The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

a
Those who cause trouble by doing any of the above actions will have earned the
name of ‘mischief-maker’ (Razi).
b
Of people’s true worth and the thoughts they harbour (see also 
50: 16).
339
49: 18
The Private Rooms

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50. QAF
A Meccan sura which deals predominantly with the Resurrection and the Day
of Judgement. Reference is made to previous generations of disbelievers (verses
12–14), both to warn the disbelievers in Mecca and to reassure the Prophet.
Creation is cited as an indication of God’s ability to bring the dead to life again
(verses 
3–11), and emphasis is placed on the powerlessness of man on the Day
of Resurrection (verses 
20–30). The sura both opens and closes with mention of
the Qur
an.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1Qaf
By the glorious Qur
an!
a
2But the disbelievers are amazed that a
warner has come from among them and they say, ‘How strange! 
3To
come back [to life] after we have died and become dust? That is too
far-fetched.’ 
4We know very well what the earth takes away from
them: We keep a comprehensive record. 
5But the disbelievers deny
the truth when it comes to them; they are in a state of confusion.
6Do they not see the sky above them––how We have built and
adorned it, with no rifts in it; 
7how We spread out the earth and put
solid mountains on it, and caused every kind of joyous plant to grow
in it, 
8as a lesson and reminder for every servant who turns to God;
9and how We send blessed water down from the sky and grow with it
gardens, the harvest grain, 
10and tall palm trees laden with clusters
of dates, 
11as a provision for everyone; how with water We give [new]
life to a land that is dead? This is how the dead will emerge [from
their graves]. 
12The people of Noah disbelieved long before these
disbelievers, as did the people of Rass, Thamud, 
13  Ad, Pharaoh,
Lot,
14the Forest-Dwellers, Tubba : all of these people disbelieved
their messengers, and so My warning was realized.
15So were We incapable of the first creation? No indeed! Yet they
doubt a second creation. 
16We created man––We know what his soul
whispers to him: We are closer to him than his jugular vein ––
17with
a
That which is sworn –– that mankind will be raised from the dead –– is omitted but is
evident from the verses that follow (cf. 
37: 1; 89: 1–4).

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two receptors
a
set to record, one on his right side and one on his left:
18he does not utter a single word without an ever-present watcher.
19The trance of death will bring the Truth with it: ‘This is what
you tried to escape.’
20The Trumpet will be sounded: ‘This is the Day [you were]
warned of.’
21Each person will arrive attended by an [angel] to drive
him on and another to bear witness: 
22‘You paid no attention to
this [Day]; but today We have removed your veil and your sight is
sharp.’
23The person’s attendant will say, ‘Here is what I have pre-
pared’–
–
24‘Hurl
b
every obstinate disbeliever into Hell, 
25everyone
who hindered good, was aggressive, caused others to doubt, 
26and set
up other gods alongside God. Hurl him into severe punishment!’–
–
27and his [evil]
c
companion will say, ‘Lord, I did not make him
transgress; he had already gone far astray himself.’
28God will say,
‘Do not argue in My presence. I sent you a warning 
29and My word
cannot be changed: I am not unjust to any creature.’
30We shall say to
Hell on that day, ‘Are you full?’ and it will reply, ‘Are there no more?’
31But Paradise will be brought close to the righteous and will no
longer be distant: 
32‘This is what you were promised––this is for
everyone who turned often to God and kept Him in mind, 
33who
held the Most Gracious in awe, though He is unseen, who comes
before Him with a heart turned to Him in devotion –
–
34so enter it in
peace. This is the Day of everlasting Life.’
35They will have all that
they wish for there, and We have more for them.
36We have destroyed even mightier generations before these
disbelievers, who travelled through [many] lands –
– was there any
escape?
37There truly is a reminder in this for whoever has a heart,
whoever listens attentively. 
38We created the heavens, the earth, and
everything between, in six Days without tiring. 
39So [Prophet], bear
everything they say with patience; celebrate the praise of your Lord
before the rising and setting of the sun; 
40proclaim His praise in the
night and at the end of every prayer;