In this talk I outline the key themes of surah 67, and try to illustrate how the Qur’an is meant to be read with intelligence and as a single book, the parts of which fit together.
1 Blessed be He in whose hand is the dominion — and He is over all things powerful —
2 Who created death and life, that He might try you, which of you is best in deed! And He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving,
3 Who created seven heavens in harmony. Thou seest not in the creation of the Almighty any imperfection. So return thou thy vision: seest thou any rifts?
4 Then return thou thy vision again and again! Thy sight will return to thee humbled and weary.
5 And We have adorned the lower heaven with lamps, and have made them what is thrown at the satans; and We have prepared for them the punishment of the Inferno.
6 And for those who deny their Lord is the punishment of Gehenna; and evil is the journey’s end.
7 When they are cast therein, they hear its inhaling as it boils up,
8 Almost bursting with rage. Whenever a crowd is cast therein, the keepers thereof ask them: “Came there not to you a warner?”
9 They will say: “Verily, a warner came to us, but we denied and said: “God has not sent down anything; you are only in great error.”
10 And they will say: “Had we listened, or used reason, we would not be among the companions of the Inferno.”
11 And they will confess their transgression: — “So away with the companions of the Inferno!”
12 Those who fear their Lord unseen, they have forgiveness and a great reward.
13 Be you secret in your speech or proclaim it, He knows that which is in the breasts.
14 Should He not know, He who created? And He is the Subtle, the Aware.
15 He it is that made the earth responsive for you; so walk in the tracts thereof, and eat of His provision; and to Him is the Resurrection.
16 Do you feel secure that He who is in the heaven will not make the earth swallow you, the while it shakes?
17 Or do you feel secure that He who is in the heaven will not send against you a storm of stones? Then you will know how is My warning!
18 And those before them denied; then how was My rejection!
19 Have they not seen the birds above them with wings outstretched and closing? None holds them but the Almighty. He sees all things.
20 If: “Who is this?” — “That who will be a force for you to help you besides the Almighty!” — the false claimers of guidance are only in delusion.
21 If: “Who is this?” — “That who will provide for you if He withhold His provision!” — the truth is, they have persisted in scorn and aversion.
22 Is then he who walks prone upon his face better guided, or he who walks evenly on a straight path?
23 Say thou: “He it is that produced you and made for you hearing and sight and hearts; little are you grateful.”
24 Say thou: “He it is that created you in the earth, and to Him will you be gathered.”25 And they say: “When is this promise, if you be truthful?”1
26 Say thou: “The knowledge is but with God; and I am only a clear warner.”
27 Then when they see it approaching, the faces of those who ignore warning will be distressed, and it will be said: “This is that for which you called.”
28 Say thou: “Have you considered: if God destroys me and those with me, or has mercy on us, then who will protect the false claimers of guidance from a painful punishment?”
29 Say thou: “He is the Almighty. We believe in Him, and in Him we place our trust. And you will come to know who is in manifest error.”
30 Say thou: “Have you considered: if your water should become sunken, then who would bring you running water?”
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Original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b13Wsq8rOdE
