if they [whom you have called to your aid in an effort to match up with this Qur’an] are not able to help you, then know that [this Qur’an] has been bestowed from on high out of Allah’s wisdom alone, and that there is no deity/authority except Him. Will you, then, [willfully] surrender yourselves unto Him?”

And for those who care for [no more than] the life of this world and its opulence, We shall repay them in full for all they did in this [life], and they shall not be deprived of their just due therein:

[Yet] it is they who, in the life to come, shall have nothing but the Fire — for in vain shall be all they produced in this [world], and pointless is all they ever did!

Can, then, [he who cares for no more than the life of this world be compared with] one who takes his stand on a clear evidence from his Sustainer, conveyed through [this] testimony from Him, as was the revelation presented to Mūsā aforetime — [a divine writ ordained by Him] to be a guidance and grace [for all]? They [who understand this power-obvious message — it is they alone who truly] believe in it [with commitment]; whereas for any of those who, leagued together [in common hostility], do deny its Godly truth — the Fire shall be their appointed state [in the life to come]. And so, be not in [a state of] uncertainty about this [revelation]: behold, it is truth and justice from your Sustainer, even though most people will not commit to it.

And who could be more inequitable than they who attribute their own lying inventions to Allah? [On the Day of Judgement, such as] these shall be arraigned before their Sustainer, and those who are called upon to bear witness [against them] shall say, “It is they who uttered lies about their Sustainer!” Oh, definitely, Allah’s rejection is the due of all justice violators,

Who deter others away from the path of Allah and pursue a crooked course [and strategy] — since it is they, they who refuse to acknowledge the truth of the life to come!

Never can they elude [their final reckoning, even if they remain unscathed] on earth: never will they find anyone who could protect them from Allah. [In the life to come] double suffering will be imposed on them for having lost the ability to attend to [the truth] and having failed to take notice [of it].

It is they who have squandered their own selves — for [on the Day of Resurrection] all their false imagery will have forsaken them:

Truly it is they, they who in the life to come shall be the ultimate losers!

Behold, [only] those who are committed via faith [in Allah] and due righteous deeds and humble themselves before their Sustainer — [only] they are destined for Paradise, and there shall they abide.

These two types [of people], may be likened to the blind and deaf and the visionary and the apprehender! Can these two be deemed alike in [their] nature? Will you not, then, keep this in mind?

And indeed, [it was with the same message that] We sent forth Nūḥ to his people, “Behold, I come to you with the plain warning

“That you may conform to none but Allah — for, truthfully, I fear lest suffering befall you on a painful Day!”

But the elites among his people, who refused to acknowledge the truth [about Nūḥ’s divine message], answered, “We do not see in you anything but a mortal man like ourselves; and we do not see that any follow you except those who are quite obviously the most abject among us; and we do not see that you could be in any way superior to us: on the contrary, we think that you [all] are liars!”

Said [Nūḥ], “O my people! What do you think? If [it is true that] I am taking my stand on a clear evidence from my Sustainer, who has granted me grace from Himself — [a revelation] to which you have remained blind — [if this be true], can we force it on you even though it be hateful to you?

“And, O my people, no compensation do I ask of you for [delivering] this [message from Allah]: my reward rests with none but Allah. And I shall not expel [from my company any of] those who have committed themselves [to Allah’s authority and superiority]. Indeed, they [know they] are destined to meet their Sustainer, whereas in you I see people without any awareness [of the right and wrong in this issue]!

“And, O my people, who would shield me from Allah were I to expel them [from my companionship]? Will you not, then, keep this in mind?

“And I do not say to you, ‘Allah’s treasures are in my possession’; nor [do I say], ‘I know the reality that is beyond the reach of human perception’; nor do I say, ‘Look! I am an angel’; nor do I say of those whom your eyes hold in contempt, ‘Never will Allah give them any good’ — for Allah is fully aware of what is in their inner selves. [Were I to speak thus], beyond doubt, I would indeed be among the evildoing oppressors.”

[But the power elites] said, “O Nūḥ! You have contended with us in argument, and have [needlessly] prolonged our argument and disagreement: bring upon us, therefore, that with which you do threaten us, if you are a man of truth!”

He answered, “Only Allah can bring it upon you, if He so wills, and you shall not elude it:

“For, my advice will not benefit you — much as I desire to give you good advice — if it be Allah’s will that you shall remain lost in grievous error. He is your Sustainer, and to Him you must return.”

Do some, perchance, assert, “[Muhammad] has invented this [story]”? Say [O Prophet], “If I have invented it, upon me be this sin; but far be it from me to commit the sin of which you are criminally guilty.”

And this was revealed to Nūḥ, “Never will any of your people commit [themselves to Me] except those who have already done so. Be not, then, distressed by anything that they may do,

“But build, under Our supervision and according to Our inspiration, the ark [that shall save you and those who follow you]; and do not appeal to Me on behalf of those who are bent on oppressive evildoing — for, behold, they are destined to be drowned!”

And [so Nūḥ] set himself to building the ark; and every time the elites of his people passed by him, they mocked him. [Thereupon] he said, “If you are ridiculing us — in reality, we are ridiculing you [and your ignorance], just as you are ridiculing us.

“But in time you will come to know who it is that [in this world] shall be visited by suffering, which will cover him with ignominy, and upon whom long lasting suffering shall alight [in the life to come]!”

[And so it went on] until, when Our judgement came to pass, and waters gushed forth in torrents over the face of the earth, We said [to Nūḥ], “Place on board this [ark] one pair of each [kind of animal] of either sex, as well as your family — except those on whom [Our] sentence has already been passed — and all [others] who have committed themselves [to Us]!” — for, only a few [of Nūḥ’s people] shared his commitment.

So he said [to his followers], “Embark in this [ship]! In the name of Allah be its sail and its anchorage! Certainly, my Sustainer is indeed much-forgiving, very merciful!”

And it [the ark] drifted on with them into waves that were like mountains. At that [moment] Nūḥ cried out to a son of his, who had kept himself aloof [from the others], “O my dear son! Embark with us, and remain not with those who deny the truth [about Allah’s power and authority]!”

[But the son] answered, “I shall betake myself to a mountain that will protect me from the [rising] waters.” Said [Nūḥ], “Today there is no protection [for anyone] from Allah’s judgement, except [for] those who have earned [His] mercy!” And a wave intruded between them, and [the son] was among those who were drowned.

And the word was spoken, “O earth! Drain your waters! And O sky, cease [your rainfall]!” Thus, the waters sank into the earth, and the whole affair was over [by Allah’s determination], and the ark came to rest on Mt. Jūdī. And the word was spoken, “Away with these offending evildoing folk!”

And Nūḥ called out to his Sustainer, and said, “O my Sustainer! Verily, my son is of my family; and, verily, Your promise always comes true, and You are the most just of all judges!”

[Allah] answered, “O Nūḥ, behold, he was not of your family, for, verily, he was an act cruelly unbecoming. And you shall not ask of Me anything whereof you cannot have any knowledge: thus, behold, do I caution you lest you become one of those who are unaware [of what is right in circumstances like this].”

Said [Nūḥ], “O my Sustainer! Certainly, I seek refuge with You from [ever again] asking of You anything whereof I cannot have any knowledge! For unless You grant me forgiveness, and bestow Your mercy upon me I shall be among those who are lost!”

[Thereupon] the word was spoken [from on high], “O Nūḥ! Disembark in peace from Us, and with [Our] blessing upon you as well as upon the people [who are with you, and the righteous ones that will spring from you and] from those who are with you. But [as for the unrighteous] folk [that will spring from you] — We shall allow them to enjoy life [for a little while], and then there will befall them grievous suffering from Us.”

These accounts of something that was beyond the reach of your perception [O Muhammad] We [now] reveal to you, [ for] neither you nor your people knew them [fully] before this [revelation]. Be, then, [like Nūḥ], patient in times of difficulty — for, indeed, the future belongs to those conscious [of Allah’s power and authority]!

And to [the tribe of] ‘Ād [We sent] their brother Hūd. He said, “O my people! Comply with Allah [alone]: you have no deity/authority other than Him. [As it is], you are but inventors of falsehood [in your perception and beliefs about power and authority]!

“O my people! No compensation do I ask of you for this [divine message]: my reward rests with none but Him who brought me into being. Will you not, then, use your reason?

“Hence, O my people, ask your Sustainer to forgive you your sins [and transgressions], and then turn toward Him in repentance — [whereupon] He will shower upon you abundant heavenly blessings, and will add strength to your strength: only do not turn away [from me] like people [who are] lost in sin and wrongdoings!”

Said they, “O Hūd! You have brought us no clear evidence [that you are a prophet]; and we are not going to forsake our gods on your mere word, the more so as we do not believe you.

We can say no more than that one of our gods may have smitten you with something evil!” Answered [ Hūd], “Behold, I call Allah to witness — and you, too, be [my] witnesses — that, indeed, it is not in me to ascribe divinity/ authority, as you do, to anything/anyone

“Beside Him! Contrive, then, [anything you may wish] against me, all of you, and give me no respite!

“Actually, I have placed my trust in Allah, [who is] my Sustainer as well as your Sustainer; for there is no living creature that He does not hold by its forelock. In all honesty: straight is my Sustainer’s way!

“But if you choose to turn away [from these facts], then [know that] I have delivered to you the message with which I was sent to you, and [that] my Sustainer may cause another people to take your place, whereas you will not be able to harm Him at all. Rightly, my Sustainer watches and takes into account all things!”

And so, when Our judgement came to pass, by Our grace We saved Hūd and those who shared his faith responsibilities; and We saved them [too] from severe suffering [in the life to come].

And that was [the end of the tribe of] ‘Ād, [who] had rejected their Sustainer’s [commanding] messages, and rebelled against His apostles, and followed the bidding of every stubborn tyrant.

And they were pursued in this world by [Allah’s] rejection, and [shall finally be overtaken by it] on the Day of Resurrection. Oh, for sure, [the tribe of] ‘Ād denied [and rejected] their Sustainer! Oh, away with ‘Ād, the people of Hūd!

And to [the society of] Thamūd [We sent] their brother Ṣāliḥ [as Our messenger]. He said, “O my people! Comply with Allah [alone]: you have no deity/authority other than Him. He initiated you into being out of the earth, and made you develop thereon. Ask Him, therefore, to forgive you your sins and wrongdoings, and then turn toward Him in repentance — for, indeed, my Sustainer is ever-near, responsive [to the call of whoever calls upon Him]!”

They answered, “O Ṣāliḥ! Great hopes did we place in you before this! Would you forbid us to revere what our forefathers were accustomed to revere? Because [of this], behold, we are in grave doubt, amounting to suspicion, about [the meaning of] your call to us!”

He retorted, “O my people! What do you think? If [it be true that] I am taking my stand on clear evidence from my Sustainer, who has granted me grace from Himself — [if this be true], who would shield me from Allah were I to dissent against Him? Hence, what you are offering me is not more than a total forfeiture!”

And [then he said], “O my people! This she-camel belonging to Allah shall be a token for you: so leave her alone to pasture on Allah’s earth, and do her no harm, lest speedy affliction befall you!”

But they cruelly slaughtered her. And thereupon [Ṣāliḥ] said, “[Only] for three [more] days shall you enjoy [normal] life in your homes: this is a judgement that will not be disproved!”

And so, when Our judgement came to pass, by Our grace We saved Ṣāliḥ and those who shared his faith responsibilities; and [We saved them, too], from the ignominy of [Our rejection on] that Day [of Resurrection]. Verily, your Sustainer alone is the Powerful, the Grand.

And the blast [of Allah’s punishment] overtook those who had been bent on evildoing and oppression: and then they lay lifeless, in their very homes, on the ground,

As though they had never lived there. O, verily, [the tribe of] Thamūd denied their Sustainer [His attributes of power and authority]! Oh, away with the Thamūd!

And, indeed, there came unto Ibrāhīm Our [heavenly] messengers, bearing a good news. They bade him peace; [and] he answered, “[And upon you be] peace!” — and made haste to place before them a roasted calf.

But when he saw that their hands did not reach out toward it, he deemed their conduct strange and became apprehensive of them. [But] they said, “Fear not! Behold, we are sent to the people of Lūṭ.”

And his wife, standing [nearby], laughed [with happiness]; whereupon We gave her the glad tiding of [the birth of] Isḥāq [Isaac] and, after Isḥāq, [the good news] of [his son] Ya‘qūb [Jacob].

Said she, “Oh, I despair! Shall I bear a child, now that I am an old woman and this husband of mine is an old man? Truly, that would be a strange thing indeed!”

Answered [the messengers], Do you deem it strange that Allah should decree what He wills? The grace of Allah and His blessings be upon you, O people of the house! Rightly, ever to be praised, sublime is He!”

And when the anxiety had left Ibrāhīm, and the good news had been conveyed to him, he began to plead with Us for Lūṭ’s people:

For, behold, Ibrāhīm was most clement, most tenderhearted, intent upon turning to Allah again and again.

[But Allah’s messengers replied], “O Ibrāhīm! Desist from this [pleading]! Behold, your Sustainer’s judgement has already gone forth: and, verily, there shall fall upon them an affliction that none can avert!”

And when Our messengers came to Lūṭ, he was sorely grieved on their account, seeing that it was beyond his power to shield them [from the sexual deviation of his people]; and he exclaimed, “This is a woeful day!”

And his people came running to him, impelled toward his house [by their desire]: for they had ever been accustomed to commit [such] abominations. Said [Lūṭ], “O my people! [Take instead] these daughters of mine [my society]: they are purer for you [than men]! Be, then, on your guard [concerning Allah’s corrective power], and disgrace me not by [assaulting] my guests. Is there not among you even one right-minded man?”

They answered, “You have always known that we have no use whatever for your daughters; and, verily, you know very well what we want!”

Exclaimed [Lūṭ], “I wish I had the strength to overpower you, or that I could lean upon some mightier support!”

[Whereupon the angels] said, “O Lūṭ! Behold, we are messengers from your Sustainer! Never shall [your enemies] attain to you! Depart, then, with your household while it is yet night, and let none of you look back; [and take with you all your family] with the exception of your wife: for, behold, that which is to befall these [people of Sodom] shall befall her [as well]. Verily, their appointed time is the morning — [and] is not the morning nearly here?”

And so, when Our judgement came to pass, We turned those [sexually perverted sinful towns] upside down, and rained down upon them stone-hard blows of affliction pre-ordained, one upon another,

Marked out in your Sustainer’s sight [for the punishment of such as are lost in sin]. And these [blows of God-willed doom] are never far from tyrannical evildoers.

And to [the people of] Madyan [We sent] their brother Shu‘ayb. He said, “O my people! Conform to Allah [alone]: you have no deity/authority other than Him; and do not give short measure and weight [in any of your dealings with others]. Behold, I see you [now] in a prosperous state; but, verily I dread lest suffering befall you on a Day that will encompass [you with doom]!

“Hence, O people, [always] give full measure and weight, with equity, and do not deprive people of what is rightfully theirs, and do not act viciously on earth by spreading corruption.

“That which is Allah’s allocation is best for you, if you but commit yourselves [to Him]! However, I am not your keeper.”

Said they, “O Shu‘ayb! Does your [habit of] prayer communication compel you to demand of us that we give up all that our forefathers were accustomed to venerate, or that we refrain from [the freedom of] doing whatever we please with our possessions? Behold, [you will have us believe that] you are indeed the only clement, the only right-minded man!”

He answered, “O my people! What do you think? If [it be true] I am taking my stand on a clear evidence from my Sustainer, who has granted me goodly sustenance [as a gift] from Himself — [how could I speak to you otherwise than I do]? And yet, I have no desire to do, out of opposition to you, what I am asking you not to do: I desire no more than to set things right insofar as it lies within my power; but the achievement of my aim depends on Allah alone. In Him have I placed my trust, and to Him do I always turn!

“And, O my people, let not [your] dissent from me drive you into sin, lest there befall you the like of what befell the people of Nūḥ, or the people of Hūd, or the people of Ṣāliḥ: and [remember that] the people of Lūṭ lived not very far from you!

“Hence, ask your Sustainer to forgive you your sins, and then turn toward Him in repentance — for, verily, my Sustainer is very merciful, a fount of [reciprocal] love!”

[But his people] said, “O Shu‘ayb! We cannot grasp the purport of much of what you say; on the other hand, behold, we do see clearly how weak you are in our midst: and were it not for your relatives, we would have most certainly stoned you to death, considering that you have no power over us!”

Said he, “O my people! Do you hold my relatives in greater esteem than Allah? — for, Him you regard as something that may be cast behind you and be forgotten! Verily, my Sustainer encompasses [with His might] all that you do!

“Hence, O my people, do [to me] anything that may be within your power [and is dictated by your status], [while] I, behold, shall labor [in Allah’s way]; in time you will come to know which [of us] shall be visited by suffering that will cover him with ignominy, and which [of us] is a liar. Wait and see, then, [for what is coming]: behold, I shall wait and see with you!”

And so, when Our judgement came to pass, by Our grace We saved Shu‘ayb and those who shared his faith responsibilities, whereas the blast [of Our punishment] overtook those who had been bent on offensive conduct: and then they lay lifeless, in their very homes, on the ground,

As though they had never lived there. Oh, away with [the people of] Madyan, even as Thamūd have been done away with!

And We sent Mūsā with Our demonstrations of power (ayāt) and manifest authority

To Pharaoh and his elite. [But] they [the people] followed the order of Pharaoh although Pharaoh’s order was not prudent.

He shall precede his people on the Day of Resurrection, leading them to the Fire; and vile was the destination toward which they were led —

Seeing that they were tagged by Allah’s condemnation in this [world] and [shall be finally overtaken by it] on the Day of Resurrection; [and] repulsive was their dependency acquisition [the dependency and trust in their Pharaoh].

This account of the [fate of those ancient] civil societies — some of them still remaining, and some [extinct like] a field mowed down — We convey to you [as a lesson for mankind]:

For, no wrong did We do to them, but it was they who wronged themselves. And when your Sustainer’s judgement came to pass, those [false] deities/authorities of theirs that they had been accustomed to invoke instead of Allah proved of no avail whatsoever to them, and brought them no more than total thrashing.

And such is your Sustainer’s punishing grasp whenever He takes to task any society that is given to injustice: verily, His punishing grasp is grievous, severe!

Herein, behold, lies a [power] message indeed for all who fear the suffering [that may befall them] in the life to come, [and are conscious of the coming of] that Day on which all mankind shall be gathered together — that Day [of Judgement] that shall be witnessed [by all who ever lived],

And which We shall not delay beyond a term set [by Us].

When that Day comes, not a living being will speak, unless it be by His leave; and of those [who are gathered together], some will be wretched and some, happy.

Now as for those who [by their deeds] will have brought wretchedness upon themselves, [they shall live] in the Fire, where they will have [nothing but] moans and sobs [to relieve their pain],

Therein to abide as long as the heavens and the earth endure — unless your Sustainer wills it otherwise: for, of a certainty, your Sustainer is a sovereign doer of whatever He wills.

But as for those who [by virtue of their outstanding past deeds] will have been blessed with happiness, [they shall live] in Paradise, therein to abide as long as the heavens and the earth endure — unless your Sustainer wills it otherwise — as a gift unceasing.

And so, [O Prophet], be not in doubt about anything that those [misguided people] revere: they but [thoughtlessly] revere as their forefathers revered aforetime; and, behold, We shall most certainly give them their full due [for whatever good or evil they have earned], without diminishing anything thereof.

And, indeed, [similar was the case when] We vouchsafed the divine writ to Mūsā, and some of his people set their own views against it; and had it not been for a decree [of postponing due punishment] that had already gone forth from your Sustainer, judgement would indeed have been passed on them [then and there]: for, behold, they were in grave doubt, amounting to suspicion, about him [who called them to Allah].

And, verily, to each and all will your Sustainer give their full due for whatever [good or evil] they may have done: surely, He is aware of all that they do!

Pursue, then, the right course, as you have been ordered [by Allah], together with all who, with you, have turned to Him; and let none of you behave in an overweening manner: for, verily, He sees all that you do.

And do not incline toward, and do not rely upon, those who are set on injustice lest the Fire [of the hereafter] touch you: for [then] you would have none to protect you from Allah, nor would you ever be supported [by Him].

And be systematic with your ṣalāh at the beginning and at the end of the day, as well as during the early watches of the night: for, verily, good deeds drive away evil deeds: this is a reminder to all who bear [Allah] in mind.

And be [positively] patient [when the odds are against you]: for, verily, Allah does not fail to compensate those who strive to do better!

But, alas, among those generations [whom We destroyed] before your time there were no people endowed with any virtue — [no people] who would speak out against the [spread of] corruption on earth — except the few of them whom We saved [because of their justice and righteousness], whereas those who were bent on injustice only pursued pleasures that corrupted their whole being, and so lost themselves in sinning and criminality.

For, never would your Sustainer destroy a society for wrong [beliefs alone] so long as its people behave righteously [toward one another].

And had your Sustainer so willed, He could surely have made all humanity one single society, but [He willed it otherwise, and so] they continue to hold divergent views —

[All of them], except those upon whom your Sustainer has bestowed His grace. And to this end has He created them [all]. But [as for those who refuse to avail themselves of divine guidance], that word of your Sustainer shall be fulfilled, “Most certainly will I fill Hell with jinn as well as with humans, all together!”

And [remember], out of all the accounts relating to the [earlier] apostles We convey to you [only] that by which We [aim to] make firm your determination: for through these [accounts] comes the truth to you, as well as an admonition and a reminder to all committed muslims.

And say to those who will not commit themselves [to Allah’s power and authority], “Do anything that may be within your power, [while] we, behold, shall labor [in Allah’s way];

“And wait [for what is coming]: behold, we too are waiting!”

And Allah alone comprehends the hidden reality of the heavens and the earth: for, all that exists goes back to Him [as its source]. Conform to Him, then, and place your trust in Him alone: for your Sustainer is not unaware of what you do.