Al Furqan

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Blessed is He Who hath revealed unto His slave the Criterion (of right and wrong), that he may be a warner to the peoples.

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Blessed be He Who sent down the criterion (of right and wrong, i.e. this Qur'an) to His slave (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) that he may be a warner to the 'Alamin (mankind and jinn).

2 He unto Whom belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, He hath chosen no son nor hath He any partner in the Sovereignty. He hath created everything and hath meted out for it a measure.

2 He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Who has begotten no son (children or offspring) and for Whom there is no partner in the dominion. He has created everything, and has measured it exactly according to its due measurements.

3 Yet they choose beside Him other gods who create naught but are themselves created, and possess not hurt nor profit for themselves, and possess not death nor life, nor power to raise the dead.

3 Yet they have taken besides Him other alihah (gods) who created nothing but are themselves created, and possess neither harm nor benefit for themselves, and possess no power (of causing) death, nor (of giving) life, nor of raising the dead.

4 Those who disbelieve say: This is naught but a lie that he hath invented, and other folk have helped him with it, so that they have produced a slander and a lie.

4 Those who disbelieve say: "This (the Qur'an) is nothing but a lie that he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has invented, and others have helped him at it. In fact they have produced an unjust wrong (thing) and a lie."

5 And they say: Fables of the men of old which he hath had written down so that they are dictated to him morn and evening.

5 And they say: "Tales of the ancients, which he has written down: and they are dictated to him morning and afternoon."

6 Say (unto them, O Muhammad): He who knoweth the secret of the heavens and the earth hath revealed it. Lo! He ever is Forgiving, Merciful.

6 Say: "It (this Qur'an) has been sent down by Him (Allah) (the Real Lord of the heavens and earth) Who knows the secret of the heavens and the earth. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

7 And they say: What aileth this messenger (of Allah) that he eateth food and walketh in the markets ? Why is not an angel sent down unto him, to be a warner with him.

7 And they say: "Why does this Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) eat food, and walk about in the markets (as we). Why is not an angel sent down to him to be a warner with him?

8 Or (why is not) treasure thrown down unto him, or why hath he not a paradise from whence to eat ? And the evil - doers say: Ye are but following a man bewitched.

8 "Or (why) has not a treasure been granted to him, or why has he not a garden whereof he may eat?" And the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers) say: "You follow none but a man bewitched."

9 See how they coin similitudes for thee, so that they are all astray and cannot find a road!

9 See how they coin similitudes for you, so they have gone astray, and they cannot find a (Right) Path.

10 Blessed is He Who, if He will, will assign thee better than (all) that - Gardens underneath which rivers flow - and will assign thee mansions.

10 Blessed be He Who, if He wills will assign you better than (all) that - Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) and will assign you palaces (i.e. in Paradise).

11 Nay, but they deny (the coming of) the Hour, and for those who deny (the coming of) the Hour We have prepared a flame.

11 Nay, they deny the Hour (the Day of Resurrection), and for those who deny the Hour, We have prepared a flaming Fire (i.e. Hell).

12 When it seeth them from afar, they hear the crackling and the roar thereof.

12 When it (Hell) sees them from a far place, they will hear its raging and its roaring.

13 And when they are flung into a narrow place thereof, chained together, they pray for destruction there.

13 And when they shall be thrown into a narrow place thereof, chained together, they will exclaim therein for destruction.

14 Pray not that day for one destruction, but pray for many destructions!

14 Exclaim not today for one destruction, but exclaim for many destructions.

15 Say: Is that (doom) better or the Garden of Immortality which is promised unto those who ward off (evil) ? It will be their reward and journey's end.

15 Say: (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) "Is that (torment) better or the Paradise of Ete - nity which is promised to the Muttaqun (the pious - See V.2:2)?" It will be theirs as a reward and as a final destination.

16 Therein abiding, they have all that they desire. It is for thy Lord a promise that must be fulfilled.

16 For them there will be therein all that they desire, and they will abide (there forever). It is a promise binding upon your Lord that must be fulfilled.

17 And on the day when He will assemble them and that which they worship instead of Allah and will say: Was it ye who misled these my slaves or did they (themselves) wander from the way ?

17 And on the Day when He will gather them together and that which they worship besides Allah [idols, angels, pious men, saints] . He will say: "Was it you who misled these My slaves or did they (themselves) stray from the (Right) Path?"

18 They will say: Be Thou Glorified! it was not for us to choose any protecting friends beside thee; but Thou didst give them and their fathers ease till they forgot the warning and became lost folk.

18 They will say: "Glorified be You! It was not for us to take any Auliya' (Protectors, Helpers) besides You, but You gave them and their fathers comfort till they forgot the warning, and became a lost people (doomed to total loss).

19 Thus they will give you the lie regarding what ye say, then ye can neither avert (the doom) nor obtain help. And whoso among you doeth wrong, We shall make him taste great torment.

19 Thus they (false gods - all deities other than Allah) will belie you (polytheists) regarding what you say (that they are gods besides Allah): then you can neither avert (the punishment), nor get help. And whoever among you does wrong (i.e. sets up rivals to Allah), We shall make him taste a great torment.

20 We never sent before thee any messengers but lo! they verily ate food and walked in the markets. And We have appointed some of you a test for others: Will ye be steadfast ? And thy Lord is ever Seer.

20 And We never sent before you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) any of the Messengers but verily, they ate food and walked in the markets. And We have made some of you as a trial for others: will you have patience? And your Lord is Ever All-Seer (of everything).

21 And those who look not for a meeting with Us say: Why are angels not sent down unto us and (Why) do we not see our Lord! Assuredly they think too highly of themselves and are scornful with great pride.

21 And those who expect not a Meeting with Us (i.e. those who deny the Day of Resurrection and the life of the Hereafter) said: "Why are not the angels sent down to us, or why do we not see our Lord?" Indeed they think too highly of themselves, and are scornful with great pride.

22 On the day when they behold the angels, on that day there will be no good tidings for the guilty; and they will cry: A forbidding ban!

22 On the Day they will see the angels - no glad tidings will there be for the Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) that day. And they (angels) will say: "All kinds of glad tidings are forbidden to you," [none will be allowed to enter Paradise except the one who said: La ilaha illallah, "(none has the right to be worshipped but Allah) and acted practically on its legal orders and obligations. See the footnote of V.2:193)].

23 And We shall turn unto the work they did and make it scattered motes.

23 And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust.

24 Those who have earned the Garden on that day will be better in their home and happier in their place of noonday rest;

24 The dwellers of Paradise (i.e. those who deserved it through their Islamic Monotheistic Faith and their deeds of righteousness) will, on that Day, have the best abode, and have the fairest of places for repose.

25 A day when the heaven with the clouds will be rent asunder and the angels will be sent down, a grand descent.

25 And (remember) the Day when the heaven shall be rent asunder with clouds, and the angels will be sent down, with a grand descending.

26 The Sovereignty on that day will be the True (Sovereignty) belonging to the Beneficent One, and it will be a hard day for disbelievers.

26 The sovereignty on that Day will be the true (sovereignty), belonging to the Most Gracious (Allah), and it will be a hard Day for the disbelievers (those who disbelieve in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism).

27 On the day when the wrong - doer gnaweth his hands, he will say: Ah, would that I had chosen a way together with the messenger (of Allah)!

27 And (remember) the Day when the Zalim (wrong-doer, oppressor, polytheist) will bite at his hands, he will say: "Oh! Would that I had taken a path with the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).

28 Alas for me! Ah, would that I had never taken such an one for friend!

28 "Ah! Woe to me! Would that I had never taken so-and-so as a Khalil (an intimate friend)!

29 He verily led me astray from the Reminder after it had reached me. Satan was ever man's deserter in the hour of need.

29 "He indeed led me astray from the Reminder (this Qur'an) after it had come to me. And Shaitan (Satan) is to man ever a deserter in the hour of need." [Tafsir Al-Qurtubi]

30 And the messenger saith: O my Lord! Lo! mine own folk make this Qur'an of no account.

30 And the Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will say: "O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Qur'an (neither listened to it, nor acted on its laws and teachings).

31 Even so have We appointed unto every prophet an opponent from among the guilty; but Allah sufficeth for a Guide and Helper.

31 Thus have We made for every Prophet an enemy among the Mujrimun (disbelievers, polytheists, criminals). But Sufficient is your Lord as a Guide and Helper.

32 And those who disbelieve say: Why is the Qur'an not revealed unto him all at once ? (It is revealed) thus that We may strengthen thy heart therewith; and We have arranged it in right order.

32 And those who disbelieve say: "Why is not the Qur'an revealed to him all at once?" Thus (it is sent down in parts), that We may strengthen your heart thereby. And We have revealed it to you gradually, in stages. (It was revealed to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in 23 years.).

33 And they bring thee no similitude but We bring thee the Truth (as against it), and better (than their similitude) as argument.

33 And no example or similitude do they bring (to oppose or to find fault in you or in this Qur'an), but We reveal to you the truth (against that similitude or example), and the better explanation thereof.

34 Those who will be gathered on their faces unto hell: such are worse in plight and further from the right road.

34 Those who will be gathered to Hell (prone) on their faces, such will be in an evil state, and most astray from the (Straight) Path.

35 We verily gave Moses the Scripture and placed with him his brother Aaron as henchman.

35 And indeed We gave Musa (Moses) the Scripture [the Taurat (Torah)], and placed his brother Harun (Aaron) with him as a helper;

36 Then We said: Go together unto the folk who have denied Our revelations. Then We destroyed them, a complete destruction.

36 And We said: "Go you both to the people who have denied Our Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.)." Then We destroyed them with utter destruction.

37 And Noah's folk, when they denied the messengers, We drowned them and made of them a portent for mankind. We have prepared a painful doom for evil - doers.

37 And Nuh's (Noah) people, when they denied the Messengers, We drowned them, and We made them as a sign for mankind. And We have prepared a painful torment for the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers).

38 And (the tribes of) A'ad and Thamud, and the dwellers in Ar - Rass, and many generations in between.

38 And (also) 'Ad and Thamud, and the Dwellers of Ar-Rass, and many generations in between.

39 Each (of them) We warned by examples, and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin.

39 And for each (of them) We put forward examples (as proofs and lessons), and each (of them) We brought to utter ruin (because of their disbelief and evil deeds).

40 And indeed they have passed by the township whereon was rained the fatal rain. Can it be that they have not seen it ? Nay, but they hope for no resurrection.

40 And indeed they have passed by the town [of Prophet Lut (Lot)] on which was rained the evil rain. Did they (disbelievers) not then see it (with their own eyes)? Nay! But they used not to expect any resurrection.

41 And when they see thee (O Muhammad) they treat thee only as a jest (saying): Is this he whom Allah sendeth as a messenger ?

41 And when they see you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), they treat you only in mockery (saying): "Is this the one whom Allah has sent as a Messenger?

42 He would have led us far away from our gods if we had not been staunch to them. They will know, when they behold the doom, who is more astray as to the road.

42 "He would have nearly misled us from our alihah (gods), had it not been that we were patient and constant in their worship!" And they will know when they see the torment, who it is that is most astray from the (Right) Path!

43 Hast thou seen him who chooseth for his god his own lust ? Wouldst thou then be guardian over him ?

43 Have you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) seen him who has taken as his ilah (god) his own vain desire? Would you then be a Wakil (a disposer of his affairs or a watcher) over him?

44 Or deemest thou that most of them hear or understand ? They are but as the cattle - nay, but they are farther astray ?

44 Or do you think that most of them hear or understand? They are only like cattle - nay, they are even farther astray from the Path (i.e. even worse than cattle).

45 Hast thou not seen how thy Lord hath spread the shade - And if He willed He could have made it still - then We have made the sun its pilot;

45 Have you not seen how your Lord spread the shadow. If He willed, He could have made it still - But We have made the sun its guide (i.e. after the sunrise, the shadow shrinks and vanishes at midnoon and then again appears in the afternoon with the decline of the sun, and had there been no sunlight, there would have been no shadow).

46 Then We withdraw it unto Us, a gradual withdrawal ?

46 Then We withdraw it to Us a gradual concealed withdrawal.

47 And He it is Who maketh night a covering for you, and sleep repose, and maketh day a resurrection.

47 And it is He Who makes the night a covering for you, and the sleep (as) a repose, and makes the day Nushur (i.e. getting up and going about here and there for daily work, after one's sleep at night, or like resurrection after one's death).

48 And He it is Who sendeth the winds, glad tidings heralding His mercy, and We send down purifying water from the sky,

48 And it is He Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy (rain); and We send down pure water from the sky.

49 That We may give life thereby to a dead land, and We give many beasts and men that We have created to drink thereof.

49 That We may give life thereby to a dead land, and We give to drink thereof many of the cattle and men that We had created.

50 And verily We have repeated it among them that they may remember, but most of mankind begrudge aught save ingratitude.

50 And indeed We have distributed it (rain or water) amongst them in order that they may remember (the Grace of Allah,) but most men (refuse to accept the Truth or Faith and) accept nothing but disbelief or ingratitude.

51 If We willed, We could raise up a warner in every village.

51 And had We willed, We would have raised a warner in every town.

52 So obey not the disbelievers, but strive against them herewith with a great endeavour.

52 So obey not the disbelievers, but strive against them (by preaching) with the utmost endeavour with it (the Qur'an).

53 And He it is Who hath given independence to the two seas (though they meet); one palatable, sweet, and the other saltish, bitter; and hath set a bar and a forbidding ban between them.

53 And it is He Who has let free the two seas (kinds of water): this is palatable and sweet, and that is salt and bitter; and He has set a barrier and a complete partition between them.

54 And He it is Who hath created man from water, and hath appointed for him kindred by blood and kindred by marriage; for thy Lord is ever Powerful.

54 And it is He Who has created man from water, and has appointed for him kindred by blood, and kindred by marriage. And your Lord is Ever All-Powerful to do what He wills.

55 Yet they worship instead of Allah that which can neither benefit them nor hurt them. The disbeliever was ever a partisan against his Lord.

55 And they (disbelievers, polytheists) worship besides Allah that which can neither profit them nor harm them; and the disbeliever is ever a helper (of the Satan) against his Lord.

56 And We have sent thee (O Muhammad) only as a bearer of good tidings and a warner.

56 And We have sent you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) only as a bearer of glad tidings and a warner.

57 Say: I ask of you no reward for this, save that whoso will may choose a way unto his Lord.

57 Say: "No reward do I ask of you for this (that which I have brought from my Lord and its preaching), save that whosoever wills may take a Path to his Lord.

58 And trust thou in the Living One Who dieth not, and hymn His praise. He sufficeth as the Knower of His bondmen's sins,

58 And put your trust (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) in the Ever Living One Who dies not, and glorify His Praises, and Sufficient is He as the All-Knower of the sins of His slaves,

59 Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six Days, then He mounted the Throne. The Beneficent! Ask anyone informed concerning Him!

59 Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six Days. Then He (Istawa ) rose over the Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). The Most Gracious (Allah)! Ask Him (O Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم , concerning His Qualities: His rising over His Throne, His creations, etc.), as He is Al-Khabir (The All-Knower of everything i.e. Allah).

60 And when it is said unto them: Adore the Beneficent! they say: And what is the Beneficent ? Are we to adore whatever thou (Muhammad) biddest us ? And it increaseth aversion in them.

60 And when it is said to them: "Prostrate yourselves to the Most Gracious (Allah)! they say: "And what is the Most Gracious? Shall we fall down in prostration to that which you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) command us?" And it increases in them only aversion.

61 Blessed be He Who hath placed in the heaven mansions of the stars, and hath placed therein a great lamp and a moon giving light!

61 Blessed be He Who has placed in the heaven big stars, and has placed therein a great lamp (sun), and a moon giving light.

62 And He it is Who hath appointed night and day in succession, for him who desireth to remember, or desireth thankfulness.

62 And He it is Who has put the night and the day in succession, for such who desires to remember or desires to show his gratitude.

63 The (faithful) slaves of the Beneficent are they who walk upon the earth modestly, and when the foolish ones address them answer: Peace;

63 And the (faithful) slaves of the Most Gracious (Allah) are those who walk on the earth in humility and sedateness, and when the foolish address them (with bad words) they reply back with mild words of gentleness.

64 And who spend the night before their Lord, prostrate and standing,

64 And those who spend the night in worship of their Lord, prostrate and standing.

65 And who say: Our Lord! Avert from us the doom of hell; lo! the doom thereof is anguish;

65 And those who say: "Our Lord! Avert from us the torment of Hell. Verily its torment is ever an inseparable, permanent punishment."

66 Lo! it is wretched as abode and station;

66 Evil indeed it (Hell) is as an abode and as a place to rest in.

67 And those who, when they spend, are neither prodigal nor grudging; and there is ever a firm station between the two;

67 And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes).

68 And those who cry not unto any other god along with Allah, nor take the life which Allah hath forbidden save in (course of) justice, nor commit adultery - and whoso doeth this shall pay the penalty;

68 And those who invoke not any other ilah (god) along with Allah, nor kill such person as Allah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse - and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.

69 The doom will be doubled for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein disdained for ever;

69 The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace;

70 Save him who repenteth and believeth and doth righteous work; as for such, Allah will change their evil deeds to good deeds. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.

70 Except those who repent and believe (in Islamic Monotheism), and do righteous deeds; for those, Allah will change their sins into good deeds, and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

71 And whosoever repenteth and doeth good, he verily repenteth toward Allah with true repentance -

71 And whosoever repents and does righteous good deeds; then verily, he repents towards Allah with true repentance.

72 And those who will not witness vanity, but when they pass near senseless play, pass by with dignity.

72 And those who do not bear witness to falsehood, and if they pass by some evil play or evil talk, they pass by it with dignity.

73 And those who, when they are reminded of the revelations of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat.

73 And those who, when they are reminded of the Ayat (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord, fall not deaf and blind thereat.

74 And who say: Our Lord! Vouchsafe us comfort of our wives and of our offspring, and make us patterns for (all) those who ward off (evil).

74 And those who say: "Our Lord! Bestow on us from our wives and our offspring the comfort of our eyes, and make us leaders of the Muttaqun(the pious. See V.2:2)."

75 They will be awarded the high place forasmuch as they were steadfast, and they will meet therein with welcome and the ward of peace,

75 Those will be rewarded with the highest place (in Paradise) because of their patience. Therein they shall be met with greetings and the word of peace and respect.

76 Abiding there for ever. Happy is it as abode and station!

76 Abiding therein - excellent it is as an abode, and as a place to rest in.

77 Say (O Muhammad, unto the disbelievers): My Lord would not concern Himself with you but for your prayer. But now ye have denied (the Truth), therefor there will be judgment.

77 Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to the disbelievers): "My Lord pays attention to you only because of your invocation to Him. But now you have indeed denied (Him). So the torment will be yours for ever (inseparable, permanent punishment)."