Quran — Page 375

but be conscious of Him who has created you, just as [He created] those countless generations of old!”

Said they: “Thou art but one of the be­witched,

for thou art nothing but a mortal like ourselves! And, behold, we think that thou art a consummate liar!

Cause, then, fragments of the sky to fall down upon us, if thou art a man of truth!”

Answered [Shu’ayb]: “My Sustainer knows fully well what you are doing.”

But they gave him the lie. And thereupon suffering overtook them on a day dark with shadows: and, verily, it was the suffering of an awesome day!

In this [story], behold, there is a message [unto men], even though most of them will not believe [in it].

But, verily, thy Sustainer - He alone - is almighty, a dispenser of grace!

Now, behold, this [divine writ] has indeed been bestowed from on high by the Sustainer of all the worlds:

trustworthy divine inspiration has alighted with it from on high

upon thy heart, [O Muhammad] so that thou mayest be among those who preach

in the clear Arabic tongue.

And, verily, [the essence of] this [revelation] is indeed found in the ancient books of divine wisdom [as well].

Is it not evidence enough for them that [so many] learned men from among the children of Israel have recognized this [as true]?

But [even] had We bestowed it from on high upon any of the non-Arabs,

and had he recited it unto them [in his own tongue], they would not have believed in it.

Thus have We caused this [message] to pass [unheeded] through the hearts of those who are lost in sin:

they will not believe in it till they behold the grievous suffering

that will come upon them [on resurrection,] all of a sudden, without their being aware [of its approach];

and then they will exclaim, “Could we have a respite?”

Do they, then, [really] wish that Our chas­tisement be hastened on?

But hast thou ever considered [this]: If We do allow them to enjoy [this life] for some years,

and thereupon that [chastisement] which they were promised befalls them –