The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

46. THE SAND DUNES
A Meccan sura. The title refers to the sand dunes mentioned in verse 21,
where the people of Ad used to live, and where they were destroyed when they
rejected the warning of their prophet. It reflects one of the major themes of this
sura: the inescapable punishment that awaits those who deny the truth and the
Resurrection. Emphasis is placed on the fact that communities more established
than the Meccans’ have been destroyed, and that even the jinn believe in the
Quran before the disbelievers of Mecca do. Finally, the Prophet is encouraged
to be steadfast and await God’s judgement on the disbelievers.
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 Almighty, the Wise. 3 It
was for a true purpose and a specific term that We created heaven
and earth and everything in between, yet those who deny the truth
ignore the warning they have been given. 4 Say [Prophet], ‘Consider
those you pray to other than God: show me which part of the earth
they created or which share of the heavens they own; bring me a
previous scripture or some vestige of divine knowledge––if what you
say is true.’ 5 Who could be more wrong than a person who calls on
those other than God, those who will not answer him till the Day of
Resurrection, those who are unaware of his prayers, 6 those who,
when all mankind is gathered, will become his enemies and disown
his worship?
7 When Our revelations are recited to them in all their clarity, the
disbelievers say of the Truth that has reached them, ‘This is clearly
sorcery,’ 8 or they say, ‘He has invented it himself.’ Say [Prophet], ‘If
I have really invented it, there is nothing you can do to save me from
God. He knows best what you say amongst yourselves about it;
He is sufficient as a witness between me and you; He is the Most
Forgiving, the Most Merciful.’ 9 Say, ‘I am nothing new among God’s
messengers. I do not know what will be done with me or you; I only
follow what is revealed to me; I only warn plainly.’ 10 Say, ‘Have you
thought: what if this Quran really is from God and you reject it?
What if one of the Children of Israel testifies to its similarity [to