Al Tariq

1 By the sky and the night comer -

1 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);

2 And what can make you know what is the night comer?

2 And what will make you to know what At-Tariq (night-comer) is?

3 It is the piercing star -

3 (It is) the star of piercing brightness;

4 There is no soul but that it has over it a protector.

4 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)

5 So let man observe from what he was created.

5 So let man see from what he is created!

6 He was created from a fluid, ejected,

6 He is created from a water gushing forth,

7 Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.

7 Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.

8 Indeed, Allah, to return him [to life], is Able.

8 Verily, (Allah) is Able to bring him back (to life)!

9 The Day when secrets will be put on trial,

9 The Day when all the secrets (deeds, prayers, fasting, etc.) will be examined (as to their truth).

10 Then man will have no power or any helper.

10 Then he will have no power, nor any helper.

11 By the sky which returns [rain]

11 By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.

12 And [by] the earth which cracks open,

12 And the earth which splits (with the growth of trees and plants).

13 Indeed, the Qur'an is a decisive statement,

13 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).

14 And it is not amusement.

14 And it is not a thing for amusement.

15 Indeed, they are planning a plan,

15 Verily, they are but plotting a plot (against you O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).

16 But I am planning a plan.

16 And I (too) am planning a plan.

17 So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.

17 So give a respite to the disbelievers; deal gently with them for a while.