The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

(verses 
23–6).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1Was there not a period of time when man was nothing to speak of?
b
2We created man from a drop of mingled fluid to put him to the test;
We gave him hearing and sight; 
3We guided him to the right path,
whether he was grateful or not.
4We have prepared chains, iron collars, and blazing Fire for the
disbelievers, but 
5the righteous will have a drink mixed with kafur,
c
6a spring for God’s servants, which flows abundantly at their wish.
7They fulfil their vows; they fear a day of widespread woes; 8they
give food to the poor, the orphan, and the captive, though they love
it themselves, 
9saying, ‘We feed you for the sake of God alone: We
seek neither recompense nor thanks from you. 
10We fear the Day of
our Lord –– a woefully grim Day.’ 
11So God will save them from the
woes of that Day, give them radiance and gladness, 
12and reward
them, for their steadfastness, with a Garden and silken robes.
13They will sit on couches, feeling neither scorching heat nor biting
cold,
14with shady [branches] spread above them and clusters of
fruit hanging close at hand. 
15They will be served with silver plates
16and gleaming silver goblets according to their fancy, 17and they
will be given a drink infused with ginger 
18from a spring called
Salsabil.
19Everlasting youths will attend them––if you could see
them, you would think they were scattered pearls ––
20and if you
were to look around, you would see bliss and great wealth: 
21they
will wear garments of green silk and brocade; they will be adorned
with silver bracelets; their Lord will give them a pure drink.
a
See footnote g, Sura 
89.
b
Literally ‘Has there not come over man a period of time when he was not men-
tioned?’ This refers to the time before a person is born, the point being that he was
nothing, then God created him, just as He will bring him to life again for Judgement.
c
A fragrant herb.

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22[It will be said], ‘This is your reward. Your endeavours are
appreciated.’
23We Ourself have sent down this Quran to you [Prophet] in
gradual revelation. 
24Await your Lord’s Judgement with patience; do
not yield to any of these sinners or disbelievers; 
25remember the
name of your Lord at dawn and in the evening; 
26bow down before
Him, and glorify Him at length by night.
27These people love the fleeting life. They put aside [all thoughts
of] a Heavy Day. 
28Yet We created them; We strengthened their
constitution; if We please, We can replace such people completely.
29This is a reminder. Let whoever wishes, take the way to his Lord.
30But you will only wish to do so if God wills–– God is all knowing,
all wise –
–
31He admits whoever He will into His Mercy and has
prepared a painful torment for the disbelievers.
The Qur
an
76: 22
402

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77. [WINDS] SENT FORTH
a
A Meccan sura that describes the Day of Decision: its inevitability, argu-
ments for its coming, and the events that will presage the Judgement, as well as
the fates of believers and disbelievers.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1By the [winds] sent forth in swift succession, 2violently storming,
3scattering far and wide, 4separating forcefully, 5delivering a
reminder, 
6as a proof or a warning: 7what you are promised will
come to pass. 
8When the stars are dimmed 9and the sky is torn apart,
10when the mountains are turned to dust 11and the messengers given
their appointed time
b
––
12for what Day has all this been set?
13The Day of Decision. 14What will explain to you what the Day of
Decision is? 
15Woe, on that Day, to those who denied the truth!
16Did We not destroy the first [of them]? 17We shall make the last
follow them: 
18this is how We deal with the guilty. 19Woe, on that
Day, to those who denied the truth!
20Did We not make you from an underrated fluid 21which We
housed in a safe lodging 
22for a determined period? 23We determine
[it]: how excellently We determine! 
24Woe, on that Day, to those who
denied the truth! 
25Did We not make the earth a home 26for the
living and the dead? 
27Did We not place firm, lofty mountains on it
and provide you with sweet water? 
28Woe, on that Day, to those who
denied the truth!
29They will be told, ‘Go to that which you used to deny! 30Go to a
shadow of smoke!’ It rises in three columns; 
31no shade does it give,
nor relief from the 
flame; 32it shoots out sparks as large as tree-
trunks