difficult day! [10] for the
misbelievers aught but easy!
Leave me alone with him I have
created, and for whom I have made extensive wealth 1, and sons that he may look upon,
and for whom I have smoothed things down. [15] Then he desires that I should
increase! nay, verily, he is hostile to our signs! I will drive him up a hill!
Then he reflected and planned! May he be killed,-how he planned! [20] Again,
may he be killed,-how he planned! Then he looked; then he frowned and scowled;
then he retreated and was big with pride and said, 'This is only magic
exhibited! [25] this is only mortal speech!'-I will broil him in hell-fire! and
what shall make thee know what hell-fire is? It will not leave and will not let
alone. It scorches the flesh; [30] over it are nineteen (angels).
We have made only angels
guardians of the fire, and we have only made their number a trial to those who
misbelieve; that those who have been given the Book may be certain, and that
those who believe may be increased in faith; and that those who have been given
the Book and the believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts is
sickness, and the misbelievers may say, 'What does God mean by this as a
parable?'
Thus God leads astray whom
He pleases, and guides him He pleases: and none knows the hosts of thy Lord
save Himself; and it is only a reminder to mortals!
[35] Nay, by the moon!
And the night when it
retires!
And the morning when it
brightly dawns!
Verily, it is one of the
greatest misfortunes; a warning to mortals; [40] for him amongst you who wishes
to press forward or to tarry!
Every soul is pledged 1 for what it earns; except the fellows of the right: in gardens shall
they ask each other about the sinners!-`What drove you into hell-fire?'
They shall say, 'We
weren't 2 of those who prayed; [45] we didn't feed the poor;
but we did plunge into discussion with those who plunged, and we called the
judgment day a lie until the certainty 3 did come to us!'
But there shall not profit
them the intercession of the intercessors.
[50] What ailed them that
they turned away from the memorial as though they were timid asses fleeing from
a lion?
Nay, every man of them
wished that he might have given him books spread open!
Nay, but they did not fear
the hereafter!
Nay, it is a memorial! and
let him who will remember it; [55] but none will remember it except God please.
He is most worthy of fear; and he is most worthy to forgive!