Al Saffat

1 I swear by those who draw themselves out in ranks

1 By those [angels] lined up in rows

2 Then those who drive away with reproof,

2 And those who drive [the clouds]

3 Then those who recite, being mindful,

3 And those who recite the message,

4 Most surely your Allah is One:

4 Indeed, your God is One,

5 The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and Lord of the easts.

5 Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them and Lord of the sunrises.

6 Surely We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment, the stars,

6 Indeed, We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment of stars

7 And (there is) a safeguard against every rebellious Shaitan.

7 And as protection against every rebellious devil

8 They cannot listen to the exalted assembly and they are thrown at from every side,

8 [So] they may not listen to the exalted assembly [of angels] and are pelted from every side,

9 Being driven off, and for them is a perpetual chastisement,

9 Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment,

10 Except him who snatches off but once, then there follows him a brightly shining flame.

10 Except one who snatches [some words] by theft, but they are pursued by a burning flame, piercing [in brightness].

11 Then ask them whether they are stronger in creation or those (others) whom We have created. Surely We created them of firm clay.

11 Then inquire of them, [O Muhammad], "Are they a stronger [or more difficult] creation or those [others] We have created?" Indeed, We created men from sticky clay.

12 Nay! you wonder while they mock,

12 But you wonder, while they mock,

13 And when they are reminded, they mind not,

13 And when they are reminded, they remember not.

14 And when they see a sign they incite one another to scoff,

14 And when they see a sign, they ridicule

15 And they say: This is nothing but clear magic:

15 And say, "This is not but obvious magic.

16 What! when we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then certainly be raised,

16 When we have died and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?

17 Or our fathers of yore?

17 And our forefathers [as well]?"

18 Say: Aye! and you shall be abject.

18 Say, "Yes, and you will be [rendered] contemptible."

19 So it shall only be a single cry, when lo! they shall see.

19 It will be only one shout, and at once they will be observing.

20 And they shall say: O woe to us! this is the day of requital.

20 They will say, "O woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense."

21 This is the day of the judgment which you called a lie.

21 [They will be told], "This is the Day of Judgement which you used to deny."

22 Gather together those who were unjust and their associates, and what they used to worship

22 [The angels will be ordered], "Gather those who committed wrong, their kinds, and what they used to worship

23 Besides Allah, then lead them to the way to hell.

23 Other than Allah, and guide them to the path of Hellfire

24 And stop them, for they shall be questioned:

24 And stop them; indeed, they are to be questioned."

25 What is the matter with you that you do not help each other?

25 [They will be asked], "What is [wrong] with you? Why do you not help each other?"

26 Nay! on that day they shall be submissive.

26 But they, that Day, are in surrender.

27 And some of them shall advance towards others, questioning each other.

27 And they will approach one another blaming each other.

28 They shall say: Surely you used to come to us from the right side.

28 They will say, "Indeed, you used to come at us from the right."

29 They shall say: Nay, you (yourselves) were not believers;

29 The oppressors will say, "Rather, you [yourselves] were not believers,

30 And we had no authority over you, but you were an inordinate people;

30 And we had over you no authority, but you were a transgressing people.

31 So the sentence of our Lord has come to pass against us: (now) we shall surely taste;

31 So the word of our Lord has come into effect upon us; indeed, we will taste [punishment].

32 So we led you astray, for we ourselves were erring.

32 And we led you to deviation; indeed, we were deviators."

33 So they shall on that day be sharers in the chastisement one with another.

33 So indeed they, that Day, will be sharing in the punishment.

34 Surely thus do We deal with the guilty.

34 Indeed, that is how We deal with the criminals.

35 Surely they used to behave proudly when it was said to them: There is no god but Allah;

35 Indeed they, when it was said to them, "There is no deity but Allah," were arrogant

36 And to say: What! shall we indeed give up our gods for the sake of a mad poet?

36 And were saying, "Are we to leave our gods for a mad poet?"

37 Nay: he has come with the truth and verified the apostles.

37 Rather, the Prophet has come with the truth and confirmed the [previous] messengers.

38 Most surely you will taste the painful punishment.

38 Indeed, you [disbelievers] will be tasters of the painful punishment,

39 And you shall not be rewarded except (for) what you did.

39 And you will not be recompensed except for what you used to do -

40 Save the servants of Allah, the purified ones.

40 But not the chosen servants of Allah.

41 For them is a known sustenance,

41 Those will have a provision determined -

42 Fruits, and they shall be highly honored,

42 Fruits; and they will be honored

43 In gardens of pleasure,

43 In gardens of pleasure

44 On thrones, facing each other.

44 On thrones facing one another.

45 A bowl shall be made to go round them from water running out of springs,

45 There will be circulated among them a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring,

46 White, delicious to those who drink.

46 White and delicious to the drinkers;

47 There shall be no trouble in it, nor shall they be exhausted therewith.

47 No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated.

48 And with them shall be those who restrain the eyes, having beautiful eyes;

48 And with them will be women limiting [their] glances, with large, [beautiful] eyes,

49 As if they were eggs carefully protected.

49 As if they were [delicate] eggs, well - protected.

50 Then shall some of them advance to others, questioning each other.

50 And they will approach one another, inquiring of each other.

51 A speaker from among them shall say: Surely I had a comrade of mine,

51 A speaker among them will say, "Indeed, I had a companion [on earth]

52 Who said: What! are you indeed of those who accept (the truth)?

52 Who would say, 'Are you indeed of those who believe

53 What! when we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then be certainly brought to judgment?

53 That when we have died and become dust and bones, we will indeed be recompensed?'"

54 He shall say: Will you look on?

54 He will say, "Would you [care to] look?"

55 Then he looked down and saw him in the midst of hell.

55 And he will look and see him in the midst of the Hellfire.

56 He shall say: By Allah! you had almost caused me to perish;

56 He will say, "By Allah, you almost ruined me.

57 And had it not been for the favor of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those brought up.

57 If not for the favor of my Lord, I would have been of those brought in [to Hell].

58 Is it then that we are not going to die,

58 Then, are we not to die

59 Except our previous death? And we shall not be chastised?

59 Except for our first death, and we will not be punished?"

60 Most surely this is the mighty achievement.

60 Indeed, this is the great attainment.

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

61 For the like of this let the workers [on earth] work.

62 Is this better as an entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum?

62 Is Paradise a better accommodation or the tree of zaqqum?

63 Surely We have made it to be a trial to the unjust.

63 Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers.

64 Surely it is a tree that - grows in the bottom of the hell;

64 Indeed, it is a tree issuing from the bottom of the Hellfire,

65 Its produce is as it were the heads of the serpents.

65 Its emerging fruit as if it was heads of the devils.

66 Then most surely they shall eat of it and fill (their) bellies with it.

66 And indeed, they will eat from it and fill with it their bellies.

67 Then most surely they shall have after it to drink of a mixture prepared in boiling water.

67 Then indeed, they will have after it a mixture of scalding water.

68 Then most surely their return shall be to hell.

68 Then indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire.

69 Surely they found their fathers going astray,

69 Indeed they found their fathers astray.

70 So in their footsteps they are being hastened on.

70 So they hastened [to follow] in their footsteps.

71 And certainly most of the ancients went astray before them,

71 And there had already strayed before them most of the former peoples,

72 And certainly We sent among them warners.

72 And We had already sent among them warners.

73 Then see how was the end of those warned,

73 Then look how was the end of those who were warned -

74 Except the servants of Allah, the purified ones.

74 But not the chosen servants of Allah.

75 And Nuh did certainly call upon Us, and most excellent answerer of prayer are We.

75 And Noah had certainly called Us, and [We are] the best of responders.

76 And We delivered him and his followers from the mighty distress.

76 And We saved him and his family from the great affliction.

77 And We made his offspring the survivors.

77 And We made his descendants those remaining [on the earth]

78 And We perpetuated to him (praise) among the later generations.

78 And left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

79 Peace and salutation to Nuh among the nations.

79 "Peace upon Noah among the worlds."

80 Thus do We surely reward the doers of good.

80 Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

81 Surely he was of Our believing servants.

81 Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

82 Then We drowned the others

82 Then We drowned the disbelievers.

83 And most surely Ibrahim followed his way.

83 And indeed, among his kind was Abraham,

84 When he came to his Lord with a free heart,

84 When he came to his Lord with a sound heart

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

85 [And] when he said to his father and his people, "What do you worship?

86 A lie - - gods besides Allah - - do you desire?

86 Is it falsehood [as] gods other than Allah you desire?

87 What is then your idea about the Lord of the worlds?

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

88 Then he looked at the stars, looking up once,

88 And he cast a look at the stars

89 Then he said: Surely I am sick (of your worshipping these).

89 And said, "Indeed, I am [about to be] ill."

90 So they went away from him, turning back.

90 So they turned away from him, departing.

91 Then he turned aside to their gods secretly and said: What! do you not eat?

91 Then he turned to their gods and said, "Do you not eat?

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

92 What is [wrong] with you that you do not speak?"

93 Then he turned against them secretly, smiting them with the right hand.

93 And he turned upon them a blow with [his] right hand.

94 So they (people) advanced towards him, hastening.

94 Then the people came toward him, hastening.

95 Said he: What! do you worship what you hew out?

95 He said, "Do you worship that which you [yourselves] carve,

96 And Allah has created you and what you make.

96 While Allah created you and that which you do?"

97 They said: Build for him a furnace, then cast him into the burning fire.

97 They said, "Construct for him a furnace and throw him into the burning fire."

98 And they desired a war against him, but We brought them low.

98 And they intended for him a plan, but We made them the most debased.

99 And he said: Surely I fly to my lord; He will guide me.

99 And [then] he said, "Indeed, I will go to [where I am ordered by] my Lord; He will guide me.

100 My Lord! grant me of the doers of good deeds.

100 My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous."

101 So We gave him the good news of a boy, possessing forbearance.

101 So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy.

102 And when he attained to working with him, he said: O my son! surely I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice you; consider then what you see. He said: O my father! do what you are commanded; if Allah please, you will find me of the patient ones.

102 And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, of the steadfast."

103 So when they both submitted and he threw him down upon his forehead,

103 And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead,

104 And We called out to him saying: O Ibrahim!

104 We called to him, "O Abraham,

105 You have indeed shown the truth of the vision; surely thus do We reward the doers of good:

105 You have fulfilled the vision." Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

106 Most surely this is a manifest trial.

106 Indeed, this was the clear trial.

107 And We ransomed him with a Feat sacrifice.

107 And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice,

108 And We perpetuated (praise) to him among the later generations.

108 And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

109 Peace be on Ibrahim.

109 "Peace upon Abraham."

110 Thus do We reward the doers of good.

110 Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

111 Surely he was one of Our believing servants.

111 Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

112 And We gave him the good news of Ishaq, a prophet among the good ones.

112 And We gave him good tidings of Isaac, a prophet from among the righteous.

113 And We showered Our blessings on him and on Ishaq; and of their offspring are the doers of good, and (also) those who are clearly unjust to their own souls.

113 And We blessed him and Isaac. But among their descendants is the doer of good and the clearly unjust to himself.

114 And certainly We conferred a favor on Musa and Haroun.

114 And We did certainly confer favor upon Moses and Aaron.

115 And We delivered them both and their people from the mighty distress.

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

116 And We helped them, so they were the vanquishers.

116 And We supported them so it was they who overcame.

117 And We gave them both the Book that made (things) clear.

117 And We gave them the explicit Scripture,

118 And We guided them both on the right way.

118 And We guided them on the straight path.

119 And We perpetuated (praise) to them among the later generations.

119 And We left for them [favorable mention] among later generations:

120 Peace be on Musa and Haroun.

120 "Peace upon Moses and Aaron."

121 Even thus do We reward the doers of good.

121 Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

122 Surely they were both of Our believing servants.

122 Indeed, they were of Our believing servants.

123 And Ilyas was most surely of the apostles.

123 And indeed, Elias was from among the messengers,

124 When he said to his people: Do you not guard (against evil)?

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

125 What! do you call upon Ba'l and forsake the best of the creators,

125 Do you call upon Ba'l and leave the best of creators -

126 Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of yore?

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

127 But they called him a liar, therefore they shall most surely be brought up.

127 And they denied him, so indeed, they will be brought [for punishment],

128 But not the servants of Allah, the purified ones.

128 Except the chosen servants of Allah.

129 And We perpetuated to him (praise) among the later generations.

129 And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

130 Peace be on Ilyas.

130 "Peace upon Elias."

131 Even thus do We reward the doers of good.

131 Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

132 Surely he was one of Our believing servants.

132 Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

133 And Lut was most surely of the apostles.

133 And indeed, Lot was among the messengers.

134 When We delivered him and his followers, all - -

134 [So mention] when We saved him and his family, all,

135 Except an old woman (who was) amongst those who tarried.

135 Except his wife among those who remained [with the evildoers].

136 Then We destroyed the others.

136 Then We destroyed the others.

137 And most surely you pass by them in the morning,

137 And indeed, you pass by them in the morning

138 And at night; do you not then understand?

138 And at night. Then will you not use reason?

139 And Yunus was most surely of the apostles.

139 And indeed, Jonah was among the messengers.

140 When he ran away to a ship completely laden,

140 [Mention] when he ran away to the laden ship.

141 So he shared (with them), but was of those who are cast off.

141 And he drew lots and was among the losers.

142 So the fish swallowed him while he did that for which he blamed himself

142 Then the fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy.

143 But had it not been that he was of those who glorify (Us),

143 And had he not been of those who exalt Allah,

144 He would certainly have tarried in its belly to the day when they are raised.

144 He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected.

145 Then We cast him on to the vacant surface of the earth while he was sick.

145 But We threw him onto the open shore while he was ill.

146 And We caused to grow up for him a gourdplant.

146 And We caused to grow over him a gourd vine.

147 And We sent him to a hundred thousand, rather they exceeded.

147 And We sent him to [his people of] a hundred thousand or more.

148 And they believed, so We gave them provision till a time.

148 And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment [of life] for a time.

149 Then ask them whether your Lord has daughters and they have sons.

149 So inquire of them, [O Muhammad], "Does your Lord have daughters while they have sons?

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

150 Or did We create the angels as females while they were witnesses?"

151 Now surely it is of their own lie that they say:

151 Unquestionably, it is out of their [invented] falsehood that they say,

152 Allah has begotten; and most surely they are liars.

152 " Allah has begotten," and indeed, they are liars.

153 Has He chosen daughters in preference to sons?

153 Has He chosen daughters over sons?

154 What is the matter with you, how is it that you judge?

154 What is [wrong] with you? How do you make judgement?

155 Will you not then mind?

155 Then will you not be reminded?

156 Or have you a clear authority?