Surah “The Mount, The Mountain”

as rendered by Ahmed Ali — 49 verses

I CALL TO witness the Mount Sinai
And the Scripture inscribe
On a parchment scroll unrolled
The house ever-peopled
The roof raised high
And the swollen sea
The punishment of your Lord is certain to come
There is none who could avert it
The day the sky will tremble
The mountains move and fly away
Will be the day of woe for thos
Who, ignoring the Reality, engage in pleasantries
The day they are dragged and pushed into Hell
(And told:) "This is the fire which you denied
Is it magic, or you cannot see
Roast in it. Bear it with patience or impatience, it will be the same for you. You will be requited for what you had done."
Those who fear God and follow the straight path will surely be in gardens and in bliss
Rejoicing at what their Lord has given them; and their Lord will preserve them from the torment of Hell
"Eat and drink with relish," (they will be told), (as recompense) for what you had done."
They would recline on couches set in rows, paired with fair companions (clean of thought and) bright of eye
And those who believed, and whose progeny also followed them in their faith, will be united with their offspring. We will not deprive them of their labour in the least. Every man is bound to what he does
We shall give them fruits and meats, and what they desire
They will exchange cups of wine free of (incitement to) pleasantry or sin
And young attendants like pearls within their shells, will go round
They will ask each other questions
Saying: "We were also once full of fear at home
But God has been gracious to us, and has saved us from the torment of scorching wind
We used to pray to Him erstwhile; He is the just and merciful
Remind them, therefore, that by the grace of your Lord you are neither a soothsayer nor possessed
Do they say: "He is a poet for whom we expect an adverse turn of fortune?"
Tell them: "Keep on expecting, I am expecting with you."
Does their reasoning prompt them to this, or they are a people rebellious
Or do they say: "He has fabricated it?" In fact, they will never believe
So let them bring a discourse like it, if they are truthfu
Or were they created of themselves? Or are they the creators
Or have they created the heavens and the earth? In fact they are certain of nothing
Do they possess the treasures of your Lord? Or are they the treasurers
Or do they have a ladder (climbing which) they can hear (the secrets of heaven)? Let one who has heard then bring a clear proof
Has (God) daughters and they sons
Or do you demand any wages from them so that they are burdened with expense
Or do they have knowledge of the Unknown which they write down
Or do they want to stage a deception? -- Then only those who do not believe will be the ones who will be tricked
Or do they have a god apart from God? He is too exalted for what they associate with Him
If they should see a segment falling from the sky, they would say: "It is only a massive cloud."
So, leave them until they face their day (of doom) when they will be stunned
Their deception will not avail them in the least on that day, nor will they be helped
Surely there are other torments besides this for those who are wicked, though most of them do not know
Await the judgement of your Lord, for you are always before Our eyes, and glorify your Lord with praises when you rise
And glorify Him in the night and when the stars begin to wane