BRIEF INTRODUCTION:

This chapter Al-Dokhan (Smoke or Drought) is the fifth chapter beginning with HA-MIM. It is a Meccan chapter and the period of its revelation is near about the same when other chapters beginning with HA-MIM were revealed.

The chapter has three sections fifty seven or fifty nine verses three hundred forty six words and one thousand four hundred thirty one letters.

When the enmity of the polytheists and infidels crossed every limit, the Messenger prayed to Allah to teach them a lesson. Such people should be afflicted with a drought, so that their pride of wealth and power may fell down and perchance they may accept the truth.

It so happened, that rain was stopped. Drought encircled them. Dry period began and items of food became so short that they began to eat carrion. The non-believers were convinced of the sure effect of the prophet prayer. A group of proud leaders including Abu-Sufyan went to the prophet and requested him to pray to God for removing the calamity.They assured the prophet to embrace Islam. The prophet prayed and the drought was removed thus they were saved from the severe calamity.

This chapter too explains the truth of the Book of Allah in which they had created various doubts. This Book provides guidance.It is a mercy from Allah. It was revealed in blessed night in which every wise and important work is decided and is made distinct.

Then the evil of polytheism has been described and the non-believers and polytheists are advised to shun polytheism. These lifeless idols of stones can do nothing. How they can help you? It is strange that being a human being you are not even able to understand the position of dead stones.

It is told to the infidels that they should not be proud of their wealth and power otherwise they will have to face the consequence as was faced by Pharaoh. In the end the chapter explains the wisdom in the occurrence of the Day of Judgment. It is sure to occur. Every one is answerable of his deeds before God. The taith in the Resurrection Day is necessary for leading an honourable and good life in this world.

SURAH AL-DOKHAN (SMOKE)
Revealed at Mecca, 3 Sections, 59 Verses.

Allah in the name of the Most Affectionate, the Merciful

SECTION 1:

1. Ha—Mim.

2. By this luminous Book.

3. Undoubtedly We sent it down in a blessed night, verily We are to warn.

4. Therein every affair of wisdom is divided.

5. A command form Us, Verily, We are to send.

6. A mercy from your Lord, undoubtedly, He, Hears, knows.

7. He Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatsoever is in-between if you are convinced.

8. None is to be worshipped but He. He gives life and causes death, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.

9. Nay, but they are in doubt, playing.

10. Therefore wait you the day when the sky will bring a clear smoke,

11. That it shall cover the people. This is a painful torment.

12. They will say that day, 'O our Lord! remove from us the torment, We believe'.

13. Whence theyare to accept admonition, whereas there had already come a clear Messenger.

14. Then they turned away from him and said, 'He is tutored, madman'.

15. We let loose the torment for sometime, you will again do the same.

16. The day when We will seize the greatest seizing, verily We are to take vengeance.

17. And undoubtedly, We tested the people of Firawn before them, and an honourable Messenger came to them.

18. Saying 'handover to me the bondmen of Allah. Verily I am a trusted Messenger for you'.

19. Rise not up against Allah, I bring to you a clear authority.

20. I take refuge of my Lord and your Lord, lest you stone me.

21. And if you believe not in me, go you apart from me.

22. Then he called upon his Lord, these are guilty people.

23. We commanded that go forth with My bondmen, necessarily, you shall be followed.

24. And leave you the river open from place to place, undoubtedly the host shall be drowned.

25. How many gardens and springs, they left behind.

26. And comforts and nice houses.

27. And comforts wherein they were free from care.

28. We did thus, and We made another people to inherit them.

29. And the heavens and the earth did not shed tears for them, nor were they given respite.

SECTION 2:

30. And undoubtedly, We delivered the children of Israel from the abasing torment.

31. From Firawn, he was surely haughty and of the extravagant.

32. And undoubtedly, We chose them knowingly from among the people of that time.

33. And We bestowed them the signs wherein there was clear reward.

34. These men do say,

35. 'That is not but our first death and we shall not be raised?

36. Bring back then, our fathers if you are truthful.

37. Are they better or the people of Tubba and those before them whom We destroyed? Verily they were culprits.

38. And We made not the heavens and the earth and whatsoever is in between them in play.

39. We made not them but with truth, but most of them know not.

40. Undoubtedly, the Day of Judgement is the term appointed for all of them.

41. The day when a friend shall not avail a friend at all and nor they shall be helped.

42. Save those on whom Allah has mercy. Undoubtedly he is the Honourable, the Merciful.

SECTION 3:

43. Verily the tree of Zaqqum (Cactus).

44. Is the food of the sinners.

45. Like molten copper bubbles in the bellies.

46. As boiling water bubbles.

47. Seize him and drag him forcibly towards the centre of the blazing fire.

48. 'Then pour over his head the torment of boiling water'.

49. Taste it, Yes certainly, you are the honourable, th benignant.

50. Undoubtedly, it is that in which you were doubting.

51. Undoubtedly, the God fearing are in a place of security.

52. In the gardens and springs.

53. They shall wear fine silk and brocade facing one another.

54. Thus it is, and We got them married to black, and bright large eyed maidens.

55. They will ask for therein every kind of fruit in peace and security.

56. They will not taste death therein, other than the first death, and Allah saved them from the torment of the fire.

57. By the grace of your Lord. This is the supreme victory.

58. And We have made this Quran easy in your tongue so that they may understand.

59. So wait you, they too are waiting.