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[1] WHEN THAT which must come to pass [at last] comes to pass,
[2] there will be nought that could give the lie to its having come to pass,
[3] abasing [some], exalting [others]!
[4] When the earth is shaken with a shaking [severe],
[5] and the mountains are shattered into [countless] shards,
[6] so that they become as scatÂtered dust –
[7] [on that Day,] then, shall you be [divided into] three kinds.
[8] Thus, there shall be such as will have attained to what is right: oh, how [happy] will be they who have attained to what is right!
[9] And there shall be such as will have lost themÂselves in evil: oh, how [unhappy] will be they who have lost themselves in evil!
[10] But the foremost shall be [they who in life were] the foremost [in faith and good works]:
[11] they who were [always] drawn close unto God!
[12] In gardens of bliss [will they dwell] -
[13] a good many of those of olden times,
[14] but [only] a few of later times.
[15] [They will be seated] on gold-encrusted thrones of happiness,
[16] reclining upon them, facing one another [in love].
[17] Immortal youths will wait upon them
[18] with goblets, and ewers, and cups filled with water from unsullied springs
[19] by which their minds will not be clouded and which will not make them drunk;
[20] and with fruit of any kind that they may choose,
[21] and with the flesh of any fowl that they may desire.
[22] And [with them will be their] companions pure, most beautiful of eye,
[23] like unto pearls [still] hidden in their shells.
[24] [And this will be] a reward for what they did [in life].
[25] No empty talk will they hear there, nor any call to sin,
[26] but only the tiding of inner soundness and peace.
[27] NOW AS FOR those who have attained to righteousÂness - what of those who have attained to righteousÂness?
[28] [They, too, will find themselves] amidst fruit- laden lote-trees,
[29] and acacias flower-clad,
[30] and shade extended,
[31] and waters gushing,
[32] and fruit abounding,
[33] never-failing and never out of reach.
[34] And [with them will be their] spouses, raised high:
[35] for, behold, We shall have brought them into being in a life renewed,
[36] having resurrected them as virgins,
[37] full of love, well-matched
[38] with those who have attained to righteousness:
[39] a good many of olden times,
[40] and a good many of later times.
[41] BUT AS FOR those who have persevered in evil - what of those who have persevered in evil?
[42] [They will find themselves] in the midst of scorching winds, and burning despair,
[43] and the shadows of black smoke -
[44] [shadows] neither cooling nor soothing.
[45] For, behold, in times gone by they were wont to abandon themselves wholly to the pursuit of pleasures,
[46] and would persist in heinous sinning,
[47] and would say, “What! After we have died and become mere dust and bones, shall we, forsooth, be raised from the dead? -
[48] and perhaps, too, our forebears of old?”
[49] Say: “Verily, those of olden times and those of later times
[50] will indeed be gathered together at an appointed time on a Day known [only to God]:
[51] and then, verily, O you who have gone astray and called the truth a lie,
[52] you will indeed have to taste of the tree of deadly fruit,
[53] and will have to fill your bellies therewith,
[54] and will thereupon have to drink [many a draught] of burning despair -
[55] drink it as the most insatiably thirsty camels drink!”
[56] Such will be their welcome on Judgment Day!
[57] WE who have created you, [O men:] why, then, do you not accept the truth?
[58] Have you ever considered that [seed] which you emit?
[59] Is it you who create it - or are We the source of its creation?
[60] We have [indeed] decreed that death shall be [ever-present] among you: but there is nothing to prevent Us
[61] from changing the nature of your existence and bringing you into being [anew] in a manner [as yet] unknown to you.
[62] And [since] you are indeed aware of the [miracle of your] coming into being in the first instance - why, then, do you not bethink yourselves [of Us]?
[63] Have you ever considered the seed which you cast upon the soil?
[64] Is it you who cause it to grow - or are We the cause of its growth?
[65] [For,] were it Our will, We could indeed turn it into chaff, and you would be left to wonder [and to lament],
[66] “Verily, we are ruined!
[67] Nay, but we have been deprived [of our livelihood]!”
[68] Have you ever considered the water which you drink?
[69] Is it you who cause it to come down from the clouds - or are We the cause of its coming down?
[70] [It comes down sweet - but] were it Our will, We could make it burningly salty and bitter: why, then, do you not give thanks [unto Us]?
[71] Have you ever considered the fire which you kindle?
[72] Is it you who have brought into being the tree that serves as its fuel - or are We the cause of its coming into being?
[73] It is We who have made it a means to remind [you of Us], and a comfort for all who are lost and hungry in the wilderness [of their lives].
[74] Extol, then, the limitless glory of thy SusÂtainer’s mighty name!
[75] NAY, I call to witness the coming-down in parts [of this Qur’an]
[76] and, behold, this is indeed a most solemn affirmation, if you but knew it!
[77] Behold, it is a truly noble discourse,
[78] [conveyed unto man] in a well-guarded divine writ
[79] which none but the pure [of heart] can touch:
[80] a revelation from the Sustainer of all the worlds!
[81] Would you, now, look down with disdain on a tiding like this,
[82] and make it your daily bread [as it were] to call the truth a lie?
[83] Why, then, when [the last breath] comes up to the throat [of a dying man],
[84] the while you are [helplessly] looking on -
[85] and while We are closer to him than you, although you see [Us] not -:
[86] why, then, if [you think that] you are not truly dependent [on Us],
[87] can you not cause that [ebbing life] to return - if what you claim is true?
[88] [ALL OF YOU are destined to die.] Now if one happens to be of those who are drawn close unto God,
[89] happiness [awaits him in the life to come], and inner fulfillment, and a garden of bliss.
[90] And if one happens to be of those who have attained to righteousness,
[91] [he, too, will be welÂcomed into paradise with the words,] “Peace be unto thee [that art] of those who have attained to rightÂeousness!”
[92] But if one happens to be of those who are wont to call the truth a lie, and [thus] go astray,
[93] a welcome of burning despair [awaits him in the life to come,]
[94] and the heat of a blazing fire!
[95] Verily, this is indeed the truth of truths!
[96] Extol, then, the limitless glory of thy SusÂtainer’s mighty name!