Surah 44 - Al Dukhan THE SMOKE

044.001 Ha-Mim.

044.002 By the Book that makes things clear--

044.003 We sent it down during a Blessed Night: for We (ever) wish to warn (against Evil).

044.004 In that (Night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom,

044.005 By command, from Our Presence. For We (ever) send (revelations),

044.006 As Mercy from thy Lord: for He hears and knows (all things);

044.007 The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all between them, if ye (but) have an assured faith.

044.008 There is no god but He: It is He Who gives life and gives death-- The Lord and Cherisher to you and your earliest ancestors.

044.009 Yet they play about in doubt.

044.010 Then watch thou for the Day that the sky will bring forth a kind of smoke (or mist) plainly visible,

044.011 Enveloping the people: this will be a Penalty Grievous.

044.012 (They will say:) "Our Lord! remove the Penalty from us, for we do really believe!"

044.013 How shall the message be (effectual) for them, seeing that a Messenger explaining things clearly has (already) come to them,-

044.014 Yet they turn away from him and say: "Tutored (by others), a man possessed!"

044.015 We shall indeed remove the Penalty for a while, (but) truly ye will revert (to your ways).

044.016 One day We shall seize you with a mighty onslaught: We will indeed (then) exact Retribution!

044.017 We did, before them, try the people of Pharaoh: there came to them a messenger most honourable,

044.018 Saying: "Restore to me the Servants of God: I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust;

044.019 "And be not arrogant as against God: for I come to you with authority manifest.

044.020 "For me, I have sought safety with my Lord and your Lord, against your injuring me.

044.021 "If ye believe me not, at least keep yourselves away from me."

044.022 (But they were aggressive:) then he cried to his Lord: "These are indeed a people given to sin."

044.023 (The reply came:) "March forth with My Servants by night: for ye are sure to be pursued.

044.024 "And leave the sea as a furrow (divided): for they are a host (destined) to be drowned."

044.025 How many were the gardens and springs they left behind,

044.026 And corn-fields and noble buildings,

044.027 And wealth (and conveniences of life), wherein they had taken such delight!

044.028 Thus (was their end)! And We made other people inherit (those things)!

044.029 And neither heaven nor earth shed a tear over them: nor were they given a respite (again).

044.030 We did deliver aforetime the Children of Israel from humiliating Punishment,

044.031 Inflicted by Pharaoh, for he was arrogant (even) among inordinate transgressors.

044.032 And We chose them aforetime above the nations, knowingly,

044.033 And granted them Signs in which there was a manifest trial

044.034 As to these (Quraysh), they say forsooth:

044.035 "There is nothing beyond our first death, and we shall not be raised again.

044.036 "Then bring (back) our forefathers, if what ye say is true!"

044.037 What! Are they better than the people of Tubba and those who were before them? We destroyed them because they were guilty of sin.

044.038 We created not the heavens, the earth, and all between them, merely in (idle) sport:

044.039 We created them not except for just ends: but most of them do not understand.

044.040 Verily the Day of sorting out is the time appointed for all of them--

044.041 The Day when no protector can avail his client in aught, and no help can they receive,

044.042 Except such as receive God's Mercy: for He is Exalted in Might, Most Merciful.

044.043 Verily the tree of Zaqqum

044.044 Will be the food of the Sinful--

044.045 Like molten brass; it will boil in their insides.

044.046 Like the boiling of scalding water.

044.047 (A voice will cry: "Seize ye him and drag him into the midst of the Blazing Fire!

044.048 "Then pour over his head the Penalty of Boiling Water,

044.049 "Taste thou (this)! Truly wast thou mighty, full of honour!

044.050 "Truly this is what ye used to doubt!"

044.051 As to the Righteous (they will be) in a position of Security,

044.052 Among Gardens and Springs;

044.053 Dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade, they will face each other;

044.054 Moreover, We shall join them to Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes.

044.055 There can they call for every kind of fruit in peace and security;

044.056 Nor will they there taste Death, except the first death; and He will preserve them from the Penalty of the Blazing Fire--

044.057 As a Bounty from thy Lord! that will be the supreme achievement!

044.058 Verily, We have made this (Qur'an) easy, in thy tongue, in order that they may give heed.

044.059 So wait thou and watch; for they (too) are waiting.