The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

first revelation of the Quran
was sent down.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1We sent it down on the Night of Glory. 2What will explain to you
what that Night of Glory is? 
3The Night of Glory is better than a
thousand months; 
4on that night the angels and the Spirit
a
descend
again and again with their Lord’s permission on every task; 
5[there
is] peace that night until the break of dawn.
a
The Angel Gabriel.
(
429)

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98. CLEAR EVIDENCE
A Medinan sura that takes its title from the clear evidence demanded by the
disbelievers before they will believe. It spells out the basic tenets of faith, and
contrasts the Fire of Hell with the lasting bliss that will be enjoyed by the
faithful.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1Those who disbelieve among the People of the Book and the idol-
aters were not about to change their ways until they were sent clear
evidence, 
2a messenger from God, reading out pages [blessed with]
purity, 
3containing true scriptures. 4[Yet] those who were given the
Scripture became divided only after they were sent [such] clear evi-
dence
5though all they are ordered to do is worship God alone,
sincerely devoting their religion to Him as people of true faith, keep
up the prayer, and pay the prescribed alms, for that is the true
religion. 
6Those who disbelieve among the People of the Book and
the idolaters will have the Fire of Hell, there to remain. They are the
worst of creation.
7Those who believe and do good deeds are the best of creation.
8Their reward with their Lord is everlasting Gardens graced with
flowing streams, where they will stay forever. God is well pleased
with them and they with Him. All this is for those who stand in awe
of their Lord.
(
430)

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99. THE EARTHQUAKE
A Medinan sura, one of a series of suras that deal with scenes from the Day of
Judgement. Compare Suras 
81, 82, 101, and others.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1When the earth is shaken violently in its [last] quaking, 2when the
earth throws out its burdens,
a
3when man cries, ‘What is happening
to it?’; 
4on that Day, it will tell all 5because your Lord will inspire it
[to do so]. 
6On that Day, people will come forward in separate
groups to be shown their deeds: 
7whoever has done an atom’s-weight
of good will see it, 
8but whoever has done an atom’s-weight of evil
will see that.
a
This refers to the dead being thrown out of their graves.
(
431)

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100. THE CHARGING STEEDS
An early Meccan sura in which God swears by the warhorses He has subjected
to man’s use
a
 that man is ungrateful and misguided.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1By the charging steeds that pant 2and strike sparks with their
hooves, 
3who make dawn raids, 4raising a cloud of dust, 5and plunging
into the midst of the enemy, 
6man is ungrateful to his Lord––7and
He is witness to this
b
––
8he is truly excessive in his love of wealth.
9Does he not know that when the contents of graves burst forth,
10when the secrets of hearts are uncovered, on that Day, 11their Lord
will be fully aware of them all?
a
Cf. 
36: 71–2; 43: 12–13.
b
Or man will by his own actions be a witness against himself on the Day of
Judgement.
(
432)

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101. THE CRASHING BLOW