The Arrangers (Al-Saaffaat)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
CONSIDER these [messages] ranged in serried ranks, 1 By the angels driving away. 2 And by oath of the groups that read the Qur’an. 3 Indeed, your God is One, 4 the Lord of the heavens and the earth and of whatever lies between the two, the Lord of the Easts. 5 Surely We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment, the stars, 6 a protection against every rebel satan; 7 they cannot overhear the Higher Assembly for they are pelted from every side, 8 Outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment; 9 And if any is able to snatch a fragment, he is pursued by a piercing flame. 10 Then inquire of them, [O Muhammad], "Are they a stronger [or more difficult] creation or those [others] We have created?" Indeed, We created men from sticky clay. 11 But you wonder, while they mock, 12 and, when reminded, do not remember 13 And whenever they see a sign, they mock at it. 14 And they say: This is nothing but clear magic: 15 When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised (again)? 16 What, and our fathers, the ancients?' 17 Say: 'Yes, but worthless' 18 It will be only one shout, and at once they will be observing. 19 They will say, "Ah! Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment!" 20 [It will be said], "This is the Day of Judgement which you have been denying." 21