Sad

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Sad. By the renowned Qur'an,

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Sad. [These letters (Sad, etc.) are one of the miracles of the Qur'an, and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings]. By the Qur'an full of reminding (explanations and honour for the one who believes in it).

2 Nay, but those who disbelieve are in false pride and schism.

2 Nay, those who disbelieve are in false pride and opposition.

3 How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape!

3 How many a generation have We destroyed before them! And they cried out when there was no longer time for escape.

4 And they marvel that a warner from among themselves hath come unto them, and the disbelievers say: This is a wizard, a charlatan.

4 And they (Arab pagans) wonder that a warner (Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has come to them from among themselves. And the disbelievers say: "This (Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) is a sorcerer, a liar.

5 Maketh he the gods One God ? Lo! that is an astounding thing.

5 "Has he made the alihah (gods) (all) into One Ilah (God - Allah). Verily, this is a curious thing!"

6 The chiefs among them go about, exhorting: Go and be staunch to your gods! Lo! this is a thing designed.

6 And the leaders among them went about (saying): "Go on, and remain constant to your alihah (gods)! Verily, this is a thing designed (against you)!

7 We have not heard of this in later religion. This is naught but an invention.

7 "We have not heard (the like) of this in the religion of these later days (i.e. Christianity). This is nothing but an invention! [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi]

8 Hath the reminder been unto him (alone) among us ? Nay, but they are in doubt concerning My reminder; nay but they have not yet tasted My doom.

8 "Has the Reminder been sent down to him (alone) from among us?" Nay, but they are in doubt about My Reminder (this Qur'an)! Nay, but they have not tasted (My) Torment!

9 Or are theirs the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower ?

9 Or have they the treasures of the Mercy of your Lord, the All-Mighty, the Real Bestower?

10 Or is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them theirs ? Then let them ascend by ropes!

10 Or is it that the dominion of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them is theirs? If so, let them ascend up with means (to the heavens)!

11 A defeated host are (all) the factions that are there.

11 (As they denied Allah's Message) they will be a defeated host like the Confederates of the old times (who were defeated).

12 The folk of Noah before them denied (their messenger) and (so did the tribe of) A'ad, and Pharaoh firmly planted,

12 Before them (were many who) belied (Messengers) - the people of Nuh (Noah); and 'Ad; and Fir'aun (Pharaoh) the man of stakes (with which he used to punish the people),

13 And (the tribe of) Thamud, and the folk of Lot, and the dwellers in the wood: these were the factions.

13 And Thamud, and the people of Lut (Lot), and the Dwellers of the Wood: such were the Confederates.

14 Not one of them but did deny the messengers, therefor My doom was justified,

14 Not one of them but belied the Messengers; therefore My Torment was justified,

15 These wait for but one Shout, there will be no second thereto.

15 And these only wait for a single Saihah [shout (i.e. the blowing of the Trumpet by the angel Israfil -)] there will be no pause or ending thereto [till everything will perish except Allah (the only God full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour)].

16 They say: Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning.

16 They say: "Our Lord! Hasten to us Qittana (i.e. our Record of good and bad deeds so that we may see it) before the Day of Reckoning!"

17 Bear with what they say, and remember Our bondman David, lord of might, Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).

17 Be patient (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) of what they say, and remember Our slave Dawud (David), endued with power. Verily, he was ever oft-returning in all matters and in repentance (toward Allah).

18 Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise,

18 Verily, We made the mountains to glorify Our Praises with him [Dawud (David)] in the 'Ashi (i.e. after the mid-day till sunset) and Ishraq (i.e. after the sunrise till mid-day).

19 And the birds assembled; all were turning unto Him.

19 And (so did) the birds assembled: all obedient to him [Dawud (David)] [i.e. they came and glorified Allah's Praises along with him]. (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi ).

20 We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech.

20 We made his kingdom strong and gave him Al-Hikmah (Prophethood) and sound judgement in speech and decision.

21 And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee ? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber;

21 And has the news of the litigants reached you? When they climbed over the wall into (his) Mihrab (a praying place or a private room);

22 How they burst in upon David, and he was afraid of them. They said: Be not afraid! (We are) two litigants, one of whom hath wronged the other, therefor judge aright between us; be not unjust; and show us the fair way.

22 When they entered in upon Dawud (David), he was terrified of them. They said: "Fear not! (We are) two litigants, one of whom has wronged the other, therefore judge between us with truth, and treat us not with injustice, and guide us to the Right Way.

23 Lo! this my brother hath ninety and nine ewes while I had one ewe; and he said: Entrust it to me, and he conquered me in speech.

23 Verily, this my brother (in religion) has ninety-nine ewes, while I have (only) one ewe, and he says: "Hand it over to me, and he overpowered me in speech."

24 (David) said: He hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe in addition to his ewes, and lo! many partners oppress one another, save such as believe and do good works, and they are few. And David guessed that We had tried him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented.

24 [Dawud (David)] said (immediately without listening to the opponent): "He has wronged you in demanding your ewe in addition to his ewes. And, verily, many partners oppress one another, except those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and they are few." And Dawud (David) guessed that We have tried him and he sought Forgiveness of his Lord, and he fell down prostrate and turned (to Allah) in repentance.

25 So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey's end.

25 So We forgave him that, and verily, for him is a near access to Us, and a good place of (final) return (Paradise).

26 (And it was said unto him): O David! Lo! We have set thee as a viceroy in the earth; therefor judge aright between mankind, and follow not desire that it beguile thee from the way of Allah. Lo! those who wander from the way of Allah have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning.

26 O Dawud (David)! Verily! We have placed you as a successor on the earth; so judge you between men in truth (and justice) and follow not your desire - for it will mislead you from the Path of Allah. Verily, those who wander astray from the Path of Allah (shall) have a severe torment, because they forgot the Day of Reckoning.

27 And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in vain. That is the opinion of those who disbelieve. And woe unto those who disbelieve, from the Fire!

27 And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the consideration of those who disbelieve! Then woe to those who disbelieve (in Islamic Monotheism) from the Fire!

28 Shall We treat those who believe and do good works as those who spread corruption in the earth; or shall We treat the pious as the wicked ?

28 Shall We treat those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds as Mufsidun (those who associate partners in worship with Allah and commit crimes) on earth? Or shall We treat the Muttaqun (the pious - See V.2:2) as the Fujjar (criminals, disbelievers, the wicked)?

29 (This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto thee, full of blessing, that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding may reflect.

29 (This is) a Book (the Qur'an) which We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember.

30 And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).

30 And to Dawud (David) We gave Sulaiman (Solomon). How excellent a slave! Verily, he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)!

31 When there were shown to him at eventide lightfooted coursers

31 When there were displayed before him, in the afternoon, well trained horses of the highest breed [for Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's Cause)].

32 And he said: Lo! I have preferred the good things (of the world) to the remembrance of my Lord; till they were taken out of sight behind the curtain.

32 He said: "I did love the good (these horses) instead of remembering my Lord (in my 'Asr prayer)" till the time was over, and (the sun) had hidden in the veil (of night).

33 (Then he said): Bring them back to me, and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks.

33 Then he said "Bring them (horses) back to me." Then he began to pass his hand over their legs and their necks (till the end of the display).

34 And verily We tried Solomon, and set upon his throne a (mere) body. Then did he repent.

34 And indeed, We did try Sulaiman (Solomon) and We placed on his throne Jasad (a devil, so he lost his kingdom for a while) and he did return (to Allah with obedience and in repentance, and to his throne and kingdom by the Grace of Allah).

35 He said: My Lord! Forgive me and bestow on me sovereignty such as shall not belong to any after me. Lo! Thou art the Bestower.

35 He said: "My Lord! Forgive me, and bestow upon me a kingdom such as shall not belong to any other after me: Verily, You are the Bestower."

36 So We made the wind subservient unto him, setting fair by his command whithersoever he intended.

36 So, We subjected to him the wind; it blew gently by his order whithersoever he willed,

37 And the unruly, every builder and diver (made We subservient),

37 And also the Shayatin (devils) from the jinn (including) every kind of builder and diver,

38 And others linked together in chains,

38 And also others bound in fetters.

39 (Saying): This is Our gift, so bestow thou, or withhold, without reckoning.

39 [Allah said to Sulaiman (Solomon)]: "This is Our gift: so spend you or withhold, no account will be asked (of you)."

40 And lo! he hath favour with Us, and a happy journey's end.

40 And verily, for him is a near access to Us, and a good (final) return (Paradise).

41 And make mention (O Muhammad) of Our bondman Job, when he cried unto his Lord (saying): Lo! the devil doth afflict me with distress and torment.

41 And remember Our slave Ayyub (Job), when he invoked his Lord (saying): "Verily Shaitan (Satan) has touched me with distress (by ruining my health) and torment (by ruining my wealth)!

42 (And it was said unto him): Strike the ground with thy foot. This (spring) is a cool bath and a refreshing drink.

42 (Allah said to him): "Strike the ground with your foot: This is (a spring of) water to wash in, cool and a (refreshing) drink."

43 And We bestowed on him (again) his household and therewith the like thereof, a mercy from Us, and a memorial for men of understanding.

43 And We gave him (back) his family, and along with them the like thereof, as a Mercy from Us, and a Reminder for those who understand.

44 And (it was said unto him): Take in thine hand a branch and smite therewith, and break not thine oath. Lo! We found him steadfast, how excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (to his Lord).

44 "And take in your hand a bundle of thin grass and strike therewith (your wife), and break not your oath. Truly! We found him patient. How excellent a slave! Verily he was ever oft-returning in repentance (to Us)!

45 And make mention of Our bondmen, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men of parts and vision.

45 And remember Our slaves, Ibrahim (Abraham), Ishaq (Isaac), and Ya'qub (Jacob), (all) owners of strength (in worshipping Us) and (also) of religious understanding.

46 Lo! We purified them with a pure thought, remembrance of the Home (of the Hereafter).

46 Verily, We did choose them by granting them (a good thing, - i.e.) the remembrance of the Home [in the Hereafter and they used to make the people remember it, and also they used to invite the people to obey Allah and to do good deeds for the Hereafter].

47 Lo! in Our sight they are verily of the elect, the excellent.

47 And they are with Us, verily, of the chosen and the best!

48 And make mention of Ishmael and Elisha and Dhu'l - Kifl. All are of the chosen.

48 And remember Isma'il (Ishmael), Alyasa' (Elisha), and Dhul-Kifl (Isaiah), all are among the best.

49 This is a reminder. And lo! for those who ward off (evil) is a happy journey's end,

49 This is a Reminder. And verily, for the Muttaqun (the pious - See V.2:2) is a good final return (Paradise),

50 Gardens of Eden, whereof the gates are opened for them,

50 'Adn (Eden) Paradise (everlasting Gardens), whose doors will be opened for them.

51 Wherein, reclining, they call for plenteous fruit and cool drink (that is) therein.

51 Therein they will recline; therein they will call for fruits in abundance and drinks;

52 And with them are those of modest gaze, companions.

52 And beside them will be Qasirat-at-Tarf [chaste females (wives) restraining their glances (desiring none except their husbands)], (and) of equal ages.

53 This it is that ye are promised for the Day of Reckoning.

53 This it is what you (Al-Muttaqun - the pious - see V.2:2) are promised for the Day of Reckoning!

54 Lo! this in truth is Our provision, which will never waste away.

54 (It will be said to them)! Verily, this is Our Provision which will never finish.

55 This (is for the righteous). And lo! for the transgressors there with be an evil journey's end,

55 This is so! And for the Taghun (transgressors, the disobedient to Allah and His Messenger - disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, criminals) will be an evil final return (Fire).

56 Hell, where they will burn, an evil resting - place.

56 Hell! Where they will burn, and worst (indeed) is that place to rest!

57 Here is a boiling and an ice - cold draught, so let them taste it,

57 This is so! Then let them taste it - a boiling fluid and dirty wound discharges.

58 And other (torment) of the kind in pairs (the two extremes)!

58 And other (torments) of similar kind - all together!

59 Here is an army rushing blindly with you. (Those who are already in the Fire say): No word of welcome for them. Lo! they will roast at the Fire.

59 This is a troop entering with you (in Hell), no welcome for them! Verily, they shall burn in the Fire!

60 They say: Nay, but you (misleaders), for you there is no word of welcome. Ye prepared this for us (by your misleading). Now hapless is the plight.

60 (The followers of the misleaders will say): "Nay, you (too)! No welcome for you! It is you (misleaders) who brought this upon us (because you misled us in the world), so evil is this place to stay in!"

61 They say: Our Lord! Whoever did prepare this for us, oh, give him double portion of the Fire!

61 They will say: "Our Lord! Whoever brought this upon us, add to him a double torment in the Fire!"

62 And they say: What aileth us that we behold not men whom we were wont to count among the wicked ?

62 And they will say: "What is the matter with us that we see not men whom we used to count among the bad ones?"

63 Did we take them (wrongly) for a laughing - stock, or have our eyes missed them ?

63 Did we take them as an object of mockery, or have (our) eyes failed to perceive them?"

64 Lo! that is very truth: the wrangling of the dwellers in the Fire.

64 Verily, that is the very truth - the mutual dispute of the people of the Fire!

65 Say (unto them, O Muhammad): I am only a warner, and there is no God save Allah, the One, the Absolute,

65 Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "I am only a warner and there is no Ilah (God) except Allah (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) the One, the Irresistible,

66 Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Mighty, the Pardoning.

66 "The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving."

67 Say: It is tremendous tidings

67 Say: "That (this Qur'an) is a great news,

68 Whence ye turn away!

68 "From which you turn away!

69 I had no knowledge of the Highest Chiefs when they disputed;

69 "I had no knowledge of the chiefs (angels) on high when they were disputing and discussing (about the creation of Adam).

70 It is revealed unto me only that I may be a plain warner.

70 "Only this has been revealed to me, that I am a plain warner."

71 When thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire,

71 (Remember) when your Lord said to the angels: "Truly I am going to create man from clay".

72 And when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down before him prostrate,

72 So when I have fashioned him and breathed into him (his) soul created by Me, then you fall down prostrate to him."

73 The angels fell down prostrate, every one,

73 So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them:

74 Saving Iblis; he was scornful and became one of the disbelievers.

74 Except Iblis (Satan): he was proud and was one of the disbelievers.

75 He said: O Iblis! What hindereth thee from falling prostrate before that which I have created with both My hands ? Art thou too proud or art thou of the high exalted ?

75 (Allah) said: "O Iblis (Satan)! What prevents you from prostrating yourself to one whom I have created with Both My Hands . Are you too proud (to fall prostrate to Adam) or are you one of the high exalted?"

76 He said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire, whilst him Thou didst create of clay.

76 [Iblis (Satan)] said: "I am better than he. You created me from fire, and You created him from clay."

77 He said: Go forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast,

77 (Allah) said: "Then get out from here; for verily you are outcast.

78 And lo! My curse is on thee till the Day of Judgment.

78 "And verily My Curse is on you till the Day of Recompense."

79 He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised.

79 [Iblis (Satan)] said: "My Lord! Give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are resurrected."

80 He said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved

80 (Allah) said: "Verily! You are of those allowed respite."

81 Until the day of the time appointed.

81 "Till the Day of the time appointed."

82 He said: Then, by Thy might, I surely will beguile them every one,

82 [Iblis (Satan)] said: "By Your Might, then I will surely mislead them all,

83 Save Thy single - minded slaves among them.

83 "Except Your chosen slaves amongst them (i.e. faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism)."

84 He said: The Truth is, and the Truth I speak,

84 (Allah) said: "The Truth is - and the Truth I say -

85 That I shall fill hell with thee and with such of them as follow thee, together.

85 That I will fill Hell with you [Iblis (Satan)] and those of them (mankind) that follow you, together."

86 Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I ask of you no fee for this, and I am no simulating.

86 Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "No wage do I ask of you for this (the Qur'an), nor am I one of the Mutakallifun (those who pretend and fabricate things which do not exist).

87 Lo! it is naught else than a reminder for all peoples

87 "It (this Qur'an) is only a Reminder for all the 'Alamin (mankind and jinn).

88 And ye will come in time to know the truth thereof.

88 "And you shall certainly know the truth of it after a while".