The Holy Qur'an (Maulana Muhammad Ali)/44. The Drought

44. The Drought (Al-Dukhan)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

Beneficent God! 

By the Book that makes manifest! 

We revealed it On a blessed night truly We are ever warning. 

Therein is made clear every affair full of wisdom -- 

A command from Us -- truly We are ever sending messengers -- 

A mercy from thy Lord -- truly He is the Hearing, the Knowing, 

The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, if you would be sure. 

There is no God but He; He gives life and causes death -- your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of yore. 

<section begin="44:9"/>Nay, in doubt they sport. <section end="44:9"/>

<section begin="44:10"/>So wait for the day when the heaven brings a clear drought, <section end="44:10"/>

<section begin="44:11"/>Enveloping men. This is a painful chastisement. <section end="44:11"/>

<section begin="44:12"/>Our Lord, remove from us the chastisement -- surely we are believers. <section end="44:12"/>

<section begin="44:13"/>When will they be reminded? And a Messenger has indeed come, making clear; <section end="44:13"/>

<section begin="44:14"/>Yet they turned away from him and said: One taught (by others), a madman! <section end="44:14"/>

<section begin="44:15"/>We shall remove the chastisement a little, (but) you will surely return (to evil). <section end="44:15"/>

<section begin="44:16"/>On the day when We seize (them) with the most violent seizing surely We shall exact retribution. <section end="44:16"/>

<section begin="44:17"/>And certainly We tried before them Pharaoh's people and a noble messenger came to them, <section end="44:17"/>

<section begin="44:18"/>Saying: Deliver to me the servants of Allah. Surely I am a faithful messenger to you. <section end="44:18"/>

<section begin="44:19"/>And exalt not yourselves against Allah. Surely I bring to you a clear authority. <section end="44:19"/>

<section begin="44:20"/>And I take refuge with my Lord and your Lord, lest you stone me to death. <section end="44:20"/>

<section begin="44:21"/>And if you believe not in me, leave me alone. <section end="44:21"/>

<section begin="44:22"/>Then he called upon his Lord: These are a guilty people. <section end="44:22"/>

<section begin="44:23"/>So go forth with My servants by night; surely you will be pursued, <section end="44:23"/>

<section begin="44:24"/>And leave the sea behind calm. Surely they are a host to be drowned. <section end="44:24"/>

<section begin="44:25"/>How many the gardens and springs they left behind! <section end="44:25"/>

<section begin="44:26"/>And cornfields and noble places! <section end="44:26"/>

<section begin="44:27"/>And goodly things wherein they rejoiced! <section end="44:27"/>

<section begin="44:28"/>Thus (it was). And We made other people inherit them. <section end="44:28"/>

<section begin="44:29"/>So the heaven and the earth wept not for them, nor were they respited. <section end="44:29"/>

<section begin="44:30"/>And We indeed delivered the Children of Israel from the abasing chastisement, <section end="44:30"/>

<section begin="44:31"/>From Pharaoh. Surely he was haughty, prodigal. <section end="44:31"/>

<section begin="44:32"/>And certainly We chose them above the nations, having knowledge. <section end="44:32"/>

<section begin="44:33"/>And We gave them signs wherein was clear blessing. <section end="44:33"/>

<section begin="44:34"/>These do indeed say: <section end="44:34"/>

<section begin="44:35"/>There is naught but our first death and we shall not be raised again. <section end="44:35"/>

<section begin="44:36"/>So bring our fathers (back), if you are truthful. <section end="44:36"/>

<section begin="44:37"/>Are they better or the people of Tubba', and those before them? We destroyed them, for surely they were guilty. <section end="44:37"/>

<section begin="44:38"/>And We did not create the heavens and the earth and that which is between them in sport. <section end="44:38"/>

<section begin="44:39"/>We created them not but with truth, but most of them know not. <section end="44:39"/>

<section begin="44:40"/>Surely the day of Decision is the term for them all, <section end="44:40"/>

<section begin="44:41"/>The day when friend will avail friend in naught, nor will they be helped -- <section end="44:41"/>

<section begin="44:42"/>Save those on whom Allah has mercy. Surely He is the Mighty, the Merciful. <section end="44:42"/>

<section begin="44:43"/>Surely the tree of Zaqqum <section end="44:43"/>

<section begin="44:44"/>Is the food of the sinful, <section end="44:44"/>

<section begin="44:45"/>Like molten brass; it seethes in (their) bellies <section end="44:45"/>

<section begin="44:46"/>Like boiling water. <section end="44:46"/>

<section begin="44:47"/>Seize him, then drag him into the midst of hell; <section end="44:47"/>

<section begin="44:48"/>Then pour on his head of the torment of boiling water -- <section end="44:48"/>

<section begin="44:49"/>Taste -- thou art forsooth the mighty, the honourable! <section end="44:49"/>

<section begin="44:50"/>Surely this is what you doubted. <section end="44:50"/>

<section begin="44:51"/>Those who keep their duty are indeed in a secure place -- <section end="44:51"/>

<section begin="44:52"/>In gardens and springs, <section end="44:52"/>

<section begin="44:53"/>Wearing fine and thick silk, facing one another -- <section end="44:53"/>

<section begin="44:54"/>Thus (shall it be). And We shall join them to pure, beautiful ones. <section end="44:54"/>

<section begin="44:55"/>They call therein for every fruit in security -- <section end="44:55"/>

<section begin="44:56"/>They taste not therein death, except the first death; and He will save them from the chastisement of hell -- <section end="44:56"/>

<section begin="44:57"/>A grace from thy Lord. This is the great achievement. <section end="44:57"/>

<section begin="44:58"/>So We have made it easy in thy tongue that they may mind. <section end="44:58"/>

<section begin="44:59"/>Wait then; surely they (too) are waiting. <section end="44:59"/>