Chapter 86, 17 verses
By the Sky and the Night - Visitant (therein); -
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 comer -
And what will explain to thee what the Night - Visitant is? -
And what will make you to know what At-Tariq (night-comer) is?
And what can make you know what is the night comer?
(It is) the Star of piercing brightness; -
(It is) the star of piercing brightness;
It is the piercing star -
There is no soul but has a protector over it.
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 that it has over it a protector.
Now let man but think from what he is created!
So let man see from what he is created!
So let man observe from what he was created.
He is created from a drop emitted -
He is created from a water gushing forth,
He was created from a fluid, ejected,
Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs:
Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs.
Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.
Surely (Allah) is able to bring him back (to life)!
Verily, (Allah) is Able to bring him back (to life)!
Indeed, Allah, to return him [to life], is Able.
The Day that (all) things secret will be tested,
The Day when all the secrets (deeds, prayers, fasting, etc.) will be examined (as to their truth).
The Day when secrets will be put on trial,
(Man) will have no power, and no helper.
Then he will have no power, nor any helper.
Then man will have no power or any helper.
By the Firmament which returns (in its round),
By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.
By the sky which returns [rain]
And by the Earth which opens out (for the gushing of springs or the sprouting of vegetation), -
And the earth which splits (with the growth of trees and plants).
And [by] the earth which cracks open,
Behold this is the Word that distinguishes (Good from Evil):
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).
Indeed, the Qur'an is a decisive statement,
It is not a thing for amusement.
And it is not a thing for amusement.
And it is not amusement.
As for them, they are but plotting a scheme,
Verily, they are but plotting a plot (against you O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم).
Indeed, they are planning a plan,
And I am planning a scheme.
And I (too) am planning a plan.
But I am planning a plan.
Therefore grant a delay to the Unbelievers: Give respite to them gently (for awhile).
So give a respite to the disbelievers; deal gently with them for a while.
So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.