كَأَنَّهُنَّ بَيضٌ مَكنونٌ

As if they were [delicate] eggs, well-protected.

فَأَقبَلَ بَعضُهُم عَلىٰ بَعضٍ يَتَساءَلونَ

And they will approach one another, inquiring of each other.

قالَ قائِلٌ مِنهُم إِنّي كانَ لي قَرينٌ

A speaker among them will say, "Indeed, I had a companion [on earth]

يَقولُ أَإِنَّكَ لَمِنَ المُصَدِّقينَ

Who would say, 'Are you indeed of those who believe

أَإِذا مِتنا وَكُنّا تُرابًا وَعِظامًا أَإِنّا لَمَدينونَ

That when we have died and become dust and bones, we will indeed be recompensed?'"

فَاطَّلَعَ فَرَآهُ في سَواءِ الجَحيمِ

And he will look and see him in the midst of the Hellfire.

قالَ تَاللَّهِ إِن كِدتَ لَتُردينِ

He will say, "By Allah, you almost ruined me.

وَلَولا نِعمَةُ رَبّي لَكُنتُ مِنَ المُحضَرينَ

If not for the favor of my Lord, I would have been of those brought in [to Hell].

أَفَما نَحنُ بِمَيِّتينَ

Then, are we not to die

إِلّا مَوتَتَنَا الأولىٰ وَما نَحنُ بِمُعَذَّبينَ

Except for our first death, and we will not be punished?"