[Read out to them, O Prophet,] In the name of Allah, Mercy abundant, Mercy eternal. Blessed is He, in Whose hands are the reigns [of all existence]^[1], and He has power over all things^[2]. He it is, Who created death and life to test you as to who among you is the best in deeds. And He is the Mighty^[3], the Forgiving^[4].

[It is He,] Who made seven heavens, one over the other - You shall not see any blemish in the [vast] creation of the Merciful. Take a look. Do you find even a single flaw? Return your gaze over and over again. Your gaze shall only come back to you, weary and unsuccessful [in finding a flaw in this vast creation]^[5].

And [with these signs of power and wisdom, We are also fully concerned about the good and the evil in this Creation. So, you see that] We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps [to help you in finding your ways in land and in sea] and [what you do not see is that] We have also made these [lamps] a pelting for the devils and [in the Hereafter,] We have also prepared for them the punishment of the burning fire. And [similarly,] for those, who [in the face of all these signs,] have rejected [the coming of the Day of Judgment and thus have, in effect, rejected] their Lord, they shall be recompensed with the punishment of Hell - an evil resort.

When they are cast in it, they shall hear its roar, as it boils - as if it were bursting with anger. Each time a group is flung into it, its keepers shall ask them: 'Did no one come to you to warn you [of this Day]?' They shall say: 'Yes. A person did indeed come to us warning us [about it], but we rejected him and said that God has not revealed a thing'. [In response to the call of all such people,] We said: '[All of] you are in clear error'. And they shall say: "If only we had [carefully] listened [to their call] or had deliberated [over God's signs], we would not have been among the people of the Hellfire'. Thus shall they confess their crime and now, damned are the inmates of the Hellfire. [On the other hand,] those, who fear their Lord, while they do not see Him^[6], shall indeed enjoy forgiveness and a great reward.

And [O people,] whether you publicize your thoughts or keep them to yourselves [He knows them all]. He is aware of even the secrets of the heart. Would He not know, Who has created [you], while He actually is concerned about the minutest details, is fully aware [of everything].

It is He, Who has made the earth like a submissive camel for you: Walk about its shoulders and eat of the blessings that He has provided for you. [Enjoy all these provisions, but do not forget your responsibility towards the Provider. You shall be made answerable to Him for your behavior^[7]] and [for this purpose,] to Him shall you all be raised.

Do you feel secured from Him, Who is in the heavens, that He may cause you to be swallowed up by the earth? Then suddenly you see it darting^[8] [wildly]. Or do you feel secured from Him, Who is in the heavens, that He may send upon you whirl winds carrying stones? Now, you shall soon know how dire was My warning. And many a people before them have also rejected [My messengers and thereby became subjects of My punishment]. So do you not see how terrible was My curse [upon them]^[9]?

[But they refuse to see the signs of God spread around them.] Do they not see the birds [flying] above them? Spreading their wings and they would also fold them in. No one except the Merciful holds them up. Indeed, He watches over everything.

[Refusing to see all these signs spread around you, you ask the Prophet to bring about the punishment with which he is warning you. After all,] who is it that will protect you as an army against the Merciful [when He decides to punish you]? These rejecters are but gravely deluded. [What to say of protecting against the Almighty's punishment,] if He were only to cut-off the means of your sustenance [from you], who is it that would provide you with your sustenance? [They know that no one can,] yet they persist in their transgression and rebellion [against God's truth].

[This is because these people - like cattle - want to go through life groveling around on their faces.] Now then, who is more likely to be guided to the right path: Him, who grovels around on his face or him, who walks upright on a straight path? [It's a pity that they would not listen.] Say [to them, O Prophet]: 'He it is, Who raised you up [as humans]^[10] and bestowed you with ears, eyes and hearts [so that you may use these faculties for distinguishing right from wrong]. But seldom are you thankful'. Say: 'He it is, Who has cultivated you in the earth [like a crop, and like all farmers, He shall soon separate the wheat from the chaff from His cultivation]. And [for this purpose,] to Him shall you all be gathered [like a harvest].

And [yet, driven by their arrogance and transgression,] they [sarcastically] ask: 'When shall this Promise come to pass - if you are truthful [about it]?' Say: 'The knowledge [of the hour] rests only with God; I am only to deliver a plain warning [about it]'. [They may make as much fun of it, as they will] but when they see it approaching, the faces of these rejecters will be contorted [with fear and woe] and it will be said: 'This is what you so eagerly desired [to see]'.

[They say that it is only a matter of time that these people become a target of our wrath.] Ask them [O Prophet,]: 'Have you ever considered that even if God were either to cause me as well as those with me to perish or to have mercy upon us [what good would that do to you? You should be more concerned with finding out] who is going to protect the rejecters from an extremely painful punishment?' Say [to them: 'We do not know what the future has in store for us. But we do know that] He is Abounding Mercy, We have believed in Him and have put our trust in Him [and, so, are hopeful that He will protect us from harm]. Nevertheless, [whatever happens to us,] you will soon find out who it is that is in clear error'.

[Yet they arrogantly turn away from the Prophet's warnings.] Ask them: 'Have you ever considered that if only this water [on which your life depends], were to sink deep into the earth, who it is that would bring you springs of clean water [to sustain your life]?'^[11]