Quran — Page 530

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now surely, unto Pharaoh’s folk [too] came such warnings;

they, too, gave the lie to all Our messages: and thereupon We took them to task as only the Almighty, who determines all things, can take to task.

ARE, THEN, those of you who [now] deny the truth better than those others - or have you, per­chance, [been promised] immunity in the [ancient] books of [divine] wisdom?

Or do they say, “We are a group united, [and therefore] bound to prevail”?

[Yet] the hosts [of those who deny the truth] shall be routed, and they shall turn their backs [in flight]!

But nay - the Last Hour is the time when they shall truly meet their fate; and that Last Hour will be most calamitous, and most bitter:

for, behold, those who are lost in sin [will at that time come to know that it is they who] were sunk in error and folly!

On the Day when they shall be dragged into the fire on their faces, [they will be told:] “Taste now the touch of hell-fire!”

BEHOLD, everything have We created in due measure and proportion;