Juz 29 · Quarter 1

Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent -

[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving -

[And] who created seven heavens in layers.1 You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return [your] vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks?

Then return [your] vision twice again.1 [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.

And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with lamps [i.e., stars] and have made [from] them what is thrown at the devils1 and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.

And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination.

When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up.

It almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown into it, its keepers ask them, "Did there not come to you a warner?"

They will say, "Yes, a warner had come to us, but we denied and said, 'Allāh has not sent down anything. You are not but in great error.'"

And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze."

And they will admit their sin, so [it is] alienation1 for the companions of the Blaze.

Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and great reward.

And conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.

Does He who created not know,1 while He is the Subtle, the Aware?

It is He who made the earth tame1 for you - so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision - and to Him is the resurrection.

Do you feel secure that He who is above1 would not cause the earth to swallow you and suddenly it would sway?2

Or do you feel secure that He who is above would not send against you a storm of stones? Then you would know how [severe] was My warning.

And already had those before them denied, and how [terrible] was My reproach.

Do they not see the birds above them with wings outspread and [sometimes] folded in? None holds them [aloft] except the Most Merciful. Indeed He is, of all things, Seeing.

Or who is it that could be an army for you to aid you other than the Most Merciful? The disbelievers are not but in delusion.

Or who is it that could provide for you if He withheld His provision? But they have persisted in insolence and aversion.

Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks erect on a straight path?

Say, "It is He who has produced you and made for you hearing and vision and hearts [i.e., intellect]; little are you grateful."

Say, "It is He who has multiplied you throughout the earth, and to Him you will be gathered."

And they say, "When is this promise, if you should be truthful?"

Say, "The knowledge is only with Allāh, and I am only a clear warner."

But when they see it1 approaching, the faces of those who disbelieve will be distressed, and it will be said, "This is that for which you used to call."2

Say, [O Muḥammad], "Have you considered:1 whether Allāh should cause my death and those with me or have mercy upon us, who can protect the disbelievers from a painful punishment?"

Say, "He is the Most Merciful; we have believed in Him, and upon Him we have relied. And you will [come to] know who it is that is in clear error."

Say, "Have you considered: if your water was to become sunken [into the earth], then who could bring you flowing water?"

Nūn.1 By the pen and what they inscribe,

You are not, [O Muḥammad], by the favor of your Lord, a madman.

And indeed, for you is a reward uninterrupted.

And indeed, you are of a great moral character.

So you will see and they will see

Which of you is the afflicted [by a devil].

Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has gone astray from His way, and He is most knowing of the [rightly] guided.

Then do not obey the deniers.

They wish that you would soften [in your position], so they would soften [toward you].

And do not obey every worthless habitual swearer

[And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip -

A preventer of good, transgressing and sinful,

Cruel, moreover, and an illegitimate pretender.1

Because he is a possessor of wealth and children,

When Our verses are recited to him, he says, "Legends of the former peoples."

We will brand him upon the snout.1

Indeed, We have tried them as We tried the companions of the garden, when they swore to cut its fruit in the [early] morning

Without making exception.1

So there came upon it [i.e., the garden] an affliction from your Lord while they were asleep.

And it became as though reaped.

And they called one another at morning,

[Saying], "Go early to your crop if you would cut the fruit."

So they set out, while lowering their voices,

[Saying], "There will surely not enter it today upon you [any] poor person."

And they went early in determination, [assuming themselves] able.1

But when they saw it, they said, "Indeed, we are lost;

Rather, we have been deprived."

The most moderate of them said, "Did I not say to you, 'Why do you not exalt [Allāh]?'"1

They said, "Exalted is our Lord! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."

Then they approached one another, blaming each other.

They said, "O woe to us; indeed we were transgressors.

Perhaps our Lord will substitute for us [one] better than it. Indeed, we are toward our Lord desirous."1

Such is the punishment [of this world]. And the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.

Indeed, for the righteous with their Lord are the Gardens of Pleasure.

Then will We treat the Muslims like the criminals?

What is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?

Or do you have a scripture in which you learn

That indeed for you is whatever you choose?

Or do you have oaths [binding] upon Us, extending until the Day of Resurrection, that indeed for you is whatever you judge?

Ask them which of them, for that [claim], is responsible.

Or do they have partners?1 Then let them bring their partners, if they should be truthful.

The Day the shin will be uncovered1 and they are invited to prostration but they [i.e., the disbelievers] will not be able,

Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they used to be invited to prostration while they were sound.1

So leave Me, [O Muḥammad], with [the matter of] whoever denies this statement [i.e., the Qur’ān]. We will progressively lead them [to punishment] from where they do not know.1

And I will give them time. Indeed, My plan is firm.

Or do you ask of them a payment, so they are by debt burdened down?

Or have they [knowledge of] the unseen, so they write [it] down?

Then be patient for the decision of your Lord, [O Muḥammad], and be not like the companion of the fish [i.e., Jonah] when he called out while he was distressed.

If not that a favor [i.e., mercy] from his Lord overtook him, he would have been thrown onto the naked shore while he was censured.1

And his Lord chose him and made him of the righteous.

And indeed, those who disbelieve would almost make you slip with their eyes [i.e., looks] when they hear the message, and they say, "Indeed, he is mad."

But it is not except a reminder to the worlds.