96 We also sent Moses, with Our signs and clear authority, 97 to Pharaoh and his supporters, but they followed Pharaoh’s orders, and Pharaoh’s orders were misguided. 98 He will be at the forefront of his people on the Day of Resurrection, leading them down towards the Fire. What a foul drinking place to be led to! 99 They were pursued by God’s rejection in this life and will be on the Day of Resurrection, too. What a foul gift to be given!
100 We relate to you [Muhammad] such accounts of earlier towns: some of them are still standing; some have been mown down; 101 We did not wrong them; they wronged themselves. Their gods, which they called on beside God, were no use to them when what your Lord had ordained came about; they only increased their ruin. 102 Such is the punishment of your Lord for towns in the midst of their sins: His punishment is terrible and severe.
Scenes from the Day of Resurrection
103 There truly is a sign in this for anyone who fears the punishment of the Hereafter. That is a Day in which all people will be gathered together, a Day for all to see. 104 We are delaying it only for a specified period, 105 and when that Day comes, no soul will speak except by His permission, and some of them will be wretched and some happy. 106 The wretched ones will be in the Fire, sighing and groaning, 107 there to remain for as long as the heavens and earth endure, unless your Lord wills otherwise: your Lord carries out whatever He wills. 108 As for those who have been blessed, they will be in Paradise, there to remain as long as the heavens and earth endure, unless your Lord wills otherwise– an unceasing gift. [a]
109 [Prophet], have no doubt about what these people worship: it is merely what their fathers worshipped before them, and We shall certainly give them their share in full, without any reduction. 110 We gave Moses the Scripture before you, but differences arose about it and if it had not been for a prior word from your Lord, a decision would already have been made between them, though they are in grave doubt about it. 111 Your Lord will give everyone full due for whatever they have done: He is aware of everything they do. 112 So keep to the right course as you have been commanded, together with those who have turned to God with you. Do not overstep the limits, for He sees everything you do. 113 Do not rely on those who do evil, or the Fire may touch you, and then you will have no one to protect you from God, nor will you be helped.
114 [Prophet], keep up the prayer at both ends of the day, and during parts of the night, for good things drive bad away– this is a reminder for those who are aware. 115 Be steadfast: God does not let the rewards of those who do good go to waste. 116 If only there had been, among the generations before your time, people with a remnant of good sense, to forbid corruption on the earth! We saved only a few of them, while the unjust pursued the enjoyment of plenty, and persisted in sin. 117 Your Lord would not destroy any town without cause if its people were acting righteously. 118 If your Lord had pleased, He would have made all people a single community, but they continue to have their differences– 119 except those on whom your Lord has mercy– for He created them to be this way, and the word of your Lord is final: ‘I shall definitely fill Hell with both jinn and men.’
Benefits From the Stories of Messengers
120 So [Muhammad], We have told you the stories of the prophets to make your heart firm and in these accounts truth has come to you, as well as lessons and reminders for the believers. 121 Say to those who do not believe, ‘Do whatever you can: we too are doing what we can,’ 122 and ‘Wait: we too are waiting.’ 123 All that is hidden in the heavens and earth belongs to God, and all authority [b] goes back to Him. So [Prophet], worship Him, and put your trust in Him: your Lord is never unaware of what you [people] are doing.
Footnotes
a. Literally ‘uninterrupted giving’.
b. Or ‘all things’.
The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)
The Qur'an / a new translation by M. A. S. Abdel Haleem, copyright © 2004 Oxford World's Classics (Oxford University Press). Used by permission. All rights reserved.