1Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent –

2[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed – and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving –

3[And] who created seven heavens in layers.¹⁵⁸⁷ You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return [your] vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks?

4Then return [your] vision twice again.¹⁵⁸⁸ [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.

5And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with lamps [i.e., stars] and have made [from] them what is thrown at the devils¹⁵⁸⁹ and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.

6And for those who disbelieved in their Lord is the punishment of Hell, and wretched is the destination.

7When they are thrown into it, they hear from it a [dreadful] inhaling while it boils up.

8It almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown into it, its keepers ask them, "Did there not come to you a warner?"

9They will say, "Yes, a warner had come to us, but we denied and said, 'Allāh has not sent down anything. You are not but in great error.'"

10And they will say, "If only we had been listening or reasoning, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze."

11And they will admit their sin, so [it is] alienation¹⁵⁹⁰ for the companions of the Blaze.

12Indeed, those who fear their Lord unseen will have forgiveness and great reward.

13And conceal your speech or publicize it; indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.

14Does He who created not know,¹⁵⁹¹ while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?

15It is He who made the earth tame¹⁵⁹² for you – so walk among its slopes and eat of His provision – and to Him is the resurrection.

16Do you feel secure that He who [holds authority] in the heaven would not cause the earth to swallow you and suddenly it would sway?¹⁵⁹³

17Or do you feel secure that He who [holds authority] in the heaven would not send against you a storm of stones? Then you would know how [severe] was My warning.

18And already had those before them denied, and how [terrible] was My reproach.

19Do they not see the birds above them with wings outspread and [sometimes] folded in? None holds them [aloft] except the Most Merciful. Indeed He is, of all things, Seeing.

20Or who is it that could be an army for you to aid you other than the Most Merciful? The disbelievers are not but in delusion.

21Or who is it that could provide for you if He withheld His provision? But they have persisted in insolence and aversion.

22Then is one who walks fallen on his