Surah “The Moon”

as rendered by Ahmed Ali — 55 verses

THE HOUR HAS come and split is the moon
But if they see a sign they turn away, and say: "This is the same old lie continuing,"
And deny, and follow their own vain desires; but every matter is determined at its time
Messages deterring them from evil had come to them
Containing consummate wisdom; yet warnings were of no avail
So turn away from them. When on the Day the crier calls to the painful business
They will come out of the graves with downcast eyes like an expanding swarm of locusts
They will hasten forward to the caller, gazes fixed. And the unbelievers will say: "This is the day of untold woe."
The people of Noah had denied before them, and had called Our votary a liar, and said: "He is possessed," and repulsed him
So he prayed to his Lord: "I am helpless, deliver me."
And We opened up the flood gates of the sky with water pouring down in torrents
And We opened up the springs of the earth; and the waters met for a decreed end
But We bore him on a (vessel made) of planks and oakum
Which sailed right under Our eyes: A recompense for him who had been denied
And We left it as a sign. Is there anyone who will be warned
How was then My punishment and My commination
Easy have We made the Qur'an to understand: So is there any one who will be warned
The 'Ad had also disavowed. How was then My punishment and My commination
We let loose against them a violent roaring wind on a day of ill omen, continuous
Which snatched away men as though they were palm trees pulled out by the roots
How was then My punishment and My commination
Easy have We made the Qur'an to understand: So is there any one who will pay heed
The Thamud rejected the warnings
And said: "Should we follow only one man among us? In that case we shall he in error and insane
Was he the one of all of us to have been given the exposition? He is surely an impudent liar."
"Tomorrow they will know who is the impudent liar
We shall send the she-camel to try them. So watch them, and be constant
Tell them that the water is to be apportioned between them (and her); and every turn of drinking will be fixed (for each)."
But they called their commander, who seized and hamstrung her
How was then My punishment of which they had been warned
We sent a single blast against them, and they were reduced to husks of a decayed fence
Easy have We made the Qur'an to understand: So is there any one who will be warned
The people of Lot rejected the warnings
We sent a stone-hurtling storm against them, except the family of Lot whom We saved in the early hours of the morning
As a favour from Us. That is how We reward the grateful
He had warned them of Our might, but they passed over the warnings
They lusted after his guests, so We put out their eyes (and said): "Taste My punishment and My commination."
And early in the morning the decreed punishment came upon them
So now taste My punishment and My commination
Easy have We made the Qur'an to understand: So is there any one who will be warned
The warnings came to the people of Pharaoh
They rejected each one of Our signs. So We seized them with the grip of one mighty and powerful
Are the unbelievers among you any better than they? Or is there immunity for you in the Scriptures
Or do they say: "We are a well-accoutred army?"
The army will be routed and put to flight
Surely the Hour will be the moment of their promise, and that moment will be calamitous and distressing
Surely the sinners are misguided and insane
On that Day they will be dragged into the fire faces foremost, (and told:) "Taste the feel of Hell."
We have indeed created all things by measure
And Our command is but one (word) swift as the winking of an eye
We have destroyed the likes of you in the past: So is there any one who will be warned
All things they do are (recorded) in the books
All things small or great have been written down
Surely those who fear God and follow the straight path will be amidst gardens and light
At the still centre in the proximity of the King all-powerful