1. By those (angels) ranged in ranks,

والصافات صفا

2. by the ones who drive (the clouds) vigorously,*

* Or: by the angels who firmly restrain people from evil.

فالزاجرات زجرا

3. (and) by the ones who recite the Reminder:*

* That is the believers or the angels who recite the Qur’an or the scriptures.

فالتاليات ذكرا

4. surely, your God is One,

إن إلهكم لواحد

5. the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, and the Lord of the easts.

رب السماوات والأرض وما بينهما ورب المشارق

6. We have decorated the nearest heaven with the adornment of stars and planets.

إنا زينا السماء الدنيا بزينة الكواكب

7. And (there is) protection (for them) from every rebellious devil.

وحفظا من كل شيطان مارد

8. They cannot listen to the Highest Assembly (of the angels), for they are repelled (through burning brands) from every side,

لا يسمعون إلى الملإ الأعلى ويقذفون من كل جانب

9. being driven away, and there is an everlasting punishment for them.

دحورا ولهم عذاب واصب

10. But whoever (among the devils) tries to snatch a fragment (of information from the angels), a piercing flame pursues him.

إلا من خطف الخطفة فأتبعه شهاب ثاقب

11. So ask them: are they more difficult to create or those (other creatures) We have created (in the heavenly universe)? Surely, We have created them just from sticky clay.

فاستفتهم أهم أشد خلقا أم من خلقنا إنا خلقناهم من طين لازب

12. Indeed, you wonder while they ridicule (your message).

بل عجبت ويسخرون

13. And (even) when they are reminded, they never become mindful.

وإذا ذكروا لا يذكرون

14. And whenever they see a sign, they incite one another to ridicule.

وإذا رأوا آية يستسخرون

15. And say: ‘This is nothing but clear magic.

وقالوا إن هذا إلا سحر مبين

16. What! When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then be resurrected?

أئذا متنا وكنا ترابا وعظاما أئنا لمبعوثون

17. And our forefathers as well?’

أوآباؤنا الأولون

18. Say: ‘Yes indeed! And you will (also) be humiliated.’

قل نعم وأنتم داخرون

19. So, it will be only a single blast, and then they will look at once.

فإنما هي زجرة واحدة فإذا هم ينظرون

20. And they will say: ‘Oh, woe to us! It is the Day of Retribution.’

وقالوا يا ويلنا هذا يوم الدين

21. (It will be said: ‘Yes!) It is the Day of Final Judgement, which you used to deny.’

هذا يوم الفصل الذي كنتم به تكذبون

22. (Allah will command:) ‘Assemble all the wrongdoers with their counterparts and those (false gods) they used to worship,

احشروا الذين ظلموا وأزواجهم وما كانوا يعبدون

23. besides Allah, and show them the way to Hell.

من دون الله فاهدوهم إلى صراط الجحيم

24. And stop them! For they shall be questioned.’

وقفوهم إنهم مسئولون

25. (It will be said to them:) ‘What is the matter with you that you do not help each other (now)?’

ما لكم لا تناصرون

26. Rather, that Day, they will be entirely submissive!

بل هم اليوم مستسلمون

27. And some of them will turn to others, questioning each other.

وأقبل بعضهم على بعض يتساءلون

28. They (the misled followers) will say: ‘You came to us from a position of power (swearing an oath of being right).’

قالوا إنكم كنتم تأتوننا عن اليمين

29. They (the leaders) will answer: ‘No! You had disbelieved on your own.

قالوا بل لم تكونوا مؤمنين

30. We had no power over you. Instead, you yourselves were already a rebellious people.

وما كان لنا عليكم من سلطان بل كنتم قوما طاغين

31. So the decree of our Lord against us is correct. We shall indeed taste (the punishment now).

فحق علينا قول ربنا إنا لذائقون

32. So we caused you to deviate (from the right path), for we were deviant (ourselves).’

فأغويناكم إنا كنا غاوين

33. So on that Day they shall all share in the punishment.

فإنهم يومئذ في العذاب مشتركون

34. Indeed, that is how We deal with the guilty.

إنا كذلك نفعل بالمجرمين

35. Whenever it was said to them: ‘There is none worthy of worship except Allah,’ they used to show arrogance.

إنهم كانوا إذا قيل لهم لا إله إلا الله يستكبرون

36. And (they would) say: ‘Should we abandon our gods for a crazy poet?’

ويقولون أئنا لتاركوا آلهتنا لشاعر مجنون

37. Instead, He has come with the truth and confirmed the (former) messengers.

بل جاء بالحق وصدق المرسلين

38. Indeed, you shall taste the painful punishment.

إنكم لذائقو العذاب الأليم

39. And you will be rewarded only for what you used to do,

وما تجزون إلا ما كنتم تعملون

40. except the chosen (and purified) servants of Allah.

إلا عباد الله المخلصين

41. For them, there shall be known provision,

أولئك لهم رزق معلوم

42. fruits (of every kind), and they shall be highly honoured,

فواكه وهم مكرمون

43. in Gardens of Bliss,

في جنات النعيم

44. (seated) on couches, facing one another,

على سرر متقابلين

45. served with a cup (of sacred drink) passing around them from a pure flowing spring.

يطاف عليهم بكأس من معين

46. (The drink will be) crystal white (and) delicious to the drinkers.

بيضاء لذة للشاربين

47. Therein will be neither any headache nor will they be intoxicated.

لا فيها غول ولا هم عنها ينزفون

48. And with them will be spouses of modest gazes, with beautiful lustrous eyes,

وعندهم قاصرات الطرف عين

49. as if they were eggs (or pearls) carefully protected (from dust).

كأنهن بيض مكنون

50. Then some of those (i.e. the residents of Paradise) will turn to one another, questioning each other.

فأقبل بعضهم على بعض يتساءلون

51. One among them will say: ‘Indeed, I had a companion (in my worldly life),

قال قائل منهم إني كان لي قرين

52. who used to say (to me): ‘Are you (also) among those who confirm,

يقول أئنك لمن المصدقين

53. (that) when we are dead and have become dust and bones, we shall be brought (alive again) for retribution?’’

أئذا متنا وكنا ترابا وعظاما أئنا لمدينون

54. Then he (i.e. one of his companions in Paradise) will say: ‘Would you like to look (at his fate)?’

قال هل أنتم مطلعون

55. Then he will look and see him in the middle of Hell.

فاطلع فرآه في سواء الجحيم

56. He will say (to him): ‘By God, you had almost brought me to ruin.

قال تالله إن كدت لتردين

57. Had it not been for my Lord’s blessing, I (too) would have been among those brought (to Hell).’

ولولا نعمة ربي لكنت من المحضرين

58. (Then he will ask his fellow dwellers of Paradise:) ‘Is it (true) that we are never to die (again),

أفما نحن بميتين

59. except for the previous death (which we have already passed through), and that we shall never be punished?’

إلا موتتنا الأولى وما نحن بمعذبين

60. This indeed is the supreme success.

إن هذا لهو الفوز العظيم

61. Let the workers (of righteousness) strive for (success) like this!

لمثل هذا فليعمل العاملون

62. Is this a better hospitality or the tree of al-Zaqqum?

أذلك خير نزلا أم شجرة الزقوم

63. We have made this (tree) a trial for the wrongdoers.

إنا جعلناها فتنة للظالمين

64. Indeed, it is a tree that grows from the bottom of the Hellfire.

إنها شجرة تخرج في أصل الجحيم

65. Its fruits are as if they were heads of the devils.

طلعها كأنه رؤوس الشياطين

66. They shall eat from it and fill their bellies with it.

فإنهم لآكلون منها فمالؤون منها البطون

67. On top of that, they shall have a boiling liquid (mixed with pus to drink) after it.

ثم إن لهم عليها لشوبا من حميم

68. Then, their ultimate return will be to Hell.

ثم إن مرجعهم لإلى الجحيم

69. Indeed, they had found their forefathers astray.

إنهم ألفوا آباءهم ضالين

70. So they are rushed (to follow) in their footsteps.

فهم على آثارهم يهرعون

71. And indeed, most of the ancients went astray before them.

ولقد ضل قبلهم أكثر الأولين

72. And indeed, We had sent warners among them.

ولقد أرسلنا فيهم منذرين

73. So see how was the end of those who had been warned,

فانظر كيف كان عاقبة المنذرين

74. except the exclusively chosen (and purified) servants of Allah.

إلا عباد الله المخلصين

75. Indeed, Nuh (Noah) called upon Us, and how excellent are We in responding!

ولقد نادانا نوح فلنعم المجيبون

76. And We saved him and (the believers among) his family from great distress.

ونجيناه وأهله من الكرب العظيم

77. We made his descendants the only survivors.

وجعلنا ذريته هم الباقين

78. And We left for him (an honourable mention) among later generations.

وتركنا عليه في الآخرين

79. ‘Peace be upon Nuh (Noah) throughout the nations!’

سلام على نوح في العالمين

80. Indeed, this is how We reward the virtuous.

إنا كذلك نجزي المحسنين

81. Surely, he was among Our faithful servants.

إنه من عبادنا المؤمنين

82. Then We drowned the others.

ثم أغرقنا الآخرين

83. Indeed, one of those who followed his way was Ibrahim (Abraham).

وإن من شيعته لإبراهيم

84. When he came to his Lord with a submissive, sound heart,

إذ جاء ربه بقلب سليم

85. and said to his (foster) father and his people: ‘What are you worshipping?

إذ قال لأبيه وقومه ماذا تعبدون

86. Do you desire false gods, by perversion, besides Allah?

أئفكا آلهة دون الله تريدون

87. So, what do you expect from the Lord of all worlds?’

فما ظنكم برب العالمين

88. Then he looked up to the stars as an observation.

فنظر نظرة في النجوم

89. And said: ‘Indeed, I am sick (of your worshipping these things).’

فقال إني سقيم

90. So, they went away from him, turning (their) backs.

فتولوا عنه مدبرين

91. Then he went quietly to their gods and said (mockingly): ‘Do you not eat (from your offerings)?

فراغ إلى آلهتهم فقال ألا تأكلون

92. Why do you not speak?’

ما لكم لا تنطقون

93. Then, he turned upon them, striking (and breaking) them forcefully.

فراغ عليهم ضربا باليمين

94. Later, they came running towards him.

فأقبلوا إليه يزفون

95. He said: ‘Do you worship what you carve (with your hands),

قال أتعبدون ما تنحتون

96. while Allah has created you and whatever you do?’

والله خلقكم وما تعملون

97. They said: ‘Build a structure and throw him into the blazing fire.’

قالوا ابنوا له بنيانا فألقوه في الجحيم

98. They desired to scheme against him, but We made them the lowest (thus defeating them in their plan).

فأرادوا به كيدا فجعلناهم الأسفلين

99. He said (while migrating to Syria): ‘I am going to my Lord. He will certainly guide me.’

وقال إني ذاهب إلى ربي سيهدين

100. ‘My Lord, bless me with (a son) among the righteous.’

رب هب لي من الصالحين

101. So We gave him the glad tidings of a gentle son. (And he was Isma‘il [Ishmael]).

فبشرناه بغلام حليم

102. When he (Isma‘il) reached the age to work alongside him, he (Ibrahim) said (to him): ‘My dear son! I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you. So think, what is your opinion?’ He (Isma‘il) replied: ‘My dear father! Do whatever you are commanded. If Allah pleases, you will find me among the patient.’

فلما بلغ معه السعي قال يا بني إني أرى في المنام أني أذبحك فانظر ماذا ترى قال يا أبت افعل ما تؤمر ستجدني إن شاء الله من الصابرين

103. So when they both submitted (to Allah’s will) and he laid him on his forehead (for sacrifice),

فلما أسلما وتله للجبين

104. We called out to him: ‘O Ibrahim (Abraham)!

وناديناه أن يا إبراهيم

105. You have fulfilled the dream!’ Indeed, this is how We reward the virtuously excellent!

قد صدقت الرؤيا إنا كذلك نجزي المحسنين

106. Most surely, this was a manifest trial.

إن هذا لهو البلاء المبين

107. Then We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.

وفديناه بذبح عظيم

108. And We left for him (an honourable mention) among later generations.

وتركنا عليه في الآخرين

109. Peace be upon Ibrahim (Abraham)!

سلام على إبراهيم

110. That is how We reward the virtuously excellent.

كذلك نجزي المحسنين

111. Surely, he was among Our faithful servants.

إنه من عبادنا المؤمنين

112. Then We gave him glad tidings of (the birth of another son) Ishaq (Isaac)—a prophet (and) one of the righteous.

وبشرناه بإسحق نبيا من الصالحين

113. And We bestowed blessings upon him and Ishaq (Isaac). And among their descendants, (some) are virtuous and (some) who openly wrong themselves.

وباركنا عليه وعلى إسحق ومن ذريتهما محسن وظالم لنفسه مبين

114. And indeed, We conferred favour upon Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron).

ولقد مننا على موسى وهارون

115. And We saved them and their people from great distress.

ونجيناهما وقومهما من الكرب العظيم

116. And We helped them, so they were the ones who became the victors.

ونصرناهم فكانوا هم الغالبين

117. We gave the two of them the clarifying Book (i.e. the Torah),

وآتيناهما الكتاب المستبين

118. and guided them both to the straight path.

وهديناهما الصراط المستقيم

119. And We left for them (an honourable mention) among the later generations.

وتركنا عليهما في الآخرين

120. Peace be upon Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron)!

سلام على موسى وهارون

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

إنا كذلك نجزي المحسنين

122. Surely, they both were among Our faithful servants.

إنهما من عبادنا المؤمنين

123. And indeed, Ilyas (Elias) was one of the messengers.

وإن إلياس لمن المرسلين

124. When he said to his people: ‘Will you not be God-conscious?

إذ قال لقومه ألا تتقون

125. Do you worship (the idol) Ba‘l and leave the best of the creators,

أتدعون بعلا وتذرون أحسن الخالقين

126. Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers?’

الله ربكم ورب آبائكم الأولين

127. But they denied him, so they will surely be presented (for punishment),

فكذبوه فإنهم لمحضرون

128. except the exclusively chosen (and purified) servants of Allah.

إلا عباد الله المخلصين

129. And We left for him (an honourable mention) among the later generations.

وتركنا عليه في الآخرين

130. Peace be upon Ilyas (Elias)!

سلام على إل ياسين

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

إنا كذلك نجزي المحسنين

132. Surely, he was among Our faithful servants.

إنه من عبادنا المؤمنين

133. And indeed, Lut (Lot) was among the messengers.

وإن لوطا لمن المرسلين

134. When We saved him and all of his family,

إذ نجيناه وأهله أجمعين

135. except an old woman among those who stayed behind.

إلا عجوزا في الغابرين

136. Then We destroyed the others.

ثم دمرنا الآخرين

137. And indeed, (O Meccans!) you pass by their ruins in the daylight,

وإنكم لتمرون عليهم مصبحين

138. and in the darkness of night (during your travels between Mecca and Syria). Do you not yet understand?

وبالليل أفلا تعقلون

139. And indeed, Yunus (Jonah) was among the messengers,

وإن يونس لمن المرسلين

140. when he fled to the overloaded ship.

إذ أبق إلى الفلك المشحون

141. So he joined (the other passengers) in drawing lots (to save the ship from sinking), but he was the one to be overthrown (into the sea).

فساهم فكان من المدحضين

142. Then the whale swallowed him, and he was a self-condemning repentant.

فالتقمه الحوت وهو مليم

143. If he had not been among those who glorify (Allah),

فلولا أنه كان من المسبحين

144. he would have surely remained in its belly till the day people will be resurrected.

للبث في بطنه إلى يوم يبعثون

145. Then We cast him out upon the open shore while he was sick.

فنبذناه بالعراء وهو سقيم

146. And We caused a gourd plant to grow over him.

وأنبتنا عليه شجرة من يقطين

147. Then We sent him to (a city of) a hundred thousand people or more (i.e. Nineveh, in the land of Mosul),

وأرسلناه إلى مئة ألف أو يزيدون

148. who then believed (in him). So, We granted them prosperity for a while.

فآمنوا فمتعناهم إلى حين

149. Ask them: ‘Are daughters to be for your Lord while sons are to be for them?

فاستفتهم ألربك البنات ولهم البنون

150. Or did We create the angels as females while they were watching?’

أم خلقنا الملائكة إناثا وهم شاهدون

151. Indeed! It is one of their fabrications that they say:

ألا إنهم من إفكهم ليقولون

152. ‘Allah has children,’ and indeed, they are liars.

ولد الله وإنهم لكاذبون

153. Has He chosen daughters (for Himself) over sons?

أصطفى البنات على البنين

154. What is the matter with you? How do you judge (things)?

ما لكم كيف تحكمون

155. Will you not then be mindful of advice?

أفلا تذكرون

156. Do you have (any) clear authority (to prove your accusation)?

أم لكم سلطان مبين

157. Then, produce your scripture if you are truthful.

فأتوا بكتابكم إن كنتم صادقين

158. They also claim that He has kinship with the jinn. Yet the jinn (themselves) know they will be presented (before Him for judgement).

وجعلوا بينه وبين الجنة نسبا ولقد علمت الجنة إنهم لمحضرون

159. Allah is far above whatever they attribute (to Him).

سبحان الله عما يصفون

160. But the chosen servants of Allah (do not say such things).

إلا عباد الله المخلصين

161. Indeed, neither you nor whatever you worship,

فإنكم وما تعبدون

162. you can never tempt anyone against Him,

ما أنتم عليه بفاتنين

163. except someone who is to burn in the Hellfire.

إلا من هو صال الجحيم

164. And (the angels say:) ‘There is none among us but has an assigned station (of worship).

وما منا إلا له مقام معلوم

165. We are, indeed, the ones ranged in ranks.

وإنا لنحن الصافون

166. And surely, we are the ones (constantly) glorifying His praise.’

وإنا لنحن المسبحون

167. And indeed, they (the pagans of Mecca) used to say:

وإن كانوا ليقولون

168. ‘If only we had a Reminder from the ancients,

لو أن عندنا ذكرا من الأولين

169. we would surely have been chosen servants of Allah.’

لكنا عباد الله المخلصين

170. But they disbelieve in it (now when it has come to them). So they will soon know (their end).

فكفروا به فسوف يعلمون

171. Indeed, Our Word has already gone forth in favour of Our servants, the messengers,

ولقد سبقت كلمتنا لعبادنا المرسلين

172. that they will surely be the supported ones.

إنهم لهم المنصورون

173. And indeed, Our forces will be the victors.

وإن جندنا لهم الغالبون

174. So turn away from them for a while,

فتول عنهم حتى حين

175. and watch them. So they will soon see (what happens to them).

وأبصرهم فسوف يبصرون

176. Do they seek to hasten Our punishment?

أفبعذابنا يستعجلون

177. But when it descends on their courtyards, it will be a terrible morning for those (already) warned!

فإذا نزل بساحتهم فساء صباح المنذرين

178. So turn away from them for a while,

وتول عنهم حتى حين

179. and watch them. So they will soon see (what happens to them).

وأبصر فسوف يبصرون

180. Glory be to your Lord, the Lord of Might. (He is) far above whatever they attribute (to Him).

سبحان ربك رب العزة عما يصفون

181. Peace be upon the messengers!

وسلام على المرسلين

182. And all praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all worlds.

والحمد لله رب العالمين