Surah “Smoke, The Evident Smoke”

as rendered by Mohammad Shafi — 59 verses

Ha-mi
[Angels swear:] By the Book clear [Qur'aan]
We have indeed sent it [the Qur'aan] down on a blessed night. We had indeed been warning [mankind]
That night, every decree of wisdom is distinctly defined
Decree from Us — We were the Messengers indeed
A mercy from your Lord — He hears all, knows all
He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is in between, if you do certainly believe
No deity other than Him — He who gives life and death! Your Lord and Lord of your forefathers
But, they play with their doubts
Wait then for the Day when smoke appears in the sk
[And] envelopes the people, [who cry out,] "Painful punishment this!"
"Our Lord! Relieve us from this punishment; we do indeed believe in You!"
Was not there for them the Zikr [Qur'aan]? And surely a Messenger duly and clearly authorized had come to them therewith
But then they had turned away from him saying he was a crazy man, just repeating what he had learnt from others
Were We to ease the torment for a while, you would return to worshipping others besides Allah
On the Day We get hold with the severest grip [Day of Judgment], We will certainly exact retribution
And We did put the people of Pharaoh on trial, before them. And there came to them a noble Messenger
[The Messenger said to them,] "Hand over to me Allah's worshippers [Children of Israel]. I am a trustworthy Messenger sent to you."
And the Messenger further said, "Do not set you yourselves above Allah. I have indeed come to you with clear authority
And I do indeed seek refuge with my Lord — and your Lord — lest you stone me [to death]
If you do not believe in me, then do let me go
He then prayed to his Lord, "These are sinful people."
[Allah said,] "Move out in the night with My devotees. You shall indeed be pursued."
"Leave the sea and be calm! Pharaoh's army is destined to be drowned."
How many gardens and fountains did they leave behind
And [how many] fields and places nice
And comfortable life which they enjoyed
And such other things! And We handed over all that to another people
Neither the heaven nor the earth wept for them! And they were given no respite
And We did save the Children of Israel from the humiliating torture
[Torture -] at the hands of Pharaoh! He was foremost among those who exceeded all bounds
And We chose them — We knew whom to choose — above all other people
And We gave them signs in which there was a clear test
Indeed, there are those who do say
"There is nothing beyond our first death! And we shall not be raised to life again."
"If what you say is true, then bring back our forefathers!"
Are they better than the people of Tubba [an ancient tribe] and those who came before them? We destroyed those earlier peoples, because they were sinners
We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that lies in between them just for playing therewith
We did not create them but with a purpose ! Yet most of them know this not
Indeed, Day of the Decision is the appointed time for them all
Day when friend shall be of no avail to friend, and they shall not be given any help
[No help] except to those whom Allah shows mercy. Indeed, He is the One Omnipotent, Merciful
Indeed, the Zaqqum tree
[Zaqqum tree] shall be food of the sinful
[Food of the sinful would be] like molten brass boiling in their bellies
Like the boiling of hot water
[Allah will command angels,] "Seize him and drag him into the thick of the Hell Fire."
"Then pour over his head boiling water as punishment."
"Taste it! You did indeed consider yourself powerful and honourable!"
"This indeed is what you had doubts about."
The pious shall be in a secure place
Among gardens and springs
Dressed in silk and brocade, and facing one another
Thus shall it be! And We shall give them Houris with lovely eyes as companions
In an atmosphere of peace and security therein, they will ask for every kind of fruit
They will not taste death therein like the one they earlier had. Allah will save them from the torment of Hell
[Saving people from Hell and granting them entry into Paradise would be] a favour from your Lord. That will be the highest success
We have indeed then made this Qur'aan easy in your own language so that they [your people] may listen and pay attention
So you wait and watch [what happens to them]; they too are waiting and watching [what happens to you.