The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

79. THE FORCEFUL CHARGERS
A Meccan sura, the main theme of which is the possibility and inevitability of
the Resurrection, its results, and its timing. The story of Moses and Pharaoh
acts as encouragement to the Prophet and a warning to the disbelievers.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1 By the forceful chargers a 2 raring to go, 3 sweeping ahead at full
stretch, 4 overtaking swiftly 5 to bring the matter to an end, 6 on the
Day when the blast reverberates 7 and the second blast follows,
8 hearts will tremble 9 and eyes will be downcast. 10 They b say, ‘What?
shall we be brought back to life, 11 after we have turned into decayed
bones?’ and they say, 12 ‘Such a return is impossible!’ c 13 But all it will
take is a single blast, 14 and they will be back above ground.
15 Have you [Prophet] heard the story of Moses? 16 His Lord called
out to him in the sacred valley of Tuwa: 17 ‘Go to Pharaoh, for he has
exceeded all bounds, 18 and ask him, “Do you want to purify yourself
[of sin]? 19 Do you want me to guide you to your Lord, so that you may
hold Him in awe?” ’ 20 Moses showed him the great sign, 21 but he
denied it and refused [the faith]. 22 He turned away and hastily 23 gathered
his people, proclaiming, 24 ‘I am your supreme lord,’ 25 so God
condemned him to punishment in the life to come as well as in this life:
26 there truly is a lesson in this for anyone who stands in awe of God.
27 Which is harder to create: you people or the sky that He built,
28 raising it high and perfecting it, 29 giving darkness to its night and
bringing out its morning brightness, 30 and the earth, too, He spread
out, 31 bringing waters and pastures out of it, 32 and setting firm
mountains [in it] 33 for you and your animals to enjoy? 34 When the
a There are various interpretations of naziat. One is that they are angels coming to
take the souls at death, which is a fitting oath, as this is a fearful event that cannot be
avoided, just as the hour of doom cannot be avoided. Another is that they are horses
going out on a military expedition, making the hearts of the enemy tremble. In my
opinion this is the most likely (see Sura 100). The suddenness and feeling of alarm in
this scene is a symbolic anticipation of the suddenness and shock that will accompany
the end of the world.
b The disbelievers of Mecca.
c Or (mockingly) ‘That would be a losing return!’.