The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

17: 71
The Night Journey 179
the fact that previous peoples denied them. We gave the people of
Thamud the she-camel as a clear sign, yet they maltreated it. We
send signs only to give warning. 60 [Prophet], We have told you that
your Lord knows all about human beings. The vision We showed
you a was only a test for people, as was the cursed tree [mentioned] in
the Quran. b We warn them, but this only increases their insolence.
61 When We said to the angels, ‘Bow down before Adam,’ they all
bowed down, but not Iblis. He retorted, ‘Why should I bow down to
someone You have created out of clay?’ 62 and [then] said, ‘You see
this being You have honoured above me? If You reprieve me until the
Day of Resurrection, I will lead all but a few of his descendants by
the nose.’ 63 God said, ‘Go away! Hell will be your reward, and the
reward of any of them who follow you – an ample reward. 64 Rouse
whichever of them you can with your voice, muster your cavalry and
infantry against them, share their wealth and their children with
them, and make promises to them – Satan promises them nothing
but delusion – 65 but you will have no authority over My [true]
servants: Your Lord can take care of them well enough.’
66 [People], it is your Lord who makes ships go smoothly for you
on the sea so that you can seek His bounty: He is most merciful
towards you. 67 When you get into distress at sea, those you pray to
besides Him desert you, but when He brings you back safe to land
you turn away: man is ever ungrateful. 68 Can you be sure that God
will not have you swallowed up into the earth when you are back on
land, or that He will not send a sandstorm against you? Then you
will find no one to protect you. 69 Or can you be sure that He will
not send you back out to sea, and send a violent storm against you
to drown you for being so ungrateful? You will find no helper
against Us there. 70 We have honoured the children of Adam and
carried them by land and sea; We have provided good sustenance
for them and favoured them specially above many of those We have
created.
71 On the Day when We summon each community, along with its
leader, c those who are given their record in their right hand will read
a The vision he was shown on the Night Journey.
b Said to refer to the tree of Zaqqum in Hell (see 56: 52; 44: 43–6). The eater will curse
its fruits (Razi). Both the vision and the tree in Hell were objects of derision for the
disbelievers.
c See 16: 89.