The Wind-Curved Sandhills
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.[46:1]
Ha. Mim.
[46:2]
The revelation of the Scripture is from Allah the Mighty, the
Wise.
[46:3]
We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between
them save with truth, and for a term appointed. But those who disbelieve
turn away from that whereof they are warned.
[46:4]
Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Have ye thought on all that ye invoke
beside Allah ? Show me what they have created of the earth. Or have they
any portion in the heavens ? Bring me a scripture before this (Scripture),
or some vestige of knowledge (in support of what ye say), if ye are
truthful.
[46:5]
And who is further astray than those who, instead of Allah, pray
unto such as hear not their prayer until the Day of Resurrection, and are
unconscious of their prayer,
[46:6]
And when mankind are gathered (to the Judgment) will become
enemies for them, and will become deniers of having been worshipped.
[46:7]
And when Our clear revelations are recited unto them, those who
disbelieve say of the Truth when it reacheth them: This is mere magic.
[46:8]
Or say they: He hath invented it ? Say (O Muhammad): If I have
invented it, still ye have no power to support me against Allah. He is
Best Aware of what ye say among yourselves concerning it. He sufficeth for
a witness between me and you. And He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.
[46:9]
Say: I am no new thing among the messengers (of Allah), nor know I
what will be done with me or with you. I do but follow that which is
inspired in me, and I am but a plain warner.
[46:10]
Bethink you: If it is from Allah and ye disbelieve therein, and a
witness of the Children of Israel hath already testified to the like
thereof and hath believed, and ye are too proud (what plight is yours) ?
Lo! Allah guideth not wrong-doing folk.
[46:11]
And those who disbelieve say of those who believe: If it had been
(any) good, they would not have been before us in attaining it. And since
they will not be guided by it, they say: This is an ancient lie;
[46:12]
When before it there was the Scripture of Moses, an example and a
mercy; and this is a confirming Scripture in the Arabic language, that it
may warn those who do wrong and bring good tidings for the righteous.
[46:13]
Lo! those who say: Our Lord is Allah, and thereafter walk aright,
there shall no fear come upon them neither shall they grieve.
[46:14]
Such are rightful owners of the Garden, immortal therein, as a
reward for what they used to do.
[46:15]
And We have commended unto man kindness toward parents. His mother
beareth him with reluctance, and bringeth him forth with reluctance, and
the bearing of him and the weaning of him is thirty months, till, when he
attaineth full strength and reacheth forty years, he saith: My Lord!
Arouse me that I may give thanks for the favour wherewith Thou hast
favoured me and my parents, and that I may do right acceptable unto Thee.
And be gracious unto me in the matter of my seed. Lo! I have turned unto
Thee repentant, and lo! I am of those who surrender (unto Thee).
[46:16]
Those are they from whom We accept the best of what they do, and
overlook their evil deeds. (They are) among the owners of the Garden. This
is the true promise which they were promised (in the world).
[46:17]
And whoso saith unto his parents: Fie upon you both! Do ye
threaten me that I shall be brought forth (again) when generations before
me have passed away ? And they twain cry unto Allah for help (and say):
Woe unto thee! Believe! Lo! the promise of Allah is true. But he saith:
This is naught save fables of the men of old:
[46:18]
Such are those on whom the Word concerning nations of the jinn and
mankind which have passed away before them hath effect. Lo! they are the
losers.
[46:19]
And for all there will be ranks from what they do, that He may pay
them for their deeds; and they will not be wronged.
[46:20]
And on the day when those who disbelieve are exposed to the Fire
(it will be said): Ye squandered your good things in the life of the world
and sought comfort therein. Now this day ye are rewarded with the doom of
ignominy because ye were disdainful in the land without a right, and
because ye used to transgress.
[46:21]
And make mention (O Muhammad) of the brother of A’ad when he
warned his folk among the wind-curved sandhills - and verily warners came
and went before and after him - saying: Serve none but Allah. Lo! I fear
for you the doom of a tremendous Day.
[46:22]
They said: Hast come to turn us away from our gods ? Then bring
upon us that wherewith thou threatenest us, if thou art of the truthful.
[46:23]
He said: The knowledge is with Allah only. I convey unto you that
wherewith I have been sent, but I see you are a folk that know not.
[46:24]
Then, when they beheld it as a dense cloud coming toward their
valleys, they said: Here is a cloud bringing us rain. Nay, but it is that
which ye did seek to hasten, a wind wherein is painful torment,
[46:25]
Destroying all things by commandment of its Lord. And morning
found them so that naught could be seen save their dwellings. Thus do We
reward the guilty folk.
[46:26]
And verily We had empowered them with that wherewith We have not
empowered you, and had assigned them ears and eyes and hearts; but their
ears and eyes and hearts availed them naught since they denied the
revelations of Allah; and what they used to mock befell them.
[46:27]
And verily We have destroyed townships round about you, and
displayed (for them) Our revelation, that haply they might return.
[46:28]
Then why did those whom they had chosen for gods as a way of
approach (unto Allah) not help them ? Nay, but they did fail them utterly.
And (all) that was their lie, and what they used to invent.
[46:29]
And when We inclined toward thee (Muhammad) certain of the jinn,
who wished to hear the Qur’an and, when they were in its presence, said:
Give ear! and, when it was finished, turned back to their people, warning.
[46:30]
They said: O our people! Lo! we have heard a scripture which hath
been revealed after Moses, confirming that which was before it, guiding
unto the truth and a right road.
[46:31]
O our people! respond to Allah’s summoner and believe in Him. He
will forgive you some of your sins and guard you from a painful doom.
[46:32]
And whoso respondeth not to Allah’s summoner he can nowise escape
in the earth, and he hath no protecting friends instead of Him. Such are
in error manifest.
[46:33]
Have they not seen that Allah, Who created the heavens and the
earth and was not wearied by their creation, is Able to give life to the
dead ? Aye, He verily is Able to do all things.
[46:34]
And on the day when those who disbelieve are exposed to the Fire
(they will be asked): Is not this real ? They will say: Yea, by our Lord.
He will say: Then taste the doom for that ye disbelieved.
[46:35]
Then have patience (O Muhammad) even as the stout of heart among
the messengers (of old) had patience, and seek not to hasten on (the doom)
for them. On the day when they see that which they are promised (it will
seem to them) as though they had tarried but an hour of daylight. A clear
message. Shall any be destroyed save evil-living folk ?