Al Saffat

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. By those (angels) ranged in ranks (or rows).

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. By those who set the ranks in battle order

2 By those (angels) who drive the clouds in a good way.

2 And those who drive away (the wicked) with reproof

3 By those (angels) who bring the Book and the Qur'an from Allah to mankind [Tafsir Ibn Kathir].

3 And those who read (the Word) for a reminder,

4 Verily your Ilah (God) is indeed One (i.e. Allah):

4 Lo! thy Lord is surely One;

5 Lord of the heavens and of the earth, and all that is between them, and Lord of every point of the sun's risings.

5 Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all that is between them, and Lord of the sun's risings.

6 Verily We have adorned the near heaven with the stars (for beauty).

6 Lo! We have adorned the lowest heaven with an ornament, the planets;

7 And to guard against every rebellious devil.

7 With security from every froward devil.

8 They cannot listen to the higher group (angels) for they are pelted from every side.

8 They cannot listen to the Highest Chiefs for they are pelted from every side,

9 Outcast, and theirs is a constant (or painful) torment.

9 Outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment;

10 Except such as snatch away something by stealing, and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.

10 Save him who snatcheth a fragment, and there pursueth him a piercing flame.

11 Then ask them (i.e. these polytheists, O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Are they stronger as creation, or those (others like the heavens and the earth and the mountains) whom We have created?" Verily, We created them of a sticky clay.

11 Then ask them (O Muhammad): Are they stronger as a creation, or those (others) whom we have created ? Lo! We created them of plastic clay.

12 Nay, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) wondered (at their insolence) while they mock (at you and at the Qur'an).

12 Nay, but thou dost marvel when they mock

13 And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.

13 And heed not when they are reminded,

14 And when they see an Ayah (a sign, or an evidence) from Allah, they mock at it.

14 And seek to scoff when they behold a portent.

15 And they say: "This is nothing but evident magic!

15 And they say: Lo! this is mere magic;

16 "When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we (then) verily be resurrected?

16 When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised (again) ?

17 "And also our fathers of old?"

17 And our forefathers ?

18 Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Yes, and you shall then be humiliated."

18 Say (O Muhammad): Ye, in truth; and ye will be brought low.

19 It will be a single Zajrah [shout (i.e. the second blowing of the Trumpet)], and behold, they will be staring!

19 There is but one Shout, and lo! they behold,

20 They will say: "Woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense!"

20 And say: Ah, woe for us! This is the Day of Judgment.

21 (It will be said): "This is the Day of Judgement which you used to deny."

21 This is the Day of Separation, which ye used to deny.

22 (It will be said to the angels): "Assemble those who did wrong, together with their companions (from the devils) and what they used to worship,

22 (And it is said unto the angels): Assemble those who did wrong, together with their wives and what they used to worship

23 "Instead of Allah, and lead them on to the way of flaming Fire (Hell);

23 Instead of Allah, and lead them to the path to hell;

24 "But stop them, verily they are to be questioned.

24 And stop them, for they must be questioned.

25 "What is the matter with you? Why do you not help one another (as you used to do in the world)?"

25 What aileth you that ye help not one another ?

26 Nay, but that Day they shall surrender.

26 Nay, but this day they make full submission.

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

27 And some of them draw near unto others, mutually questioning.

28 They will say: "It was you who used to come to us from the right side [i.e. from the right side of one of us and beautify for us every evil, enjoin on us polytheism, and stop us from the truth i.e. Islamic Monotheism and from every good deed]."

28 They say: Lo! ye used to come unto us, imposing, (swearing that ye spoke the truth).

29 They will reply: "Nay, you yourselves were not believers.

29 They answer: Nay, but ye (yourselves) were not believers.

30 "And we had no authority over you. Nay! But you were Taghun (transgressing) people (polytheists, and disbelievers).

30 We had no power over you, but ye were wayward folk.

31 "So now the Word of our Lord has been justified against us, that we shall certainly (have to) taste (the torment).

31 Now the Word of our Lord hath been fulfilled concerning us. Lo! we are about to taste (the doom).

32 "So we led you astray because we were ourselves astray."

32 Thus we misled you. Lo! we were (ourselves) astray.

33 Then verily, that Day, they will (all) share in the torment.

33 Then lo! this day they (both) are sharers in the doom.

34 Certainly, that is how We deal with Al-Mujrimun (polytheists, sinners, disbelievers, criminals, the disobedient to Allah).

34 Lo! thus deal We with the guilty.

35 Truly, when it was said to them: La ilaha illallah "(none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)," they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it).

35 For when it was said unto them, There is no God save Allah, they were scornful

36 And (they) said: "Are we going to abandon our alihah (gods) for the sake of a mad poet?"

36 And said: Shall we forsake our gods for a mad poet ?

37 Nay! he (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) has come with the truth (i.e. Allah's religion - Islamic Monotheism and this Qur'an) and he confirms the Messengers (before him who brought Allah's religion - Islamic Monotheism).

37 Nay, but he brought the Truth, and he confirmed those sent (before him).

38 Verily, you (pagans of Makkah) are going to taste the painful torment;

38 Lo! (now) verily ye taste the painful doom -

39 And you will be requited nothing except for what you used to do (evil deeds, sins, and Allah's disobedience which you used to do in this world)

39 Ye are requited naught save what ye did -

40 Save the chosen slaves of Allah (i.e. the true believers of Islamic Monotheism).

40 Save single - minded slaves of Allah;

41 For them there will be a known provision (in Paradise),

41 For them there is a known provision,

42 Fruits; and they shall be honoured,

42 Fruits. And they will be honoured

43 In the Gardens of delight (Paradise),

43 In the Gardens of delight,

44 Facing one another on thrones.

44 On couches facing one another;

45 Round them will be passed a cup of pure wine -

45 A cup from a gushing spring is brought round for them,

46 White, delicious to the drinkers.

46 White, delicious to the drinkers,

47 Neither will they have Ghoul (any kind of hurt, abdominal pain, headache, a sin) from that, nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.

47 Wherein there is no headache nor are they made mad thereby.

48 And beside them will be Qasirat-at-Tarf [chaste females (wives), restraining their glances (desiring none except their husbands)], with wide and beautiful eyes.

48 And with them are those of modest gaze, with lovely eyes,

49 (Delicate and pure) as if they were (hidden) eggs (well) preserved.

49 (Pure) as they were hidden eggs (of the ostrich).

50 Then they will turn to one another, mutually questioning.

50 And some of them draw near unto others, mutually questioning.

51 A speaker of them will say: "Verily, I had a companion (in the world),

51 A speaker of them saith: Lo! I had a comrade

52 Who used to say: "Are you among those who believe (in resurrection after death).

52 Who used to say: Art thou in truth of those who put faith (in his words) ?

53 "(That) when we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed (be raised up) to receive reward or punishment (according to our deeds)?"

53 Can we, when we are dead and have become mere dust and bones - can we (then) verily be brought to book ?

54 (The speaker) said: "Will you look down?"

54 He saith: Will ye look ?

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

55 Then looketh he and seeth him in the depth of hell.

56 He said: "By Allah! You have nearly ruined me.

56 He saith: By Allah, thou verily didst all but cause my ruin,

57 "Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those brought forth (to Hell)."

57 And had it not been for the favour of my Lord, I too had been of those haled forth (to doom).

58 (The dwellers of Paradise will say) "Are we then not to die (any more)?

58 Are we then not to die

59 Except our first death, and we shall not be punished? (after we have entered Paradise)."

59 Saving our former death, and are we not to be punished ?

60 Truly, this is the supreme success!

60 Lo! this is the supreme triumph.

61 For the like of this let the workers work.

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

62 Is that (Paradise) better entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum (a horrible tree in Hell)?

62 Is this better as a welcome, or the tree of Zaqqum ?

63 Truly We have made it (as) a trail for the Zalimun (polytheists, disbelievers, wrong-doers).

63 Lo! We have appointed it a torment for wrong - doers.

64 Verily, it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-fire,

64 Lo! it is a tree that springeth in the heart of hell.

65 The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of Shayatin (devils);

65 Its crop is as it were the heads of devils

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

66 And lo! they verily must eat thereof, and fill (their) bellies therewith.

67 Then on the top of that they will be given boiling water to drink so that it becomes a mixture (of boiling water and Zaqqum in their bellies).

67 And afterward, lo! thereupon they have a drink of boiling water

68 Then thereafter, verily, their return is to the flaming fire of Hell.

68 And afterward, lo! their return is surely unto hell.

69 Verily, they found their fathers on the wrong path;

69 They indeed found their fathers astray,

70 So they (too) hastened in their footsteps!

70 But they make haste (to follow) in their footsteps.

71 And indeed most of the men of old went astray before them;

71 And verily most of the men of old went astray before them,

72 And indeed We sent among them warners (Messengers);

72 And verily We sent among them warners.

73 Then see what was the end of those who were warned (but heeded not).

73 Then see the nature of the consequence for those warned,

74 Except the chosen slaves of Allah (faithful, obedient, and true believers of Islamic Monotheism).

74 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

75 And indeed Nuh (Noah) invoked Us, and We are the Best of those who answer (the request).

75 And Noah verily prayed unto Us, and gracious was the Hearer of his prayer

76 And We rescued him and his family from the great distress (i.e. drowning),

76 And We saved him and his household from the great distress,

77 And, his progeny, them We made the survivors (i.e. Shem, Ham and Japheth).

77 And made his seed the survivors,

78 And left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations:

78 And left for him among the later folk (the salutation):

79 "Salam (peace) be upon Nuh (Noah) (from Us) among the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!"

79 Peace be unto Noah among the peoples!

80 Verily, thus We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - See V.2:112).

80 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

81 Verily, he [Nuh (Noah)] was one of Our believing slaves.

81 Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves.

82 Then We drowned the others (disbelievers and polytheists).

82 Then We did drown the others.

83 And, verily, among those who followed his [Nuh's (Noah)] way (Islamic Monotheism) was Ibrahim (Abraham).

83 And lo! of his persuasion verily was Abraham

84 When he came to his Lord with a pure heart [attached to Allah Alone and none else, worshipping none but Allah Alone - true Islamic Monotheism, pure from the filth of polytheism].

84 When he came unto his Lord with a whole heart;

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

85 When he said unto his father and his folk: What is it that ye worship ?

86 "Is it a falsehood - alihah (gods) other than Allah - that you desire?

86 Is it a falsehood - gods beside Allah - that ye desire ?

87 "Then what think you about the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn, and all that exists)?"

87 What then is your opinion of the Lord of the Worlds ?

88 Then he cast a glance at the stars,

88 And he glanced a glance at the stars

89 And he said: "Verily, I am sick (with plague). [He did this trick to remain in their temple of idols to destroy them and not to accompany them to the pagan feast)]."

89 Then said: Lo! I feel sick!

90 So they turned away from him, and departed (for fear of the disease).

90 And they turned their backs and went away from him.

91 Then he turned to their alihah (gods) and said: "Will you not eat (of the offering before you)?

91 Then turned he to their gods and said: Will ye not eat ?

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

92 What aileth you that ye speak not ?

93 Then he turned upon them, striking (them) with (his) right hand.

93 Then he attacked them, striking with his right hand.

94 Then they (the worshippers of idols) came, towards him, hastening.

94 And (his people) came toward him, hastening.

95 He said: "Worship you that which you (yourselves) carve?

95 He said: Worship ye that which ye yourselves do carve

96 "While Allah has created you and what you make!"

96 When Allah hath created you and what ye make ?

97 They said: "Build for him a building (it is said that the building was like a furnace) and throw him into the blazing fire!"

97 They said: Build for him a building and fling him in the red - hotfire.

98 So they plotted a plot against him, but We made them the lowest.

98 And they designed a snare for him, but We made them the undermost.

99 And he said (after his rescue from the fire): "Verily, I am going to my Lord. He will guide me!"

99 And he said: Lo! I am going unto my Lord Who will guide me.

100 "My Lord! Grant me (offspring) from the righteous."

100 My Lord! Vouchsafe me of the righteous.

101 So We gave him the glad tidings of a forbearing boy.

101 So We gave him tidings of a gentle son.

102 And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: "O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offering you in sacrifice to Allah). So look what you think!" He said: "O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha' Allah (if Allah wills), you shall find me of As-Sabirun (the patient)."

102 And when (his son) was old enough to walk with him, (Abraham) said: O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice thee. So look, what thinkest thou ? He said: O my father! Do that which thou art commanded. Allah willing, thou shalt find me of the steadfast.

103 Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering);

103 Then, when they had both surrendered (to Allah), and he had flung him down upon his face,

104 We called out to him: "O Abraham!

104 We called unto him: O Abraham!

105 You have fulfilled the dream!" Verily thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - See 2:112).

105 Thou hast already fulfilled the vision. Lo! thus do We reward the good.

106 Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial.

106 Lo! that verily was a clear test.

107 And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice (i.e. كبش - a ram);

107 Then We ransomed him with a tremendous victim.

108 And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations.

108 And We left for him among the later folk (the salutation):

109 "Salam (peace) be upon Ibrahim (Abraham)!"

109 Peace be unto Abraham!

110 Thus indeed do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - See V.2:112).

110 Thus do We reward the good.

111 Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.

111 Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves.

112 And We gave him the glad tidings of Ishaq (Isaac) - a Prophet from the righteous.

112 And we gave him tidings of the birth of Isaac, a prophet of the righteous.

113 We blessed him and Ishaq (Isaac). And of their progeny are (some) that do right, and some that plainly wrong themselves.

113 And We blessed him and Isaac. And of their seed are some who do good, and some who plainly wrong themselves.

114 And, indeed We gave Our Grace to Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron).

114 And We verily gave grace unto Moses and Aaron,

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

115 And saved them and their people from the great distress,

116 And helped them, so that they became the victors;

116 And helped them so that they became the victors.

117 And We gave them the clear Scripture;

117 And We gave them the clear Scripture

118 And guided them to the Right Path.

118 And showed them the right path.

119 And We left for them (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations.

119 And We left for them among the later folk (the salutation):

120 "Salam (peace) be upon Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron)!"

120 Peace be unto Moses and Aaron!

121 Verily, thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers - See V.2:112).

121 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

122 Verily, they were two of Our believing slaves.

122 Lo! they are two of Our believing slaves.

123 And verily, Iliyas (Elias) was one of the Messengers.

123 And lo! Elias was of those sent (to warn),

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

124 When he said unto his folk: Will ye not ward off (evil) ?

125 "Will you call upon Ba'l (a well known idol of his nation whom they used to worship) and forsake the Best of creators,

125 Will ye cry unto Baal and forsake the Best of creators,

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

126 Allah, your Lord and Lord of your forefathers ?

127 But they denied him [Iliyas (Elias)], so they will certainly be brought forth (to the punishment),

127 But they denied him, so they surely will be haled forth (to the doom)

128 Except the chosen slaves of Allah.

128 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

129 And We left for him (a goodly remembrance) among the later generations.

129 And we left for him among the later folk (the salutation):

130 "Salam (peace) be upon Ilyasin (Elias)!"

130 Peace be unto Elias!

131 Verily, thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers, who perform good deeds totally for Allah's sake only - See V.2:112).

131 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

132 Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.

132 Lo! he is one of our believing slaves.

133 And verily, Lut (Lot) was one of the Messengers.

133 And lo! Lot verily was of those sent (to warn).

134 When We saved him and his family, all,

134 When We saved him and his household, every one,

135 Except an old woman (his wife) who was among those who remained behind.

135 Save an old woman among those who stayed behind;

136 Then We destroyed the rest (the town of Sodom at the place of the Dead Sea now in Palestine).

136 Then We destroyed the others.

137 Verily, you pass by them in the morning

137 And lo! ye verily pass by (the ruin of) them in the morning

138 And at night; will you not then reflect?

138 And at night - time; have ye then no sense ?

139 And, verily, Yunus (Jonah) was one of the Messengers.

139 And lo! Jonah verily was of those sent (to warn)

140 When he ran to the laden ship:

140 When he fled unto the laden ship,

141 Then he (agreed to) cast lots, and he was among the losers.

141 And then drew lots and was of those rejected;

142 Then a (big) fish swallowed him as he had done an act worthy of blame.

142 And the fish swallowed him while he was blameworthy;

143 Had he not been of them who glorify Allah,

143 And had he not been one of those who glorify (Allah)

144 He would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection.

144 He would have tarried in its belly till the day when they are raised;

145 But We cast him forth on the naked shore while he was sick,

145 Then We cast him on a desert shore while he was sick;

146 And We caused a plant of gourd to grow over him.

146 And We caused a tree of gourd to grow above him;

147 And We sent him to a hundred thousand (people) or even more.

147 And We sent him to a hundred thousand (folk) or more

148 And they believed; so We gave them enjoyment for a while.

148 And they believed, therefor We gave them comfort for a while.

149 Now ask them (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "Are there (only) daughters for your Lord and sons for them?"

149 Now ask them (O Muhammad): Hath thy Lord daughters whereas they have sons ?

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

150 Or created We the angels females while they were present ?

151 Verily, it is of their falsehood that they (Quraish pagans) say:

151 Lo! it is of their falsehood that they say:

152 "Allah has begotten [offspring - the angels being the daughters of Allah)?" And, verily, they are liars!

152 Allah hath begotten. Allah! verily they tell a lie.

153 Has He (then) chosen daughters rather than sons?

153 (And again of their falsehood): He hath preferred daughters to sons.

154 What is the matter with you? How do you decide?

154 What aileth you ? How judge ye ?

155 Will you not then remember?

155 Will ye not then reflect ?

156 Or is there for you a plain authority?

156 Or have ye a clear warrant ?

157 Then bring your Book if you are truthful!

157 Then produce your writ, if ye are truthful.

158 And they have invented a kinship between Him and the jinn, but the jinn know well that they have indeed to appear (before Him) (i.e. they will be called to account).

158 And they imagine kinship between him and the jinn, whereas the jinn know well that they will be brought before (Him).

159 Glorified be Allah! (He is free) from what they attribute unto Him!

159 Glorified be Allah from that which they attribute (unto Him),

160 Except the slaves of Allah, whom He chooses (for His Mercy i.e. true believers of Islamic Monotheism who do not attribute false things unto Allah).

160 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

161 So, verily you (pagans) and those whom you worship (idols)

161 Lo! verily, ye and that which ye worship,

162 Cannot lead astray [turn away from Him (Allah) anyone of the believers],

162 Ye cannot excite (anyone) against Him.

163 Except those who are predestined to burn in Hell!

163 Save him who is to burn in hell.

164 And there is not one of us (angels) but has his known place (or position);

164 There is not one of us but hath his known position.

165 And verily, we (angels), we stand in rows (for the prayers as you Muslims stand in rows for your prayers);

165 Lo! we, even we are they who set the ranks,

166 And verily, we (angels), indeed are those who glorify (Allah's Praises i.e. perform prayers).

166 Lo! we, even we are they who hymn His praise

167 And indeed they (Arab pagans) used to say:

167 And indeed they used to say:

168 "If we had a reminder as had the men of old (before the coming of Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم as a Messenger of Allah),

168 If we had but a reminder from the men of old

169 "We would have indeed been the chosen slaves of Allah (true believers of Islamic Monotheism)!"

169 We would be single - minded slaves of Allah.

170 But (now that the Qur'an has come) they disbelieve therein (i.e. in the Qur'an and in Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم , and all that he brought, - the Divine Revelation), so they will come to know!

170 Yet (now that it is come) they disbelieve therein; but they will come to know.

171 And, verily, Our Word has gone forth of old for Our slaves, the Messengers,

171 And verily Our word went forth of old unto Our bondmen sent (to warn)

172 That they verily would be made triumphant,

172 That they verily would be helped,

173 And that Our hosts! they verily would be the victors.

173 And that Our host, they verily would be the victors.

174 So turn away (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) from them for a while,

174 So withdraw from them (O Muhammad) awhile,

175 And watch them and they shall see (the punishment)!

175 And watch, for they will (soon) see.

176 Do they seek to hasten on Our Torment?

176 Would they hasten on Our doom ?

177 Then, when it descends in their courtyard (i.e. near to them), evil will be the morning for those who had been warned!

177 But when it cometh home to them, then it will be a hapless morn for those who have been warned.

178 So turn (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) away from them for a while,

178 Withdraw from them awhile

179 And watch and they shall see (the torment)!

179 And watch, for they will (soon) see.

180 Glorified be your Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they attribute unto Him!

180 Glorified be thy Lord, the Lord of Majesty, from that which they attribute (unto Him)

181 And peace be on the Messengers!

181 And peace be unto those sent (to warn).

182 And all the praises and thanks be to Allah, Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).

182 And praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!