Atheists in Quran (47) when they wish they were dust

The punishment endured by the unbelievers originates from Allah’s mercy. For it is certainly part of mercy that evildoer should be punished and that it should not have the same end as the righteous. Lo! Allah is warning you O Atheists of a doom at hand, which will surely happen, a day whereon every Atheist will sadly cry: “Would that I were dust!”

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The meanings of the verses 78:38-40 of the Noble Quran:

On the day when Gabriel, and the angels stand arrayed.

Frightful Silence!

The scene shows total silence; none dares to talk, everyone is looking around awaiting for his fate.

None will not speak, except him whom Allah permits to speak from among the believers and the angels.

The one who speaks from among the believers will say what is right.

On the day when the angels and Gabriel stand arrayed, they speak not to intercede, saving him whom Allah allows to intercede and speak right

That is the True Day, the Day of Resurrection, whose happening is definite

So whoever wishes to, let him come to Allah by being believing and obedient to Him, so that he may be secure from chastisement in it.

Lo! We have warned you, O Atheists, of a the chastisement of the impending Day of Resurrection when every person, will behold what his hands have sent ahead, of good and evil, and the Atheist will say, ‘O would that I were dust!’

In other words,

Lo! Allah is warning you O Atheists of a doom at hand, which will surely happen,

A day whereon every man will look

When the believer will look

When the Atheist will look

They both will look on that which their own hands have:

Sent before

Earned of good

Earned of evil

Then every Atheist will sadly cry:

“Would that I were dust!”

Why Atheist says that? Because of the horrors, severity and torment of that day.

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When Punishment = Mercy

Allah is the Supreme Lord; He is the Most Gracious. He metes out reward for believers and punishment for unbelievers.

The reward He assigns is a manifestation of His mercy.

In addition, the punishment endured by the unbelievers originates from Allah’s mercy. For it is certainly part of mercy that evildoer should be punished and that it should not have the same end as the righteous.

In Allah’s Presence

The verse unveil the unseen and describes the scene of the day when the great angel Gabriel, and all the angels standing in ranks before Allah; they greatly esteem Him; no one dares utter a word without prior permission from Him.

In this awesome situation, neither man nor angel can speak without Allah’s permission.

Whatever said will be right because Allah does not permit anyone to speak whom He knows will not be saying what is right.

Back to the Angels, the pure sinless great creatures whom does Allah favor,

When we think that the angels dare not speak without His permission, we are bound to feel how overwhelming the situation is.

Having driven such a feeling, the verse conveys a threatening to the Atheists who have chosen not to hear or see

“That day is a certainty. Let him who will seek a way back to his Lord. We have forewarned you of an imminent scourge, on the day when man will look on what his hands have forwarded and the unbeliever will cry: ‘Would that I were dust!”

Those who raise doubts and question the reality of the Day of Resurrection are here shaken violently:

“That day is a certainty.”

There is no room left for doubt and controversy. Yet there is time for mending one’s erring ways before the fearful watch guard, i.e. hell, becomes a permanent home:

“Let him who will seek a way back to his Lord.”

The warning is severe enough to make the drunken awake:

“We have forewarned you of an imminent scourge.”

It will not be long coming, for man’s life is but a short period.

The scourge is so fearful that the unbelievers, when faced with it, will send up that great cry expressing the wish that they had never lived:

“On the day when man will look on what his hands have forwarded and the unbeliever will cry: ‘Would that I were dust!”

This is the cry of the one who is in great distress, who feels ashamed for what he has been and what he has done. He feels that it is better not to be, or to be something as worthless as dust, than to witness such a fearful occasion.

The terrible position of the unbelievers is the subject of the questions and doubts they raise concerning that fateful tiding.

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The verses 78:38-40 in different translations:

QARIB:

38-On that day, when the spirit (gabriel) and the angels stand in ranks they shall not speak, except he to whom the merciful has given permission, and says what is right.

39-That is the day, the truth, so whosoever wills takes a way to his Lord.

40-Indeed, we have forewarned you of an imminent punishment, the day when the person will look upon his works and the unbelievers will say: ‘would that i were dust! ‘

SHAKIR:

38-The day on which the spirit and the angels shall stand in ranks; they shall not speak except he whom the beneficent Allah permits and who speaks the right thing

39-That is the sure day, so whoever desires may take refuge with his Lord

40-Surely we have warned you of a chastisement near at hand: the day when man shall see what his two hands have sent before, and the unbeliever shall say: o! would that i were dust!

PICKTHAL:

38-On the day when the angels and the spirit stand arrayed, they speak not, saving him whom the beneficent alloweth and who speaketh right.

39-That is the true day. so whoso will should seek recourse unto his Lord.

40-Lo! We warn you of a doom at hand, a day whereon a man will look on that which his own hands have sent before, and the disbeliever will cry: “would that i were dust!”

YUSUFALI:

38-The day that the spirit and the angels will stand forth in ranks, none shall speak except any who is permitted by (Allah) most gracious, and he will say what is right.

39-That day will be the sure reality: therefore, whoso will, let him take a (straight) return to his Lord!

40-Verily, we have warned you of a penalty near, the day when man will see (the deeds) which his hands have sent forth, and the unbeliever will say, “woe unto me! would that i were (metre) dust!”

Atheists in Quran (29) they mocked Noah

Allah commanded Noah: Build the ark and Noah did.

While building the ark, group after group of the insolent Atheists men pass by and scoff at Noah and his followers. Noah said to them, though you mock us today, yet we mock you tomorrow, because Allah will save us and will drown you.

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In the previous article, Allah told Noah:

“None of your people will believe apart from those who have already accepted the faith.”

Those who are susceptible to faith have already accepted it. The others are hopeless.

Therefore, it is over and the unbelievers are done.

Allah commanded Noah: Build the ark

The verses 11:37-39 disclose the story of building the Ark and tell us what happened during building it, the verses say:

Build the Ark under Our watch, protection and inspiration and by Our command

We will look after you and give you instructions as you do so.

Start the construction of the ship under Our care and by Our command.

[Then, we have to watch this Allah’ strong order]

Do not address Me concerning the unbelievers who have done evil, by asking that I should refrain from destroying them

Do not plead with Me on behalf of those unbelievers about saving them.

The Atheists’ destiny has been decided and you are not to plead their case.

You can neither pray for them to be guided to the truth, nor can you pray for their punishment.

Prayers are to no avail when Allah’s will comes to pass.

Verily, they will be drowned by the flood.

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Noah and his followers were building the Ark

Every time that chieftain of a notable council, a group, of his people passed him, they scoffed at him

Whenever a group, of his people passed him, they made mock of him, they derided him for so doing.

They told Noah’s followers that they are following an insane.

Noah builds the ark and group after group of his insolent people pass by and scoff at him. They scoff at the man who said he was a messenger from Allah and argued long with them, but who now busies himself making a boat. They mock him because they can only see what appears to them.

Noah said unto them:

The same you scoff at us is the same we scoff at you.

Though you make mock of us today, yet we mock at you tomorrow.

Because we are saved, while you drown.

Noah, on the other hand, is full of confidence as he tells them that their mockery will rebound. We will scoff at you because you cannot visualize that Allah has a definite purpose beyond all this, and you cannot imagine what awaits you.

Will this apply to us or to you when everything will be revealed?

You shall know to whom will come a punishment that will confound, humiliate and destroy him

You shall know upon whom an everlasting chastisement will fall and will be enjoined upon in the Hereafter.

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The verses 11: 37-39 in different translations:

QARIB:

37- Build the ark with our seeing (and protection), and as we reveal. do not speak to me concerning the evildoers; they shall be drowned. ‘

38- Whenever an assembly of his nation passed by him as he was building the ark, they mocked him. whereupon he said: ‘if you mock us, we shall indeed mock you, just as you mock.

39- You shall know to whom a degrading punishment will come, and upon whom an everlasting punishment will fall. ‘

SHAKIR:

37- And make the ark before our eyes and (according to) our revelation, and do not speak to me in respect of those who are unjust; surely they shall be drowned

38- And he began to make the ark; and whenever the chiefs from among his people passed by him they laughed at him. he said: if you laugh at us, surely we too laugh at you as you laugh (at us)

39- So shall you know who it is on whom will come a chastisement which will disgrace him, and on whom will lasting chastisement come down

PICKTHAL:

37- Build the ship under our eyes and by our inspiration, and speak not unto me on behalf of those who do wrong. lo! they will be drowned.

38- And he was building the ship, and every time that chieftains of his people passed him, they made mock of him. he said: though ye make mock of us, yet we mock at you even as ye mock;

39- And ye shall know to whom a punishment that will confound him cometh, and upon whom a lasting doom will fall.

YUSUFALI:

37- “But construct an ark under our eyes and our inspiration, and address me no (further) on behalf of those who are in sin: for they are about to be overwhelmed (in the flood).”

38- Forthwith he (starts) constructing the ark: every time that the chiefs of his people passed by him, they threw ridicule on him. he said: “if ye ridicule us now, we (in our turn) can look down on you with ridicule likewise!

39- “But soon will ye know who it is on whom will descend a penalty that will cover them with shame,- on whom will be unloosed a penalty lasting:”

Atheists in Quran (28) Noah and their Recycled History

The ignorant Atheists among Noah’s people said Noah has invented that which he has brought us.

The ignorant Arabs among Muhammad’s people said Muhammad has invented that which he has brought us.

Interestingly, the “Today” intellectual Atheists deny Noah and say that Muhammad has invented that which he has brought of Quran.

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The Atheists’ pride and arrogance are limitless.

The Atheists who were the council, notables, respected elders and chieftains of Noah’s people claim many false and nasty statements about the great Prophet Noah.

They had many rotten arguments with Noah.

Noah did his job patiently and perfectly; he kept advising his people all the time and he never ever put.

However, the Atheists’ pride veiled their hearts.

The verses 11:34-36 describe the scene.

Noah said:

1) If I sincerely desire to counsel you, my sincere counsel will not benefit you if Allah wants to lead you astray (because of your limitless pride). He is your lord, and to him you shall return

2) My invitation and warning to you from Allah’s chastisement will not benefit you if I were to warn you and call you to profess Allah’s divine Oneness

3) If Allah’s law determines that, you will proud fully perish because of your rejection of the truth, Allah’s law has to be fulfilled, regardless of my advice. It is not that Allah will deprive you of benefiting by my advice.

4) According to Allah’s law, It is what you do with yourselves that will, take you away from the right path.

5) You cannot defy Allah or make yourselves immune from Him. You are always within His reach. He has absolute power over you and over your lives. You cannot escape meeting Him when He brings you to account and decides your reward; He will reward you according to your works.

 “He is your Lord and to Him you shall return.”

Prophets Act on Their Instructions

At this stage in Noah’s story, the Quran has a remarkable pause.

The verse makes brief reference to the reception of a similar message by the Atheists among the Arabs at the time of the Prophet Muhammad.

The significance of this pause:

There is a remarkable similarity of attitudes, as the Atheists among the Arabs claim that Muhammad too has invented the Quran.

The Atheists among the Arabs have too limitless pride.

A Recycled History?

The Atheists among Noah’s people said Noah has invented that which he has brought us.

The ignorant skeptic Arabs among Muhammad’s people said Muhammad has invented that which he has brought us.

The verse quickly refutes their claim before returning to Noah:

“Do they claim that he (i.e. Muhammad] has invented it? Say: ‘If I have invented it, upon me be this crime of mine, but I am innocent of the crimes you perpetrate.’” (Verse 35)

To fabricate a falsehood is to commit a crime.

Hence, Allah instructed His Prophet Muhammad to tell the unbelievers:

1) If I have made any such fabrication, I will bear the responsibility for it. It is a great sin to do that; however, the punishment for my sin will be upon me

2) Since I am aware that it is a crime to make such fabrications, it is highly unlikely that I would do so.

3) However, I am, innocent of all your:

• Crimes, including your false allegations,
• Misconduct, when you attribute invention to me.
• Rejection of Allah’s message
• Associating partners with Allah.

It is interesting that the “Today” intellectual Atheists deny Noah and say that Muhammad has invented that which he has brought of Quran.

This interjecting overlap however does not interrupt the Quranic story; rather it serves the purpose of the verse.

In the next sight, we see Noah receiving Allah’s revelations and commandments.

“Noah received this revelation: “none of thy people will believe except those who have believed already! So grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds.”

Do not be in distress over anything they may do.

None of your people will believe except those who have already believed.

Do not be distressed, grieved, because of what they do and do not be saddened for their destruction

Everything has ended:

• The advocacy of Allah’s message,
• The advice
• The warning,
• The arguments.
• Their pride

Then what?

“None of your people will believe now apart from those who have already accepted the faith.”

Those who are susceptible to faith have already accepted it. The others are hopeless.

Allah, who knows best what is feasible and what is not, and knows His servants well, has informed Noah of this.

Hence, it is pointless to continue with the argument.

Allah told Noah not to grieve at their rejection or their mockery.

“Do not be in distress over anything they may do.”

Allah’s will has happened.

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The verses 11:34-36 in different translations:

QARIB:

34-Nor will my sincere counsel benefit you if I sincerely desire to counsel you if Allah desires to lead you astray. He is your lord, and to him you shall return. ‘

35-Or do they say: ‘he has fabricated it (himself)? ‘Say: ‘if i had fabricated it, then the sin rests upon me. I reject the sins you do. ‘

36-And it was revealed to Noah: ‘none of your nation will believe except whosoever has already believed. Do not distress yourself with what they may do.

SHAKIR:

34-And if I intend to give you good advice, my advice will not profit you if Allah intended that he should leave you to go astray; he is your lord, and to him shall you be returned

35-Or do they say: he has forged it? Say: if I have forged it, on me is my guilt, and i am clear of that of which you are guilty

36-And it was revealed to nuh: that none of your people will believe except those who have already believed, therefore do not grieve at what they do:

PICKTHAL:

34-My counsel will not profit you if I were minded to advise you, if Allah’s will is to keep you astray. He is your lord and unto him ye will be brought back.

35-Or say they (again): he hath invented it? Say: if i have invented it, upon me be my crimes, but i am innocent of (all) that ye commit.

36-And it was inspired in Noah, (saying): no one of thy folk will believe save him who hath believed already. Be not distressed because of what they do.

YUSUFALI:

34-“Of no profit will be my counsel to you, much as I desire to give you (good) counsel, if it be that Allah willeth to leave you astray: he is your lord! and to him will ye return!”

35-Or do they say, “he has forged it”? Say: “if I had forged it, on me were my sin! And I am free of the sins of which ye are guilty!

36-It was revealed to Noah:”none of thy people will believe except those who have believed already! so grieve no longer over their (evil) deeds.

Atheists in Quran (27) Noah’s values vs. their values

Noah presents his message clearly, free of all falsehood. He makes a gentle and friendly description of the truth. In Noah’s presentation, there were no flattery, no attempt to win any favor with anyone at the expense of the message. The Atheists stiffened their attitude became determined not to accept any proof of Noah’s case; they said: Noah! You have argued with us, and argued to excess. Bring upon us that with which you have been threatening us, if you are a truthful man.

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In the previous articles, the Atheists who were the council notables and the respected elders of Noah’s people claim that Noah is just looking for wealth and they said:

• We will never ever sit with Noah and listen to him unless he drives away those who are the most abject, lowly, and weak and the riffraff among us.
• Why have such lowly men followed Noah before us?

This was a part of their rotten arguments

They said such nasty statements to testify their unbelieving thoughts

The Atheists’ pride and arrogance are limitless.

In this article, the Atheists continue their stubborn arguments with Noah.

The meanings of the verses 11:31-33

The Atheists demanded that they would never believe Noah unless:

• Noah tells them that he possess the treasure houses of Allah
• Noah tells them that he has the keys to Allah’s stores of provision
• Noah tells them that he has knowledge of the Unseen
• Noah tells the lowly men who followed him that Allah will not give them any good

However, you know what Noah (they said), we cannot believe in human being, tell your Lord to send us an Angel or to convert you to an Angel

Noah remains unaffected by the false accusations, insolence and blind rejection with which his people have received his message.

He applies his own values and maintains his own standards. He does not make false claims or accusations as they have done. Nor does he try to give himself any false image or impart anything alien to his message.

However, Allah inspired Noah the answers for their rotten arguments.

Peacefully, Noah introduces himself and his message. His presentation is simple, devoid of any ornament and decoration, free of all false standards and values.

Noah reminds them of the true values, looking with contempt on all superficial ones. He renounces all superficiality and states his message as it is, pure and simple, with no false claims. He, who wants it, let him take it, as it is as pure as Allah made it.

Noah said:

I do not say to you that God’s treasures are with me.

I do not claim that I am rich or that I can make any of you rich. “Or that

I know what lies beyond the reach of human perception.

I do not make any claim of any super-human status or

I do not allege that my relationship with Allah exceeds the fact that I am a messenger conveying Allah’s message.

Nor do I say: I am an angel.

I do not claim to have a position, which you think to be higher than that of man, so that I may gain favor or high position from you.

I cannot say to those whom you scorn that Allah will never grant them any good, so that I satisfy your pride or accommodate your standards and values.

Allah knows best what is in their hearts (those whom you scorn).

I have to go by what I see.

To me, they appear deserving of honor and hope that Allah will grant them of His bounty.

If I made such false claims, saying to them that Allah will never grant them any good, I would be unjust

• I would be unjust to the very truth I have come to convey.
• I would also be unjust to myself, exposed to Allah’s wrath,
• I would be unjust to other people to whom I gave a status other than that given them by Allah.

Thus, Noah presents his message clearly, free of all falsehood. He faces them with the clarity and strength of the truth. Meanwhile, he makes a gentle and friendly description of the truth so that they may look it in the face and decide upon their line of action.

In Noah’s presentation, there were no pretense, no flattery, no attempt to win any favor with anyone at the expense of the message and its simple nature.

In this, Noah sets an example for all advocates of the Allah’s message in all generations and provides them with a lesson in how to confront the people of authority with the truth, without any attempt to compromise, or flatter, but with the sort of friendliness, which is not associated with submission.

At this point, it was clear to the notables that they had no chance of winning the argument. They stiffened their attitude, became determined not to accept any proof of Noah’s case, logical and natural as it certainly was.

Then they finally rallied themselves in order to deliver a challenge to Noah. They said:

Noah! You have argued with us, and argued to excess. Bring upon us that with which you have been threatening us, if you are a man of truth.

This is nothing short of deceit, an attempt to cover up their weakness by putting on a display of strength. It is a challenge made in order to mask their dread of the truth’s strength.

Noah, however, remains unaffected by their outright rejection and challenge. He maintains the noble attitude befitting a great prophet. He continues to explain to them the truth and the facts, which they have ignored

He restates the fact that he is only a messenger whose task is to deliver a message. Their punishment is left to Allah who has absolute control over their destiny.

Allah alone decides, at His own discretion, whether it is appropriate to punish them here and now or to delay their punishment until a later date. Allah’s will must happen, as it is and Noah has no power over it.

As a messenger, he has to continue to explain the truth to his people until the last moment. Their rejection and challenge must not deter him from fulfilling his task.

Hence, he says to them:

Only Allah can bring it upon you, if He so wills. You cannot be immune. Nor will my counsel benefit you, much as I desire to give you good counsel, if it is Allah’s will to let you remain in error. He is your Lord and to Him you shall return.

If He will to punish you, none can by no means escape His chastisement.

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The verses 11:31-33 in different translations:

QARIB:

31- I do not say to you that i possess the treasuries of Allah, and i do not know the unseen. I do not say I am an angel, nor do I say to those whom you despise, Allah will not give them any good. Allah knows best what is in their hearts. indeed, if this were so then I would be amongst the harmdoers. ‘

32- They said: ‘o Noah, you have disputed, and disputed too much, with us. bring (down) upon us that which you promised us, if what you say is true! ‘

33- He replied: ‘Allah will bring it (down) upon you if he will; you will never frustrate him.

SHAKIR:

31- And I do not say to you that i have the treasures of Allah and I do not know the unseen, nor do I say that i am an angel, nor do I say about those whom your eyes hold in mean estimation (that) Allah will never grant them (any) good– Allah knows best what is in their souls– for then most surely I should be of the unjust

32- They said: o nuh! indeed you have disputed with us and lengthened dispute with us, therefore bring to us what you threaten us with, if you are of the truthful ones

33- He said: Allah only will bring it to you if he please, and you will not escape:

PICKTHAL:

31- I say not unto you: “I have the treasures of Allah” nor “I have knowledge of the unseen,” nor say I: “lo! I am an angel!” nor say I unto those whom your eyes scorn that Allah will not give them good – Allah knoweth best what is in their hearts – lo! Then indeed, I should be of the wrong-doers.

32- They said: o Noah! thou hast disputed with us and multiplied disputation with us; now bring upon us that wherewith thou threatenest us, if thou art of the truthful.

33- He said: only Allah will bring it upon you if he will, and ye can by no means escape.

YUSUFALI:

31- “I tell you not that with me are the treasures of Allah, nor do I know what is hidden, nor claim I to be an angel. Nor yet do I say, of those whom your eyes do despise that Allah will not grant them (all) that is good: Allah knoweth best what is in their souls: I should, if I did, indeed be a wrong-doer.”

32- They said: “o Noah! thou hast disputed with us, and (much) hast thou prolonged the dispute with us: now bring upon us what thou threatenest us with, if thou speakest the truth!?”

33- He said: “truly, Allah will bring it on you if he wills,- and then, ye will not be able to frustrate it!

Atheists in Quran (13) their works = Ashes Blowing in the Wind

The Atheists’ works are like ashes over which the wind blows hard on a tempestuous day, over which none can have power and they shall find no reward for it due to their nonbelief.

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Not all the Atheists are evil doers.

Some if not many of them do righteous works in the life of this world.

The Atheists may do moral works such as:

• Kindness to kin,
• Act of charity,
• Helping the poor and the needy,
• Compassion to the neighbors,
• Etc.

Allah very much encourages these works and He promised to give very good rewards for these honorable works.

Allah’s rewards for such conducts are beyond our dreams because Allah is the best ever Kind.

However, Allah’s rewards are only for the believers.

It is very unwise to expect a reward from the one you do not believe in Him.

The verses 14:18-20 of the Quran give the likeness and the description of the good Atheists’ works and their grievous loss in the Afterlife.

The parable of the Atheists’ works

The Atheists’ works are like ashes; the ashes are blowing about hither and thither by the wind.

The wind, which blows on them, is not an ordinary wind,

The day on which the wind blows is not an ordinary calm day.

A furious windstorm is blowing, for such is the Wrath of Allah.

They have neither internal peace nor external gain.

In the scattering of the ashes, they lose control even of such things as they might have earned but for their misbelief.

All their wishes to get rewarded go astray.

They are carried far away, from what was in their minds. What did they aim at, and what did they achieve?

No power have they over aught that they have earned:

That is the straying far, far from the goal.

Their works are just as one will not find ashes when the wind blows hard on it in the way that no rewards are resulting from such works.

“The works of those who disbelieve in their Lord are like ashes which the wind blows about fiercely on a stormy day. They cannot achieve any benefit from all that they might have earned. This [disbelief] is indeed going very far astray.”

Again, Atheists’ works are as ashes over which the wind blows hard on a tempestuous day, one in which the winds blow violently, making them as scattered dust, over which none can have power and they shall find no reward for it.

• That is the extreme error, which is far remote from the Truth or guidance.
• That is the extreme failure
• That is the extreme loss

Then have a look on how Allah, the Merciful, talk to them before it is too late for them.

Have not the Atheists seen that Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth?

If He will, He can take you away, O humankind, and bring [about] a new creation, in your place.

O Atheists If Allah will, He can

• remove you, or
• destroy you, or
• make you die,

In addition, He can bring in some new creation and will create other beings who are better than you are and more obedient to Allah.

That is no great matter for Allah

That is not very difficult for Allah;

Allah says:

It is not very difficult for Allah to terminate you and create different beings.

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The perfect harmony of Quranic style

The image of Ashes Blowing about on a stormy day adds action to the concept that the Atheists’ workswill come to nothing.

People cannot hold on to any part of their actions, or make use of them. This image gives a far more profound effect than any expression of the same meaning of total loss in intellectual terms.

This scene expresses a basic truth about what the Atheists do.

Then the verses talk about the creation of Heavens and Earth before threatening the Atheists with Allah’s ability to replace them with a new creation.

This switch from the loss of the good Atheists’ work due to lack of faith and disbelief to a picture of the heavens and the earth is very natural in the Quran.

It is also natural in human feelings and perceptions.

This is a further indication of the divine source of the Quran.

There is a secret but intelligible discourse between man and the universe.

Human nature responds instinctively to this secret communication once it tunes in to it and receives its signals.

Those who do not notice these signals and indicators must examine their receptive abilities.

Such people are described in the Quran as blind. It is not possible for human life to prosper under a system, doctrine or philosophy promoted by someone who is blind.

The fact that the heavens and the earth have been created with the truth gives the impression of limitless ability and solid stability.

The truth is solid and stable even in the sound the word ‘truth’ makes.

This contrasts completely with the ashes blown about fiercely on a stormy day, dispersed far and wide, as it contrasts with people going astray.

In light of the fate suffered by dictators who stubbornly took the wrong side in the battle between truth and falsehood, a strong warning is issued:

“If He so wills, He can do away with you and bring into being a new creation.”

Allah who is able to create the heavens and the earth can easily replace the human race with a different one, or bring about a new community of humans in place of the present one.

Again the connotations of taking a community away to replace it with another fits properly with the image of ashes blown far away.

“This is no difficult thing for God.”

The creation of the heavens and the earth testify that it is indeed easy for Allah.

The fate of earlier unbelieving communities also testifies to it, and so do the ashes scattered hither and thither.

It is indeed a remarkable feature of the Quranic style that imagery and connotations slot together in perfect harmony.

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The verses 14:18-19 in different translations:

QARIB:

18-As for the likeness of those who disbelieve in their Lord, their works are like ashes which a strong wind scatters on a stormy day; they are powerless over that they have earned; that is the far error.

19-Do you not see that Allah has created the heavens and the earth with truth? he can put you away if he will and bring into being a new creation;

20-Indeed, that is no great thing for Allah.

SHAKIR:

18-The parable of those who disbelieve in their Lord: their actions are like ashes on which the wind blows hard on a stormy day; they shall not have power over anything out of what they have earned; this is the great error

19-Do you not see that Allah created the heavens and the earth with truth? if he please he will take you off and bring a new creation,

20-And this is not difficult for Allah

PICKTHAL:

18-A similitude of those who disbelieve in their Lord: their works are as ashes which the wind bloweth hard upon a stormy day. they have no control of aught that they have earned. that is the extreme failure.

19-Hast thou not seen that Allah hath created the heavens and the earth with truth? if he will, he can remove you and bring (in) some new creation;

20-And that is no great matter for Allah.

YUSUFALI:

18-The parable of those who reject their Lord is that their works are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously on a tempestuous day: no power have they over aught that they have earned: that is the straying far, far (from the goal).

19-Seest thou not that Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth? if he so will, he can remove you and put (in your place) a new creation?

20-Nor is that for Allah any great matter.