CHAPTER 15.  THE ROCK                                                                   SECTION 1.  PART XIII

IN THE NAME OF GOD
THE MOST GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL GOD

1  I, GOD, AM  THE SEER
THESE ARE THE VERSES OF A QURAN THAT MAKES THINGS CLEAR

PART  XIV

2  AGAIN AND AGAIN THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE 
WILL WISH THAT THEY HAD BELIEVED

3  BUT LEAVE THEM 
TO LET THE GOOD THINGS OF THIS LIFE PLEASE THEM 
AND LET FALSE HOPE BE AMUSING TO THEM 
SOON WILL REALITY UNDECEIVE THEM

4  NEVER DID WE DESTROY A POPULATION 
THAT HAD NOT A DECREED TERMINATION

5  PEOPLE CANNOT ANTICIPATE THEIR TERM
NOR CAN THEY DELAY THEIR TERM

6  THEY SAY, OH YOU TO WHOM THE MESSAGE IS BEING RECEIVED
YOU ARE TRULY MAD INDEED

7  WHY DO YOU NOT BRING ANGELS TO US 
IF YOU HAVE BROUGHT THE TRUTH TO US?

8  WE ONLY SEND ANGELS FOR CAUSES THAT ARE JUSTLY                                           
AND IF HAD ANGELS COME TO THE UNGODLY
NO DELAY WOULD THEY HAVE RECEIVED

9  WE HAVE SENT DOWN THE MESSAGE UNDOUBTEDLY
AND WE WILL GUARD IT FROM CORRUPTION ASSUREDLY

10  WE SENT MESSENGERS BEFORE YOU 
AMONG THE RELIGIOUS SECTS OF OLD TOO

11  BUT NEVER CAME TO THEM A MESSENGER
BUT OF HIM THEY BECAME MOCKERS

12  EVEN SO DO WE LET IT ENTER
INTO THE HEARTS OF THE SINNERS

13  AND DISBELIEVERS IN THE MESSAGE ARE THEY
BUT THE WAYS OF THE ANCIENTS HAVE PASSED AWAY

14  EVEN IF WE OPENED OUT TO THEM A GATE FROM HEAVEN 
AND THEY WERE TO CONTINUE ALL DAY ASCENDING THEREIN

15  THEY WOULD SAY, OUR EYES HAVE BEEN INTOXICATED SURELY
OR WE HAVE BY BEEN BEWITCHED BY SORCERY

235
CHAPTER 15.  THE ROCK                                                                 SECTION 2.  PART XIV

16  WE HAVE SET THE ZODIACAL SIGNS IN THE SKIES
AND WE MADE THEM FAIR SEEMING TO ALL WHO HAVE EYES 

17  AND FROM EVERY ACCURSED EVIL SPIRIT
WE GUARD THEM SAFELY FROM IT

18  BUT ANY THAT GAINS A HEARING BY STEALING 
IS PURSUED BY FIRE FLAMING BRIGHT TO ONE'S SEEING

19  THE EARTH WE HAVE SPREAD OUT LIKE A CARPET
AND HAVE SET MOUNTAINS FIRM AND IMMOVABLE ON IT
AND PRODUCED ALL KINDS OF THINGS IN DUE BALANCE ON IT

20  WE HAVE PROVIDED ON IT MEANS OF SUBSISTENCE FOR YOU 
AND FOR THOSE FOR WHOSE SUBSISTENCE RELIES NOT UPON YOU
 
21  THERE IS NOT A THING BUT ITS SOURCES AND TREASURES 
ARE WITH US BUT WE ONLY SEND IT DOWN IN DUE MEASURES

22  AND WE SEND THE FERTILIZING WINDS 
THEN CAUSE THE RAINS FROM THE SKY TO DESCEND

PROVIDING YOU WITH WATER FOR DRINKING
AND YOU ARE NOT THE GUARDIANS OF ITS STORING

23  WE GIVE LIFE AND DEATH AND IT IS WE  WHO STAY
AS INHERITORS AFTER ALL ELSE PASSES AWAY

24  TO US ARE KNOWN THOSE OF YOU 
WHO HASTEN FORWARD AND THOSE WHO LAG BEHIND TOO

25  IT IS YOUR LORD WHO WILL GATHER THEM ASSUREDLY 
FOR PERFECT IN WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE IS HE

236
CHAPTER 15.  THE ROCK                                                                  SECTION 3.  PART XIV

26  MAN WE CREATED 
FROM MUD MOLDED 

27  AND THE DEMON RACE WE CREATED FROM THE FIRE
OF A SCORCHING WIND, BURNING INTENSELY HOTTER

28  GOD SAID TO THE ANGELS, I AM ABOUT TO CREATE  
A MORTAL MAN FROM SOUNDING CLAY 
FROM MUD MOLDED INTO SHAPE

29  WHEN I HAVE IN DUE PROPORTION FASHIONED HIM 
AND I HAVE BREATHED MY SPIRIT INTO HIM 
FALL DOWN IN SUBMISSION TO HIM

30  SO THE ANGELS DID GATHER
AND PROSTRATED THEMSELVES TOGETHER

31  BUT NOT SO SATAN, HE REFUSED TO BE 
AMONG THOSE WHO PROSTRATED SUBMISSIVELY

32  GOD SAID, OH SATAN, WHAT IS YOUR REASON NOT TO BE
AMONG THOSE WHO PROSTRATE THEMSELVES SUBMISSIVELY?

33  SATAN SAID, I AM NOT ONE TO PROSTRATE 
MYSELF TO A MAN WHOM YOU DID CREATE 
FROM MUD MOLDED INTO SHAPE

34  GOD SAID, THEN GET OUT FROM HERE 
FOR YOU ARE A CURSED REJECTER 

35  AND THE CURSE WILL BE 
ON YOU UNTIL THE DAY OF ETERNITY

36  SATAN SAID, LORD, RESPITE ME UNTIL THE DAY 
THAT THE DEAD WILL BE RAISED

37  GOD SAID, IT IS GRANTED
YOU ARE OF THOSE WHO ARE RESPITED

38  UNTIL THE DAY OF THE TIME APPOINTED

39  SATAN SAID, MY LORD, SINCE YOU HAVE PUT ME IN THE WRONG 
I WILL MAKE FAIR SEEMING TO THEM ALL THAT IS WRONG  
AND I WILL PUT THEM ALL IN THE WRONG

40  EXCEPT YOUR DEVOTEES
THOSE OF SINCERITY AND PURITY 

41  GOD SAID, THIS WAY OF MY SINCERE SERVANTS IS INDEED 
A WAY THAT LEADS STRAIGHT TO ME

42  NO AUTHORITY OVER MY SERVANTS HAVE YOU
EXCEPT THOSE WHO GO WRONG AND FOLLOW YOU

43  AND THE ABODE OF HELL 
IS THE PLACE FOR THEM TO DWELL

44  TO IT ARE SEVEN GATES FOR EACH GATE ENTERS
A SPECIAL ASSIGNED CLASS OF SINNERS 

237
CHAPTER 15.  THE ROCK                                                                   SECTION 4.  PART XIV

45  THE RIGHTEOUS WILL BE AMID GARDENS 
AND CLEAR FLOWING FOUNTAINS 

46  THEIR GREETING WILL BE 
ENTER HERE IN PEACE AND SECURITY

47  WE WILL REMOVE FROM THEM ANY SENSE OF INJURY 
THEY WILL BE BROTHERS THAT WILL BE JOYFULLY 
FACING EACH OTHER ON THRONES OF DIGNITY

48  THERE WILL TOUCH THEM NO SENSE OF FATIGUE 
NOR WILL THEY EVER BE ASKED TO LEAVE

49  TELL MY SERVANTS THAT I AM SURELY 
FULL OF FORGIVENESS AND MERCY

50  AND THAT MY PENALTY 
WILL BE THE MOST GRIEVOUS PENALTY

51  AND ALSO TELL THEM 
ABOUT THE GUESTS OF ABRAHAM

52  THEY ENTERED HIS PRESENCE AND SAID, PEACE BE UNTO YOU 
HE SAID, WE FEEL AFRAID OF YOU 

53  THEY SAID, FEAR NOT WE GIVE YOU GLAD TIDINGS
OF A SON ENDOWED WITH WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING

54  HE SAID, DO YOU GIVE TO ME 
GOOD NEWS THAT OLD AGE HAS SEIZED ME?  
OF WHAT THEN IS YOUR GOOD NEWS INDEED?

55  THEY SAID, WE IN TRUTH GIVE YOU GLAD TIDINGS 
SO BE NOT THEN ONE WHO IS DESPAIRING

56  THEY SAID, AND WHO DESPAIRS OF HIS LORD'S MERCY 
EXCEPT FOR THOSE WHO DISBELIEVE?

57  ABRAHAM SAID, WHAT THEN IS THE NATURE
OF THE BUSINESS ON WHICH YOU HAVE COME, OH YOU MESSENGERS? 

58  THEY SAID, WE HAVE ASSUREDLY
BEEN SENT TO A PEOPLE IN INIQUITY

59  EXCEPT LOT'S FOLLOWERS 
THEM WE WILL DELIVER

60  EXCEPT HIS WIFE WHO WE HAVE ASCERTAINED 
WILL BE AMONG THOSE WHO WILL REMAIN

238
CHAPTER 15.  THE ROCK                                                                 SECTION 5.  PART XIV

61  AT LENGTH WHEN THE MESSENGERS 
ARRIVED AMONG LOT'S FOLLOWERS

62  HE SAID, YOU APPEAR TO BE 
UNCOMMON FOLK INDEED

63  THEY SAID, WE HAVE COME TO YOU TO BRING ABOUT
THAT OF WHICH THEY HAVE DOUBTS ABOUT

64  WE HAVE BROUGHT TO YOU 
THAT WHICH IS INEVITABLY DUE 
AND SURELY WHAT WE SAY IS TRUE

65  THEN TRAVEL BY NIGHT WITH YOUR FOLLOWERS
WHILE THE NIGHT YET REMAINS AND YOU BRING UP THE REAR 
AND LET NO ONE LOOK BACK BUT PASS ON AS YOU ARE ORDERED

66  WE MADE KNOWN TO HIM THAT THE LAST REMAINING
OF THOSE SINNERS WOULD BE CUT OFF BY THE MORNING

67  THE INHABITANTS OF THE CITY CAME IN 
REJOICING AT THE NEWS OF THE YOUNG MEN

68  LOT SAID, THESE ARE MY GUESTS DO NOT DISGRACE ME

69  BUT FEAR GOD AND DO NOT SHAME ME

70  THEY SAID, DID WE NOT FORBID YOU 
TO SPEAK FOR ALL AND FEW?

71  HE SAID, THESE ARE MY DAUGHTERS TO LAWFULLY
IF YOU MUST ACT SO, TO MARRY

72  BY YOUR LIFE IN THEIR WILD INTOXICATION 
THEY WANDER TO AND FRO IN DISTRACTION

73  BUT THE MIGHTY BLASTING 
OVERTOOK THEM BEFORE MORNING

74  UPON THEM BRIMSTONES HARD AS BAKED CLAY WERE RAINED DOWN
AND TURNED THEIR CITIES UPSIDE DOWN

75  SURELY IN THIS ARE SIGNS
FOR THOSE WHO LEARN LESSONS FROM SIGNS

76  AND THE CITIES WERE ON A HIGHWAY
THAT STILL EXISTS TODAY

77  SURELY IN THIS ARE LESSONS
FOR THOSE WHO ARE BELIEVING ONES

78  AND THE THICKET DWELLERS
WERE ALSO WRONGDOERS

79  WE TOOK VENGEANCE ON THEM TOTALLY
THEY WERE BOTH ON AN OPEN HIGHWAY TO SEE PLAINLY

239
CHAPTER 15.  THE ROCK                                                                  SECTION 6.  PART XIV

80  AND THE ROCKY TRACT DWELLERS
INDEED REJECTED MESSENGERS

81  WE GAVE MESSAGES TO THEM
BUT THEY TURNED AWAY FROM THEM

82  AND THEY USED TO CARVE OUT DWELLINGS
IN THE MOUNTAINS GIVING THEM SECURE FEELINGS

83  BUT A MIGHTY BLASTING
OVERTOOK THEM ONE MORNING

84  AND THEIR EARNINGS
AVAILED THEM NOTHING

85  WE CREATED NOT THE EARTH AND THE HEAVENS
AND ALL BETWEEN THEM BUT WITH JUST ENDS

AND THE HOUR IS SURELY COMING
SO OVERLOOK HUMAN FAULTS GRACIOUSLY AND FORGIVING

86  SURELY GOD IS THE MASTER-CREATOR
AND OF ALL THINGS HE IS THE BEST KNOWER

87  AND WE HAVE BESTOWED UPON YOU SEVEN
OFTEN REPEATED VERSES AND THE GRAND QURAN

88  AND STRAIN NOT YOUR GLANCES
AT WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN CERTAIN CLASSES

AND GRIEVE NOT FOR THEM EITHER
BUT BE GENTLE TO THE BELIEVERS

89  AND SAY, I AM HE THAT WARNS OPENLY
AND WITHOUT AMBIGUITY

90  AND WE SENT DOWN JUST PENALTY
ON THOSE WHO DIVIDED SCRIPTURE ARBITRARILY

91  THOSE WHO DIVIDED THE QURAN INTO PARTS
BELIEVING IN ONE PART AND DISBELIEVING IN ANOTHER PART

92  SO GOD WILL OF A SURETY
CALL THEM TO ACCOUNTABILITY

93  AS TO WHAT THEY DID DO ASSUREDLY

94  SO DECLARE OPENLY WHAT YOU ARE COMMANDED BY GOD
AND TURN AWAY FROM THOSE WHO JOIN GODS WITH GOD

95  FOR SUFFICIENT ARE WE
AGAINST THOSE WHO MAKE MOCKERY

96  THOSE WHO BESIDES GOD WORSHIP OTHERS
SOON WILL THEY COME TO KNOW BETTER 

97  AND GOD KNOWS FOR CERTAIN
THAT AT WHAT THEY SAY YOUR BREAST STRAIGHTENS

98  SO BE OF THOSE WHO PRAISE GOD IN CELEBRATION
WHO PROSTRATE THEMSELVES IN ADORATION

99  AND SERVE AND WORSHIP GOD
UNTIL THE HOUR COMES, WHICH IS CERTAIN FROM GOD

240