Surah 19 of 114 · Makki · 98 ayat
Maryam مريم
Mary
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ كٓهيعٓصٓ
PickthallKaf. Ha. Ya. A'in. Sad.
Yusuf AliKaf. Ha. Ya. 'Ain. Sad.
The agreed readingKāf Hā Yā ʿAyn Ṣād — disconnected letters whose meaning the commentaries leave with God alone, and which they do not undertake to explain.
ذِكْرُ رَحْمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبْدَهُۥ زَكَرِيَّآ
PickthallA mention of the mercy of thy Lord unto His servant Zachariah.
Yusuf Ali(This is) a recital of the Mercy of thy Lord to His servant Zakariya.
The agreed readingA mention of your Lord's mercy to His servant Zachariah. The commentaries note that the whole account that follows is introduced as an instance of mercy before anything of it is told.
إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ نِدَآءً خَفِيًّا
PickthallWhen he cried unto his Lord a cry in secret,
Yusuf AliBehold! he cried to his Lord in secret,
The agreed readingWhen he called on his Lord with a call kept hidden — and the commentaries read the hiddenness as what made it purest, a man asking with no one listening but the One asked.
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَهَنَ ٱلْعَظْمُ مِنِّى وَٱشْتَعَلَ ٱلرَّأْسُ شَيْبًا وَلَمْ أَكُنۢ بِدُعَآئِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّا
PickthallSaying: My Lord! Lo! the bones of me wax feeble and my head is shining with grey hair, and I have never been unblest in prayer to Thee, my Lord.
Yusuf AliPraying: "O my Lord! infirm indeed are my bones, and the hair of my head doth glisten with grey: but never am I unblest, O my Lord, in my prayer to Thee!
The agreed readingHe said: my Lord, the bone within me has grown weak and my head is aflame with grey, and I have never been disappointed, my Lord, in calling on You. The commentaries note that he opens by describing his own frailty and then names the one thing that has never failed.
وَإِنِّى خِفْتُ ٱلْمَوَٰلِىَ مِن وَرَآءِى وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًا فَهَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّا
PickthallLo! I fear my kinsfolk after me, since my wife is barren. Oh, give me from Thy presence a successor
Yusuf Ali"Now I fear (what) my relatives (and colleagues) (will do) after me: but my wife is barren: so give me an heir as from Thyself,-
The agreed readingAnd I fear my kinsmen after me, and my wife is barren. So give me from Yourself one to follow after me,
يَرِثُنِى وَيَرِثُ مِنْ ءَالِ يَعْقُوبَ وَٱجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّا
PickthallWho shall inherit of me and inherit (also) of the house of Jacob. And make him, my Lord, acceptable (unto Thee).
Yusuf Ali"(One that) will (truly) represent me, and represent the posterity of Jacob; and make him, O my Lord! one with whom Thou art well-pleased!"
The agreed readingwho will inherit from me and inherit from the house of Jacob — and make him, my Lord, pleasing to You.
يَٰزَكَرِيَّآ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَٰمٍ ٱسْمُهُۥ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّا
Pickthall(It was said unto him): O Zachariah! Lo! We bring thee tidings of a son whose name is John; we have given the same name to none before (him).
Yusuf Ali(His prayer was answered): "O Zakariya! We give thee good news of a son: His name shall be Yahya: on none by that name have We conferred distinction before."
The agreed readingZachariah, We give you good news of a boy whose name is John. We have given that name to no one before him.
قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَٰمٌ وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًا وَقَدْ بَلَغْتُ مِنَ ٱلْكِبَرِ عِتِيًّا
PickthallHe said: My Lord! How can I have a son when my wife is barren and I have reached infirm old age?
Yusuf AliHe said: "O my Lord! How shall I have a son, when my wife is barren and I have grown quite decrepit from old age?"
The agreed readingHe said: my Lord, how shall I have a boy, when my wife is barren and I have reached the wasting of old age?
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْـًٔا
PickthallHe said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me, even as I created thee before, when thou wast naught.
Yusuf AliHe said: "So (it will be) thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: I did indeed create thee before, when thou hadst been nothing!'"
The agreed readingHe said: so it will be. Your Lord says: it is easy for Me — and I created you before, when you were nothing at all. The commentaries take the answer to settle it from the larger case: what was made from nothing is not a harder thing than what is made from the old.
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱجْعَل لِّىٓ ءَايَةً قَالَ ءَايَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ ٱلنَّاسَ ثَلَٰثَ لَيَالٍ سَوِيًّا
PickthallHe said: My Lord! Appoint for me some token. He said: Thy token is that thou, with no bodily defect, shalt not speak unto mankind three nights.
Yusuf Ali(Zakariya) said: "O my Lord! give me a Sign." "Thy Sign," was the answer, "Shall be that thou shalt speak to no man for three nights, although thou art not dumb."
The agreed readingHe said: my Lord, appoint a sign for me. He said: your sign is that you will not speak to people for three nights, though sound in body. The commentaries note that the sign is not a proof shown to others but a condition he is put into himself.
فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْمِحْرَابِ فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِمْ أَن سَبِّحُوا۟ بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا
PickthallThen he came forth unto his people from the sanctuary, and signified to them: Glorify your Lord at break of day and fall of night.
Yusuf AliSo Zakariya came out to his people from him chamber: He told them by signs to celebrate Allah's praises in the morning and in the evening.
The agreed readingSo he came out to his people from the sanctuary and signalled to them: glorify Him at first light and at nightfall.
يَٰيَحْيَىٰ خُذِ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِقُوَّةٍ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ ٱلْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّا
Pickthall(And it was said unto his son): O John! Hold fast the Scripture. And we gave him wisdom when a child,
Yusuf Ali(To his son came the command): "O Yahya! take hold of the Book with might": and We gave him Wisdom even as a youth,
The agreed readingJohn, take the Book with strength. And We gave him judgement while still a boy — glossed as understanding given before the age at which it is usually earned.
وَحَنَانًا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَوٰةً وَكَانَ تَقِيًّا
PickthallAnd compassion from Our presence, and purity; and he was devout,
Yusuf AliAnd piety (for all creatures) as from Us, and purity: He was devout,
The agreed readingAnd tenderness from Us, and purity. And he guarded himself — three things given in one breath, and the commentaries note that the first two are named as gifts before the third is named as his own doing.
وَبَرًّۢا بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَكُن جَبَّارًا عَصِيًّا
PickthallAnd dutiful toward his parents. And he was not arrogant, rebellious.
Yusuf AliAnd kind to his parents, and he was not overbearing or rebellious.
The agreed readingand was good to his parents, and he was not overbearing or disobedient. The commentaries read the list as covering what he owed to God, to his parents, and to everyone else, in that order.
وَسَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّا
PickthallPeace on him the day he was born, and the day he dieth and the day he shall be raised alive!
Yusuf AliSo Peace on him the day he was born, the day that he dies, and the day that he will be raised up to life (again)!
The agreed readingAnd peace be on him the day he was born, and the day he dies, and the day he is raised alive. The commentaries note the three days named: the ones a person cannot choose or prepare for.
وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ ٱنتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًا شَرْقِيًّا
PickthallAnd make mention of Mary in the Scripture, when she had withdrawn from her people to a chamber looking East,
Yusuf AliRelate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.
The agreed readingAnd mention Mary in the Book, when she withdrew from her people to a place towards the east,
فَٱتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًا فَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًا سَوِيًّا
PickthallAnd had chosen seclusion from them. Then We sent unto her Our Spirit and it assumed for her the likeness of a perfect man.
Yusuf AliShe placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.
The agreed readingand screened herself from them. And We sent to her Our spirit, and he took for her the likeness of a man, complete.
قَالَتْ إِنِّىٓ أَعُوذُ بِٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّا
PickthallShe said: Lo! I seek refuge in the Beneficent One from thee, if thou art Allah-fearing.
Yusuf AliShe said: "I seek refuge from thee to (Allah) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah."
The agreed readingShe said: I take refuge in the Compassionate from you, if you guard yourself against Him. The commentaries note what she appeals to in a stranger: not her own strength, but his fear of God.
قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَٰمًا زَكِيًّا
PickthallHe said: I am only a messenger of thy Lord, that I may bestow on thee a faultless son.
Yusuf AliHe said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.
The agreed readingHe said: I am only a messenger of your Lord, to give you a boy made pure. The commentaries note that the giving is attributed to the One who sent him, and the messenger claims nothing of it for himself.
قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَٰمٌ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّا
PickthallShe said: How can I have a son when no mortal hath touched me, neither have I been unchaste?
Yusuf AliShe said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?"
The agreed readingShe said: how shall I have a boy, when no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?
قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُۥٓ ءَايَةً لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَكَانَ أَمْرًا مَّقْضِيًّا
PickthallHe said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained.
Yusuf AliHe said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us': It is a matter (so) decreed."
The agreed readingHe said: so it will be. Your Lord says: it is easy for Me. And so that We may make him a sign for people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter already decided.
فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَٱنتَبَذَتْ بِهِۦ مَكَانًا قَصِيًّا
PickthallAnd she conceived him, and she withdrew with him to a far place.
Yusuf AliSo she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place.
The agreed readingSo she conceived him, and withdrew with him to a distant place. The commentaries note that the withdrawing is now a second one, further off than the first, and made for a different reason.
فَأَجَآءَهَا ٱلْمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذْعِ ٱلنَّخْلَةِ قَالَتْ يَٰلَيْتَنِى مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَٰذَا وَكُنتُ نَسْيًا مَّنسِيًّا
PickthallAnd the pangs of childbirth drove her unto the trunk of the palm-tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died ere this and had become a thing of naught, forgotten!
Yusuf AliAnd the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried (in her anguish): "Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!"
The agreed readingAnd the pains of birth drove her to the trunk of the palm-tree. She said: if only I had died before this, and been a thing forgotten, out of memory altogether. The commentaries read the words as spoken under what she could see coming — not a wish against life, but against what would be said.
فَنَادَىٰهَا مِن تَحْتِهَآ أَلَّا تَحْزَنِى قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّا
PickthallThen (one) cried unto her from below her, saying: Grieve not! Thy Lord hath placed a rivulet beneath thee,
Yusuf AliBut (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree): "Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee;
The agreed readingSo he called to her from below her: do not grieve. Your Lord has put a stream beneath you,
وَهُزِّىٓ إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ ٱلنَّخْلَةِ تُسَٰقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًا جَنِيًّا
PickthallAnd shake the trunk of the palm-tree toward thee, thou wilt cause ripe dates to fall upon thee.
Yusuf Ali"And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee.
The agreed readingand shake the trunk of the palm-tree towards you, and it will drop fresh ripe dates on you. The commentaries note that she is told to shake a trunk she could not have moved, and the shaking is still asked of her.
فَكُلِى وَٱشْرَبِى وَقَرِّى عَيْنًا فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ ٱلْبَشَرِ أَحَدًا فَقُولِىٓ إِنِّى نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ صَوْمًا فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ ٱلْيَوْمَ إِنسِيًّا
PickthallSo eat and drink and be consoled. And if thou meetest any mortal, say: Lo! I have vowed a fast unto the Beneficent, and may not speak this day to any mortal.
Yusuf Ali"So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye. And if thou dost see any man, say, 'I have vowed a fast to (Allah) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into not talk with any human being'"
The agreed readingSo eat and drink and be comforted. And if you see any human being, say: I have vowed a fast to the Compassionate, so I will not speak to any person today.
فَأَتَتْ بِهِۦ قَوْمَهَا تَحْمِلُهُۥ قَالُوا۟ يَٰمَرْيَمُ لَقَدْ جِئْتِ شَيْـًٔا فَرِيًّا
PickthallThen she brought him to her own folk, carrying him. They said: O Mary! Thou hast come with an amazing thing.
Yusuf AliAt length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought!
The agreed readingThen she came with him to her people, carrying him. They said: Mary, you have brought a monstrous thing.
يَٰٓأُخْتَ هَٰرُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ ٱمْرَأَ سَوْءٍ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّا
PickthallO sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a wicked man nor was thy mother a harlot.
Yusuf Ali"O sister of Aaron! Thy father was not a man of evil, nor thy mother a woman unchaste!"
The agreed readingSister of Aaron, your father was not a bad man, and your mother was not unchaste. The commentaries note that the accusation is made by way of her family, which is what made it heaviest.
فَأَشَارَتْ إِلَيْهِ قَالُوا۟ كَيْفَ نُكَلِّمُ مَن كَانَ فِى ٱلْمَهْدِ صَبِيًّا
PickthallThen she pointed to him. They said: How can we talk to one who is in the cradle, a young boy?
Yusuf AliBut she pointed to the babe. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the cradle?"
The agreed readingSo she pointed to him. They said: how can we speak to one who is a child in the cradle?
قَالَ إِنِّى عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ ءَاتَىٰنِىَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَجَعَلَنِى نَبِيًّا
PickthallHe spake: Lo! I am the slave of Allah. He hath given me the Scripture and hath appointed me a Prophet,
Yusuf AliHe said: "I am indeed a servant of Allah: He hath given me revelation and made me a prophet;
The agreed readingHe said: I am the servant of God. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet. The commentaries note the first words spoken: he names himself a servant before anything else is claimed for him.
وَجَعَلَنِى مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَٰنِى بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا
PickthallAnd hath made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and hath enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving so long as I remain alive,
Yusuf Ali"And He hath made me blessed wheresoever I be, and hath enjoined on me Prayer and Charity as long as I live;
The agreed readingAnd He has made me blessed wherever I am, and He has laid on me the prayer and the zakat as long as I am alive,
وَبَرًّۢا بِوَٰلِدَتِى وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْنِى جَبَّارًا شَقِيًّا
PickthallAnd (hath made me) dutiful toward her who bore me, and hath not made me arrogant, unblest.
Yusuf Ali"(He) hath made me kind to my mother, and not overbearing or miserable;
The agreed readingAnd to be good to my mother. And He has not made me overbearing or wretched. The commentaries note that only the mother is named, since there was no father to name.
وَٱلسَّلَٰمُ عَلَىَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّا
PickthallPeace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I shall be raised alive!
Yusuf Ali"So peace is on me the day I was born, the day that I die, and the day that I shall be raised up to life (again)"!
The agreed readingAnd peace be on me the day I was born, the day I die, and the day I am raised alive. The commentaries read this as safety granted by God at the three moments a person is most alone, and note that the same was said of John before him.
ذَٰلِكَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ قَوْلَ ٱلْحَقِّ ٱلَّذِى فِيهِ يَمْتَرُونَ
PickthallSuch was Jesus, son of Mary: (this is) a statement of the truth concerning which they doubt.
Yusuf AliSuch (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth, about which they (vainly) dispute.
The agreed readingThat is Jesus, son of Mary — the word of truth, about which they are in doubt. The commentaries note that he is named by his mother, which is itself the answer to what is disputed about him.
مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ مِن وَلَدٍ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥٓ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
PickthallIt befitteth not (the Majesty of) Allah that He should take unto Himself a son. Glory be to Him! When He decreeth a thing, He saith unto it only: Be! and it is.
Yusuf AliIt is not befitting to (the majesty of) Allah that He should beget a son. Glory be to Him! when He determines a matter, He only says to it, "Be", and it is.
The agreed readingIt is not for God to take a son. Glory be to Him. When He decides a matter, He only says to it: be — and it is. The commentaries take the second sentence as the answer to the first: what can be brought about by a word has no need of descent.
وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ مُّسْتَقِيمٌ
PickthallAnd lo! Allah is my Lord and your Lord. So serve Him. That is the right path.
Yusuf AliVerily Allah is my Lord and your Lord: Him therefore serve ye: this is a Way that is straight.
The agreed readingAnd God is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him. This is a straight path. The commentaries note that the first words of the child in the cradle end on the same thing every prophet was sent with.
فَٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَيْنِهِمْ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن مَّشْهَدِ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
PickthallThe sects among them differ: but woe unto the disbelievers from the meeting of an awful Day.
Yusuf AliBut the sects differ among themselves: and woe to the unbelievers because of the (coming) Judgment of a Momentous Day!
The agreed readingThen the parties differed among themselves. So woe to those who refuse, from the sight of a great Day.
أَسْمِعْ بِهِمْ وَأَبْصِرْ يَوْمَ يَأْتُونَنَا لَٰكِنِ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ ٱلْيَوْمَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
PickthallSee and hear them on the Day they come unto Us! yet the evil-doers are to-day in error manifest.
Yusuf AliHow plainly will they see and hear, the Day that they will appear before Us! but the unjust today are in error manifest!
The agreed readingHow well they will hear and how well they will see on the Day they come to Us — but the wrongdoers today are in plain error. The commentaries note the reversal: the hearing and sight arrive exactly when they are of no more use.
وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
PickthallAnd warn them of the Day of anguish when the case hath been decided. Now they are in a state of carelessness, and they believe not.
Yusuf AliBut warn them of the Day of Distress, when the matter will be determined: for (behold,) they are negligent and they do not believe!
The agreed readingAnd warn them of the Day of regret, when the matter is decided — and they are heedless, and they do not believe.
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَرِثُ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا وَإِلَيْنَا يُرْجَعُونَ
PickthallLo! We, only We, inherit the earth and all who are thereon, and unto Us they are returned.
Yusuf AliIt is We Who will inherit the earth, and all beings thereon: to Us will they all be returned.
The agreed readingWe inherit the earth and everyone on it, and to Us they are returned. The commentaries gloss the inheriting as what is left when every owner of it has gone.
وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا
PickthallAnd make mention (O Muhammad) in the Scripture of Abraham. Lo! he was a saint, a prophet.
Yusuf Ali(Also mention in the Book (the story of) Abraham: He was a man of Truth, a prophet.
The agreed readingAnd mention Abraham in the Book. He was a man of truth, a prophet — and the commentaries note the order, that truthfulness is named before prophethood.
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ يَٰٓأَبَتِ لِمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لَا يَسْمَعُ وَلَا يُبْصِرُ وَلَا يُغْنِى عَنكَ شَيْـًٔا
PickthallWhen he said unto his father: O my father! Why worshippest thou that which heareth not nor seeth, nor can in aught avail thee?
Yusuf AliBehold, he said to his father: "O my father! why worship that which heareth not and seeth not, and can profit thee nothing?
The agreed readingWhen he said to his father: my father, why do you serve what does not hear and does not see and cannot help you in anything?
يَٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّى قَدْ جَآءَنِى مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِكَ فَٱتَّبِعْنِىٓ أَهْدِكَ صِرَٰطًا سَوِيًّا
PickthallO my father! Lo! there hath come unto me of knowledge that which came not unto thee. So follow me, and I will lead thee on a right path.
Yusuf Ali"O my father! to me hath come knowledge which hath not reached thee: so follow me: I will guide thee to a way that is even and straight.
The agreed readingMy father, there has come to me knowledge that has not come to you, so follow me and I will guide you on an even path. The commentaries note the manner of it: a son correcting his father and calling him 'my father' in every sentence.
يَٰٓأَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَصِيًّا
PickthallO my father! Serve not the devil. Lo! the devil is a rebel unto the Beneficent.
Yusuf Ali"O my father! serve not Satan: for Satan is a rebel against (Allah) Most Gracious.
The agreed readingMy father, do not serve Satan. Satan was disobedient to the Compassionate. The commentaries note the naming: what was being served was an idol, and it is called by the name of the one served through it.
يَٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ أَن يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيْطَٰنِ وَلِيًّا
PickthallO my father! Lo! I fear lest a punishment from the Beneficent overtake thee so that thou become a comrade of the devil.
Yusuf Ali"O my father! I fear lest a Penalty afflict thee from (Allah) Most Gracious, so that thou become to Satan a friend."
The agreed readingMy father, I fear that a punishment from the Compassionate will touch you, and you will become a friend of Satan.
قَالَ أَرَاغِبٌ أَنتَ عَنْ ءَالِهَتِى يَٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ لَأَرْجُمَنَّكَ وَٱهْجُرْنِى مَلِيًّا
PickthallHe said: Rejectest thou my gods, O Abraham? If thou cease not, I shall surely stone thee. Depart from me a long while!
Yusuf Ali(The father) replied: "Dost thou hate my gods, O Abraham? If thou forbear not, I will indeed stone thee: Now get away from me for a good long while!"
The agreed readingHe said: are you turning away from my gods, Abraham? If you do not stop, I will stone you. Now leave me for a long time.
قَالَ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكَ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّىٓ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِى حَفِيًّا
PickthallHe said: Peace be unto thee! I shall ask forgiveness of my Lord for thee. Lo! He was ever gracious unto me.
Yusuf AliAbraham said: "Peace be on thee: I will pray to my Lord for thy forgiveness: for He is to me Most Gracious.
The agreed readingHe said: peace be on you. I will ask my Lord's forgiveness for you. He has always been gracious to me. The commentaries note the answer to a threat of stoning: a greeting of peace and a promise to pray for him.
وَأَعْتَزِلُكُمْ وَمَا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَدْعُوا۟ رَبِّى عَسَىٰٓ أَلَّآ أَكُونَ بِدُعَآءِ رَبِّى شَقِيًّا
PickthallI shall withdraw from you and that unto which ye pray beside Allah, and I shall pray unto my Lord. It may be that, in prayer unto my Lord, I shall not be unblest.
Yusuf Ali"And I will turn away from you (all) and from those whom ye invoke besides Allah: I will call on my Lord: perhaps, by my prayer to my Lord, I shall be not unblest."
The agreed readingAnd I withdraw from you and from what you call on besides God, and I call on my Lord. It may be that in calling on my Lord I will not be disappointed.
فَلَمَّا ٱعْتَزَلَهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا نَبِيًّا
PickthallSo, when he had withdrawn from them and that which they were worshipping beside Allah, We gave him Isaac and Jacob. Each of them We made a prophet.
Yusuf AliWhen he had turned away from them and from those whom they worshipped besides Allah, We bestowed on him Isaac and Jacob, and each one of them We made a prophet.
The agreed readingSo when he had withdrawn from them and from what they served besides God, We gave him Isaac and Jacob, and each of them We made a prophet. The commentaries note what came after the leaving: he left a household and was given one.
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِنَا وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ عَلِيًّا
PickthallAnd we gave them of Our mercy, and assigned to them a high and true renown.
Yusuf AliAnd We bestowed of Our Mercy on them, and We granted them lofty honour on the tongue of truth.
The agreed readingAnd We gave them of Our mercy, and gave them a high and truthful name to be spoken by.
وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مُخْلَصًا وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا
PickthallAnd make mention in the Scripture of Moses. Lo! he was chosen, and he was a messenger (of Allah), a prophet.
Yusuf AliAlso mention in the Book (the story of) Moses: for he was specially chosen, and he was a messenger (and) a prophet.
The agreed readingAnd mention Moses in the Book. He was made pure, and he was a messenger, a prophet.
وَنَٰدَيْنَٰهُ مِن جَانِبِ ٱلطُّورِ ٱلْأَيْمَنِ وَقَرَّبْنَٰهُ نَجِيًّا
PickthallWe called him from the right slope of the Mount, and brought him nigh in communion.
Yusuf AliAnd we called him from the right side of Mount (Sinai), and made him draw near to Us, for mystic (converse).
The agreed readingAnd We called him from the right side of the Mount, and We brought him near, speaking with him in confidence.
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥ مِن رَّحْمَتِنَآ أَخَاهُ هَٰرُونَ نَبِيًّا
PickthallAnd We bestowed upon him of Our mercy his brother Aaron, a prophet (likewise).
Yusuf AliAnd, out of Our Mercy, We gave him his brother Aaron, (also) a prophet.
The agreed readingAnd We gave him, out of Our mercy, his brother Aaron as a prophet. The commentaries note that the brother is named as part of the mercy, not as an addition to it.
وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِسْمَٰعِيلَ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صَادِقَ ٱلْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًا نَّبِيًّا
PickthallAnd make mention in the Scripture of Ishmael. Lo! he was a keeper of his promise, and he was a messenger (of Allah), a prophet.
Yusuf AliAlso mention in the Book (the story of) Isma'il: He was (strictly) true to what he promised, and he was a messenger (and) a prophet.
The agreed readingAnd mention Ishmael in the Book. He was true to what he promised, and he was a messenger, a prophet.
وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرْضِيًّا
PickthallHe enjoined upon his people worship and almsgiving, and was acceptable in the sight of his Lord.
Yusuf AliHe used to enjoin on his people Prayer and Charity, and he was most acceptable in the sight of his Lord.
The agreed readingAnd he used to command his household to the prayer and the zakat, and he was pleasing in the sight of his Lord.
وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِدْرِيسَ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقًا نَّبِيًّا
PickthallAnd make mention in the Scripture of Idris. Lo! he was a saint, a prophet;
Yusuf AliAlso mention in the Book the case of Idris: He was a man of truth (and sincerity), (and) a prophet:
The agreed readingAnd mention Idris in the Book. He was a man of truth, a prophet — described in the same two words used of Abraham, which the commentaries note as marking one class of men rather than one story.
وَرَفَعْنَٰهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا
PickthallAnd We raised him to high station.
Yusuf AliAnd We raised him to a lofty station.
The agreed readingAnd We raised him to a high place. The commentaries read the raising as done to him rather than reached by him, and the height as one of standing and not only of place.
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّـۧنَ مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ ءَادَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا وَٱجْتَبَيْنَآ إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًا وَبُكِيًّا
PickthallThese are they unto whom Allah showed favour from among the prophets, of the seed of Adam and of those whom We carried (in the ship) with Noah, and of the seed of Abraham and Israel, and from among those whom We guided and chose. When the revelations of the Beneficent were recited unto them, they fell down, adoring and weeping.
Yusuf AliThose were some of the prophets on whom Allah did bestow His Grace,- of the posterity of Adam, and of those who We carried (in the Ark) with Noah, and of the posterity of Abraham and Israel of those whom We guided and chose. Whenever the Signs of (Allah) Most Gracious were rehearsed to them, they would fall down in prostrate adoration and in tears.
The agreed readingThose are the ones God favoured among the prophets — of the offspring of Adam, and of those We carried with Noah, and of the offspring of Abraham and Israel, and of those We guided and chose. When the signs of the Compassionate were recited to them they fell down prostrate and weeping.
فَخَلَفَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا
PickthallNow there hath succeeded them a later generation whom have ruined worship and have followed lusts. But they will meet deception.
Yusuf AliBut after them there followed a posterity who missed prayers and followed after lusts soon, then, will they face Destruction,-
The agreed readingThen after them there came others who let the prayer go to waste and followed their appetites — and they will meet with ruin. The commentaries take the two together as one description: what was let go, and what was followed instead.
إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحًا فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ شَيْـًٔا
PickthallSave him who shall repent and believe and do right. Such will enter the Garden, and they will not be wronged in aught -
Yusuf AliExcept those who repent and believe, and work righteousness: for these will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in the least,-
The agreed readingExcept those who turn back and believe and do righteous work. Those will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in anything.
جَنَّٰتِ عَدْنٍ ٱلَّتِى وَعَدَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ عِبَادَهُۥ بِٱلْغَيْبِ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ وَعْدُهُۥ مَأْتِيًّا
PickthallGardens of Eden, which the Beneficent hath promised to His slaves in the unseen. Lo! His promise is ever sure of fulfilment -
Yusuf AliGardens of Eternity, those which (Allah) Most Gracious has promised to His servants in the Unseen: for His promise must (necessarily) come to pass.
The agreed readingGardens of lasting residence, which the Compassionate has promised His servants in the unseen. His promise is always kept.
لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا إِلَّا سَلَٰمًا وَلَهُمْ رِزْقُهُمْ فِيهَا بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا
PickthallThey hear therein no idle talk, but only Peace; and therein they have food for morn and evening.
Yusuf AliThey will not there hear any vain discourse, but only salutations of Peace: And they will have therein their sustenance, morning and evening.
The agreed readingThey hear no idle talk in it, only peace. And their provision is in it, morning and evening.
تِلْكَ ٱلْجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِى نُورِثُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا مَن كَانَ تَقِيًّا
PickthallSuch is the Garden which We cause the devout among Our bondmen to inherit.
Yusuf AliSuch is the Garden which We give as an inheritance to those of Our servants who guard against Evil.
The agreed readingThat is the Garden We give as an inheritance to those of Our servants who guard themselves.
وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ لَهُۥ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا وَمَا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيًّا
PickthallWe (angels) come not down save by commandment of thy Lord. Unto Him belongeth all that is before us and all that is behind us and all that is between those two, and thy Lord was never forgetful -
Yusuf Ali(The angels say:) "We descend not but by command of thy Lord: to Him belongeth what is before us and what is behind us, and what is between: and thy Lord never doth forget,-
The agreed readingAnd we do not come down except by your Lord's command. To Him belongs what is in front of us and what is behind us and what is between the two. And your Lord was never forgetful.
رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فَٱعْبُدْهُ وَٱصْطَبِرْ لِعِبَٰدَتِهِۦ هَلْ تَعْلَمُ لَهُۥ سَمِيًّا
PickthallLord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them! Therefor, worship thou Him and be thou steadfast in His service. Knowest thou one that can be named along with Him?
Yusuf Ali"Lord of the heavens and of the earth, and of all that is between them; so worship Him, and be constant and patient in His worship: knowest thou of any who is worthy of the same Name as He?"
The agreed readingLord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, so serve Him and hold fast in serving Him. Do you know anyone who can be named alongside Him? The commentaries take the closing question as the whole argument: nothing else bears the name.
وَيَقُولُ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ أَءِذَا مَا مِتُّ لَسَوْفَ أُخْرَجُ حَيًّا
PickthallAnd man saith: When I am dead, shall I forsooth be brought forth alive?
Yusuf AliMan says: "What! When I am dead, shall I then be raised up alive?"
The agreed readingAnd man says: when I am dead, shall I really be brought out alive? The commentaries note that the question is put as a taunt rather than as an enquiry, which is why it is answered by another question.
أَوَلَا يَذْكُرُ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَٰهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ يَكُ شَيْـًٔا
PickthallDoth not man remember that We created him before, when he was naught?
Yusuf AliBut does not man call to mind that We created him before out of nothing?
The agreed readingDoes man not remember that We created him before, when he was nothing at all? The commentaries take this as the whole answer: what happened once from nothing is not made harder by having happened.
فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَحْشُرَنَّهُمْ وَٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ ثُمَّ لَنُحْضِرَنَّهُمْ حَوْلَ جَهَنَّمَ جِثِيًّا
PickthallAnd, by thy Lord, verily We shall assemble them and the devils, then We shall bring them, crouching, around hell.
Yusuf AliSo, by thy Lord, without doubt, We shall gather them together, and (also) the Evil Ones (with them); then shall We bring them forth on their knees round about Hell;
The agreed readingSo by your Lord, We will gather them and the satans, then We will bring them around Hell on their knees.
ثُمَّ لَنَنزِعَنَّ مِن كُلِّ شِيعَةٍ أَيُّهُمْ أَشَدُّ عَلَى ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عِتِيًّا
PickthallThen We shall pluck out from every sect whichever of them was most stubborn in rebellion to the Beneficent.
Yusuf AliThen shall We certainly drag out from every sect all those who were worst in obstinate rebellion against (Allah) Most Gracious.
The agreed readingThen We will drag out of every party whichever of them was most insolent towards the Compassionate.
ثُمَّ لَنَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِهَا صِلِيًّا
PickthallAnd surely We are Best Aware of those most worthy to be burned therein.
Yusuf AliAnd certainly We know best those who are most worthy of being burned therein.
The agreed readingAnd We know best who most deserves to burn in it — the commentaries note that the sorting is done by knowledge, and the knowledge is claimed by the One doing the sorting.
وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ حَتْمًا مَّقْضِيًّا
PickthallThere is not one of you but shall approach it. That is a fixed ordinance of thy Lord.
Yusuf AliNot one of you but will pass over it: this is, with thy Lord, a Decree which must be accomplished.
The agreed readingAnd there is not one of you but will come to it. That is a settled decree upon your Lord.
ثُمَّ نُنَجِّى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّنَذَرُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيًّا
PickthallThen We shall rescue those who kept from evil, and leave the evil-doers crouching there.
Yusuf AliBut We shall save those who guarded against evil, and We shall leave the wrong-doers therein, (humbled) to their knees.
The agreed readingThen We will deliver those who guarded themselves, and leave the wrongdoers in it on their knees.
وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتُنَا بَيِّنَٰتٍ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَىُّ ٱلْفَرِيقَيْنِ خَيْرٌ مَّقَامًا وَأَحْسَنُ نَدِيًّا
PickthallAnd when Our clear revelations are recited unto them, those who disbelieve say unto those who believe: Which of the two parties (yours or ours) is better in position, and more imposing as an army?
Yusuf AliWhen Our Clear Signs are rehearsed to them, the Unbelievers say to those who believe, "Which of the two sides is best in point of position? Which makes the best show in council?"
The agreed readingAnd when Our clear signs are recited to them, those who refuse say to those who believe: which of the two groups is better placed and finer in company? The commentaries note the standard being appealed to: the case is made from comfort and numbers.
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَحْسَنُ أَثَٰثًا وَرِءْيًا
PickthallHow many a generation have We destroyed before them, who were more imposing in respect of gear and outward seeming!
Yusuf AliBut how many (countless) generations before them have we destroyed, who were even better in equipment and in glitter to the eye?
The agreed readingAnd how many generations before them We destroyed, who were finer in furnishings and in outward show.
قُلْ مَن كَانَ فِى ٱلضَّلَٰلَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ مَدًّا حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا رَأَوْا۟ مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا ٱلْعَذَابَ وَإِمَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّ مَّكَانًا وَأَضْعَفُ جُندًا
PickthallSay: As for him who is in error, the Beneficent will verily prolong his span of life until, when they behold that which they were promised, whether it be punishment (in the world), or the Hour (of doom), they will know who is worse in position and who is weaker as an army.
Yusuf AliSay: "If any men go astray, (Allah) Most Gracious extends (the rope) to them, until, when they see the warning of Allah (being fulfilled) - either in punishment or in (the approach of) the Hour,- they will at length realise who is worst in position, and (who) weakest in forces!
The agreed readingSay: whoever is in error, the Compassionate will draw it out long for him, until when they see what they were promised — either the punishment or the Hour — they will know who is worse placed and weaker in force.
وَيَزِيدُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱهْتَدَوْا۟ هُدًى وَٱلْبَٰقِيَٰتُ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًا وَخَيْرٌ مَّرَدًّا
PickthallAllah increaseth in right guidance those who walk aright, and the good deeds which endure are better in thy Lord's sight for reward, and better for resort.
Yusuf Ali"And Allah doth advance in guidance those who seek guidance: and the things that endure, Good Deeds, are best in the sight of thy Lord, as rewards, and best in respect of (their) eventual return."
The agreed readingAnd God increases in guidance those who took guidance. And the deeds that last, the righteous ones, are better with your Lord in reward and better in what they come back to.
أَفَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى كَفَرَ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَقَالَ لَأُوتَيَنَّ مَالًا وَوَلَدًا
PickthallHast thou seen him who disbelieveth in Our revelations and saith: Assuredly I shall be given wealth and children?
Yusuf AliHast thou then seen the (sort of) man who rejects Our Signs, yet says: "I shall certainly be given wealth and children?"
The agreed readingHave you seen the one who refused Our signs and said: I will certainly be given wealth and children?
أَطَّلَعَ ٱلْغَيْبَ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ عِندَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَهْدًا
PickthallHath he perused the Unseen, or hath he made a pact with the Beneficent?
Yusuf AliHas he penetrated to the Unseen, or has he taken a contract with (Allah) Most Gracious?
The agreed readingHas he looked into the unseen, or taken a covenant with the Compassionate? The commentaries note the two ways such a claim could be founded, and the question shuts both.
كَلَّا سَنَكْتُبُ مَا يَقُولُ وَنَمُدُّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ مَدًّا
PickthallNay, but We shall record that which he saith and prolong for him a span of torment.
Yusuf AliNay! We shall record what he says, and We shall add and add to his punishment.
The agreed readingNo. We will write down what he says, and We will draw out the punishment for him, long.
وَنَرِثُهُۥ مَا يَقُولُ وَيَأْتِينَا فَرْدًا
PickthallAnd We shall inherit from him that whereof he spake, and he will come unto Us, alone (without his wealth and children).
Yusuf AliTo Us shall return all that he talks of and he shall appear before Us bare and alone.
The agreed readingAnd We will inherit from him what he speaks of, and he will come to Us alone — the wealth and children he was counting on, named first and then taken off him.
وَٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةً لِّيَكُونُوا۟ لَهُمْ عِزًّا
PickthallAnd they have chosen (other) gods beside Allah that they may be a power for them.
Yusuf AliAnd they have taken (for worship) gods other than Allah, to give them power and glory!
The agreed readingAnd they have taken gods besides God, so that they might be a strength for them.
كَلَّا سَيَكْفُرُونَ بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ وَيَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضِدًّا
PickthallNay, but they will deny their worship of them, and become opponents unto them.
Yusuf AliInstead, they shall reject their worship, and become adversaries against them.
The agreed readingNo. They will refuse their service of them and become their opponents. The commentaries note what is taken away first: not the gods, but the claim that they were ever served on their own terms.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ تَؤُزُّهُمْ أَزًّا
PickthallSeest thou not that We have set the devils on the disbelievers to confound them with confusion?
Yusuf AliSeest thou not that We have set the Evil Ones on against the unbelievers, to incite them with fury?
The agreed readingHave you not seen that We have sent the satans against those who refuse, driving them hard?
فَلَا تَعْجَلْ عَلَيْهِمْ إِنَّمَا نَعُدُّ لَهُمْ عَدًّا
PickthallSo make no haste against them (O Muhammad). We do but number unto them a sum (of days).
Yusuf AliSo make no haste against them, for We but count out to them a (limited) number (of days).
The agreed readingSo do not be in haste against them. We are only counting for them a count. The commentaries gloss the counting as the days and the breaths being numbered towards a term.
يَوْمَ نَحْشُرُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ إِلَى ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَفْدًا
PickthallOn the day when We shall gather the righteous unto the Beneficent, a goodly company.
Yusuf AliThe day We shall gather the righteous to (Allah) Most Gracious, like a band presented before a king for honours,
The agreed readingOn the Day We gather those who guarded themselves to the Compassionate as a delegation,
وَنَسُوقُ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ وِرْدًا
PickthallAnd drive the guilty unto hell, a weary herd,
Yusuf AliAnd We shall drive the sinners to Hell, like thirsty cattle driven down to water,-
The agreed readingand drive the guilty to Hell, thirsty. The commentaries set the two pictures against each other: one company arriving as guests, the other driven like animals to water.
لَّا يَمْلِكُونَ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ عِندَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَهْدًا
PickthallThey will have no power of intercession, save him who hath made a covenant with his Lord.
Yusuf AliNone shall have the power of intercession, but such a one as has received permission (or promise) from (Allah) Most Gracious.
The agreed readingThey will have no power of intercession, except one who has taken a covenant with the Compassionate.
وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وَلَدًا
PickthallAnd they say: The Beneficent hath taken unto Himself a son.
Yusuf AliThey say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten a son!"
The agreed readingAnd they said: the Compassionate has taken a son. The commentaries note which of the divine names is used in the report of the claim, and used again in every āyah that answers it.
لَّقَدْ جِئْتُمْ شَيْـًٔا إِدًّا
PickthallAssuredly ye utter a disastrous thing
Yusuf AliIndeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous!
The agreed readingYou have brought a monstrous thing — glossed as something outrageous, and the reply is given before any argument, as the plain size of the thing said.
تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنشَقُّ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ ٱلْجِبَالُ هَدًّا
PickthallWhereby almost the heavens are torn, and the earth is split asunder and the mountains fall in ruins,
Yusuf AliAt it the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin,
The agreed readingat which the heavens are close to splitting apart, and the earth to being torn open, and the mountains to falling down in ruins,
أَن دَعَوْا۟ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَلَدًا
PickthallThat ye ascribe unto the Beneficent a son,
Yusuf AliThat they should invoke a son for (Allah) Most Gracious.
The agreed readingThat they ascribe a son to the Compassionate. The commentaries attach the sentence back to the shaking of the heavens: this, and not something larger, is what that was for.
وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا
PickthallWhen it is not meet for (the Majesty of) the Beneficent that He should choose a son.
Yusuf AliFor it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah) Most Gracious that He should beget a son.
The agreed readingAnd it is not for the Compassionate to take a son — the commentaries gloss it as not being fitting for Him, so the denial is made from what He is rather than from what is possible.
إِن كُلُّ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّآ ءَاتِى ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَبْدًا
PickthallThere is none in the heavens and the earth but cometh unto the Beneficent as a slave.
Yusuf AliNot one of the beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to (Allah) Most Gracious as a servant.
The agreed readingThere is no one in the heavens and the earth who does not come to the Compassionate as a servant. The commentaries take this as the answer to the whole claim: the relation everything stands in is servanthood, and a son is not a servant.
لَّقَدْ أَحْصَىٰهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا
PickthallVerily He knoweth them and numbereth them with (right) numbering.
Yusuf AliHe does take an account of them (all), and hath numbered them (all) exactly.
The agreed readingHe has counted them and numbered them exactly. The commentaries note that nothing of their number and no single one of them is outside it.
وَكُلُّهُمْ ءَاتِيهِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فَرْدًا
PickthallAnd each one of them will come unto Him on the Day of Resurrection, alone.
Yusuf AliAnd everyone of them will come to Him singly on the Day of Judgment.
The agreed readingAnd every one of them will come to Him on the Day of Resurrection alone. The commentaries note the word repeated from earlier in the sūrah: alone, without wealth and without anyone to help.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وُدًّا
PickthallLo! those who believe and do good works, the Beneficent will appoint for them love.
Yusuf AliOn those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, will (Allah) Most Gracious bestow love.
The agreed readingThose who believe and do righteous work — the Compassionate will appoint love for them.
فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لِتُبَشِّرَ بِهِ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ وَتُنذِرَ بِهِۦ قَوْمًا لُّدًّا
PickthallAnd We make (this Scripture) easy in thy tongue, (O Muhammad) only that thou mayst bear good tidings therewith unto those who ward off (evil), and warn therewith the froward folk.
Yusuf AliSo have We made the (Qur'an) easy in thine own tongue, that with it thou mayest give Glad Tidings to the righteous, and warnings to people given to contention.
The agreed readingSo We have made it easy in your own tongue, only so that you may give good news by it to those who guard themselves, and warn by it a contentious people.
وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هَلْ تُحِسُّ مِنْهُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ أَوْ تَسْمَعُ لَهُمْ رِكْزًۢا
PickthallAnd how many a generation before them have We destroyed! Canst thou (Muhammad) see a single man of them, or hear from them the slightest sound?
Yusuf AliBut how many (countless) generations before them have We destroyed? Canst thou find a single one of them (now) or hear (so much as) a whisper of them?
The agreed readingAnd how many generations We destroyed before them. Do you perceive a single one of them, or hear from them the faintest sound? The sūrah ends on the silence left where a people used to be.