The Koran (Al-Qur'an) Part 64

Verily G.o.d is able to restore him to life, the day whereon all secret thoughts and actions shall be examined into; 10 and he shall have no power to defend himself, nor any protector.

By the heaven which returneth the rain; and by the earth which openeth to let forth vegetables and springs: verily this is a discourse distinguis.h.i.+ng good from evil: and it is not composed with lightness.

Verily the infidels are laying a plot to frustrate my designs: but I will lay a plot for their ruin.

Wherefore, O prophet, bear with the unbelievers: let them alone a while.

CHAPTER Lx.x.xVII.

ENt.i.tLED, THE MOST HIGH; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL G.o.d.

PRAISE the name of thy LORD, the most high; who hath created, and completely formed his creatures: and who determineth them to various ends, and directeth them to attain the same; and who produceth the pasture for cattle, and afterwards rendereth the same dry stubble of a dusky hue.

We will enable thee to rehea.r.s.e our revelations; and thou shalt not forget any part thereof, except what G.o.d shall please; for he knoweth that which is manifest, and that which is hidden.

And we will facilitate unto thee the most easy way.

Wherefore admonish thy people, if thy admonition shall be profitable unto them.

10 Whoso feareth G.o.d, he will be admonished: but the most wretched unbeliever will turn away therefrom; who shall be cast to be broiled in the greater fire of h.e.l.l, wherein he shall not die, neither shall he live.

Now hath he attained felicity, who is purified by faith, and who remembereth the name of his LORD, and prayeth.

But ye prefer this present life: yet the life to come is better, and more durable.

Verily this is written in the ancient books, the books of Abraham and Moses.

CHAPTER Lx.x.xVIII.

ENt.i.tLED, THE OVERWHELMING; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL G.o.d.

HATH the news of the overwhelming day of judgment reached thee?

The countenances of some, on that day, shall be cast down; labouring and toiling: they shall be cast into scorching fire to be broiled: they shall be given to drink of a boiling fountain: they shall have no food, but of dry thorns and thistles: which shall not fatten, neither shall they satisfy hunger.

But the countenances of others, on that day, shall be joyful; well pleased with their past endeavour: 10 they shall be placed in a lofty garden, wherein thou shalt hear no vain discourse: therein shall be a running fountain; therein shall be raised beds, and goblets placed before them, and cus.h.i.+ons laid in order, and carpets ready spread.

Do they not consider the camels, how they are created; and the heaven, how it is raised; and the mountains, how they are fixed; 20 and the earth, how it is extended?

Wherefore warn thy people; for thou art a warner only: thou art not impowered to act with authority over them.

But whoever shall turn back, and disbelieve, G.o.d shall punish him with the greater punishment of the life to come.

Verily unto us shall they return: then shall it be our part to bring them to account.

CHAPTER Lx.x.xIX.

ENt.i.tLED, THE DAYBREAK; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL G.o.d.

BY the daybreak, and ten nights; by that which is double, and that which is single; and by the night when it cometh on: is there not in this an oath formed with understanding?

Hast thou not considered how thy LORD dealt with Ad, the people of Irem, adorned with lofty buildings, the like whereof hath not been erected in the land; and with Thamud, who hewed the rocks in the valley into houses; 10 and with Pharaoh, the contriver of the stakes: who had behaved insolently in the earth, and multiplied corruption therein?

Wherefore thy LORD poured on them various kinds of chastis.e.m.e.nt: for thy LORD is surely in a watch-tower, whence he observeth the actions of men.

Moreover man, when his LORD trieth him by prosperity, and honoureth him, and is bounteous unto him, saith, My LORD honoureth me; but when he proveth him by afflictions, and withholdeth his provisions from him, he saith, My LORD despiseth me.

By no means: but ye honour not the orphan, neither do ye excite one another to feed the poor; and ye devour the inheritance of the weak, with undistinguis.h.i.+ng greediness, 20 and ye love riches with much affection.

By no means should ye do thus. When the earth shall be minutely ground to dust; and thy LORD shall come, and the angels rank by rank; and h.e.l.l, on that day, shall be brought nigh: on that day shall man call to remembrance his evil deeds; but how shall remembrance avail him?

He shall say, Would to G.o.d that I had heretofore done good works in my lifetime!

On that day none shall punish with his punishment; nor shall any bind with his bonds.

O thou soul which art at rest, return unto thy LORD, well pleased with thy reward, and well pleasing unto G.o.d: enter among my servants; 30 and enter my paradise.

CHAPTER XC.

ENt.i.tLED, THE TERRITORY; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL G.o.d.

I SWEAR by this territory, (and thou, O prophet, residest in this territory,) and by the begetter, and that which he hath begotten; verily we have created man in misery.

Doth he think that none shall prevail over him?

He saith, I have wasted plenty of riches.

Doth he think that none seeth him?

Have we not made him two eyes, and a tongue, and two lips; 10 and shown him the two highways of good and evil?

Yet he attempteth not the cliff.

What shall make thee to understand what the cliff is?

It is to free the captive; or to feed, in the day of famine, the orphan who is of kin, or the poor man who lieth on the ground.

Whoso doth this, and is one of those who believe, and recommend perseverance unto each other, and recommend mercy unto each other; these shall be the companions of the right hand.

But they who shall disbelieve our signs shall be the companions of the left hand: 20 above them shall be arched fire.

CHAPTER XCI.

ENt.i.tLED, THE SUN; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL G.o.d.

BY the Sun, and its rising brightness; by the moon when she followeth him; by the day, when it showeth its splendor; by the night, when it covereth him with darkness; by the heaven, and him who built it; by the earth, and him who spread it forth; by the soul, and him who completely formed it, and inspired into the same its faculty of distinguis.h.i.+ng, and power of choosing, wickedness and piety: now is he who hath purified the same, happy; 10 but he who hath corrupted the same, is miserable.

Thamud accused their prophet Saleh of imposture, through the excess of their wickedness: when the wretch among them was sent to slay the camel; and the apostle of G.o.d said unto them, Let alone the camel of G.o.d; and hinder not her drinking.