The Arrangers (Al-Saaffaat)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
CONSIDER these [messages] ranged in serried ranks, 1 and restraining [from evil] by a call to restraint, 2 And those who recite the Reminder, 3 Most surely your Allah is One: 4 the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and of all that is between them, and the Sustainer of all the points of sunrise! 5 Verily! We have adorned the near heaven with the stars (for beauty). 6 and guarded it against all rebellious devils: 7 [so that] they [who seek to learn the unknowable] should not be able to overhear the host on high, but shall be repelled from all sides, 8 Outcast, and theirs is a constant (or painful) torment. 9 Except such as snatch away something by stealth, and they are pursued by a flaming fire, of piercing brightness. 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 Nay! you wonder while they mock, 12 When they are reminded, they do not remember. 13 And whenever they see a sign, they mock at it. 14 and say: "This is clearly nothing but [a mortal's] spellbinding eloquence! 15 "What! When we have died and become dust and bones, will we be brought back to life again, 16 and perhaps also our forebears of old?" 17 Say: Aye! and you shall be abject. 18 So that is just a single jolt, thereupon they will begin staring. 19 They will say, "Ah! Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment!" 20 'This is the Day of Decision, even that you cried lies to. 21