51.The Winnowing Winds

  1. By those [winds] that scatter far and wide
  2. and those that are heavily laden
  3. that speed freely
  4. that distribute [rain] as ordained
  5. What you [people] are promised is true
  6. the Judgement will come––
  7. by the sky with its pathways
  8. you differ in what you say––
  9. those who turn away from it are [truly] deceived
  10. Perish the liars
  11. those steeped in error and unaware
  12. They ask, ‘When is this Judgement Day coming?’
  13. On a Day when they will be punished by the Fire
  14. ‘Taste the punishment! This is what you wished to hasten.’
  15. The righteous will be in Gardens with [flowing] springs
  16. They will receive their Lord’s gifts because of the good they did before
  17. sleeping only little at night
  18. praying at dawn for God’s forgiveness
  19. giving a rightful share of their wealth to the beggar and the deprived
  20. On earth there are signs for those with sure faith––
  21. and in yourselves too, do you not see?––
  22. in the sky is your sustenance and all that you are promised
  23. By the Lord of the heavens and earth! All this is as real as your speaking
  24. [Muhammad], have you heard the story of the honoured guests of Abraham
  25. They went in to see him and said, ‘Peace.’ ‘Peace,’ he said, [adding to himself] ‘These people are strangers.’
  26. He turned quickly to his household, brought out a fat calf
  27. and placed it before them. ‘Will you not eat?’ he said
  28. beginning to be afraid of them, but they said, ‘Do not be afraid.’ They gave him good news of a son who would be gifted with knowledge
  29. His wife then entered with a loud cry, struck her face, and said, ‘A barren old woman?’
  30. but they said, ‘It will be so. This is what your Lord said, and He is the Wise, the All Knowing.’
  31. Abraham said, ‘What is your errand, messengers?’
  32. They said, ‘We are sent to a people lost in sin
  33. to bring down rocks of clay
  34. marked by your Lord for those who exceed all bounds.’
  35. We brought out such believers as were there
  36. We found only one household devoted to God
  37. and left the town to be a sign for those who fear the painful punishment
  38. There is another sign in Moses: We sent him to Pharaoh with clear authority
  39. Pharaoh turned away with his supporters, saying, ‘This is a sorcerer, or maybe a madman,’
  40. so We seized him and his forces and threw them into the sea: he was to blame
  41. There is another sign in the Ad: We sent the life-destroying wind against them
  42. and it reduced everything it came up against to shreds
  43. And also in the Thamud: it was said to them, ‘Make the most of your lives for a while,’
  44. but they rebelled against their Lord’s command, so the blast took them. They looked on helplessly
  45. they could not even remain standing, let alone defend themselves
  46. Before that We destroyed the people of Noah. They were a truly sinful people
  47. We built the heavens with Our power and made them vast
  48. We spread out the earth- how well We smoothed it out
  49. and We created pairs of all things so that you [people] might take note
  50. [So, say to them, Prophet], ‘Quickly, turn to God- I am sent by Him to give you clear warning
  51. and do not set up any other god alongside Him. I am sent by Him to give you clear warning!’
  52. Every previous people to whom a messenger was sent also said, ‘A sor-cerer, or maybe a madman!’
  53. Did they tell one another to do this? No! They are a people who exceed all bounds
  54. so ignore them [Prophet]- you are not to blame
  55. and go on reminding [people], it is good for those who believe to be reminded
  56. I created jinn and mankind only to worship Me
  57. I want no provision from them, nor do I want them to feed Me
  58. God is the Provider, the Lord of Power, the Ever Mighty
  59. The evildoers, like their predecessors, will have a share of punishment- they need not ask Me to hasten it
  60. and woe betide those who deny the truth on the Day they have been promised