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willing to believe. 34 Let them face the Day on which they will
produce a scripture like it, if be struck dumb, 46 the Day when
what they say is true. none of their scheming will be of
35 Were they created out of the least avail to them, and they
nothing, or are they their own will receive no succour. 47 Truly,
creators? 36 Did they create the for those who do wrong there is
heavens and the earth? No! They a punishment besides that,
have no faith. 37 Do they own though most of them do not
the treasures of your Lord, or know it.
53:23 The Setting Star 403
48 Sowait patiently for the the praises of your Lord when
Judgement of your Lord—you you rise up [from your sleep].
are certainly under Our watchful 49 Extol His glory at night, and at
eye. And glorify and celebrate the setting of the stars.
5 3 . T H E S E T T I N G S TA R
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
causes death and gives life; 45 and those of former times. 57 The
that He Himself created the two Hour that was to come draws
sexes: male and female, 46 from ever nearer. 58 None but God can
an ejected drop of sperm; 47 and avert it. 59 Do you then find these
that He will bring about the tidings strange? 60 Why do you
Second Creation; 48 that it is He laugh rather than weep? 61 Will
who gives wealth and you remain proudly heedless?
possessions; 49 that He is the 62 Prostrate yourselves before
downcast eyes they shall come rejected the truth. How terrible
out of their graves, as if they was My punishment and My
were locusts milling about warning. 19 We sent a raging
8 hastening towards the Crier. wind against them on a day of
Those who deny the truth will continuous calamity. 20 It swept
cry, ‘This is such a hard day!’ people away as if they were
9 The people of Noah denied trunks of uprooted palm trees.
21
[the truth] before them. They How [dreadful] was My
belied Our messenger saying, punishment and My warning!
22
‘He is mad!’ He was rebuffed, We have made it easy to learn
10 so he cried out to his Lord, lessons from the Quran: is there
saying, ‘I am overcome, so help anyone who would receive
me!’ 11 So We opened the gates admonition?
23
of the sky with water pouring The tribe of Thamud also
down in torrents, 12 and We rejected Our warnings: 24 they
caused the earth to burst with said, ‘Are we to follow a man
gushing springs: so that the from amongst ourselves? We
waters met for a purpose which would surely then fall into error
had been decreed. 13 We bore and madness. 25 Has the [Divine]
him on an [ark] which, made of message been revealed to him
planks and nails, 14 floated on alone of all of us? No, he is a
under Our eyes: a vindication of boastful liar.’ 26 [We said to him]
him who had been rejected. 15 We ‘Tomorrow they shall know who
have left this as a sign: but will is the boastful liar, 27 for We are
anyone take heed? 16 How [going to] send the she-camel as
terrible then was My punishment a trial for them, so watch them
54:48 The Moon 407
and be patient. 28 And tell them morning the punishment decreed
that the water [of the well] is to overtook them—39 ‘Taste My
be divided between them, and punishment now that you have
that each one should drink in scorned My warnings!’ 40 We
turn.’ 29 But they called their have made it easy indeed to learn
companion who took a sword lessons from the Quran. Is there
and hamstrung her. 30 How anyone who would receive
[terrible] were My punishment admonition?
and My warnings! 31 Then 41 Surely warners came to the
from. Is there anyone who would the truth better than those? Or
receive admonition? have you been given immunity
33
The people of Lot rejected in the Scriptures? 44 Or do they
Our warnings. 34 We sent a say, ‘We are a united group, and
sandstorm against them which we are bound to prevail’? 45 The
destroyed them all, except the hosts shall soon be routed and
family of Lot, whom We saved at they shall be put to flight.
the break of dawn, 35 as a blessing 46 Indeed, the Hour of Doom is
from Us: this is how We reward their appointed time, and the
the thankful. 36 Lot warned them Last Hour will be the most severe,
of Our punishment, but they and the most bitter. 47 The evil-
disputed the warnings—37 they doers are indeed sunk in error
even wanted to seduce his and folly—48 on the Day when
guests—but We blinded them, they are dragged into the fire on
and said, ‘Taste My punishment their faces, it will be said to
now that you have scorned My them, ‘Now feel the touch of
warnings!’—38 and early in the Hell!’
408 The Quran 54:49
49 We
have created everything their deeds are recorded in their
in due measure; 50 We command books: 53 every action, small or
but once: Our will is done in the great, is noted down. 54 The God-
twinkling of an eye; 51 We have conscious will find themselves
indeed destroyed many a people in gardens and rivers, 55 in the
like you. Is there anyone who seat of truth with an all-powerful
would receive admonition? 52 All sovereign.
1
The Merciful 2 who taught the wonders would you deny? 14 He
Quran—3 He created man 4 and has created man, from dry ringing
He taught him speech. 5 The sun clay, like the potter’s, 15 and He
and the moon move according to created the jinns from a flame of
a fixed reckoning; 6 the stars and fire. 16 Which of your Lord’s
the trees bend in prostration. wonders would you deny? 17 He
7
He raised the heavens and set is the Lord of the two easts and
up the measure, 8 so that you the Lord of the two wests.
18
should not transgress the Which of your Lord’s wonders
measure. 9 Always measure would you deny? 19 He has set
with justice and do not give the two oceans in motion,
short measure. converging together. 20 Between
10
He has laid out the earth for them is a barrier, which they do
His creatures. 11 On it are fruits not overrun. 21 Which of your
and palm-trees with sheathed Lord’s wonders would you deny?
clusters [of dates], 12 and grains 22
Pearls and corals come forth
with their husk and fragrant from both of them. 23 Which, of
plants. 13 Which of your Lord’s your Lord’s wonders would you
55:45 The Merciful 409
deny? 24 His are the lofty ships, 37 When the sky is rent asunder,
that rear aloft on the sea like and becomes red like red leather,
mountains. 25 Which of your 38 which of your Lord’s wonders
Lord’s wonders would you deny? would you deny? 39 For, on that
26 All that is on the earth is Day, neither man nor jinn will be
doomed to perish, 27 while your questioned about his sins.
Lord’s own Self will remain full 40 Which of your Lord’s wonders
you deny? 58 [There will be] would you deny? 76 [They will
maidens as fair as corals and rubies. live in such a paradise] reclining
59 Which of your Lord’s wonders upon green cushions and the
would you deny? 60 The reward finest carpets. 77 Which of your
of goodness shall be nothing but Lord’s wonders would you deny?
goodness. 61 Which of your 78
Blessed be your Lord’s name,
Lord’s wonders would you deny? full of glory and majesty!
(411)
5 6 . T H E I N E V I TA B L E E V E N T
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
1 When the inevitable event takes goblets and ewers and cups filled
place, 2 and there can be no with the purest wine, 19 neither
denying its happening, 3 some causing headaches, nor
shall be abased and others intoxication; 20 along with fruits
exalted. 4 When the earth is of their choice; 21 and the meat
shaken violently, 5 and the of any bird that they may desire;
22
mountains are totally shattered and fair maidens with large,
and crumble to pieces 6 and lustrous eyes 23 like the pearls in
become like scattered dust their shells: 24 shall be their
particles, 7 [on that Day] you shall recompense for their deeds.
be divided into three groups.a 25
They will not hear therein any
8 Those on the Right—how
blessed are those on the Right! a In the present world, man observes
9 Those on the Left—how
that he is free to do whatever he likes.
unlucky are those on the Left! So the question of retribution in the
10 The third to the fore shall be Hereafter makes no impact on his
the foremost. 11 They shall be the mind. But the formation of the ‘other
world’ is just as possible as the
nearest to God. 12 They will dwell formation of the present world. When
in the Gardens of Bliss: 13 a large that time comes, the whole system will
group of the early believers, be reversed. Those people who were
14 and a lesser number from the higher in position will go down and
later generations. 15 Seated on those who were lower in position will
couches wrought in gold and be seen up above. At that time human
beings will be divided into three
encrusted with precious stones,
16 reclining on them facing each groups, forward group (al-sabiqun),
people of the Right (ashab al-yamin)
other; 17 they will be waited on and people of the Left (ashab al-
by ageless youths 18 carrying shimal).
412 The Quran 56:26
vain or sinful talk, 26 only the also our forefathers?’ 49 Say,
words of peace and tranquillity. ‘Indeed, the earlier ones and the
27 Those on the Right, how later ones 50 will indeed be
fortunate are those on the Right! gathered together at a fixed time
28 They shall recline on high on an appointed Day. 51 Then
amidst lote trees without thorns you, you misguided ones, who
29 and clustered bananas, 30 and deny the truth, 52 shall eat the
spreading shade 31 and flowing fruit of the tree of Zaqqum,
water, 32 and fruits in abundance, 53 and fill your bellies with it,
33 54
never-ending and unrestricted, and shall drink boiling water
34 on raised couches. 35 We have on top of that. 55 You shall drink
created maidens perfectly 36 and it as the thirsty camels drink.’
made them virgins, 37 loving 56
This shall be their
companions, matching in age, entertainment on the Day of
38
for those on the Right, 39 a Judgement.
large group of the earlier people 57 We have created you: why
40
and a large group of those of then do you not accept the truth?
later times. 58 Have you thought about [the
41
Those on the Left: how semen] that you discharge—
unfortunate are those on the Left! 59 did you create it or did We?
42 60
They will find themselves in It is We who have ordained
scorching wind and scalding death for all of you; and We
water, 43 and under the shadow cannot be prevented 61 from
of black smoke, 44 neither cool replacing you by others like
nor refreshing. 45 They had been yourselves or changing your
affluent before, 46 and they forms and re-creating you in
persisted obstinately in awful forms that you know nothing of.
sin, 47 and they used to say, 62 You have certainly known the
‘What! After we have died and first creation. Why, then, do you
become dust and bones, shall we not take heed? 63 Have you
indeed be raised up again? 48 And thought about what crops you
56:96 The Inevitable Event 413
plant? 64 Is it you who cause worlds. 81 How can you regard
them to grow or do We? 65 If We this discourse with disdain? 82 Do
so pleased, We could turn your you make its denial your means
harvest into chaff. Then you of livelihood?
would start lamenting, 66 ‘We 83 Why, then, when the soul of
are ruined, 67 nay, we are deprived the dying man reaches the throat,
[altogether].’ 68 Have you 84 and you are [at that moment]
In the life to come there will be with evidence and, with them,
a terrible punishment, or God’s We sent down the Book and the
forgiveness and approval: the Scales of Justice, so that men
life of this world is nothing but might act in all fairness. We sent
means of deception. 21 Vie with down iron with its great inherent
one another for your Lord’s strength and its many benefits
forgiveness and for a Paradise as for mankind, so that God might
vast as heaven and earth, which know who would stand up for
has been made ready for those God, though unseen, and His
who believe in God and His messengers. God is powerful,
messengers. Such is God’s grace. and almighty.
He bestows it upon whoever He 26 We sent forth Noah and
1
God has indeed heard the words pronouncing, ‘To me you are
of the woman who pleads with like my mother’s back,’ must
you about her husband and lays concede that they are not their
her complaint before God: God mothers; none are their mothers
hears what the two of you have except those who gave birth to
to say. God is all hearing, all them—surely they utter an evil
seeing. word and a lie. God is pardoning,
2 Those who separate forgiving. 3 Those who put away
themselves from their wives by their wives by equating them
418 The Quran 58:4
with their mothers, and then wish knows all that is in the heavens
to go back on what they have and on the earth? There is not a
said, must set free a slave before secret consultation between
the couple may touch one another three, but He makes the fourth
again. This is what you are among them—nor between five
exhorted to do. God is fully but He makes the sixth—nor
aware of what you do, 4 and anyone between fewer nor more, but He
who does not have the means is in their midst, wherever they
must fast for two consecutive may be: in the end He will tell
months before they touch each them the truth about their
other, and who is not able to do conduct, on the Day of
that must feed sixty needy people. Judgement. For God has full
That is to affirm your faith in God knowledge of all things. 8 Have
and His messenger. These are the you not seen how those who
limits set by God. Those who deny were forbidden to hold secret
the truth shall have a painful counsels yet revert to that which
punishment. they were forbidden to do? And
5 Those who oppose God they conspire to indulge in
and His Messenger will be wrongdoing, aggressive behaviour
humiliated, as were their and disobedience to the Messenger.
predecessors. We have sent down When they come to you, they
clear revelations. A humiliating greet you, but not in the words
punishment awaits those who God would use, and inwardly
deny the truth. 6 On the day God they wonder, ‘Why does God
raises them all up from the dead, not punish us for what we say?’
He will make them understand Hell will be a fitting punishment
what they have done. God has for them: they will burn in its
taken everything into account, flames—a wretched fate!
even though they have forgotten, 9 Believers, when you confer
59. BANISHMENT
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
1 Everything in the heavens and them against God. But God came
on the earth glorifies God. He is upon them from where they least
the Almighty, the All Wise. 2 It expected and cast such terror
was He who turned those People into their hearts that their houses
of the Book who denied the truth were pulled down by their own
out of their homes in the first hands as well as by the hands of
banishment. You never thought the believers. Learn a lesson,
they would go, and they thought then, you who are endowed with
their strongholds would protect insight.
59:11 Banishment 421
3 If God had not prescribed and whatever he forbids you,
exile for them, He would surely abstain from it. Fear God; surely,
have punished them in this world. God is severe in retribution. 8 It
But they shall have the torment is for the poor refugees who
of Fire in the Hereafter, 4 because were driven from their homes
they set themselves against God and possessions, desiring the
and His Messenger: God is stern favour and the pleasure of God
in His punishment of anyone and supporting God and His
who sets himself against Him. Messenger. Such people are the
5
Whatever palm trees you cut truthful.
down or left standing on their 9 Those who were already
has assigned to His Messenger faith] after them say, ‘Our Lord,
from the inhabitants of the town forgive us and our brothers who
is for God and for the Messenger preceded us in the faith and
and for his kinsfolk and for leave no malice in our hearts
orphans and the needy and the towards those who believe. Lord,
wayfarer, so that they may not You are indeed compassionate
become the property of those of and merciful.’
11
you who are rich. Whatever the Have you not seen those
Messenger gives you, take it; who act hypocritically? They say
422 The Quran 59:12
to their disbelieving companions painful punishment. 16 They are
from among the People of the like Satan, who says to man,
Book, ‘If you are driven out we ‘Deny the truth!’ but when man
shall surely go out with you, and denied the truth, said, ‘I disown
we shall never listen to anyone you; I fear God, the Lord of the
against you, and if war is waged Universe.’ 17 Thus, in the end,
against you, we shall help you.’ both will find themselves in the
God bears witness that they are Fire, therein to abide: that is the
indeed liars. 12 If they are driven reward of evil-doers.
18
out, they will not go with them, Believers! Fear God, and let
nor, if they are attacked, will every soul look to what it lays up
they help them. Indeed, if they for the future. Fear God: God is
go to their help, they will turn aware of what you do. 19 Do not
their backs in flight, and then be like those who forgot God, so
they will not be helped. that He caused them to forget
13 They are more in dread of their own souls [their own true
you than of God, because they interests]. It is they who are the
are people devoid of rebellious ones. 20 The people of
understanding. 14 They will never the Fire and the people of
fight against you in a body except Paradise are not equal. The
from within fortified strongholds people of Paradise are the
or from behind walls. There is victorious ones.
21
much hostility between them. Had We sent down this
You think they are united, but Quran on a mountain, you would
their hearts are divided, because certainly have seen it falling
they are a people devoid of down and splitting asunder,
reason. because of the fear of God. We
15 Like those who went just set forth these parables to men
before them, they have tasted the so that they may reflect. 22 He is
evil consequences of their God: there is no deity save Him.
doings. And they shall have a He knows the unseen and the
60:4 She Who is Tested 423
visible. He is the Compassionate, is far above what they associate
the Merciful. 23 He is God, there with Him. 24 He is God—the
is no deity save Him, the Creator, the Originator, the Giver
Sovereign, the Most Pure, the of Form. His are the most
Source of Peace, the Granter of excellent names. Everything in
Security, the Protector, the the heavens and earth declares
Mighty, the Subduer, the His glory. He is the Mighty, the
Supreme, Glory be to God, who Wise One.
61. RANKS
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
1
Everything in the heavens and loves those who fight for His
earth glorifies God—He is the cause in ranks, as if they were a
Almighty, the Wise. 2 Believers! solid cemented structure.a
Why do you say one thing and do 5 Remember when Moses said