The Holy Qur'an (Maulana Muhammad Ali)/51. The Scatterers

51. The Scatterers (Al-Dhariyat)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.

By those scattering broadcast 

And those bearing the load! 

And those running easily! 

And those distributing the Affair! -- 

What you are promised is surely true, 

And the Judgment will surely come to pass. 

By the heaven full of paths! 

Surely you are of varying opinion -- 

<section begin="51:9"/>He is turned away from it who would be turned away. <section end="51:9"/>

<section begin="51:10"/>Cursed be the liars! <section end="51:10"/>

<section begin="51:11"/>Who are in an abyss, neglectful; <section end="51:11"/>

<section begin="51:12"/>They ask: When is the day of Judgment? <section end="51:12"/>

<section begin="51:13"/>(It is) the day when they are tried at the Fire. <section end="51:13"/>

<section begin="51:14"/>Taste your persecution! This is what you would hasten on. <section end="51:14"/>

<section begin="51:15"/>Surely the dutiful are amidst Gardens and fountains, <section end="51:15"/>

<section begin="51:16"/>Taking that which their Lord gives them. Surely they were before that the doers of good. <section end="51:16"/>

<section begin="51:17"/>They used to sleep but little at night. <section end="51:17"/>

<section begin="51:18"/>And in the morning they asked (Divine) protection. <section end="51:18"/>

<section begin="51:19"/>And in their wealth there was a due share for the beggar and for one who is denied (good). <section end="51:19"/>

<section begin="51:20"/>And in the earth are signs for those who are sure, <section end="51:20"/>

<section begin="51:21"/>And in yourselves do you not see? <section end="51:21"/>

<section begin="51:22"/>And in the heavens is your sustenance and that which you are promised. <section end="51:22"/>

<section begin="51:23"/>So by the Lord of the heavens and the earth! it is surely the truth, just as you speak. <section end="51:23"/>

<section begin="51:24"/>Has the story of Abraham's honoured guests reached thee? <section end="51:24"/>

<section begin="51:25"/>When they came to him, they said Peace! Peace! said he. Strangers! <section end="51:25"/>

<section begin="51:26"/>Then he turned aside to his family and brought a fat calf. <section end="51:26"/>

<section begin="51:27"/>So he placed it before them. He said: Will you not eat? <section end="51:27"/>

<section begin="51:28"/>So he conceived a fear of them. They said: Fear not. And they gave him the good news of a boy possessing knowledge. <section end="51:28"/>

<section begin="51:29"/>Then his wife came up in grief, and she smote her face and said: A barren old woman! <section end="51:29"/>

<section begin="51:30"/>They said: Thus says thy Lord. Surely He is the Wise, the Knowing. <section end="51:30"/>

<section begin="51:31"/>He said: What is your errand, O messengers! <section end="51:31"/>

<section begin="51:32"/>They said: We have been sent to a guilty people <section end="51:32"/>

<section begin="51:33"/>That we may send upon them stones of clay, <section end="51:33"/>

<section begin="51:34"/>Marked from thy Lord for the prodigal. <section end="51:34"/>

<section begin="51:35"/>Then We brought forth such believers as were there. <section end="51:35"/>

<section begin="51:36"/>And We found there but a (single) house of Muslims. <section end="51:36"/>

<section begin="51:37"/>And We left therein a sign for those who fear the painful chastisement. <section end="51:37"/>

<section begin="51:38"/>And in Moses, when We sent him to Pharaoh with clear authority. <section end="51:38"/>

<section begin="51:39"/>But he turned away on account of his might and said: An enchanter or a madman! <section end="51:39"/>

<section begin="51:40"/>So We seized him and his hosts and hurled them into the sea, and he was blameable. <section end="51:40"/>

<section begin="51:41"/>And in 'Ad, when We sent upon them the destructive wind. <section end="51:41"/>

<section begin="51:42"/>It spared naught that it came against, but it made it like ashes. <section end="51:42"/>

<section begin="51:43"/>And in Thamad, when it was said to them: Enjoy yourselves for a while. <section end="51:43"/>

<section begin="51:44"/>But they revolted against the commandment of their Lord, so the punishment overtook them, while they saw. <section end="51:44"/>

<section begin="51:45"/>So they were unable to rise up, nor could they defend themselves; <section end="51:45"/>

<section begin="51:46"/>And the people of Noah before. Surely they were a transgressing people. <section end="51:46"/>

<section begin="51:47"/>And the heaven, We raised it high with power, and We are Makers of the vast extent. <section end="51:47"/>

<section begin="51:48"/>And the earth, We have spread it out. How well We prepared it! <section end="51:48"/>

<section begin="51:49"/>And of everything We have created pairs that you may be mindful. <section end="51:49"/>

<section begin="51:50"/>So flee to Allah. Surely I am a plain warner to you from Him. <section end="51:50"/>

<section begin="51:51"/>And do not set up with Allah another god. Surely I am a plain warner to you from Him. <section end="51:51"/>

<section begin="51:52"/>Thus there came not a messenger to those before them but they said: An enchanter or a madman! <section end="51:52"/>

<section begin="51:53"/>Have they charged each other with this? Nay, they are an inordinate people. <section end="51:53"/>

<section begin="51:54"/>So turn away from them, for thou art not to blame; <section end="51:54"/>

<section begin="51:55"/>And remind, for reminding profits the believers. <section end="51:55"/>

<section begin="51:56"/>And I have not created the jinn and the men except that they should serve Me. <section end="51:56"/>

<section begin="51:57"/>I desire no sustenance from them, nor do I desire that they should feed Me. <section end="51:57"/>

<section begin="51:58"/>Surely Allah is the Bestower of sustenance, the Lord of Power, the Strong. <section end="51:58"/>

<section begin="51:59"/>Surely the lot of the wrongdoers is as was the lot of their companions, so let them not ask Me to hasten on. <section end="51:59"/>

<section begin="51:60"/>Woe, then, to those who disbelieve because of that day of theirs which they are promised! <section end="51:60"/>