1
When the sky is split open,
2
it will obey its Lord as ordained.
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When the earth is stretched flat,
4
expels its content, and empties itself,
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it will hear its Lord as ordained.
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O man! Strive strenuously to your Lord and you shall meet Him!
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Whoever receives his record in his right hand
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shall have his record readily accepted
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and shall return to his people fulfilled.
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But whoever receives his record behind his back,
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let him call perdition upon himself!
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His destination is the scorching Fire!
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Indeed, he enjoyed himself with his kin
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and did not think of his return [to God].
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Yet his Lord has ever been watching him!
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I swear by the [flaming] sunset,
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and by the night and by what it collects,
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and by the moon and by what makes it full
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that you shall be ascending step by step!
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But what is the matter with them, why do they disbelieve,
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why do they not fall prostrate when the Koran is read to them?
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Only the disbelievers deny it,
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and God knows best what they conceal.
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So announce to them a painful punishment!
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But not to those who believed and did good works — for them there is a sure reward!