Al A'la

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Praise the name of thy Lord the Most High,

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High,

2 Who createth, then disposeth;

2 Who has created (everything), and then proportioned it.

3 Who measureth, then guideth;

3 And Who has measured (preordainments for everything even to be blessed or wretched); and then guided (i.e. showed mankind the right as well as the wrong paths, and guided the animals to pasture).

4 Who bringeth forth the pasturage,

4 And Who brings out the pasturage,

5 Then turneth it to russet stubble.

5 And then makes it dark stubble.

6 We shall make thee read (O Muhammad) so that thou shalt not forget

6 We shall make you to recite (the Qur'an), so you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) shall not forget (it),

7 Save that which Allah willeth. Lo! He knoweth the disclosed and that which still is hidden;

7 Except what Allah may will. He knows what is apparent and what is hidden.

8 And We shall ease thy way unto the state of ease.

8 And We shall make easy for you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) the easy way (i.e. the doing of righteous deeds).

9 Therefor remind (men), for of use is the reminder.

9 Therefore remind (men) in case the reminder profits (them).

10 He will heed who feareth,

10 The reminder will be received by him who fears (Allah),

11 But the most hapless will flout it,

11 But it will be avoided by the wretched,

12 He who will be flung to the great Fire

12 Who will enter the great Fire (and will be made to taste its burning).

13 Wherein he will neither die nor live.

13 There he will neither die (to be in rest) nor live (a good living).

14 He is successful who groweth,

14 Indeed whosoever purifies himself (by avoiding polytheism and accepting Islamic Monotheism) shall achieve success,

15 And remembereth the name of his Lord, so prayeth,

15 And remembers (glorifies) the Name of his Lord (worships none but Allah), and prays (five compulsory prayers and Nawafil - additional prayers).

16 But ye prefer the life of the world

16 Nay, you prefer the life of this world,

17 Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting.

17 Although the Hereafter is better and more lasting.

18 Lo! This is in the former scrolls.

18 Verily, this is in the former Scriptures -

19 The Books of Abraham and Moses.

19 The Scriptures of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Musa (Moses) (عليهما السلام).