ما سَلَكَكُم في سَقَرَ

“What led you to Saqar?”

قالوا لَم نَكُ مِنَ المُصَلّينَ

They will reply, “We weren’t among those who prayed.

وَلَم نَكُ نُطعِمُ المِسكينَ

Nor did we feed the needy.

وَكُنّا نَخوضُ مَعَ الخائِضينَ

And we used to indulge with those who indulged.

وَكُنّا نُكَذِّبُ بِيَومِ الدّينِ

And we used to deny the Day of Recompense.

فَما تَنفَعُهُم شَفاعَةُ الشّافِعينَ

The intercession of the intercessors won’t benefit them.

فَما لَهُم عَنِ التَّذكِرَةِ مُعرِضينَ

So, why are they turning away from the Reminder?

كَأَنَّهُم حُمُرٌ مُستَنفِرَةٌ

As if they were startled donkeys.

فَرَّت مِن قَسوَرَةٍ

Fleeing from a lion.

بَل يُريدُ كُلُّ امرِئٍ مِنهُم أَن يُؤتىٰ صُحُفًا مُنَشَّرَةً

Does each one of them wish to be handed out widespread pages?