The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

41. [VERSES] MADE DISTINCT
This Meccan sura deals with the obduracy of the disbelievers, the truthfulness
of the Quran, the unity of God, and the inevitability of Resurrection. The title
refers to a term used to describe the Quran in verse 3 and again in verse
44. The sura makes several references to the senses (verses 5, 20–2, 44) which
the disbelievers shut off from perceiving the Truth in this world, and which
will then testify against their ‘owners’ on the Day of Resurrection, and it
describes the arrogance displayed by people when all is well, contrasted with
their humility and despair when difficulties strike (verses 49–51).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1 Ha Mim
2 A revelation from the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy; 3 a
Scripture whose verses are made distinct as a Quran in Arabic for
people who understand, 4 giving good news and warning. Yet most of
them turn away and so do not hear. 5 They say, ‘Our hearts are
encased against [the faith] you call us to; our ears are heavy; there is a
barrier between us and you. So you do whatever you want, and so
shall we.’ 6 Say [Prophet], ‘I am only a mortal like you, [but] it has
been revealed to me that your God is One. Take the straight path
to Him and seek His forgiveness. Woe to the idolaters, 7 who do not
pay the prescribed alms and refuse to believe in the world to come!
8 Those who believe and do good deeds will have a reward that never
fails.’
9 Say, ‘How can you disregard the One who created the earth in
two Days? a How can you set up other gods as His equals? He is the
Lord of all the worlds!’ 10 He placed solid mountains on it, blessed it,
measured out its varied provisions for all who seek them––all in four
Days. 11 Then He turned to the sky, which was smoke––He said to it
and the earth, ‘Come into being, willingly or not,’ and they said, ‘We
come willingly’––12 and in two Days He formed seven heavens, and
assigned an order to each. We have made the nearest one beautifully
a Commentators include these two days in the four mentioned in verse 10, so that the
total is six days; see 32: 4. God’s Days are not like ours; see 22: 47.