[44:1] H. M.

[44:2] And this enlightening scripture.

[44:3] We have sent it down in a blessed night, for we are to warn.

[44:4] In it (the scripture), every matter of wisdom is clarified.

[44:5] It is a predetermined command from us that we send messengers.

[44:6] This is a mercy from your Lord. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.

[44:7] Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them. If only you could be certain!

[44:8] There is no other god beside Him. He controls life and death; your Lord and the Lord of your ancestors.

[44:9] Indeed, they are doubtful, heedless.

The Smoke: A Major Prophecy*

[44:10] Therefore, watch for the day when the sky brings a profound smoke.

[44:11] It will envelope the people; this is a painful retribution.

[44:12] "Our Lord, relieve this retribution for us; we are believers."

God's Messenger of the Covenant*

[44:13] Now that it is too late, they remember! An enlightening messenger had come to them.

[44:14] But they turned away from him, saying, "Well educated, but crazy!"

[44:15] We will relieve the retribution for awhile; you will soon revert.

[44:16] The day we strike the big stroke, we will avenge.

[44:17] We have tested before them the people of Pharaoh; an honorable messenger went to them.

[44:18] Proclaiming: "Listen to me, servants of GOD. I am an honest messenger to you."

*44:10 Only two signs are yet to be fulfilled, this smoke and Gog and Magog (Appendix 25).

*44:13 The sum of sura and verse numbers (44+13) is 57, 19x3, and this Quranic code was proclaimed by God's Messenger of the Covenant (Appendices 1 , 2, & 26 ).

[44:19] And, "Do not transgress against GOD. I bring to you powerful proofs.

[44:20] "I seek refuge in my Lord and your Lord, if you oppose me.

[44:21] "If you do not wish to believe, then simply leave me alone."

[44:22] Subsequently, he implored his Lord: "These are wicked people."

[44:23] (God said,) "Travel with My servants during the night; you will be pursued.

[44:24] "Cross the sea quickly; their troops will be drowned."

[44:25] Thus, they left behind many gardens and springs.

[44:26] Crops and a luxurious life.

[44:27] Blessings that they enjoyed.

[44:28] All these we caused to be inherited by other people.

[44:29] Neither the heaven, nor the earth wept over them, and they were not respited.

[44:30] Meanwhile, we saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating persecution.

[44:31] From Pharaoh; he was a tyrant.

[44:32] We have chosen them from among all the people, knowingly.

[44:33] We showed them so many proofs, which constituted a great test.

Expect The Same Consequences

[44:34] The present generations say,

[44:35] "We only die the first death; we will never be resurrected!

[44:36] "Bring back our forefathers, if you are truthful."

[44:37] Are they better than the people of Tubba` and others before them? We annihilated them for their crimes.

[44:38] We did not create the heavens and the earth, and everything between them, just to play.

[44:39] We created them for a specific purpose, but most of them do not know.

[44:40] The Day of Decision awaits them all.

[44:41] That is the day when no friend can help his friend in any way; no one can be helped.

[44:42] Only those who attain mercy from GOD. He is the Almighty, Most Merciful.

The Disbelievers

[44:43] Surely, the tree of bitterness -

[44:44] will provide the food for the sinful.

[44:45] Like lye, it will boil in the stomachs.

[44:46] Like the boiling of hellish drinks.

[44:47] Take him and throw him into the center of Hell.

[44:48] Then pour upon his head the retribution of the Inferno.

[44:49] "Taste this; you were so powerful, so honorable."

[44:50] This is what you used to doubt.

The Righteous

[44:51] The righteous will be in a secure position.

[44:52] Enjoying gardens and springs.

[44:53] Wearing velvet and satin; close to each other.

[44:54] We grant them wonderful spouses.

[44:55] They enjoy in it all kinds of fruits, in perfect peace.

The Righteous Do Not Really Die*

[44:56] They do not taste death therein - beyond the first death - and He has spared them the retribution of Hell.

[44:57] Such is the blessing from your Lord. Such is the great triumph.

[44:58] We have thus clarified it in your language, that they may take heed.

[44:59] Therefore, wait; they too will have to wait.

*44:56 As detailed in Appendix 17, the righteous do not really die; they move on directly to the same Paradise where Adam and Eve once lived. Compare this statement with the disbelievers' statement in 40:11.