Al Saffat

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

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

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

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

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.

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

7 And to guard against every rebellious devil.

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

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

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

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.

12 Nay, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) wondered (at their insolence) while they mock (at you and at the Qur'an).

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

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

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

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

17 "And also our fathers of old?"

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

25 "What is the matter with you? Why do you not help one another (as you used to do in the world)?"

26 Nay, but that Day they shall surrender.

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

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]."

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

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

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

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

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

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

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).

36 And (they) said: "Are we going to abandon our alihah (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).

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

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)

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

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

42 Fruits; and they shall be honoured,

43 In the Gardens of delight (Paradise),

44 Facing one another on thrones.

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

46 White, delicious to the drinkers.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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)?"

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

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

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

57 "Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those brought forth (to Hell)."

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

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

60 Truly, this is the supreme success!

61 For the like of this let the workers work.

62 Is that (Paradise) better entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum (a horrible tree in Hell)?

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

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

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

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

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).

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

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

70 So they (too) hastened in their footsteps!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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].

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

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

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

88 Then he cast a glance at the stars,

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)]."

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

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

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

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

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

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

96 "While 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!"

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

99 And he said (after his rescue from the fire): "Verily, I am going to my Lord. He will guide me!"

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

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

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)."

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);

104 We called out to him: "O Abraham!

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

106 Verily, that indeed was a manifest trial.

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

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

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

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

111 Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.

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

113 We blessed him and Ishaq (Isaac). And of their progeny are (some) that do right, and some that plainly wrong themselves.

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

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

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

117 And We gave them the clear Scripture;

118 And guided them to the Right Path.

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

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

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

122 Verily, they were two of Our believing slaves.

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

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

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,

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

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

128 Except the chosen slaves of Allah.

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

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

131 Verily, thus do We reward the Muhsinun (good-doers, who perform good deeds totally for Allah's sake only - See V.2:112).

132 Verily, he was one of Our believing slaves.

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

134 When We saved him and his family, all,

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

136 Then We destroyed the rest (the town of Sodom at the place of the Dead Sea now in Palestine).

137 Verily, you pass by them in the morning

138 And at night; will you not then reflect?

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

140 When he ran to the laden ship:

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

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

143 Had he not been of them who glorify Allah,

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

145 But We cast him forth on the naked shore while he was sick,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

155 Will you not then remember?

156 Or is there for you a plain authority?

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).

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

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).

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

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

163 Except those who are predestined to burn in Hell!

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

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

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

167 And indeed they (Arab pagans) 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),

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

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!

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

172 That they verily would be made triumphant,

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

174 So turn away (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) from them for a while,

175 And watch them and they shall see (the punishment)!

176 Do they seek to hasten on Our Torment?

177 Then, when it descends in their courtyard (i.e. near to them), evil will be the morning for those who had been warned!

178 So turn (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) away from them for a while,

179 And watch and they shall see (the torment)!

180 Glorified be your Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they attribute unto Him!

181 And peace be on the Messengers!

182 And all the praises and thanks be to Allah, Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinn and all that exists).