Surah 54. Al-Qamar

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 how 'dreadful' were My punishment and warnings!

  - Mustafa Khattab

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

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Yea how (terrible) was my Penalty and my Warning! ⁵¹⁴⁵

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Repeated from verse 18 to heighten the description of the sin, the penalty, and the criminal negligence of the sinners in refusing the warnings on account of their self- complacent confidence in their own strength and stability! It is repeated again as a secondary refrain in liv. 30 and (with slight modification) in liv. 32 and 39.

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 We have certainly made the Quran easy to remember. So is there anyone who will be mindful?

  - Mustafa Khattab

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

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

But We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

[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

Thamûd rejected the warnings 'as well',

  - Mustafa Khattab

(The tribe of) Thamud rejected warnings

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

The Thamud (also) rejected (their) Warners.

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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

arguing, 'How can we follow one 'average' human being from among us? We would then truly be misguided and insane.

  - Mustafa Khattab

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

For they said: "what! a man! a solitary one from among ourselves! shall we follow such a one? Truly should we then be straying in mind and mad! ^{5146 5147}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The psychology of the Thamud is more searchingly analysed here than in xli. 17, to show up the contrast between shallow men's ideas about Revelation, and the real sanity, humanism, social value, and truth of Revelation. To them the Revelation was brought by Salih.

Because the Prophet is one among so many, and different from them, although brought up among themselves, it is made a cause of reproach against him, when it should have been an index leading to a searching of their hearts and an examination of their ways.

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

Has the revelation been sent down 'only' to him out of 'all of' us? In fact, he is a boastful liar.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

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

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

"Is it that the Message is sent to him of all people amongst us? Nay he is a liar an insolent one!" ⁵¹⁴⁸

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Pure abuse, as a contrast to Salih's expostulation! See xxvi. 141-158, and notes.

[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

'It was revealed to Salih,' 'They will soon know who the boastful liar is.

  - Mustafa Khattab

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

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Ah! they will know on the morrow which is the liar the insolent one!

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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

We are sending the she-camel as a test for them. So watch them 'closely', and have patience.

  - Mustafa Khattab

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

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

For We will send the she camel by way of trial for them. So watch them (O Saleh) and possess thyself in patience! ⁵¹⁴⁹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

See n. 1044 to vii. 73, for the she-camel as a trial or test case among selfish people who tried to monopolise water and pasture as against the poor.

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 tell them that the 'drinking' water must be divided between them 'and her', each taking a turn to drink 'every other day'.'

  - Mustafa Khattab

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

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And tell them that the water is to be divided between them: each one's right to drink being brought forward (by suitable turns). ⁵¹⁵⁰

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

See xxvi. 155-156. All were to have water in due turn. It was to be no one's monopoly. And certainly the gates were not to be shut against the poor or their cattle.

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 roused a companion of theirs, so he dared to kill 'her'.

  - Mustafa Khattab

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

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

But they called to their companion and he took a sword in hand and hamstrung (her).

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

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 how 'dreadful' were My punishment and warnings!

  - Mustafa Khattab

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

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Ah! how (terrible) was My Penalty and My Warning!

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Behold, We let loose upon them one single blast [of Our punishment],¹⁸ and they became like the dried-up, crumbling twigs of a sheepfold.

  - Mohammad Asad

See note [98] on 11:67 .

We let loose on them one mighty blast and they became like the trampled twigs used by a fence builder.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

Indeed, We sent against them 'only' one 'mighty' blast, leaving them like the twigs of fence-builders.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Lo! We sent upon them one Shout, and they became as the dry twigs (rejected by) the builder of a cattle fold.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

For We sent against them a single Mighty Blast and they became like the dry stubble used by one who pens cattle. ^{5151 5152}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

See n. 1047 to vii. 78, and Cf. the same phrase "single Blast" used for the signal for the Resurrection in xxxvi. 53. In the case of the Thamud, the destruction seems to have been by a severe earthquake accompanied with a terrible rumbling noise.

They became like dry sticks such as are used by herdsmen in making pens or enclosures for their cattle.

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 We have certainly made the Quran easy to remember. So is there anyone who will be mindful?

  - Mustafa Khattab

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

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

LOT'S PEOPLE [too] gave the lie to all [Our] warnings:

  - Mohammad Asad

Another example is the people of Lut (Lot) who disbelieved Our warning.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

The people of Lot 'also' rejected the warnings.

  - Mustafa Khattab

The folk of Lot rejected warnings.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

The People of Lut rejected (his) Warning. ⁵¹⁵³

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The story of Lot (Lut) and the Cities of the Plain has been frequently referred to. See xi. 74-83.

[and so,] behold, We let loose upon them a deadly tempest;¹⁹ and only Lot's kinsfolk did We save at the break of dawn,

  - Mohammad Asad

Sc., "of chastisement": see 11:82 and the corresponding note [114]. - The story of Lot and the people among whom he dwelt is mentioned in several places, most extensively in {11:69-83}.

We let loose on them a stone-charged tornado which spared none except Lut's household, whom We saved by early dawn

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

We unleashed upon them a storm of stones. As for 'the believers of' Lot's family, We delivered them before dawn

  - Mustafa Khattab

Lo! We sent a storm of stones upon them (all) save the family of Lot, whom We rescued in the last watch of the night,

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

We sent against them a violent tornado with showers of stones (which destroyed them) except Lut's household: them We delivered by early Dawn ⁵¹⁵⁴

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Hasib: a violent tornado bringing a shower of stones. The word occurs here; in xvii. 68 (without reference to any particular place); in xxix. 40 (where it seems to refer to Lot's Cities, see n. 3462); and in lxvii. 17 (where again there is no reference to a particular place). In Lot's Cities the shower was of brimstone: see xi. 82.

as a blessing from Us: thus do We reward all who are grateful.

  - Mohammad Asad

through Our grace. Thus do We reward those who give thanks.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

as a blessing from Us. This is how We reward whoever gives thanks.

  - Mustafa Khattab

As grace from Us. Thus We reward him who giveth thanks.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

As a Grace from Us: Thus do We reward those who give thanks. ⁵¹⁵⁵

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

"Giving thanks" to Allah in Quranic phrase is to obey Allah's Law, to do His Will, to practise righteousness, to use all gifts in His service.

For he had truly warned them of Our punishing might; but they stubbornly cast doubt on these warnings,

  - Mohammad Asad

Lut did warn them of Our scourge but they doubted his warnings.

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

He had already warned them of Our 'crushing' blow but they disputed the warnings.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And he indeed had warned them of Our blow, but they did doubt the warnings.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And (Lut) did warn them of Our Punishment but they disputed about the Warning. ⁵¹⁵⁶

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Cf. xi. 78-79.

and even demanded that he give up his guests [to them]:²⁰ whereupon We deprived them of their sight [and thus told them, as it were]:²¹ "Taste, then, the suffering which I inflict when My warnings are disregarded!"

  - Mohammad Asad

See {11:77-79} and the corresponding notes.

According to Ibn 'Abbes (as quoted by Razi), the expression tams al-'ayn ("deprivation of sight") denotes here a "veiling [of something] from one's consciousness" (hajb 'an al-idrak). Hence, the phrase tamasna a'yunahum may be understood to mean that God deprived them, in consequence of their evil propensities, of all moral insight (cf. 36:66 and the corresponding notes), and thus made them liable - as the sequence shows - to undergo bitter suffering in this world and in the next.

They even sought to snatch away his guests from him but We blinded their eyes, and said: "Now taste My punishment and the result of disbelieving My warning."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And they even demanded his angel-guests from him,¹ so We blinded their eyes. 'And they were told,' 'Taste then My punishment and warnings!'

  - Mustafa Khattab

 Who came in the form of handsome men.

They even asked of him his guests for an ill purpose. Then We blinded their eyes (and said): Taste now My punishment after My warnings!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And they even sought to snatch away his guests from him but We blinded their eyes. (They heard:) "now taste ye My Wrath and My Warning." ⁵¹⁵⁷

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Lot had been preaching to them some time against their iniquities. The crisis of their fate came when the two angels came to Lot in the guise of handsome young men. The men of the whole City came in an uproar, assaulted his house, and tried to snatch away the two handsome men. Lot tried to prevent them, but was powerless. Darkness fell on their eyes, as the first stage in their punishment, and before next morning the wicked cities were buried under a shower of brimstone. Lot and his believing household were saved.

And, indeed, abiding suffering did befall them early on the morrow:

  - Mohammad Asad

At daybreak they were overtaken by a lasting punishment

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

And indeed, by the early morning they were overwhelmed by an unrelenting torment.

  - Mustafa Khattab

And in truth the punishment decreed befell them early in the morning.

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

Early on the morrow an abiding Punishment seized them:

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

"Taste, then, the suffering which I inflict when My warnings are disregarded!"

  - Mohammad Asad

as if to say: "Now taste My punishment and the result of disbelieving My warning."

  - Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik

'Again they were told,' 'Taste now My punishment and warnings!'

  - Mustafa Khattab

Now taste My punishment after My warnings!

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

"So taste ye My Wrath and My Warning."

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Hence, indeed, We made this Qur'an easy to bear 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 We have certainly made the Quran easy to remember. So is there anyone who will be mindful?

  - Mustafa Khattab

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

  - Marmaduke Pickthall

And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali