52

1By the mountain

2by a Scripture inscribed

3in unrolled parch-ment

4by the much-visited House

5by the raised canopy

6by the ocean ever filled

7[Prophet], your Lord’s punishment is coming––

8it cannot be put off––

9on the Day when the sky sways back and forth

10and the mountains float away

11Woe on that Day to those who deny the Truth

12who amuse themselves with idle chatter

13on that Day they will be thrust into the Fire of Hell

14‘This is the Fire you used to deny

15So is this sorcery? Do you still not see it

16Burn in it––it makes no difference whether you bear it patiently or not–– you are only being repaid for what you have done.’

17Those who were mindful of God are in Gardens and in bliss

18rejoicing in their Lord’s gifts: He has saved them from the torment of the Blaze

19‘Eat and drink with healthy enjoyment as a reward for what you have done.’

20They are comfortably seated on couches arranged in rows; We pair them with beautiful-eyed maidens

21We unite the believers with their offspring who followed them in faith–– We do not deny them any of the rewards for their deeds: each person is in pledge for his own deeds––

22We provide them with any fruit or meat they desire

23They pass around a cup which does not lead to any idle talk or sin

24Devoted youths like hidden pearls wait on them

25They turn to one another and say

26‘When we were still with our families [on earth] we used to live in fear––

27God has been gracious to us and saved us from the torment of intense heat

28We used to pray to Him: He is the Good, the Merciful One.’

29So [Prophet] remind [people]. By the grace of your Lord [Prophet], you are neither oracle nor madman

30If they say, ‘He is only a poet: we shall await his fate,’

31say, ‘Wait if you wish; I too am waiting’

32does their reason really tell them to do this, or are they simply insolent people

33If they say, ‘He has made it up himself’- they certainly do not believe

34let them produce one like it, if what they say is true

35Were they created without any agent? Were they the creators

36Did they create the heavens and the earth? No! They do not have faith

37Do they possess your Lord’s treasures or have control over them

38Do they have a ladder to climb, in order to eavesdrop [on Heaven’s secrets]? Let their eavesdropper produce clear proof

39Does God have daughters while you have sons

40Do you [Prophet] demand a payment from them that would burden them with debt

41Do they have [access to] the unseen? Could they write it down

42Do they think they can ensnare you? It is the disbelievers who have been ensnared

43Do they really have another god besides God? God is far above anything they set alongside Him

44Even if they saw a piece of heaven falling down on them, they would say, ‘Just a heap of clouds,’

45so leave them, Prophet, until they face the Day when they will be thunderstruck

46the Day when their snares will be of no use to them, when they will get no help

47Another punishment awaits the evildoers, though most of them do not realize it

48Wait patiently [Prophet] for your Lord’s judgement: you are under Our watchful eye. Celebrate the praise of your Lord when you rise

49Glorify Him at night and at the fading of the stars