Al Saffat

1 By those who range themselves in ranks,

1 By those [angels] lined up in rows

2 And so are strong in repelling (evil),

2 And those who drive [the clouds]

3 And thus proclaim the Message (of Allah)!

3 And those who recite the message,

4 Verily, verily, your Allah is one! -

4 Indeed, your God is 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 the earth and that between them and Lord of the sunrises.

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

6 Indeed, We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment of stars

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

7 And as protection against every rebellious devil

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

8 [So] they may not listen to the exalted assembly [of angels] and are pelted from every side,

9 Repulsed, for they are under a perpetual penalty,

9 Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment,

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

10 Except one who snatches [some words] by theft, but they are pursued by a burning flame, piercing [in brightness].

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 inquire of them, [O Muhammad], "Are they a stronger [or more difficult] creation or those [others] We have created?" Indeed, We created men from sticky clay.

12 Truly dost thou marvel, while they ridicule,

12 But you wonder, while they mock,

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

13 And when they are reminded, they remember not.

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

14 And when they see a sign, they ridicule

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

15 And say, "This is not but obvious magic.

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

16 When we have died and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?

17 "And also our fathers of old?"

17 And our forefathers [as well]?"

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

18 Say, "Yes, and you will be [rendered] contemptible."

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

19 It will be only one shout, and at once they will be observing.

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

20 They will say, "O woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense."

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

21 [They will be told], "This is the Day of Judgement which you used to deny."

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

22 [The angels will be ordered], "Gather those who committed wrong, their kinds, and what they used to worship

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

23 Other than Allah, and guide them to the path of Hellfire

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

24 And stop them; indeed, they are to be questioned."

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

25 [They will be asked], "What is [wrong] with you? Why do you not help each other?"

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

26 But they, that Day, are in surrender.

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

27 And they will approach one another blaming each other.

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

28 They will say, "Indeed, you used to come at us from the right."

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

29 The oppressors will say, "Rather, you [yourselves] were not believers,

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

30 And we had over you no authority, but you were a transgressing people.

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 So the word of our Lord has come into effect upon us; indeed, we will taste [punishment].

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

32 And we led you to deviation; indeed, we were deviators."

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

33 So indeed they, that Day, will be sharing in the punishment.

34 Verily that is how We shall deal with Sinners.

34 Indeed, that is how We deal with the criminals.

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

35 Indeed they, when it was said to them, "There is no deity but Allah," were arrogant

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

36 And were saying, "Are we to leave 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 Rather, the Prophet has come with the truth and confirmed the [previous] messengers.

38 Ye shall indeed taste of the Grievous Penalty; -

38 Indeed, you [disbelievers] will be tasters of the painful punishment,

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

39 And you will not be recompensed except for what you used to do -

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

40 But not the chosen servants of Allah.

41 For them is a Sustenance determined,

41 Those will have a provision determined -

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

42 Fruits; and they will be honored

43 In Gardens of Felicity,

43 In gardens of pleasure

44 Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):

44 On thrones facing one another.

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

45 There will be circulated among them a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring,

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

46 White and delicious to the drinkers;

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

47 No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated.

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

48 And with them will be women limiting [their] glances, with large, [beautiful] eyes,

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

49 As if they were [delicate] eggs, well - protected.

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

50 And they will approach one another, inquiring of each other.

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

51 A speaker among them will say, "Indeed, I had a companion [on earth]

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

52 Who would say, 'Are you indeed of those who believe

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

53 That when we have died and become dust and bones, we will indeed be recompensed?'"

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

54 He will say, "Would you [care to] look?"

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

55 And he will look and see him in the midst of the Hellfire.

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

56 He will say, "By Allah, you almost ruined me.

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

57 If not for the favor of my Lord, I would have been of those brought in [to Hell].

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

58 Then, are we not to die

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

59 Except for our first death, and we will not be punished?"

60 Verily this is the supreme achievement!

60 Indeed, this is the great attainment.

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

61 For the like of this let the workers [on earth] work.

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

62 Is Paradise a better accommodation or the tree of zaqqum?

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

63 Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers.

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

64 Indeed, it is a tree issuing from the bottom of the Hellfire,

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

65 Its emerging fruit as if it was heads of the devils.

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

66 And indeed, they will eat from it and fill with it their bellies.

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

67 Then indeed, they will have after it a mixture of scalding water.

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

68 Then indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire.

69 Truly they found their fathers on the wrong Path;

69 Indeed they found their fathers astray.

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

70 So they hastened [to follow] in their footsteps.

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

71 And there had already strayed before them most of the former peoples,

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

72 And We had already sent among them warners.

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

73 Then look how was the end of those who were warned -

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

74 But not the chosen servants of Allah.

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

75 And Noah had certainly called Us, and [We are] the best of responders.

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

76 And We saved him and his family from the great affliction.

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

77 And We made his descendants those remaining [on the earth]

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

78 And left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

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

79 "Peace upon Noah among the worlds."

80 Thus indeed do we reward those who do right.

80 Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

81 For he was one of our believing Servants.

81 Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

82 Then the rest we overwhelmed in the Flood.

82 Then We drowned the disbelievers.

83 Verily among those who followed his Way was Abraham.

83 And indeed, among his kind was Abraham,

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

84 When he came to his Lord with a sound heart

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

85 [And] when he said to his father and his people, "What do you worship?

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

86 Is it falsehood [as] gods other than Allah you desire?

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

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

88 Then did he cast a glance at the Stars.

88 And he cast a look at the stars

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

89 And said, "Indeed, I am [about to be] ill."

90 So they turned away from him, and departed.

90 So they turned away from him, departing.

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

91 Then he turned to their gods and said, "Do you not eat?

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

92 What is [wrong] with you that you do not speak?"

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

93 And he turned upon them a blow with [his] right hand.

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

94 Then the people came toward him, hastening.

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

95 He said, "Do you worship that which you [yourselves] carve,

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

96 While Allah created you and that which you do?"

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

97 They said, "Construct for him a furnace and throw him into the burning fire."

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

98 And they intended for him a plan, but We made them the most debased.

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

99 And [then] he said, "Indeed, I will go to [where I am ordered by] my Lord; He will guide me.

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

100 My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous."

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

101 So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy.

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 he reached with him [the age of] exertion, he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allah wills, 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 And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead,

104 We called out to him "O Abraham!

104 We called to him, "O Abraham,

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

105 You have fulfilled the vision." Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

106 For this was obviously a trial -

106 Indeed, this was the clear trial.

107 And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice:

107 And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice,

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

108 And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

109 "Peace and salutation to Abraham!"

109 "Peace upon Abraham."

110 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

110 Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

111 For he was one of our believing Servants.

111 Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

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

112 And We gave him good tidings of Isaac, a prophet from among 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. But among their descendants is the doer of good and the clearly unjust to himself.

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

114 And We did certainly confer favor upon Moses and Aaron.

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

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

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

116 And We supported them so it was they who overcame.

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

117 And We gave them the explicit Scripture,

118 And We guided them to the Straight Way.

118 And We guided them on the straight path.

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

119 And We left for them [favorable mention] among later generations:

120 "Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron!"

120 "Peace upon Moses and Aaron."

121 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

121 Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

122 For they were two of our believing Servants.

122 Indeed, they were of Our believing servants.

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

123 And indeed, Elias was from among the messengers,

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

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

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

125 Do you call upon Ba'l and leave 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 the Lord of your first forefathers?"

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

127 And they denied him, so indeed, they will be brought [for punishment],

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

128 Except the chosen servants of Allah.

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

129 And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

130 "Peace and salutation to such as Elias!"

130 "Peace upon Elias."

131 Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

131 Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

132 For he was one of our believing Servants.

132 Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

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

133 And indeed, Lot was among the messengers.

134 Behold, We delivered him and his adherents, all

134 [So mention] when We saved him and his family, all,

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

135 Except his wife among those who remained [with the evildoers].

136 Then We destroyed the rest.

136 Then We destroyed the others.

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

137 And indeed, you pass by them in the morning

138 And by night: will ye not understand?

138 And at night. Then will you not use reason?

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

139 And indeed, Jonah was among the messengers.

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

140 [Mention] when he ran away to the laden ship.

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

141 And he drew lots and was among the losers.

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

142 Then 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 of those who exalt Allah,

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

144 He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected.

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

145 But We threw him onto the open shore while he was ill.

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

146 And We caused to grow over him a gourd vine.

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

147 And We sent him to [his people of] a hundred thousand or more.

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

148 And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment [of life] for a time.

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

149 So inquire of them, [O Muhammad], "Does your Lord have daughters while they have sons?

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

150 Or did We create the angels as females while they were witnesses?"

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

151 Unquestionably, it is out of their [invented] falsehood that they say,

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

152 " Allah has begotten," and indeed, they are liars.

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

153 Has He chosen daughters over sons?

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

154 What is [wrong] with you? How do you make judgement?

155 Will ye not then receive admonition?

155 Then will you not be reminded?

156 Or have ye an authority manifest?

156 Or do you have a clear authority?

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

157 Then produce your scripture, if you should be 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 have claimed between Him and the jinn a lineage, but the jinn have already known that they [who made such claims] will be brought to [punishment].

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

159 Exalted is Allah above what they describe,

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

160 Except the chosen servants of Allah [who do not share in that sin].

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

161 So indeed, you [disbelievers] and whatever you worship,

162 Can lead (any) into temptation concerning Allah,

162 You cannot tempt [anyone] away from Him

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

163 Except he who is to [enter and] burn in the Hellfire.

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

164 [The angels say], "There is not among us any except that he has a known position.

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

165 And indeed, we are those who line up [for prayer].

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

166 And indeed, we are those who exalt Allah."

167 And there were those who said,

167 And indeed, the disbelievers used to say,

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

168 "If we had a message from [those of] the former peoples,

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

169 We would have been the chosen servants of Allah."

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

170 But they disbelieved in it, so they are going to know.

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

171 And Our word has already preceded for Our servants, the messengers,

172 That they would certainly be assisted,

172 [That] indeed, they would be those given victory

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

173 And [that] indeed, Our soldiers will be those who overcome.