Al Tariq

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. By the heaven, and At-Tariq (the night-comer, i.e. the bright star);

1 By the sky and the night comer -

2 And what will make you to know what At-Tariq (night-comer) is?

2 And what can make you know what is the night comer?

3 (It is) the star of piercing brightness;

3 It is the piercing star -

4 There is no human being but has a protector over him (or her) (i.e. angels in charge of each human being guarding him, writing his good and bad deeds)

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

5 So let man see from what he is created!

5 So let man observe from what he was created.

6 He is created from a water gushing forth,

6 He was created from a fluid, ejected,

7 Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.

7 Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.

8 Verily, (Allah) is Able to bring him back (to life)!

8 Indeed, Allah, to return him [to life], is Able.

9 The Day when all the secrets (deeds, prayers, fasting, etc.) will be examined (as to their truth).

9 The Day when secrets will be put on trial,

10 Then he will have no power, nor any helper.

10 Then man will have no power or any helper.

11 By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.

11 By the sky which returns [rain]

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

12 And [by] the earth which cracks open,

13 Verily, this (the Qur'an) is the Word that separates (the truth from falsehood, and commands strict laws for mankind to cut the roots of evil).

13 Indeed, the Qur'an is a decisive statement,

14 And it is not a thing for amusement.

14 And it is not amusement.

15 Verily, they are but plotting a plot (against you O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).

15 Indeed, they are planning a plan,

16 And I (too) am planning a plan.

16 But I am planning a plan.

17 So give a respite to the disbelievers; deal gently with them for a while.

17 So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.