Smoke (Al-Dukhaan)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Ha-Meem. (Alphabets of the Arabic language – Allah, and to whomever He reveals, know their precise meanings.) 1 I swear by the Book that makes manifest (the truth). 2 (That) We sent it down one night of blessing -- so that We could warn -- 3 therein every wise bidding 4 determined as a bidding from Us, (We are ever sending) 5 As Mercy from thy Lord: for He hears and knows (all things); 6 He is the Lord of heaven and earth and all that is between them, if only you would really believe, 7 There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death. [He is] your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers. 8 Nay, but they [who lack inner certainty] are but dying with their doubts. 9 WAIT, THEN, for the Day when the skies shall bring forth a pall of smoke which will make obvious [the approach of the Last Hour,] 10 covering the people; this is a painful chastisement. 11 [They will say], "Our Lord, remove from us the torment; indeed, we are believers." 12 [But] how shall this remembrance avail them [at the Last Hour,] seeing that an apostle had previously come unto them, clearly expounding the truth, 13 Yet they turned away from him and said: one tutored, one distraced. 14 We now remove the punishment for some days – so you will again commit the same. 15 Upon the day when We shall assault most mightily, then We shall take Our vengeance. 16 ۞ And certainly We tried before them the people of Firon, and there came to them a noble apostle, 17 (saying:) 'Be obedient to me O worshipers of Allah. I am your honest Messenger. 18 "And exalt not (yourselves) against Allah. Truly, I have come to you with a manifest authority. 19 And lo! I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord lest ye stone me to death. 20 "If ye believe me not, at least keep yourselves away from me." 21 Then he supplicated to his Lord saying: 'These are sinful people' 22 [Allah said], "Then set out with My servants by night. Indeed, you are to be pursued. 23 And leave the sea becalmed; they are a drowned host.' 24 They left how many gardens and fountains, 25 And the cornlands and the goodly sites 26 and other bounties which they enjoyed yet left behind! 27 Such was their end, and what had been theirs We gave to other people to inherit. 28 So the heaven and the earth did not weep for them, nor were they respited. 29