The Galaxies (Al-Burooj)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
I CALL TO witness the sky (bespangled) with the signs of the Zodiac, 1 And by the Day promised, 2 by the witness and the witnessed, 3 (Self-)destroyed were the owners of the ditch 4 of fire fiercely burning [for all who have attained to faith]! 5 When they sat by it 6 And they were witnesses of what they did with the believers. 7 whom they hate for no other reason than that they believe in God, the Almighty, the One to whom all praise is due, 8 To Him only belongs the kingship of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is a Witness over all things. 9 Surely for those who persecute believers, men and women, and do not repent afterwards, is the punishment of Hell, and the punishment of burning. 10 As for those who believed and acted righteously, theirs shall be Gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great triumph. 11 Stern indeed is your Lord's punishment. 12 Behold, it is He who creates [man] in the first instance, and He [it is who] will bring him forth anew. 13 And He is the Fogiving, the Loving, 14 Owner of the Throne, the Exalted. 15 Who does as He pleases. 16 Hast thou received the story of the hosts, 17 of Pharaoh and Thamud? 18 But they who disbelieve are in [persistent] denial, 19 Whereas Allah is, from behind them, Encompassing. 20 Aye! it is a Recitation glorious, 21 upon an imperishable tablet [inscribed]. 22