51 Adh-Dhariyat (The Dust-Scattering Winds)

Mecca Period 67

Asad’s Version:

(51:31) Said [Abraham): "And what [else] may you have in view, O you [heavenly] messengers?"

(51:32) They answered: "Behold, we have been sent unto a people lost in sin, 20

(51:33) to let loose upon them stone-hard blows of chastisement, 21

(51:34) marked out in thy Sustainer's sight for [the punishment of) such as have wasted their own selves." 22

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قَالَ فَمَا خَطْبُكُمْ أَيُّهَا الْمُرْسَلُونَ ﴿٣١﴾

51: 31.  (Abraham) said: "And what, o ye Messengers, is your errand (now)?"

قَالُوا إِنَّا أُرْسِلْنَا إِلَى قَوْمٍ مُّجْرِمِينَ ﴿٣٢﴾

51: 32.  They said,

"We have been sent to a people (deep) in sin --

لِنُرْسِلَ عَلَيْهِمْ حِجَارَةً مِّن طِينٍ ﴿٣٣﴾

51: 33.  "To bring on, on them (a shower of) stones of clay (brimstone),

C5011. Cf. 11:82, and n. 1052 to 7:84.

The angels' errand of mercy to Abraham (to announce the succession of godly men in his line) was coupled with their errand of justice and punishment to the people of Lut, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, who were deep in the most abominable and unnatural sins.

So Allah's Mercy and Justice go hand in hand in all human affairs. Faith has nothing to fear, and wickedness has only to turn and repent, to obtain Allah's Mercy.

مُسَوَّمَةً عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلْمُسْرِفِينَ ﴿٣٤﴾

51: 34.  "Marked as from thy Lord for those who trespass beyond bounds."

C5012. Cf. 11:83, and n. 1580.

Every crime has its due punishment as marked out in the decrees of Allah.