A Meccan sura, the main theme of which is the possibility and inevitability of the Resurrection, its results, and its timing. The story of Moses and Pharaoh acts as encouragement to the Prophet and a warning to the disbelievers.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1By the forceful chargersa 2raring to go, 3sweeping ahead at full stretch, 4overtaking swiftly 5to bring the matter to an end, 6on the Day when the blast reverberates 7and the second blast follows, 8hearts will tremble 9and eyes will be downcast. 10Theyb say, ‘What? shall we be brought back to life, 11after we have turned into decayed bones?’ and they say, 12‘Such a return is impossible!’c 13But all it will take is a single blast, 14and they will be back above ground.
15Have you [Prophet] heard the story of Moses? 16His Lord called out to him in the sacred valley of Tuwa: 17‘Go to Pharaoh, for he has exceeded all bounds, 18and ask him, “Do you want to purify yourself [of sin]19 “Do you want me to guide you to your Lord, so that you may hold Him in awe?”’ 20Moses showed him the great sign, 21but he denied it and refused [the faith]. 22He turned away and hastily 23gathered his people, proclaiming, 24‘I am your supreme lord,’ 25so God condemned him to punishment in the life to come as well as in this life: 26there truly is a lesson in this for anyone who stands in awe of God.
27Which is harder to create: you people or the sky that He built, 28raising it high and perfecting it, 29giving darkness to its night and bringing out its morning brightness, 30and the earth, too, He spread out, 31bringing waters and pastures out of it, 32and setting firm mountains [in it] 33for you and your animals to enjoy? 34When the great overwhelming event arrives 35on the Day that man remembers what he has done 36and Hell is there for all to see, 37for anyone who has transgressed 38and preferred the present life 39Hell will be home; 40for anyone who feared the meeting with his Lord and restrained himself from base desires, 41Paradise will be home.
42They ask you [Prophet] about the Hour, 43saying, ‘When will it arrive?’, but how can you tell [them that]? 44Its time is known only to your Lord; 45you are only sent to warn those who fear it. 46On the Day they see it, it will seem they lingered [in this life] an evening [at most,] or its morning.a