079 An-Naazi'aat

and by those who draw out [good souls][2] gently,

Translation notes: [2] Of the believers.

and by those who glide swiftly[3],

Translation notes: [3] i.e., angels glide swiftly through the heavens and earth with Allah’s command.

and those who overtake one another as in a race[4],

Translation notes: [4] To execute Allah's commands.

and those who carry out the command [of Allah],

on the Day when the earth convulses [by the first Blast],

followed by the second Blast,

hearts[5] will be pounding on that Day,

Translation notes: [5] Of those who denied the Resurrection.

and their eyes[6] will be downcast.

Translation notes: [6] Of the disbelievers.

They say, “Will we be brought back to life,

after we have turned into decayed bones[7]?”

Translation notes: [7] They would say this in ridicule of the warning.

They say, “Then that would surely be a losing return[8]!”

Translation notes: [8] To one another.

It will only be a single Blast,

then they will immediately be above the ground.

Has there come to you the story of Moses,

when his Lord called out to him at the sacred valley of Tuwa?

[Saying,] “Go to Pharaoh, for he has transgressed all bounds”.

And say: ‘Are you willing to be purified,

and I will guide you to your Lord so that you may fear Him?’”

Then Moses showed him the greatest sign[9].

Translation notes: [9] i.e., the miracle of the staff turning into a snake. See 20:17-23.

But Pharaoh denied it and disobeyed.

Then he turned back striving to plot.

He gathered [his people] and proclaimed,

saying, “I am your lord, the most high.”

So Allah seized him for an exemplary punishment in this life and in the Hereafter[10].

Translation notes: [10] Or for his claim of being the greatest god and for his previous oppression of the Children of Israel.

Indeed, there is a lesson in this for those who fear Allah.

Are you more difficult to create or the heaven that He built?

He raised its vault high and proportioned it,

and darkened its night and brought forth its daylight.

And thereafter He spread out the earth,

brought forth from it its water and its pasture,

and set the mountains firmly,

as a provision for you and your grazing livestock.

But when the Supreme Calamity comes[11],

Translation notes: [11] i.e., the second Blast which marks the Day of judgment.

on that Day man will remember all what he did,

and the Blazing Fire will be exposed for all to see.

As for those who transgressed,

and preferred the life of this world,

the Blazing Fire will be their abode.

But those who feared standing before their Lord and restrained themselves from evil desires,

Paradise will surely be their abode.

They ask you concerning the Hour, “When will it be[12]?”

Translation notes: [12] Lit., "established."

How could you possibly mention that?

Its knowledge rests only with your Lord[13].

Translation notes: [13] i.e., its end and termination. Its ultimate knowledge belongs to Allah alone.

You are only a warner for those who fear it.

On the Day when they see it[14], it will be as if they had remained [in this world] no more than an evening or a morning.

Translation notes: [14] i.e., the Hour.