Surah 54. Al-Qamar

And how severe is the suffering which I inflict when My warnings are disregarded!¹⁰

  - Mohammad Asad

Lit., "how was My [causing] suffering ('adhabi) and My warnings" - i.e., after the warnings. Although this sentence is phrased in the past tense, its purport is evidently timeless.

How terrible was My scourge and how clear My warning!

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Then see how (dreadful) was My punishment after My warnings!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Hence, indeed, We made this Qur'an easy to bear in mind:¹¹ who, then, is willing to take it to heart?

  - Mohammad Asad

The noun dhikr primarily denotes "remembrance", or - as defined by Raghib - the "presence [of something] in the mind". Conceptually, and as used in the above context as well as in verses {22}, {32} and {40}, this term comprises the twin notions of understanding and remembering, i.e., bearing something in mind.

We have indeed made the Qur'an very easy to understand the admonition: but is there any who would take admonition?

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And in truth We have made the Qur'an easy to remember; but is there any that remembered?

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

TO THE TRUTH gave the lie [the tribe of] 'Ad: and how severe was the suffering which I inflicted when My warnings were disregarded!

  - Mohammad Asad

Likewise the people of 'Ad did not believe then how terrible was My scourge and how clear My Warning!

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

(The tribe of) Aad rejected warnings. Then how (dreadful) was My punishment after My warnings.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Behold, We let loose upon them a raging stormwind on a day of bitter misfortune:

  - Mohammad Asad

We let loose on them a tornado, on the day of their bitter misfortune,

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Lo! We let loose on them a raging wind on a day of constant calamity,

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

it swept the people away as though they were palm-trunks uprooted:¹²

  - Mohammad Asad

As mentioned in {69:6-8}, this wind - obviously an exceptionally violent sandstorm - raged without break for seven nights and eight days. For particulars of the tribe of 'Ad, see second half of note [48] on 7:65 .

which snatched them off like trunks of uprooted palm-trees.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Sweeping men away as though they were uprooted trunks of palm trees.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

for, how severe is the suffering which I inflict when My warnings are disregarded!

  - Mohammad Asad

How terrible was My scourge and how clear My warning!

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Then see how (dreadful) was My punishment after My warnings!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Hence, indeed, We made this Qur'an easy to hear in mind: who, then, is willing to take it to heart?

  - Mohammad Asad

We have indeed made the Qur'an very easy to understand the admonition, so is there any who would take admonition?

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And in truth We have made the Qur'an easy to remember; but is there any that remembereth?

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

[AND the tribe of] Thamud gave the lie to all [Our] warnings;

  - Mohammad Asad

The people of Thamud disbelieved Our warning,

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

(The tribe of) Thamud rejected warnings

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

and they said: "Are we to follow one single mortal, one from among ourselves?¹³ In that case, behold, we would certainly sink into error and folly!

  - Mohammad Asad

For the general implication of this rhetorical question, see note [2] on 50:2 . For the story of the tribe of Thamud, their prophet Salih, and the incident of the she-camel, see {7:73-79}, {11:61-68}, {26:141-158}, and the corresponding notes.

saying: "Are we to follow a human who stands alone among us? That would surely be an error and madness.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

For they said: Is it a mortal man, alone among us, that we are to follow? Then indeed we should fall into error and madness.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Why - on him alone from among all of us should a [divine] reminder have been bestowed? Nay, but he is a boastful liar!"

  - Mohammad Asad

Was he the only person among us to receive this warning? Nay! He is indeed an insolent liar."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Hath the remembrance been given unto him alone among us? Nay, but he is a rash liar.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

[And God said:] "On the morrow¹⁴ they will come to know who the boastful liar is!

  - Mohammad Asad

I.e., soon. In classical Arabic, the term ghadan ("tomorrow") often applies to a relatively near future, signifying "tomorrow" (in its literal sense) as well as "in time" or "soon". Hence - as pointed out by all authorities - it may have been used in the above context with reference to the Last Hour, which in the first verse of this very surah is spoken of as having "drawn near".

To Our Rasool Saleh, We said: "Tomorrow they shall find out who is an insolent liar.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

(Unto their warner it was said): Tomorrow they will know who is the rash liar.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Behold, [O Salih,] We are letting loose this she-camel as a test for them;¹⁵ and thou but watch them, and contain thyself in patience.

  - Mohammad Asad

For this and other Qur'anic references to the she-camel that was to be "let loose as a test" for the Thamud, see surah {7}, note [57]. God's "letting her loose" is in this context evidently synonymous with "allowing her to become" a test.

We are going to send the she-camel as a trial for them. Therefore, watch them and have patience.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Lo! We are sending the she camel as a test for them; so watch them and have patience;

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And let them know that the water [of their wells] is to be divided between them,¹⁶ with each share of water equitably apportioned."

  - Mohammad Asad

I.e., between their own herds and the ownerless she-camel: see 26:155 and the corresponding note [67].

Tell them that the water must be shared between them and the she-camel, and each will come to the water at its own turn.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And inform them that the water is to be shared between (her and) them. Every drinking will be witnessed.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

But they summoned their [boldest] companion, and he ventured [upon the evil deed], and cruelly slaughtered [the animal]:¹⁷

  - Mohammad Asad

For the above rendering of 'aqara, see note [61] on 7:77 .

At last the people of Thamud called out to one of their companions, who took the responsibility and hamstrung her.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

But they called their comrade and he took and hamstrung (her).

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

and how severe was the suffering which I inflicted when My warnings were disregarded!

  - Mohammad Asad

Then how terrible was My scourge and how clear My warning!

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Then see how (dreadful) was My punishment after My warnings!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall