Smoke (Al-Dukhaan)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
HaMeem 1 I swear by the illustrious Book. 2 that We have revealed the Quran on a blessed night to warn mankind. 3 On that [night] was made clear, in wisdom, the distinction between all things [good and evil] 4 A command from Us; surely We are the senders (of apostles), 5 as a mercy (for the human being) from your Lord. Your Lord is All-hearing and All-knowing. 6 The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if you (but) have a faith with certainty. 7 There is no god but He: He gives life and causes death. He is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers of yore. 8 Yet they are lost in doubt and play. 9 Then watch thou for the Day that the sky will bring forth a kind of smoke (or mist) plainly visible, 10 engulfing the people; this will be a painful punishment. 11 "O Lord, take away this torment from us," (they will pray); "we have come to believe." 12 How shall they be reminded, and there came to them an Apostle making clear (the truth), 13 yet they turned away from him and said: “This is a well-tutored madman.” 14 Yet We will hold the scourge back for a while, (but no sooner than We will do so) you will revert to your old ways. 15 The day that We shall seize them with a grievous hold, We will indeed castigate them. 16 ۞ We did, before them, try the people of Pharaoh: there came to them a messenger most honourable, 17 Saying: "Restore to me the slaves of Allah (i.e. the Children of Israel). Verily! I am to you a Messenger worthy of all trust, 18 Do not think yourselves to be above God: I have come to you with clear authority. 19 I seek protection from my Lord and your Lord from your decision of stoning me. 20 And if you do not believe me, then leave me' 21 Then he supplicated to his Lord saying: 'These are sinful people' 22 "Journey by night with My devotees," (it was said); "you will certainly be pursued. 23 (Cross and) leave the sea undisturbed. The (pursuing) hosts will surely be drowned," 24 [And so they perished: and] how many gardens did they leave behind, and water-runnels, 25 And cornfields and noble places! 26 and [all that] life of ease in which they used to delight! 27 Even so; and We caused to inherit them another people. 28 So the heaven and the earth did not weep for them, nor were they respited. 29