Al Saffat

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

1 I swear by those who draw themselves out in ranks

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

2 Then those who drive away with reproof,

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

3 Then those who recite, being mindful,

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

4 Most surely your Allah is 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 The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and Lord of the easts.

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

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

7 And to guard against every rebellious devil.

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

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

8 They cannot listen to the exalted assembly and they are thrown at from every side,

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

9 Being driven off, and for them is a perpetual chastisement,

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

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

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

13 And when they are reminded, they mind not,

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

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

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

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

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

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

17 "And also our fathers of old?"

17 Or our fathers of yore?

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

18 Say: Aye! and you shall be abject.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Gather together those who were unjust and their associates, and what they used to worship

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

23 Besides Allah, then lead them to the way to hell.

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

24 And stop them, for they shall 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 is the matter with you that you do not help each other?

26 Nay, but that Day they shall surrender.

26 Nay! on that day they shall be submissive.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

34 Surely thus do We deal 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 Surely they used to behave proudly when it was said to them: There is no god but Allah;

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

36 And to say: What! shall we indeed give up our gods for the sake of 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: he has come with the truth and verified the apostles.

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

38 Most surely you will taste the painful punishment.

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

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

40 Save the servants of Allah, the purified ones.

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

41 For them is a known sustenance,

42 Fruits; and they shall be honoured,

42 Fruits, and they shall be highly honored,

43 In the Gardens of delight (Paradise),

43 In gardens of pleasure,

44 Facing one another on thrones.

44 On thrones, facing each other.

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

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

46 White, delicious to the drinkers.

46 White, delicious to those who drink.

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

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

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 shall be those who restrain the eyes, having beautiful eyes;

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

49 As if they were eggs carefully protected.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

54 He shall say: Will you look on?

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

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

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

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

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 favor of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those brought up.

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

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

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

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

60 Truly, this is the supreme success!

60 Most surely this is the mighty achievement.

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 an entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

68 Then most surely their return shall be to hell.

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

69 Surely they found their fathers going astray,

70 So they (too) hastened in their footsteps!

70 So in their footsteps they are being hastened on.

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

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

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

72 And certainly We sent among them warners.

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

73 Then see how was the end of those warned,

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

74 Except the servants of Allah, the purified ones.

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

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

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

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

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

77 And We made his offspring the survivors.

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

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

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

79 Peace and salutation to Nuh among the nations.

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

80 Thus do We surely reward the doers of good.

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

81 Surely he was of Our believing servants.

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

82 Then We drowned the others

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

83 And most surely Ibrahim followed his way.

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 to his Lord with a free heart,

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

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

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

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

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

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

88 Then he cast a glance at the stars,

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

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

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

90 So they went away from him, turning back.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

96 And Allah has created you and what you 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 furnace, then cast him into the burning fire.

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

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

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: Surely I fly to my lord; He will guide me.

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

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

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

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

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 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.

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

104 We called out to him: "O Abraham!

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

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

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

106 Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial.

106 Most surely this is a manifest trial.

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

107 And We ransomed him with a Feat sacrifice.

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

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

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

109 Peace be on Ibrahim.

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

110 Thus do We reward the doers of good.

111 Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.

111 Surely he was one of Our believing servants.

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

112 And We gave him the good news of Ishaq, a prophet among the good ones.

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 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.

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

114 And certainly We conferred a favor on Musa and Haroun.

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

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

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

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

117 And We gave them the clear Scripture;

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

118 And guided them to the Right Path.

118 And We guided them both on the right way.

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

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

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

120 Peace be on Musa and Haroun.

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

121 Even thus do We reward the doers of good.

122 Verily, they were two of Our believing slaves.

122 Surely they were both of Our believing servants.

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

123 And Ilyas was most surely of the apostles.

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

124 When he said to his people: Do you not guard (against 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 What! do you call upon Ba'l and forsake the best of the creators,

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

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

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

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

128 Except the chosen slaves of Allah.

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

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

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

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

130 Peace be on Ilyas.

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 Even thus do We reward the doers of good.

132 Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.

132 Surely he was one of Our believing servants.

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

133 And Lut was most surely of the apostles.

134 When We saved him and his family, all,

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

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

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

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 most surely you pass by them in the morning,

138 And at night; will you not then reflect?

138 And at night; do you not then understand?

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

139 And Yunus was most surely of the apostles.

140 When he ran to the laden ship:

140 When he ran away to a ship completely laden,

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

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

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

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

143 Had he not been of them who glorify Allah,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

153 Has He chosen daughters in preference to sons?

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

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

155 Will you not then remember?

155 Will you not then mind?

156 Or is there for you a plain authority?

156 Or have you a clear authority?

157 Then bring your Book if you are truthful!

157 Then bring your book, if you 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 assert a relationship between Him and the jinn; and certainly the jinn do know that they shall surely be brought up;

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

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

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

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

161 So surely you and what you worship,

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

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

163 Except those who are predestined to burn in Hell!

163 Save him who will go to hell.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

167 And surely 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 Had we a reminder from those of yore,

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

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

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

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

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

172 That they verily would be made triumphant,

172 Most surely they shall be the assisted ones

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