88:1  HAS THERE COME unto thee the tiding of the Overshadowing Event?

88:2  Some faces will on that Day be downcast

88:3  toiling [under burdens of sin], worn out [by fear]

88:4  about to enter a glowing fire

88:5  given to drink from a boiling spring

88:6  No food for them save the bitterness of dry thorns

88:7  which gives no strength and neither stills hunger

88:8  [And] some faces will on that Day shine with bliss

88:9  well-pleased with [the fruit of] their striving

88:10  in a garden sublime

88:11  wherein thou wilt hear no empty talk

88:12  Countless springs will flow therein

88:13  [and] there will be thrones [of happiness] raised high

88:14  and goblets placed ready

88:15  and cushions ranged

88:16  and carpets spread out…

88:17  DO, THEN, they [who deny resurrection] never gaze at the clouds pregnant with water, [and observe] how they are created

88:18  And at the sky, how it is raised aloft

88:19  And at the mountains, how firmly they are reared

88:20  And at the earth, how it is spread out

88:21  And so, [O Prophet,] exhort them; thy task is only to exhort

88:22  thou canst not compel them [to believe]

88:23  However, as for him who turns away, being bent on denying the truth

88:24  him will God cause to suffer the greatest suffering [in the life to come]

88:25  for behold, unto Us will be their return

88:26  and verily, It is for Us to call them to account