"Haa Meem. This is a revelation from the Beneficent and Merciful. This is a book the verses of which are clearly detailed, a Qur’aan in Arabic for people who understand. It (the Qur’aan) is an issuer of glad tidings and an admonisher. (Rightfully, they should have embraced this Qur’aan,) but most of them turn away so they hear not. And they say, ‘Our hearts are under veils from what you are inviting us towards and in our ears are plugs and between us and between you is a screen (due to which we are unable to understand what you say). So, you do (your work) whilst we continue doing our work.’ Say (in response to them, O Muhammed!) I am but a human being like you (but) divine revelation is revealed upon me that your deity is only one. So take a straight path towards Him and seek His forgiveness and woe to the disbelievers; those who do not pay Zakaat and they disbelieve in the hereafter. Truly, those who believe and do righteous deeds, for them will be a reward that will never cease. Say (O Muhammed!) Do you indeed disbelieve in the One who had created the earth in two days and you ascribe partners unto Him? That is the Lord of all the worlds. And He placed therein (in the world) mountains standing firm, high above it (the earth), and He placed blessings in it (the earth) and He proportioned therein its sustenance in four equal days (in duration) for those who enquire (about His creation). Thereafter, he focused towards the sky when it was smoke and said to it (the sky) and the earth, ‘Come both of you willingly or by compulsion.’ Both of them replied, ‘We come willingly.’ So He completed seven skies in two days and He transmitted to every sky its duty and command. And we adorned the sky of the world with lamps (stars for adornment) and protection (against the shayaateen by using the stars as projectiles against them). Such is the proportion and design of the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing. And if they turn away, then say (O Muhammed!) I have warned you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt that had befallen ‘Aad and Thamud.” [Surah Haa Meem Sajdah verses 1–13]
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) continued reciting this surah while ‘Utbah was sitting, leaning with both his hands behind his back, listening in bewildered amazement to the recitation. When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) reached the final verse ‘and if they turn away’, ‘Utbah abruptly placed his hand over Rasulullah’s (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mouth and exclaimed, “By Allah! For Allah’s sake, take pity on us!” The reason for ‘Utbah doing this was that he was terrified that the punishment of ‘Aad and Thamud would strike him at that very moment.
Thereafter, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) continued reciting right up to the verse of sajdah after which he performed a sajdah. Following his recitation, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) addressed ‘Utbah saying, “Abul Waleed! You have heard what you have heard! The choice now rests with you.”
(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/187-189)