Al Buruj

1 By the sky, (displaying) the Zodiacal Signs;

1 In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. By the heaven holding the big stars.

2 By the promised Day (of Judgment);

2 And by the Promised Day (i.e. the Day of Resurrection).

3 By one that witnesses, and the subject of the witness; -

3 And by the Witnessing day (i.e. Friday), and by the Witnessed day [i.e. the day of 'Arafat (Hajj) the ninth of Dhul-Hijjah];

4 Woe to the makers of the pit (of fire),

4 Cursed were the people of the Ditch (in the story of the Boy and the King).

5 Fire supplied (abundantly) with fuel:

5 Of fire fed with fuel,

6 Behold! they sat over against the (fire),

6 When they sat by it (fire),

7 And they witnessed (all) that they were doing against the Believers.

7 And they witnessed what they were doing against the believers (i.e. burning them).

8 And they ill - treated them for no other reason than that they believed in Allah, Exalted in Power, Worthy of all Praise! -

8 And they had no fault except that they believed in Allah, the All-Mighty, Worthy of all Praise!

9 Him to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth! And Allah is Witness to all things.

9 To Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth! And Allah is Witness over everything.

10 Those who persecute (or draw into temptation) the Believers, men and women, and do not turn in repentance, will have the Penalty of Hell: They will have the Penalty of the Burning Fire.

10 Verily, those who put into trial the believing men and believing women (by torturing them and burning them), and then do not turn in repentance (to Allah), then they will have the torment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the burning Fire.

11 For those who believe and do righteous deeds, will be Gardens; beneath which rivers flow: That is the great Salvation, (the fulfilment of all desires),

11 Verily, those who believe and do righteous good deeds, for them will be Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise). That is the great success.

12 Truly strong is the Grip (and Power) of thy Lord.

12 Verily, (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) the Seizure (punishment) of your Lord is severe and painful. [See V.11:102].

13 It is He Who creates from the very beginning, and He can restore (life).

13 Verily, He it is Who begins (punishment) and repeats (punishment in the Hereafter) (or originates the creation of everything, and then repeats it on the Day of Resurrection).

14 And He is the Oft - Forgiving, Full of Loving - Kindness,

14 And He is Oft-Forgiving, full of love (towards the pious who are real true believers of Islamic Monotheism),

15 Lord of the Throne of Glory,

15 Owner of the throne, the Glorious,

16 Doer (without let) of all that He intends.

16 (He is the) Doer of whatsoever He intends (or wills).

17 Has the story reached thee, of the forces -

17 Has the story reached you of the hosts,

18 Of Pharaoh and the Thamud?

18 Of Fir'aun (Pharaoh) and Thamud?

19 And yet the Unbelievers (persist) in rejecting (the Truth)!

19 Nay! The disbelievers (persisted) in denying (Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم and his Message of Islamic Monotheism).

20 But Allah doth encompass them from behind!

20 And Allah encompasses them from behind! (i.e. all their deeds are within His Knowledge, and He will requite them for their deeds).

21 Nay, this is a Glorious Qur'an,

21 Nay! This is a Glorious Qur'an,

22 (Inscribed) in a Tablet Preserved!

22 (Inscribed) in Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz (The Preserved Tablet)!