سُورَةُ الصَّافَّاتِ

وَٱلصَّـٰۤفَّـٰتِ صَفࣰّا (۱)

CONSIDER these [messages] ranged in serried ranks,

فَٱلزَّ ٰ⁠جِرَ ٰ⁠تِ زَجۡرࣰا (۲)

and restraining [from evil] by a call to restraint,

فَٱلتَّـٰلِیَـٰتِ ذِكۡرًا (۳)

and conveying [to all the world] a reminder:

إِنَّ إِلَـٰهَكُمۡ لَوَ ٰ⁠حِدࣱ (۴)

Verily, most surely, your God is One –

رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَ ٰ⁠تِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَیۡنَهُمَا وَرَبُّ ٱلۡمَشَـٰرِقِ (۵)

the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and of all that is between them, and the Sustainer of all the points of sunrise!

إِنَّا زَیَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَاۤءَ ٱلدُّنۡیَا بِزِینَةٍ ٱلۡكَوَاكِبِ (۶)

Behold, We have adorned the skies nearest to the earth with the beauty of stars,

وَحِفۡظࣰا مِّن كُلِّ شَیۡطَـٰنࣲ مَّارِدࣲ (۷)

and have made them secure against every rebellious, satanic force,

لَّا یَسَّمَّعُونَ إِلَى ٱلۡمَلَإِ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ وَیُقۡذَفُونَ مِن كُلِّ جَانِبࣲ (۸)

[so that] they [who seek to learn the unknowable] should not be able to overhear the host on high, but shall be repelled from all sides,

دُحُورࣰاۖ وَلَهُمۡ عَذَابࣱ وَاصِبٌ (۹)

cast out [from all grace], with lasting suffering in store for them [in the life to come];

إِلَّا مَنۡ خَطِفَ ٱلۡخَطۡفَةَ فَأَتۡبَعَهُۥ شِهَابࣱ ثَاقِبࣱ (۱۰)

but if anyone does succeed in snatching a glimpse [of such knowledge], he is [henceforth] pursued by a piercing flame.

فَٱسۡتَفۡتِهِمۡ أَهُمۡ أَشَدُّ خَلۡقًا أَم مَّنۡ خَلَقۡنَاۤۚ إِنَّا خَلَقۡنَـٰهُم مِّن طِینࣲ لَّازِبِۭ (۱۱)

AND NOW ask those [who deny the truth] to enlight­en thee: Were they more difficult to create than all those [untold marvels] that We have created? - for, behold, them have We created out of [mere] clay commingled with water!

بَلۡ عَجِبۡتَ وَیَسۡخَرُونَ (۱۲)

Nay, but whereas thou dost marvel, they [only] scoff;

وَإِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ لَا یَذۡكُرُونَ (۱۳)

and when they are reminded [of the truth], they refuse to take it to heart;

وَإِذَا رَأَوۡا۟ ءَایَةࣰ یَسۡتَسۡخِرُونَ (۱۴)

and when they become aware of a [divine] message, they turn it to ridicule

وَقَالُوۤا۟ إِنۡ هَـٰذَاۤ إِلَّا سِحۡرࣱ مُّبِینٌ (۱۵)

and say: “This is clearly nothing but [a mortal’s] spellbinding eloquence!

أَءِذَا مِتۡنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابࣰا وَعِظَـٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبۡعُوثُونَ (۱۶)

Why - after we have died and become mere dust and bones, shall we, forsooth, be raised from the dead? –

أَوَءَابَاۤؤُنَا ٱلۡأَوَّلُونَ (۱۷)

and perhaps also our forebears of old?”

قُلۡ نَعَمۡ وَأَنتُمۡ دَ ٰ⁠خِرُونَ (۱۸)

Say: “Yea, indeed - and most abject will you then be!” –

فَإِنَّمَا هِیَ زَجۡرَةࣱ وَ ٰ⁠حِدَةࣱ فَإِذَا هُمۡ یَنظُرُونَ (۱۹)

for that [resurrection which they deride] will be [upon them of a sudden, as if it were] but a single accusing cry - and then, lo! they will begin to see [the truth]

وَقَالُوا۟ یَـٰوَیۡلَنَا هَـٰذَا یَوۡمُ ٱلدِّینِ (۲۰)

and will say: “Oh, woe unto us! This is the Day of Judgment!”

هَـٰذَا یَوۡمُ ٱلۡفَصۡلِ ٱلَّذِی كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ (۲۱)

[And they will be told:] “This is the Day of Distinction [between the true and the false - the Day] which you were wont to call a lie!”

۞ ٱحۡشُرُوا۟ ٱلَّذِینَ ظَلَمُوا۟ وَأَزۡوَ ٰ⁠جَهُمۡ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ یَعۡبُدُونَ (۲۲)

[And God will thus command:] “Assemble all those who were bent on evildoing, together with others of their ilk and [with] all that they were wont to worship

مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَٱهۡدُوهُمۡ إِلَىٰ صِرَ ٰ⁠طِ ٱلۡجَحِیمِ (۲۳)

instead of God, and lead them all onto the way to the blazing fire,

وَقِفُوهُمۡۖ إِنَّهُم مَّسۡـُٔولُونَ (۲۴)

and halt them [there]!” [And then,] behold, they shall be asked,

مَا لَكُمۡ لَا تَنَاصَرُونَ (۲۵)

“How is it that [now] you cannot succour one another?”

بَلۡ هُمُ ٱلۡیَوۡمَ مُسۡتَسۡلِمُونَ (۲۶)

Nay, but on that Day they would willingly surrender [to God];

وَأَقۡبَلَ بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضࣲ یَتَسَاۤءَلُونَ (۲۷)

but [since it will be too late,] they will turn upon one another, demanding of each other [to relieve them of the burden of their past sins].

قَالُوۤا۟ إِنَّكُمۡ كُنتُمۡ تَأۡتُونَنَا عَنِ ٱلۡیَمِینِ (۲۸)

Some [of them] will say: “Behold, you were wont to approach us [deceptively] from the right!”

قَالُوا۟ بَل لَّمۡ تَكُونُوا۟ مُؤۡمِنِینَ (۲۹)

[To which] the others will reply: “Nay, you yourselves were bereft of all faith!

وَمَا كَانَ لَنَا عَلَیۡكُم مِّن سُلۡطَـٰنِۭۖ بَلۡ كُنتُمۡ قَوۡمࣰا طَـٰغِینَ (۳۰)

Moreover, we had no power at all over you: nay, you were people filled with overweening arrogance!

فَحَقَّ عَلَیۡنَا قَوۡلُ رَبِّنَاۤۖ إِنَّا لَذَاۤىِٕقُونَ (۳۱)

But now our Sustainer’s word has come true against us [as well]: verily, we are bound to taste [the fruit of our sins].

فَأَغۡوَیۡنَـٰكُمۡ إِنَّا كُنَّا غَـٰوِینَ (۳۲)

So then, [if it be true that] we have caused you to err grievously - behold, we ourselves had been lost in grievous error!”

فَإِنَّهُمۡ یَوۡمَىِٕذࣲ فِی ٱلۡعَذَابِ مُشۡتَرِكُونَ (۳۳)

And, verily, on that Day they all will share in their common suffering.

إِنَّا كَذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ نَفۡعَلُ بِٱلۡمُجۡرِمِینَ (۳۴)

Verily, thus shall We deal with all who were lost in sin:

إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُوۤا۟ إِذَا قِیلَ لَهُمۡ لَاۤ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ یَسۡتَكۡبِرُونَ (۳۵)

for, behold, whenever they were told, “There is no deity save God,” they would glory in their arrogance

وَیَقُولُونَ أَىِٕنَّا لَتَارِكُوۤا۟ ءَالِهَتِنَا لِشَاعِرࣲ مَّجۡنُونِۭ (۳۶)

and would say, “Shall we, then, give up our deities at the bidding of a mad poet?”

بَلۡ جَاۤءَ بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَصَدَّقَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِینَ (۳۷)

Nay, but he [whom you call a mad poet] has brought the truth; and he confirms the truth of [what the earlier of God’s] message-bearers [have taught].

إِنَّكُمۡ لَذَاۤىِٕقُوا۟ ٱلۡعَذَابِ ٱلۡأَلِیمِ (۳۸)

Behold, you will indeed taste grievous suffering [in the life to come],

وَمَا تُجۡزَوۡنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمۡ تَعۡمَلُونَ (۳۹)

although you shall not be requited for aught but what you were wont to do.

إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِینَ (۴۰)

Not so, however, God’s true servants:

أُو۟لَـٰۤىِٕكَ لَهُمۡ رِزۡقࣱ مَّعۡلُومࣱ (۴۱)

[in the hereafter,] theirs shall be a sustenance which they will recognize

فَوَ ٰ⁠كِهُ وَهُم مُّكۡرَمُونَ (۴۲)

as the fruits [of their life on earth]; and honoured shall they be

فِی جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِیمِ (۴۳)

in gardens of bliss,

عَلَىٰ سُرُرࣲ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِینَ (۴۴)

facing one another [in love] upon thrones of happiness.

یُطَافُ عَلَیۡهِم بِكَأۡسࣲ مِّن مَّعِینِۭ (۴۵)

A cup will be passed round among them [with a drink] from unsullied springs,

بَیۡضَاۤءَ لَذَّةࣲ لِّلشَّـٰرِبِینَ (۴۶)

clear, delightful to those who drink it:

لَا فِیهَا غَوۡلࣱ وَلَا هُمۡ عَنۡهَا یُنزَفُونَ (۴۷)

no headiness will be in it, and they will not get drunk thereon.

وَعِندَهُمۡ قَـٰصِرَ ٰ⁠تُ ٱلطَّرۡفِ عِینࣱ (۴۸)

And with them will be mates of modest gaze, most beautiful of eye,

كَأَنَّهُنَّ بَیۡضࣱ مَّكۡنُونࣱ (۴۹)

[as free of faults] as if they were hidden [ostrich] eggs.

فَأَقۡبَلَ بَعۡضُهُمۡ عَلَىٰ بَعۡضࣲ یَتَسَاۤءَلُونَ (۵۰)

And they will all turn to one another, asking each other [about their past lives].

قَالَ قَاۤىِٕلࣱ مِّنۡهُمۡ إِنِّی كَانَ لِی قَرِینࣱ (۵۱)

One of them speaks thus: “Behold, I had [on earth] a close companion

یَقُولُ أَءِنَّكَ لَمِنَ ٱلۡمُصَدِّقِینَ (۵۲)

who was wont to ask [me], ‘Why - art thou really one of those who believe it to be true

أَءِذَا مِتۡنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابࣰا وَعِظَـٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَدِینُونَ (۵۳)

[that] after we have died and become mere dust and bones we shall, forsooth, be brought to judgment?”’

قَالَ هَلۡ أَنتُم مُّطَّلِعُونَ (۵۴)

[And] he adds: “Would you like to look [and see him]?” –

فَٱطَّلَعَ فَرَءَاهُ فِی سَوَاۤءِ ٱلۡجَحِیمِ (۵۵)

and then he looks and sees that [companion of his] in the midst of the blazing fire,

قَالَ تَٱللَّهِ إِن كِدتَّ لَتُرۡدِینِ (۵۶)

and says: “By God! Verily, thou hast almost destroyed me [too, O my erstwhile companion]

وَلَوۡلَا نِعۡمَةُ رَبِّی لَكُنتُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُحۡضَرِینَ (۵۷)

for had it not been for my Sustainer’s favour, I would surely be [now] among those who are given over [to suffering]!

أَفَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمَیِّتِینَ (۵۸)

But then, [O my friends in paradise,] is it [really] so that we are not to die

إِلَّا مَوۡتَتَنَا ٱلۡأُولَىٰ وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُعَذَّبِینَ (۵۹)

[again,] beyond our previous death, and that we shall never [again] be made to suffer?

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِیمُ (۶۰)

Verily, this - this indeed - is the triumph supreme!”

لِمِثۡلِ هَـٰذَا فَلۡیَعۡمَلِ ٱلۡعَـٰمِلُونَ (۶۱)

For the like of this, then, let them labour, those who labour [in God’s way]!

أَذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ خَیۡرࣱ نُّزُلًا أَمۡ شَجَرَةُ ٱلزَّقُّومِ (۶۲)

Is such [a paradise] the better welcome - or the [hellish] tree of deadly fruit?

إِنَّا جَعَلۡنَـٰهَا فِتۡنَةࣰ لِّلظَّـٰلِمِینَ (۶۳)

Verily, We have caused it to be a trial for evildoers:

إِنَّهَا شَجَرَةࣱ تَخۡرُجُ فِیۤ أَصۡلِ ٱلۡجَحِیمِ (۶۴)

for, behold, it is a tree that grows in the very heart of the blazing fire [of hell],

طَلۡعُهَا كَأَنَّهُۥ رُءُوسُ ٱلشَّیَـٰطِینِ (۶۵)

its fruit [as repulsive] as satans’ heads;

فَإِنَّهُمۡ لَـَٔاكِلُونَ مِنۡهَا فَمَالِـُٔونَ مِنۡهَا ٱلۡبُطُونَ (۶۶)

and they [who are lost in evil] are indeed bound to eat thereof, and to fill their bellies therewith.

ثُمَّ إِنَّ لَهُمۡ عَلَیۡهَا لَشَوۡبࣰا مِّنۡ حَمِیمࣲ (۶۷)

And, behold, above all this they will be confounded with burning des­pair!

ثُمَّ إِنَّ مَرۡجِعَهُمۡ لَإِلَى ٱلۡجَحِیمِ (۶۸)

And once again: Verily, the blazing fire is their ultimate goal –

إِنَّهُمۡ أَلۡفَوۡا۟ ءَابَاۤءَهُمۡ ضَاۤلِّینَ (۶۹)

for, behold, they found their forebears on a wrong way,

فَهُمۡ عَلَىٰۤ ءَاثَـٰرِهِمۡ یُهۡرَعُونَ (۷۰)

and [now] they make haste to follow in their footsteps!

وَلَقَدۡ ضَلَّ قَبۡلَهُمۡ أَكۡثَرُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِینَ (۷۱)

Thus, indeed, most of the people of old went astray before them,

وَلَقَدۡ أَرۡسَلۡنَا فِیهِم مُّنذِرِینَ (۷۲)

although, verily, We had sent warners unto them:

فَٱنظُرۡ كَیۡفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلۡمُنذَرِینَ (۷۳)

and behold what happened in the end to those that had been warned [to no avail]!

إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِینَ (۷۴)

EXCEPT for God’s true servants, [most people are apt to go astray.]

وَلَقَدۡ نَادَىٰنَا نُوحࣱ فَلَنِعۡمَ ٱلۡمُجِیبُونَ (۷۵)

And, indeed, [it was for this reason that] Noah cried unto Us - and how excellent was Our response:

وَنَجَّیۡنَـٰهُ وَأَهۡلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلۡكَرۡبِ ٱلۡعَظِیمِ (۷۶)

for We saved him and his household from that awesome calamity,

وَجَعَلۡنَا ذُرِّیَّتَهُۥ هُمُ ٱلۡبَاقِینَ (۷۷)

and caused his offspring to endure [on earth];

وَتَرَكۡنَا عَلَیۡهِ فِی ٱلۡـَٔاخِرِینَ (۷۸)

and We left him thus to be remembered among later generations:

سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَىٰ نُوحࣲ فِی ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِینَ (۷۹)

“Peace be upon Noah throughout all the worlds!”

إِنَّا كَذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ نَجۡزِی ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِینَ (۸۰)

Verily, thus do We reward the doers of good –

إِنَّهُۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ (۸۱)

for he was truly one of our believing servants:

ثُمَّ أَغۡرَقۡنَا ٱلۡـَٔاخَرِینَ (۸۲)

[and so We saved him and those who followed him] and then We caused the others to drown.

۞ وَإِنَّ مِن شِیعَتِهِۦ لَإِبۡرَ ٰ⁠هِیمَ (۸۳)

AND, BEHOLD, of his persuasion was Abraham, too,

إِذۡ جَاۤءَ رَبَّهُۥ بِقَلۡبࣲ سَلِیمٍ (۸۴)

when he turned to his Sustainer with a heart free of evil,

إِذۡ قَالَ لِأَبِیهِ وَقَوۡمِهِۦ مَاذَا تَعۡبُدُونَ (۸۵)

and [thus] spoke to his father and his people: “What is it that you worship?

أَىِٕفۡكًا ءَالِهَةࣰ دُونَ ٱللَّهِ تُرِیدُونَ (۸۶)

Do you want [to bow down before] a lie - [before] deities other than God?

فَمَا ظَنُّكُم بِرَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِینَ (۸۷)

What, then, do you think of the Sustainer of all the worlds?”

فَنَظَرَ نَظۡرَةࣰ فِی ٱلنُّجُومِ (۸۸)

Then he cast a glance at the stars,

فَقَالَ إِنِّی سَقِیمࣱ (۸۹)

and said, “Verily, I am sick [at heart]!”

فَتَوَلَّوۡا۟ عَنۡهُ مُدۡبِرِینَ (۹۰)

and at that they turned their backs on him and went away.

فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰۤ ءَالِهَتِهِمۡ فَقَالَ أَلَا تَأۡكُلُونَ (۹۱)

Thereupon he approached their gods stealthily and said, “What! You do not eat [of the offerings placed before you]?

مَا لَكُمۡ لَا تَنطِقُونَ (۹۲)

What is amiss with you that you do not speak?”

فَرَاغَ عَلَیۡهِمۡ ضَرۡبَۢا بِٱلۡیَمِینِ (۹۳)

And then he fell upon them, smiting them with his right hand.

فَأَقۡبَلُوۤا۟ إِلَیۡهِ یَزِفُّونَ (۹۴)

[But] then the others came towards him hur­riedly [and accused him of his deed].

قَالَ أَتَعۡبُدُونَ مَا تَنۡحِتُونَ (۹۵)

He answered: “Do you worship something that you [yourselves] have carved,

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡمَلُونَ (۹۶)

the while it is God who has created you and all your handiwork?”

قَالُوا۟ ٱبۡنُوا۟ لَهُۥ بُنۡیَـٰنࣰا فَأَلۡقُوهُ فِی ٱلۡجَحِیمِ (۹۷)

They exclaimed: “Build a pyre for him, and cast him into the blazing fire!”

فَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَیۡدࣰا فَجَعَلۡنَـٰهُمُ ٱلۡأَسۡفَلِینَ (۹۸)

But whereas they sought to do evil unto him, We [frustrated their designs, and thus] brought them low?

وَقَالَ إِنِّی ذَاهِبٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّی سَیَهۡدِینِ (۹۹)

And [Abraham] said: “Verily, I shall [leave this land and] go wherever my Sustainer will guide me!”

رَبِّ هَبۡ لِی مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِینَ (۱۰۰)

[And he prayed:] “O my Sustainer! Bestow upon me the gift of [a son who shall be] one of the righteous!” –

فَبَشَّرۡنَـٰهُ بِغُلَـٰمٍ حَلِیمࣲ (۱۰۱)

whereupon We gave him the glad tiding of a boy-child gentle [like himself]?

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعۡیَ قَالَ یَـٰبُنَیَّ إِنِّیۤ أَرَىٰ فِی ٱلۡمَنَامِ أَنِّیۤ أَذۡبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرۡ مَاذَا تَرَىٰۚ قَالَ یَـٰۤأَبَتِ ٱفۡعَلۡ مَا تُؤۡمَرُۖ سَتَجِدُنِیۤ إِن شَاۤءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِینَ (۱۰۲)

And [one day,] when [the child] had become old enough to share in his [father’s] endeavours, the latter said: “O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice thee: consider, then, what would be thy view!” [Ishmael] answered: “O my father! Do as thou art bidden: thou wilt find me, if God so wills, among those who are patient in adversity!”

فَلَمَّاۤ أَسۡلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلۡجَبِینِ (۱۰۳)

But as soon as the two had surrendered themselves to [what they thought to be] the will of God, and [Abraham] had laid him down on his face,

وَنَـٰدَیۡنَـٰهُ أَن یَـٰۤإِبۡرَ ٰ⁠هِیمُ (۱۰۴)

We called out to him: “O Abraham,

قَدۡ صَدَّقۡتَ ٱلرُّءۡیَاۤۚ إِنَّا كَذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ نَجۡزِی ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِینَ (۱۰۵)

thou hast already fulfilled [the purpose of] that dream- vision!” Thus, verily, do We reward the doers of good:

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلۡبَلَـٰۤؤُا۟ ٱلۡمُبِینُ (۱۰۶)

for, behold, all this was indeed a trial, clear in itself.

وَفَدَیۡنَـٰهُ بِذِبۡحٍ عَظِیمࣲ (۱۰۷)

And We ransomed him with a tremendous sacrifice,

وَتَرَكۡنَا عَلَیۡهِ فِی ٱلۡـَٔاخِرِینَ (۱۰۸)

and left him thus to be remembered among later generations:

سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَىٰۤ إِبۡرَ ٰ⁠هِیمَ (۱۰۹)

“Peace be upon Abraham!”

كَذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ نَجۡزِی ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِینَ (۱۱۰)

Thus do We reward the doers of good –

إِنَّهُۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ (۱۱۱)

for he was truly one of our believing servants.

وَبَشَّرۡنَـٰهُ بِإِسۡحَـٰقَ نَبِیࣰّا مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِینَ (۱۱۲)

And [in time] We gave him the glad tiding of Isaac, [who, too, would be] a prophet, one of the righteous;

وَبَـٰرَكۡنَا عَلَیۡهِ وَعَلَىٰۤ إِسۡحَـٰقَۚ وَمِن ذُرِّیَّتِهِمَا مُحۡسِنࣱ وَظَالِمࣱ لِّنَفۡسِهِۦ مُبِینࣱ (۱۱۳)

and We blessed him and Isaac: but among the offspring of these two there were [des­tined] to be both doers of good and such as would glaringly sin against themselves.

وَلَقَدۡ مَنَنَّا عَلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَهَـٰرُونَ (۱۱۴)

THUS, INDEED, did We bestow Our favour upon Moses and Aaron;

وَنَجَّیۡنَـٰهُمَا وَقَوۡمَهُمَا مِنَ ٱلۡكَرۡبِ ٱلۡعَظِیمِ (۱۱۵)

and We saved them and their people from the awesome calamity [of bondage],

وَنَصَرۡنَـٰهُمۡ فَكَانُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلۡغَـٰلِبِینَ (۱۱۶)

and succoured them, so that [in the end] it was they who achieved victory.

وَءَاتَیۡنَـٰهُمَا ٱلۡكِتَـٰبَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَبِینَ (۱۱۷)

And We gave them the divine writ that made [right and wrong] distinct,

وَهَدَیۡنَـٰهُمَا ٱلصِّرَ ٰ⁠طَ ٱلۡمُسۡتَقِیمَ (۱۱۸)

and guided them the straight way,

وَتَرَكۡنَا عَلَیۡهِمَا فِی ٱلۡـَٔاخِرِینَ (۱۱۹)

and left them thus to be remem­bered among later generations:

سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَهَـٰرُونَ (۱۲۰)

“Peace be upon Moses and Aaron!”

إِنَّا كَذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ نَجۡزِی ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِینَ (۱۲۱)

Thus do We reward the doers of good –

إِنَّهُمَا مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ (۱۲۲)

for those two were truly among Our believing ser­vants.

وَإِنَّ إِلۡیَاسَ لَمِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِینَ (۱۲۳)

AND, BEHOLD, Elijah [too] was indeed one of Our message-bearers

إِذۡ قَالَ لِقَوۡمِهِۦۤ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ (۱۲۴)

when he spoke [thus] to his people: “Will you not remain conscious of God?

أَتَدۡعُونَ بَعۡلࣰا وَتَذَرُونَ أَحۡسَنَ ٱلۡخَـٰلِقِینَ (۱۲۵)

Will you invoke Baal and forsake [God,] the best of artisans -

ٱللَّهَ رَبَّكُمۡ وَرَبَّ ءَابَاۤىِٕكُمُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِینَ (۱۲۶)

God, your Sustainer and the Sustainer of your forebears of old?”

فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَإِنَّهُمۡ لَمُحۡضَرُونَ (۱۲۷)

But they gave him the lie: and therefore they will most surely be arraigned [on Judgment Day],

إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِینَ (۱۲۸)

excepting only [those who were] God’s true servants;

وَتَرَكۡنَا عَلَیۡهِ فِی ٱلۡـَٔاخِرِینَ (۱۲۹)

and him We left thus to be remem­bered among later generations:

سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَىٰۤ إِلۡ یَاسِینَ (۱۳۰)

“Peace be upon Elijah and his followers!”

إِنَّا كَذَ ٰ⁠لِكَ نَجۡزِی ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِینَ (۱۳۱)

Verily, thus do We reward the doers of good –

إِنَّهُۥ مِنۡ عِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِینَ (۱۳۲)

for he was truly one of Our believing servants!

وَإِنَّ لُوطࣰا لَّمِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِینَ (۱۳۳)

AND, BEHOLD, Lot was indeed one of Our mes­sage-bearers;

إِذۡ نَجَّیۡنَـٰهُ وَأَهۡلَهُۥۤ أَجۡمَعِینَ (۱۳۴)

[and so,] when [We decreed the doom of his sinful town,] We saved him and his household,

إِلَّا عَجُوزࣰا فِی ٱلۡغَـٰبِرِینَ (۱۳۵)

except an old woman who was among those that stayed behind;

ثُمَّ دَمَّرۡنَا ٱلۡـَٔاخَرِینَ (۱۳۶)

and then We utterly destroyed the others:

وَإِنَّكُمۡ لَتَمُرُّونَ عَلَیۡهِم مُّصۡبِحِینَ (۱۳۷)

and, verily, [to this day] you pass by the remnants of their dwellings at morning-time

وَبِٱلَّیۡلِۚ أَفَلَا تَعۡقِلُونَ (۱۳۸)

and by night. Will you not, then, use your reason?

وَإِنَّ یُونُسَ لَمِنَ ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِینَ (۱۳۹)

AND, BEHOLD, Jonah was indeed one of Our mes­sage-bearers

إِذۡ أَبَقَ إِلَى ٱلۡفُلۡكِ ٱلۡمَشۡحُونِ (۱۴۰)

when he fled like a runaway slave onto a laden ship.

فَسَاهَمَ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُدۡحَضِینَ (۱۴۱)

And then they cast lots, and he was the one who lost;

فَٱلۡتَقَمَهُ ٱلۡحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِیمࣱ (۱۴۲)

[and they cast him into the sea,] whereupon the great fish swallowed him, for he had been blameworthy.

فَلَوۡلَاۤ أَنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلۡمُسَبِّحِینَ (۱۴۳)

And had he not been of those who [even in the deep darkness of their distress are able to] extol God’s limitless glory,

لَلَبِثَ فِی بَطۡنِهِۦۤ إِلَىٰ یَوۡمِ یُبۡعَثُونَ (۱۴۴)

he would indeed have remained in its belly till the Day when all shall be raised from the dead:

۞ فَنَبَذۡنَـٰهُ بِٱلۡعَرَاۤءِ وَهُوَ سَقِیمࣱ (۱۴۵)

but We caused him to be cast forth on a desert shore, sick [at heart] as he was,

وَأَنۢبَتۡنَا عَلَیۡهِ شَجَرَةࣰ مِّن یَقۡطِینࣲ (۱۴۶)

and caused a creeping plant to grow over him [out of the barren soil].

وَأَرۡسَلۡنَـٰهُ إِلَىٰ مِا۟ئَةِ أَلۡفٍ أَوۡ یَزِیدُونَ (۱۴۷)

And [then] We sent him [once again] to [his people,] a hundred thousand [souls] or more:

فَـَٔامَنُوا۟ فَمَتَّعۡنَـٰهُمۡ إِلَىٰ حِینࣲ (۱۴۸)

and [this time] they believed [in him] and so We allowed them to enjoy their life during the time allotted to them?

فَٱسۡتَفۡتِهِمۡ أَلِرَبِّكَ ٱلۡبَنَاتُ وَلَهُمُ ٱلۡبَنُونَ (۱۴۹)

AND NOW ask them to enlighten thee: Has thy Sustainer daughters, whereas they would have [only] sons?

أَمۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡمَلَـٰۤىِٕكَةَ إِنَـٰثࣰا وَهُمۡ شَـٰهِدُونَ (۱۵۰)

- or is it that We have created the angels female, and they [who believe them to be divine] have witnessed [that act of creation]?

أَلَاۤ إِنَّهُم مِّنۡ إِفۡكِهِمۡ لَیَقُولُونَ (۱۵۱)

Oh, verily, it is out of their own [inclination to] falsehood that some people assert,

وَلَدَ ٱللَّهُ وَإِنَّهُمۡ لَكَـٰذِبُونَ (۱۵۲)

“God has begotten [a son]”; and, verily, they are lying [too, when they say],

أَصۡطَفَى ٱلۡبَنَاتِ عَلَى ٱلۡبَنِینَ (۱۵۳)

“He has chosen daughters in preference to sons”!

مَا لَكُمۡ كَیۡفَ تَحۡكُمُونَ (۱۵۴)

What is amiss with you and your judgment?

أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ (۱۵۵)

Will you not, then, bethink yourselves?

أَمۡ لَكُمۡ سُلۡطَـٰنࣱ مُّبِینࣱ (۱۵۶)

Or have you, perchance, a clear evidence [for your assertions]?

فَأۡتُوا۟ بِكِتَـٰبِكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِینَ (۱۵۷)

Produce, then, that divine writ of yours, if you are speaking the truth!

وَجَعَلُوا۟ بَیۡنَهُۥ وَبَیۡنَ ٱلۡجِنَّةِ نَسَبࣰاۚ وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمَتِ ٱلۡجِنَّةُ إِنَّهُمۡ لَمُحۡضَرُونَ (۱۵۸)

And some people have invented a kinship between Him and all manner of invisible forces although [even] these invisible forces know well that, verily, they [who thus blaspheme against God] shall indeed be arraigned [before Him on Judgment Day: for]

سُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا یَصِفُونَ (۱۵۹)

limitless is God in His glory, above anything that men may devise by way of definition!

إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِینَ (۱۶۰)

Not thus, however, [behave] God’s true ser­vants:

فَإِنَّكُمۡ وَمَا تَعۡبُدُونَ (۱۶۱)

for, verily, neither you [blasphemers] nor the objects of your worship

مَاۤ أَنتُمۡ عَلَیۡهِ بِفَـٰتِنِینَ (۱۶۲)

can cause anyone to fall prey to your temptation

إِلَّا مَنۡ هُوَ صَالِ ٱلۡجَحِیمِ (۱۶۳)

unless it be such as rushes towards the blazing fire [of his own accord]!

وَمَا مِنَّاۤ إِلَّا لَهُۥ مَقَامࣱ مَّعۡلُومࣱ (۱۶۴)

[All forces of nature praise God and say:] “Among us, too, there is none but has a place assigned to it [by Him];

وَإِنَّا لَنَحۡنُ ٱلصَّاۤفُّونَ (۱۶۵)

and, verily, we too are ranged [before Him in worship];

وَإِنَّا لَنَحۡنُ ٱلۡمُسَبِّحُونَ (۱۶۶)

and, verily, we too extol His limitless glory!”

وَإِن كَانُوا۟ لَیَقُولُونَ (۱۶۷)

AND, INDEED, they [who deny the truth] have always been wont to say,

لَوۡ أَنَّ عِندَنَا ذِكۡرࣰا مِّنَ ٱلۡأَوَّلِینَ (۱۶۸)

“If only we had a tradition [to this effect] from our forebears,

لَكُنَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلۡمُخۡلَصِینَ (۱۶۹)

we would certainly be true servants of God.”

فَكَفَرُوا۟ بِهِۦۖ فَسَوۡفَ یَعۡلَمُونَ (۱۷۰)

And yet, [now that this divine writ has been placed before them,] they refuse to acknowledge it as true! In time, however, they will come to know [what it was that they had rejected]:

وَلَقَدۡ سَبَقَتۡ كَلِمَتُنَا لِعِبَادِنَا ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِینَ (۱۷۱)

for, long ago has Our word gone forth unto Our servants, the message- bearers,

إِنَّهُمۡ لَهُمُ ٱلۡمَنصُورُونَ (۱۷۲)

that, verily, they - they indeed - would be succoured,

وَإِنَّ جُندَنَا لَهُمُ ٱلۡغَـٰلِبُونَ (۱۷۳)

and that, verily, Our hosts - they indeed - would [in the end] be victorious!

فَتَوَلَّ عَنۡهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ حِینࣲ (۱۷۴)

Hence, turn thou aside for a while from those [who deny the truth],

وَأَبۡصِرۡهُمۡ فَسَوۡفَ یُبۡصِرُونَ (۱۷۵)

and see them [for what they are]; and in time they [too] will come to see [what they do not see now].

أَفَبِعَذَابِنَا یَسۡتَعۡجِلُونَ (۱۷۶)

Do they, then, [really] wish that Our chas­tisement be hastened on?

فَإِذَا نَزَلَ بِسَاحَتِهِمۡ فَسَاۤءَ صَبَاحُ ٱلۡمُنذَرِینَ (۱۷۷)

But then, once it alights upon them, hapless will be the awakening of those who were warned [to no avail]!

وَتَوَلَّ عَنۡهُمۡ حَتَّىٰ حِینࣲ (۱۷۸)

Hence, turn thou aside for a while from them,

وَأَبۡصِرۡ فَسَوۡفَ یُبۡصِرُونَ (۱۷۹)

and see [them for what they are]; and n time they [too] will come to see [what they do not see now].

سُبۡحَـٰنَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ ٱلۡعِزَّةِ عَمَّا یَصِفُونَ (۱۸۰)

LIMITLESS in His glory is thy Sustainer, the Lord of almightiness, [exalted] above anything that men may devise by way of definition!

وَسَلَـٰمٌ عَلَى ٱلۡمُرۡسَلِینَ (۱۸۱)

And peace be upon all His message-bearers!

وَٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِینَ (۱۸۲)

And all praise is due to God alone, the Sus­tainer of all the worlds!