Chapter 86, 17 verses
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);
By the Sky and the Night - Visitant (therein); -
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم والسماء والطارق
And what will make you to know what At-Tariq (night-comer) is?
And what will explain to thee what the Night - Visitant is? -
وما أدراك ما الطارق
(It is) the star of piercing brightness;
(It is) the Star of piercing brightness; -
النجم الثاقب
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)
There is no soul but has a protector over it.
إن كل نفس لما عليها حافظ
So let man see from what he is created!
Now let man but think from what he is created!
فلينظر الإنسان مم خلق
He is created from a water gushing forth,
He is created from a drop emitted -
خلق من ماء دافق
Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.
Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs:
يخرج من بين الصلب والترائب
Verily, (Allah) is Able to bring him back (to life)!
Surely (Allah) is able to bring him back (to life)!
إنه على رجعه لقادر
The Day when all the secrets (deeds, prayers, fasting, etc.) will be examined (as to their truth).
The Day that (all) things secret will be tested,
يوم تبلى السرائر
Then he will have no power, nor any helper.
(Man) will have no power, and no helper.
فما له من قوة ولا ناصر
By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.
By the Firmament which returns (in its round),
والسماء ذات الرجع
And the earth which splits (with the growth of trees and plants).
And by the Earth which opens out (for the gushing of springs or the sprouting of vegetation), -
والأرض ذات الصدع
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).
Behold this is the Word that distinguishes (Good from Evil):
إنه لقول فصل
And it is not a thing for amusement.
It is not a thing for amusement.
وما هو بالهزل
Verily, they are but plotting a plot (against you O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).
As for them, they are but plotting a scheme,
إنهم يكيدون كيدا
And I (too) am planning a plan.
And I am planning a scheme.
وأكيد كيدا
So give a respite to the disbelievers; deal gently with them for a while.
Therefore grant a delay to the Unbelievers: Give respite to them gently (for awhile).
فمهل الكافرين أمهلهم رويدا