And we made the earth burst forth in springs, and the waters met at a bidding already decreed.
But we bore him on the thing of planks and nails ; sailing on beneath our eyes, a reward for him who had been disbelieved !
15 And we left it a sign; — but is there any one who will mind ?
ʿÂd called the apostles liars, and how was my punishment and my warning ?
Verily, we sent on them a cold storm wind on a day of continuous ill-luck!
20 It reft men away as though they had been palm stumps torn up!
We have made the Qurʼân easy as a reminder — but is there any one who will mind ?
Thamûd called the warnings lies, and said, ‘ A mortal, one of us, alone, shall we follow him ? then indeed were we in error and excitement[1]!
25 ‘ Is the warning cast on him alone among us ? nay, he is an insolent liar !
‘ They shall know to-morrow about the insolent liar !
‘ Verily, we are about to send the she-camel as a trial for them, then watch them and have patience ! and inform them that the water is shared between them (and her); each draught shall be sought by turns.’
Then they called their companion, and he plied (a knife) and hamstrung her.
30 Then how was my punishment and my warning ? Verily, we sent against them one noise, and they were like the dry sticks of him who builds a fold.
- ↑ Or madness.
