The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

(418)
87. THE MOST HIGH
A Meccan sura reassuring the Prophet that God will help him and urging him
to continue with his mission. The temporary nature of this world is highlighted
through mention of the short life of green pasture (cf. 10: 24; 18: 45).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1 [Prophet], glorify the name of your Lord the Most High, 2 who
created [all things] in due proportion; 3 who determined their destinies
and guided them; 4 who brought out the green pasture 5 then
made it dark debris. 6 [Prophet], We shall teach you [the Quran] and
you will not forget––7 unless God wishes; He knows both what is
open and what is hidden––8 We shall show you the easy way. a 9 So
remind, if reminding will help. b 10 Those who stand in awe of God
will heed the reminder, 11 but it will be ignored by the most wicked,
12 who will enter the Great Fire, 13 where they will neither die nor
live. c 14 Prosperous are those who purify themselves, 15 remember the
name of their Lord, and pray. 16 Yet you [people] prefer the life of
this world, 17 even though the Hereafter is better and more lasting.
18 All this is in the earlier scriptures, 19 the scriptures of Abraham and
Moses.
a Or ‘We shall make things easy for you’ Literally: ‘We shall ease you towards ease’.
b Razi cites many instances in the Quran where this structure conveys the meaning
‘warn [everyone], whether [or not] warning will help’.
c They will neither be granted the respite of death, nor be able to enjoy their
continued state of life (Razi).