77. The Emissaries

By the (Winds) sent forth one afteranother (to man’s profit);

Which then blow violently in tempestuousGusts,

And scatter (things) far and wide;

Then separate them, one from another,

Then spread abroad a Message,

Whether of Justification or of Warning;-

Assuredly, what ye are promised mustcome to pass.

Then when the stars become dim;

When the heaven is cleft asunder;

When the mountains are scattered (to thewinds) as dust;

And when the apostles are (all)appointed a time (to collect);-

For what Day are these (portents)deferred?

For the Day of Sorting out.

And what will explain to thee what isthe Day of Sorting out?

Ah woe, that Day, to the Rejecters ofTruth!

Did We not destroy the men of old (fortheir evil)?

So shall We make later (generations)follow them.

Thus do We deal with men of sin.

Ah woe, that Day, to the Rejecters ofTruth!

Have We not created you from a fluid(held) despicable?-

The which We placed in a place of rest,firmly fixed,

For a period (of gestation), determined(according to need)?

For We do determine (according to need);for We are the best to determine (things).

Ah woe, that Day! to the Rejecters ofTruth!

Have We not made the earth (as a place)to draw together.

The living and the dead,

And made therein mountains standingfirm, lofty (in stature); and provided for you water sweet (and wholesome)?

Ah woe, that Day, to the Rejecters ofTruth!

(It will be said:) “Depart ye to thatwhich ye used to reject as false!

“Depart ye to a Shadow (of smokeascending) in three columns,

“(Which yields) no shade of coolness,and is of no use against the fierce Blaze.

“Indeed it throws about sparks (huge) asForts,

“As if there were (a string of) yellowcamels (marching swiftly).”

Ah woe, that Day, to the Rejecters ofTruth!

That will be a Day when they shall notbe able to speak.

Nor will it be open to them to put forthpleas.

Ah woe, that Day, to the Rejecters ofTruth!

That will be a Day of Sorting out! Weshall gather you together and those before (you)!

Now, if ye have a trick (or plot), useit against Me!

Ah woe, that Day, to the Rejecters ofTruth!

As to the Righteous, they shall beamidst (cool) shades and springs (of water).

And (they shall have) fruits,- all theydesire.

“Eat ye and drink ye to your heart’scontent: for that ye worked (Righteousness).

Thus do We certainly reward the Doers ofGood.

Ah woe, that Day, to the Rejecters ofTruth!

(O ye unjust!) Eat ye and enjoyyourselves (but) a little while, for that ye are Sinners.

Ah woe, that Day, to the Rejecters ofTruth!

And when it is said to them, “Prostrateyourselves!” they do not so.

Ah woe, that Day, to the Rejecters ofTruth!

Then what Message, after that, will theybelieve in?