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