Al Tariq

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

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. By the heaven and the Morning Star

1 By the Sky and the Night - Visitant (therein); -

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

2 - Ah, what will tell thee what the Morning Star is!

2 And what will explain to thee what the Night - Visitant is? -

3 The star of piercing brightness;

3 - The piercing Star!

3 (It is) the Star of piercing brightness; -

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

4 No human soul but hath a guardian over it.

4 There is no soul but has a protector over it.

5 So let man consider of what he is created:

5 So let man consider from what he is created.

5 Now let man but think from what he is created!

6 He is created of water pouring forth,

6 He is created from a gushing fluid

6 He is created from a drop emitted -

7 Coming from between the back and the ribs.

7 That issued from between the loins and ribs.

7 Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs:

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

8 Lo! He verily is Able to return him (unto life)

8 Surely (Allah) is able to bring him back (to life)!

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

9 On the day when hidden thoughts shall be searched out.

9 The Day that (all) things secret will be tested,

10 He shall have neither strength nor helper.

10 Then will he have no might nor any helper.

10 (Man) will have no power, and no helper.

11 I swear by the raingiving heavens,

11 By the heaven which giveth the returning rain,

11 By the Firmament which returns (in its round),

12 And the earth splitting (with plants);

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

12 And by the Earth which opens out (for the gushing of springs or the sprouting of vegetation), -

13 Most surely it is a decisive word,

13 Lo! this (Qur'an) is a conclusive word,

13 Behold this is the Word that distinguishes (Good from Evil):

14 And it is no joke.

14 It is no pleasantry.

14 It is not a thing for amusement.

15 Surely they will make a scheme,

15 Lo! they plot a plot (against thee, O Muhammad)

15 As for them, they are but plotting a scheme,

16 And I (too) will make a scheme.

16 And I plot a plot (against them).

16 And I am planning a scheme.

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

17 So give a respite to the disbelievers. Deal thou gently with them for a while.

17 Therefore grant a delay to the Unbelievers: Give respite to them gently (for awhile).