AL QAMAR (The Moon)
In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful
1 The Hour is near, and the moon is split apart.
2 But if they see a sign, they turn away, and say, This is transient magic.
3 They reject and follow their lusts but every matter has its appointed time.
4 There have already come to them recitals wherein there is enough to check them,
5 Mature wisdom; but warnings do not profit them.
6 Therefore, turn away from them. The day that the caller will call to a terrible affair,
7 With their eyes humbled, hey will come forth from their graves like locusts scattered abroad,
8 Hastening, with eyes transfixed, towards the caller! The unbelievers will say, “Hard is this day!”
9 Before them the people of Nuh rejected: they rejected our servant, and said, “Here is one possessed!” And he was driven out.
10 Then he called on his Lord: I am overcome, help me!
11 So we opened the gates of heaven, with water pouring forth.
12 And we caused the earth to gush forth with springs. So the waters rose to the extent decreed.
13 But we bore him on a craft made of broad planks and caulked with palm-fibre:
14 It floats under our eyes: a reward to one who had been rejected!
15 And we have left this as a sign: then is there any that will receive admonition?
16 But how terrible was my penalty and my warning?
17 And we have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?
18 The Aad rejected: then how terrible was my penalty and my warning?
19 For we sent against them a furious wind, on a day of violent disaster,
20 Plucking out men as if they were roots of palm trees torn up.
21 Yes, how terrible was my penalty and my warning!
22 But we have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?
23 The Thamud rejected warnings.
24 For they said: What! A man, a solitary one from among ourselves! Shall we follow such a one? Truly should we then be straying in mind, and mad!
25 Is it that the message is sent to him of all people among us? No, he is a liar, an insolent one!
26 Ah! They will know on the morrow, which is the liar, the insolent one!
27 For we will send the she-camel by way of trial for them. So watch them, and possess yourself in patience!
28 And tell them that the water is to be divided between them: each one’s right to drink being brought forward.
29 But they called to their companion, and he took a sword in hand, and hamstrung it.
30 Ah! How terrible was my penalty and my warning!
31 For we sent against them a single mighty blast, and they became like the dry stubble used by one who pens cattle.
32 And we have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?
33 The people of Lut rejected his warning.
34 We sent against them a violent tornado with showers of stones, except for Lut’s household: them we delivered by early dawn,
35 As a grace from us: thus we reward those who give thanks.
36 And Lut warned them of our punishment, but they disputed about the warning.
37 And they even sought to snatch away his guests from him, but we blinded their eyes. Now taste my wrath and my warning.
38 Early on the morrow an abiding punishment seized them:
39 So taste you my wrath and my warning.
40 And we have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?
41 To the people of Firaun, too, aforetime, came warnings.
42 They rejected all our signs; but we seized them with such penalty from one exalted in power, able to carry out his will.
43 Are your unbelievers, better than they? Or have you an immunity in the holy books?
44 Or do they say: Acting together we can defend ourselves?
45 Soon will their multitude be put to flight, and they will show their backs.
46 No, the Hour is the time promised them: and that Hour will be most grievous and most bitter.
47 Truly those in sin are the ones straying in mind, and mad.
48 The day they will be dragged through the fire on their faces. Taste the touch of hell!
49 Truly, all things have we created in proportion and measure.
50 And our command is but a single one, like the twinkling of an eye.
51 And in the past, have we destroyed gangs like you: then is there any that will receive admonition?
52 All that they do is noted in books:
53 Every matter, small and great, is on record.
54 As to the righteous, they will be in the midst of gardens and rivers,
55 In an assembly of truth, in the presence of a sovereign omnipotent.