عَمَّ

1. What are they asking one another about?

2. (Is it) about the Great News,

3. regarding which they disagree?

4. No, indeed! They will soon come to know.

5. Again, no, indeed! They will soon come to know.

6. Did We not make the earth a resting place,

7. and (fixed therein) the mountains like metal stakes,

8. and create you in pairs,

9. and make your sleep a repose,

10. and make the night a covering,

11. and make the day for livelihood,

12. and build the seven mighty heavens above you,

13. and place (the sun as) a radiant lamp (i.e. a source of heat and light),

14. and send down pouring water from the rain clouds,

15. so that We may produce by it grains and vegetation,

16. and dense (and) luxuriant gardens?

17. Indeed, the Day of Judgement is an appointed moment.

18. (That is) the Day when the Trumpet will be blown, and you all will come out in crowds,

19. and the heavens will be opened and become (like) gates,

20. and the mountains (after being reduced to dust) will be blown away and become a mirage.

21. Indeed, Hell is (lying) in ambush,

22. a place of return for the rebellious,

23. to reside there for endless ages.

24. They will not taste therein any coolness nor drink,

25. except boiling water and pus (oozing from the wounds of the inmates of Hell),

26. as a fitting recompense (for their rebellion).

27. Indeed, they were not anticipating any Reckoning.

28. They denied Our signs with utter rejection.

29. And We have everything recorded precisely in a Book.

30. So taste! We shall increase you in nothing but punishment.

31. For the God-conscious, there will indeed be success,

32. (in the form of) gardens and vineyards,

33. and full-bosomed maidens of matching age,

34. and overflowing cups (of pure wine).

35. They will not hear therein any vain talk nor lying,

36. as a reward from your Lord, a generously befitting bestowal (in proportion to your works),

37. (from) the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Most-Compassionate (Lord), whom they will not be able to address,

38. on the Day when the Holy Spirit and the angels stand in rows. They will not speak except whom the Most-Compassionate (Lord) permits and who says what is right.

39. That is the True Day. So whosoever wishes, let him take the path leading back to his Lord.

40. We have indeed warned you of an imminent punishment on the Day when (every) person will see what his hands have sent forth, and the disbeliever will say: ‘Oh, I wish if only I had been dust!’

1. By (the angels) who snatch (the evil souls) violently,*

* A scientific indication can also be inferred from this verse: ‘By the waves of energy that pierce into matter and break up the chemical bonds fiercely.’

2. and by (the angels) who draw out (the blessed souls) gently,*

* A scientific indication can also be inferred from this verse: ‘By the waves of energy that disintegrate the chemical bonds within matter gently and peacefully.’

3. and by (the angels) who float (in space) swiftly,*

* A scientific indication can also be inferred from this verse: ‘By the waves of energy that move around freely in space and within the atmosphere.’

4. and by (the angels) who take the lead, racing vigorously,*

* A scientific indication can also be inferred from this verse: ‘By the waves of energy that surpass other waves in speed, force and assimilation.’

5. and then by (the angels) who manage the affairs (of creatures obediently).*

* A scientific indication can also be inferred from this verse: ‘By the waves of energy that, through mutual dynamism and coordination, maintain equilibrium and keep the balance for the survival of the system of the universe.’

6. The Day when the quaking Blast quakes violently,

7. the succeeding Blast will follow it,

8. the hearts on that Day will be trembling (in horror),

9. their eyes will be downcast (bearing a terrified look).

10. They (the disbelievers) say: ‘Will we surely be returned to our earlier state,

11. even after we have become decayed bones?’

12. They say: ‘Then, this will be a (great) losing return.’

13. Yet it will be only a single Mighty Blast.

14. And behold! Suddenly, they will be upon the vast expanse (of the Day of Resurrection).

15. Has the story of Musa (Moses) reached you?

16. When his Lord called out to him in the sacred valley of Tuwa,

17. (commanding:) ‘Go to Pharaoh, for indeed he has rebelled,

18. and say (to him): ‘Would you like to purify yourself?

19. I will guide you to your Lord so that you may fear (Him).’’

20. Then he showed him the most significant sign.

21. But he denied and disobeyed.

22. Then he turned back, swiftly endeavouring (in his scheme against Musa [Moses]).

23. So he gathered (his people) and called out,

24. saying: ‘I am your lord, the most exalted!’

25. So Allah overtook him with an exemplary punishment in the Hereafter and this world.

26. Surely, in this (incident), there is an admonition for one who fears (Allah).

27. Are you more difficult to create or (the entire) universe that He has built?

28. He raised all its heavenly spheres (by expanding them from all sides), then fashioned them perfectly.

29. Then darkened its night and brought out its daylight.

30. As for the earth, He separated (it from the solar nebula) and expanded it after that (to make it inhabitable).

31. He brought out its water from it (separately) and its green pastures (from the rest of the dry regions).

32. As for the mountains, He raised them firmly (upon it).

33. (He did all this) as a (means of) sustenance for you and your livestock.

34. When the great overwhelming catastrophe arrives,

35. that Day, every human being will remember whatever he has endeavoured.

36. The Hellfire will be made visible to all who can see.

37. As for him, who was rebellious,

38. and preferred the life of this world,

39. the Hellfire will certainly be (his) refuge.

40. But as for those who feared standing in the presence of his Lord and restrained (his) soul from evil desires,

41. indeed, Paradise will be his abode.

42. They (the disbelievers) ask you about the Hour: ‘When shall it set in?’

43. What do you have to do with mentioning it?

44. (Tell them that) towards your Lord is its conclusion.

45. You are only a Warner for one who fears it.

46. On the Day they see it, it shall be as if they had stayed (in the world) no more than an evening or forenoon.

1. He looked displeased and turned (his attention) away,

2. because the blind man came to him (interrupting his discourse).

3. What would make you realise? Perhaps he would purify himself (by your attention),

4. or he would become mindful so that the reminder would benefit him.

5. As for the one who considers himself beyond need (of faith),

6. you attend to him earnestly (to make him embrace Islam),

7. but you are not responsible if he does not purify himself.

8. As for the one who came to you striving,

9. while he feared (his Lord),

10. you were inattentive to him.

11. No, indeed! These (verses of the Qur’an) are a Reminder.

12. So let anyone who wishes remember it.

13. (It is written) in honoured scriptures,

14. highly esteemed (and) purified,

15. by the hands of angel scribes,

16. honourable (and) virtuous.

17. Perish (the disbelieving) human! How ungrateful he is!

18. From what substance has He created him?

19. He has created him from a fertilised egg (i.e. a zygote*), then proportioned him (during his development until the prenatal stage).

* In Arabic, the word ‘al-nutfa’ is mentioned, and it refers to a zygote, which is a mixture of male and female gametes. It is the new single cell formed after the union of a sperm and ovum.

20. Then He made the way easy for him (to come out of the mother’s womb).

21. Then (at the end of his life span), He caused him to die and buried him.

22. Then, whenever He wills, He will resurrect him.

23. But no! He (the disobedient man) has not yet accomplished what He commanded him.

24. Then let human being consider his food:

25. How We poured down water in abundance,

26. then, We split the earth, tearing (it) asunder,

27. and cause grains to grow in it,

28. and grapes and fresh vegetables,

29. and olives and date palms,

30. and gardens, densely planted,

31. and fruits and (animals’) fodder,

32. as a sustenance for you and your livestock.

33. So, when the Deafening Blast comes,

34. the Day when a man flees from his brother,

35. and his mother and his father,

36. and his spouse and his children,

37. on that Day, every person will have such a (stressful) matter that it will make him unconcerned (with everyone else).

38. (Some) faces, on that Day, will be shining,

39. laughing (and) rejoicing.

40. As for (some) faces, there shall be staining dust upon them that Day,

41. (and) darkness will overcast them.

42. These are the disbelievers, the wicked evildoers.

1. When the sun is rolled up (and darkened),

2. when the stars scatter (and fall from their galaxies),

3. when the mountains are blown away (after turning to dust),

4. when the pregnant camels are left unattended,

5. when the wild beasts are assembled together,

6. when the seas are set on fire,

7. when the souls are paired (again with their bodies),

8. when the female infant, buried alive, is asked,

9. for what sin was she slain?

10. When the records (of deeds) are unfolded,

11. when the heavens are stripped away,

12. when the Hellfire is set ablaze,

13. and when Paradise is brought closer,

14. then each soul will know what (deeds) it has brought along (with it).

15. So I swear by those (stars and planets) which recede (after appearing),

16. those which move freely (in their orbit) and (then) hide,

17. and (I swear) by the night, as it withdraws (gradually),

18. and by the dawn, as it breathes,

19. this (Qur’an) is indeed the word of (God, delivered by Gabriel,) a noble messenger,

20. full of strength, (and) held in honour by the Lord of the Throne.

21. (He is) well obeyed (in the heavens), and trustworthy as well.

22. And, (O people,) your guide (Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) is not insane.

23. He surely saw him upon the clear horizon.

* This translation is based on the statements of the venerable ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Abbas, Anas b. Malik, ‘Ikrima, Abu Salama, al-Dahhak, Abu al-‘Aliya, Hasan, Ka‘b al-Ahbar, Sharik b. ‘Abd Allah and al-Sha‘bi and others, which are related by al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Tirmidhi, Ibn Jarir, al-Baghawi and many other eminent hadith-scholars. Most exegetes have also accepted it.

24. And he (i.e. the Esteemed Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) is not ungenerous in disclosing (the knowledge of) the Unseen.

25. And this (Qur’an) is not the word of a cursed Satan.

26. So where are you going?

27. Indeed, this (Qur’an) is just a Reminder for all nations,

28. (especially) for the one among you who wishes to be steadfast (on the right path).

29. But you cannot wish (to do so) unless Allah, the Lord of all worlds, pleases.

1. When the heavens split apart,

2. when the stars (and planets) are scattered,

3. when the oceans (and rivers) are made to overflow,

4. and when the graves are overturned,

5. then (every) soul shall know what it has sent forth and left behind.

6. O humankind! What has deceived you concerning your Generous Lord,

7. Who created you, fashioned you and perfected you in proportional balance,

8. and in whatever form He pleased, composed you?

9. No, indeed! Instead, you deny the (final) Retribution.

10. Indeed, there are vigilant watchers over you,

11. (the) noble recorders, writing everything (down).

12. They know (all) that you do.

13. Indeed, the virtuous shall be in Bliss,

14. and the wicked shall be in Hell.

15. They will enter it to burn on the Day of Retribution,

16. and they will never be absent from it.

17. What will make you realise what the Day of Retribution is?

18. Again! What will make you realise what the Day of Retribution is?

19. (It is) the Day when a soul shall not possess (any benefit) for another soul. And all authority on that Day will belong to Allah.

1. Woe to those who give short measures!

2. Those, when they take the measure (of any commodity) from people, they take (it) in full.

3. But, when they measure or weigh for others, they give less.

4. Do such people not think that they will be resurrected,

5. for a tremendous Day,

6. a Day when (all) people will stand before the Lord of all worlds?

7. No, indeed! The record of the wicked is in Sijjin.

8. And what will make you realise what Sijjin is?

9. (It is) an inscribed book (kept in the record room of Hell).

10. Woe to the deniers on that Day,

11. those who deny the Day of Retribution!

12. And none denies it except every sinful transgressor.

13. Whenever Our revelations are recited to him, he says: ‘(These are) tales of the ancients.’

14. No, indeed! Instead, whatever (evil) they have been earning has stained their hearts.

15. Undoubtedly, they will be veiled from their Lord that Day.

16. Then they will enter Hell to burn.

17. Then they will be told: ‘This is what you used to deny.’

18. Undoubtedly, the record of the pious is in ‘Illiyyun.

19. And what will make you realise what ‘Illiyyun is?

20. (It is) an inscribed book (kept in the record room of Paradise).

21. The (angels) nearest (to Allah) remain present here (as witnesses).

22. Indeed, the virtuous shall be in Bliss,

23. (reclining) upon couches, they will gaze around (the beautiful sights of Paradise).

24. You will perceive upon their faces the delightful freshness of Bliss.

25. They will be served with a sealed pure wine.

26. Its last sip will be (as fragrant as) musk. So, for it, let the aspirants strive to aspire.

27. And the flavour (of this drink) is (seasoned) from Tasnim.

28. (It is) a spring from which those nearest (to Allah) will drink.

29. Indeed, the criminals used to laugh at the believers.

30. Whenever they (the believers) passed by them, they would wink at one another.

31. When they returned to their people, they would return jokingly,

32. and when they saw them (i.e. the believers), they would say: ‘They are the ones astray.’

33. Yet, they were not sent to be watchers over them.

34. So today, the believers will laugh at the disbelievers,

35. (reclining) upon couches, they will observe:

36. Have the disbelievers been paid back for what they used to do?

1. When the sky bursts open,

2. and obeys (the command of) its Lord, as it rightly should,

3. and when the earth is stretched out,

4. and throws out all that is in it and becomes empty,

5. and obeys (the command of) its Lord, as it rightly should.

6. O humankind! You are labouring towards your Lord restlessly and shall (eventually) meet Him.

7. Whoever is given his record in his right hand,

8. he shall be reckoned with an easy reckoning,

9. and he will return to his family joyfully.

10. And whoever is given his record (in his left hand) from behind his back,

11. he will pray for (instant) annihilation,

12. and he will enter into a burning Fire.

13. Indeed, he used to be joyful among his people.

14. Indeed, he thought he would never return (to Allah for the Reckoning).

15. Yes! Indeed, his Lord was All-Seeing of him.

16. So I swear by the twilight,

17. by the night and what it covers,

18. and by the moon, when it grows full:

19. You will indeed ride from stage to stage.

20. So what is (the matter) with them that they do not believe?

21. When the Qur’an is recited to them, they do not prostrate (in submission).

22. Instead, the disbelievers persist in denial.

23. But Allah knows best what they hide.

24. So warn them of a painful punishment.

25. But as for those who believe and perform righteous deeds, they will have a never-ending reward.

1. By the sky full of constellations,

2. by the Promised Day,

3. and by the witness and the witnessed:

4. Perished are the people of the trenches!

5. The fire (pit), full of fuel,

6. when they sat around it,

7. as they were witnessing what they were doing to the believers.

8. They were vindictive towards them only because they had believed in Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Praised,

9. to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Witness over everything.

10. Indeed, those who persecute the believing men and the believing women and then do not repent will have the punishment of Hell, and for them, there is a (severe) torment of burning.

11. Indeed, those who believe and perform righteous deeds—for them will be Gardens with rivers flowing beneath them. That is the supreme success.

12. Indeed, your Lord’s striking is very severe.

13. It is He Who originates and brings back again,

14. and He is the Most-Forgiving, the All-Affectionate,

15. the Lord of the Throne, the All-Glorious,

16. Doer of whatever He intends.

17. Has the story of the (destroyed) forces reached you,

18. (the troops) of Pharaoh and Thamud?

19. Yet the disbelievers are (persistently) in denial.

20. But Allah besieges (them) from all sides.

21. Rather, it is a Glorious Qur’an,

22. in a Guarded Tablet.

1. By the sky and by the Night-Comer!

2. And what will make you realise what the Night-Comer is?

3. (It is) the star of intense brightness.

* Al-najm al-thaqib refers also to the chosen Messenger Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) who shone as a sirajan munira (luminous lamp), with a sun’s glow, on the horizon of Prophethood, and brightened the universe with the Light of Faith. See: al-Shifa by al-Qadi ‘Iyad.

4. There is no soul without a (vigilant) guard over it.

5. So let human being consider from what (substance) he has been created.

6. He has been created from a gushing fluid,

7. that stems from between the loins and the pelvic bones.

8. Indeed, He is Capable of returning him (to life again),

9. on the Day when the secrets are disclosed,

10. and one will have neither (any) power nor helper.

11. By the heavens returning to their primitive state,

12. and by the earth splitting asunder (into dust particles):

13. It is indeed a decisive Word,

14. and it is not a joke!

15. Indeed, they are devising an evil scheme.

16. And I (too) am designing a strategy.

17. So give the disbelievers respite; let them relax a little (more).

1. Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Exalted,

2. Who created and fashioned (all in perfect proportion),

3. Who designed (everything) with precisely programmed measure and guided (accordingly),

4. and brought out the green pasture (from the earth),

5. then turned it into blackish withered husks.

6. We shall make you recite (the Qur’an) so that you do not forget (any of it),

7. except what Allah wills. Indeed, He knows what is open and what is hidden.

8. We will facilitate you to (the way of) ease.

9. So keep reminding (with this Qur’an), even if the reminder is beneficial (only to some).

10. The fearful will (accept it and) become mindful,

11. while the most unfortunate will avoid it.

12. He (is the one) who will enter the Greatest Fire,

13. where he will neither die nor live.

14. He is successful indeed, who purifies himself,

15. and (who) remembers the Name of his Lord and prays (regularly).

16. But you (deniers) prefer the life of this world,

17. while the Hereafter is far better and more lasting.

18. This is indeed (mentioned) in the earlier scriptures,

19. the scriptures of Ibrahim (Abraham) and Musa (Moses).

1. Has the news of the overwhelming calamity reached you?

2. Some faces on that Day will be humiliated,

3. overstressed (and) exhausted.

4. They will burn in a Blazing Fire,

5. (and) made to drink from a boiling spring.

6. They will have no food except a bitter, thorny shrub,

7. neither nourishing (them) nor availing (them) against hunger.

8. Some faces on that Day will be glowing blissfully,

9. well pleased with their (righteous) endeavour.

10. (They will be) in a magnificent Paradise,

11. where they will not hear any vain talk.

12. In it, there is a flowing spring,

13. (and) in it, there are raised couches,

14. and goblets (decently) set in place,

15. and silken cushions laid in rows,

16. and splendid carpets spread out.

17. Do they not reflect on the camels, how (remarkably) they have been created?

18. And the sky, how it has been raised high?

19. And the mountains, how they have been firmly set?

20. And the earth, how it has been levelled out?

21. So (continue to) remind (them), for your duty is only to remind.

22. You are not (appointed as) a watcher over them (to compel them).

23. But whoever turns away and disbelieves,

24. Allah will inflict upon him the greatest punishment.

25. Indeed, to Us will be their return,

26. then, indeed, upon Us will be their Reckoning.

1. By the dawn,*

* It implies the daily dawn that dispels the darkness of the night, or the Morning Prayer, or particularly the first daybreak of the month of Dhu al-Hijja or the first dawn of Muharram or the ‘Id al-Adha morning. It also connotes the Holy Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him), whose Prophethood brought the dawn of truth and faith and ended the darkness of ignorance and misguidance.

2. and by the ten nights,*

* This verse can also refer to the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan, the period during which the Qur’an was first revealed. It may also refer to the first ten nights of Muharram or the first ten nights of Dhu al-Hijja, full of Allah’s bounties and blessings.

3. and by the even and the odd,*

* The ‘even’ refers to all creation begotten in pairs, while the ‘odd’ implies the One, the Creator, Who has no equal. Some say that shaf ‘ connotes the ‘Day of Sacrifice’, and watr refers to the ‘the Day of ‘Arafat’ (during Hajj). Shaf ‘ may also refer to the days and nights of the worldly life, while watr may denote the Day of Resurrection. Shaf‘ also stands for all even nights of the year, while watr are all the blissful odd nights of the year, such as the night of al-Mi‘raj, the night of al-Bara’a, the night of al-Qadr, which come successively in the months of Rajab, Sha‘ban and Ramadan. Shaf‘ also points to the first couple, Adam and Hawwa’ (Eve [peace be upon both of them]), when together, whereas watr connotes Adam (peace be upon him) when alone because he was the origin of the human race. This verse may also refer to the prayers, most of which have an even number of cycles, whereas one of them, the sunset prayer, has an odd number. Some say the ‘even’ refers to Safa and Marwa, while the ‘odd’ refers to the Ka‘ba.

4. and by the night when it departs!*

* It refers to every night in general, which indicates the Wisdom of Allah’s measuring between night and day. But, according to some scholars, it could be a specific reference to the night of the Hajj, when the pilgrims gather at Muzdalifa before moving to Mina. Others say it could refer to the Night of Power (Layla al-Qadr).

5. Surely, there is an oath in it for the one possessing wisdom.

6. Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with (the people of) ‘Ad,

7. and (the people of) Iram, (the city) of the towering castles,

8. the likes of which had not been created in the countries (at that time),

9. and (the people of) Thamud, who carved out (their homes in) the rocks in the (Qura) valley,

10. and Pharaoh, the possessor of large armies?

11. (They were) those who rebelled (against Allah) in the lands,

12. and spread much corruption therein.

13. So your Lord unleashed the scourge of punishment upon them.

14. Indeed, your Lord is (always) on watch.

15. As for the human being, whenever his Lord tests him, grants him honour and blesses him (with bounties), he says: ‘My Lord has honoured me.’

16. But when He tests him and tightens his provision, he says: ‘My Lord has humiliated me.’

17. No, indeed! Instead, you do not honour the orphan,

18. and you do not urge one another to feed the poor,

19. and you eat away the inheritance (neglecting others) greedily,

20. and you love wealth with an exceeding passion.

21. No, indeed! When the earth is crumbled into pieces and pounded to dust particles,

22. and your Lord comes (to judge), with the angels (appearing) in rows upon rows,

23. (and) Hell is brought (closer) that Day. On that Day, humans will become mindful of advice, but what will be the benefit of remembering then?

24. He will say: ‘I wish I had sent ahead (some good) for my (real) life!’

25. On that Day, none shall be able to punish (anyone) like His punishment,

26. and none shall be able to bind (anyone) like His binding.

27. (Allah will say to the righteous:) ‘O contented soul!

28. Return to your Lord, well-pleased (with Him) and well-pleasing (to Him)!

29. Then enter among My (chosen) servants!

30. And enter My Paradise (the ultimate abode of My pleasure and nearness)!’

1. I swear by this city (of Mecca),

2. as you reside in this city* (O Esteemed Prophet!).

* In the first verse, the particle la has come for emphasis, not negation. According to some scholars, the particle la may also refer to the true negation. In this case, the translation will be: ‘I will not swear by this city (O Prophet!) when you depart from this city.’ According to another linguistic probability, if the particle la is for the negating rhetorical question (al-istifham al-inkari), in this case, the translation will be: ‘Why should I not swear by this city (O Prophet!), while you reside there?’

3. By the father and that whom he begot,*

* This refers to Adam and his progeny or every begetter and every begotten, indicating all of humanity from the first to the last. This phrase can also refer to Prophets Ibrahim and Isma‘il. It may also refer to Prophet Isma‘il and his progeny up to Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him), or Prophet Ibrahim and his progeny until the birth of Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) in Mecca. For that reason, this city has become worthy of Allah’s oath.

4. surely, We have created humankind in (a state of constant) toil and trial.

5. Does he think that no one will have power over him?

6. He says: ‘I have spent wealth in abundance.’

7. Does he think no one has seen him?

8. Have We not given him two eyes,

9. a tongue and two lips,

10. and shown him the two clear paths (of good and evil)?

11. But he did not attempt the steep path (of goodness).

12. What will make you realise what the steep path is?

13. (It is) the freeing of a slave,

14. or feeding (someone) on a day of starvation,

15. or (feeding) an orphan among relatives,

16. or a needy (person) lying in the dust,

17. and above all, being one of those who believe, urge one another to patience and urge one another to compassion.

18. They are the people of the Right Hand.

19. But as for those who disbelieve in Our revelations, they are the people of the Left Hand.

20. Upon them will be an enclosed Fire.

1. By the sun and its morning brightness,

2. and by the moon, as it follows the sun,

3. and by the day, as it reveals the sun,

4. and by the night, as it conceals the sun,

5. and by the heavens and the One Who built them (as a vast universe),

6. and by the earth and the One Who flung it far (from the sun and spread it out),

7. and by the soul and the One Who fashioned it (in perfect proportion),

8. then inspired it with (the knowledge of) its vices and its virtues:

9. Indeed, he will succeed who purifies it,

10. and indeed, he will fail who corrupts it.

11. The (people of) Thamud rejected (their messenger Salih) out of their rebellion,

12. when the most wicked of them rose (against him).

13. Then Allah’s messenger (Salih) said to them: ‘(Do not disturb) Allah’s she-camel and her turn to drink.’

14. But they denied him and slaughtered her. So their Lord crushed them for their sin and levelled their city to the ground.

15. And He does not fear its consequence.

1. By the night, when it covers (everything in darkness),

2. and by the day, when it brightens,

3. and by the One Who created the male and the female:

4. indeed, your endeavours are diverse!

5. As for the one who gives (from his wealth) and is God-conscious,

6. and confirms the finest promise (of the Hereafter),

7. We shall surely facilitate him towards ease (in seeking Allah’s pleasure).

8. But as for the one who is stingy and disregards (Allah’s commands for his desires),

9. and denies the finest promise (of the Hereafter),

10. We shall surely facilitate him towards hardship (in the Hellfire).

11. His wealth will not avail him when he perishes.

12. It is, indeed, upon Us to provide guidance.

13. And to Us belong the latter (world) and the former (world).

14. So, I warn you of a blazing Fire,

15. which none shall enter except the most wicked,

16. the one who rejects (the truth) and turns away.

17. The most conscious (of Allah’s command) shall be spared from it.

18. (He is one) who gives his wealth (for the sake of Allah) to purify himself.

19. None has any favour upon him to be repaid,

20. but he seeks only the pleasure of his Lord, the Most Exalted.

21. Surely, he shall soon be well-pleased (with Allah’s grace).

1. By the morning brightness,*

* It may also refer to the raising of the Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him), whose radiance replaced the darkness of ignorance with the light of guidance.

2. by the night, when it calms and covers (the daylight with its darkness),*

* According to Qatada, Muqatil and Ja‘far al-Sadiq, ‘al-duha’ may also refer to the time when All-Mighty Allah spoke to Musa at Mount Sinai (al-Tur), whereas ‘al-layl’ may refer to the Night of Ascension (al-Mi‘raj) when All-Mighty Allah spoke to Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him). See: Tafsir al-Qurtubi, al-Lubab and other authoritative books of tafsir.

3. (O Prophet!) Your Lord has not forsaken you, nor is He displeased with you.

4. Surely, whatever moment (of your Prophetic period) comes after will be far better for you than the former. (Or: The exalted station of the next life will surely be far better for you than the one in this life).

5. And surely your Lord shall give you (so much) that you will be well pleased.

6. Did He not find you an orphan and sheltered you (with a graceful position)?*

* This verse can also mean: ‘Did He not find you (compassionate) and provide shelter to the orphans (through you)?’ See: al-Tha‘labi, al-Razi, al-Qurtubi, Abu Hayyan, Abu Hafs al-Hanbali, al-Qadi ‘Iyad, al-Zurqani and others.

7. He found you lost (in His love) and guided you (to your destination).*

* It may also mean: ‘He found you (as a guide) amongst an unguided people and guided them through you.’ Or: ‘He found your nation misguided and guided them through you.’ It can also mean: ‘He found you all alone, unrecognised among the people, and guided (them to you).’ Scholars have given another possible meaning to this verse: ‘He found you like a tree in a desert, which shows the way to lost people, so He guided them to the right path through you.’ Scholars have also offered another meaning: ‘He has found you in an overwhelming wish of the Qibla (the Ka‘ba of Mecca), and He will guide you (through His command) towards it.’ In this translation, ‘al-dall’ means ‘lover’ or ‘wisher’. al-Suddi, al-Kalbi, al-Farra’ and other great scholars of the pious predecessors have reported these meanings. See: al-Tha‘labi, al-Razi, al-Qurtubi, Abu Hayyan, Abu Hafs al-Hanbali, al-Qadi ‘Iyad, al-Zurqani and others.

8. He found you in need (of His support) and enriched you (with His abundant favours).*

* It can also mean: ‘He found you benevolent and (through you) fulfilled the needs of the poor.’ It may also mean: ‘He found you in need (of support for your Prophetic Mission) and strengthened you (through the support of Abu Talib, Khadija, Abu Bakr and others).’ It can also mean: ‘He found you in need (of Divine Proofs and Manifest Signs), and He made you self-sufficient (by bestowing these upon you).’ In verses 6, 7 and 8: ‘yatiman’ is considered the direct object of ‘fa-’awa’, ‘dallan’ the direct object of ‘fa-hada’ and ‘‘a’ilan’ the direct object of ‘fa-aghna’. See: al-Tha‘labi, al-Razi, al-Qurtubi, Abu Hayyan, Abu Hafs al-Hanbali, al-Qadi ‘Iyad, al-Zurqani and others.

9. So, as for the orphan, never oppress (him).

10. And as for the beggar, never repulse (him).

11. And as for your Lord’s blessing, proclaim (it well).

1. Have We not expanded your breast for you (Esteemed Prophet!),*

* This expansion may refer to the Divine light, knowledge and wisdom from Allah’s Presence, filling the breast of the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him).

2. and relieved you of your burden,*

* This burden may refer to the resistance of the Meccan polytheists against the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) and the persecution of his followers.

3. that weighed heavily upon your back.

4. Did We not raise your remembrance for you (and exalted your name)?*

* It refers to making the Prophet’s remembrance everlasting, joining his name with Allah’s name in every commandment, and celebrating his praise in this world and the Hereafter.

5. So, indeed, with (every) hardship comes ease.

6. Indeed, with (every) hardship comes ease.

7. So, once you have fulfilled (your duty), strive (in acts of devotion),

8. and turn to your Lord eagerly.

1. By the fig and the olive,

2. by Mount Sinai,

3. by this secure city (of Mecca):

4. We, indeed, created human being in the most beautiful form,

5. then, We returned him to the lowest of the low,

6. except those who believe and perform righteous deeds. They will have a never-ending reward.

7. So, (after knowing this) what makes you deny the Retribution?

8. Is not Allah the Fairest of all judges?

1. Read in the Name of your Lord, Who created (everything).

2. He created human being from a leech-like mass (clinging to the endometrium of the uterus).*

* The words ‘‘alaq’ in this verse and ‘‘alaqa’ in verses 22:5 and 23:14 describe the human embryo from days 7–24 when it clings to the endometrium of the uterus like a leech. Just as the leech clings to the skin and derives blood from the host, the human embryo clings to the endometrium and derives blood from the mother. It is remarkable how much the embryo resembles a leech at 23–24 days. Microscopes were not available in the 7th century, so without recourse to revelation, it would not have been possible for anyone to have known that the human embryo at this stage was clinging to the endometrium and had a leech-like appearance.

3. Read, and your Lord is the Most-Generous,

4. Who taught (to write) by the pen,

5. Who taught human being what he did not know.

6. No, indeed, human being becomes rebellious,

7. when he thinks he is self-sufficient.

8. Indeed, to your Lord is the return.

9. Have you noticed the one who prevents,

10. an (esteemed) servant (of Ours) when he prays?*

* These verses are usually understood as a reference to Abu Jahal’s efforts to prevent the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) from praying at the Ka‘ba.

11. Tell me, if he (i.e. the one who prevents) had been on the right path,

12. and encouraged (people) to be God-conscious (would it not have been better for him)?

13. Tell me (now), if he has rejected (the truth) and turned away (from it, would that not be worse for him)?

14. Does he not know that Allah sees (his conduct)?*

* These four verses, verses 11 to 14, can also be rendered with the following meanings: ‘(O Abu Jahl!) Do you realise if Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) is on the right path and urges the people to be God-conscious, that your effort to prevent him from worshipping will lead you to be cursed in this world and the Hereafter? And do you realise what will be the fate of the one who rejects the truth and turns away from the right path? Does he not know that Allah watches all what he does?’ These verses may also be rendered with a generalised meaning: ‘Tell me: if someone is on the right path and urges the people to be God-conscious, and then tell me: if someone rejects the truth and turns away from the right path, which one of the two is better? Does he not know that Allah sees and differentiates between the two?’

15. No, indeed! If he does not stop, We shall grab him by the lock of hair over his forehead,

16. a lying, sinful forehead.

17. Then let him call his comrades (for help).

18. We will call the guards of Hell.

19. No, indeed! Do not care about his doings and continue prostrating and drawing near (to Allah).

1. Indeed, We revealed this (Qur’an) in the Night of Power.

2. What will make you realise what the Night of Power is?

3. The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.

4. The angels and the (holy) Spirit descend in this (night) by the permission of their Lord, with every (decreed) matter.

5. It is (all) peace until the rising of the dawn.

1. The disbelievers among the People of the Book and the polytheists would not separate (from disbelief) until clear evidence came to them.

2. (The clear evidence is) a messenger from Allah, reciting the purified scriptures,

3. containing upright commandments.

4. Those given the Book did not become divided until after the clear evidence had come to them.

5. They were not commanded except to worship Allah, sincerely dedicating their devotion to Him as men of pure faith, and to establish the prayer and pay the alms due. That is the upright religion.

6. Indeed, the disbelievers among the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the Fire of Hell, remaining in it forever. They are the worst of (all) creatures.

7. Indeed, those who believe and perform righteous deeds—it is they who the are the best of (all) creatures.

8. Their reward with their Lord is the Gardens of Eternity, with rivers flowing beneath them, abiding in them forever and ever. Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him. All this is for him who fears his Lord.

1. When the earth is shaken with its terrible quake,

2. and when the earth throws out (all) its burdens,

3. and when humans say: ‘What is happening to it?’

4. on that Day, it will relate (all) its chronicles,

5. because its Lord will have inspired it.

6. On that Day, people shall proceed in separate groups to be shown their deeds.

7. So, whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it,

8. and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.

1. By the galloping (war) horses, breathing pantingly (on the battlefields),

2. by the strikers, striking sparks of fire (on rocks with their hoofs),

3. by the raiders, launching raids at dawn,

4. raising thereby a trail of dust clouds,

5. and penetrating the middle of the enemy ranks,

6. indeed, humans are ungrateful to his Lord.

7. Surely, he (himself) is a witness to that.

8. Indeed, he is extreme in the love of wealth.

9. Does he not know when whatever is in the graves is turned over,

10. and whatever is in the breasts is made apparent,

11. indeed, their Lord shall be All-Aware of them that Day.

1. The Terrible Calamity!

2. What is the Terrible Calamity?

3. What will make you realise what the Terrible Calamity is?

4. (It is) the Day when people will be like scattered moths,

5. and the mountains will be like carded wool.

6. As for him whose scales (of good deeds) are heavy,

7. he shall have a pleasant life.

8. But as for him whose scales (of good deeds) are light,

9. his home shall be the abyss.

10. What will make you realise what it is?

11. It is a (deep, bottomless pit of) Blazing Fire.

1. The competition of wealth accumulation distracts you (from God),

2. until you visit the graves.

3. No, indeed! Soon you will come to know!

4. Again, no, indeed! Soon you will come to know!

5. No, indeed! If only you had known (the consequence of greed) with certain knowledge (you would have acted differently).

6. You will most definitely see the Hellfire.

7. Again, you will most surely see it with the eye of certainty.

8. Then, surely you will be questioned that Day, about the blessings (bestowed upon you in the world).

1. By Time!*

* From the probable meanings of ‘al-‘Asr’, the scholars of exegesis opined that the most likely meaning is the late afternoon ritual prayer, for this is the middlemost prayer of the day. Some opined that it refers to the blessed era of Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) because of Allah’s special blessings and bounties in sending the Last and Final Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him), for it marks the point in human history when Divine revelation and Prophethood came to a close. Moreover, this era of the Final Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) was the best of all the eras of humankind throughout history. The word ‘al-‘Asr’ may also refer to the remaining time left in this world for the Umma of Prophet Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him). Some scholars consider it a general reference to time per se due to its significance so that people may spend their time wisely and beneficially. Every second of our life that passes never returns; thus, time is such a commodity that, if lost, can never be recovered. According to some scholars, it refers to the declining hours of the day, i.e. late afternoon till sunset, or it may indicate the moment when life ends.