51

1By those [winds] that scatter far and wide

2and those that are heavily laden

3that speed freely

4that distribute [rain] as ordained

5What you [people] are promised is true

6the Judgement will come––

7by the sky with its pathways

8you differ in what you say––

9those who turn away from it are [truly] deceived

10Perish the liars

11those steeped in error and unaware

12They ask, ‘When is this Judgement Day coming?’

13On a Day when they will be punished by the Fire

14‘Taste the punishment! This is what you wished to hasten.’

15The righteous will be in Gardens with [flowing] springs

16They will receive their Lord’s gifts because of the good they did before

17sleeping only little at night

18praying at dawn for God’s forgiveness

19giving a rightful share of their wealth to the beggar and the deprived

20On earth there are signs for those with sure faith––

21and in yourselves too, do you not see?––

22in the sky is your sustenance and all that you are promised

23By the Lord of the heavens and earth! All this is as real as your speaking

24[Muhammad], have you heard the story of the honoured guests of Abraham

25They went in to see him and said, ‘Peace.’ ‘Peace,’ he said, [adding to himself] ‘These people are strangers.’

26He turned quickly to his household, brought out a fat calf

27and placed it before them. ‘Will you not eat?’ he said

28beginning to be afraid of them, but they said, ‘Do not be afraid.’ They gave him good news of a son who would be gifted with knowledge

29His wife then entered with a loud cry, struck her face, and said, ‘A barren old woman?’

30but they said, ‘It will be so. This is what your Lord said, and He is the Wise, the All Knowing.’

31Abraham said, ‘What is your errand, messengers?’

32They said, ‘We are sent to a people lost in sin

33to bring down rocks of clay

34marked by your Lord for those who exceed all bounds.’

35We brought out such believers as were there

36We found only one household devoted to God

37and left the town to be a sign for those who fear the painful punishment

38There is another sign in Moses: We sent him to Pharaoh with clear authority

39Pharaoh turned away with his supporters, saying, ‘This is a sorcerer, or maybe a madman,’

40so We seized him and his forces and threw them into the sea: he was to blame

41There is another sign in the Ad: We sent the life-destroying wind against them

42and it reduced everything it came up against to shreds

43And also in the Thamud: it was said to them, ‘Make the most of your lives for a while,’

44but they rebelled against their Lord’s command, so the blast took them. They looked on helplessly

45they could not even remain standing, let alone defend themselves

46Before that We destroyed the people of Noah. They were a truly sinful people

47We built the heavens with Our power and made them vast

48We spread out the earth- how well We smoothed it out

49and We created pairs of all things so that you [people] might take note

50[So, say to them, Prophet], ‘Quickly, turn to God- I am sent by Him to give you clear warning

51and do not set up any other god alongside Him. I am sent by Him to give you clear warning!’

52Every previous people to whom a messenger was sent also said, ‘A sor-cerer, or maybe a madman!’

53Did they tell one another to do this? No! They are a people who exceed all bounds

54so ignore them [Prophet]- you are not to blame

55and go on reminding [people], it is good for those who believe to be reminded

56I created jinn and mankind only to worship Me

57I want no provision from them, nor do I want them to feed Me

58God is the Provider, the Lord of Power, the Ever Mighty

59The evildoers, like their predecessors, will have a share of punishment- they need not ask Me to hasten it

60and woe betide those who deny the truth on the Day they have been promised