The Galaxies (Al-Burooj)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
I CALL TO witness the sky (bespangled) with the signs of the Zodiac, 1 By the promised Day (of Judgment); 2 And the witness and the witnessed, 3 (Self-)destroyed were the owners of the ditch 4 the fire with its fuel, 5 As they sat around it 6 and were witnessing what they did to the believers. 7 The only reason for which they tormented the believers was the latter's belief in God, the Majestic, and Praiseworthy. 8 Him to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth! And Allah is Witness to all things. 9 Surely those who tormented the believing men and the believing women and then did not repent, theirs shall be the chastisement of Hell, and theirs shall be the chastisement of burning. 10 Surely for those who believe and do the right are gardens with rivers running by. That is the greatest success. 11 The grip of your Lord is severe indeed! 12 He it is Who creates for the first time and He it is Who will create again, 13 And He only is the Oft Forgiving, the Beloved of His bondmen. 14 Owner of the throne, the Glorious 15 The great doer of what He will. 16 Has not there come to you the story of the hosts, 17 Of the Fir'awn and the Thamud? 18 And yet, they who are bent on denying the truth persist in giving it the lie: 19 but all the while God encompasses them [with His knowledge and might] without their being aware of it. 20 Aye! it is a Recitation glorious, 21 In a guarded tablet. 22