A Meccan sura. The disbelievers often asked incredulously about the Resurrection. This sura gives evidence of God’s power, then explains what will happen on the Day of Resurrection, and the respective fates of believers and disbelievers.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1What are they asking about? 2The momentous announcement 3about which they differ. 4They will find out. 5In the end they will find out. 6Did We not make the earth smooth, 7and make the mountains to keep it stable?b 8Did We not create you in pairs, 9give you sleep for rest, 10the night as a cover, 11and the day for your livelihood? 12Did We not build seven strong [heavens] above you, 13and make a blazing lamp? 14Did We not send water pouring down from the clouds 15to bring forth with it grain, plants, 16and luxuriant gardens? 17A time has been appointed for the Day of Decision: 18a Day when the Trumpet will sound and you will come forward in crowds, 19when the sky will open up like wide portals, 20when the mountains will vanish like a mirage. 21Hell lies in wait, 22a home for oppressors 23to stay in for a long, long time, 24where they will taste no coolness nor drink 25except one that is scalding and darkc— 26a fitting requital, 27for they did not fear a reckoning, 28and they rejected Our messages as lies. 29We have recorded everything in a Record. 30‘Taste this: all you will get from Us is more torment.’
31For those who were aware of God there is supreme fulfilment: 32private gardens, vineyards, 33nubile, well-matched companions, 34and an overflowing cup. 35There they will hear no vain or lying talk: 36a reward from your Lord, a fitting gift 37from the Lord of the heavens and earth and everything between, the Lord of Mercy.
They will have no authority from Him to speak. 38On the Day when the Spirita and the angels stand in rows, they will not speak except for those to whom the Lord of Mercy gives permission, who will say only what is right. 39That is the Day of Truth. So whoever wishes to do so should take the path that leads to his Lord. 40We have warned you of imminent torment, on the Day when every person will see what their own hands have sent ahead for them, when the disbeliever will say, ‘If only I were dust!’b