| asad | |
|---|---|
| 1. * | CONSIDER these [messages,] sent forth in waves [2]1 |
| 2. * | and then storming on with a tempest's force! |
| 3. * | Consider these [messages] that spread [the truth] far and wide, |
| 4. * | thus separating [right and wrong] with all clarity, [3]2 |
| 5. * | and then giving forth a reminder, |
| 6. * | [promising] freedom from blame or [offering] a warning! [4]3 |
| 7. * | BEHOLD, all that you are told to expect [5]4 will surely come to pass. |
| 8. * | Thus, [it will come to pass] when the stars are effaced, |
| 9. * | and when the sky is rent asunder, |
| 10. * | and when the mountains are scattered like dust, |
| 11. * | and when all the apostles are called together at a time appointed. . . [6]5 |
| 12. * | For what day has the term [of all this] been set? |
| 13. * | For the Day of Distinction [between the true and the false]! [7]6 |
| 14. * | And what could make thee conceive what that Day of Distinction will be? |
| 15. * | Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth! |
| 16. * | Did We not destroy [so many of] those [sinners] of olden days? |
| 17. * | And We shall let them be followed by those of later times: [8]7 |
| 18. * | [for] thus do We deal with such as are lost in sin. |
| 19. * | Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth! |
| 20. * | Did We not create you out of a humble fluid |
| 21. * | which We then let remain in [the womb's] firm keeping |
| 22. * | for a term pre-ordained? |
| 23. * | Thus have We determined [the nature of man's creation]: and excellent indeed is Our power to determine [what is to be]! [9]8 |
| 24. * | Woe, on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth! |
| 25. * | Have We not caused the earth to hold within itself |
| 26. * | the living and the dead? [10]9 - |
| 27. * | and have We not set on it proud, firm mountains, and given you sweet water to drink? [11]10 |
| 28. * | Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth! |
| 29. * | GO ON towards that [resurrection] which you were wont to call a lie! |
| 30. * | Go on towards the threefold shadow [12]11 |
| 31. * | that will offer no [cooling] shade and will be of no avail against the flame |
| 32. * | which - behold!- will throw up sparks like [burning] logs, |
| 33. * | like giant fiery ropes! [13]12 |
| 34. * | Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth - |
| 35. * | that Day on which they will not [be able to] utter a word, |
| 36. * | nor be allowed to proffer excuses! |
| 37. * | Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth - |
| 38. * | that Day of Distinction [between the true and the false, when they will be told]: "We have brought you together with those [sinners] of olden times; |
| 39. * | and if you [think that you] have a subterfuge left, try to outwit Me!" |
| 40. * | Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth! |
| 41. * | [AS AGAINST this,] behold, the God-conscious shall dwell amidst [cooling] shades and springs, |
| 42. * | and [partake of] whatever fruit they may desire; |
| 43. * | [and they will be told:] "Eat and drink in good cheer in return for what you did [in life]!" [14]13 |
| 44. * | Thus, behold, do We reward the doers of good; |
| 45. * | [but] woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth! |
| 46. * | EAT [your fill] and enjoy your life for a little while, O you who are lost in sin! [15]14 |
| 47. * | [But] woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth, |
| 48. * | and when they are told, "Bow down [before God]", do not bow down: |
| 49. * | woe on that Day unto those who give the to the truth! |
| 50. * | In what other tiding, then, will they, after this, believe? |