The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

54: 46
The Moon 351
18 The people of Ad also rejected the truth. How [terrible] was My
punishment and [the fulfilment of] My warnings! 19 We released a
howling wind against them on a day of terrible disaster; 20 it swept
people away like uprooted palm trunks. 21 How [terrible] was My
punishment and [the fulfilment of] My warnings! 22 We have made it
easy to learn lessons from the Quran: will anyone take heed?
23 The people of Thamud also rejected the warnings: 24 they said,
‘What? A man? Why should we follow a lone man from amongst
ourselves? That would be misguided; quite insane! 25 Would a message
be given to him alone out of all of us? No, he is an insolent liar!’
26 ‘Tomorrow they will know who is the insolent liar, 27 for We shall
send them a she-camel to test them: so watch them [Salih] and be
patient. 28 Tell them the water is to be shared between them: a each
one should drink in turn.’ 29 But they called their companion, who
took a sword and hamstrung the camel. 30 How [terrible] was My
punishment and [the fulfilment of] My warnings! 31 We released a
single mighty blast against them and they ended up like a fencemaker’s
dry sticks. 32 We have made it easy to learn lessons from the
Quran: will anyone take heed?
33 The people of Lot rejected the warnings. 34 We released a stonebearing
wind against them, all except the family of Lot. We saved
them before dawn 35 as a favour from Us: this is how We reward the
thankful. 36 He warned them of Our onslaught, but they dismissed
the warning – 37 they even demanded his guests from him – so We
sealed their eyes –‘ Taste My [terrible] punishment and [the fulfilment
of] My warnings!’– 38 and early in the morning a punishment
seized them that still remains – 39 ‘Taste My [terrible] punishment
and [the fulfilment of] My warnings!’ 40 We have made it easy to learn
lessons from the Quran: will anyone take heed?
41 The people of Pharaoh also received warnings. 42 They rejected
all Our signs so We seized them with all Our might and power.
43 ‘Are your disbelievers b any better than these? Were you given an
exemption in the Scripture?’ 44 Do they perhaps say, ‘We are a great
army and we shall be victorious’? 45 Their forces will be routed and
they will turn tail and flee. c 46 But the Hour is their appointed time –
a And the she-camel (see 26: 155).
b Of Mecca.
c The Prophet repeated this verse at the Battle of Badr.