THIS APOCALYPTIC chapter containing 78 verses was completed Thunder 13 and before Everyman (OR This Day and Age) 76. It possibly be an early Meccan revelation. God in His role as ar-Rahma 'The Mercy-giving? is also expounded in Chapter 19 on Mary.
Another unifying refrain similar to that in Psalm 136 and its refrain on how the Lord's "mercy endureth for ever" runs through this chapter: which of your Lord's blessings will both of you deny?". This is repeat times, carried along on rhyme or assonance (in -an) in a strophic form. measured prose is very effective; the chapter is in fact a long poem de with proofs of God's favors. Duals or pairs give it another special figure which is difficult to bring out through English verbs or nouns.
Its inspiring message also describes the future life which is offered the faithful, while there is a passage on Creation at the end of section (I). Hell (II) and Heaven (III) are likewise pictured.
In the name of God, the Mercy-giving, the Merciful!
(I)* The Mercy-giving, * has taught the Reading,
* created man, * taught him self-expression.
Natural Phenomena
** The sun and moon [move along] like clockwork,
* shrubs and trees both bend in worship;
* while He has raised the sky up
and placed scales [there]
* so you may not skimp in weighing.
* Always measure accurately with [all]fairness
and do not give short weight!
** The earth has He laid out for humanity,
* offering fruit, datepalms bearing blossoms,
* grain wrapped up in husks, and fragrant herbs.
* So which of your Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
Creation
* He created man from ringing clay
just as a potter does, ** while He created
sprites from the glow in fire.
* So which of your Lord's benefits
will you both deny?
* Lord of both Easts and Lord of both Wests!
* So which of our Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
* He has loosed both seas
which still come together;
** between them lies an isthmus
which neither tries to cross.
* So which of your Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
* He produces pearls and coral from them both;
* so which of our Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
* His are the vessels looming up
like landmarks on the sea;
* so which of our Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
(II)* Everyone upon it will disappear
* while your Lord's face will remain
full of majesty and splendor,
* So which of our Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
* Everyone in Heaven and Earth
asks for something from Him;
each day He is [Busy] at some task.
** So which of our Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
* We shall finish off both loads for you;
* so which of our Lord's benefits
will both of you deny.?
Exploring Space
* 0 company of sprites and humankind,
if you can manage to penetrate
beyond the realms of Heaven and Earth
and then pass beyond them! Yet you will only
penetrate them through some authority.
* So which of our Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
Hellfire
Paradise
(III)* Yet anyone who fears to stand
before his Lord will have two gardens
* so which of your Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
* Both containing many sorts of things
* so which of your Lord's
will both of you deny?
** Each will have two flowing springs;
* so which of your Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
* Each will have a pair
>for ever kind of fruit;
* so which of your Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
* They will recline on couches
upholstered in brocade
while the harvest from both orchards
droops nearby;
* so which of your Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
*Bashful maidens will be there
whom no human being has tampered with
previously, nor an sprite.
* So which of your Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
* They will be like rubies and coral;
* so which of your Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
** Is there any reward for kindness
except kindness itself?
* So which of your Lord's benefits
will both of you deny?
Two Extra Gardens
* Besides both of these, there will be| UP | INDEX | HOME |
Published with authorization from Dr.T.B.Irving.