The Announcement -
Of what do they question one another?
-
Of the mighty tiding
-
whereon they are at variance.
-
No indeed; they shall soon know!
-
Again, no indeed; they shall soon know!
-
Have We not made the earth as a cradle
-
and the mountains as pegs?
-
And We created you in pairs,
-
and We appointed your sleep for a rest;
-
and We appointed night for a garment,
-
and We appointed day for a livelihood.
-
And We have built above you seven strong ones,
-
and We appointed a blazing lamp
-
and have sent down out of the rainclouds water cascading
-
that We may bring forth thereby grain and plants,
-
and gardens luxuriant.
-
Surely the Day of Decision is an appointed time,
-
the day the Trumpet is blown, and you shall come in troops,
-
and heaven is opened, and become gates,
-
and the mountains are set in motion, and become a vapour.
-
Behold, Gehenna has become an ambush,
-
for the insolent a resort,
-
therein to tarry for ages,
-
tasting therein neither coolness nor any drink
-
save boiling water and pus
-
for a suitable recompense.
-
They indeed hoped not for a reckoning,
-
and they cried loud lies to Our signs;
-
and everything We have numbered in a Book.
-
'Taste! We shall increase you not save in chastisement.'
-
Surely for the godfearing awaits a place of security,
-
gardens and vineyards
-
and maidens with swelling breasts, like of age,
-
and a cup overflowing.
-
Therein they shall hear no idle talk, no cry of lies,
-
for a recompense from thy Lord, a gift, a reckoning,
-
Lord of the heavens and earth, and all that between them is, the All-merciful of whom they have no power to speak.
-
Upon the day when the Spirit and the angels stand in ranks they shall speak not, save him to whom the All-merciful has given leave, and who speaks aright.
-
That is the true day; so whosoever wills takes unto his Lord a resort.
-
Lo, We have warned you of a nigh chastisement, upon the day when a man shall behold what his hands have forwarded, and the unbeliever shall say, 'O would that I were dust!'