Chapter 86, 17 verses
By the sky and the night comer -
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. By the heaven, and At-Tariq (the night-comer, i.e. the bright star);
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. By the heaven and the Morning Star
And what can make you know what is the night comer?
And what will make you to know what At-Tariq (night-comer) is?
- Ah, what will tell thee what the Morning Star is!
It is the piercing star -
(It is) the star of piercing brightness;
- The piercing Star!
There is no soul but that it has over it a protector.
There is no human being but has a protector over him (or her) (i.e. angels in charge of each human being guarding him, writing his good and bad deeds)
No human soul but hath a guardian over it.
So let man observe from what he was created.
So let man see from what he is created!
So let man consider from what he is created.
He was created from a fluid, ejected,
He is created from a water gushing forth,
He is created from a gushing fluid
Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.
Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.
That issued from between the loins and ribs.
Indeed, Allah, to return him [to life], is Able.
Verily, (Allah) is Able to bring him back (to life)!
Lo! He verily is Able to return him (unto life)
The Day when secrets will be put on trial,
The Day when all the secrets (deeds, prayers, fasting, etc.) will be examined (as to their truth).
On the day when hidden thoughts shall be searched out.
Then man will have no power or any helper.
Then he will have no power, nor any helper.
Then will he have no might nor any helper.
By the sky which returns [rain]
By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.
By the heaven which giveth the returning rain,
And [by] the earth which cracks open,
And the earth which splits (with the growth of trees and plants).
And the earth which splitteth (with the growth of trees and plants)
Indeed, the Qur'an is a decisive statement,
Verily, this (the Qur'an) is the Word that separates (the truth from falsehood, and commands strict laws for mankind to cut the roots of evil).
Lo! this (Qur'an) is a conclusive word,
And it is not amusement.
And it is not a thing for amusement.
It is no pleasantry.
Indeed, they are planning a plan,
Verily, they are but plotting a plot (against you O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).
Lo! they plot a plot (against thee, O Muhammad)
But I am planning a plan.
And I (too) am planning a plan.
And I plot a plot (against them).
So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.
So give a respite to the disbelievers; deal gently with them for a while.
So give a respite to the disbelievers. Deal thou gently with them for a while.