Ali Quli Qarai, The Qur’ān with a Phrase-by-Phrase English Translation (2005)
some of the generations
who were more powerful than him
and greater in amassing [wealth]?1
The guilty will not be questioned about their sins.2
79 So he emerged before his people in his finery.
Those who desired the life of the world said,
‘We wish we had like what Korah has been given!
Indeed he is greatly fortunate.’
80 Those who were given knowledge said,
‘Woe to you!
Allah’s reward is better for someone who has faith
and acts righteously,
and no one will receive it except the patient.’
81 So We caused the earth to swallow him and his house,
and he had no party
that might protect him from Allah,
nor could he rescue himself.
82 By dawn those who longed to be in his place
the day before were saying,
‘Don’t you see that Allah expands the provision
for whomever He wishes of His servants,
and tightens it?
Had Allah not shown us favour,
He might have made the earth swallow us too.
Don’t you see that the faithless do not prosper.’
83 This is the abode of the Hereafter
1 Or ‘more numerous in strength.’
2 Because ‘the guilty shall be known by their mark.’ Cf. 55:39-41.
