تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي

1. Blessed is the One in Whose Hand lies all sovereignty, and He is All-Capable of everything.

2. (He is) the One Who created death and life that He may test you (as to) which of you is best in conduct, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most-Forgiving.

3. The One Who created seven heavens in layers, one above the other. You will never see any disproportion (or defect) in the creation of the Most-Compassionate (Lord). Look again! Do you see any cracks?

4. Then look again and again (inquisitively). (Your) sight will turn back to you exhausted and defeated.

5. We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps (i.e. stars, planets, comets, asteroids, etc.). And We have made (some of) them missiles against the devils (to eliminate the harmful effects of destructive forces). And We have prepared for them a punishment of the Blaze.

6. For those who disbelieve in their Lord will be the punishment of Hell, and it is an evil destination.

7. When they are thrown into it, they will hear it blaring as it boils over,

8. almost exploding with rage. Every time a group is thrown in it, its keepers will ask them: ‘Did no warner come to you?’

9. They will say: ‘Yes, a warner did come to us, but we denied (him) and said: ‘Allah has not revealed anything. You are only in great error’.’

10. And they will say: ‘If only we had listened (to the warner) or used reason (to understand the truth), we would not be among the inmates of the Blaze.’

11. Thus, they will confess their sins. So away with the inmates of the Blaze!

12. Those who fear their Lord without seeing (Him), there will be forgiveness for them and a great reward.

13. (Whether) you speak secretly or loudly, indeed, He is All-Knowing of what is (hidden) in the breasts.

14. Does He Who created (everything) not know? He is the All-Attentive, the All-Aware.

15. He is the One Who made the earth subservient to you. So, travel in its (different) routes and eat from His provision. And towards Him is the Resurrection.

16. Do you feel secure that the One in Heaven will not cause the earth to swallow you up when it quakes violently?

17. Or do you feel secure that the One in Heaven will not unleash a storm of stones upon you? You shall soon (come to) know how (severe) My Warning is!

18. And surely those before them had (also) denied; then how (terrible) was My Rebuttal!

19. Have they not seen the birds above them expanding and contracting their wings? Nothing can hold them (from falling) except (the command of) the Most-Compassionate (Lord). Indeed, He is All-Seeing of everything.

20. Or who is it that could be a force for you to help you besides the Most-Compassionate (Lord)? The disbelievers are only (lost) in delusion.

21. Or who is it that could provide for you if He withholds His sustenance? Instead, they persist in defiance and aversion.

22. Is the one who crawls upon his face better guided or the one who walks upright on a straight path?

23. Say: ‘He is the One Who created you and endowed you with ears, eyes and hearts. (Yet) you hardly give any thanks.’

24. Say: ‘He is the One Who scattered you throughout the earth, and to Him you shall be gathered.’

25. They say: ‘When will this promise come to pass if you are truthful?’

26. Say: ‘(Its) knowledge is only with Allah. And I am just a manifest Warner.’

27. But when they shall see it quite near, the faces of the disbelievers will become darkened (and deformed), and it will be said (to them): ‘This is what you were calling for.’

28. Say: ‘Tell me, whether Allah destroys me and those with me or shows mercy to us, but who will shelter the disbelievers from a painful punishment?’

29. Say: ‘He is the Most-Compassionate (Lord); we believe in Him, and upon Him do we trust. You will soon know who is in obvious error.’

30. Say: ‘Tell me, if your water were to sink deep (into the earth), then who would bring you flowing water?’

1. Nun. By the pen, and whatever they (the angels) write down!

2. (O Prophet!) By the Grace of your Lord, you are not insane.

3. And most surely, you shall have an unceasing reward.

4. And indeed, you are upon an exalted moral character.

5. You will see, and they will see,

6. which one of you is afflicted (with madness).

7. Indeed, your Lord knows best who strays from His way, and He knows best who are rightly guided.

8. So do not yield to the deniers.

9. They wish you to compromise (with them) so they can compromise (with you).

10. So do not listen to any disgraceful swearer,

11. (or to any) defamer (and slanderer), scandalmonger, mischief spreader (and backbiter),

12. (or) forbidder of the good, sinful transgressor,

13. (or) ignoble, and on top of that, baseborn (i.e. an illegitimate child),

* These Verses were sent down about Walid b. Mughira. The venerable ‘Abd Allah b. ‘Abbas states: ‘For no one else have so many humiliating titles been used to date in the Holy Book as Allah has given to this evil soul.’ Because Walid b. Mughira blasphemed against the glory of the Holy Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him), Allah replied, describing ten of Walid b. Mughira’s evils, and He also revealed his illegitimacy in the end. Later his mother validated this fact. See: Tafsir al-Qurtubi, al-Razi, al-Nasafi, etc.

14. simply because he has wealth and children.

15. When Our Verses are recited to him, he says: ‘(These are) the fictitious stories of the ancients.’

16. Soon, We shall brand him on (his) trunk-like nose.

17. Indeed, We have tested them (i.e. the inhabitants of Mecca) as We tested the owners of a (particular) garden (in Yemen) when they swore they would harvest (all) its fruit in the early morning.

18. They did not make any exception (for Allah’s will or by setting aside a portion for the poor).

19. Then, your Lord’s visitation (of a disaster) struck that (garden) while they were asleep.

20. So, that (garden) became like a harvested field.

21. At dawn, they called out to one another:

22. ‘Leave early to your field if you want to pick the fruits.’

23. So they set off whispering to one another:

24. ‘Do not let any poor person enter your garden today.’

25. So they proceeded early in the morning, (considering themselves) competent to execute their plan.

26. When they saw it (ruined), they said: ‘We must have lost our way.

27. No! We have indeed been deprived (of our livelihood).’

28. The most sensible of them said: ‘Did I not tell you: ‘Why do you not glorify (Allah)?’’

29. (Then) they said: ‘Glory be to our Lord! We have surely been wrongdoers!’

30. Then they turned to one another, blaming each other.

31. They said: ‘Woe to us! Indeed, we have been rebellious.

32. Perhaps our Lord will give us a better one in its place. We are indeed turning to our Lord with hope.’

33. Such is the punishment (of this world). But the punishment of the Hereafter is far greater if only they knew.

34. Indeed, for the God-conscious, the Gardens of Bliss will be with their Lord.

35. Shall We then treat the submitters like the guilty?

36. What is the matter with you? How do you judge?

37. Do you have a scripture in which you read:

38. that you shall have in it (i.e. the next world) whatever you choose?

39. Or do you have any pledges binding on Us until the Day of Resurrection that you shall have whatever you decide (for yourselves)?

40. Ask them (O Prophet), which of them shall guarantee that (baseless assertion)!

41. Or do they have any partners (supporting this assertion)? Then, let them produce their partners if they are truthful.

42. The Day when the Catastrophic Occurrence (of the Last Hour) is disclosed, they (i.e. the guilty) will be summoned to prostrate, but they will not be able to do so.

43. Their eyes will be cast down (with shame and terror), and disgrace will cover them (completely). Indeed, they were (always) summoned to prostrate (in the world) while they were healthy (but they chose not to).

44. So leave Me with those who reject this (Divine) discourse. We shall gradually lead them (to destruction) whence they cannot comprehend.

45. And I will grant them respite (for some time). Indeed, My scheme is firm.

46. Do you ask them for a reward (for conveying the message) so they feel burdened with debt?

47. Do they possess (the knowledge of) the Unseen, so they write it down (for their judgements)?

48. So submit patiently to the judgement of your Lord, and do not be like the Man of the Whale (Jonah), who called out (to his Lord) while he was in distress.

49. Had not the blessing reached him from his Lord, he would surely have been thrown upon the open shore and be (left) blameworthy.

50. Then his Lord chose him and made him among the righteous.

51. Indeed, the disbelievers almost strike you down with their looks when they hear the Reminder (you recite), and they say: ‘He must be insane.’

52. But it is just a Reminder for all nations (of the world).

1. The Undeniable Reality!

2. What is the Undeniable Reality?

3. And what will make you realise what the Undeniable Reality is?

4. Thamud and ‘Ad denied the Catastrophe (i.e. the Day when all cosmic bodies will be destroyed through a gravitational collision).

5. As for Thamud, they were destroyed by a highly violent crashing blast.

6. And as for ‘Ad, they were destroyed by a furiously bitter icy wind.

7. He imposed it upon them consecutively for seven nights and eight days. You would have seen the people lying dead as if they were hollow trunks of uprooted palm trees.

8. So, do you see any trace of them alive?

9. Then Pharaoh and those before him and the overthrown towns (of the community of Lut) committed grave sins.

10. They (also) disobeyed the messenger of their Lord. So He seized them with a terrible crushing grip.

11. Indeed, when the flood water rose high, We carried you in the floating ship,

12. so that We make it a reminder for you, and attentive ears may grasp it.

13. When the Trumpet is blown with a single blast,

14. and the earth and the mountains are lifted and crushed (into sand particles) with a single blow,

15. on that Day, the Inevitable event will occur.

16. The heavenly universe shall split asunder. So, (by losing its force) it will become torn into holes.*

* The word ‘wahiya’ means wear and tear of some leather, cloth or something similar with holes. It refers to the phenomenon that modern science has described as ‘black holes’. (al-Mufradat, Lisan al-‘Arab, Qamus al-Muhit, al-Munjid, etc.)

17. And the angels shall be (standing) at its edges. On that Day, eight (mighty angels) will carry the Throne of your Lord above them.

18. That Day, you will be exposed. None of your secrets will remain hidden.

19. As for the one given his book in his right hand, he will say (happily): ‘Come here and read my book!

20. I knew that I would surely face my reckoning.’

21. So he will have a pleasant life,

22. in an elevated garden,

23. whose clusters of fruit will be low-hanging (within easy reach).

24. (They will be told:) ‘Enjoy your food and drink for what you had sent in advance in the past days.’

25. But as for the one given his book in his left hand, he will say: ‘I wish I had not been given my book,

26. nor had I known what my account was!

27. I wish death had been the decisive end (of all affairs).

28. My wealth has not benefited me.

29. My authority has departed from me.’

30. (The angels will be told:) ‘Seize him and shackle him.

31. Then put him into Hellfire.

32. Then tie him up in a chain, seventy arms long.

33. Indeed, he did not believe in Allah, the Most Magnificent,

34. nor did he encourage the feeding of the needy.

35. So today, he has no loyal friend here,

36. nor any food except filthy pus,

37. which none shall eat except the evildoers.’

38. So I swear by whatever you see,

39. and whatever you do not see.

40. Indeed, this (Qur’an) is the word spoken by a Noble Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him).

41. And it is not the word of a poet (as you claim). How little do you believe!

42. Nor is it the word of a fortune-teller. How little do you reflect!

43. (It is) a revelation gradually sent down from the Lord of all worlds.

44. Had he fabricated any sayings about Us,

45. We would have surely seized him by the right hand,

46. and then cut off his aorta.

47. Then none of you could have shielded him (from Us).

48. Indeed, this (Qur’an) is a reminder for the God-conscious.

49. And We certainly know that some of you are (its) deniers.

50. Indeed, it will be a (matter of) regret for the disbelievers.

51. But most surely, it is the Certain Truth.

52. So glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most Magnificent.

1. A questioner asked about the punishment bound to occur,

2. upon the disbelievers, which none can repel,

3. from Allah, Lord of the Ascending Ways.

4. The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in a Day whose span is fifty thousand (earthly) years.

* If fi yawm is co-related to waqi’, it implies ‘50,000 year long Day of Judgement when the torment will befall’. But if it is co-related to ta‘ruju, it denotes fifty millennium year a day speed of ascension by the angels and by the souls of the believers that ascend towards Allah’s Throne. It is known to Allah alone as to what time they take to reach the destination. This generates the concept of ‘light year’.

5. So endure with graceful patience.

6. Indeed, they think this (Day) to be distant,

7. but We see it as near.

8. On that Day, the sky will be like molten copper,

9. and the mountains like (flakes of) coloured wool.

10. And no close friend will ask about his friend,

11. (although) they will be made to see each other. The guilty will wish to ransom himself from the punishment of that Day at the expense of his children,

12. and his wife and his brother,

13. and his close family who had sheltered him,

14. and all those upon the earth, if it could save him (from the punishment).

15. But never! Indeed, it is a blazing Fire,

16. that strips away the whole skin.

17. It invites whoever turns back and flees (from the truth),

18. and accumulates wealth and holds it (from distribution).

19. Indeed, humankind has been created impatient and greedy.

20. He gets distressed when misfortune afflicts him,

21. and he becomes miserly when good fortune comes his way,

22. except for the performers of prayer,

23. those who consistently observe their prayers,

24. and those in whose wealth there is a known share,

25. for the beggar and the deprived,

26. and those who firmly believe in the Day of Judgement,

27. and those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord.

28. Indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not something to feel safe from.

29. And those who guard (the chastity of) their private parts,

30. except with their wives or their slave women, for they are not blameworthy (for them).

31. But those who seek to go beyond this (limit) are the transgressors.

32. And those who are faithful in keeping their trusts and covenants,

33. and those who are firm upholders of their testimonies,

34. and those who are (consistently) watchful over their prayers,

35. they shall be in Gardens, held in great honour.

36. What is the matter with the disbelievers that they are hastening towards you,

37. from the right and the left, in crowds (to mock you)?

38. Does every one of them hope to enter the Garden of Bliss (without possessing faith and performing good deeds)?

39. Never! Indeed, We have created them from (a substance) they already know.

40. So I swear by the Lord of all horizons of sunrise and all horizons of sunset that We are Capable,

41. of replacing them with others better than them. And We cannot be prevented (from doing so).

42. So leave them occupied with idle talk and to amuse (themselves) until they encounter their Day, which they have been promised (as Retribution),

43. the Day they come out of the graves, hastening, as if racing towards a goal.

44. Their (shameful) eyes will be downcast (and) disgrace will overtake them. That is the Day they have been promised.

1. Indeed, We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people, (saying:) ‘Warn your people before a painful punishment overtakes them.’

2. He said: ‘O my people! I am a clear warner to you.

3. Worship Allah, fear Him and obey me.

4. He will forgive your sins and grant you respite until an appointed time. Indeed, when Allah’s (appointed) time comes, it cannot be deferred if only you knew.’

5. He said: ‘My Lord! Indeed, I have called my people night and day,

6. but my calling has only increased them in fleeing further away.

7. Every time I call them (towards faith) so that You may forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears, cover their heads with their garments, persist (in their disbelief) and act more proudly in their arrogance.

8. Then I called them openly,

9. and (again) appealed to them publicly and confided with them secretly.

10. I said (to them): ‘Seek forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is Most-Forgiving.

11. He will send clouds upon you with abundant rains,

12. and He will help you with wealth and sons, provide you with gardens and bless you with rivers.

13. What is the matter with you that you do not hope for Allah with veneration,

14. while He has created you through (various) stages?

15. Have you not seen how Allah has created the seven heavens in layers one above the other?

16. And (how) He has placed the moon within them as a (reflected source of) light and made the sun a (light emitting radiant) lamp?

17. Allah caused you to grow from the earth like (the growth of) a plant.*

* It refers to the similarities between the animal and plant kingdoms.

18. Then He makes you return to this (earth), and He will bring you out (of it) again.

19. And Allah has made the earth a vast expanse for you,

20. so that you may travel through its broad ways.’

21. Nuh (Noah) said: ‘My Lord! They have disobeyed me, following those (rebellious elites) whose wealth and children have increased them in nothing but loss.

22. They have devised a tremendous plan (to keep the people astray).

23. They say: ‘Do not leave your gods at any cost. Do not abandon Wadd or Suwa‘ or Yaghuth or Ya‘uq or Nasr (all of these idols).’

24. They have already led many (people) astray. So do not increase the wrongdoers except in error.’

25. Because of their evildoings, they were drowned and admitted into the Fire. So they did not find any helpers for themselves against Allah.

26. And Nuh (Noah) said: ‘My Lord! Do not leave upon the earth any inhabitant from among the disbelievers.

27. If You leave them, they will certainly lead Your servants astray, and they will give birth only to vicious sinners (and) staunch disbelievers.

28. My Lord! Forgive me and my parents, and (forgive) whoever enters my house as a believer, and (all) the believing men and the believing women, and do not increase the wrongdoers except in destruction.’

1. Say: ‘It has been revealed to me that a group of the jinn listened (to my recitation) and said (to their fellow jinn): ‘Indeed, we have heard a wonderful Qur’an.

2. It guides towards righteousness. So, we have believed in it, and we will never ascribe any partner to our Lord.

3. And exalted be the Majesty of our Lord. He has not taken (for Himself) a spouse or a child.

4. Indeed, the foolish among us used to utter falsehoods about Allah.

5. And indeed, we had thought that no human or jinn would (dare to) tell a lie about Allah.

6. Some persons among the humans used to seek refuge with some persons of the jinn, so they further increased in rebellion.

7. And they (i.e. the humans) thought as you (jinn) thought, that Allah would never raise anyone (from the dead).

8. We tried to reach heaven (for news) but found it filled with mighty guards and shooting flames.

9. We used to sit in some of its sitting places to listen, but whoever dares to listen now finds a flame waiting for him.

10. We do not know whether any evil is intended for those upon the earth or whether their Lord intends any good for them.

11. Among us, some are righteous, and among us, some are otherwise; we are divided into different paths.

12. We know that we can never escape Allah upon the earth, nor can we escape Him by flying (off the planet).

13. When we heard the (message of) guidance, we believed in it. So, whoever believes in his Lord shall neither fear detraction nor oppression.

14. Some among us have obediently submitted (to Allah), and some among us are unjust deviants. So those who submit (to Allah), it is they who pursue righteousness.

15. As for the unjust deviants, they will be the fuel of Hell.’

16. And if they remain steadfast on the path (of Allah), We shall provide them with abundant water to drink,

17. so We may test them concerning this (blessing). And whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord, He will lead him to enter a rigorous punishment.

18. The places of worship belong to Allah (alone), so do not worship anyone along with Allah.

19. When the servant of Allah (i.e. Muhammad (blessings and peace be upon him) stood up to worship Him, they (i.e. the idolaters) almost crowded around him.

20. Say: ‘I worship only my Lord, and I do not associate any partner with Him.’

21. Say: ‘I do not own the authority to bring you (any) harm or good.’

22. Say: ‘None can shelter me from Allah, nor can I find any refuge besides Him.

23. (I have no duty) except to convey (the truth) from Allah and (to communicate) His messages. Whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him), indeed, for him, there will be the Fire of Hell, remaining in it forever.’

24. When they see what they have been promised, they will know who is weaker regarding helpers and fewer regarding numbers.

25. Say: ‘I do not know whether what you have been warned about is near or whether my Lord has set a distant time for it.’

26. (He is) the Knower of the Unseen. He does not disclose His Unseen to anyone,

27. except to the one whom He chooses as (His) messenger. Then He appoints guards in front of him and behind him,

28. so that He may ensure that they have indeed communicated the messages of their Lord. And He (already) encompasses all that is with them and keeps account of everything.

1. O you enfolded (in your cloak)!

2. Rise (to pray) in the night, but (for) a short while,

3. half of it or reduce it a little,

4. or add to it, and recite the Qur’an distinctly in a measured tone.

5. Indeed, We shall soon send you a substantial Word.

6. Indeed, the vigil of the night is more impactful in crushing (the lower self) and more suitable for (creating harmony between the heart and) speech.

7. Indeed, during the day, you are extensively engaged (in your affairs).

8. Remember the Name of your Lord and dedicate yourself to Him with complete dedication (detaching your heart from everything else).

9. (He is) the Lord of the East and the West. There is no god but Him, so take Him as (your) Guardian.

10. Remain patient over what they say, and keep away from them in a graceful manner.

11. Leave Me with the deniers—(the ones) living in luxury—and give them a little respite (so that their evil deeds may cross the limit).

12. Surely, We have heavy shackles (for them) and the Blazing Fire,

13. and choking food and a painful punishment,

14. on the Day when the earth and the mountains will shake violently, and the mountains will become heaps of shifting sand.

15. Indeed, We have sent a Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) to you as a witness over you, just as We sent a messenger to Pharaoh.

16. Then Pharaoh disobeyed the messenger, and We seized him with a terrible grip.

17. If you disbelieve, how will you guard yourselves against (the torment of) the Day that will turn children grey-headed,

18. (and) the heaven will split apart? His promise is bound to be fulfilled.

19. Surely, this (Qur’an) is a Reminder. So whoever wishes, let him take the path towards his Lord.

20. (O Prophet!) Indeed, your Lord knows that you stand nearly two-thirds of the night (in prayer), and (sometimes) half of it, and (sometimes) a third of it, and a group of those who are with you (also join you in the night vigil). Allah measures the night and the day. He knows that you (believers) cannot endure it. So He has turned to you (in mercy). Therefore, recite (in the prayer) whatever you can from the Qur’an easily. He knows that some of you will be sick while others will travel in the land, seeking Allah’s grace, yet others will fight in the way of Allah. So recite whatever of it is feasible (in the prayer). Establish the prayer, pay the alms due, and lend Allah a generous loan. Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah (in a form) that is better and greater in reward. And seek Allah’s forgiveness. Indeed, Allah is Most-Forgiving, All-Merciful.

1. O you enwrapped (in your cloak)!

2. Arise and warn (the people).

3. Magnify your Lord.

4. Purify your garments,

5. and (continue as usual to) avoid impurities.

6. And do not do a favour, expecting a greater return.

7. And remain patient (as usual) for the sake of your Lord.

8. When the Trumpet will be sounded,

9. that Day shall be a day of hardship.

10. (It is) not at all easy for the disbelievers.

11. And leave Me (to deal) with the one whom I created Myself,

12. and then granted him abundant wealth,

13. and sons ever-present (by his side),

14. and facilitated all matters for him, making (his life) easy.

15. Still, he is eager that I should give him more.

16. No, indeed! He has been stubbornly hostile to Our revelations.

17. Soon, I will overtake him with unbearable hardship.

18. Indeed, he reflected and plotted.

19. So may he perish! How he plotted!

20. Again, may he perish! How he plotted!

21. Then he looked (into his scheme again).

22. Then he frowned and twisted his face.

23. Then he turned his back and showed arrogance,

24. and said: ‘This (Qur’an) is nothing but magic transmitted (from the ancients).

25. This is nothing but the word of a man.’

26. I shall soon burn him in Saqar (the Fire of Hell).*

* Verses 11–26 refer to one of the staunchest opponents of the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him), al-Walid b. al-Mughira, who was among the wealthiest men in Mecca and who was also among the most learned and eloquent of the Quraysh. He was a prominent leader of the Meccan opposition against Islam.

27. What will make you realise what Saqar is?

28. It (is the Hellfire which) does not let anyone live nor leave to die.

29. It burns and blackens the skin.

30. There are nineteen (guards) over it.

31. And We have appointed none but angels as the wardens of the Fire. And We have not made their number but as a test for the disbelievers, so that the People of the Book be reassured, and the believers may increase in (their) faith. And those given the Book may not doubt, and the believers as well. And those in whose hearts is a disease (of hypocrisy) may say, and the disbelievers as well: ‘What does Allah intend by this example?’ In this way, Allah leaves whomever He wills to stray and guides whomever He pleases. And none knows (the number of) the forces of your Lord except Him. And this (description of Hell) is only a reminder for all humans.

32. No, indeed! By the moon!

33. By the night, when it retreats!

34. By the morning, when it brightens!

35. Indeed! It (i.e. Hell) is one of the greatest (calamities),

36. a warner to all humans,

37. for those of you who wish to take the lead or those who linger behind (trapped in evil).

38. Every soul is held in pledge for what it has earned,

39. except the People of the Right Hand.

40. (They will be) in Gardens, asking one another,

41. about the evildoers:

42. ‘What has led you into Saqar (i.e. the Hellfire)?’

43. They will answer: ‘We were not among those who prayed,

44. nor did we feed the poor.

45. We used to gossip with the gossipers (in mocking the believers),

46. and we used to deny the Day of Judgement,

47. until the Certain End came upon us.’

48. So (now), the intercession of the intercessors will not benefit them.

49. What is the matter with these (disbelievers) that they (still) turn away from the Reminder,

50. as if they were frightened donkeys,

51. fleeing from a lion?

52. Rather, each one of them desires to be given unrolled scriptures (for them to read).

53. No, indeed! Instead, they do not fear the Hereafter.

54. No, indeed! This (Qur’an) is a Reminder.

55. So let anyone who wishes remember it.

56. And they will not remember (it) unless Allah wills. He is worthy of (your) being conscious (of Him) and worthy of (granting) forgiveness.

1. I swear by the Day of Resurrection!

2. And I swear by the self-blaming soul!

3. Does human being think We shall not reassemble his bones?

4. Yes, indeed! We are capable of proportioning (even) his fingertips.

5. Still, human being wants to deny what lies before him.

6. He asks: ‘When is the Day of Resurrection?’

7. So when the eyes are dazzled,

8. and the moon will be eclipsed,

9. and the sun and the moon are brought together,

10. on that Day, humans will say: ‘Where is the escape?’

11. No, indeed! There shall be no refuge.

12. On that Day, the (final) abode will be towards your Lord.

13. On that Day, human being will be informed about (the deeds) that he has sent forth and left behind.

14. Rather, human being shall be a clear witness against himself,

15. though he should offer his excuses.

16. Do not rush your tongue with (the recitation of) this (Qur’an) to hasten (in memorising) it.

17. Indeed, it is upon Us to collect it (in your breast) and to recite it (by your tongue).

18. So once We have recited it (entirely through Gabriel), follow its recitation.

19. Then its clear explanation is (also) upon Us.

20. (O disbelievers!) No, indeed! Instead, you love this transitory life,

21. and forsake the Hereafter.

22. Some faces shall be fresh and radiant on that Day,

23. looking at their Lord (unveiled).

24. And some faces will be scowling (in desperation) on that Day,

25. anticipating that they will be treated with a spine-crushing calamity.

26. No, indeed! When the soul reaches the throat (before it leaves),

27. and it is said: ‘Who is the healer (to save his life)?’

28. And he (i.e. the dying person) knows this is the (time of) departure.

29. And each leg clings to the other leg.

30. On that day is the driving towards your Lord.

31. He neither confirmed (the truth) nor prayed,

32. but persisted in denial and turned away,

33. then, he went to his family boastfully.

34. So, woe to you (at the time of death)! Then, woe to you (in the grave)!

35. Again, woe to you (on the Last Day)! Then, woe to you (in Hell)!

36. Does human being think he will be left aimless (without reckoning)?

37. Was he not a fertilised egg (i.e. a zygote*) from a drop of seminal fluid?

* 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.

38. Then he became a clinging mass (in the mother’s womb). Then He created (him in a bodily form with limbs) and proportioned (him) perfectly,

39. producing two genders from this (zygote): the male and the female.

40. Is such (a Creator) not capable of reviving the dead?

1. Indeed, there has been a span of time upon human being when he was not something worth mentioning.

2. Indeed, We created human being from a drop of mingled fluid (i.e. a zygote*) that We may examine him (from stage to stage). Then, We endowed him with hearing (and) seeing.

* 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.

3. Indeed, We have shown him the way, whether (he chooses to be) grateful or ungrateful.

4. Indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers chains, iron collars and a blazing Fire.

5. The virtuous will have a (pure) drink mixed with camphor.

6. (Camphor is) a spring (in Paradise) from which the servants of Allah will drink; they will make it to gush out abundantly (and flow like streams wherever they desire).

7. They fulfil their vows and fear a Day whose horror will be widespread,

8. and give food for His love (despite their need for it) to the needy, the orphan and the prisoner,

9. (and say:) ‘We feed you only for the sake of Allah. We do not desire any reward from you, nor thanks.

10. Indeed, We fear from our Lord the Day that will make (faces) look very dark (and) ugly.’

11. So Allah has shielded them from the horror of that Day and granted them freshness and radiance (upon their faces) and happiness (in their hearts).

12. He rewarded them for being patient with a Garden and (garments of) silk.

13. Reclining there upon couches, they will find in it neither (the severe heat of) the sun nor intense cold.

14. Its shades will be close over them, and its clusters (of fruit) will be made to hang low.

15. And silver vessels and shining crystal goblets will be brought around them.

16. (These goblets will be made of) gleaming crystalline silver, which they will apportion in a precise measure.

17. They will be served there with a glass of (pure) drink mixed with ginger,

18. (from) a spring therein called Salsabil.

19. Immortal youths will serve around them. When you see them, you will think they were scattered pearls.

20. As you look (at Paradise), you will see bliss (in abundance) and a great kingdom (all around).

21. Upon them will be garments of fine green silk and rich brocade. And they will be adorned with bracelets of silver. Their Lord will give them to drink a most pure drink.

22. (They will be told:) ‘This is indeed your reward, and your endeavour is well appreciated.’

23. Indeed, We have sent down the Qur’an upon you as a piecemeal revelation.

24. So (continue to) be patient with your Lord’s decree and do not listen to any sinner or disbeliever from among them.

25. And (always) celebrate the Name of your Lord, morning and evening.

26. And prostrate before Him, in some part of the night, and glorify Him by night at length.

27. Indeed, these (disbelievers) love this transitory life and (neglectfully) put a tough day behind them.

28. We created them and strengthened their physical structure. And when We wish, We can easily replace them with others like them.

29. This (Qur’an) is indeed a Reminder. So whoever wishes, let him take the (right) path towards his Lord.

30. But you cannot wish (to do so) unless Allah wills (it). Indeed, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.

31. He admits whomever He pleases into His mercy. But as for the wrongdoers, He has prepared a painful punishment for them.

1. By those (pleasant winds) sent forth successively,

2. by those (storming winds) blowing violently,

3. by those (spreading winds) scattering (rain clouds) widely,

4. by those (discerning winds) splitting (the clouds) apart forcefully,

5. by the inspirers of the Reminder,

6. to end excuses or give warnings,

7. indeed, what you are promised will certainly occur.

8. So when the stars are made to lose their light,

9. and when the heavens are split apart,

10. and when the mountains are blown away (like dust),

11. and when the time is set for the messengers (to witness),

12. for what Day has all this been set (to occur)?

13. For the Day of Judgement!

14. What will make you realise what the Day of Judgement is?

15. Woe to the deniers on that Day!

16. Did We not destroy the earlier generations (of deniers),

17. and then We will cause the later ones to follow them (in destruction)?

18. This is how We deal with the guilty.

19. Woe to the deniers on that Day!

20. Did We not create you from a (drop of) detestable fluid,

21. and then placed it in a secure place (i.e. the mother’s womb),

22. until an appointed period (of time)?

23. Then We designed (its development in stages). So how Excellent Designers We are!

24. Woe to the deniers on that Day!

25. Did We not make the earth an assembling expanse,

26. (which contains) the living and the dead,

27. and placed therein lofty (and) firm mountains, and gave you sweet water to drink (from refreshing springs)?

28. Woe to the deniers on that Day!

29. (They will be told:) ‘Proceed towards (the Fire) that you used to deny.

30. Proceed to the shade (of the smoke of Hellfire) that rises in three columns,

31. which provides neither coolness nor protection from the flames (of the Fire).’

32. Indeed, it throws up sparks (enormous) like lofty palaces,

33. as if they were yellow camels (coming out successively in large numbers).

34. Woe to the deniers on that Day!

35. This is the Day they will not (be able to) speak,

36. nor will they be permitted to offer excuses.

37. Woe to the deniers on that Day!

38. This is the Day of Judgement. We have gathered you and the earlier generations.

39. If you have any scheme (left), then scheme against Me.

40. Woe to the deniers on that Day!

41. Indeed, the God-conscious will enjoy cool shades and springs,

42. and fruits, such as they desire.

43. (They will be told:) ‘Eat and drink joyfully (as a reward) for what you used to do.’

44. Indeed, this is how We reward the virtuously excellent.

45. Woe to the deniers on that Day!

46. (O deniers!) Eat and enjoy yourselves for a short while. You are indeed evildoers.

47. Woe to the deniers on that Day!

48. When they are told: ‘Bow down (before Allah),’ they do not bow!

49. Woe to the deniers on that Day!

50. So, which discourse will they believe in after this (Qur’an)?