Chapter 23, 118 verses
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. indeed are the believers
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. indeed are the believers.
Who are humble in their prayers,
Those who offer their Salat (prayers) with all solemnity and full submissiveness.
And who shun vain conversation,
And those who turn away from Al-Laghw (dirty, false, evil vain talk, falsehood, and all that Allah has forbidden).
And who are payers of the poor - due;
And those who pay the Zakat.
And who guard their modesty -
And those who guard their chastity (i.e. private parts, from illegal sexual acts)
Save from their wives or the (slaves) that their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy,
Except from their wives or (the slaves) that their right hands possess, - for then, they are free from blame;
But whoso craveth beyond that, such are transgressors -
But whoever seeks beyond that, then those are the transgressors;
And who are shepherds of their pledge and their covenant,
Those who are faithfully true to their Amanat (all the duties which Allah has ordained, honesty, moral responsibility and trusts) and to their covenants;
And who pay heed to their prayers.
And those who strictly guard their (five compulsory congregational) Salawat (prayers) (at their fixed stated hours).
These are the heirs
These are indeed the inheritors
Who will inherit paradise. There they will abide.
Who shall inherit the Firdaus (Paradise). They shall dwell therein forever.
Verily We created man from a product of wet earth;
And indeed We created man (Adam) out of an extract of clay (water and earth).
Then placed him as a drop (of seed) in a safe lodging;
Thereafter We made him (the offspring of Adam) as a Nutfah (mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge and lodged it) in a safe lodging (womb of the woman).
Then fashioned We the drop a clot, then fashioned We the clot a little lump, then fashioned We the little lump bones, then clothed the bones with flesh, and then produced it as another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators!
Then We made the Nutfah into a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood), then We made the clot into a little lump of flesh, then We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So Blessed is Allah, the Best of creators.
Then lo! after that ye surely die.
After that, surely, you will die.
Then lo! on the Day of Resurrection ye are raised (again).
Then (again), surely, you will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection.
And We have created above you seven paths, and We are never unmindful of creation.
And indeed We have created above you seven heavens (one over the other), and We are never unaware of the creation.
And we send down from the sky water in measure, and We give it lodging in the earth, and lo! We are Able to withdraw it.
And We sent down from the sky water (rain) in (due) measure, and We gave it lodging in the earth, and verily, We are Able to take it away.
Then We produce for you therewith gardens of date - palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you and whereof ye eat;
Then We brought forth for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you, and whereof you eat.
And a tree that springeth forth from Mount Sinai that groweth oil and relish for the eaters.
And a tree (olive) that springs forth from Mount Sinai, that grows (produces) oil, and (it is a) relish for the eaters.
And lo! in the cattle there is verily a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, and many uses have ye in them, and of them do ye eat;
And verily in the cattle there is indeed a lesson for you. We give you to drink (milk) of that which is in their bellies. And there are, in them, numerous (other) benefits for you, and of them you eat.
And on them and on the ship ye are carried.
And on them, and on ships you are carried.
And We verily sent Noah unto his folk, and he said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other God save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil) ?
And indeed We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people, and he said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him (Islamic Monotheism). Will you not then be afraid (of Him i.e. of His punishment because of worshipping others besides Him)?"
But the chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved, said: This is only a mortal like you who would make himself superior to you. Had Allah willed, He surely could have sent down angels. We heard not of this in the case of our fathers of old.
But the chiefs of his people who disbelieved said: "He is no more than a human being like you, he seeks to make himself superior to you. Had Allah willed, He surely could have sent down angels. Never did we hear such a thing among our fathers of old.
He is only a man in whom is a madness, so watch him for a while.
"He is only a man in whom is madness, so wait for him a while."
He said: My Lord! Help me because they deny me.
[Nuh (Noah)] said: "O my Lord! Help me because they deny me."
Then We inspired in him, saying: Make the ship under Our eyes and Our inspiration. Then, when Our command cometh and the oven gusheth water, introduce therein of every (kind) two spouses, and thy household save him thereof against whom the Word hath already gone forth. And plead not with Me on behalf of those who have done wrong. Lo! they will be drowned.
So We revealed to him (saying): "Construct the ship under Our Eyes and under Our Revelation (guidance). Then, when Our Command comes, and water gushes forth from the oven, take on board of each kind two (male and female), and your family, except those thereof against whom the Word has already gone forth. And address Me not in favour of those who have done wrong. Verily, they are to be drowned.
And when thou art on board the ship, thou and whoso is with thee, then say: Praise be to Allah Who hath saved us from the wrongdoing folk!
And when you have embarked on the ship, you and whoever is with you, then say: "All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has saved us from the people who are Zalimun (i.e. oppressors, wrong-doers, polytheists, those who join others in worship with Allah).
And say: My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing - place, for Thou art Best of all who bring to land.
And say: "My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing-place, for You are the Best of those who bring to land."
Lo! herein verily are portents, for lo! We are ever putting (mankind) to the test.
Verily, in this [what We did as regards drowning of the people of Nuh (Noah)], there are indeed Ayat (proofs, evidence, lessons, signs, etc. for men to understand), for sure We are ever putting (men) to the test.
Then, after them, We brought forth another generation;
Then, after them, We created another generation.
And we sent among them a messenger of their own, saying: Serve Allah, Ye have no other God save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil) ?
And We sent to them a Messenger from among themselves (saying): "Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. Will you not then be afraid (of Him i.e. of His punishment because of worshipping others besides Him)?"
And the chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved and denied the meeting of the Hereafter, and whom We had made soft in the life of the world, said: This is only a mortal like you, who eateth of that whereof ye eat and drinketh of that ye drink.
And the chiefs of his people who disbelieved and denied the Meeting in the Hereafter, and whom We had given the luxuries and comforts of this life, said: "He is no more than a human being like you, he eats of that which you eat, and drinks of what you drink.
If ye were to obey a mortal like yourselves, then, lo! ye surely would be losers.
"If you were to obey a human being like yourselves, then verily you indeed would be losers.
Doth he promise you that you, when ye are dead and have become dust and bones, will (again) be brought forth ?
"Does he promise you that when you have died and have become dust and bones, you shall come out alive (resurrected)?
Begone, begone, with that which ye are promised!
"Far, very far is that which you are promised!
There is naught but our life of the world; we die and we live, and we shall not be raised (again).
"There is nothing but our life of this world! We die and we live! And we are not going to be resurrected!
He is only a man who hath invented a lie about Allah. We are not going to put faith in him.
"He is only a man who has invented a lie against Allah, and we are not going to believe in him."
He said: My Lord! Help me because they deny me.
He said: "O my Lord! Help me because they deny me."
He said: In a little while they surely will become repentant.
(Allah) said: "In a little while, they are sure to be regretful."
So the (Awful) Cry overtook them rightfully, and We made them like as wreckage (that a torrent hurleth). A far removal for wrongdoing folk!
So As-Saihah (torment - awful cry) overtook them in truth (with justice), and We made them as rubbish of dead plants. So away with the people who are Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, disobedient to His Messengers).
Then after them We brought forth other generations.
Then, after them, We created other generations.
No nation can outstrip its term, nor yet postpone it.
No nation can advance their term, nor can they delay it.
Then We sent our messengers one after another. Whenever its messenger came unto a nation they denied him; so We caused them to follow one another (to disaster) and We made them bywords. A far removal for folk who believe not!
Then We sent Our Messengers in succession. Every time there came to a nation their Messenger, they denied him; so We made them follow one another (to destruction), and We made them as Ahadith (the true stories for mankind to learn a lesson from them). So away with a people who believe not!
Then We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our tokens and a clear warrant
Then We sent Musa (Moses) and his brother Harun (Aaron), with Our Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and manifest authority,
Unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they scorned (them) and they were despotic folk.
To Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs, but they behaved insolently and they were people self-exalting (by disobeying their Lord, and exalting themselves over and above the Messenger of Allah).
And they said: Shall we put faith in two mortals like ourselves, and whose folk are servile unto us ?
They said: "Shall we believe in two men like ourselves, and their people are obedient to us with humility (and we use them to serve us as we like)."
So they denied them, and became of those who were destroyed.
So they denied them both [Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron)] and became of those who were destroyed.
And We verily gave Moses the Scripture, that haply they might go aright.
And indeed We gave Musa (Moses) the Scripture, that they may be guided.
And We made the son of Mary and his mother a portent, and We gave them refuge on a height, a place of flocks and watersprings.
And We made the son of Maryam (Mary) and his mother as a sign, and We gave them refuge on high ground, a place of rest, security and flowing streams.
O ye messengers! Eat of the good things, and do right. Lo! I am Aware of what ye do.
O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Tayyibat [all kinds of Halal foods which Allah has made lawful (meat of slaughtered eatable animals, milk products, fats, vegetables, fruits, etc.] and do righteous deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you do.
And lo! this your religion is one religion and I am your Lord, so keep your duty unto Me.
And verily this your religion (of Islamic Monotheism) is one religion, and I am your Lord, so fear (keep your duty to) Me.
But they (mankind) have broken their religion among them into sects, each group rejoicing in its tenets.
But they (men) have broken their religion among them into sects, each group rejoicing in what is with it (as its beliefs).
So leave them in their error till a time.
So leave them in their error for a time.
Think they that in the wealth and sons wherewith We provide them
Do they think that in wealth and children with which We enlarge them
We hasten unto them with good things ? Nay, but they perceive not.
We hasten unto them with good things. Nay, [it is a Fitnah (trial) in this worldly life so that they will have no share of good things in the Hereafter] but they perceive not. [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi].
Lo! those who go in awe for fear of their Lord.
Verily those who live in awe for fear of their Lord;
And those who believe in the revelations of their Lord,
And those who believe in the Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord;
And those who ascribe not partners unto their Lord,
And those who join not anyone (in worship) as partners with their Lord;
And those who give that which they give with hearts afraid because they are about to return unto their Lord,
And those who give that (their charity) which they give (and also do other good deeds) with their hearts full of fear (whether their alms and charities have been accepted or not), because they are sure to return to their Lord (for reckoning).
These race for the good things, and they shall win them in the race.
It is these who hasten in the good deeds, and they are foremost in them [e.g. offering the compulsory Salat (prayers) in their (early) stated, fixed times and so on].
And we task not any soul beyond its scope, and with Us is a Record which speaketh the truth, and they will not be wronged.
And We task not any person except according to his capacity, and with Us is a Record which speaks the truth, and they will not be wronged.
Nay, but their hearts are in ignorance of this (Qur'an), and they have other works, besides, which they are doing;
Nay, but their hearts are covered from (understanding) this (the Qur'an), and they have other (evil) deeds, besides, which they are doing.
Till when We grasp their luxurious ones with the punishment, behold! they supplicate.
Until when We seize those of them who lead a luxurious life with punishment: behold they make humble invocation with a loud voice.
Supplicate not this day! Assuredly ye will not be helped by Us.
Invoke not loudly this day! Certainly you shall not be helped by Us.
My revelations were recited unto you, but ye used to turn back on your heels,
Indeed My Verses used to be recited to you, but you used to turn back on your heels (denying them, and refusing with hatred to listen to them).
In scorn thereof. Nightly did ye rave together.
In pride (they - Quraish pagans and polytheists of Makkah used to feel proud that they are the dwellers of Makkah sanctuary - Haram), talking evil about it (the Qur'an) by night.
Have they not pondered the Word, or hath that come unto them which came not unto their fathers of old ?
Have they not pondered over the Word (of Allah, i.e. what is sent down to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم), or has there come to them what had not come to their fathers of old?
Or know they not their messenger, and so reject him ?
Or is it that they did not recognize their Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) so they deny him?
Or say they: There is a madness in him ? Nay, but he bringeth them the Truth; and most of them are haters of the Truth.
Or say they: There is madness in him? Nay, but he brought them the truth [i.e. Tauhid: Worshipping Allah Alone in all aspects, the Qur'an and the religion of Islam], but most of them (the disbelievers) are averse to the truth.
And if the Truth had followed their desires, verily the heavens and the earth and whosoever is therein had been corrupted. Nay, We have brought them their Reminder, but from their Reminder they now turn away.
And if the truth had been in accordance with their desires, verily, the heavens and the earth, and whosoever is therein would have been corrupted! Nay, We have brought them their reminder, but they turn away from their reminder.
Or dost thou ask of them (O Muhammad) any tribute ? But the bounty of thy Lord is better, for He is Best of all who make provision.
Or is it that you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) ask them for some wages? But the recompense of your Lord is better, and He is the Best of those who give sustenance.
And lo! thou summonest them indeed unto a straight path.
And certainly, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) call them to the Straight Path (true religion - Islamic Monotheism).
And lo! those who believe not in the Hereafter are indeed astray from the path.
And verily, those who believe not in the Hereafter are indeed deviating far astray from the Path (true religion - Islamic Monotheism).
Though We had mercy on them and relieved them of the harm afflicting them, they still would wander blindly on in their contumacy.
And though We had mercy on them and removed the distress which is on them, still they would obstinately persist in their transgression, wandering blindly.
Already have We grasped them with punishment, but they humble not themselves unto their Lord, nor do they pray,
And indeed We seized them with punishment, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor did they invoke (Allah) with submission to Him.
Until, when We open for them the gate of extreme punishment, behold! they are aghast thereat.
Until, when We open for them the gate of severe punishment, then lo! they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair.
He it is Who hath created for you ears and eyes and hearts. Small thanks give ye!
It is He Who has created for you (the sense of) hearing (ears), eyes (sight), and hearts (understanding). Little thanks you give.
And He it is Who hath sown you broadcast in the earth, and unto Him ye will be gathered.
And it is He Who has created you on the earth, and to Him you shall be gathered back.
And He it is Who giveth life and causeth death, and His is the difference of night and day. Have ye then no sense ?
And it is He Who gives life and causes death, and His is the alternation of night and day. Will you not then understand?
Nay, but they say the like of that which said the men of old;
Nay, but they say the like of what the men of old said.
They say: When we are dead and have become (mere) dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again ?
They said: "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we be resurrected indeed?
We were already promised this, we and our forefathers. Lo! this is naught but fables of the men of old.
"Verily, this we have been promised - we and our fathers before (us)! This is only the tales of the ancients!"
Say: Unto Whom (belongeth) the earth and whosoever is therein, if ye have knowledge ?
Say: "Whose is the earth and whosoever is therein? If you know!"
They will say: Unto Allah. Say: Will ye not then remember ?
They will say: "It is Allah's!" Say: "Will you not then remember?"
Say: Who is Lord of the seven heavens, and Lord of the Tremendous Throne ?
Say: "Who is (the) Lord of the seven heavens, and (the) Lord of the Great Throne?"
They will say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: Will ye not then keep duty (unto Him) ?
They will say: "Allah." Say: "Will you not then fear Allah (believe in His Oneness, obey Him, believe in the Resurrection and Recompense for every good or bad deed)?"
Say: In Whose hand is the dominion over all things and He protecteth, while against Him there is no protection, if ye have knowledge ?
Say "In Whose Hand is the sovereignty of everything (i.e. treasures of each and everything)? And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector, (i.e. if Allah saves anyone none can punish or harm him, and if Allah punishes or harms anyone none can save him), if you know?" [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi]
They will say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: How then are ye bewitched ?
They will say: "(All that belongs) to Allah." Say: "How then are you deceived and turn away from the truth?"
Nay, but We have brought them the Truth, and lo! they are liars.
Nay, but We have brought them the truth (Islamic Monotheism), and verily, they (disbelievers) are liars.
Allah hath not chosen any son, nor is there any god along with Him; else would each god have assuredly championed that which he created, and some of them would assuredly have overcome others. Glorified be Allah above all that they allege.
No son (or offspring) did Allah beget, nor is there any ilah (god) along with Him. (If there had been many gods), then each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have tried to overcome others! Glorified be Allah above all that they attribute to Him!
Knower of the Invisible and the Visible! and Exalted be He over all that they ascribe as partners (unto Him)!
All-Knower of the unseen and the seen! Exalted be He over all that they associate as partners to Him!
Say: My Lord! If Thou shouldst show me that which they are promised.
Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "My Lord! If You would show me that with which they are threatened (torment),
My Lord! then set me not among the wrongdoing folk.
"My Lord! Then (save me from Your punishment), put me not amongst the people who are the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)."
And verily We are Able to show thee that which We have promised them.
And indeed We are Able to show you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) that with which We have threatened them.
Repel evil with that which is better. We are Best Aware of that which they allege.
Repel evil with that which is better. We are Best-Acquainted with the things they utter.
And say: My Lord! I seek refuge in Thee from suggestions of the evil ones,
And say: "My Lord! I seek refuge with You from the whisperings (suggestions) of the Shayatin (devils).
And I seek refuge in Thee, my Lord, lest they be present with me,
"And I seek refuge with You, My Lord! lest they should come near me."
Until, when death cometh unto one of them, he saith: My Lord! Send me back,
Until, when death comes to one of them (those who join partners with Allah), he says: "My Lord! Send me back,
That I may do right in that which I have left behind! But nay! It is but a word that he speaketh; and behind them is a barrier until the day when they are raised.
"So that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but a word that he speaks; and behind them is Barzakh (a barrier) until the Day when they will be resurrected.
And when the trumpet is blown there will be no kinship among them that day, nor will they ask of one another.
Then, when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no kinship among them that Day, nor will they ask of one another.
Then those whose scales are heavy, they are the .
Then, those whose scales (of good deeds) are heavy, they are the .
And those whose scales are light are those who lose their souls, in hell abiding.
And those whose scales (of good deeds) are light, they are those who lose their ownselves, in Hell will they abide.
The fire burneth their faces, and they are glum therein.
The Fire will burn their faces, and therein they will grin, with displaced lips (disfigured).
(It will be said): Were not My revelations recited unto you, and then ye used to deny them ?
"Were not My Verses (this Qur'an) recited to you, and then you used to deny them?"
They will say: Our Lord! Our evil fortune conquered us, and we were erring folk.
They will say: "Our Lord! Our wretchedness overcame us, and we were (an) erring people.
Our Lord! Oh, bring us forth from hence! If we return (to evil) then indeed we shall be wrong - doers.
"Our Lord! Bring us out of this. If ever we return (to evil), then indeed we shall be Zalimun: (polytheists, oppressors, unjust, and wrong-doers)."
He saith: Begone therein, and speak not unto Me.
He (Allah) will say: "Remain you in it with ignominy! And speak you not to Me!"
Lo! there was a party of My slaves who said: Our Lord! We believe, therefor forgive us and have mercy on us for Thou art Best of all who show mercy;
Verily there was a party of My slaves, who used to say: "Our Lord! We believe, so forgive us, and have mercy on us, for You are the Best of all who show mercy!"
But ye chose them for a laughing - stock until they caused you to forget remembrance of Me, while ye laughed at them.
But you took them for a laughing stock, so much so that they made you forget My Remembrance while you used to laugh at them!
Lo! I have rewarded them this day forasmuch as they were steadfast in that they, even they, are the triumphant.
Verily I have rewarded them this Day for their patience: they are indeed the ones that are .
He will say: How long tarried ye in the earth, counting by years ?
He (Allah) will say: "What number of years did you stay on earth?"
They will say: We tarried by a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep count!
They will say: "We stayed a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep account."
He will say: Ye tarried but a little if ye only knew.
He (Allah) will say: "You stayed not but a little, if you had only known!
Deemed ye then that We had created you for naught, and that ye would not be returned unto Us ?
"Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?"
Now Allah be Exalted, the True King! There is no God save Him, the Lord of the Throne of Grace.
So Exalted be Allah, the True King: La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!
He who crieth unto any other god along with Allah hath no proof thereof. His reckoning is only with his Lord. Lo! disbelievers will not be .
And whoever invokes (or worships), besides Allah, any other ilah (god), of whom he has no proof; then his reckoning is only with his Lord. Surely! Al-Kafirun (the disbelievers in Allah and in the Oneness of Allah, polytheists, pagans, idolaters) will not be .
And (O Muhammad) say: My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for Thou art Best of all who show mercy.
And say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for You are the Best of those who show mercy!"