44:0 In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

44:1 H. M.

44:2 And this enlightening scripture.

44:3 We have sent it down in a blessed night, for we are to warn.

44:4 In it (the scripture), every matter of wisdom is clarified.

44:5 It is a predetermined command from us that we send messengers.

44:6 This is a mercy from your Lord. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.

44:7 Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them. If only you could be certain!

44:8 There is no other god beside Him. He controls life and death; your Lord and the Lord of your ancestors.

44:9 Indeed, they are doubtful, heedless.

The Smoke: A Major Prophecy

44:10 Therefore, watch for the day when the sky brings a profound smoke.

44:11 It will envelope the people; this is a painful retribution.

44:12 "Our Lord, relieve this retribution for us; we are believers."

God's Messenger of the Covenant

44:13 Now that it is too late, they remember! An enlightening messenger had come to them.

44:14 But they turned away from him, saying, "Well educated, but crazy!"

44:15 We will relieve the retribution for awhile; you will soon revert.

44:16 The day we strike the big stroke, we will avenge.

44:17 We have tested before them the people of Pharaoh; an honorable messenger went to them.

44:18 Proclaiming: "Listen to me, servants of GOD. I am an honest messenger to you."

44:19 And, "Do not transgress against GOD. I bring to you powerful proofs.

44:20 "I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord, if you oppose me.

44:21 "If you do not wish to believe, then simply leave me alone."

44:22 Subsequently, he implored his Lord: "These are wicked people."

44:23 (God said,) "Travel with My servants during the night; you will be pursued.

44:24 "Cross the sea quickly; their troops will be drowned."

44:25 Thus, they left behind many gardens and springs.

44:26 Crops and a luxurious life.

44:27 Blessings that they enjoyed.

44:28 All these we caused to be inherited by other people.

44:29 Neither the heaven, nor the earth wept over them, and they were not respited.

44:30 Meanwhile, we saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating persecution.

44:31 From Pharaoh; he was a tyrant.

44:32 We have chosen them from among all the people, knowingly.

44:33 We showed them so many proofs, which constituted a great test.

Expect The Same Consequences

44:34 The present generations say,

44:35 "We only die the first death; we will never be resurrected!

44:36 "Bring back our forefathers, if you are truthful."

44:37 Are they better than the people of Tubba` and others before them? We annihilated them for their crimes.

44:38 We did not create the heavens and the earth, and everything between them, just to play.

44:39 We created them for a specific purpose, but most of them do not know.

44:40 The Day of Decision awaits them all.

44:41 That is the day when no friend can help his friend in any way; no one can be helped.

44:42 Only those who attain mercy from GOD. He is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

The Disbelievers

44:43 Surely, the tree of bitterness -

44:44 will provide the food for the sinful.

44:45 Like lye, it will boil in the stomachs.

44:46 Like the boiling of hellish drinks.

44:47 Take him and throw him into the center of Hell.

44:48 Then pour upon his head the retribution of the Inferno.

44:49 "Taste this; you were so powerful, so honorable."

44:50 This is what you used to doubt.

The Righteous

44:51 The righteous will be in a secure position.

44:52 Enjoying gardens and springs.

44:53 Wearing velvet and satin; close to each other.

44:54 We grant them wonderful spouses.

44:55 They enjoy in it all kinds of fruits, in perfect peace.

The Righteous Do Not Really Die

44:56 They do not taste death therein - beyond the first death - and He has spared them the retribution of Hell.

44:57 Such is the blessing from your Lord. Such is the great triumph.

44:58 We have thus clarified it in your language, that they may take heed.

44:59 Therefore, wait; they too will have to wait.