Al Saffat

1 By those [angels] lined up in rows

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

2 And those who drive [the clouds]

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

3 And those who recite the message,

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

4 Indeed, your God is One,

4 Lo! thy Lord is surely One;

5 Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them and Lord of the sunrises.

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

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

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

7 And as protection against every rebellious devil

7 With security from every froward devil.

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

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

9 Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment,

9 Outcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment;

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

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

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.

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 But you wonder, while they mock,

12 Nay, but thou dost marvel when they mock

13 And when they are reminded, they remember not.

13 And heed not when they are reminded,

14 And when they see a sign, they ridicule

14 And seek to scoff when they behold a portent.

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

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

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

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

17 And our forefathers [as well]?"

17 And our forefathers ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

24 And stop them, for they must be questioned.

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

25 What aileth you that ye help not one another ?

26 But they, that Day, are in surrender.

26 Nay, but this day they make full submission.

27 And they will approach one another blaming each other.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

34 Lo! thus deal We with the guilty.

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

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

36 And were saying, "Are we to leave our gods for a mad poet?"

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

37 Rather, the Prophet has come with the truth and confirmed the [previous] messengers.

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

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

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

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

39 Ye are requited naught save what ye did -

40 But not the chosen servants of Allah.

40 Save single - minded slaves of Allah;

41 Those will have a provision determined -

41 For them there is a known provision,

42 Fruits; and they will be honored

42 Fruits. And they will be honoured

43 In gardens of pleasure

43 In the Gardens of delight,

44 On thrones facing one another.

44 On couches facing one another;

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

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

46 White and delicious to the drinkers;

46 White, delicious to the drinkers,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

54 He saith: Will ye look ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

58 Then, are we not to die

58 Are we then not to die

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

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

60 Indeed, this is the great attainment.

60 Lo! this is the supreme triumph.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

65 Its crop is as it were the heads of devils

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

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

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

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

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

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

69 Indeed they found their fathers astray.

69 They indeed found their fathers astray,

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

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

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

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

72 And We had already sent among them warners.

72 And verily We sent among them warners.

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

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

74 But not the chosen servants of Allah.

74 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

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

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

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

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

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

77 And made his seed the survivors,

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

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

79 "Peace upon Noah among the worlds."

79 Peace be unto Noah among the peoples!

80 Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

80 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

81 Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

81 Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves.

82 Then We drowned the disbelievers.

82 Then We did drown the others.

83 And indeed, among his kind was Abraham,

83 And lo! of his persuasion verily was Abraham

84 When he came to his Lord with a sound heart

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

88 And he cast a look at the stars

88 And he glanced a glance at the stars

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

89 Then said: Lo! I feel sick!

90 So they turned away from him, departing.

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

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

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

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

92 What aileth you that ye speak not ?

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

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

94 Then the people came toward him, hastening.

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

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

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

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

96 When Allah hath created you and what ye make ?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

100 My Lord! Vouchsafe me of the righteous.

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

101 So We gave him tidings of a gentle son.

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."

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 And when they had both submitted and he put him down upon his forehead,

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

104 We called to him, "O Abraham,

104 We called unto him: O Abraham!

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

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

106 Indeed, this was the clear trial.

106 Lo! that verily was a clear test.

107 And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice,

107 Then We ransomed him with a tremendous victim.

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

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

109 "Peace upon Abraham."

109 Peace be unto Abraham!

110 Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

110 Thus do We reward the good.

111 Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

111 Lo! he is one of Our believing slaves.

112 And We gave him good tidings of Isaac, a prophet from among the righteous.

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

113 And We blessed him and Isaac. But among their descendants is the doer of good and the clearly unjust to himself.

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

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

114 And We verily gave grace unto Moses and Aaron,

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

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

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

116 And helped them so that they became the victors.

117 And We gave them the explicit Scripture,

117 And We gave them the clear Scripture

118 And We guided them on the straight path.

118 And showed them the right path.

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

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

120 "Peace upon Moses and Aaron."

120 Peace be unto Moses and Aaron!

121 Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

121 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

122 Indeed, they were of Our believing servants.

122 Lo! they are two of Our believing slaves.

123 And indeed, Elias was from among the messengers,

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

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

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

125 Do you call upon Ba'l and leave the best of creators -

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

126 Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers?"

126 Allah, your Lord and Lord of your forefathers ?

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

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

128 Except the chosen servants of Allah.

128 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

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

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

130 "Peace upon Elias."

130 Peace be unto Elias!

131 Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

131 Lo! thus do We reward the good.

132 Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

132 Lo! he is one of our believing slaves.

133 And indeed, Lot was among the messengers.

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

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

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

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

135 Save an old woman among those who stayed behind;

136 Then We destroyed the others.

136 Then We destroyed the others.

137 And indeed, you pass by them in the morning

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

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

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

139 And indeed, Jonah was among the messengers.

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

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

140 When he fled unto the laden ship,

141 And he drew lots and was among the losers.

141 And then drew lots and was of those rejected;

142 Then the fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy.

142 And the fish swallowed him while he was blameworthy;

143 And had he not been of those who exalt Allah,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

153 Has He chosen daughters over sons?

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

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

154 What aileth you ? How judge ye ?

155 Then will you not be reminded?

155 Will ye not then reflect ?

156 Or do you have a clear authority?

156 Or have ye a clear warrant ?

157 Then produce your scripture, if you should be truthful.

157 Then produce your writ, if ye are truthful.

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].

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

159 Exalted is Allah above what they describe,

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

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

160 Save single - minded slaves of Allah.

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

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

162 You cannot tempt [anyone] away from Him

162 Ye cannot excite (anyone) against Him.

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

163 Save him who is to burn in hell.

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

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

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

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

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

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

167 And indeed, the disbelievers used to say,

167 And indeed they used to say:

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

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

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

169 We would be single - minded slaves of Allah.

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

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

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

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

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

172 That they verily would be helped,

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