The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

45. KNEELING
A Meccan sura that takes its title from verse 28, where the kneeling posture of
all communities on the Day of Judgement is described. The sura addresses some
of the arguments put forward by those sceptical of the truthfulness of the
Quran. Emphasis is placed on the signs of God’s existence discernible in nature,
and on the painful punishment that awaits the doubters on the Day of Judgement.
The misguided arrogance of the disbelievers (verses 8 and 31) is
contrasted with God’s true greatness (verse 37); references to God’s wisdom
and majesty open and close the sura.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1 Ha Mim
2 This Scripture is sent down from God, the Mighty, the Wise.
3 There are signs in the heavens and the earth for those who believe:
4 in the creation of you, in the creatures God scattered on earth, there
are signs for people of sure faith; 5 in the alternation of night and day,
in the rain God provides, sending it down from the sky and reviving
the dead earth with it, and in His shifting of the winds there are
signs for those who use their reason. 6 These are God’s signs that We
recount to you [Prophet, to show] the Truth.
If they deny God and His revelations, what message will they
believe in? 7 Woe to every lying sinful person 8 who hears God’s
revelations being recited to him, yet persists in his arrogance as if he
had never heard them––[Prophet] bring him news of a painful torment!––9
who, if he knows anything about Our revelations, ridicules
it! Such people will have a humiliating torment: 10 Hell lurks behind
them and their gains will not benefit them, nor will those beings they
took as protectors beside God––a tremendous torment awaits them.
11 This is true guidance; those who reject their Lord’s revelations will
have a woeful torment.
12 It is God who subjected the sea for you––ships sail on it by His
command so that you can seek His bounty and give Him thanks––
13 He has subjected all that is in the heavens and the earth for your
benefit, as a gift from Him. There truly are signs in this for those
who reflect.