| asad | |
|---|---|
| 1. * | WHEN THE SUN is shrouded in darkness, |
| 2. * | and when the stars lose their light, |
| 3. * | and when the mountains are made to vanish,* |
| 4. * | and when she-camels big with young, about to give birth, are left untended, |
| 5. * | and when all beasts are gathered together,* |
| 6. * | and when the seas boil over, |
| 7. * | and when all human beings are coupled [with their deeds],* |
| 8. * | and when the girl-child that was buried alive is made to ask |
| 9. * | for what crime she had been slain,* |
| 10. * | and when the scrolls [of men's deeds] are unfolded, |
| 11. * | and when heaven is laid bare, |
| 12. * | and when the blazing fire [of hell] is kindled bright, |
| 13. * | and when paradise is brought into view: |
| 14. * | [on that Day] every human being will come to know what he has prepared [for himself]. |
| 15. * | BUT NAY! I call to witness the revolving stars, |
| 16. * | the planets that run their course and set, |
| 17. * | and the night as it darkly falls, |
| 18. * | and the morn as it softly breathes: |
| 19. * | behold, this [divine writ] is indeed the [inspired] word of a noble apostle,* |
| 20. * | with strength endowed, secure with Him who in almightiness is enthroned* |
| 21. * | [the word] of one to be heeded, and worthy of trust! |
| 22. * | For, this fellow-man of yours is not a madman:* |
| 23. * | he truly beheld [the angel - beheld] him on the clear horizon;* |
| 24. * | and he is not one to begrudge others the knowledge [of whatever has been revealed to him] out of that which is beyond the reach of human Perception.* |
| 25. * | Nor is this [message] the word of any satanic force accursed.* |
| 26. * | Whither, then, will you go? |
| 27. * | This [message] is no less than a reminder to all mankind - |
| 28. * | to everyone of you who wills to walk a straight way. |
| 29. * | But you cannot will it unless God, the Sustainer of all the worlds, wills [to show you that way].* |