Al Saffat

1 By those who range themselves in ranks,

1 In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. By those who set the ranks in battle order

2 And so are strong in repelling (evil),

2 And those who drive away (the wicked) with reproof

3 And thus proclaim the Message (of Allah)!

3 And those who read (the Word) for a reminder,

4 Verily, verily, your Allah is one! -

4 Lo! thy Lord is surely One;

5 Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all between them, and Lord of every point at the rising of the sun!

5 Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all that is between them, and Lord of the sun's risings.

6 We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars, -

6 Lo! We have adorned the lowest heaven with an ornament, the planets;

7 (For beauty) and for guard against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits,

7 With security from every froward devil.

8 (So) they should not strain their ears in the direction of the Exalted Assembly but be cast away from every side,

8 They cannot listen to the Highest Chiefs for they are pelted from every side,

9 Repulsed, for they are under a perpetual penalty,

9 Outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment;

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

10 Save him who snatcheth a fragment, and there pursueth him a piercing flame.

11 Just ask their opinion: are they the more difficult to create, or the (other) beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay!

11 Then ask them (O Muhammad): Are they stronger as a creation, or those (others) whom we have created ? Lo! We created them of plastic clay.

12 Truly dost thou marvel, while they ridicule,

12 Nay, but thou dost marvel when they mock

13 And, when they are admonished, pay no heed, -

13 And heed not when they are reminded,

14 And, when they see a Sign, turn it to mockery,

14 And seek to scoff when they behold a portent.

15 And say, "This is nothing but evident sorcery!

15 And they say: Lo! this is mere magic;

16 "What! when we die, and become dust and bones, shall we (then) be raised up (again)

16 When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised (again) ?

17 "And also our fathers of old?"

17 And our forefathers ?

18 Say thou: "Yea, and ye shall then be humiliated (on account of your evil)."

18 Say (O Muhammad): Ye, in truth; and ye will be brought low.

19 Then it will be a single (compelling) cry; and behold, they will begin to see!

19 There is but one Shout, and lo! they behold,

20 They will say, "Ah! Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment!"

20 And say: Ah, woe for us! This is the Day of Judgment.

21 (A voice will say,) "This is the Day of Sorting Out, whose truth ye (once) denied!"

21 This is the Day of Separation, which ye used to deny.

22 "Bring ye up", it shall be said, "The wrong - doers and their wives, and the things they worshipped -

22 (And it is said unto the angels): Assemble those who did wrong, together with their wives and what they used to worship

23 "Besides Allah, and lead them to the Way to the (Fierce) Fire!

23 Instead of Allah, and lead them to the path to hell;

24 "But stop them, for they must be asked:

24 And stop them, for they must be questioned.

25 "'What is the matter with you that ye help not each other?'"

25 What aileth you that ye help not one another ?

26 Nay, but that day they shall submit (to Judgment);

26 Nay, but this day they make full submission.

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

27 And some of them draw near unto others, mutually questioning.

28 They will say: "It was ye who used to come to us from the right hand (of power and authority)!"

28 They say: Lo! ye used to come unto us, imposing, (swearing that ye spoke the truth).

29 They will reply: "Nay, ye yourselves had no Faith!

29 They answer: Nay, but ye (yourselves) were not believers.

30 "Nor had we any authority over you. Nay, it was ye who were a people in obstinate rebellion!

30 We had no power over you, but ye were wayward folk.

31 "So now has been proved true, against us, the word of our Lord that we shall indeed (have to) taste (the punishment of our sins).

31 Now the Word of our Lord hath been fulfilled concerning us. Lo! we are about to taste (the doom).

32 "We led you astray: for truly we were ourselves astray."

32 Thus we misled you. Lo! we were (ourselves) astray.

33 Truly, that Day, they will (all) share in the Penalty.

33 Then lo! this day they (both) are sharers in the doom.

34 Verily that is how We shall deal with Sinners.

34 Lo! thus deal We with the guilty.

35 For they, when they were told that there is no god except Allah, would puff themselves up with Pride,

35 For when it was said unto them, There is no God save Allah, they were scornful

36 And say: "What! shall we give up our gods for the sake of a Poet possessed?"

36 And said: Shall we forsake our gods for a mad poet ?

37 Nay! he has come with the (very) Truth, and he confirms (the Message of) the messengers (before him).

37 Nay, but he brought the Truth, and he confirmed those sent (before him).

38 Ye shall indeed taste of the Grievous Penalty; -

38 Lo! (now) verily ye taste the painful doom -

39 But it will be no more than the retribution of (the Evil) that ye have wrought; -

39 Ye are requited naught save what ye did -

40 But the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah, -

40 Save single - minded slaves of Allah;

41 For them is a Sustenance determined,

41 For them there is a known provision,

42 Fruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity,

42 Fruits. And they will be honoured

43 In Gardens of Felicity,

43 In the Gardens of delight,

44 Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):

44 On couches facing one another;

45 Round will be passed to them a Cup from a clear - flowing fountain,

45 A cup from a gushing spring is brought round for them,

46 Crystal - white, of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof),

46 White, delicious to the drinkers,

47 Free from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.

47 Wherein there is no headache nor are they made mad thereby.

48 And besides them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes (of wonder and beauty).

48 And with them are those of modest gaze, with lovely eyes,

49 As if they were (delicate) eggs closely guarded.

49 (Pure) as they were hidden eggs (of the ostrich).

50 Then they will turn to one another and question one another.

50 And some of them draw near unto others, mutually questioning.

51 One of them will start the talk and say: "I had an intimate companion (on the earth),

51 A speaker of them saith: Lo! I had a comrade

52 "Who used to say, 'what! art thou amongst those who bear witness to the Truth (of the Message)?

52 Who used to say: Art thou in truth of those who put faith (in his words) ?

53 "'When we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed receive rewards and punishments?'"

53 Can we, when we are dead and have become mere dust and bones - can we (then) verily be brought to book ?

54 (A voice) said: "Would ye like to look down?"

54 He saith: Will ye look ?

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

55 Then looketh he and seeth him in the depth of hell.

56 He said: "By Allah! thou wast little short of bringing me to perdition!

56 He saith: By Allah, thou verily didst all but cause my ruin,

57 "Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I should certainly have been among those brought (there)!

57 And had it not been for the favour of my Lord, I too had been of those haled forth (to doom).

58 "Is it (the case) that we shall not die,

58 Are we then not to die

59 "Except our first death, and that we shall not be punished?"

59 Saving our former death, and are we not to be punished ?

60 Verily this is the supreme achievement!

60 Lo! this is the supreme triumph.

61 For the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive.

61 For the like of this, then, let the workers work.

62 Is that the better entertainment or the Tree of Zaqqum?

62 Is this better as a welcome, or the tree of Zaqqum ?

63 For We have truly made it (as) a trial for the wrong - doers.

63 Lo! We have appointed it a torment for wrong - doers.

64 For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell - Fire:

64 Lo! it is a tree that springeth in the heart of hell.

65 The shoots of its fruit - stalks are like the heads of devils:

65 Its crop is as it were the heads of devils

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

66 And lo! they verily must eat thereof, and fill (their) bellies therewith.

67 Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water.

67 And afterward, lo! thereupon they have a drink of boiling water

68 Then shall their return be to the (Blazing) Fire.

68 And afterward, lo! their return is surely unto hell.

69 Truly they found their fathers on the wrong Path;

69 They indeed found their fathers astray,

70 So they (too) were rushed down on their footsteps!

70 But they make haste (to follow) in their footsteps.

71 And truly before them, many of the ancients went astray; -

71 And verily most of the men of old went astray before them,

72 But We sent aforetime, among them, (messengers) to admonish them; -

72 And verily We sent among them warners.

73 Then see what was the end of those who were admonished (but heeded not), -

73 Then see the nature of the consequence for those warned,

74 Except the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah.

74 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

75 (In the days of old), Noah cried to Us, and We are the best to hear prayer.

75 And Noah verily prayed unto Us, and gracious was the Hearer of his prayer

76 And We delivered him and his people from the Great Calamity,

76 And We saved him and his household from the great distress,

77 And made his progeny to endure (on this earth);

77 And made his seed the survivors,

78 And We left (this blessing) for him among generations to come in later times:

78 And left for him among the later folk (the salutation):

79 "Peace and salutation to Noah among the nations!"

79 Peace be unto Noah among the peoples!

80 Thus indeed do we reward those who do right.

80 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

81 For he was one of our believing Servants.

81 Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves.

82 Then the rest we overwhelmed in the Flood.

82 Then We did drown the others.

83 Verily among those who followed his Way was Abraham.

83 And lo! of his persuasion verily was Abraham

84 Behold! he approached his Lord with a sound heart.

84 When he came unto his Lord with a whole heart;

85 Behold! he said to his father and to his people, "What is that which ye worship?

85 When he said unto his father and his folk: What is it that ye worship ?

86 "Is it a falsehood - gods other than Allah - that ye desire?

86 Is it a falsehood - gods beside Allah - that ye desire ?

87 "Then what is your idea about the Lord of the worlds?"

87 What then is your opinion of the Lord of the Worlds ?

88 Then did he cast a glance at the Stars.

88 And he glanced a glance at the stars

89 And he said, "I am indeed sick (at heart)!"

89 Then said: Lo! I feel sick!

90 So they turned away from him, and departed.

90 And they turned their backs and went away from him.

91 Then did he turn to their gods and said, "will ye not eat (of the offerings before you)?...

91 Then turned he to their gods and said: Will ye not eat ?

92 "What is the matter with you that ye speak not (intelligently)?"

92 What aileth you that ye speak not ?

93 Then did he turn upon them, striking (them) with the right hand.

93 Then he attacked them, striking with his right hand.

94 Then came (the worshippers) with hurried steps, and faced (him).

94 And (his people) came toward him, hastening.

95 He said: "Worship ye that which ye have (yourselves) carved?

95 He said: Worship ye that which ye yourselves do carve

96 "But Allah has created you and your handwork!"

96 When Allah hath created you and what ye make ?

97 They said, "Build him a furnace, and throw him into the blazing fire!"

97 They said: Build for him a building and fling him in the red - hotfire.

98 (This failing), they then sought a stratagem against him, but We made them the ones most humiliated!

98 And they designed a snare for him, but We made them the undermost.

99 He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me!

99 And he said: Lo! I am going unto my Lord Who will guide me.

100 "O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!"

100 My Lord! Vouchsafe me of the righteous.

101 So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear.

101 So We gave him tidings of a gentle son.

102 Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!"

102 And when (his son) was old enough to walk with him, (Abraham) said: O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice thee. So look, what thinkest thou ? He said: O my father! Do that which thou art commanded. Allah willing, thou shalt find me of the steadfast.

103 So when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice),

103 Then, when they had both surrendered (to Allah), and he had flung him down upon his face,

104 We called out to him "O Abraham!

104 We called unto him: O Abraham!

105 "Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!" - thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

105 Thou hast already fulfilled the vision. Lo! thus do We reward the good.

106 For this was obviously a trial -

106 Lo! that verily was a clear test.

107 And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice:

107 Then We ransomed him with a tremendous victim.

108 And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:

108 And We left for him among the later folk (the salutation):

109 "Peace and salutation to Abraham!"

109 Peace be unto Abraham!

110 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

110 Thus do We reward the good.

111 For he was one of our believing Servants.

111 Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves.

112 And We gave him the good news of Isaac - a prophet, - one of the Righteous.

112 And we gave him tidings of the birth of Isaac, a prophet of the righteous.

113 We blessed him and Isaac: but of their progeny are (some) that do right, and (some) that obviously do wrong, to their own souls.

113 And We blessed him and Isaac. And of their seed are some who do good, and some who plainly wrong themselves.

114 Again (of old) We bestowed Our favour on Moses and Aaron,

114 And We verily gave grace unto Moses and Aaron,

115 And We delivered them and their people from (their) Great Calamity;

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

116 And We helped them, so they overcame (their troubles);

116 And helped them so that they became the victors.

117 And We gave them the Book which helps to make things clear;

117 And We gave them the clear Scripture

118 And We guided them to the Straight Way.

118 And showed them the right path.

119 And We left (this blessing) for them among generations (to come) in later times:

119 And We left for them among the later folk (the salutation):

120 "Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron!"

120 Peace be unto Moses and Aaron!

121 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

121 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

122 For they were two of our believing Servants.

122 Lo! they are two of Our believing slaves.

123 So also was Elias among those sent (by Us).

123 And lo! Elias was of those sent (to warn),

124 Behold, he said to his people, "Will ye not fear (Allah)?

124 When he said unto his folk: Will ye not ward off (evil) ?

125 "Will ye call upon Baal and forsake the Best of Creators, -

125 Will ye cry unto Baal and forsake the Best of creators,

126 "Allah, your Lord and Cherisher and the Lord and Cherisher of your fathers of old?"

126 Allah, your Lord and Lord of your forefathers ?

127 But they rejected him, and they will certainly be called up (for punishment), -

127 But they denied him, so they surely will be haled forth (to the doom)

128 Except the sincere and devoted Servants of Allah (among them).

128 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

129 And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:

129 And we left for him among the later folk (the salutation):

130 "Peace and salutation to such as Elias!"

130 Peace be unto Elias!

131 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

131 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

132 For he was one of our believing Servants.

132 Lo! he is one of our believing slaves.

133 So also was Lut among those sent (by Us).

133 And lo! Lot verily was of those sent (to warn).

134 Behold, We delivered him and his adherents, all

134 When We saved him and his household, every one,

135 Except an old woman who was among those who lagged behind:

135 Save an old woman among those who stayed behind;

136 Then We destroyed the rest.

136 Then We destroyed the others.

137 Verily, ye pass by their (sites), by day -

137 And lo! ye verily pass by (the ruin of) them in the morning

138 And by night: will ye not understand?

138 And at night - time; have ye then no sense ?

139 So also was Jonah among those sent (by Us).

139 And lo! Jonah verily was of those sent (to warn)

140 When he ran away (like a slave from captivity) to the ship (fully) laden,

140 When he fled unto the laden ship,

141 He (agreed to) cast lots, and he was condemned:

141 And then drew lots and was of those rejected;

142 Then the big Fish did swallow him, and he had done acts worthy of blame.

142 And the fish swallowed him while he was blameworthy;

143 Had it not been that he (repented and) glorified Allah,

143 And had he not been one of those who glorify (Allah)

144 He would certainly have remained inside the Fish till the Day of Resurrection.

144 He would have tarried in its belly till the day when they are raised;

145 But We cast him forth on the naked shore in a state of sickness,

145 Then We cast him on a desert shore while he was sick;

146 And We caused to grow, over him, a spreading plant of the gourd kind.

146 And We caused a tree of gourd to grow above him;

147 And We sent him (on a mission) to a hundred thousand (men) or more.

147 And We sent him to a hundred thousand (folk) or more

148 And they believed; so We permitted them to enjoy (their life) for a while.

148 And they believed, therefor We gave them comfort for a while.

149 Now ask them their opinion: Is it that thy Lord has (only) daughters, and they have sons? -

149 Now ask them (O Muhammad): Hath thy Lord daughters whereas they have sons ?

150 Or that We created the angels female, and they are witnesses (thereto)?

150 Or created We the angels females while they were present ?

151 Is it not that they say, from their own invention,

151 Lo! it is of their falsehood that they say:

152 "Allah has begotten children"? but they are liars!

152 Allah hath begotten. Allah! verily they tell a lie.

153 Did He (then) choose daughters rather than sons?

153 (And again of their falsehood): He hath preferred daughters to sons.

154 What is the matter with you? How judge ye?

154 What aileth you ? How judge ye ?

155 Will ye not then receive admonition?

155 Will ye not then reflect ?

156 Or have ye an authority manifest?

156 Or have ye a clear warrant ?

157 Then bring ye your Book (of authority) if ye be truthful!

157 Then produce your writ, if ye are truthful.

158 And they have invented a blood - relationship between Him and the Jinns: but the Jinns know (quite well) that they have indeed to appear (before his Judgment - Seat)!

158 And they imagine kinship between him and the jinn, whereas the jinn know well that they will be brought before (Him).

159 Glory to Allah! (He is free) from the things they ascribe (to Him)!

159 Glorified be Allah from that which they attribute (unto Him),

160 Not (so do) the Servants of Allah, sincere and devoted.

160 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

161 For, verily, neither ye nor those ye worship -

161 Lo! verily, ye and that which ye worship,

162 Can lead (any) into temptation concerning Allah,

162 Ye cannot excite (anyone) against Him.

163 Except such as are (themselves) going to the blazing Fire!

163 Save him who is to burn in hell.

164 (Those ranged in ranks say): "Not one of us but has a place appointed;

164 There is not one of us but hath his known position.

165 "And we are verily ranged in ranks (for service);

165 Lo! we, even we are they who set the ranks,

166 "And we are verily those who declare (Allah's) glory!"

166 Lo! we, even we are they who hymn His praise

167 And there were those who said,

167 And indeed they used to say:

168 "If only we had had before us a Message from those of old,

168 If we had but a reminder from the men of old

169 "We should certainly have been Servants of Allah, sincere (and devoted)!"

169 We would be single - minded slaves of Allah.

170 But (now that the Qur'an has come), they reject it: But soon will they know!

170 Yet (now that it is come) they disbelieve therein; but they will come to know.

171 Already has Our Word been passed before (this) to our Servants sent (by Us),

171 And verily Our word went forth of old unto Our bondmen sent (to warn)

172 That they would certainly be assisted,

172 That they verily would be helped,

173 And that Our forces, - they surely must conquer.