The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

d
but –
–
82exalted be the Lord of
a
Just as God was able to create Jesus without a father.
b
Alternatively, the pronoun hu can also be seen to refer to Jesus: ‘[Jesus] gives
knowledge of the Hour’.
c
The angel in charge of Hell.
d
Another interpretation is ‘If the Lord of Mercy had a son I would be the 
first to
worship him’ (Razi).
Ornaments of Gold
319
43: 82

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the heavens and earth, the Lord of the Throne –
– He is far above
their false descriptions.’
83Leave them to wade in deeper and play
about, until they face the Day they have been promised. 
84It is He
who is God in heaven and God on earth; He is the All Wise, the All
Knowing; 
85Exalted is He who has control of the heavens and earth
and everything between them; He has knowledge of the Hour; you
will all be returned to Him. 
86Those gods they invoke besides Him
have no power of intercession, unlike those
a
who bore witness to the
truth and recognized it. 
87If you [Prophet] ask them who created
them they are sure to say, ‘God,’ so why are they so deluded? 
88The
Prophet has said, ‘My Lord, truly these are people who do not
believe,’
89but turn away from them and say, ‘Peace’: they will come
to know.
a
Those who have God’s permission. Cf. 
20: 109.
The Qur
an
43: 83
320

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44. SMOKE
A Meccan sura that takes its title from verse 
10, which describes a smoke-filled
day, taken by many to refer to the Day of Judgement. The sura highlights the
mercy that is the Qur
an, addresses the obduracy of the powerful and wealthy
oppressors, and draws comparisons between the people of Pharaoh, Tubba
 , and
the Meccans. The people of Paradise will enjoy heavenly bliss while those who
were mighty in this world will su
ffer the torments of Hell.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1Ha Mim
2By the Scripture that makes things clear, 3truly We sent it down on
a blessed night –– We have always sent warnings ––
4a night when
every matter of wisdom was made distinct 
5at Our command––We
have always sent messages to man ––
6as a mercy [Prophet] from your
Lord who sees and knows all, 
7Lord of the heavens and the earth and
everything between –– if only you people were 
firm believers––8there
is no god but Him: He gives life and death –– He is your Lord and the
Lord of your forefathers ––
9yet in [their state of] doubt they take
nothing seriously.
a
10[Prophet], watch out for the Day
b
when the sky brings forth
clouds of smoke for all to see. 
11It will envelop the people. They will
cry, ‘This is a terrible torment! 
12Lord relieve us from this torment!
We believe!’ 
13How will this [sudden] faith benefit them? When a
prophet came to warn them plainly, 
14they turned their backs on
him, saying, ‘He is tutored! He is possessed!’ 
15We shall hold the
torment back for a while
c
–– you are sure to return [to Us] ––
16and
on the Day We seize [them] mightily We shall exact retribution.
a
Literally ‘in doubt they play’.
b
Some interpret this as referring to an actual event that occurred in the lifetime of
the Prophet –– a drought and famine in Mecca during which hunger caused eyes to mist
over when the su
fferers looked at the sky––but it seems more likely to refer to the Day
of Judgement.
c
If this passage is taken to refer to the Day of Judgement, here the torment is
relieved rather than held back, and the people return to disbelief rather than to God.

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17We tested the people of Pharaoh before them: a noble messenger
was sent to them, 
18saying, ‘Hand the servants of God over to me! I
am a faithful messenger who has been sent to you. 
19Do not consider
yourselves to be above God! I come to you with clear authority. 
20I
seek refuge in my Lord and yours against your insults!
a
21If you do
not believe me, just let me be.’
22[Moses] cried to his Lord, ‘These people are evildoers!’ 23[God
replied], ‘Escape in the night with My servants, for you are sure to
be pursued. 
24Leave the sea behind you parted and their army will be
drowned.’
25Many a garden and spring they left behind, 26many a
corn
field and noble building, 27many a thing in which they had
delighted:
28We gave these to another people to inherit. 29Neither
heavens nor earth shed a tear for them, nor were they given any time.
30We saved the Children of Israel from their degrading suffering 31at
the hands of Pharaoh: he was a tyrant who exceeded all bounds. 
32We
chose them knowingly above others: 
33We gave them revelations in
which there was a clear test.
34These people here
b
assert, 
35‘There is nothing beyond our one
death: we will not be resurrected. 
36Bring back our forefathers, if
what you say is true.’
37Are they better than the people of Tubba
c
and those who 
flourished before them? We destroyed them all–– they
were guilty. 
38We were not playing a pointless game when We created
the heavens and earth and everything in between; 
39We created them
for a true purpose, but most people do not comprehend.
40The Day of Decision is the time appointed for all; 41a Day when
no friend can take another’s place. 
42No one will receive any help
except for those to whom God shows mercy: He is the Mighty, the
Merciful Lord. 
43The tree of Zaqqum 44will be food for the sinners:
45[hot] as molten metal, it boils in their bellies 46like seething water.
47‘Take him! Thrust him into the depths of Hell! 48Pour scalding
water over his head as punishment!’
49‘Taste this, you powerful,
respected man! 
50This is what you doubted.’ 51But those mindful of
God will be in a safe place 
52amid Gardens and springs, 53clothed in
silk and 
fine brocade, facing one another: 54so it will be. We shall wed