LXXXIV. The Chapter of the Rending Asunder

The Qur'ân, part II (Sacred Books of the East volume 9), Palmer edition [1880]; at sacred-texts.com

THE CHAPTER OF THE RENDING ASUNDER.

(LXXXIV. Mecca.)

IN the name of the merciful and compassionate God.

When the heaven is rent asunder and gives ear unto its Lord, and is dutiful!

And when the earth is stretched out and casts forth what is in it, and is empty, [5] and gives ear unto its Lord, and is dutiful!

O man! verily, thou art toiling after thy Lord, toiling; wherefore shalt thou meet Him!

And as for him who is given his book in his right hand, he shall be reckoned with by an easy reckoning; and he shall go back to his family joyfully.

[10] But as for him who is given his book behind his back ², he shall call out for destruction, but he

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shall broil in a blaze! Verily, he was amongst his family joyful. Verily, he thought that he should never return to God.

[15] Yea, verily, his Lord on him did look!
I need not swear by the evening glow,
Or by the night, and what it drives together,
Or by the moon when it is at its full,
Ye shall be surely transferred from state to state ¹!

[20] What ails them that they do not believe? and, when the Qur’ân is read to them, do not adore? Nay, those who misbelieve do say it is a lie, but God knows best the (malice) that they hide.

So give them the glad tidings of grievous woe! [25] save those who believe and act aright, for them is hire that is not grudged!

Footnotes

325:2 I.e. in the left hand, which will be chained behind the back, the right hand being fettered to the neck.

326:1 From life to death, and from death to the future life.