Chapters from the Koran.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| Mecca Suras |
| | | The Chapter of the ‘Covered’ |
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| IN 1 the name of the merciful and compassionate God. | 1 |
| O thou who art covered! rise up and warn! | 2 |
| And thy Lord magnify! | 3 |
| And thy garments purify! | 4 |
| And abomination shun! | 5 |
| And grant not favours to gain increase! | 6 |
| And for thy Lord await! | 7 |
| And when the trump is blown,—for that day is a difficult day! for the misbelievers aught but easy! | 8 |
| Leave me alone with him I have created and for whom I have made extensive wealth 2 and sons that he may look upon, and for whom I have smoothed things down. Then he desires that I should increase! nay, verily, he is hostile to our signs! I will drive him up a hill! Then he reflected and planned! May he be killed,—how he planned! Again, may he be killed,—how he planned! Then he looked; then he frowned and scowled; then he retreated and was big with pride and said, ‘This is only magic exhibited! this is only mortal speech!’—I will broil him in hell-fire! and what shall make thee know what hell-fire is? It will not leave and will not let alone. It scorches the flesh; over it are nineteen (angels). | 9 |
| We have made only angels guardians of the fire, and we have only made their number a trial to those who misbelieve; that those who have been given the Book may be certain, and that those who believe may be increased in faith; and that those who have been given the Book and the believers may not doubt; and that those in whose hearts is sickness, and the misbelievers may say, ‘What does God mean by this as a parable?’ | 10 |
| Thus God leads astray whom He pleases, and guides him He pleases: and none knows the hosts of thy Lord save Himself; and it is only a reminder to mortals! | 11 |
| Nay, by the moon! | 12 |
| And the night when it retires! | 13 |
| And the morning when it brightly dawns! | 14 |
| Verily, it is one of the greatest misfortunes; a warning to mortals; for him amongst you who wishes to press forward or to tarry! | 15 |
| Every soul is pledged 3 for what it earns; except the fellows of the right: in gardens shall they ask each other about the sinners!—‘What drove you into hell-fire?’ | 16 |
| They shall say, ‘We weren’t of those who prayed; we didn’t feed the poor; but we did plunge into discussion with those who plunged, and we called the judgment day a lie until the certainty 4 did come to us!’ | 17 |
| But there shall not profit them the intercession of the intercessors. | 18 |
| What ailed them that they turned away from the memorial as though they were timid asses fleeing from a lion? | 19 |
| Nay, every man of them wished that he might have given him books spread open! | 20 |
| Nay, but they did not fear the hereafter! | 21 |
| Nay, it is a memorial! and let him who will remember it; but none will remember it except God please. He is most worthy of fear; and he is most worthy to forgive! | 22 |
| | | Note 1. The first five verses of this chapter form the second revelation by the angel Gabriel in person, and the first after the Fatrah, or period of ‘Intermission.’ [back] |
| Note 2. The person meant is generally supposed to be Walîd ibn Mughâirah, one of the chiefs of the Qurâis. [back] |
| Note 3. See note 3, Chapter of the Mount. [back] |
| Note 4. I. e. death. [back] |
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