Al Saffat

1 I swear by those who draw themselves out in ranks

1 By those who range themselves in ranks,

2 Then those who drive away with reproof,

2 And so are strong in repelling (evil),

3 Then those who recite, being mindful,

3 And thus proclaim the Message (of Allah)!

4 Most surely your Allah is One:

4 Verily, verily, your Allah 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 of the earth and all between them, and Lord of every point at the rising of the sun!

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

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

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

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

8 They cannot listen to the exalted assembly and they are thrown at 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 Being driven off, and for them is a perpetual chastisement,

9 Repulsed, for they are under a perpetual penalty,

10 Except him who snatches off but once, then there follows him a brightly shining 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 whether they are stronger in creation or those (others) whom We have created. Surely We created them of firm 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! you wonder while they mock,

12 Truly dost thou marvel, while they ridicule,

13 And when they are reminded, they mind not,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

17 Or our fathers of yore?

17 "And also our fathers of old?"

18 Say: Aye! and you shall be abject.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

22 Gather together those who were unjust and their associates, 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 Besides Allah, then lead them to the way to hell.

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

24 And stop them, for they shall be questioned:

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

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

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

26 Nay! on that day they shall be submissive.

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

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

27 And they will turn to one another, and question one another.

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

28 They will say: "It was ye who used to come to us from the right hand (of power and authority)!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

34 Surely thus do We deal with the guilty.

34 Verily that is how We shall deal with Sinners.

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

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

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

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

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

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

38 Most surely you will taste the painful punishment.

38 Ye shall indeed taste of the Grievous Penalty; -

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

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

40 Save the servants of Allah, the purified ones.

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

41 For them is a known sustenance,

41 For them is a Sustenance determined,

42 Fruits, and they shall be highly honored,

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

43 In gardens of pleasure,

43 In Gardens of Felicity,

44 On thrones, facing each other.

44 Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):

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

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

46 White, delicious to those who drink.

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

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

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

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

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

49 As if they were eggs carefully protected.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

54 He shall say: Will you look on?

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

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

55 He looked down and saw him in the midst of the Fire.

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

56 He said: "By Allah! thou wast little short of bringing me to perdition!

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

57 "Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I should certainly have been among those brought (there)!

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

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

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

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

60 Most surely this is the mighty achievement.

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 an entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum?

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

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

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

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

64 For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell - Fire:

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

65 The shoots of its fruit - stalks are like the heads of devils:

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

66 Truly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith.

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

67 Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water.

68 Then most surely their return shall be to hell.

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

69 Surely they found their fathers going astray,

69 Truly they found their fathers on the wrong Path;

70 So in their footsteps they are being hastened on.

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

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

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

72 And certainly We sent among them warners.

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

73 Then see how was the end of those warned,

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

74 Except the servants of Allah, the purified ones.

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

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

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

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

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

77 And We made his offspring the survivors.

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

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

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

79 Peace and salutation to Nuh among the nations.

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

80 Thus do We surely reward the doers of good.

80 Thus indeed do we reward those who do right.

81 Surely he was of Our believing servants.

81 For he was one of our believing Servants.

82 Then We drowned the others

82 Then the rest we overwhelmed in the Flood.

83 And most surely Ibrahim followed his way.

83 Verily among those who followed his Way was Abraham.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

88 Then did he cast a glance at the Stars.

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

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

90 So they went away from him, turning back.

90 So they turned away from him, and departed.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

96 And Allah has created you and what you make.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

104 We called out to him "O Abraham!

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

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

106 Most surely this is a manifest trial.

106 For this was obviously a trial -

107 And We ransomed him with a Feat sacrifice.

107 And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice:

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

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

109 Peace be on Ibrahim.

109 "Peace and salutation to Abraham!"

110 Thus do We reward the doers of good.

110 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

111 Surely he was one of Our believing servants.

111 For he was one 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 the good news of Isaac - a prophet, - one of 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 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 certainly We conferred a favor on Musa and Haroun.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

118 And We guided them both on the right way.

118 And We guided them to the Straight Way.

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

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

120 Peace be on Musa and Haroun.

120 "Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron!"

121 Even thus do We reward the doers of good.

121 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

122 Surely they were both of Our believing servants.

122 For they were two of our believing Servants.

123 And Ilyas was most surely of the apostles.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

130 Peace be on Ilyas.

130 "Peace and salutation to such as Elias!"

131 Even thus do We reward the doers of good.

131 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

132 Surely he was one of Our believing servants.

132 For he was one of our believing Servants.

133 And Lut was most surely of the apostles.

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

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

134 Behold, We delivered him and his adherents, all

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

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 most surely you pass by them in the morning,

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

138 And at night; do you not then understand?

138 And by night: will ye not understand?

139 And Yunus was most surely of the apostles.

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

140 When he ran away to a ship completely laden,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

144 He would certainly have tarried in its belly to 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 to the vacant surface of the earth while he was sick.

145 But We cast him forth on the naked shore in a state of sickness,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

153 Has He chosen daughters in preference to sons?

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

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

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

155 Will you not then mind?

155 Will ye not then receive admonition?

156 Or have you a clear authority?

156 Or have ye an authority manifest?

157 Then bring your book, if you are truthful.

157 Then bring ye your Book (of authority) if ye be truthful!

158 And they assert a relationship between Him and the jinn; and certainly the jinn do know that they shall surely be brought up;

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 Glory be to Allah (for freedom) from what they describe;

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

160 But not so the servants of Allah, the purified ones.

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

161 So surely you and what you worship,

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

162 Not against Him can you cause (any) to fall into trial,

162 Can lead (any) into temptation concerning Allah,

163 Save him who will go to hell.

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

164 And there is none of us but has an assigned place,

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

165 And most surely we are they who draw themselves out in ranks,

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

166 And we are most surely they who declare the glory (of Allah).

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

167 And surely they used to say:

167 And there were those who said,

168 Had we a reminder from those of yore,

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

169 We would certainly have been the servants of Allah - - the purified ones.

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

170 But (now) they disbelieve in it, so they will come to know.

170 But (now that the Qur'an has come), they reject it: But soon will they know!

171 And certainly Our word has already gone forth in respect of Our servants, the apostles:

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

172 Most surely they shall be the assisted ones

172 That they would certainly be assisted,

173 And most surely Our host alone shall be the victorious ones.

173 And that Our forces, - they surely must conquer.

174 Therefore turn away from them till a time,

174 So turn thou away from them for a little while,

175 And (then) see them, so they too shall see.

175 And watch them (how they fare), and they soon shall see (how thou farest)!

176 What! would they then hasten on Our chastisement?

176 Do they wish (indeed) to hurry on our Punishment?

177 But when it shall descend in their court, evil shall then be the morning of the warned ones.

177 But when it descends into the open space before them, evil will be the morning for those who were warned (and heeded not)!

178 And turn away from them till a time

178 So turn thou away from them for a little while,

179 And (then) see, for they too shall see.

179 And watch (how they fare) and they soon shall see (how thou farest)!

180 Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Honor, above what they describe.

180 Glory to thy Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they ascribe (to Him)!

181 And peace be on the apostles.

181 And Peace on the messengers!

182 And all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

182 And Praise to Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds.