— 78 verses
Ar-Rahman, the Beneficent, the Instant Source of all Mercy and Kindness
He it is Who has made known and taught the Qur'an
He has created the human being. (And taken care of his mental and physical needs)
He has distinguished him with the ability to clearly express his feelings and thoughts
The sun and the moon run by a mathematical design. (Such are the changeless Laws given in this Book)
The stars and the trees all adore Him (and follow His Laws)
And the sky has He raised high and has kept perfect balance in the Universe
So that you, too, never violate balance in your lives
Therefore, establish Balance in the society in absolute justice. And never belittle the Scale of Justice in the community and in all your transactions with your own 'Self' and with others
And (know that) the earth He has spread out for all His creatures. ('Anam' = All living beings)
Wherein are fruit and palms with clusters protected in sheaths
And grain, corn, leaves, stalks, colorful herbs, vegetables, spices, sweet-smelling plants and fragrant flowers. (The three Arabic terms used in this verse include all the meanings rendered)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
He created the human out of inorganic matter that sounded like an empty pot. (And it was empty of a trace of the finished form)
And the Jinns (nomads) He has created from a confused flame of fire (with a confused fiery disposition)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Lord of the two Easts and the two Wests. (The East and the West of the summer, and the East and the West of the winter)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
He has let free the two seas. They meet. (25:53)
Yet, there is a Barrier between them that they cannot exceed. (The great bodies of salt water and fresh water)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
From both of them come forth pearl and coral
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
And His are the bannered ships sailing through the sea lofty like mountains. (All creativity and invention of human beings issues forth from His gifts of mind and body. So all man-made things belong to Him)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
All things thereon (in the Universe) are ever changing. ('Fani' = Ever-changing = Mortal)
But forever is Changeless the 'Self' of your Lord, the Lord of Majesty and Honor. ('Baqi' = Remaining = Eternal = Survivor = Remainder = Changeless. 'Wajh' = Face = Countenance = Self = Whole being = Personality (28:88))
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
All creatures in the heavens and the earth seek their needs from Him. And every day is He in a Marvelous Splendor
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Soon shall We lighten your burdens, O Burdened men and women
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
O Communities of the rural and the urban! If you can break through the 'fences' of the heavens and the earth, then break through. Never can you break through without an Authority. Can you bring an evidence
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
A blaze will be unleashed upon you - and thick smoke - and you will not be able to defend yourselves. (If you think that you can escape Divine Laws, you will never find your way in the thick smoke of conjecture)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
And when the high elite will disperse and adapt to a stunning change
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
In that Era neither the urban nor the rural will be asked why they trailed behind
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
The violators of human rights will be clearly identified, firmly seized and held accountable. ('Mujrim' = Guilty = One who steals the fruit of others' labor = Violator of human rights)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
This is Hell which the guilty deny
They wander between it and their smoldering anguish
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
And for him who stands in fear of his Lord's Presence, are two Paradises - one here one there
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Abounding in two facets, art and science. ('Afnan' = Creative works, art and science)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Wherein flow two springs, creativity and aesthetics
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Wherein is two kinds of fruit, of their own labor and of the added Reward. (50:35)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Reclining on luxurious carpets lined with rich brocade, the fruit of both Gardens at hand
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Therein women have a modest gaze, never touched by human vices or evil prompting
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Like unto rubies and pearls
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Is the reward of goodness anything but goodness? (10:26), (16:30), (76:9)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
And other than these two, shall be two more Gardens. (The human 'Self' and the new Universe will keep evolving (69:17))
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Both ever-fresh, lush green, pleasing
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Therein are two springs gushing forth. (Personal delight and shared joy (52:25))
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Therein is fruit, and palms and pomegranate. (Fruit within the fruit of Reward)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Therein are all things most excellent, symmetrical, beautiful. ('Khair' = Good thing = Excellent. 'Hisan' = Nicely balanced = Beautifully symmetrical = Symmetrically beautiful)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Modest, intelligent companions in blessed shades
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Companions never touched by human vices or evil prompting. (55:15), (55:56)
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Relaxing on ever-fresh meadows and splendid carpets
Then, O Men and women! Which Authority of your Lord will you deny
Ever Blissful is the Name of your Lord, the Lord of Majesty and Honor