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
A Severe Warning
1 By the forceful chargers a 2 raring to go, 3 sweeping ahead at full stretch, 4 overtaking swiftly 5 to bring the matter to an end, 6 on the Day when the blast reverberates 7 and the second blast follows, 8 hearts will tremble 9 and eyes will be downcast. 10 They [b] say, ‘What? shall we be brought back to life, 11 after we have turned into decayed bones?’ and they say, 12 ‘Such a return is impossible!’ [c] 13 But all it will take is a single blast, 14 and they will be back above ground.
15 Have you [Prophet] heard the story of Moses? 16 His Lord called out to him in the sacred valley of Tuwa: 17 ‘Go to Pharaoh, for he has exceeded all bounds, 18 and 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?” ’ 20 Moses showed him the great sign, 21 but he denied it and refused [the faith]. 22 He turned away and hastily 23 gathered his people, proclaiming, 24 ‘I am your supreme lord,’ 25 so God condemned him to punishment in the life to come as well as in this life: 26 there truly is a lesson in this for anyone who stands in awe of God.
God the Creator
27 Which is harder to create: you people or the sky that He built, 28 raising it high and perfecting it, 29 giving darkness to its night and bringing out its morning brightness, 30 and the earth, too, He spread out, 31 bringing waters and pastures out of it, 32 and setting firm mountains [in it] 33 for you and your animals to enjoy?
34 When the great overwhelming event arrives 35 on the Day that man remembers what he has done 36 and Hell is there for all to see, 37 for anyone who has transgressed 38 and preferred the present life 39 Hell will be home; 40 for anyone who feared the meeting with his Lord and restrained himself from base desires, 41 Paradise will be home.
42 They ask you [Prophet] about the Hour, 43 saying, ‘When will it arrive?’, but how can you tell [them that]? 44 Its time is known only to your Lord; 45 you are only sent to warn those who fear it. 46 On the Day they see it, it will seem they lingered [in this life] an evening [at most,] or its morning. [d]
Footnotes
a. There are various interpretations of naziat. One is that they are angels coming to take the souls at death, which is a fitting oath, as this is a fearful event that cannot be avoided, just as the hour of doom cannot be avoided. Another is that they are horses going out on a military expedition, making the hearts of the enemy tremble. In my opinion this is the most likely (see Sura 100). The suddenness and feeling of alarm in this scene is a symbolic anticipation of the suddenness and shock that will accompany the end of the world.
b. The disbelievers of Mecca.
c. Or (mockingly) ‘That would be a losing return!’.
d. Cf. 46: 35.
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.