Al Tariq

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

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

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

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

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

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

3 The star of piercing brightness;

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

3 - The piercing Star!

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

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

4 No human soul but hath a guardian over it.

5 So let man consider of what he is created:

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

5 So let man consider from what he is created.

6 He is created of water pouring forth,

6 He is created from a drop emitted -

6 He is created from a gushing fluid

7 Coming from between the back and the ribs.

7 Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs:

7 That issued from between the loins and ribs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

10 He shall have neither strength nor helper.

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

10 Then will he have no might nor any helper.

11 I swear by the raingiving heavens,

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

11 By the heaven which giveth the returning rain,

12 And the earth splitting (with plants);

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

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

13 Most surely it is a decisive word,

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

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

14 And it is no joke.

14 It is not a thing for amusement.

14 It is no pleasantry.

15 Surely they will make a scheme,

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

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

16 And I (too) will make a scheme.

16 And I am planning a scheme.

16 And I plot a plot (against them).

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

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

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