كَأَنَّهُنَّ بَيضٌ مَكنونٌ

As though they were protected pearls.

فَأَقبَلَ بَعضُهُم عَلىٰ بَعضٍ يَتَساءَلونَ

They will approach one another, inquiring of each other.

قالَ قائِلٌ مِنهُم إِنّي كانَ لي قَرينٌ

A speaker among them will say, “I had a close companion.

يَقولُ أَإِنَّكَ لَمِنَ المُصَدِّقينَ

Who would say, ‘Are you among those who believe?

أَإِذا مِتنا وَكُنّا تُرابًا وَعِظامًا أَإِنّا لَمَدينونَ

That when we die and become dust and bones, we will be held accountable?’”

فَاطَّلَعَ فَرَآهُ في سَواءِ الجَحيمِ

He looked down and saw him in the midst of the Fire.

قالَ تَاللَّهِ إِن كِدتَ لَتُردينِ

He exclaimed, “By God, you nearly led me astray!

وَلَولا نِعمَةُ رَبّي لَكُنتُ مِنَ المُحضَرينَ

If not for the mercy of my Lord, I would’ve been among those presented.”

أَفَما نَحنُ بِمَيِّتينَ

“We are not to die.

إِلّا مَوتَتَنَا الأولىٰ وَما نَحنُ بِمُعَذَّبينَ

Except for our first death, and we aren’t to be punished.”