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); -
I swear by the heaven and the comer by night;
And what will make you to know what At-Tariq (night-comer) is?
And what will explain to thee what the Night - Visitant is? -
And what will make you know what the comer by night is?
(It is) the star of piercing brightness;
(It is) the Star of piercing brightness; -
The star of piercing brightness;
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.
There is not a soul but over it is a keeper.
So let man see from what he is created!
Now let man but think from what he is created!
So let man consider of what he is created:
He is created from a water gushing forth,
He is created from a drop emitted -
He is created of water pouring forth,
Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.
Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs:
Coming from between the back and the ribs.
Verily, (Allah) is Able to bring him back (to life)!
Surely (Allah) is able to bring him back (to life)!
Most surely He is able to return him (to life).
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,
On the day when hidden things shall be made manifest,
Then he will have no power, nor any helper.
(Man) will have no power, and no helper.
He shall have neither strength nor helper.
By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.
By the Firmament which returns (in its round),
I swear by the raingiving heavens,
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), -
And the earth splitting (with plants);
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):
Most surely it is a decisive word,
And it is not a thing for amusement.
It is not a thing for amusement.
And it is no joke.
Verily, they are but plotting a plot (against you O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).
As for them, they are but plotting a scheme,
Surely they will make a scheme,
And I (too) am planning a plan.
And I am planning a scheme.
And I (too) will make a scheme.
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).
So grant the unbelievers a respite: let them alone for a while.