Al Saffat

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

1 By those who range themselves in ranks,

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

2 And so are strong in repelling (evil),

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

3 And thus proclaim the Message (of Allah)!

4 Lo! thy Lord is surely One;

4 Verily, verily, your Allah is one! -

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 between them, and Lord of every point at the rising of the sun!

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

6 We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars, -

7 With security from every froward devil.

7 (For beauty) and for guard against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits,

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

8 (So) they should not strain their ears in the direction of the Exalted Assembly but be cast away from every side,

9 Outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment;

9 Repulsed, for they are under a perpetual penalty,

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

10 Except such as snatch away something by stealth, 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 Just ask their opinion: are they the more difficult to create, or the (other) beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay!

12 Nay, but thou dost marvel when they mock

12 Truly dost thou marvel, while they ridicule,

13 And heed not when they are reminded,

13 And, when they are admonished, pay no heed, -

14 And seek to scoff when they behold a portent.

14 And, when they see a Sign, turn it to mockery,

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

15 And say, "This is nothing but evident sorcery!

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

16 "What! when we die, and become dust and bones, shall we (then) be raised up (again)

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 thou: "Yea, and ye shall then be humiliated (on account of your evil)."

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

19 Then it will be a single (compelling) cry; and behold, they will begin to see!

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

20 They will say, "Ah! Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment!"

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

21 (A voice will say,) "This is the Day of Sorting Out, whose truth ye (once) denied!"

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

22 "Bring ye up", it shall be said, "The wrong - doers and their wives, and the things they worshipped -

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

23 "Besides Allah, and lead them to the Way to the (Fierce) Fire!

24 And stop them, for they must be questioned.

24 "But stop them, for they must be asked:

25 What aileth you that ye help not one another ?

25 "'What is the matter with you that ye help not each other?'"

26 Nay, but this day they make full submission.

26 Nay, but that day they shall submit (to Judgment);

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 ye who used to come to us from the right hand (of power and authority)!"

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

29 They will reply: "Nay, ye yourselves had no Faith!

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

30 "Nor had we any authority over you. Nay, it was ye who were a people in obstinate rebellion!

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

31 "So now has been proved true, against us, the word of our Lord that we shall indeed (have to) taste (the punishment of our sins).

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

32 "We led you astray: for truly we were ourselves astray."

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

33 Truly, that Day, they will (all) share in the Penalty.

34 Lo! thus deal We with the guilty.

34 Verily that is how We shall deal with Sinners.

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

35 For they, when they were told that there is no god except Allah, would puff themselves up with Pride,

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

36 And say: "What! shall we give up our gods for the sake of a Poet possessed?"

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

37 Nay! he has come with the (very) Truth, and he confirms (the Message of) the messengers (before him).

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

38 Ye shall indeed taste of the Grievous Penalty; -

39 Ye are requited naught save what ye did -

39 But it will be no more than the retribution of (the Evil) that ye have wrought; -

40 Save single - minded slaves of Allah;

40 But the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah, -

41 For them there is a known provision,

41 For them is a Sustenance determined,

42 Fruits. And they will be honoured

42 Fruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity,

43 In the Gardens of delight,

43 In Gardens of Felicity,

44 On couches facing one another;

44 Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):

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

45 Round will be passed to them a Cup from a clear - flowing fountain,

46 White, delicious to the drinkers,

46 Crystal - white, of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof),

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

47 Free from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.

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

48 And besides them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes (of wonder and beauty).

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

49 As if they were (delicate) eggs closely guarded.

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

50 Then they will turn to one another and question one another.

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

51 One of them will start the talk and say: "I had an intimate companion (on the earth),

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

52 "Who used to say, 'what! art thou amongst those who bear witness to the Truth (of the Message)?

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

53 "'When we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed receive rewards and punishments?'"

54 He saith: Will ye look ?

54 (A voice) said: "Would ye like to look down?"

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

55 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! thou wast little short of bringing me to perdition!

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 should certainly have been among those brought (there)!

58 Are we then not to die

58 "Is it (the case) that we shall not die,

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

59 "Except our first death, and that we shall not be punished?"

60 Lo! this is the supreme triumph.

60 Verily this is the supreme achievement!

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

61 For the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive.

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

62 Is that the better entertainment or the Tree of Zaqqum?

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

63 For We have truly made it (as) a trial for the wrong - doers.

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

64 For 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 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 top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water.

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

68 Then shall their return be to the (Blazing) Fire.

69 They indeed found their fathers astray,

69 Truly they found their fathers on the wrong Path;

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

70 So they (too) were rushed down on their footsteps!

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

71 And truly before them, many of the ancients went astray; -

72 And verily We sent among them warners.

72 But We sent aforetime, among them, (messengers) to admonish them; -

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

73 Then see what was the end of those who were admonished (but heeded not), -

74 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

74 Except the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah.

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

75 (In the days of old), Noah cried to Us, and We are the best to hear prayer.

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

76 And We delivered him and his people from the Great Calamity,

77 And made his seed the survivors,

77 And made his progeny to endure (on this earth);

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

78 And We left (this blessing) for him among generations to come in later times:

79 Peace be unto Noah among the peoples!

79 "Peace and salutation to Noah among the nations!"

80 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

80 Thus indeed do we reward those who do right.

81 Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves.

81 For he was one of our believing Servants.

82 Then We did drown the others.

82 Then the rest we overwhelmed in the Flood.

83 And lo! of his persuasion verily was Abraham

83 Verily among those who followed his Way was Abraham.

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

84 Behold! he approached his Lord with a sound heart.

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

85 Behold! he said to his father and to his people, "What is that which ye worship?

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

86 "Is it a falsehood - gods other than Allah - that ye desire?

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

87 "Then what is your idea about the Lord of the worlds?"

88 And he glanced a glance at the stars

88 Then did he cast a glance at the Stars.

89 Then said: Lo! I feel sick!

89 And he said, "I am indeed sick (at heart)!"

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

90 So they turned away from him, and departed.

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

91 Then did he turn to their gods and said, "will ye not eat (of the offerings before you)?...

92 What aileth you that ye speak not ?

92 "What is the matter with you that ye speak not (intelligently)?"

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

93 Then did he turn upon them, striking (them) with the right hand.

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

94 Then came (the worshippers) with hurried steps, and faced (him).

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

95 He said: "Worship ye that which ye have (yourselves) carved?

96 When Allah hath created you and what ye make ?

96 "But Allah has created you and your handwork!"

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

97 They said, "Build him a furnace, and throw him into the blazing fire!"

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

98 (This failing), they then sought a stratagem against him, but We made them the ones most humiliated!

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

99 He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me!

100 My Lord! Vouchsafe me of the righteous.

100 "O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!"

101 So We gave him tidings of a gentle son.

101 So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear.

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 Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!"

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

103 So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice),

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 "Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!" - thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

106 Lo! that verily was a clear test.

106 For this was obviously a trial -

107 Then We ransomed him with a tremendous victim.

107 And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice:

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

108 And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:

109 Peace be unto Abraham!

109 "Peace and salutation to Abraham!"

110 Thus do We reward the good.

110 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

111 Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves.

111 For he was one of our believing Servants.

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

112 And We gave him the good news of Isaac - a prophet, - one of 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 Isaac: but of their progeny are (some) that do right, and (some) that obviously do wrong, to their own souls.

114 And We verily gave grace unto Moses and Aaron,

114 Again (of old) We bestowed Our favour on Moses and Aaron,

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

115 And We delivered them and their people from (their) Great Calamity;

116 And helped them so that they became the victors.

116 And We helped them, so they overcame (their troubles);

117 And We gave them the clear Scripture

117 And We gave them the Book which helps to make things clear;

118 And showed them the right path.

118 And We guided them to the Straight Way.

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

119 And We left (this blessing) for them among generations (to come) in later times:

120 Peace be unto Moses and Aaron!

120 "Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron!"

121 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

121 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

122 Lo! they are two of Our believing slaves.

122 For they were two of our believing Servants.

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

123 So also was Elias among those sent (by Us).

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

124 Behold, he said to his people, "Will ye not fear (Allah)?

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

125 "Will ye call upon Baal and forsake the Best of Creators, -

126 Allah, your Lord and Lord of your forefathers ?

126 "Allah, your Lord and Cherisher and the Lord and Cherisher of your fathers of old?"

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

127 But they rejected him, and they will certainly be called up (for punishment), -

128 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

128 Except the sincere and devoted Servants of Allah (among them).

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

129 And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:

130 Peace be unto Elias!

130 "Peace and salutation to such as Elias!"

131 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

131 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

132 Lo! he is one of our believing slaves.

132 For he was one of our believing Servants.

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

133 So also was Lut among those sent (by Us).

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

134 Behold, We delivered him and his adherents, all

135 Save an old woman among those who stayed behind;

135 Except an old woman who was among those who lagged behind:

136 Then We destroyed the others.

136 Then We destroyed the rest.

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

137 Verily, ye pass by their (sites), by day -

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

138 And by night: will ye not understand?

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

139 So also was Jonah among those sent (by Us).

140 When he fled unto the laden ship,

140 When he ran away (like a slave from captivity) to the ship (fully) laden,

141 And then drew lots and was of those rejected;

141 He (agreed to) cast lots, and he was condemned:

142 And the fish swallowed him while he was blameworthy;

142 Then the big Fish did swallow him, and he had done acts worthy of blame.

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

143 Had it not been that he (repented and) glorified Allah,

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

144 He would certainly have remained inside 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 in a state of sickness,

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

146 And We caused to grow, over him, a spreading plant of the gourd kind.

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

147 And We sent him (on a mission) to a hundred thousand (men) or more.

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

148 And they believed; so We permitted them to enjoy (their life) for a while.

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

149 Now ask them their opinion: Is it that thy Lord has (only) daughters, and they have sons? -

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

150 Or that We created the angels female, and they are witnesses (thereto)?

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

151 Is it not that they say, from their own invention,

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

152 "Allah has begotten children"? but they are liars!

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

153 Did He (then) choose daughters rather than sons?

154 What aileth you ? How judge ye ?

154 What is the matter with you? How judge ye?

155 Will ye not then reflect ?

155 Will ye not then receive admonition?

156 Or have ye a clear warrant ?

156 Or have ye an authority manifest?

157 Then produce your writ, if ye are truthful.

157 Then bring ye your Book (of authority) if ye be 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 blood - relationship between Him and the Jinns: but the Jinns know (quite well) that they have indeed to appear (before his Judgment - Seat)!

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

159 Glory to Allah! (He is free) from the things they ascribe (to Him)!

160 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

160 Not (so do) the Servants of Allah, sincere and devoted.

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

161 For, verily, neither ye nor those ye worship -

162 Ye cannot excite (anyone) against Him.

162 Can lead (any) into temptation concerning Allah,

163 Save him who is to burn in hell.

163 Except such as are (themselves) going to the blazing Fire!

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

164 (Those ranged in ranks say): "Not one of us but has a place appointed;

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

165 "And we are verily ranged in ranks (for service);

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

166 "And we are verily those who declare (Allah's) glory!"

167 And indeed they used to say:

167 And there were those who said,

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

168 "If only we had had before us a Message from those of old,

169 We would be single - minded slaves of Allah.

169 "We should certainly have been Servants of Allah, sincere (and devoted)!"

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 reject it: But soon will they know!

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

171 Already has Our Word been passed before (this) to our Servants sent (by Us),

172 That they verily would be helped,

172 That they would certainly be assisted,