The Koran
CHAPTER LXX.
ENTITLED, THE STEPS; REVEALED AT MECCA.
IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL GOD.
ONE demanded and called for vengeance to fall on the unbelievers: there
shall be none to avert the same from being inflicted by God, the possessor
of the steps; by which the angels ascend unto him, and the spirit Gabriel
also, in a day whose space is fifty thousand years: wherefore bear the
insults of the Meccans with becoming patience; for they see their punishment
afar off, but we see it nigh at hand. On a certain day the heaven shall
become like molten brass, and the mountains like wool of various colors,
scattered abroad by the wind: and a friend shall not ask a friend concerning
his condition, although they see one another. The wicked shall wish to
redeem himself from the punishment of that day, by giving up his children,
and his wife, and his brother, and his kindred who showed kindness unto
him, and all who are in the earth; and that this might deliver him: by
no means: for hell fire, dragging them by their scalps, shall call him
who shall have turned his back, and fled from the faith, and shall have
amassed riches, and covetously hoarded them. Verily man is created extremely
impatient: when evil toucheth him, he is full of complaint; but when good
befalleth him, he becometh niggardly: except those who are devoutly given,
and who persevere in their prayers; and those of whose substance a due
and certain portion is ready to be given unto him who asketh, and him who
is forbidden by shame to ask and those who sincerely believe the day of
judgment, and who dread the punishment of their Lord (for there is none
secure from the punishment of their Lord): and who abstain from the carnal
knowledge of women other than their wives, or the slaves which their right
hands possess (for as to them they shall be blameless; but whoever coveteth
any women besides these, they are transgressors): and those who faithfully
keep what they are entrusted with, and their covenant; and who are upright
in their testimonies, and who carefully observe the requisite rites in
their prayers: these shall dwell amidst gardens, highly honored. What aileth
the unbelievers, that they run before thee in companies, on the right hand
and on the left? Doth every man of them wish to enter into a garden of
delight? By no means: verily we have created them of that which they know.
I swear by the Lord of the east and of the west, that we are able to destroy
them, and to substitute better than them in their room; neither are we
to be prevented, if we shall please so to do. Wherefore suffer them to
wade in vain disputes, and to amuse themselves with sport; until they meet
their day with which they have been threatened; the day whereon they shall
come forth hastily from their graves, as though they were troops hastening
to their standard; their looks shall be downcast; ignominy shall attend
them. This is the day with which they have been threatened.
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