Smoke (Al-Dukhaan)
In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Ha Mim! 1 By the Scripture that maketh plain 2 Lo! We revealed it on a blessed night - Lo! We are ever warning - 3 On that [night] was made clear, in wisdom, the distinction between all things [good and evil] 4 As a command from before Us. Verily We were to become senders: 5 as a mercy from your Lord, He hears all and knows all, 6 the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them - if you could but grasp it with inner certainty! 7 There is no Allah save Him. He quickeneth and giveth death; your Lord and Lord of your forefathers. 8 Nay, but they play in doubt. 9 Then watch thou for the Day that the sky will bring forth a kind of smoke (or mist) plainly visible, 10 Enveloping the people: this will be a Penalty Grievous. 11 (They will say:) "Our Lord! remove the Penalty from us, for we do really believe!" 12 How can they benefit from admonition, seeing that a messenger had already come to them explaining things clearly? 13 Yet they turned their backs on him and said: One taught (by others), a madman. 14 [Still,] behold, We shall postpone this suffering for a little while, although you are bound to revert [to your evil ways: but] 15 On the Day We inflict the direst scourge upon all sinners, We will certainly exact retribution. 16 ۞ AND, INDEED, [long] before their time did We try Pharaoh's people [in the same way]: for there came unto them a noble apostle, [who said:] 17 saying, "Hand over God's servants to me. I am a trustworthy messenger for you. 18 Do not think yourselves to be above God: I have come to you with clear authority. 19 I have sought refuge with my Lord and your Lord lest you stone me [to death]. 20 And if you do not believe me, [at least] stand away from me!" 21 And [finally] he called to his Lord that these were a criminal people. 22 We told him, "Leave the city with My servants during the night. You will be pursued. 23 "And leave the sea as it is (quiet and divided). Verily, They are a host to be drowned." 24 How much they left behind of gardens and springs 25 And the cornlands and the goodly sites 26 And comforts of life wherein they used to take delight! 27 Thus it was. And [then] We made another people heirs [to what they had left,] 28 And the heavens and the earth wept not over them, nor were they respited. 29