Al Tariq

1 I swear by the heaven and the comer by night;

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. By the heaven, and At-Tariq (the night-comer, i.e. the bright star);

2 And what will make you know what the comer by night is?

2 And what will make you to know what At-Tariq (night-comer) is?

3 The star of piercing brightness;

3 (It is) the star of piercing brightness;

4 There is not a soul but over it is a keeper.

4 There is no human being but has a protector over him (or her) (i.e. angels in charge of each human being guarding him, writing his good and bad deeds)

5 So let man consider of what he is created:

5 So let man see from what he is created!

6 He is created of water pouring forth,

6 He is created from a water gushing forth,

7 Coming from between the back and the ribs.

7 Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.

8 Most surely He is able to return him (to life).

8 Verily, (Allah) is Able to bring him back (to life)!

9 On the day when hidden things shall be made manifest,

9 The Day when all the secrets (deeds, prayers, fasting, etc.) will be examined (as to their truth).

10 He shall have neither strength nor helper.

10 Then he will have no power, nor any helper.

11 I swear by the raingiving heavens,

11 By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.

12 And the earth splitting (with plants);

12 And the earth which splits (with the growth of trees and plants).

13 Most surely it is a decisive word,

13 Verily, this (the Qur'an) is the Word that separates (the truth from falsehood, and commands strict laws for mankind to cut the roots of evil).

14 And it is no joke.

14 And it is not a thing for amusement.

15 Surely they will make a scheme,

15 Verily, they are but plotting a plot (against you O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).

16 And I (too) will make a scheme.

16 And I (too) am planning a plan.

17 So grant the unbelievers a respite: let them alone for a while.

17 So give a respite to the disbelievers; deal gently with them for a while.