Quran — Page 566

downcast will be their eyes, with ignominy overwhelming them - seeing that they had been called upon [in vain] to prostrate themselves [before Him] while they were yet sound [and alive].

Hence, leave Me alone with such as give the lie to this tiding. We shall bring them low, step by step, without their perceiving how it has come about:

for, behold, though I may give them rein for a while, My subtle scheme is exceedingly firm!

Or is it that [they fear lest] thou ask them for a reward, [O Prophet,] so that they would be burdened with debt [if they listened to thee]?

Or [do they think] that the hidden reality [of all that exists] is within their grasp, so that [in time] they can write it down?

BEAR THEN with patience thy Sustainer's will and be not like him of the great fish, who cried out [in distress] after having given in to anger.

[And remember:] had not grace from his Sustainer reached him, he would indeed have been cast forth upon that barren shore in a state of disgrace:

but [as it was,] his Sustainer had elected him and placed him among the righteous.

Hence, [be patient,] even though they who are bent on denying the truth would all but kill thee with their eyes whenever they hear this reminder, and [though] they say, "[As for Muhammad,] behold, most surely he is a madman!"

[Be patient:] for this is nought else but a reminder [from God] to all mankind.

OH, THE LAYING-BARE of the truth!

How awesome that laying-bare of the truth!

And what could make thee conceive what that laying-bare of the truth will be?

THE LIE gave [the tribes of] Thamud and ‘Ad to [all tidings of] that sudden calamity!

Now as for the Thamud - they were destroyed by a violent upheaval [of the earth];

and as for the ‘Ad - they were destroyed by a storm wind furiously raging,

which He willed against them for seven nights and eight days without cease, so that in the end thou couldst see those people laid low [in death], as though they were so many [uprooted] trunks of hollow palm trees:

and dost thou now see any remnant of them?