Surah “Smoke, The Evident Smoke”

as rendered by A.L. Bilal Muhammad et al (2018) — 59 verses

Haa, Miim
By the Book that makes things clear
We sent it down during a blessed night, for We wish to warn
In the night is made clear every affair of wisdom
By command, from Our presence, for We send revelation
As mercy from your Lord, for He hears and knows all things
The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all between them, if you have an assured faith
There is no god but He. It is He Who gives life and gives death, the Guardian Evolver to you and your earliest ancestors
Yet they play around in doubt
Then watch for the day that the sky will bring forth a kind of smoke, plainly visible
Smothering the people. This will be a terrible penalty
“Our Lord, remove the penalty from us, for we really do believe.
How can there be a reminder for them, seeing that a messenger explaining things clearly has already come to them
Yet they turn away from him and say, “Tutored by others, a person possessed.
We will indeed remove the penalty for a while and truly you will return
One day We will seize you with a mighty onslaught. We will indeed exact retribution
We did, before them, try the people of Pharaoh. There came to them a messenger honorabl
Saying, “Restore to me the servants of God. I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust
“And do not be arrogant as against God, for I come to you with clear authority
“For me, I have sought safety with my Lord and your Lord, against your injuring me
“If you do not believe, at least keep away from me.
Then he cried to his Lord, “These are indeed people given to harmful deeds.
“March forth with My servants by night, for you are sure to be pursued
“And leave the sea divided, for they are an army destined to be drowned.
How many were the gardens and springs they left behind
And corn-fields, and impressive buildings
And wealth which they had taken such pride
All this We made other people inherit
And neither heaven nor earth shed a tear over them, nor were they given respite
We did deliver the Children of Israel from a crushing punishment
Inflicted by Pharaoh, for he was arrogant and one of the transgressors
And We chose them above the nations knowingly
And granted them signs in which there were a manifest trial
As for these, they say humorously
“There is nothing beyond our first death, and we will not be raised again
“Then bring back our ancestors, if what you say is true.
What, are they better than the people of Touba, and those who were before them? We caused them to perish because they were guilty of harmful deeds
We did not create the heavens, the earth, and all between them, for mere play
We did not create them except for just ends, but most of them do not understand
Indeed the day of sorting out is the time appointed for all of them
The day no protector can avail his client in anything, and no help can they receive
Except those who receive God's mercy, for He is Exalted in Might, the Merciful Redeemer
Indeed the tree of Zaqqum
Will be the food of the sinful
Like molten brass, it will boil in their insides
Like the boiling of scalding water
“Seize him and drag him into the middle of the blazing fire
“Then pour over his head the penalty of boiling water
“Taste this. Truly were you mighty, full of pride
“Indeed this is what you used to doubt.
As for the righteous, they will be in a position of security
Among gardens and springs
Dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade, they will face each other
And We will join them to companions with beautiful eyes
There they can call for every kind of fruit in peace and security
Nor will they taste death there, only the first death, and He will preserve them from the penalty of the blazing fire
As a bounty from your Lord. That will be the ultimate achievement
Indeed, We have made this easy in your tongue, in order that they may take heed
So wait and watch, for they too are waiting