CHAPTER LV.: INTITLED "THE MERCIFUL." REVEALED AT MECCA

In the name of the most merciful GOD. The Merciful hath taught _his servant_ the Korân. He created man: he hath taught him distinct speech. The sun and the moon _run their courses_ according to a certain rule: and the vegetables which creep on the ground, and the trees submit _to his disposition_. He also raised the heaven; and he appointed the balance, that ye should not transgress in respect to the balance: wherefore observe a just weight; and diminish not the balance. And the earth hath he prepared for living creatures: therein _are various_ fruits, and palm-trees bearing sheaths of flowers; and grain having chaff, and leaves. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? He created man of dried clay like an earthen vessel: but he created the genii of fire clear from smoke. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? _He is_ the LORD of the east, and the LORD of the west. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? He hath let loose the two seas, that they meet each another: between them _is placed_ a bar which they cannot pass. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? From them are taken forth unions and lesser pearls. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? His also _are_ the ships, carrying their sails aloft in the sea like mountains. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? Every _creature_ which _liveth_ on _the earth is_ subject to decay: but the glorious and honorable countenance of thy LORD shall remain _for ever_. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? Unto him do all _creatures_ which _are_ in heaven and earth make petition; every day _is_ he _employed_ in _some new_ work. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? We will surely attend to _judge_ you, O men and genii, _at the last day_. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? O ye collective body of genii and men, if ye be able to pass out of the confines of heaven and earth, pass forth: ye shall not pass forth but by absolute power. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? A flame of fire without smoke, and a smoke without flame shall be sent down upon you; and ye shall not be able to defend yourselves _therefrom_. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? And when the heaven shall be rent in sunder, and shall become _red as_ a rose, _and shall melt_ like ointment: (Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?) On that day neither man nor genius shall be asked concerning his sin. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? The wicked shall be known by their marks; and they shall be taken by the forelocks, and the feet, _and shall be cast into hell_. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? This _is_ hell which the wicked deny as a falsehood: they shall pass to and fro between the same and hot boiling water. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? But for him who dreadeth the tribunal of his LORD _are prepared_ two gardens: (Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?) In each of them _shall be_ two fountains flowing. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? In each of them _shall there be_ of every fruit two kinds. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? They shall repose on couches, the linings whereof _shall be_ of thick silk interwoven with gold; and the fruit of the two gardens _shall be_ near at hand _to gather_. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? Therein _shall receive them beauteous damsels_, refraining their eyes _from beholding any besides their spouses_: whom no man shall have deflowered before them, neither any Jinn: (Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?) _Having complexions_ like rubies and pearls. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? _Shall_ the reward of good works _be_ any other good? Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? And besides these there _shall be_ two _other_ gardens: (Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny?) Of a dark green. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? In each of them _shall be_ two fountains pouring forth plenty of water. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? In each of them _shall be_ fruits, and palm-trees, and pomegranates. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? Therein _shall be_ agreeable and beauteous _damsels_: Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? Whom no man shall have deflowered before _their destined spouses_, nor any Jinn. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? _Therein shall they delight themselves_, lying on green cushions and beautiful carpets. Which, therefore, of your LORD'S benefits will ye ungratefully deny? Blessed be the name of thy LORD, possessed of glory and honor!