Juz 29 — Part 29 of 30

Tabaarakal lazee biyadihil mulku wa huwa 'alaa kulli shai-in qadeer

HALLOWED be He in whose hand all dominion rests, since He has the power to will anything:

Allazee khalaqal mawta walhayaata liyabluwakum ayyukum ahsanu 'amalaa; wa huwal 'azeezul ghafoor

He who has created death as well as life, so that He might put you to a test [and thus show] which of you is best in conduct, and [make you realize that] He alone is almighty, truly forgiving.

Allazee khalaqa sab'a samaawaatin tibaaqam maa taraa fee khalqir rahmaani min tafaawutin farji'il basara hal taraa min futoor

[Hallowed be] He who has created seven heavens in full harmony with one another: no fault will thou see in the creation of the Most Gracious. And turn thy vision [upon it] once more: canst thou see any flaw?

Summar ji'il basara karrataini yanqalib ilaikal basaru khaasi'anw wa huwa haseer

Yea, turn thy vision [upon it] again and yet again: [and every time] thy vision will fall back upon thee, dazzled and truly defeated….

Wa laqad zaiyannas samaaa'ad dunyaa bimasaa beeha wa ja'alnaahaa rujoomal lish shayaateeni wa a'tadnaa lahum 'azaabas sa'eer

And, indeed, We have adorned the skies nearest to the earth with lights, and have made them the object of futile guesses for the evil ones [from among men]: and for them have We readied suffering through a blazing flame –

Wa lillazeena kafaroo bi rabbihim 'azaabu jahannama wa bi'sal maseer

for, suffering in hell awaits all who are [thus] bent on blaspheming against their Sustainer: and how vile a journey's end!

Izaaa ulqoo feehaa sami'oo lahaa shaheeqanw wa hiya tafoor

When they are cast into that [hell], they will hear its breath indrawing as it boils up,

Takaadu tamayyazu minal ghaizi kullamaaa uliqya feehaa fawjun sa alahum khazanatuhaaa alam yaatikum nazeer

well-nigh bursting with fury; [and] every time a host [of such sinners] is flung into it, its keepers will ask them, "Has no warner ever come to you?"

Qaaloo balaa qad jaaa'anaa nazeerun fakazzabnaa wa qulnaa maa nazzalal laahu min shai in in antum illaa fee dalaalin kabeer

They will reply: "Yea, a warner did indeed come unto us, but we gave him the lie and said, 'Never has God sent down anything [by way of revelation]! You [self-styled warners] are but lost in a great delusion!"'

Wa qaaloo law kunnaa nasma'u awna'qilu maa kunnaa feee as haabis sa'eer

And they will add: "Had we but listened [to those warnings], or [at least] used our own reason, we would not [now] be among those who are destined for the blazing flame!"

Fa'tarafoo bizambihim fasuhqal li as haabis sa'eer

Thus will they come to realize their sins: but [by that time,] remote will have become all good from those who are destined for the blazing flame.

Innal lazeena yakhshawna rabbahum bilghaibi lahum maghfiratunw wa ajrun kabeer

[As against this,] behold, for those who stand in awe of God although He is beyond the reach of their perception, there is forgiveness in store and a great reward.

Wa asirroo qawlakum awijharoo bihee innahoo 'aleemum bizaatis sudoor

AND [know, O men, that] whether you keep your beliefs secret or state them openly, He has full knowledge indeed of all that is in [your] hearts.

Alaa ya'lamu man khalaq wa huwal lateeful khabeer

How could it be that He who has created [all] should not know [all]? Yea, He alone is unfathomable [in His wisdom], aware!

Huwal lazee ja'ala lakumul arda zaloolan famshoo fee manaakibihaa wa kuloo mir rizqihee wa ilaihin nushoor

He it is who has made the earth easy to live upon: go about, then, in all its regions, and partake the sustenance which He provides: but [always bear in mind that] unto Him you shall be resurrected.

'A-amintum man fissamaaa'i aiyakhsifa bi kumul arda fa izaa hiya tamoor

Can you ever feel secure that He who is in heaven will not cause the earth to swallow you up when, lo and behold, it begins to quake?

Am amintum man fissamaaa'i ai yursila 'alaikum haasiban fasata'lamoona kaifa nazeer

Or can you ever feel secure that He who is in heaven will not let loose against you a deadly stormwind, whereupon you would come to know how [true] My warning was?

Wa laqad kazzabal lazeena min qablihim fakaifa kaana nakeer

And, indeed, [many of] those who lived aforetime did give the lie [to My warnings]: and how awesome was My rejection [of them]!

Awalam yaraw ilat tairi fawqahum saaaffaatinw wa yaqbidn; maa yumsikuhunna illaar rahmaan; innahoo bikulli shai im baseer

Have they, then, never beheld the birds above them, spreading their wings and drawing them in? None but the Most Gracious upholds them: for, verily, He keeps all things in His sight.

Amman haazal lazee huwa jundul lakum yansurukum min doonir rahmaan; inilkaafiroona illaa fee ghuroor

[And] is there any, besides the Most Gracious, that could be a shield for you, and could succour you [against danger]? They who deny this truth are but lost in self- delusion!

Amman haazal lazee yarzuqukum in amsaka rizqah; bal lajjoo fee 'utuwwinw wa nufoor

Or is there any that could provide you with sustenance if He should withhold His provision [from you]? Nay, but they [who are bent on denying the truth] stubbornly persist in their disdain [of God's messages] and in their headlong flight [from Him]!

Afamai yamshee mukibban 'alaa wajhihee ahdaaa ammany yamshee sawiyyan 'alaa siratim mustaqeem

But then, is he that goes along with his face close to the ground better guided than he that walks upright on a straight way?

Qul huwal lazee ansha akum wa ja'ala lakumus sam'a wal absaara wal af'idata qaleelam maa tashkuroon

SAY: "[God is] He who has brought you [all] into being, and has endowed you with hearing, and sight, and hearts: [yet] how seldom are you grateful!"

Qul huwal lazee zara akum fil ardi wa ilaihi tuhsharoon

Say: "It is He who has multiplied you on earth; and it is unto Him that you shall be gathered [on resurrection]."

Wa yaqooloona mataa haazal wa'du in kuntum saadiqeen

But they [only] ask, "When is this promise to be fulfilled? [Answer this, O you who believe in it,] if you are men of truth!"

Qul innamal 'ilmu 'indallaahi wa innamaaa ana nazeerum mubeen

Say thou, [O Prophet:] "Knowledge thereof rests with God alone; and I am only a plain warner."

Falaammaa ra-awhu zulfatan seee'at wujoohul lazeena kafaroo wa qeela haazal lazee kuntum bihee tadda'oon

Yet in the end, when they shall see that [fulfilment] close at hand, the faces of those who were bent on denying the truth will be stricken with grief; and they will be told, "This it is that you were [so derisively] calling for!"

Qul ara'aytum in ahlaka niyal laahu wa mam ma'iya aw rahimanaa famai-yujeerul kaafireena min 'azaabin aleem

SAY [O Prophet]: "What do you think? Whether God destroys me and those who follow me, or graces us with His mercy - is there anyone that could protect [you] deniers of the truth from grievous suffering [in the life to come]?"

Qul huwar rahmaanu aamannaa bihee wa 'alaihi tawakkalnaa fasata'lamoona man huwa fee dalaalim mubeen

Say: "He is the Most Gracious: we have attained to faith in Him, and in Him have we placed our trust; and in time you will come to know which of us was lost in manifest error."

Qul ara'aytum in asbaha maaa'ukum ghawran famai yaateekum bimaaa'im ma'een

Say [unto those who deny the truth]: "What do you think? If of a sudden all your water were to vanish underground, who [but God] could provide you with water from [new] unsullied springs?"

Noon; walqalami wa maa yasturoon

Nun. CONSIDER the pen, and all that they write [therewith]!

Maa anta bini'mati Rabbika bimajnoon

Thou art not, by thy Sustainer's grace, a madman!

Wa inna laka la ajran ghaira mamnoon

And, verily, thine shall be a reward neverending –

Wa innaka la'alaa khuluqin 'azeem

for, behold, thou keepest indeed to a sublime way of life;

Fasatubsiru wa yubsiroon

and [one day] thou shalt see, and they [who now deride thee] shall see,

Bi ayyikumul maftoon

which of you was bereft of reason.

Innaa Rabbaka Huwa a'lamu biman dalla 'an sabeelihee wa Huwa a'lamu bilmuhtadeen

Verily, thy Sustainer alone is fully aware as to who has strayed from His path, Just as He alone is fully aware of those who have found the right way.

Falaa tuti'il mukazzibeen

Hence, defer not to [the likes and dislikes of] those who give the lie to the truth:

Waddoo law tudhinu fa-yudhinoon

they would like thee to be soft [with them], so that they might be soft [with thee].

Wa laa tuti' kulla hallaa fim maheen

Furthermore, defer not to the contemptible swearer of oaths,

Hammaazim mash shaaa'im binameem

[or to] the slanderer that goes about with defaming tales,

Mannaa'il lilkhairi mu'tadin aseem

[or] the withholder of good, [or] the sinful aggressor,

'Utullim ba'da zaalika zaneem

[or] one who is cruel, by greed possessed, and, in addition to all this, utterly useless [to his fellow-men].

An kaana zaa maalinw-wa baneen

Is it because he is possessed of worldly goods and children

Izaa tutlaa 'alaihi aayaatunaa qaala asaateerul awwaleen

that, whenever Our messages are conveyed to him, such a one says, "Fables of ancient times"?

Sanasimuhoo 'alal khurtoom

[For this] We shall brand him with indelible disgrace!

Innaa balawnaahum kamaa balawnaaa As-haabal jannati iz 'aqsamoo la-yasri munnahaa musbiheen

[As for such sinners,] behold, We [but] try them as We tried the owners of a certain garden who vowed that they would surely harvest its fruit on the morrow,

Wa laa yastasnoon

and made no allowance [for the will of God]:

Fataafa 'alaihaa taaa'i fum mir rabbika wa hum naaa'imoon

whereupon a visitation for thy Sustainer came upon that [garden] while they were asleep,

Fa asbahat kassareem

so that by the morrow it became barren and bleak.

Fatanaadaw musbiheen

Now when they rose at early morn, they called unto one another,

Anighdoo 'alaa harsikum in kuntum saarimeen

"Go early to your tilth if you want to harvest the fruit!"

Fantalaqoo wa hum yatakhaafatoon

Thus they launched forth, whispering unto one another,

Al laa yadkhulannahal yawma 'alaikum miskeen

"Indeed, no needy person shall enter it today [and come] upon you [unawares],"

Wa ghadaw 'alaa hardin qaadireen

– and early they went, strongly bent upon their purpose.

Falammaa ra awhaa qaalooo innaa ladaaalloon

But as soon as they beheld [the garden and could not recognize] it, they exclaimed, "Surely we have lost our way!"

Bal nahnu mahroomoon

- [and then,] "Nay, but we have been rendered destitute!"

Qaala awsatuhum alam aqul lakum law laa tusabbihoon

Said the most right-minded among them: "Did I not tell you, 'Will you not extol God's limitless glory?’"

Qaaloo subhaana rabbinaaa innaa kunnaa zaalimeen

They answered: "Limitless in His glory is our Sustainer! Verily, we were doing wrong!"

Fa aqbala ba'duhum 'alaa ba'diny yatalaawamoon

- and then they turned upon one another with mutual reproaches.

Qaaloo yaa wailanaaa innaa kunnaa taagheen

[In the end] they said: "Oh, woe unto us! Verily, we did behave outrageously!

'Asaa rabbunaaa any yubdilanaa khairam minhaaa innaaa ilaa rabbinaa raaghiboon

[But] it may be that our Sustainer will grant us something better instead: for, verily, unto our Sustainer do we turn with hope!"

Kazaalikal azaab, wa la'azaabul aakhirati akbar; law kaanoo ya'lamoon

SUCH is the suffering [with which We try some people in this world]; but greater by far will be the suffering [which sinners shall have to bear] in the life to come - if they but knew it!

Inna lilmuttaqeena 'inda rabbihim jannaatin na'eem

For, behold, it is the God-conscious [alone] whom gardens of bliss await with their Sustainer:

Afanaj'alul muslimeena kalmujrimeen

or should We, perchance, treat those who surrender themselves unto Us as [We would treat] those who remain lost in sin?

Maa lakum kaifa tahhkumoon

What is amiss with you? On what do you base your judgment [of right and wrong]?

Am lakum kitaabun feehi tadrusoon

Or have you, perchance, a [special] divine writ which you study,

Inna lakum feehi lamaa takhaiyaroon

and in which you find all that you may wish to find?

Am lakum aymaanun 'alainaa baalighatun ilaa yawmil qiyaamati inna lakum lamaa tahkumoon

Or have you received a solemn promise, binding on Us till Resurrection Day, that yours will assuredly be whatever you judge [to be your rightful due]?

Salhum ayyuhum bizaa lika za'eem

Ask them which of them is able to vouch for this!

Am lahum shurakaaa'u falyaatoo bishurakaaa 'ihim in kaanoo saadiqeen

Or have they, perchance, any sages to support their views? Well, then, if they are sincere in this their claim, let them produce those supporters of theirs

Yawma yukshafu 'am saaqinw wa yud'awna ilas sujoodi falaa yastatee'oon

on the Day when man's very being shall be bared to the bone, and when they [who now deny the truth] shall be called upon to prostrate themselves [before God], and shall be unable to do so:

Khaashi'atan absaaruhum tarhaquhum zillatunw wa qad kaanoo yud'awna ilassujoodi wa hum saalimoon

downcast will be their eyes, with ignominy overwhelming them - seeing that they had been called upon [in vain] to prostrate themselves [before Him] while they were yet sound [and alive].

Fazarnee wa many yukazzibu bihaazal hadeesi sanastad rijuhum min haisu laa ya'lamoon

Hence, leave Me alone with such as give the lie to this tiding. We shall bring them low, step by step, without their perceiving how it has come about:

Wa umlee lahum; inna kaidee mateen

for, behold, though I may give them rein for a while, My subtle scheme is exceedingly firm!

Am tas'aluhum ajran fahum mim maghramim musqaloon

Or is it that [they fear lest] thou ask them for a reward, [O Prophet,] so that they would be burdened with debt [if they listened to thee]?

Am 'indahumul ghaibu fahum yaktuboon

Or [do they think] that the hidden reality [of all that exists] is within their grasp, so that [in time] they can write it down?

Fasbir lihkmi rabbika wa laa takun kasaahibil boot; iz naadaa wa huwa makzoom

BEAR THEN with patience thy Sustainer's will and be not like him of the great fish, who cried out [in distress] after having given in to anger.

Law laaa an tadaara kahoo ni'matum mir rabbihee lanubiza bil'araaa'i wa huwa mazmoom

[And remember:] had not grace from his Sustainer reached him, he would indeed have been cast forth upon that barren shore in a state of disgrace:

Fajtabaahu rabbuhoo faja'alahoo minas saaliheen

but [as it was,] his Sustainer had elected him and placed him among the righteous.

Wa iny-yakaadul lazeena kafaroo la-yuzliqoonaka biabsaarihim lammaa saml'uz-Zikra wa yaqooloona innahoo lamajnoon

Hence, [be patient,] even though they who are bent on denying the truth would all but kill thee with their eyes whenever they hear this reminder, and [though] they say, "[As for Muhammad,] behold, most surely he is a madman!"

Wa maa huwa illaa zikrul lil'aalameen

[Be patient:] for this is nought else but a reminder [from God] to all mankind.

Al haaaqqah

OH, THE LAYING-BARE of the truth!

Mal haaaqqah

How awesome that laying-bare of the truth!

Wa maaa adraaka mal haaaqqah

And what could make thee conceive what that laying-bare of the truth will be?

Kazzabat samoodu wa 'Aadum bil qaari'ah

THE LIE gave [the tribes of] Thamud and ‘Ad to [all tidings of] that sudden calamity!

Fa-ammaa Samoodu fauhlikoo bittaaghiyah

Now as for the Thamud - they were destroyed by a violent upheaval [of the earth];

Wa ammaa 'Aadun fa uhlikoo bireehin sarsarin 'aatiyah

and as for the ‘Ad - they were destroyed by a storm wind furiously raging,

Sakhkharahaa 'alaihim sab'a la yaalinw wa samaaniyata ayyaamin husooman fataral qawma feehaa sar'aa ka annahum a'jaazu nakhlin khaawiyah

which He willed against them for seven nights and eight days without cease, so that in the end thou couldst see those people laid low [in death], as though they were so many [uprooted] trunks of hollow palm trees:

Fahal taraa lahum mim baaqiyah

and dost thou now see any remnant of them?

Wa jaaa'a Firawnu wa man qablahoo wal mu'tafikaatu bilhaati'ah

And there was Pharaoh, too, and [many of] those who lived before him, and the cities that were overthrown - [all of them] indulged in sin upon sin

Fa'ansaw Rasoola Rabbihim fa akhazahum akhzatar raabiyah

and rebelled against their Sustainer's apostles: and so He took them to task with a punishing grasp exceedingly severe!

Innaa lammaa taghal maaa'u hamalnaakum fil jaariyah

[And] behold: when the waters [of Noah's flood] burst beyond all limits, it was We who caused you to be borne [to safety] in that floating ark,

Linaj'alahaa lakum tazki ratanw-wa ta'iyahaa unzununw waa'iyah

so that We might make all this a [lasting] reminder to you all, and that every wide-awake ear might consciously take it in.

Fa izaa nufikha fis soori nafkhatunw waahidah

Hence, [bethink yourselves of the Last Hour,] when the trumpet [of judgment] shall be sounded with a single blast,

Wa humilatil ardu wal jibaalu fadukkataa dakkatanw waahidah

and the earth and the mountains shall be lifted up and crushed with a single stroke!

Fa yawma'izinw waqa'atil waaqi'ah

And so, that which must come to pass will on that day have come to pass;

Wanshaqqatis samaaa'u fahiya yawma 'izinw-waahiyah

and the sky will be rent asunder - for, frail will it have become on that Day -;

Wal malaku 'alaaa arjaaa'ihaa; wa yahmilu 'Arsha Rabbika fawqahum yawma'izin samaaniyah

and the angels [will appear] at its ends, and, above them, eight will bear aloft on that Day the throne of thy Sustainer’s almightiness…

Yawma'izin tu'radoona laa takhfaa min kum khaafiyah

On that Day you shall be brought to judgment: not [even] the most hidden of your deeds will remain hidden.

Fa ammaa man ootiya kitaabahoo biyameenihee fa yaqoolu haaa'umuq ra'oo kitaabiyah

Now as for him whose record shall be placed in his right hand, he will exclaim: "Come you all!" Read this my record!

Innee zannantu annee mulaaqin hisaabiyah

Behold, I did know that [one day] I would have to face my account!

Fahuwa fee 'eeshatir raadiyah

And so he will find himself in a happy state of life,

Fee jannnatin 'aaliyah

in a lofty paradise,

Qutoofuhaa daaniyah

with its fruits within easy reach.

Kuloo washraboo haneee'am bimaaa aslaftum fil ayyaamil khaliyah

[And all who are thus blest will be told:] "Eat and drink with good cheer in return for all [the good deeds] that you have sent ahead in days gone by!"

Wa ammaa man ootiya kitaabahoo bishimaalihee fa yaqoolu yaalaitanee lam oota kitaaabiyah

But as for him whose record shall be placed in his left hand, he will exclaim: "Oh, would that I had never been shown this my record,

Wa lam adri maa hisaabiyah

and neither known this my account!

Yaa laitahaa kaanatil qaadiyah

Oh, would that this [death of mine] had been the end of me!

Maaa aghnaa 'annee maaliyah

Of no avail to me is all that I have [ever] possessed,

Halaka 'annee sultaaniyah

[and] all my power of argument has died away from me!"

Khuzoohu faghullooh

Thereupon the command will go forth:] "Lay hold of him, and shackle him,

Summal Jaheema sallooh

and then let him enter hell,

Summa fee silsilatin zar'uhaa sab'oona ziraa'an faslukooh

and then thrust him into a chain [of other sinners like him - a chain] the length whereof is seventy cubits:

Innahoo kaana laa yu'minubillaahil 'Azeem

for, behold, he did not believe in God, the Tremendous,

wa laa yahuddu 'alaa ta'aamil miskeen

and did not feel any urge to feed the needy:

Falaysa lahul yawma haahunaa hameem

and so, no friend has here today,

Wa laa ta'aamun illaa min ghisleen

nor any food save the filth

Laa yaakuluhooo illal khati'oon

which none but the sinners eat!"

Falaaa uqsimu bimaa tubsiroon

BUT NAY! I call to witness an that you can see,

Wa maa laa tubsiroon

as well as all that you cannot see!

Innahoo laqawlu Rasoolin kareem

Behold, this [Qur’an] is indeed the [inspired] word of a noble apostle,

Wa ma huwa biqawli shaa'ir; qaleelam maa tu'minoon

and is not – however little you may [be prepared to] believe it - the word of a poet;

Wa laa biqawli kaahin; qaleelam maa tazakkaroon

and neither is it - however little you may [be prepared to] take it to heart - the word of a soothsayer:

Tanzeelum mir rabbil 'aalameen

[it is] a revelation from the Sustainer of all the worlds.

Wa law taqawwala 'alainaa ba'dal aqaaweel

Now if he [whom We have entrusted with it] had dared to attribute some [of his own] sayings unto Us,

La-akhaznaa minhu bilyameen

We would indeed have seized him by his right hand,

Summa laqata'naa minhul wateen

and would indeed have cut his life-vein.

Famaa minkum min ahadin'anhu haajizeen

and none of you could have saved him!

Wa innahoo latazkiratul lilmuttaqeen

And, verily, this [Qur’an] is a reminder to all the God-conscious!

Wa inna lana'lamu anna minkum mukazzibeen

And, behold, well do We know that among you are such as will give the lie to it:

Wa innahu lahasratun 'alal kaafireen

yet, behold, this [rejection] will indeed become a source of bitter regret for all who deny the truth [of God's revelation] –

Wa innahoo lahaqqul yaqeen

for, verily, it is truth absolute!

Fasbbih bismi Rabbikal 'Azeem

Extol, then the limitless glory of thy Sustainer's mighty name!

Sa ala saaa'ilum bi'azaa binw-waaqi'

ONE who is minded to ask might ask about the suffering which [in the hereafter] is bound to befall

Lilkaafireen laisa lahoo daafi'

those who deny the truth. [Know, then, that] nothing can ward it off,

Minal laahi zil ma'aarij

[since it will come] from God, unto whom there are many ways of ascent:

Ta'rujul malaaa'ikatu war Roohu ilaihi fee yawmin kaana miqdaaruhoo khamseena alfa sanah

all the angels and all the inspiration [ever granted to man] ascend unto Him [daily,] in a day the length whereof is [like] fifty thousand years…

Fasbir ssabran jameelaa

Therefore, [O believer,] endure all adversity with goodly patience:

Inaahum yarawnahoo ba'eedaa

behold, men look upon that [reckoning] as something far away –

Wa naraahu qareebaa

but, We see it as near!

Yawma takoonus samaaa'u kalmuhl

[It will take place] on a Day when the sky will be like molten lead,

Wa takoonul jibaalu kal'ihn

and the mountains will be like tufts of wool,

Wa laa yas'alu hameemun hameemaa

and [when] no friend will ask about his friend,

Yubassaroonahum; ya waddul mujrimu law yaftadee min 'azaabi yawma'izim bibaneeh

though they may be in one another's sight: [for,] everyone who was lost in sin will on that Day but desire to ransom himself from suffering at the price of his own children,

Wa saahibatihee wa akheeh

and of his spouse, and of his brother,

Wa faseelathil latee tu'weeh

and of all the kinsfolk who ever sheltered him,

Wa man fil ardi jamee'an summa yunjeeh

and of whoever [else] lives on earth, all of them - so that he could but save himself.

Kallaa innahaa lazaa

But nay! Verily, all [that awaits him] is a raging flame,

Nazzaa'atal lishshawaa

tearing away his skin!

Tad'oo man adbara wa tawallaa

It will claim all such as turn their backs [on what is right], and turn away [from the truth],

W jama'a fa aw'aa

and amass [wealth] and thereupon withhold [it from their fellow-men].

Innal insaana khuliqa haloo'aa

VERILY, man is born with a restless disposition.

Izaa massahush sharru jazoo'aa

[As a rule,] whenever misfortune touches him, he is filled with self-pity;

Wa izaa massahul khairu manoo'aa

and whenever good fortune comes to him, he selfishly withholds it [from others].

Illal musalleen

Not so, however, those who consciously turn towards God in prayer.

Allazeena hum 'alaa Salaatihim daaa'imoon

[and] who incessantly persevere in their prayer

Wallazeena feee amwaalihim haqqum ma'loom

and in whose possessions there is a due share, acknowledged [by them],

Lissaaa 'ili walmahroom

for such as ask [for help] and such as are deprived [of what is good in life];

Wallazeena yusaddiqoona bi yawmid Deen

and who accept as true the [coming of the] Day of Judgment;

Wallazeena hum min 'azaabi Rabbihim mushfiqoon

and who stand in dread of their Sustainer's chastisement –

Inna 'azaaba Rabbihim ghairu maamoon

for, behold, of their Sustainer's chastisement none may ever feel [wholly] secure;

Wallazeena hum lifuroo jihim haafizoon

and who are mindful of their chastity,

Illaa 'alaaa azwaajihim aw maa malakat aymaanuhum fainnahum ghairu maloomeen

[not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock] -: for then, behold, they are free of all blame,

Famanib taghaa waraaa'a zaalika fa ulaaa'ika humul 'aadoon

whereas such as seek to go beyond that [limit] are truly transgressors;

Wallazeena hum li amaa naatihim wa 'ahdihim raa'oon

and who are faithful to their trusts and to their pledges:

Wallazeena hum bishahaadaatihim qaaa'imoon

and who stand firm whenever they bear witness;

Wallazeena hum 'alaa salaatihim yuhaafizoon

and who guard their prayers [from all worldly intent].

Ulaaa'ika fee jannaatim mukramoon

These it is who in the gardens [of paradise] shall be honoured!

Famaa lil lazeena kafaroo qibalaka muhti'een

WHAT, THEN, is amiss with such as are bent on denying the truth, that they run about confusedly to and fro before thee,

'Anil yameeni wa 'anish shimaali 'izeen

[coming upon thee] from the right and from the left, in crowds?

Ayatma'u kullum ri'im minhum anyyudkhala jannata Na'eem

Does every one of them hope to enter [by this means] a garden of bliss?

Kallaaa innaa khalaq nahum mimmaa ya'lamoon

Never! For, behold, We have created them out of something that they know [only too well]!

Falaaa uqsimu bi Rabbil mashaariqi wal maghaaribi innaa laqaadiroon

But nay! I call to witness [Our being] the Sustainer of all the points of sunrise and sunset: verily, well able are We

'Alaaa an nubaddila khairam minhum wa maa Nahnu bimasbooqeen

to replace them with [people] better than they are; for there is nothing to prevent Us [from doing what We will].

Fazarhum yakhoodoo wa yal'aboo hattaa yulaaqoo yaw mahumul lazee yoo'adoon

Hence, leave them to indulge in idle talk and play [with words] until they face that [Judgment] Day of theirs which they have been promised –

Yawma yakhrujoona minal ajdaasi siraa'an ka anna hum ilaa nusubiny yoofidoon

the Day when they shall come forth in haste from their graves, as if racing towards a goal-post,

Khaashi'atan absaaruhum tarhaquhum zillah; zaalikal yawmul lazee kaanoo yoo'adoon

with downcast eyes, with ignominy overwhelming them: that Day which they were promised again and…

Innaaa arsalnaa Noohan ilaa qawmihee an anzir qawmaka min qabli any yaatiyahum 'azaabun aleem

BEHOLD. We sent Noah unto his people. [saying:] "Warn thy people ere grievous suffering befall them!

Qaala yaa qawmi innee lakum nazeerum mubeen

[And Noah] said: "O my people! I am but a plain warner to you, [sent to tell you]

Ani'udul laaha watta qoohu wa atee'oon

that you should worship God [alone] and be conscious of Him. "Now do pay heed unto me,

Yaghfir lakum min zunoobikum wa yu'akhkhirkum ilaaa ajalim musammaa; innaa ajalal laahi izaa jaaa'a laa yu'akhkhar; law kuntum ta'lamoon

so that He may forgive you some of your sins, and grant you respite until a term known [to Him alone]: but, behold, when the term appointed by God does come, it can never be put back - if you but knew it!"

Qaala rabbi innee da'awtu qawmee lailanw wa naharaa

[And after a time, Noah] said: "O my Sustainer! Verily, I have been calling unto my people night and day

Falam yazid hum du'aaa 'eee illaa firaaraa

but my call has only caused them to flee farther and farther away [from Thee].

Wa inee kullamaa da'awtuhum litaghfira lahum ja'alooo asaabi'ahum fee aazaanihim wastaghshaw siyaabahum wa asaarroo wastakbarus tikbaaraa

And behold, whenever I called unto them with a view to Thy granting them forgiveness, they put their fingers into their ears, and wrapped themselves up in their garments [of sin]; and grew obstinate, and became [yet more] arrogant in their false pride.

Summa innee da'aw tuhum jihaara

"And behold I called unto them openly;

Summaa inneee a'lantu lahum wa asrartu lahum israaraa

and, behold I preached to them in public; and I spoke to them secretly, in private;

Faqultus taghfiroo Rabakam innahoo kaana Ghaffaaraa

and I said: "'Ask your Sustainer to forgive you your sins - for, verily, He is all-forgiving!

Yursilis samaaa'a 'alaikum midraaraa

He will shower upon you heavenly blessings abundant,

Wa yumdidkum bi am waalinw wa baneena wa yaj'al lakum Jannaatinw wa yaj'al lakum anhaaraa

and will aid you with worldly goods and children, and will bestow upon you gardens, and bestow upon you running waters.

Maa lakum laa tarjoona lillaahi waqaaraa

"'What is amiss with you that you cannot look forward to God's majesty,

Wa qad khalaqakum at waaraa

seeing that He has created [every one of] you in successive stages?

Alam taraw kaifa khalaqal laahu sab'a samaawaatin tibaaqaa

"'Do you not see how God has created seven heavens in full harmony with one another,

Wa ja'alal qamara feehinna nooranw wa ja'alash shamsa siraajaa

and has set up within them the moon as a light [reflected] and set up the sun as a [radiant] lamp?

Wallaahu ambatakum minal ardi nabaataa

"'And God has caused you to grow out of the earth in [gradual] growth; and thereafter He will return you to it [in death]:

Summa yu'eedukum feehaa wa ukhrijukum ikhraajaa

and [then] He will bring you forth [from It] in resurrection.

Wallaahu ja'ala lakumul arda bisaataa

"'And God has made the earth a wide expanse for you,

Litaslukoo minhaa subulan fijaajaa

so that you might walk thereon on spacious paths.’"

Qaala Noohur Robbi innahum 'asawnee wattaba'oo mal lam yazid hu maaluhoo wa waladuhooo illaa khasaara

[And] Noah continued: "O my Sustainer! Behold, they have opposed me [throughout], for they follow people whose wealth and children lead them increasingly into ruin,

Wa makaroo makran kubbaaraa

and who have devised a most awesome blasphemy [against Thee],

Wa qaaloo laa tazarunna aalihatakum wa laa tazarunna Waddanw wa laa Suwaa'anw wa laa Yaghoosa wa Ya'ooqa wa Nasraa

inasmuch as they said [to their followers], 'Do not ever abandon your gods: abandon neither Wadd nor Suwa', and neither Yaghuth nor Ya’uq nor Nasr!'

Wa qad adalloo kasee ranw wa laa tazidiz zaalimeena illaa dalaalaa

"And so they have led many a one astray: hence, ordain Thou that these evildoers stray but farther and farther away [from all that they may desire]!"

Mimmaa khateee' aatihim ughriqoo fa udkhiloo Naaran falam yajidoo lahum min doonil laahi ansaaraa

And so, because of their sins, they were drowned [in the great flood], and were doomed to suffer the fire [of the hereafter]; and they found none who could succour them against God.

Wa qaala Noohur Rabbi laa tazar 'alal ardi minal kaafireena daiyaaraa

And Noah prayed: "O my Sustainer! Leave not on earth any of those who deny the truth:

Innaka in tazarhum yudil loo 'ibaadaka wa laa yalidooo illaa faajiran kaffaaraa

for, behold, If Thou dost leave them, they will [always try to] lead astray those who worship Thee, and will give birth to nothing but wickedness and stubborn ingratitude.

Rabbigh fir lee wa liwaa lidaiya wa liman dakhala baitiya mu'minanw wa lil mu'mineena wal mu'minaati wa laa tazidiz zaalimeena illaa tabaaraa

"O my Sustainer! Grant Thy forgiveness unto me and unto my parents, and unto everyone who enters my house as a believer, and unto all believing men and believing women [of later times]; and grant Thou that the doers of evil shall increasingly meet with destruction!"'

Qul oohiya ilaiya annna hustama'a nafarum minal jinnni faqaalooo innaa sami'naa quraanan 'ajabaa

SAY: "It has been revealed to me that some of the unseen beings gave ear [to this divine writ], and thereupon said [unto their fellow-beings]: "'Verily, we have heard a wondrous discourse,

Yahdeee ilar rushdi fa aamannaa bihee wa lan nushrika bi rabbinaaa ahadaa

guiding towards consciousness of what is right; and so We have come to believe in it. And we shall never ascribe divinity to anyone beside our Sustainer,

Wa annahoo Ta'aalaa jaddu Rabbinaa mat takhaza saahibatanw wa la waladaa

for [we know] that sublimely exalted is our Sustainer's majesty: no consort has He ever taken unto Himself, nor a son!

Wa annahoo kaana yaqoolu safeehunaa 'alal laahi shatataa

"'And [now we know] that the foolish among us were wont to say outrageous things about God,

Wa annaa zanannaaa al lan taqoolal insu wal jinnu 'alal laahi kazibaa

and that [we were mistaken when] we thought that neither man nor [any of] the invisible forces would ever tell a lie about God.

Wa annahoo kaana rijaa lum minal insi ya'oozoona birijaalim minal jinni fazaa doohum rahaqaa

Yet [it has always happened] that certain kinds of humans would seek refuge with certain kinds of [such] invisible forces: but these only increased their confusion –

Wa annahum zannoo kamaa zanantum al lany yab'asal laahu ahadaa

so much so that they came to think, as you [once] thought, that God would never [again] send forth anyone [as His apostle].

Wa annaa lamasnas sa maaa'a fa wajadnaahaa muli'at harasan shadeedanw wa shuhubaa

"'And [so it happened] that we reached out towards heaven: but we found it filled with mighty guards and flames,

Wa annaa kunnaa naq'udu minhaa maqaa'ida lis'sam'i famany yastami'il aana yajid lahoo shihaabar rasada

notwithstanding that we were established in positions [which we had thought well-suited] to listening to [whatever secrets might be in] it: and anyone who now [or ever] tries to listen will [likewise] find a flame lying in wait for him!

Wa annaa laa nadreee asharrun ureeda biman fil ardi am araada bihim rabbuhum rashadaa

"'And [now we have become aware] that we [created beings] may not know whether evil fortune is intended for [any of] those who live on earth, or whether it is their Sustainer’s will to endow them with consciousness of what is right:

Wa annaa minnas saalihoona wa minnaa doona zaalika kunnaa taraaa'ilqa qidadaa

Just as [we do not know how it happens] that some from among us are righteous, while some of us are [far] below that: we have always followed widely divergent paths.

Wa annaa zanannaaa al lan nu'jizal laaha fil ardi wa lan nu'jizahoo harabaa

"'And, withal, we have come to know that we can never elude God [while we live] on earth, and that we can never elude Him by escaping [from life].

Wa annaa lammaa sami'nal hudaaa aamannaa bihee famany yu'mim bi rabbihee falaa yakhaafu bakhsanw wa laa rahaqaa

Hence, as soon as we heard this [call to His] guidance, we came to believe in it: and he who believes in his Sustainer need never have fear of loss or injustice.

Wa annaa minnal muslimoona wa minnal qaasitoona faman aslama fa ulaaa'ika taharraw rashadaa

"'Yet [it is true] that among us are such as have surrendered themselves to God - just as there are among us such as have abandoned themselves to wrongdoing. Now as for those who surrender themselves to Him - it is they that have attained to consciousness of what is right;

Wa ammal qaasitoona fa kaanoo li jahannama hatabaa

but as for those who abandon themselves to wrongdoing - they are indeed but fuel for [the fires of] hell!’"

Wa alla wis taqaamoo 'alat tareeqati la asqaynaahum maa'an ghadaqaa

[KNOW,] THEN, that if they [who have heard Our call] keep firmly to the [right] path, We shall certainly shower them with blessings abundant,

Linaftinahum feeh; wa many yu'rid 'an zikri rabbihee yasluk hu 'azaaban sa'adaa

so as to test them by this means: for he who shall turn away from the remembrance of his Sustainer, him will He cause to undergo suffering most grievous.

Wa annal masaajida lillaahi falaa tad'oo ma'al laahi ahadaa

And [know] that all worship is due to God [alone]: hence, do not invoke anyone side by side with God!

Wa annahoo lammaa qaama 'adul laahi yad'oohu kaadoo yakoonoona 'alaihi libadaa

Yet [thus it is] that whenever a servant of God stands up in prayer to Him, they [who are bent on denying the truth] would gladly overwhelm him with their crowds.

Qul innamaaa ad'oo rabbee wa laaa ushriku biheee ahadaa

Say: "I invoke my Sustainer alone, for I do not ascribe divinity to anyone beside Him."

Qul innee laaa amliku lakum darranw wa laa rashadaa

Say: "Verily, it is not in my power to cause you harm or to endow you with consciousness of what is right."

Qul innee lany yujeeranee minal laahi ahad, wa lan ajida min doonihee multahadaa

Say: "Verily, no one could ever protect me from God, nor could I ever find a place to hide from Him

Illaa balaagham minal laahi wa risaalaatih; wa many ya'sil laaha wa rasoolahoo fa inna lahoo naara jahannama khaalideena feehaaa abadaa

if I should fail to convey [to the world whatever illumination comes to me] from God and His messages." Now as for him who rebels against God and His Apostle - verily, the fire of hell awaits him, therein to abide beyond the count of time.

Hattaaa izaa ra aw maa yoo'adoona fasaya'lamoona man ad'afu naasiranw wa aqallu 'adadaa

[Let them, then, wait] until the time when they behold that [doom] of which they were forewarned: for then they will come to understand which [kind of man] is more helpless and counts for less!

Qul in adreee a qareebum maa too'adoona am yaj'alu lahoo rabbeee amadaa

Say: "I do not know whether that [doom] of which you were forewarned is near, or whether my Sustainer has set for it a distant term."

'Aalimul ghaibi falaa yuzhiru alaa ghaibiheee ahadaa

He [alone] knows that which is beyond the reach of a created being's perception, and to none does He disclose aught of the mysteries of His Own unfathomable knowledge,

Illaa manir tadaa mir rasoolin fa innahoo yasluku mim baini yadihi wa min khalfihee rasadaa

unless it be to an apostle whom He has been pleased to elect [there for]: and then He sends forth [the forces of heaven] to watch over him in whatever lies open before him and in what is beyond his ken –

Liya'lama an qad ablaghoo risaalaati rabbihim wa ahaata bima ladihim wa ahsaa kulla shai'in 'adadaa

so as to make manifest that it is indeed [but] their Sustainer's messages that these [apostles] deliver: for it is He who encompasses [with His knowledge] all that they have [to say], just as He takes count, one by one, of everything [that exists].

Yaw ayyuhal muzzammil

O THOU enwrapped one!

Qumil laila illaa qaleelaa

Keep awake [in prayer] at night, all but a small part

Nisfahooo awinqus minhu qaleelaa

of one-half thereof - or make it a little less than that,

Aw zid 'alaihi wa rattilil Qur'aana tarteela

or add to it [at will]; and [during that time] recite the Qur’an calmly and distinctly, with thy mind attuned to its meaning.

Innaa sanulqee 'alika qawalan saqeelaa

Behold, We shall bestow upon thee a weighty message –

Inn naashi'atal laili hiya ashadddu wat anw wa aqwamu qeelaa

[and,] verily, the hours of night the mind most strongly and speak with the clearest voice,

Inna laka fin nahaari sabhan taweelaa

whereas by day a long chain of doings is thy portion.

Wazkuris ma rabbika wa tabattal ilaihi tabteelaa

But [whether by night or by day,] remember thy Sustainer's name, and devote thyself unto Him with utter devotion.

Rabbul mashriqi wal maghriibi laaa ilaaha illaa Huwa fattakhizhu wakeelaa

The Sustainer of the east and the west [is He]: there is no deity save Him: hence, ascribe to Him alone the power to determine thy fate,

Wasbir 'alaa maa yaqoo loona wahjurhum hajran jameelaa

and endure with patience whatever people may say [against thee], and avoid them with a comely avoidance.

Wa zarnee walmukaz zibeena ulin na'mati wa mahhilhum qaleelaa

And leave Me alone [to deal] with those who give the lie to the truth - those who enjoy the blessings of life [without any thought of God] - and bear thou with them for a little while:

Inna ladainaaa ankaalanw wa jaheemaa

for, behold, heavy fetters [await them] with Us, and a blazing fire,

Wa ta'aaman zaa ghussa tinw wa'azaaban aleemaa

and food that chokes, and grievous suffering

Yawma tarjuful ardu waljibaalu wa kaanatil jibaalu kaseebam maheelaa

on the Day when the earth and the mountains will be convulsed and the mountains will [crumble and] become like a sand-dune on the move!

Innaa arsalnaaa ilaikum rasoolan shahidan 'alikum kamaaa arsalnaaa ilaa Fir'awna Rasoolna

BEHOLD, [O men,] We have sent unto you an apostle who shall bear witness to the truth before you, even as We sent an apostle unto Pharaoh:

Fa'asaa Fir'awnur Rasoola fa akhaznaahu akhzanw wabeelaa

and Pharaoh rebelled against the apostle, whereupon We took him to task with a crushing grip.

Fakaifa tattaqoona in kafartum yawmany yaj'alul wildaana sheeba

How, then, if you refuse to acknowledge the truth, will you protect yourselves on that Day which shall turn the hair of children grey,

Assamaaa'u munfatirum bih; kaana wa'duhoo maf'oola

[the Day] on which the skies shall be rent asunder, [and] His promise [of resurrection] fulfilled?

Inna haazihee tazkiratun fa man shaaa'at takhaza ilaa Rabbihee sabeelaa

This, verily, is a reminder: let him who wills, then set out on a way to his Sustainer!

Inna Rabbaka ya'lamu annaka taqoomu adnaa min sulusa yil laili wa nisfahoo wa sulusahoo wa taaa'ifatum minal lazeena ma'ak; wal laahu yuqaddirul laila wanna haar; 'alima al lan tuhsoohu fataaba 'alaikum faqra'oo maa tayassara minal quraan; 'alima an sa yakoonu minkum mardaa wa aakharoona yadriboona fil ardi yabtaghoona min fadlil laahi wa aakharoona yuqaatiloona fee sabeelil laahi faqra'oo ma tayassara minhu wa aqeemus salaata wa aatuz zakaata wa aqridul laaha qardan hasanaa; wa maa tuqadimoo li anfusikum min khairin tajidoohu 'indal laahi huwa khayranw wa a'zama ajraa; wastaghfirul laahaa innal laaha ghafoorur raheem.

BEHOLD, [O Prophet,] thy Sustainer knows that thou keepest awake [in prayer] nearly two-thirds of the night, or one-half of it, or a third of it, together with some of those who follow thee. And God who determines the measure of night and day, is aware that you would never grudge it: and therefore He turns towards you in His grace. Recite, then, as much of the Qur’an as you may do with ease. He knows that in time there will be among you sick people, and others who will go about the land in search of God's bounty, and others who will fight in God’s cause. Recite, then, [only] as much of it as you may do with ease, and be constant in prayer, and spend in charity, and [thus] lend unto God a goodly loan: for whatever good deed you may offer up in your own behalf, you shall truly find it with God - yea, better, and richer in reward. And [always] seek God's forgiveness: behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace!

Yaaa ayyuhal muddassir

O THOU [in thy solitude] enfolded!

Qum fa anzir

Arise and warn!

Wa rabbaka fakabbir

And thy Sustainer's greatness glorify!

Wa siyaabaka fatahhir

And thine inner self purify!

Warrujza fahjur

And all defilement shun!

Wa laa tamnun tastaksir

And do not through giving seek thyself to gain,

Wa li Rabbika fasbir

but unto thy Sustainer turn in patience.

Fa izaa nuqira fin naaqoor

And [warn all men that] when the trumpet-call [of resurrection] is sounded,

Fazaalika yawma 'iziny yawmun 'aseer

that very Day shall be a day of anguish,

'Alal kaafireena ghayru yaseer

not of ease, for all who [now] deny the truth!

Zamee wa man khalaqtu waheedaa

LEAVE Me alone [to deal] with him whom I have created alone,

Wa ja'altu lahoo maalam mamdoodaa

and to whom I have granted resources vast,

Wa baneena shuhoodaa

and children as [love's] witnesses,

Wa mahhattu lahoo tamheeda

and to whose life I gave so wide a scope:

Summa yat ma'u an azeed

and yet, he greedily desires that I give yet more!

Kallaaa innahoo kaana li Aayaatinaa 'aneedaa

Nay, verily, it is against Our messages that he knowingly, stubbornly sets himself

Sa urhiquhoo sa'oodaa

[and so] I shall constrain him to endure a painful uphill climb!

Innahoo fakkara wa qaddar

Behold, [when Our messages are conveyed to one who is bent on denying the truth,] he reflects and meditates [as to how to disprove them] –

Faqutila kayfa qaddar

and thus he destroys himself, the way he meditates:

Summa qutila kaifa qaddar

yea, he destroys himself, the way he meditates!

Summa nazar

and then he looks [around for new arguments],

Summa 'abasa wa basar

and then he frowns and glares,

Summaa adbara wastakbar

and in the end he turns his back [on Our message], and glories in his arrogance,

Faqaala in haazaaa illaa sihruny yu'sar

and says, "All this is mere spellbinding eloquence handed down [from olden times]!

In haazaaa illaa qawlul bashar

This is nothing but the word of mortal man!"

Sa usleehi saqar

[Hence,] I shall cause him to endure hell-fire [in the life to come]!

Wa maaa adraaka maa saqar

And what could make thee conceive what hell-fire is?

Laa tubqee wa laa tazar

It does not allow to live, and neither leaves [to die],

Lawwaahatul lilbashar

making [all truth] visible to mortal man.

'Alaihaa tis'ata 'ashar

Over it are nineteen [powers].

Wa maaja''alnaaa As haaban naari illaa malaaa 'ikatanw wa maa ja'alnaa 'iddatahum illaa fitnatal lillazeena kafaroo liyastayqinal lazeena ootul kitaaba wa yazdaadal lazeena aamanooo eemaananw wa laa yartaabal lazeena ootul kitaaba walmu'minoona wa liyaqoolal lazeena fee quloo bihim maradunw walkaafiroona maazaaa araadal laahu bihaazaa masalaa; kazaalika yudillul laahu many yashaaa'u wa yahdee many yashaaa'; wa maa ya'lamu junooda rabbika illaa hoo; wa maa hiya illaa zikraa lil bashar

For We have caused none but angelic powers to lord over the fire [of hell]; and We have not caused their number to be aught but a trial for those who are bent on denying the truth - to the end that they who have been granted revelation aforetime might be convinced [of the truth of this divine writ]; and that they who have attained to faith [in it] might grow yet more firm in their faith; and that [both] they who have been granted the earlier revelation and they who believe [in this one] might be freed of all doubt; and that they in whose hearts is disease and the who deny the truth outright might ask, "What does [your] God mean by this parable?" In this way God lets go astray him that wills [to go astray], and guides aright him that wills [to be guided]. And none can comprehend thy Sustainers forces save Him alone: and all this is but a reminder to mortal man.

Kallaa walqamar

NAY, but consider the moon!

Wallaili adbar

Consider the night when it departs,

Wassub hi izaaa asfar

and the morn when it dawns!

Innahaa la ihdal kubar

Verily, that [hell-fire) is Indeed one of the great [forewarnings] –

Nazeeral lilbashar

a warning to mortal man –

Liman shaaa'a minkum any yataqaddama aw yata akhkhar

to everyone of you, whether he chooses to come forward or to hang back!

Kullu nafsim bim kasabat raheenah

[On the Day of Judgment,] every human being will be held in pledge for whatever [evil] he has wrought –

Illaaa as haabal yameen

save those who shall have attained to righteousness:

Fee jannaatiny yata saaa'aloon

[dwelling] In gardens [of paradise], they will inquire

'Anil mujrimeen

of those who were lost in sin:

Maa salakakum fee saqar

"What has brought you into hell-fire?"

Qaaloo lam naku minal musalleen

They will answer: "We were not among those who prayed;

Wa lam naku nut'imul miskeen

and neither did we feed the needy;

Wa kunnaa nakhoodu ma'al khaaa'ideen

and we were wont to indulge in sinning together with all [the others] who indulged in it;

Wa kunnaa nukazzibu bi yawmid Deen

and the Day of Judgment we were wont to call a lie –

Hattaaa ataanal yaqeen

until certainty came upon us [in death]."

Famaa tanfa'uhum shafaa'atush shaafi'een

And so, of no benefit to them could be the intercession of any that would intercede for them.

Famaa lahum 'anittazkirati mu'rideen

WHAT, THEN, is amiss with them that they turn away from all admonition

Ka annahum humurum mustanfirah

as though they were terrified asses

Farrat min qaswarah

fleeing from a lion?

Bal yureedu kullum ri'im minhum any yu'taa suhufam munashsharah

Yea, everyone of them claims that he [himself] ought to have been given revelations unfolded!

Kallaa bal laa yakhaafoonal aakhirah

Nay, but they do not [believe in and, hence, do not] fear the life to come.

Kallaaa innahoo tazkirah

Nay, verily, this is an admonition –

Fa man shaaa'a zakarah

and whoever wills may take it to heart.

Wa maa yazkuroona illaaa any yashaaa'al laah; Huwa ahlut taqwaa wa ahlul maghfirah

But they [who do not believe in the life to come] will not take it to heart unless God so wills: [for] He is the Fount of all God-consciousness, and the Fount of all forgiveness.

Laaa uqsimu bi yawmil qiyaamah

NAY! I call to witness the Day of Resurrection!

Wa laaa uqsimu bin nafsil lawwaamah

But nay! I call to witness the accusing voice of man's own conscience!

Ayahsabul insaanu al lan najm'a 'izaamah

Does man think that We cannot [resurrect him and] bring his bones together again?

Balaa qaadireena 'alaaa an nusawwiya banaanah

Yea indeed, We are able to make whole his very finger-tips!

Bal yureedul insaanu liyafjura amaamah

None the less man chooses to deny what lies ahead of him,

Yas'alu ayyyaana yawmul qiyaamah

asking [derisively], "When is that Resurrection Day to be?"

Fa izaa bariqal basar

But [on that Day,] when the eyesight is by fear confounded,

We khasafal qamar

and the moon is darkened,

Wa jumi'ash shamusu wal qamar

and the sun and the moon are brought together

Yaqoolul insaanu yaw ma 'izin aynal mafarr

on that Day will man exclaim "Whither to flee?"

Kallaa laa wazar

But nay: no refuge [for thee, O man]!

Ilaa rabbika yawma 'izinil mustaqarr

With thy Sustainer, on that Day, the journey's end will be!

Yunabba 'ul insaanu yawma 'izim bimaa qaddama wa akhkhar

Man will be apprised, on that Day, of what he has done and what he has left undone:

Balil insaanu 'alaa nafsihee baseerah

nay, but man shall against himself be an eye-witness,

Wa law alqaa ma'aazeerah

even though he may veil himself in excuses.

Laa tuharrik bihee lisaa naka lita'jala bih

MOVE NOT thy tongue in haste, [repeating the words of the revelation:]

Inna 'alainaa jam'ahoo wa qur aanah

for, behold, it is for Us to gather it [in thy heart,] and to cause it to be read [as it ought to be read].

Fa izaa qaraanaahu fattabi' qur aanah

Thus, when We recite it, follow thou its wording [with all thy mind]:

Summa inna 'alainaa bayaanah

and then, behold, it will be for Us to make its meaning clear.

Kallaa bal tuhibboonal 'aajilah

NAY, but [most of] you love this fleeting life,

Wa tazaroonal Aakhirah

and give no thought to the life to come [and to Judgment Day]!

Wujoohuny yawma 'izin naadirah

Some faces will on that Day be bright with happiness,

Ilaa rabbihaa naazirah

looking up to their Sustainer;

Wa wujoohuny yawma 'izim baasirah

and some faces will on that Day be overcast with despair,

Tazunnu any yuf'ala bihaa faaqirah

knowing that a crushing calamity is about to befall them.

Kallaaa izaa balaghatit taraaqee

NAY, but when [the last breath] comes up to the throat [of a dying man],

Wa qeela man raaq

and people ask, "Is there any wizard [that could save him]?"

Wa zanna annahul firaaq

the while he [himself] knows that this is the parting,

Waltaffatis saaqu bissaaq

and is enwrapped in the pangs of death

Ilaa rabbika yawma'izinil masaaq

at that time towards thy Sustainer does he feel impelled to turn!

Falaa saddaqa wa laa sallaa

[Useless, though, will be his repentance: for [as long as he was alive] he did not accept the truth, nor did he pray [for enlightenment],

Wa laakin kazzaba wa tawalla

but, on the contrary, he gave the lie to the truth and turned away [from it],

Summa zahaba ilaaa ahlihee yatamatta

and then went arrogantly back to what he had come from.

Awlaa laka fa awlaa

[And yet, O man, thine end comes hourly] nearer unto thee, and nearer –

Summa awlaa laka fa awla

and ever nearer unto thee, and nearer!

Ayahsabul insaanu anyytraka sudaa

DOES MAN, then, think that he is to be left to himself to go about at will?

Alam yaku nutfatam mim maniyyiny yumnaa

Was he not once a [mere] drop of sperm that had been spilt,

Summa kaana 'alaqata fakhalaq fasawwaa

and thereafter became a germ-cell - whereupon He created and formed [it] in accordance with what [it] was meant to be,

Faja'ala minhuz zawjayniz zakara wal unsaa

and fashioned out of it the two sexes, the male and the female?

Alaisa zaalika biqaadirin 'alaaa any yuhyiyal mawtaa

Is not He, then; able to bring the dead back to life?

Hal ataa 'alal insaani heenum minad dahri lam yakun shai'am mazkooraa

HAS THERE [not] been an endless span of time before man [appeared - a time] when he was not yet a thing to be thought of?

Innaa khalaqnal insaana min nutfatin amshaajin nabta leehi faja'alnaahu samee'am baseeraa

Verily, it is We who have created man out of a drop of sperm intermingled, so that We might try him [in his later life]: and therefore We made him a being endowed with hearing and sight.

Innaa hadainaahus sabeela immaa shaakiranw wa immaa kafoora

Verily, We have shown him the way: [and it rests with him to prove himself] either grateful or ungrateful.

Innaaa a'tadnaa lilkaa fireena salaasila wa aghlaalanw wa sa'eeraa

[Now,] behold, for those who deny the truth We have readied chains and shackles, and a blazing flame

innal abraara yashra boona min kaasin kaana mizaa juhaa kaafooraa

[whereas,] behold, the truly virtuous shall drink from a cup flavoured with the calyx of sweet-smelling flowers:

'Aynany yashrabu bihaa 'ibaadul laahi yafajjiroonahaa tafjeeraa

a source [of bliss] whereof God's servants shall drink, seeing it flow in a flow abundant.

Yoofoona binnazri wa yakhaafoona yawman kaana sharruhoo mustateeraa

[The truly virtuous are] they [who] fulfil their vows, and stand in awe of a Day the woe of which is bound to spread far and wide,

Wa yut''imoonat ta'aama 'alaa hubbihee miskeenanw wa yatemanw wa aseeraa

and who give food - however great be their own want of it - unto the needy, and the orphan, and the captive,

Innaamaa nut'imukum li wajhil laahi laa nureedu minkum jazaaa'anw wa laa shukooraa

[saying, in their hearts,] "We feed you for the sake of God alone: we desire no recompense from you, nor thanks:

Innaa nakhaafu mir Rabbinna Yawman 'aboosan qamtareeraa

behold, we stand in awe of our Sustainer's judgment on a distressful, fateful Day!"

Fa waqaahumul laahu sharra zaalikal yawmi wa laqqaahum nadratanw wa surooraa

And so, God will preserve them from the woes of that Day, and will bestow on them brightness and joy,

Wa jazaahum bimaa sabaroo janatanw wa hareeraa

and will reward them for all their patience in adversity with a garden [of bliss] and with [garments of] silk.

muttaki'eena feeha 'alal araaa 'iki laa yarawna feehaa shamsanw wa laa zamhareeraa

In that [garden] they will on couches recline, and will know therein neither [burning] sun nor cold severe,

Wa daaniyatan 'alaihim zilaaluhaa wa zullilat qutoofu haa tazleela

since its [blissful] shades will come down low over them, and low will hang down its clusters of fruit, most easy to reach.

Wa yutaafu 'alaihim bi aaniyatim min fiddatinw wa akwaabin kaanat qawaareeraa

And they will be waited upon with vessels of silver and goblets that will [seem to] be crystal –

Qawaareera min fiddatin qaddaroohaa taqdeeraa

crystal-like, [but] of silver - the measure whereof they alone will determine.

Wa yusawna feehaa kaasan kaana mizaajuhaa zanjabeelaa

And in that [paradise] they will be given to drink of a cup flavoured with ginger,

'Aynan feeha tusammaa salsabeelaa

[derived from] a source [to be found] therein, whose name is "Seek Thy Way".

Wa yatoofu 'alaihim wildaanum mukhalladoona izaa ra aytahum hasibtahum lu'lu 'am mansoora

And immortal youths will wait upon them: when thou seest them, thou wouldst deem them to be scattered pearls;

Wa izaa ra ayta summa ra ayta na'eemanw wa mulkan kabeera

and when thou seest [anything that is] there thou wilt see [only] bliss and a realm transcendent

'Aaliyahum siyaabu sundusin khudrunw wa istabraq, wa hullooo asaawira min fiddatinw wa saqaahum Rabbuhum sharaaban tahooraa

Upon those [blest] will be garments of green silk and brocade; and they will be adorned with bracelets of silver. And their Sustainer will them to drink of a drink most pure.

Innaa haazaa kaana lakum jazz 'anw wa kaana sa'yukum mashkooraa

[And they will be told:] "Verily, all this is your reward since Your endeavour [in life] has met [God's] goodly acceptance!"

Innaa nahnu nazzalnaa 'alaikal quraana tanzeelaa

VERILY, [O believer,] it is We who have bestowed from on high this Qur’an upon thee, step by step - truly a bestowal from on high!

Fasbir lihukmi Rabbika wa laa tuti' minhum aasiman aw kafooraa

Await, then, in all patience thy Sustainer's judgment, and pay no heed to any of them, who is a wilful sinner or an ingrate;

Wazkuris ma Rabbika bukratanw wa aseelaa

and bear in mind thy Sustainer's name at morn and evening

Wa minal laili fasjud lahoo wa sabbihhu lailan taweelaa

and during some of the night, and prostrate thyself before Him, and extol His limitless glory throughout the long night.

Inna haaa'ulaa'i yuhibboona 'aajilata wa yazaroona waraaa'ahum yawman saqeelaa

Behold, they [who are unmindful of God] love this fleeting life, and leave behind them [all thought of] a grief-laden Day.

Nahnu khalaqnaahum wa shadadnaaa asrahum wa izaa shi'naa baddalnaaa amsaala hum tabdeelaa

[They will not admit to themselves that] it We who have created them and strengthened their make - and [that] if it be Our will We can replace them entirely with others of their kind.

Inna haazihee tazkiratun fa man shaaa'at takhaza ilaa rabbihee sabeela

VERILY, all this is an admonition: whoever, then, so wills, may unto his Sustainer find a way.

Wa maa tashaaa'oona illaa anyyashaaa'al laah; innal laahaa kaana'Aleeman Hakeema

But you cannot will it unless God wills [to show you that way]: for, behold, God is indeed all-seeing, wise.

Yudkhilu mai yashaaa'u fee rahmatih; wazzaalimeena a'adda lahum 'azaaban aleemaa

He admits unto His grace everyone who wills [to be admitted]; but as for the evildoers - for them has He readied grievous suffering [in the life to come].

Wal mursalaati'urfaa

CONSIDER these [messages,] sent forth in waves

Fal'aasifaati 'asfaa

and then storming on with a tempest's force!

Wannaashiraati nashraa

Consider these [messages] that spread [the truth] far and wide,

Falfaariqaati farqaa

thus separating [right and wrong] with all clarity,

Falmulqiyaati zikra

and then giving forth a reminder,

'Uzran aw nuzraa

[promising] freedom from blame or [offering] a warning!

Innamaa too'adoona lawaaqi'

BEHOLD, all that you are told to expect will surely come to pass.

Fa izam nujoomu tumisat

Thus, [it will come to pass] when the stars are effaced,

Wa izas samaaa'u furijat

and when the sky is rent asunder,

Wa izal jibaalu nusifat

and when the mountains are scattered like dust,

Wa izar Rusulu uqqitat

and when all the apostles are called together at a time appointed...

Li ayyi yawmin ujjilat

For what day has the term [of all this] been set?

Li yawmil Fasl

For the Day of Distinction [between the true and the false]!

Wa maaa adraaka maa yawmul fasl

And what could make thee conceive what that Day of Distinction will be?

Wailuny yawma 'izillilmukazzibeen

Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth!

Alam nuhlikil awwaleen

Did We not destroy [so many of] those [sinners] of olden days?

Summa nutbi'uhumul aakhireen

And We shall let them be followed by those of later times:

Kazzlika naf'alu bilmujrimeen

[for] thus do We deal with such as are lost in sin.

Wailunw yawma 'izil lil mukazzibeen

Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth!

Alam nakhlukkum mimmaaa'im maheen

Did We not create you out of a humble fluid

Faja'alnaahu fee qaraarim makeen

which We then let remain in [the womb's] firm keeping

Illaa qadrim ma'loom

for a term pre-ordained?

Faqadarnaa fani'mal qaadiroon

Thus have We determined [the nature of man's creation]: and excellent indeed is Our power to determine [what is to be]!

Wailuny yawma 'izil lilmukazzibeen

Woe, on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth!

Alam naj'alil arda kifaataa

Have We not caused the earth to hold within itself

Ahyaaa'anw wa amwaataa

the living and the dead?

Wa ja'alnaa feehaa rawaasiya shaamikhaatinw wa asqainaakum maaa'an furaataa

and have We not set on it proud, firm mountains, and given you sweet water to drink?

Wailuny yawma 'izil lilmukazzibeen

Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth!

Intaliqooo ilaa maa kuntum bihee tukazziboon

GO ON towards that [resurrection] which you were wont to call a lie!

Intaliqooo ilaa zillin zee salaasi shu'ab

Go on towards the threefold shadow

Laa zaleelinw wa laa yughnee minal lahab

that will offer no [cooling] shade and will be of no avail against the flame

Innahaa tarmee bishararin kalqasr

which – behold!- will throw up sparks like [burning] logs,

Ka annahoo jimaalatun sufr

like giant fiery ropes!

Wailuny yawma 'izil lilmukazibeen

Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth –

Haazaa yawmu laa uantiqoon

that Day on which they will not [be able to] utter a word,

Wa laa yu'zanu lahum fa ya'taziroon

nor be allowed to proffer excuses!

Wailunw yawma 'izil lilmukazzibeen

Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth –

Haaza yawmul fasli jama 'naakum wal awwaleen

that Day of Distinction [between the true and the false, when they will be told]: "We have brought you together with those [sinners] of olden times;

Fa in kaana lakum kaidun fakeedoon

and if you [think that you] have a subterfuge left, try to outwit Me!"

Wailuny yawma'izil lilmukazzibeen

Woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth!

Innal muttaqeena fee zilaalinw wa 'uyoon

[AS AGAINST this,] behold, the God-conscious shall dwell amidst [cooling] shades and springs,

Wa fawaakiha mimmaa yastahoon

and [partake of] whatever fruit they may desire;

Kuloo washraboo haneee 'am bimaa kuntum ta'maloon

[and they will be told:] "Eat and drink in good cheer in return for what you did [in life]!"

Innaa kazaalika najzil muhsineen

Thus, behold, do We reward the doers of good;

Wailuny yawma 'izil lilmuzkazzibeen

[but] woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth!

Kuloo wa tamatta'oo qaleelan innakum mujrimoon

EAT [your fill] and enjoy your life for a little while, O you who are lost in sin!

Wailunny yawma 'izil lilmukazzibeen

[But] woe on that Day unto those who give the lie to the truth,

Wa izaa qeela lahumur ka'oo aa yarka'oon

and when they are told, "Bow down [before God]", do not bow down:

Wailunny yawma 'izil lilmukazzibeen

woe on that Day unto those who give the to the truth!

Fabi ayyi hadeesim ba'dahoo yu'minoon

In what other tiding, then, will they, after this, believe?