In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
(1) Hha, Mim.
(2) The revelation of this Book is from God, the All-Powerful, the All-Wise.
(3) The heavens, the earth, and everything in between exist for a reason and a set time. But those who don't believe still ignore the warnings they get.
(4) Ask them, O Prophet, "Have you ever thought about those you worship instead of God? Show me something they've made on Earth! Did they help make the heavens, too? If you're truthful, show me a book that came before this one or some proof of knowledge."
(5) And who's farther away from the truth than someone who prays to other gods instead of God, and those gods won't answer them until Judgment Day? They don't even know you're praying to them!
(6) And when everyone's gathered, those gods will turn against them, and they'll deny they ever worshipped them.
(7) When they hear Our clear revelations recited to them, the non-believers call the truth that has come to them "obvious magic."
(8) Or do they say, "He just made up this Quran"? Say, "If I made it up, God knows, and you can do nothing. He's a Witness between us. He's the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful."
(9) Say, "I'm just like other messengers, and I don't know what will happen to you or me. I only follow what's been told to me, and I'm here to warn you clearly."
(10) Say, "Have you ever wondered? What if you turn away from what God sends, even when someone from the Children of Israel believes in it and testifies to it, and you act all proud? God doesn't guide those who do wrong."
(11) The non-believers say to believers, "If this Quran were any good, they wouldn't have gotten to it first." They'll call it an old lie because they didn't find the Right Path in it.
(12) Even before this Quran, there was Moses' Book, which was a guide and a mercy. This Book confirms it, and it is in the Arabic tongue. It warns the wrongdoers while giving good news to those who do good.
(13) Those who say, "Our Lord is God," and stay on the Right Path won't be scared or sad.
(14) These are the people of Paradise, where they'll live forever as a reward for their good deeds.
(15) We have commanded people to be nice to their parents. Mothers go through a lot when they have babies, from the time they're in their bellies to when they stop breastfeeding. That whole process takes about thirty months. Until they are strong and reach forty years. Then they say, "My Lord, help me be thankful for the blessings You've given me and my parents, and help me do good things that make You happy. And make my children good, too. I've turned to You, and I'm one of those who submit to You."
(16) These are the people who do good things, and We accept their good deeds while overlooking their mistakes. They will be in Paradise, the real deal they were promised.
(17) But there's a person who tells his parents, "Are you seriously telling me that I'll come back to life after I die when people from the past are long gone?" His parents tell him, "Woe to you. Believe; God's promise is true." But he says, “This is nothing but old legends.”
(18) These people deserve to be punished and are on the same path as those who messed up before—both humans and jinn. They are the real losers.
(19) Everyone will be rewarded based on their actions, and they'll get what they deserve. They won't be mistreated.
(20) Watch out for the Day when those who don't believe will be exposed to the Fire. They'll be told, "You have already spent all your share of good stuff and had a blast in life. Today, you will be rewarded with the torment of disgrace in the land with no right for your arrogance and disobedience."
(21) And mention the story of A'ad's brother. He tried to warn the people living in the sand hills. Others have given similar warnings before and after his time: "Only worship God. I'm worried that you might face a huge punishment one day."
(22) They replied, "Are you here to make us stop worshiping our gods? If you're serious, show us the punishment you're talking about."
(23) He said, "Only God knows when that will happen. I'm just telling you what I've been sent with. But it seems like you don't know what's going on."
(24) Later, they saw a cloud approaching their valley and thought it would bring rain. But, in reality, it was a strong wind and got a lot of pain instead."
(25) Everything got wiped out when their Lord said so. The following day, nothing could be seen except their houses. That's how We treat the evil people.
(26) We gave them many things that you Meccans didn't get. They could hear, see, and think just like you, but it didn't help them at all. They turned down God's messages, and that's why they ended up in trouble, trapped by the things they made fun of.
(27) And We wiped out the towns near you and left many signs for them, hoping they'd change their ways.
(28) So, why did the idols they worshipped to get closer to God not help them? In reality, those idols let them down. It was a made-up lie.
(29) And remember, O Prophet, when some jinn came to hear the Quran from you? They told each other to be quiet and listen, and after it was done, they rushed to their folks, warning them.
(30) "O our people!" they shouted, "We heard a Book sent after Moses. It confirms what came before and guides people to the Right Path and truth.
(31) O our people! Answer God's call, and believe in Him. He'll forgive your sins and save you from a painful punishment.
(32) If you don't listen to God, you won't be safe on earth, and there won't be anyone to protect you except Him. You're going down the wrong path.”
(33) Don't they realize that God, Who created the heavens and the earth without getting tired, can bring the dead back to life? Absolutely! He can do anything, no doubt about it.
(34) And when non-believers face the Fire on the Day of Judgment, they'll be asked, "Is this not real?" They'll say, "Yes, by our Lord." He'll reply, "Then suffer the torture for not believing."
(35) Be patient, like the strong-willed Messengers, and don't rush the punishment for non-believers. On the Day they see what they were warned about, it will feel like they only existed for an hour. Remember, only the sinful will face destruction.