[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed - and He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving -
Arabic
الذي خلق سبع سماوات طباقا ۖ ما ترى في خلق الرحمن من تفاوت ۖ فارجع البصر هل ترى من فطور
Yusuf Ali
He Who created the seven heavens one above another: No want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious. So turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw?
[And] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return [your] vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks?
Arabic
ثم ارجع البصر كرتين ينقلب إليك البصر خاسئا وهو حسير
Yusuf Ali
Again turn thy vision a second time: (thy) vision will come back to thee dull and discomfited, in a state worn out.
Then return [your] vision twice again. [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued.
Arabic
ولقد زينا السماء الدنيا بمصابيح وجعلناها رجوما للشياطين ۖ وأعتدنا لهم عذاب السعير
Yusuf Ali
And we have, (from of old), adorned the lowest heaven with Lamps, and We have made such (Lamps) (as) missiles to drive away the Evil Ones, and have prepared for them the Penalty of the Blazing Fire.
And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with stars and have made [from] them what is thrown at the devils and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.
Arabic
وللذين كفروا بربهم عذاب جهنم ۖ وبئس المصير
Yusuf Ali
For those who reject their Lord (and Cherisher) is the Penalty of Hell: and evil is (such), Destination.
It almost bursts with rage. Every time a company is thrown into it, its keepers ask them, "Did there not come to you a warner?"
Arabic
قالوا بلى قد جاءنا نذير فكذبنا وقلنا ما نزل الله من شيء إن أنتم إلا في ضلال كبير
Yusuf Ali
They will say: "Yes indeed; a Warner did come to us, but we rejected him and said, 'Allah never sent down any (Message): ye are nothing but an egregious delusion!'"
Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?
Arabic
هو الذي جعل لكم الأرض ذلولا فامشوا في مناكبها وكلوا من رزقه ۖ وإليه النشور
Yusuf Ali
It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so traverse ye through its tracts and enjoy of the Sustenance which He furnishes: but unto Him is the Resurrection.
Do you feel secure that He who [holds authority] in the heaven would not cause the earth to swallow you and suddenly it would sway?
Arabic
أم أمنتم من في السماء أن يرسل عليكم حاصبا ۖ فستعلمون كيف نذير
Yusuf Ali
Or do ye feel secure that He Who is in Heaven will not send against you a violent tornado (with showers of stones), so that ye shall know how (terrible) was My warning?
Or do you feel secure that He who [holds authority] in the heaven would not send against you a storm of stones? Then you would know how [severe] was My warning.
Arabic
ولقد كذب الذين من قبلهم فكيف كان نكير
Yusuf Ali
But indeed men before them rejected (My warning): then how (terrible) was My rejection (of them)?
And already had those before them denied, and how [terrible] was My reproach.
Arabic
أولم يروا إلى الطير فوقهم صافات ويقبضن ۚ ما يمسكهن إلا الرحمن ۚ إنه بكل شيء بصير
Yusuf Ali
Do they not observe the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them in? None can uphold them except (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly it is He that watches over all things.
Do they not see the birds above them with wings outspread and [sometimes] folded in? None holds them [aloft] except the Most Merciful. Indeed He is, of all things, Seeing.
Arabic
أمن هذا الذي هو جند لكم ينصركم من دون الرحمن ۚ إن الكافرون إلا في غرور
Yusuf Ali
Nay, who is there that can help you, (even as) an army, besides (Allah) Most Merciful? In nothing but delusion are the Unbelievers.
Or who is it that could be an army for you to aid you other than the Most Merciful? The disbelievers are not but in delusion.
Arabic
أمن هذا الذي يرزقكم إن أمسك رزقه ۚ بل لجوا في عتو ونفور
Yusuf Ali
Or who is there that can provide you with Sustenance if He were to withhold His provision? Nay, they obstinately persist in insolent impiety and flight (from the Truth).
Then is one who walks fallen on his face better guided or one who walks erect on a straight path?
Arabic
قل هو الذي أنشأكم وجعل لكم السمع والأبصار والأفئدة ۖ قليلا ما تشكرون
Yusuf Ali
Say: "It is He Who has created you (and made you grow), and made for you the faculties of hearing, seeing, feeling and understanding: little thanks it is ye give.
Say, "The knowledge is only with Allah, and I am only a clear warner."
Arabic
فلما رأوه زلفة سيئت وجوه الذين كفروا وقيل هذا الذي كنتم به تدعون
Yusuf Ali
At length, when they see it close at hand, grieved will be the faces of the Unbelievers, and it will be said (to them): "This is (the promise fulfilled), which ye were calling for!"
But when they see it approaching, the faces of those who disbelieve will be distressed, and it will be said, "This is that for which you used to call."
Arabic
قل أرأيتم إن أهلكني الله ومن معي أو رحمنا فمن يجير الكافرين من عذاب أليم
Yusuf Ali
Say: "See ye? - If Allah were to destroy me, and those with me, or if He bestows His Mercy on us, - yet who can deliver the Unbelievers from a grievous Penalty?"
Say, [O Muhammad], "Have you considered: whether Allah should cause my death and those with me or have mercy upon us, who can protect the disbelievers from a painful punishment?"
Arabic
قل هو الرحمن آمنا به وعليه توكلنا ۖ فستعلمون من هو في ضلال مبين
Yusuf Ali
Say: "He is (Allah) Most Gracious: We have believed in Him, and on Him have we put our trust: So, soon will ye know which (of us) it is that is in manifest error."