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);
By the Sky and the Night - Visitant (therein); -
And what can make you know what is the night comer?
And what will make you to know what At-Tariq (night-comer) is?
And what will explain to thee what the Night - Visitant is? -
It is the piercing star -
(It is) the star of piercing brightness;
(It is) the Star of piercing brightness; -
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)
There is no soul but has a protector over it.
So let man observe from what he was created.
So let man see from what he is created!
Now let man but think 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 drop emitted -
Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.
Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.
Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs:
Indeed, Allah, to return him [to life], is Able.
Verily, (Allah) is Able to bring him back (to life)!
Surely (Allah) is able to bring him back (to 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).
The Day that (all) things secret will be tested,
Then man will have no power or any helper.
Then he will have no power, nor any helper.
(Man) will have no power, and no helper.
By the sky which returns [rain]
By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.
By the Firmament which returns (in its round),
And [by] the earth which cracks open,
And the earth which splits (with the growth of trees and plants).
And by the Earth which opens out (for the gushing of springs or the sprouting of vegetation), -
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).
Behold this is the Word that distinguishes (Good from Evil):
And it is not amusement.
And it is not a thing for amusement.
It is not a thing for amusement.
Indeed, they are planning a plan,
Verily, they are but plotting a plot (against you O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).
As for them, they are but plotting a scheme,
But I am planning a plan.
And I (too) am planning a plan.
And I am planning a scheme.
So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.
So give a respite to the disbelievers; deal gently with them for a while.
Therefore grant a delay to the Unbelievers: Give respite to them gently (for awhile).