052 At-Tur

and by the Book inscribed[2]

Translation notes: [2] i.e., the Qur’an.

on an unrolled parchment[3],

Translation notes: [3] i.e., a spread-out scroll.

and by the much-frequented House[4],

Translation notes: [4] Which is frequented by angels or the Ka‘bah in Makkah which is frequented by pilgrims.

and by the canopy raised high,

and by the sea set on fire[5].

Translation notes: [5] On the Day of Resurrection, or "by the overflowed sea."

The punishment of your Lord will surely come to pass;

there is none who can avert it.

On the Day when the heaven will convulse violently[6],

Translation notes: [6] The heavens will be shaken violently, indicating the occurrence of the Hour. The word "maur" originally means turning round, rotating, swinging, swaying, etc.

and the mountains will move a horrible movement[7].

Translation notes: [7] They will turn into dust, moving as clouds.

Then woe to the deniers on that Day,

those who amuse themselves in falsehood.

On the Day when they will be shoved into the Fire forcefully,

[They will be told,] “This is the Fire which you used to deny.

Is this [punishment] magic, or do you not see?

Burn in it, whether you bear it patiently or impatiently, it makes no difference to you[8]; you are recompensed only for what you used to do.”

Translation notes: [8] He who is patient during afflictions in the life of this world will be rewarded. As for the Hereafter, suffering patiently in Hell will not bring any reward or benefit.

Indeed, the righteous will be in gardens and bliss,

enjoying what their Lord has given them, and their Lord protected them from the punishment of the Blazing Fire.

“Eat and drink pleasantly for what you used to do,

reclining on couches all lined up”. And We will marry them to houris with wide beautiful eyes.

As for those who believe and their offspring follow them in faith, We will cause their offspring to join them, and will not detract anything from [the reward of] their deeds. Everyone will be accountable for what he earned[9].

Translation notes: [9] i.e., None will be held responsible for the burden of another.

And We will provide them with whatever fruit and meat they desire.

They will pass around to one another a glass [of pure wine] which does not lead to idle talk or sin.

They will be served by their servant boys, as if they were well-protected pearls.

They will turn to one another with questions[10].

Translation notes: [10] They will probably ask one another about their worldly lives and what led them to Paradise.

They will say, “Before this, we used to be in awe [of Allah] when we were living among our people.

Therefore Allah conferred favor upon us and protected us from the punishment of the Scorching Fire.

Indeed, we used to call upon Him before. He is indeed the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.”

So keep exhorting [O Prophet], for you are not, by the grace of your Lord, a soothsayer or a madman.

Or do they say: “He is a poet for whom we await a misfortune[11]”?

Translation notes: [11] i.e., inevitable death or so.

Say, “Wait, I too am waiting with you.”

Do their minds[12] prompt them to say such things, or are they transgressing people?

Translation notes: [12] The leaders of pagans in Makkah claimed to be of great minds. Here it questions their intelligence, arguing that a man cannot be a madman and a poet at the same time.

Or do they say, “He has made this [Qur’an] up”? Rather, they are not willing to believe.

Then let them produce a discourse like this, if they are truthful[13].

Translation notes: [13] Arab pagans were challenged to produce the like of this Quran, ten surahs, or one surah, but the challenge has never been met until the present day. See 2:23, 11:13, 52:34.

Were they created by none, or were they the creators [of themselves]?

Or did they create the heavens and earth? Rather, they are not certain in faith.

Or do they possess the treasures of your Lord, or do they have full control [of everything]?

Or do they have a stairway [to the heaven] by which they eavesdrop? Then let those who eavesdrop produce a compelling proof.

Or does He have daughters while you have sons[14]?

Translation notes: [14] See footnote 37:149.

Or are you asking them [O Prophet] for a reward so they are overburdened by debt?

Or do they have [the knowledge of] the unseen so they are writing it down?

Or do they intend a plot [against the Prophet]? But the plot of the disbelievers will rebound against themselves.

Or do they have a god other than Allah? Glory be to Allah far above what they associate with Him.

If they were to see pieces of the sky falling down[15], they would still say, “[This is only] a mass of clouds.”

Translation notes: [15] As a sign of the punishment that they requested.

So leave them alone until they encounter their Day in which they will be struck down[16],

Translation notes: [16] i.e., they will be punished on the Day of Judgment.

the Day their plots will not avail them in the least, nor will they be helped.

And for the wrongdoers, there will be another punishment before that[17], but most of them do not know.

Translation notes: [17] In this world such as famine, droughts, or defeat at the battle, or punishment in the grave.

Be patient [O Prophet] with your Lord’s decree, for indeed you are under Our [Watchful] Eyes. And glorify the praises of your Lord when you rise.

And glorify Him at night and when the stars fade away[18].

Translation notes: [18] i.e., the early hours of the morning when the stars set; the time of the Fajr Prayer.