Al Saffat

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. By those who set the ranks in battle order

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. By those (angels) ranged in ranks (or rows).

2 And those who drive away (the wicked) with reproof

2 By those (angels) who drive the clouds in a good way.

3 And those who read (the Word) for a reminder,

3 By those (angels) who bring the Book and the Qur'an from Allah to mankind [Tafsir Ibn Kathir].

4 Lo! thy Lord is surely One;

4 Verily your Ilah (God) is indeed One (i.e. Allah):

5 Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all that is between them, and Lord of the sun's risings.

5 Lord of the heavens and of the earth, and all that is between them, and Lord of every point of the sun's risings.

6 Lo! We have adorned the lowest heaven with an ornament, the planets;

6 Verily We have adorned the near heaven with the stars (for beauty).

7 With security from every froward devil.

7 And to guard against every rebellious devil.

8 They cannot listen to the Highest Chiefs for they are pelted from every side,

8 They cannot listen to the higher group (angels) for they are pelted from every side.

9 Outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment;

9 Outcast, and theirs is a constant (or painful) torment.

10 Save him who snatcheth a fragment, and there pursueth him a piercing flame.

10 Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.

11 Then ask them (O Muhammad): Are they stronger as a creation, or those (others) whom we have created ? Lo! We created them of plastic clay.

11 Then ask them (i.e. these polytheists, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Are they stronger as creation, or those (others like the heavens and the earth and the mountains) whom We have created?" Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.

12 Nay, but thou dost marvel when they mock

12 Nay, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) wondered (at their insolence) while they mock (at you and at the Qur'an).

13 And heed not when they are reminded,

13 And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.

14 And seek to scoff when they behold a portent.

14 And when they see an Ayah (a sign, or an evidence) from Allah, they mock at it.

15 And they say: Lo! this is mere magic;

15 And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!

16 When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised (again) ?

16 "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we (then) verily be resurrected?

17 And our forefathers ?

17 "And also our fathers of old?"

18 Say (O Muhammad): Ye, in truth; and ye will be brought low.

18 Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated."

19 There is but one Shout, and lo! they behold,

19 It will be a single Zajrah [shout (i.e. the second blowing of the Trumpet)], and behold, they will be staring!

20 And say: Ah, woe for us! This is the Day of Judgment.

20 They will say: "Woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense!"

21 This is the Day of Separation, which ye used to deny.

21 (It will be said): "This is the Day of Judgement which you used to deny."

22 (And it is said unto the angels): Assemble those who did wrong, together with their wives and what they used to worship

22 (It will be said to the angels): "Assemble those who did wrong, together with their companions (from the devils) and what they used to worship,

23 Instead of Allah, and lead them to the path to hell;

23 "Instead of Allah, and lead them on to the way of flaming Fire (Hell);

24 And stop them, for they must be questioned.

24 "But stop them, verily they are to be questioned.

25 What aileth you that ye help not one another ?

25 "What is the matter with you? Why do you not help one another (as you used to do in the world)?"

26 Nay, but this day they make full submission.

26 Nay, but that Day they shall surrender.

27 And some of them draw near unto others, mutually questioning.

27 And they will turn to one another and question one another.

28 They say: Lo! ye used to come unto us, imposing, (swearing that ye spoke the truth).

28 They will say: "It was you who used to come to us from the right side [i.e. from the right side of one of us and beautify for us every evil, enjoin on us polytheism, and stop us from the truth i.e. Islamic Monotheism and from every good deed]."

29 They answer: Nay, but ye (yourselves) were not believers.

29 They will reply: "Nay, you yourselves were not believers.

30 We had no power over you, but ye were wayward folk.

30 "And we had no authority over you. Nay! But you were Taghun (transgressing) people (polytheists, and disbelievers).

31 Now the Word of our Lord hath been fulfilled concerning us. Lo! we are about to taste (the doom).

31 "So now the Word of our Lord has been justified against us, that we shall certainly (have to) taste (the torment).

32 Thus we misled you. Lo! we were (ourselves) astray.

32 "So we led you astray because we were ourselves astray."

33 Then lo! this day they (both) are sharers in the doom.

33 Then verily, that Day, they will (all) share in the torment.

34 Lo! thus deal We with the guilty.

34 Certainly, that is how We deal with Al-Mujrimun (polytheists, sinners, disbelievers, criminals, the disobedient to Allah).

35 For when it was said unto them, There is no God save Allah, they were scornful

35 Truly, when it was said to them: La ilaha illallah "(none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)," they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it).

36 And said: Shall we forsake our gods for a mad poet ?

36 And (they) said: "Are we going to abandon our alihah (gods) for the sake of a mad poet?"

37 Nay, but he brought the Truth, and he confirmed those sent (before him).

37 Nay! he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has come with the truth (i.e. Allah's religion - Islamic Monotheism and this Qur'an) and he confirms the Messengers (before him who brought Allah's religion - Islamic Monotheism).

38 Lo! (now) verily ye taste the painful doom -

38 Verily, you (pagans of Makkah) are going to taste the painful torment;

39 Ye are requited naught save what ye did -

39 And you will be requited nothing except for what you used to do (evil deeds, sins, and Allah's disobedience which you used to do in this world)

40 Save single - minded slaves of Allah;

40 Save the chosen slaves of Allah (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism).

41 For them there is a known provision,

41 For them there will be a known provision (in Paradise),

42 Fruits. And they will be honoured

42 Fruits; and they shall be honoured,

43 In the Gardens of delight,

43 In the Gardens of delight (Paradise),

44 On couches facing one another;

44 Facing one another on thrones.

45 A cup from a gushing spring is brought round for them,

45 Round them will be passed a cup of pure wine -

46 White, delicious to the drinkers,

46 White, delicious to the drinkers.

47 Wherein there is no headache nor are they made mad thereby.

47 Neither will they have Ghoul (any kind of hurt, abdominal pain, headache, a sin) from that, nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.

48 And with them are those of modest gaze, with lovely eyes,

48 And beside them will be Qasirat-at-Tarf [chaste females (wives), restraining their glances (desiring none except their husbands)], with wide and beautiful eyes.

49 (Pure) as they were hidden eggs (of the ostrich).

49 (Delicate and pure) as if they were (hidden) eggs (well) preserved.

50 And some of them draw near unto others, mutually questioning.

50 Then they will turn to one another, mutually questioning.

51 A speaker of them saith: Lo! I had a comrade

51 A speaker of them will say: "Verily, I had a companion (in the world),

52 Who used to say: Art thou in truth of those who put faith (in his words) ?

52 Who used to say: "Are you among those who believe (in resurrection after death).

53 Can we, when we are dead and have become mere dust and bones - can we (then) verily be brought to book ?

53 "(That) when we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed (be raised up) to receive reward or punishment (according to our deeds)?"

54 He saith: Will ye look ?

54 (The speaker) said: "Will you look down?"

55 Then looketh he and seeth him in the depth of hell.

55 So he looked down and saw him in the midst of the Fire.

56 He saith: By Allah, thou verily didst all but cause my ruin,

56 He said: "By Allah! You have nearly ruined me.

57 And had it not been for the favour of my Lord, I too had been of those haled forth (to doom).

57 "Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those brought forth (to Hell)."

58 Are we then not to die

58 (The dwellers of Paradise will say) "Are we then not to die (any more)?

59 Saving our former death, and are we not to be punished ?

59 Except our first death, and we shall not be punished? (after we have entered Paradise)."

60 Lo! this is the supreme triumph.

60 Truly, this is the supreme success!

61 For the like of this, then, let the workers work.

61 For the like of this let the workers work.

62 Is this better as a welcome, or the tree of Zaqqum ?

62 Is that (Paradise) better entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum (a horrible tree in Hell)?

63 Lo! We have appointed it a torment for wrong - doers.

63 Truly We have made it (as) a trail for the Zalimun (polytheists, disbelievers, wrong-doers).

64 Lo! it is a tree that springeth in the heart of hell.

64 Verily, it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-fire,

65 Its crop is as it were the heads of devils

65 The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of Shayatin (devils);

66 And lo! they verily must eat thereof, and fill (their) bellies therewith.

66 Truly, they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith.

67 And afterward, lo! thereupon they have a drink of boiling water

67 Then on the top of that they will be given boiling water to drink so that it becomes a mixture (of boiling water and Zaqqum in their bellies).

68 And afterward, lo! their return is surely unto hell.

68 Then thereafter, verily, their return is to the flaming fire of Hell.

69 They indeed found their fathers astray,

69 Verily, they found their fathers on the wrong path;

70 But they make haste (to follow) in their footsteps.

70 So they (too) hastened in their footsteps!

71 And verily most of the men of old went astray before them,

71 And indeed most of the men of old went astray before them;

72 And verily We sent among them warners.

72 And indeed We sent among them warners (Messengers);

73 Then see the nature of the consequence for those warned,

73 Then see what was the end of those who were warned (but heeded not).

74 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

74 Except the chosen slaves of Allah (faithful, obedient, and true believers of Islamic Monotheism).

75 And Noah verily prayed unto Us, and gracious was the Hearer of his prayer

75 And indeed Nuh (Noah) invoked Us, and We are the Best of those who answer (the request).

76 And We saved him and his household from the great distress,

76 And We rescued him and his family from the great distress (i.e. drowning),

77 And made his seed the survivors,

77 And, his progeny, them We made the survivors (i.e. Shem, Ham and Japheth).

78 And left for him among the later folk (the salutation):

78 And left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations:

79 Peace be unto Noah among the peoples!

79 "Salam (peace) be upon Nuh (Noah) (from Us) among the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!"

80 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

80 Verily, thus We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - See V.2:112).

81 Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves.

81 Verily, he [Nuh (Noah)] was one of Our believing slaves.

82 Then We did drown the others.

82 Then We drowned the others (disbelievers and polytheists).

83 And lo! of his persuasion verily was Abraham

83 And, verily, among those who followed his [Nuh's (Noah)] way (Islamic Monotheism) was Ibrahim (Abraham).

84 When he came unto his Lord with a whole heart;

84 When he came to his Lord with a pure heart [attached to Allah Alone and none else, worshipping none but Allah Alone - true Islamic Monotheism, pure from the filth of polytheism].

85 When he said unto his father and his folk: What is it that ye worship ?

85 When he said to his father and to his people: "What is it that which you worship?

86 Is it a falsehood - gods beside Allah - that ye desire ?

86 "Is it a falsehood - alihah (gods) other than Allah - that you desire?

87 What then is your opinion of the Lord of the Worlds ?

87 "Then what think you about the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists)?"

88 And he glanced a glance at the stars

88 Then he cast a glance at the stars,

89 Then said: Lo! I feel sick!

89 And he said: "Verily, I am sick (with plague). [He did this trick to remain in their temple of idols to destroy them and not to accompany them to the pagan feast)]."

90 And they turned their backs and went away from him.

90 So they turned away from him, and departed (for fear of the disease).

91 Then turned he to their gods and said: Will ye not eat ?

91 Then he turned to their alihah (gods) and said: "Will you not eat (of the offering before you)?

92 What aileth you that ye speak not ?

92 "What is the matter with you that you speak not?"

93 Then he attacked them, striking with his right hand.

93 Then he turned upon them, striking (them) with (his) right hand.

94 And (his people) came toward him, hastening.

94 Then they (the worshippers of idols) came, towards him, hastening.

95 He said: Worship ye that which ye yourselves do carve

95 He said: "Worship you that which you (yourselves) carve?

96 When Allah hath created you and what ye make ?

96 "While Allah has created you and what you make!"

97 They said: Build for him a building and fling him in the red - hotfire.

97 They said: "Build for him a building (it is said that the building was like a furnace) and throw him into the blazing fire!"

98 And they designed a snare for him, but We made them the undermost.

98 So they plotted a plot against him, but We made them the lowest.

99 And he said: Lo! I am going unto my Lord Who will guide me.

99 And he said (after his rescue from the fire): "Verily, I am going to my Lord. He will guide me!"

100 My Lord! Vouchsafe me of the righteous.

100 "My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous."

101 So We gave him tidings of a gentle son.

101 So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy.

102 And when (his son) was old enough to walk with him, (Abraham) said: O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice thee. So look, what thinkest thou ? He said: O my father! Do that which thou art commanded. Allah willing, thou shalt find me of the steadfast.

102 And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offering you in sacrifice to Allah). So look what you think!" He said: "O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha' Allah (if Allah wills), you shall find me of As-Sabirun (the patient)."

103 Then, when they had both surrendered (to Allah), and he had flung him down upon his face,

103 Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering);

104 We called unto him: O Abraham!

104 We called out to him: "O Abraham!

105 Thou hast already fulfilled the vision. Lo! thus do We reward the good.

105 You have fulfilled the dream!" Verily thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - See 2:112).

106 Lo! that verily was a clear test.

106 Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial.

107 Then We ransomed him with a tremendous victim.

107 And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. كبش - a ram);

108 And We left for him among the later folk (the salutation):

108 And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations.

109 Peace be unto Abraham!

109 "Salam (peace) be upon Ibrahim (Abraham)!"

110 Thus do We reward the good.

110 Thus indeed do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - See V.2:112).

111 Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves.

111 Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.

112 And we gave him tidings of the birth of Isaac, a prophet of the righteous.

112 And We gave him the glad tidings of Ishaq (Isaac) - a Prophet from the righteous.

113 And We blessed him and Isaac. And of their seed are some who do good, and some who plainly wrong themselves.

113 We blessed him and Ishaq (Isaac). And of their progeny are (some) that do right, and some that plainly wrong themselves.

114 And We verily gave grace unto Moses and Aaron,

114 And, indeed We gave Our Grace to Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron).

115 And saved them and their people from the great distress,

115 And We saved them and their people from the great distress,

116 And helped them so that they became the victors.

116 And helped them, so that they became the victors;

117 And We gave them the clear Scripture

117 And We gave them the clear Scripture;

118 And showed them the right path.

118 And guided them to the Right Path.

119 And We left for them among the later folk (the salutation):

119 And We left for them (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations.

120 Peace be unto Moses and Aaron!

120 "Salam (peace) be upon Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron)!"

121 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

121 Verily, thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - See V.2:112).

122 Lo! they are two of Our believing slaves.

122 Verily, they were two of Our believing slaves.

123 And lo! Elias was of those sent (to warn),

123 And verily, Iliyas (Elias) was one of the Messengers.

124 When he said unto his folk: Will ye not ward off (evil) ?

124 When he said to his people: "Will you not fear Allah?

125 Will ye cry unto Baal and forsake the Best of creators,

125 "Will you call upon Ba'l (a well known idol of his nation whom they used to worship) and forsake the Best of creators,

126 Allah, your Lord and Lord of your forefathers ?

126 "Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers?"

127 But they denied him, so they surely will be haled forth (to the doom)

127 But they denied him [Iliyas (Elias)], so they will certainly be brought forth (to the punishment),

128 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

128 Except the chosen slaves of Allah.

129 And we left for him among the later folk (the salutation):

129 And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations.

130 Peace be unto Elias!

130 "Salam (peace) be upon Ilyasin (Elias)!"

131 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

131 Verily, thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers, who perform good deeds totally for Allah's sake only - See V.2:112).

132 Lo! he is one of our believing slaves.

132 Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.

133 And lo! Lot verily was of those sent (to warn).

133 And verily, Lut (Lot) was one of the Messengers.

134 When We saved him and his household, every one,

134 When We saved him and his family, all,

135 Save an old woman among those who stayed behind;

135 Except an old woman (his wife) who was among those who remained behind.

136 Then We destroyed the others.

136 Then We destroyed the rest (the town of Sodom at the place of the Dead Sea now in Palestine).

137 And lo! ye verily pass by (the ruin of) them in the morning

137 Verily, you pass by them in the morning

138 And at night - time; have ye then no sense ?

138 And at night; will you not then reflect?

139 And lo! Jonah verily was of those sent (to warn)

139 And, verily, Yunus (Jonah) was one of the Messengers.

140 When he fled unto the laden ship,

140 When he ran to the laden ship:

141 And then drew lots and was of those rejected;

141 Then he (agreed to) cast lots, and he was among the losers.

142 And the fish swallowed him while he was blameworthy;

142 Then a (big) fish swallowed him as he had done an act worthy of blame.

143 And had he not been one of those who glorify (Allah)

143 Had he not been of them who glorify Allah,

144 He would have tarried in its belly till the day when they are raised;

144 He would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection.

145 Then We cast him on a desert shore while he was sick;

145 But We cast him forth on the naked shore while he was sick,

146 And We caused a tree of gourd to grow above him;

146 And We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him.

147 And We sent him to a hundred thousand (folk) or more

147 And We sent him to a hundred thousand (people) or even more.

148 And they believed, therefor We gave them comfort for a while.

148 And they believed; so We gave them enjoyment for a while.

149 Now ask them (O Muhammad): Hath thy Lord daughters whereas they have sons ?

149 Now ask them (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Are there (only) daughters for your Lord and sons for them?"

150 Or created We the angels females while they were present ?

150 Or did We create the angels female while they were witnesses?

151 Lo! it is of their falsehood that they say:

151 Verily, it is of their falsehood that they (Quraish pagans) say:

152 Allah hath begotten. Allah! verily they tell a lie.

152 "Allah has begotten [offspring - the angels being the daughters of Allah)?" And, verily, they are liars!

153 (And again of their falsehood): He hath preferred daughters to sons.

153 Has He (then) chosen daughters rather than sons?

154 What aileth you ? How judge ye ?

154 What is the matter with you? How do you decide?

155 Will ye not then reflect ?

155 Will you not then remember?

156 Or have ye a clear warrant ?

156 Or is there for you a plain authority?

157 Then produce your writ, if ye are truthful.

157 Then bring your Book if you are truthful!

158 And they imagine kinship between him and the jinn, whereas the jinn know well that they will be brought before (Him).

158 And they have invented a kinship between Him and the jinn, but the jinn know well that they have indeed to appear (before Him) (i.e. they will be called to account).

159 Glorified be Allah from that which they attribute (unto Him),

159 Glorified be Allah! (He is free) from what they attribute unto Him!

160 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

160 Except the slaves of Allah, whom He chooses (for His Mercy i.e. true believers of Islamic Monotheism who do not attribute false things unto Allah).

161 Lo! verily, ye and that which ye worship,

161 So, verily you (pagans) and those whom you worship (idols)

162 Ye cannot excite (anyone) against Him.

162 Cannot lead astray [turn away from Him (Allah) anyone of the believers],

163 Save him who is to burn in hell.

163 Except those who are predestined to burn in Hell!

164 There is not one of us but hath his known position.

164 And there is not one of us (angels) but has his known place (or position);

165 Lo! we, even we are they who set the ranks,

165 And verily, we (angels), we stand in rows (for the prayers as you Muslims stand in rows for your prayers);

166 Lo! we, even we are they who hymn His praise

166 And verily, we (angels), indeed are those who glorify (Allah's Praises i.e. perform prayers).

167 And indeed they used to say:

167 And indeed they (Arab pagans) used to say:

168 If we had but a reminder from the men of old

168 "If we had a reminder as had the men of old (before the coming of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم as a Messenger of Allah),

169 We would be single - minded slaves of Allah.

169 "We would have indeed been the chosen slaves of Allah (true believers of Islamic Monotheism)!"

170 Yet (now that it is come) they disbelieve therein; but they will come to know.

170 But (now that the Qur'an has come) they disbelieve therein (i.e. in the Qur'an and in Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم , and all that he brought, - the Divine Revelation), so they will come to know!

171 And verily Our word went forth of old unto Our bondmen sent (to warn)

171 And, verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our slaves, the Messengers,

172 That they verily would be helped,

172 That they verily would be made triumphant,

173 And that Our host, they verily would be the victors.

173 And that Our hosts! they verily would be the victors.

174 So withdraw from them (O Muhammad) awhile,

174 So turn away (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) from them for a while,

175 And watch, for they will (soon) see.

175 And watch them and they shall see (the punishment)!

176 Would they hasten on Our doom ?

176 Do they seek to hasten on Our Torment?

177 But when it cometh home to them, then it will be a hapless morn for those who have been warned.

177 Then, when it descends in their courtyard (i.e. near to them), evil will be the morning for those who had been warned!

178 Withdraw from them awhile

178 So turn (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) away from them for a while,

179 And watch, for they will (soon) see.

179 And watch and they shall see (the torment)!

180 Glorified be thy Lord, the Lord of Majesty, from that which they attribute (unto Him)

180 Glorified be your Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they attribute unto Him!

181 And peace be unto those sent (to warn).

181 And peace be on the Messengers!

182 And praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!

182 And all the praises and thanks be to Allah, Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).