Chapter 86, 17 verses
By the sky and the night comer -
By the Sky and the Night - Visitant (therein); -
I swear by the heaven and the comer by night;
And what can make you know what is the night comer?
And what will explain to thee what the Night - Visitant is? -
And what will make you know what the comer by night is?
It is the piercing star -
(It is) the Star of piercing brightness; -
The star of piercing brightness;
There is no soul but that it has over it a protector.
There is no soul but has a protector over it.
There is not a soul but over it is a keeper.
So let man observe from what he was created.
Now let man but think from what he is created!
So let man consider of what he is created:
He was created from a fluid, ejected,
He is created from a drop emitted -
He is created of water pouring forth,
Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.
Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs:
Coming from between the back and the ribs.
Indeed, Allah, to return him [to life], is Able.
Surely (Allah) is able to bring him back (to life)!
Most surely He is able to return him (to life).
The Day when secrets will be put on trial,
The Day that (all) things secret will be tested,
On the day when hidden things shall be made manifest,
Then man will have no power or any helper.
(Man) will have no power, and no helper.
He shall have neither strength nor helper.
By the sky which returns [rain]
By the Firmament which returns (in its round),
I swear by the raingiving heavens,
And [by] the earth which cracks open,
And by the Earth which opens out (for the gushing of springs or the sprouting of vegetation), -
And the earth splitting (with plants);
Indeed, the Qur'an is a decisive statement,
Behold this is the Word that distinguishes (Good from Evil):
Most surely it is a decisive word,
And it is not amusement.
It is not a thing for amusement.
And it is no joke.
Indeed, they are planning a plan,
As for them, they are but plotting a scheme,
Surely they will make a scheme,
But I am planning a plan.
And I am planning a scheme.
And I (too) will make a scheme.
So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.
Therefore grant a delay to the Unbelievers: Give respite to them gently (for awhile).
So grant the unbelievers a respite: let them alone for a while.