Chapter 86, 17 verses
By the Sky and the Night - Visitant (therein); -
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم والسماء والطارق
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);
And what will explain to thee what the Night - Visitant is? -
وما أدراك ما الطارق
And what will make you to know what At-Tariq (night-comer) is?
(It is) the Star of piercing brightness; -
النجم الثاقب
(It is) the star of piercing brightness;
There is no soul but has a protector over it.
إن كل نفس لما عليها حافظ
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)
Now let man but think from what he is created!
فلينظر الإنسان مم خلق
So let man see from what he is created!
He is created from a drop emitted -
خلق من ماء دافق
He is created from a water gushing forth,
Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs:
يخرج من بين الصلب والترائب
Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.
Surely (Allah) is able to bring him back (to life)!
إنه على رجعه لقادر
Verily, (Allah) is Able to bring him back (to life)!
The Day that (all) things secret will be tested,
يوم تبلى السرائر
The Day when all the secrets (deeds, prayers, fasting, etc.) will be examined (as to their truth).
(Man) will have no power, and no helper.
فما له من قوة ولا ناصر
Then he will have no power, nor any helper.
By the Firmament which returns (in its round),
والسماء ذات الرجع
By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.
And by the Earth which opens out (for the gushing of springs or the sprouting of vegetation), -
والأرض ذات الصدع
And the earth which splits (with the growth of trees and plants).
Behold this is the Word that distinguishes (Good from Evil):
إنه لقول فصل
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).
It is not a thing for amusement.
وما هو بالهزل
And it is not a thing for amusement.
As for them, they are but plotting a scheme,
إنهم يكيدون كيدا
Verily, they are but plotting a plot (against you O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).
And I am planning a scheme.
وأكيد كيدا
And I (too) am planning a plan.
Therefore grant a delay to the Unbelievers: Give respite to them gently (for awhile).
فمهل الكافرين أمهلهم رويدا
So give a respite to the disbelievers; deal gently with them for a while.