Surah 21 of 114 · Makki · 112 ayat
Al-Anbya الأنبياء
The Prophets
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ ٱقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُونَ
PickthallTheir reckoning draweth nigh for mankind, while they turn away in heedlessness.
Yusuf AliCloser and closer to mankind comes their Reckoning: yet they heed not and they turn away.
The agreed readingThe Day on which people must answer for what they have done has drawn close, and they are living turned away from it, their attention on other things. The address is to those who denied outright that they would ever be raised. What is left of this world is short beside what has already passed, so the reckoning is near whether or not they feel it near.
مَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن ذِكْرٍ مِّن رَّبِّهِم مُّحْدَثٍ إِلَّا ٱسْتَمَعُوهُ وَهُمْ يَلْعَبُونَ
PickthallNever cometh there unto them a new reminder from their Lord but they listen to it while they play,
Yusuf AliNever comes (aught) to them of a renewed Message from their Lord, but they listen to it as in jest,-
The agreed readingNo fresh reminder comes down to them from their Lord but they listen to it as entertainment. The Qur'an came portion by portion, so that the warning would be renewed on their ears; they took each new portion as something to play with.
لَاهِيَةً قُلُوبُهُمْ وَأَسَرُّوا۟ ٱلنَّجْوَى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ هَلْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ أَفَتَأْتُونَ ٱلسِّحْرَ وَأَنتُمْ تُبْصِرُونَ
PickthallWith hearts preoccupied. And they confer in secret. The wrong-doers say: Is this other than a mortal like you? Will ye then succumb to magic when ye see (it)?
Yusuf AliTheir hearts toying as with trifles. The wrong-doers conceal their private counsels, (saying), "Is this (one) more than a man like yourselves? Will ye go to witchcraft with your eyes open?"
The agreed readingTheir hearts are elsewhere even while they are listening. They take counsel in whispers, and what the wrongdoers whisper is that Muhammad is only a human being like themselves and that what he brings is magic - so how, they say, can you walk into magic with your eyes open.
قَالَ رَبِّى يَعْلَمُ ٱلْقَوْلَ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
PickthallHe saith: My Lord knoweth what is spoken in the heaven and the earth. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
Yusuf AliSay: "My Lord knoweth (every) word (spoken) in the heavens and on earth: He is the One that heareth and knoweth (all things)."
The agreed readingThe answer to a whispered thing is that nothing said is hidden: God knows every word spoken in the heavens and the earth. He hears what they say under their breath and knows what lies behind it.
بَلْ قَالُوٓا۟ أَضْغَٰثُ أَحْلَٰمٍۭ بَلِ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ بَلْ هُوَ شَاعِرٌ فَلْيَأْتِنَا بِـَٔايَةٍ كَمَآ أُرْسِلَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ
PickthallNay, say they, (these are but) muddled dreams; nay, he hath but invented it; nay, he is but a poet. Let him bring us a portent even as those of old (who were Allah's messengers) were sent (with portents).
Yusuf Ali"Nay," they say, "(these are) medleys of dream! - Nay, He forged it! - Nay, He is (but) a poet! Let him then bring us a Sign like the ones that were sent to (Prophets) of old!"
The agreed readingThey cannot settle on one charge. First what he brings is a jumble of dreams, then something he invented, then poetry - each accusation abandoning the one before it. Then they demand a sign of the kind the earlier messengers were sent with.
مَآ ءَامَنَتْ قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَٰهَآ أَفَهُمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
PickthallNot a township believed of those which We destroyed before them (though We sent them portents): would they then believe?
Yusuf Ali(As to those) before them, not one of the populations which We destroyed believed: will these believe?
The agreed readingNot one town destroyed before them believed when the signs came to it. So the demand for a sign is not a demand for proof: those who were shown refused all the same.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ إِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِمْ فَسْـَٔلُوٓا۟ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ إِن كُنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
PickthallAnd We sent not (as Our messengers) before thee other than men, whom We inspired. Ask the followers of the Reminder if ye know not?
Yusuf AliBefore thee, also, the messengers We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: If ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message.
The agreed readingEvery messenger sent before Muhammad was a man to whom revelation was given, not an angel. If they do not know that, they may ask the people who hold the earlier scriptures, who do know it.
وَمَا جَعَلْنَٰهُمْ جَسَدًا لَّا يَأْكُلُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ خَٰلِدِينَ
PickthallWe gave them not bodies that would not eat food, nor were they immortals.
Yusuf AliNor did We give them bodies that ate no food, nor were they exempt from death.
The agreed readingThe messengers were not given bodies that had no need of food, and none of them stayed in this world for ever. Being human is not an argument against being sent.
ثُمَّ صَدَقْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْوَعْدَ فَأَنجَيْنَٰهُمْ وَمَن نَّشَآءُ وَأَهْلَكْنَا ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ
PickthallThen we fulfilled the promise unto them. So we delivered them and whom We would, and We destroyed the prodigals.
Yusuf AliIn the end We fulfilled to them Our Promise, and We saved them and those whom We pleased, but We destroyed those who transgressed beyond bounds.
The agreed readingThen the promise made to them was kept: they were delivered, and with them those God willed to deliver, and those who went beyond all bounds were destroyed.
لَقَدْ أَنزَلْنَآ إِلَيْكُمْ كِتَٰبًا فِيهِ ذِكْرُكُمْ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
PickthallNow We have revealed unto you a Scripture wherein is your Reminder. Have ye then no sense?
Yusuf AliWe have revealed for you (O men!) a book in which is a Message for you: will ye not then understand?
The agreed readingA Book has been sent down to them in their own tongue, and in it is their reminder and their honour. To turn away from it is to turn away from the thing that would have raised them.
وَكَمْ قَصَمْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ كَانَتْ ظَالِمَةً وَأَنشَأْنَا بَعْدَهَا قَوْمًا ءَاخَرِينَ
PickthallHow many a community that dealt unjustly have We shattered, and raised up after them another folk!
Yusuf AliHow many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples?
The agreed readingMany a town given to wrong was shattered, and another people raised up in its place. The town is named for its people: it was they who did the wrong, and they who were broken.
فَلَمَّآ أَحَسُّوا۟ بَأْسَنَآ إِذَا هُم مِّنْهَا يَرْكُضُونَ
PickthallAnd, when they felt Our might, behold them fleeing from it!
Yusuf AliYet, when they felt Our Punishment (coming), behold, they (tried to) flee from it.
The agreed readingWhen they felt the punishment actually arriving - felt it as a present thing, not as a report - they turned and ran from their own town.
لَا تَرْكُضُوا۟ وَٱرْجِعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰ مَآ أُتْرِفْتُمْ فِيهِ وَمَسَٰكِنِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْـَٔلُونَ
Pickthall(But it was said unto them): Flee not, but return to that (existence) which emasculated you and to your dwellings, that ye may be questioned.
Yusuf AliFlee not, but return to the good things of this life which were given you, and to your homes in order that ye may be called to account.
The agreed readingThey were told: do not run; go back to the comfort you were given and to your houses, so that you may be asked for something. The commentaries read this as mockery, put in the very words in which such people were used to being addressed.
قَالُوا۟ يَٰوَيْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَٰلِمِينَ
PickthallThey cried: Alas for us! we were wrong-doers.
Yusuf AliThey said: "Ah! woe to us! We were indeed wrong-doers!"
The agreed readingThen they said: woe to us, we were wrongdoers. What they confess is the refusal itself, named at last as the wrong it was.
فَمَا زَالَت تِّلْكَ دَعْوَىٰهُمْ حَتَّىٰ جَعَلْنَٰهُمْ حَصِيدًا خَٰمِدِينَ
PickthallAnd this their crying ceased not till We made them as reaped corn, extinct.
Yusuf AliAnd that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is mown, as ashes silent and quenched.
The agreed readingThat cry of theirs did not stop until they were cut down like a reaped crop and went out like a fire that has burned to its end.
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَٰعِبِينَ
PickthallWe created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in play.
Yusuf AliNot for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between!
The agreed readingThe heavens and the earth and everything between them were not made for amusement. They were made to point to the power behind them and to serve the people who live among them; whoever looks at them is meant to learn something from them.
لَوْ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نَّتَّخِذَ لَهْوًا لَّٱتَّخَذْنَٰهُ مِن لَّدُنَّآ إِن كُنَّا فَٰعِلِينَ
PickthallIf We had wished to find a pastime, We could have found it in Our presence - if We ever did.
Yusuf AliIf it had been Our wish to take (just) a pastime, We should surely have taken it from the things nearest to Us, if We would do (such a thing)!
The agreed readingHad God wanted something to divert Himself with - a consort, a child - He would have taken it from what is already with Him, not from His creation. The sentence ends by withdrawing itself: He never did so and never willed it.
بَلْ نَقْذِفُ بِٱلْحَقِّ عَلَى ٱلْبَٰطِلِ فَيَدْمَغُهُۥ فَإِذَا هُوَ زَاهِقٌ وَلَكُمُ ٱلْوَيْلُ مِمَّا تَصِفُونَ
PickthallNay, but We hurl the true against the false, and it doth break its head and lo! it vanisheth. And yours will be woe for that which ye ascribe (unto Him).
Yusuf AliNay, We hurl the Truth against falsehood, and it knocks out its brain, and behold, falsehood doth perish! Ah! woe be to you for the (false) things ye ascribe (to Us).
The agreed readingInstead, the truth is hurled at falsehood and strikes it dead - the word is of a blow to the skull, not of an argument won - and falsehood simply vanishes. And woe to them for the things they say about God.
وَلَهُۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَنْ عِندَهُۥ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِۦ وَلَا يَسْتَحْسِرُونَ
PickthallUnto Him belongeth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those who dwell in His presence are not too proud to worship Him, nor do they weary;
Yusuf AliTo Him belong all (creatures) in the heavens and on earth: Even those who are in His (very) Presence are not too proud to serve Him, nor are they (ever) weary (of His service):
The agreed readingEveryone in the heavens and the earth belongs to Him. Those nearest to Him, the angels, are neither too proud to serve Him nor ever worn out by serving Him.
يُسَبِّحُونَ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ لَا يَفْتُرُونَ
PickthallThey glorify (Him) night and day; they flag not.
Yusuf AliThey celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit.
The agreed readingThey declare His purity night and day and never slacken. The commentaries put it the same way: this praise is to them what breathing is to us, and nothing interrupts it.
أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوٓا۟ ءَالِهَةً مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ هُمْ يُنشِرُونَ
PickthallOr have they chosen gods from the earth who raise the dead?
Yusuf AliOr have they taken (for worship) gods from the earth who can raise (the dead)?
The agreed readingOr have they taken up gods made out of the earth itself - stone, gold, silver - that raise the dead? They cannot; and to claim godhood at all is to claim exactly that.
لَوْ كَانَ فِيهِمَآ ءَالِهَةٌ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ لَفَسَدَتَا فَسُبْحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
PickthallIf there were therein gods beside Allah, then verily both (the heavens and the earth) had been disordered. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, from all that they ascribe (unto Him).
Yusuf AliIf there were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both! but glory to Allah, the Lord of the Throne: (High is He) above what they attribute to Him!
The agreed readingHad there been other gods besides God in the heavens and the earth, the order that can be seen in them would have collapsed: more than one ruling will means wills that cross. God, the Lord of the Throne, is far above what they ascribe to Him.
لَا يُسْـَٔلُ عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ يُسْـَٔلُونَ
PickthallHe will not be questioned as to that which He doeth, but they will be questioned.
Yusuf AliHe cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs).
The agreed readingHe is not called to account for what He does, and they are called to account. Whoever must answer to another is by that very fact not God.
أَمِ ٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةً قُلْ هَاتُوا۟ بُرْهَٰنَكُمْ هَٰذَا ذِكْرُ مَن مَّعِىَ وَذِكْرُ مَن قَبْلِى بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ ٱلْحَقَّ فَهُم مُّعْرِضُونَ
PickthallOr have they chosen other gods beside Him? say: Bring your proof (of their godhead). This is the Reminder of those with me and those before me, but most of them know not the Truth and so they are averse.
Yusuf AliOr have they taken for worship (other) gods besides him? Say, "Bring your convincing proof: this is the Message of those with me and the Message of those before me." But most of them know not the Truth, and so turn away.
The agreed readingSay to them: bring your proof. What was revealed to those with Muhammad and what was revealed to those before him say one thing, and against it they can produce nothing. Most of them do not know the truth at all, and that is why they turn from it.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ مِن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا نُوحِىٓ إِلَيْهِ أَنَّهُۥ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنَا۠ فَٱعْبُدُونِ
PickthallAnd We sent no messenger before thee but We inspired him, (saying): There is no Allah save Me (Allah), so worship Me.
Yusuf AliNot a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.
The agreed readingEvery messenger sent before Muhammad was given the same revelation: there is no god but God, so worship Him - that is, hold Him to be one.
وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وَلَدًا سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ بَلْ عِبَادٌ مُّكْرَمُونَ
PickthallAnd they say: The Beneficent hath taken unto Himself a son. Be He Glorified! Nay, but (those whom they call sons) are honoured slaves;
Yusuf AliAnd they say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten offspring." Glory to Him! they are (but) servants raised to honour.
The agreed readingThey say the Compassionate has taken a child. He is far above that: the ones they mean are honoured servants of His. To be owned as a servant and to be begotten as a child cannot both be true of the same being.
لَا يَسْبِقُونَهُۥ بِٱلْقَوْلِ وَهُم بِأَمْرِهِۦ يَعْمَلُونَ
PickthallThey speak not until He hath spoken, and they act by His command.
Yusuf AliThey speak not before He speaks, and they act (in all things) by His Command.
The agreed readingThey say nothing before He has said it, and they act only by His command. Their will follows His and never runs ahead of it.
يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يَشْفَعُونَ إِلَّا لِمَنِ ٱرْتَضَىٰ وَهُم مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهِۦ مُشْفِقُونَ
PickthallHe knoweth what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede except for him whom He accepteth, and they quake for awe of Him.
Yusuf AliHe knows what is before them, and what is behind them, and they offer no intercession except for those who are acceptable, and they stand in awe and reverence of His (Glory).
The agreed readingHe knows what lies before them and what lies behind them. They intercede for no one except the one He has already accepted, and they themselves stand in fear of Him.
وَمَن يَقُلْ مِنْهُمْ إِنِّىٓ إِلَٰهٌ مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِيهِ جَهَنَّمَ كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
PickthallAnd one of them who should say: Lo! I am a god beside Him, that one We should repay with hell. Thus We Repay wrong-doers.
Yusuf AliIf any of them should say, "I am a god besides Him", such a one We should reward with Hell: thus do We reward those who do wrong.
The agreed readingIf any one of them were to say, I am a god beside Him, the recompense would be Hell; that is how wrongdoers are repaid. It is put as a condition, and a condition does not mean the thing has happened.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنَٰهُمَا وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَىٍّ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
PickthallHave not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and we made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe?
Yusuf AliDo not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?
The agreed readingHave those who refuse not seen that the heavens and the earth were one closed mass, and that God split them apart, and that every living thing was made from water? These are things set in front of them, and still they will not believe.
وَجَعَلْنَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِهِمْ وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا فِجَاجًا سُبُلًا لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ
PickthallAnd We have placed in the earth firm hills lest it quake with them, and We have placed therein ravines as roads that haply they may find their way.
Yusuf AliAnd We have set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with them, and We have made therein broad highways (between mountains) for them to pass through: that they may receive Guidance.
The agreed readingFirm mountains were set in the earth so that it would not sway under those who live on it, and wide passes were left through them as roads, so that people could find their way.
وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ سَقْفًا مَّحْفُوظًا وَهُمْ عَنْ ءَايَٰتِهَا مُعْرِضُونَ
PickthallAnd we have made the sky a roof withheld (from them). Yet they turn away from its portents.
Yusuf AliAnd We have made the heavens as a canopy well guarded: yet do they turn away from the Signs which these things (point to)!
The agreed readingThe sky is a roof over the earth, and it is held and guarded. What moves in it - the sun, the moon, the stars - are signs, and they turn away from them without so much as thinking about them.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ كُلٌّ فِى فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ
PickthallAnd He it is Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. They float, each in an orbit.
Yusuf AliIt is He Who created the Night and the Day, and the sun and the moon: all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course.
The agreed readingHe made the night and the day, the sun and the moon. Each of them runs in a course of its own; the word used is of swimming, of something moving freely through a medium.
وَمَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ ٱلْخُلْدَ أَفَإِي۟ن مِّتَّ فَهُمُ ٱلْخَٰلِدُونَ
PickthallWe appointed immortality for no mortal before thee. What! if thou diest, can they be immortal!
Yusuf AliWe granted not to any man before thee permanent life (here): if then thou shouldst die, would they live permanently?
The agreed readingNo human being before Muhammad was given endless life in this world, and neither is he. They were saying that he would die and they would be rid of him; the answer is that if he dies, they do not stay on for ever either.
كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ ٱلْمَوْتِ وَنَبْلُوكُم بِٱلشَّرِّ وَٱلْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً وَإِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُونَ
PickthallEvery soul must taste of death, and We try you with evil and with good, for ordeal. And unto Us ye will be returned.
Yusuf AliEvery soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial. to Us must ye return.
The agreed readingEvery soul will taste death. Hardship and ease are both a test - poverty and wealth, sickness and health - and what is tested is whether a person is patient in the one and grateful in the other. Then the return is to God.
وَإِذَا رَءَاكَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِن يَتَّخِذُونَكَ إِلَّا هُزُوًا أَهَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى يَذْكُرُ ءَالِهَتَكُمْ وَهُم بِذِكْرِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ هُمْ كَٰفِرُونَ
PickthallAnd when those who disbelieve behold thee, they but choose thee out for mockery, (saying): Is this he who maketh mention of your gods? And they would deny all mention of the Beneficent.
Yusuf AliWhen the Unbelievers see thee, they treat thee not except with ridicule. "Is this," (they say), "the one who talks of your gods?" and they blaspheme at the mention of (Allah) Most Gracious!
The agreed readingWhen those who refuse see Muhammad they make a joke of him: is this the man who talks about your gods - meaning, who finds fault with them? And they themselves refuse the very mention of the Compassionate.
خُلِقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ مِنْ عَجَلٍ سَأُو۟رِيكُمْ ءَايَٰتِى فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونِ
PickthallMan is made of haste. I shall show you My portents, but ask Me not to hasten.
Yusuf AliMan is a creature of haste: soon (enough) will I show you My Signs; then ye will not ask Me to hasten them!
The agreed readingMan is made of haste; his rushing is so much a part of him that he seems made out of it. They were demanding that the punishment be brought forward. The signs will be shown to them in their time, and there is nothing to gain by asking for them early.
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ
PickthallAnd they say: When will this promise (be fulfilled), if ye are truthful?
Yusuf AliThey say: "When will this promise come to pass, if ye are telling the truth?"
The agreed readingThey ask when this promise will arrive, if those who bring it are telling the truth.
لَوْ يَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ حِينَ لَا يَكُفُّونَ عَن وُجُوهِهِمُ ٱلنَّارَ وَلَا عَن ظُهُورِهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
PickthallIf those who disbelieved but knew the time when they will not be able to drive off the fire from their faces and from their backs, and they will not be helped!
Yusuf AliIf only the Unbelievers knew (the time) when they will not be able to ward off the fire from their faces, nor yet from their backs, and (when) no help can reach them!
The agreed readingIf those who refuse knew the hour coming when they will not be able to keep the Fire off their faces or their backs, and no one will come to their aid, they would not be asking for it to be hurried.
بَلْ تَأْتِيهِم بَغْتَةً فَتَبْهَتُهُمْ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ رَدَّهَا وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ
PickthallNay, but it will come upon them unawares so that it will stupefy them, and they will be unable to repel it, neither will they be reprieved.
Yusuf AliNay, it may come to them all of a sudden and confound them: no power will they have then to avert it, nor will they (then) get respite.
The agreed readingIt will come on them all at once and leave them stunned. They will not be able to turn it back, and they will not be given further time to repent or to make an excuse.
وَلَقَدِ ٱسْتُهْزِئَ بِرُسُلٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ فَحَاقَ بِٱلَّذِينَ سَخِرُوا۟ مِنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
PickthallMessengers before thee, indeed, were mocked, but that whereat they mocked surrounded those who scoffed at them.
Yusuf AliMocked were (many) messenger before thee; But their scoffers were hemmed in by the thing that they mocked.
The agreed readingMessengers before Muhammad were mocked as well, and the thing they were mocked with closed in on the mockers. It is said to settle him: what came upon those scoffers will come upon these.
قُلْ مَن يَكْلَؤُكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ بَلْ هُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِم مُّعْرِضُونَ
PickthallSay: Who guardeth you in the night or in the day from the Beneficent? Nay, but they turn away from mention of their Lord!
Yusuf AliSay: "Who can keep you safe by night and by day from (the Wrath of) (Allah) Most Gracious?" Yet they turn away from the mention of their Lord.
The agreed readingSay: who is it that keeps you safe, night and day, from the Compassionate? No one does. The name itself carries the answer - what holds the punishment back is His own mercy - and they turn away from remembering Him at all.
أَمْ لَهُمْ ءَالِهَةٌ تَمْنَعُهُم مِّن دُونِنَا لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ نَصْرَ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَا هُم مِّنَّا يُصْحَبُونَ
PickthallOr have they gods who can shield them from Us? They cannot help themselves nor can they be defended from Us.
Yusuf AliOr have they gods that can guard them from Us? They have no power to aid themselves, nor can they be defended from Us.
The agreed readingOr do they have gods who can shield them from God? Those gods cannot help even themselves, and no help from God goes with them; what cannot save itself will save no one else.
بَلْ مَتَّعْنَا هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَءَابَآءَهُمْ حَتَّىٰ طَالَ عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلْعُمُرُ أَفَلَا يَرَوْنَ أَنَّا نَأْتِى ٱلْأَرْضَ نَنقُصُهَا مِنْ أَطْرَافِهَآ أَفَهُمُ ٱلْغَٰلِبُونَ
PickthallNay, but We gave these and their fathers ease until life grew long for them. See they not how we aim to the land, reducing it of its outlying parts? Can they then be the victors?
Yusuf AliNay, We gave the good things of this life to these men and their fathers until the period grew long for them; See they not that We gradually reduce the land (in their control) from its outlying borders? Is it then they who will win?
The agreed readingThey and their fathers were left to enjoy life until the years stretched out and they took the long delay for safety. But the land is being reduced at its edges, and they can see it happening. Those being pressed back are not the ones who will end as victors.
قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أُنذِرُكُم بِٱلْوَحْىِ وَلَا يَسْمَعُ ٱلصُّمُّ ٱلدُّعَآءَ إِذَا مَا يُنذَرُونَ
PickthallSay (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I warn you only by the Inspiration. But the deaf hear not the call when they are warned.
Yusuf AliSay, "I do but warn you according to revelation": But the deaf will not hear the call, (even) when they are warned!
The agreed readingSay: what I warn you with is revelation, not something of my own. But a deaf man does not hear the call, and they have made themselves deaf to it.
وَلَئِن مَّسَّتْهُمْ نَفْحَةٌ مِّنْ عَذَابِ رَبِّكَ لَيَقُولُنَّ يَٰوَيْلَنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا ظَٰلِمِينَ
PickthallAnd if a breath of thy Lord's punishment were to touch them, they assuredly would say: Alas for us! Lo! we were wrong-doers.
Yusuf AliIf but a breath of the Wrath of thy Lord do touch them, they will then say, "Woe to us! we did wrong indeed!"
The agreed readingLet the least breath of your Lord's punishment touch them and they will say at once: woe to us, we were wrongdoers. What they will not concede while they are safe, the smallest touch of it takes out of them.
وَنَضَعُ ٱلْمَوَٰزِينَ ٱلْقِسْطَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فَلَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌ شَيْـًٔا وَإِن كَانَ مِثْقَالَ حَبَّةٍ مِّنْ خَرْدَلٍ أَتَيْنَا بِهَا وَكَفَىٰ بِنَا حَٰسِبِينَ
PickthallAnd We set a just balance for the Day of Resurrection so that no soul is wronged in aught. Though it be of the weight of a grain of mustard seed, We bring it. And We suffice for reckoners.
Yusuf AliWe shall set up scales of justice for the Day of Judgment, so that not a soul will be dealt with unjustly in the least, and if there be (no more than) the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it (to account): and enough are We to take account.
The agreed readingScales that weigh true are set up for the Day of Resurrection, and no one is wronged by so much as a fraction - no good deed cut short, no bad one added. A thing the weight of a mustard seed is brought and laid on them. God is enough to do the reckoning.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَ ٱلْفُرْقَانَ وَضِيَآءً وَذِكْرًا لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ
PickthallAnd We verily gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion (of right and wrong) and a light and a Reminder for those who keep from evil,
Yusuf AliIn the past We granted to Moses and Aaron the criterion (for judgment), and a Light and a Message for those who would do right,-
The agreed readingMoses and Aaron were given the Criterion - the Book that separates truth from falsehood and the lawful from the forbidden - and with it a light to see by and a reminder to be taught from. It was given for those who guard themselves.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِٱلْغَيْبِ وَهُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّاعَةِ مُشْفِقُونَ
PickthallThose who fear their Lord in secret and who dread the Hour (of doom).
Yusuf AliThose who fear their Lord in their most secret thoughts, and who hold the Hour (of Judgment) in awe.
The agreed readingThey are the ones who fear their Lord where no one sees them, when they are out of everyone's sight, and who go in dread of the Hour.
وَهَٰذَا ذِكْرٌ مُّبَارَكٌ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ أَفَأَنتُمْ لَهُۥ مُنكِرُونَ
PickthallThis is a blessed Reminder that we have revealed: Will ye then reject it?
Yusuf AliAnd this is a blessed Message which We have sent down: will ye then reject it?
The agreed readingAnd this Qur'an is a blessed reminder sent down in its turn, full of good. Will they then be the ones who reject it? The question is a rebuke, not an enquiry.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ رُشْدَهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ وَكُنَّا بِهِۦ عَٰلِمِينَ
PickthallAnd We verily gave Abraham of old his proper course, and We were Aware of him,
Yusuf AliWe bestowed aforetime on Abraham his rectitude of conduct, and well were We acquainted with him.
The agreed readingAbraham was given his right direction early, before his years were full, and God knew him to be fit for it.
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَا هَٰذِهِ ٱلتَّمَاثِيلُ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنتُمْ لَهَا عَٰكِفُونَ
PickthallWhen he said unto his father and his folk: What are these images unto which ye pay devotion?
Yusuf AliBehold! he said to his father and his people, "What are these images, to which ye are (so assiduously) devoted?"
The agreed readingHe said to his father and his people: what are these images that you sit before and will not leave? The question itself puts them in their place, since a carved image is a shape with no life in it.
قَالُوا۟ وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا لَهَا عَٰبِدِينَ
PickthallThey said: We found our fathers worshippers of them.
Yusuf AliThey said, "We found our fathers worshipping them."
The agreed readingThey answered that they had found their fathers worshipping them, and had followed them in it. That was the whole of their reason.
قَالَ لَقَدْ كُنتُمْ أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُمْ فِى ضَلَٰلٍ مُّبِينٍ
PickthallHe said: Verily ye and your fathers were in plain error.
Yusuf AliHe said, "Indeed ye have been in manifest error - ye and your fathers."
The agreed readingHe told them plainly that they and their fathers alike had been in clear error. The error he names is the worship itself, and the commentaries gloss clear as open to anyone who looks at it.
قَالُوٓا۟ أَجِئْتَنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ أَمْ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱللَّٰعِبِينَ
PickthallThey said: Bringest thou unto us the truth, or art thou some jester?
Yusuf AliThey said, "Have you brought us the Truth, or are you one of those who jest?"
The agreed readingThey asked whether he had brought them the truth or was one of those who play. It was so far-fetched to them that their fathers could have been wrong that they took him to be joking.
قَالَ بَل رَّبُّكُمْ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَهُنَّ وَأَنَا۠ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّٰهِدِينَ
PickthallHe said: Nay, but your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, Who created them; and I am of those who testify unto that.
Yusuf AliHe said, "Nay, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He Who created them (from nothing): and I am a witness to this (Truth).
The agreed readingHe answered: your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, who brought them into being on no earlier pattern. And he set himself down as a witness to it - not as one repeating a claim but as one who has verified it and will stand by it.
وَتَٱللَّهِ لَأَكِيدَنَّ أَصْنَٰمَكُم بَعْدَ أَن تُوَلُّوا۟ مُدْبِرِينَ
PickthallAnd, by Allah, I shall circumvent your idols after ye have gone away and turned your backs.
Yusuf Ali"And by Allah, I have a plan for your idols - after ye go away and turn your backs"..
The agreed readingHe swore by God that he would deal with their idols once they had turned their backs and gone. The word he used is of a thing that has to be contrived, because what he meant to do was neither easy nor open.
فَجَعَلَهُمْ جُذَٰذًا إِلَّا كَبِيرًا لَّهُمْ لَعَلَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِ يَرْجِعُونَ
PickthallThen he reduced them to fragments, all save the chief of them, that haply they might have recourse to it.
Yusuf AliSo he broke them to pieces, (all) but the biggest of them, that they might turn (and address themselves) to it.
The agreed readingWhen they had gone out he broke the idols into fragments, leaving the largest of them standing. He left that one so that they would come back to it - so that their question would have somewhere to go.
قَالُوا۟ مَن فَعَلَ هَٰذَا بِـَٔالِهَتِنَآ إِنَّهُۥ لَمِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
PickthallThey said: Who hath done this to our gods? Surely it must be some evil-doer.
Yusuf AliThey said, "Who has done this to our gods? He must indeed be some man of impiety!"
The agreed readingWhen they returned and saw it they asked who had done this to their gods, and said that whoever did it was a wrongdoer.
قَالُوا۟ سَمِعْنَا فَتًى يَذْكُرُهُمْ يُقَالُ لَهُۥٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمُ
PickthallThey said: We heard a youth make mention of them, who is called Abraham.
Yusuf AliThey said, "We heard a youth talk of them: He is called Abraham."
The agreed readingSome of them said they had heard a young man speaking against them, and that he was called Abraham.
قَالُوا۟ فَأْتُوا۟ بِهِۦ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْيُنِ ٱلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَشْهَدُونَ
PickthallThey said: Then bring him (hither) before the people's eyes that they may testify.
Yusuf AliThey said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people, that they may bear witness."
The agreed readingThey said: bring him out where the people can see him, so that they may witness against him that he was the one who did it.
قَالُوٓا۟ ءَأَنتَ فَعَلْتَ هَٰذَا بِـَٔالِهَتِنَا يَٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ
PickthallThey said: Is it thou who hast done this to our gods, O Abraham?
Yusuf AliThey said, "Art thou the one that did this with our gods, O Abraham?"
The agreed readingWhen he had been brought before them they put it to him directly: was it you who did this to our gods, Abraham?
قَالَ بَلْ فَعَلَهُۥ كَبِيرُهُمْ هَٰذَا فَسْـَٔلُوهُمْ إِن كَانُوا۟ يَنطِقُونَ
PickthallHe said: But this, their chief hath done it. So question them, if they can speak.
Yusuf AliHe said: "Nay, this was done by - this is their biggest one! ask them, if they can speak intelligently!"
The agreed readingHe answered: rather the biggest of them did it - so ask them, if they can speak. The commentaries take the whole sentence together and not the first half alone: everything he said hangs on the condition that idols can speak, and they cannot, so nothing false was said and the point was driven home.
فَرَجَعُوٓا۟ إِلَىٰٓ أَنفُسِهِمْ فَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّكُمْ أَنتُمُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ
PickthallThen gathered they apart and said: Lo! ye yourselves are the wrong-doers.
Yusuf AliSo they turned to themselves and said, "Surely ye are the ones in the wrong!"
The agreed readingThey turned back on themselves and said, among themselves, that they were the wrongdoers. For that moment the argument reached them.
ثُمَّ نُكِسُوا۟ عَلَىٰ رُءُوسِهِمْ لَقَدْ عَلِمْتَ مَا هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ يَنطِقُونَ
PickthallAnd they were utterly confounded, and they said: Well thou knowest that these speak not.
Yusuf AliThen were they confounded with shame: (they said), "Thou knowest full well that these (idols) do not speak!"
The agreed readingThen they were turned over on their heads, back to where they had started, and said: you know quite well that these do not speak. The admission lasted a moment, and then the very fact that had convicted them was turned against him.
قَالَ أَفَتَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكُمْ شَيْـًٔا وَلَا يَضُرُّكُمْ
PickthallHe said: Worship ye then instead of Allah that which cannot profit you at all, nor harm you?
Yusuf Ali(Abraham) said, "Do ye then worship, besides Allah, things that can neither be of any good to you nor do you harm?
The agreed readingHe said: do you then worship, instead of God, what can do you neither good nor harm - which is what you have just told me about them yourselves?
أُفٍّ لَّكُمْ وَلِمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
PickthallFie on you and all that ye worship instead of Allah! Have ye then no sense?
Yusuf Ali"Fie upon you, and upon the things that ye worship besides Allah! Have ye no sense?"..
The agreed readingShame on you and on what you worship instead of God. Have you no sense at all? The word he used is one of disgust, said of a thing found foul.
قَالُوا۟ حَرِّقُوهُ وَٱنصُرُوٓا۟ ءَالِهَتَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ فَٰعِلِينَ
PickthallThey cried: Burn him and stand by your gods, if ye will be doing.
Yusuf AliThey said, "Burn him and protect your gods, If ye do (anything at all)!"
The agreed readingTheir answer was to call for him to be burned: stand by your gods, if you mean to do anything at all. They gathered a great quantity of wood and set the whole of it alight.
قُلْنَا يَٰنَارُ كُونِى بَرْدًا وَسَلَٰمًا عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ
PickthallWe said: O fire, be coolness and peace for Abraham,
Yusuf AliWe said, "O Fire! be thou cool, and (a means of) safety for Abraham!"
The agreed readingGod said: fire, be coolness and safety for Abraham. It burned nothing of him but the ropes that bound him; safety was said as well as coolness, so that the cold itself would not harm him.
وَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْأَخْسَرِينَ
PickthallAnd they wished to set a snare for him, but We made them the greater losers.
Yusuf AliThen they sought a stratagem against him: but We made them the ones that lost most!
The agreed readingThey had meant a scheme against him, and it was they who were made the greater losers by it.
وَنَجَّيْنَٰهُ وَلُوطًا إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّتِى بَٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا لِلْعَٰلَمِينَ
PickthallAnd We rescued him and Lot (and brought them) to the land which We have blessed for (all) peoples.
Yusuf AliBut We delivered him and (his nephew) Lut (and directed them) to the land which We have blessed for the nations.
The agreed readingHe and Lot were brought out safe and taken to the land God had blessed for all peoples. Lot was his brother's son, and Iraq was left behind them.
وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ نَافِلَةً وَكُلًّا جَعَلْنَا صَٰلِحِينَ
PickthallAnd We bestowed upon him Isaac, and Jacob as a grandson. Each of them We made righteous.
Yusuf AliAnd We bestowed on him Isaac and, as an additional gift, (a grandson), Jacob, and We made righteous men of every one (of them).
The agreed readingHe was given Isaac in answer to his asking, and Jacob over and above what he had asked - a son's son as well as a son. Each of them was made righteous.
وَجَعَلْنَٰهُمْ أَئِمَّةً يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِمْ فِعْلَ ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ وَإِقَامَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَإِيتَآءَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانُوا۟ لَنَا عَٰبِدِينَ
PickthallAnd We made them chiefs who guide by Our command, and We inspired in them the doing of good deeds and the right establishment of worship and the giving of alms, and they were worshippers of Us (alone).
Yusuf AliAnd We made them leaders, guiding (men) by Our Command, and We sent them inspiration to do good deeds, to establish regular prayers, and to practise regular charity; and they constantly served Us (and Us only).
The agreed readingThey were made leaders whom others follow, guiding by God's command. The doing of good, the establishing of the prayer and the giving of the zakat were revealed to them, and they served God alone.
وَلُوطًا ءَاتَيْنَٰهُ حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا وَنَجَّيْنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ ٱلَّتِى كَانَت تَّعْمَلُ ٱلْخَبَٰٓئِثَ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمَ سَوْءٍ فَٰسِقِينَ
PickthallAnd unto Lot we gave judgment and knowledge, and We delivered him from the community that did abominations. Lo! they were folk of evil, lewd.
Yusuf AliAnd to Lut, too, We gave Judgment and Knowledge, and We saved him from the town which practised abominations: truly they were a people given to Evil, a rebellious people.
The agreed readingLot was given judgement - the power to decide between people who differ - and knowledge, and he was brought safely out of the town whose people were doing foul things. They were an evil people, given to disobedience.
وَأَدْخَلْنَٰهُ فِى رَحْمَتِنَآ إِنَّهُۥ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
PickthallAnd We brought him in unto Our mercy. Lo! he was of the righteous.
Yusuf AliAnd We admitted him to Our Mercy: for he was one of the Righteous.
The agreed readingHe was brought into God's mercy - the deliverance itself was that mercy - and he was one of the righteous.
وَنُوحًا إِذْ نَادَىٰ مِن قَبْلُ فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ فَنَجَّيْنَٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْكَرْبِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
PickthallAnd Noah, when he cried of old, We heard his prayer and saved him and his household from the great affliction.
Yusuf Ali(Remember) Noah, when he cried (to Us) aforetime: We listened to his (prayer) and delivered him and his family from great distress.
The agreed readingAnd Noah, who called out before them, before Abraham and Lot, and was answered. He and his household were saved from the great disaster.
وَنَصَرْنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمَ سَوْءٍ فَأَغْرَقْنَٰهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
PickthallAnd delivered him from the people who denied Our revelations. Lo! they were folk of evil, therefor did We drown them all.
Yusuf AliWe helped him against people who rejected Our Signs: truly they were a people given to Evil: so We drowned them (in the Flood) all together.
The agreed readingHe was helped against the people who had called God's signs a lie, so that they could not reach him with any harm. They were an evil people, and all of them were drowned.
وَدَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَيْمَٰنَ إِذْ يَحْكُمَانِ فِى ٱلْحَرْثِ إِذْ نَفَشَتْ فِيهِ غَنَمُ ٱلْقَوْمِ وَكُنَّا لِحُكْمِهِمْ شَٰهِدِينَ
PickthallAnd David and Solomon, when they gave judgment concerning the field, when people's sheep had strayed and browsed therein by night; and We were witnesses to their judgment.
Yusuf AliAnd remember David and Solomon, when they gave judgment in the matter of the field into which the sheep of certain people had strayed by night: We did witness their judgment.
The agreed readingAnd David and Solomon, when they judged over a field into which other people's sheep had strayed by night and grazed it bare. God was witness to the judgement they gave.
فَفَهَّمْنَٰهَا سُلَيْمَٰنَ وَكُلًّا ءَاتَيْنَا حُكْمًا وَعِلْمًا وَسَخَّرْنَا مَعَ دَاوُۥدَ ٱلْجِبَالَ يُسَبِّحْنَ وَٱلطَّيْرَ وَكُنَّا فَٰعِلِينَ
PickthallAnd We made Solomon to understand (the case); and unto each of them We gave judgment and knowledge. And we subdued the hills and the birds to hymn (His) praise along with David. We were the doers (thereof).
Yusuf AliTo Solomon We inspired the (right) understanding of the matter: to each (of them) We gave Judgment and Knowledge; it was Our power that made the hills and the birds celebrate Our praises, with David: it was We Who did (all these things).
The agreed readingSolomon was given the understanding of that case, and both of them were given judgement and knowledge. With David the mountains were made to declare God's purity, and the birds with them; it was God who did this.
وَعَلَّمْنَٰهُ صَنْعَةَ لَبُوسٍ لَّكُمْ لِتُحْصِنَكُم مِّنۢ بَأْسِكُمْ فَهَلْ أَنتُمْ شَٰكِرُونَ
PickthallAnd We taught him the art of making garments (of mail) to protect you in your daring. Are ye then thankful?
Yusuf AliIt was We Who taught him the making of coats of mail for your benefit, to guard you from each other's violence: will ye then be grateful?
The agreed readingHe was taught the making of body armour, and he was the first to make it - before him armour was solid plate. It was taught for the sake of the people who would need it, to guard them in their own fighting. Are they then grateful?
وَلِسُلَيْمَٰنَ ٱلرِّيحَ عَاصِفَةً تَجْرِى بِأَمْرِهِۦٓ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلَّتِى بَٰرَكْنَا فِيهَا وَكُنَّا بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَٰلِمِينَ
PickthallAnd unto Solomon (We subdued) the wind in its raging. It set by his command toward the land which We had blessed. And of everything We are Aware.
Yusuf Ali(It was Our power that made) the violent (unruly) wind flow (tamely) for Solomon, to his order, to the land which We had blessed: for We do know all things.
The agreed readingAnd the wind was made Solomon's, running strongly at his command to the land God had blessed. God knows every single thing.
وَمِنَ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِ مَن يَغُوصُونَ لَهُۥ وَيَعْمَلُونَ عَمَلًا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ وَكُنَّا لَهُمْ حَٰفِظِينَ
PickthallAnd of the evil ones (subdued We unto him) some who dived (for pearls) for him and did other work, and We were warders unto them.
Yusuf AliAnd of the evil ones, were some who dived for him, and did other work besides; and it was We Who guarded them.
The agreed readingAnd of the satans there were those who dived into the sea for him and brought up what is in it, and others who did work of another kind. God kept watch over them the whole time.
وَأَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ ٱلضُّرُّ وَأَنتَ أَرْحَمُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
PickthallAnd Job, when he cried unto his Lord, (saying): Lo! adversity afflicteth me, and Thou art Most Merciful of all who show mercy.
Yusuf AliAnd (remember) Job, when He cried to his Lord, "Truly distress has seized me, but Thou art the Most Merciful of those that are merciful."
The agreed readingAnd Job, when he called on his Lord: harm has touched me, and You are the most merciful of those who show mercy. He had lost his property and his children, his body was in ruin, and the people had left him. He names the harm and names God's mercy, and asks for nothing beyond that.
فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ فَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِۦ مِن ضُرٍّ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ أَهْلَهُۥ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنْ عِندِنَا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِلْعَٰبِدِينَ
PickthallThen We heard his prayer and removed that adversity from which he suffered, and We gave him his household (that he had lost) and the like thereof along with them, a mercy from Our store, and a remembrance for the worshippers;
Yusuf AliSo We listened to him: We removed the distress that was on him, and We restored his people to him, and doubled their number,- as a Grace from Ourselves, and a thing for commemoration, for all who serve Us.
The agreed readingHe was answered: the harm was lifted from him, his household was given back and as many again with them. It was a mercy from God, and it was left standing as something for those who serve Him to remember.
وَإِسْمَٰعِيلَ وَإِدْرِيسَ وَذَا ٱلْكِفْلِ كُلٌّ مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ
PickthallAnd (mention) Ishmael, and Idris, and Dhu'l-Kifl. All were of the steadfast.
Yusuf AliAnd (remember) Isma'il, Idris, and Zul-kifl, all (men) of constancy and patience;
The agreed readingAnd Ishmael and Idris and Dhu'l-Kifl - every one of them was of the patient: patient in holding to God's obedience and patient in keeping clear of disobedience.
وَأَدْخَلْنَٰهُمْ فِى رَحْمَتِنَآ إِنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
PickthallAnd We brought them in unto Our mercy. Lo! they are among the righteous.
Yusuf AliWe admitted them to Our mercy: for they were of the righteous ones.
The agreed readingThey were brought into God's mercy, and the commentaries name that mercy as prophethood itself. They are among the righteous - which is to say, among those fit for what was given them.
وَذَا ٱلنُّونِ إِذ ذَّهَبَ مُغَٰضِبًا فَظَنَّ أَن لَّن نَّقْدِرَ عَلَيْهِ فَنَادَىٰ فِى ٱلظُّلُمَٰتِ أَن لَّآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّآ أَنتَ سُبْحَٰنَكَ إِنِّى كُنتُ مِنَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
PickthallAnd (mention) Dhu'n-Nun, when he went off in anger and deemed that We had no power over him, but he cried out in the darkness, saying: There is no Allah save Thee. Be Thou Glorified! Lo! I have been a wrong-doer.
Yusuf AliAnd remember Zun-nun, when he departed in wrath: He imagined that We had no power over him! But he cried through the deptHs of darkness, "There is no god but thou: glory to thee: I was indeed wrong!"
The agreed readingAnd Jonah, the man of the fish, when he went off angry at his people without waiting for leave to go. Then he called out from inside the darkness: there is no god but You; glory be to You; I have been one of the wrongdoers.
فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ وَنَجَّيْنَٰهُ مِنَ ٱلْغَمِّ وَكَذَٰلِكَ نُـۨجِى ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
PickthallThen we heard his prayer and saved him from the anguish. Thus we save believers.
Yusuf AliSo We listened to him: and delivered him from distress: and thus do We deliver those who have faith.
The agreed readingHe was answered and brought out of that distress, and it was those words that brought him out. And that is how those who believe are saved: when they call on God out of their own distress, they are answered as he was.
وَزَكَرِيَّآ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِى فَرْدًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْوَٰرِثِينَ
PickthallAnd Zachariah, when he cried unto his Lord: My Lord! Leave me not childless, though Thou art the Best of inheritors.
Yusuf AliAnd (remember) Zakariya, when he cried to his Lord: "O my Lord! leave me not without offspring, though thou art the best of inheritors."
The agreed readingAnd Zachariah, when he called on his Lord, quietly and out of his people's hearing: my Lord, do not leave me alone, with no child to come after me. And he said in the same breath that God is the best of inheritors, the One who remains when everything else has gone.
فَٱسْتَجَبْنَا لَهُۥ وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥ يَحْيَىٰ وَأَصْلَحْنَا لَهُۥ زَوْجَهُۥٓ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ يُسَٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ وَيَدْعُونَنَا رَغَبًا وَرَهَبًا وَكَانُوا۟ لَنَا خَٰشِعِينَ
PickthallThen We heard his prayer, and bestowed upon him John, and adjusted his wife (to bear a child) for him. Lo! they used to vie one with the other in good deeds, and they cried unto Us in longing and in fear, and were submissive unto Us.
Yusuf AliSo We listened to him: and We granted him Yahya: We cured his wife's (Barrenness) for him. These (three) were ever quick in emulation in good works; they used to call on Us with love and reverence, and humble themselves before Us.
The agreed readingHe was answered: John was given to him, and his wife, who had been barren, was made able to bear. Those named here hurried to do good, called on God in hope and fear together, and stood humble before Him.
وَٱلَّتِىٓ أَحْصَنَتْ فَرْجَهَا فَنَفَخْنَا فِيهَا مِن رُّوحِنَا وَجَعَلْنَٰهَا وَٱبْنَهَآ ءَايَةً لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ
PickthallAnd she who was chaste, therefor We breathed into her (something) of Our Spirit and made her and her son a token for (all) peoples.
Yusuf AliAnd (remember) her who guarded her chastity: We breathed into her of Our spirit, and We made her and her son a sign for all peoples.
The agreed readingAnd Mary, who guarded her chastity: God breathed into her of His Spirit and made her and her son a sign for all peoples. The sign is the two of them together, not the son by himself.
إِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَأَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُونِ
PickthallLo! this, your religion, is one religion, and I am your Lord, so worship Me.
Yusuf AliVerily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other).
The agreed readingThis community of yours is one community - the commentaries gloss it as one religion, the single thing every prophet named before was sent with. And I am your Lord, so worship Me alone.
وَتَقَطَّعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَهُم بَيْنَهُمْ كُلٌّ إِلَيْنَا رَٰجِعُونَ
PickthallAnd they have broken their religion (into fragments) among them, (yet) all are returning unto Us.
Yusuf AliBut (later generations) cut off their affair (of unity), one from another: (yet) will they all return to Us.
The agreed readingThen people broke that one thing into pieces among themselves and went different ways with it. All of them are returning to God, whatever they divided into.
فَمَن يَعْمَلْ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَا كُفْرَانَ لِسَعْيِهِۦ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ كَٰتِبُونَ
PickthallThen whoso doeth some good works and is a believer, there will be no rejection of his effort. Lo! We record (it) for him.
Yusuf AliWhoever works any act of righteousness and has faith,- His endeavour will not be rejected: We shall record it in his favour.
The agreed readingWhoever does good and has faith will not have his effort denied him. It is written down for him as he does it, and he will be repaid for it.
وَحَرَٰمٌ عَلَىٰ قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنَٰهَآ أَنَّهُمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ
PickthallAnd there is a ban upon any community which We have destroyed: that they shall not return.
Yusuf AliBut there is a ban on any population which We have destroyed: that they shall not return,
The agreed readingA town that has been destroyed does not come back. The return is barred to them: they do not come again into this world.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فُتِحَتْ يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ وَهُم مِّن كُلِّ حَدَبٍ يَنسِلُونَ
PickthallUntil, when Gog and Magog are let loose, and they hasten out of every mound,
Yusuf AliUntil the Gog and Magog (people) are let through (their barrier), and they swiftly swarm from every hill.
The agreed readingThat bar stands until Gog and Magog are let loose and come pouring down from every height.
وَٱقْتَرَبَ ٱلْوَعْدُ ٱلْحَقُّ فَإِذَا هِىَ شَٰخِصَةٌ أَبْصَٰرُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ يَٰوَيْلَنَا قَدْ كُنَّا فِى غَفْلَةٍ مِّنْ هَٰذَا بَلْ كُنَّا ظَٰلِمِينَ
PickthallAnd the True Promise draweth nigh; then behold them, staring wide (in terror), the eyes of those who disbelieve! (They say): Alas for us! We (lived) in forgetfulness of this. Ah, but we were wrong-doers!
Yusuf AliThen will the true promise draw nigh (of fulfilment): then behold! the eyes of the Unbelievers will fixedly stare in horror: "Ah! Woe to us! we were indeed heedless of this; nay, we truly did wrong!"
The agreed readingThe true promise comes close, and the eyes of those who refuse are fixed open at the horror of it. They say: woe to us, we were heedless of this - and then correct themselves: no, we were wrongdoers.
إِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ حَصَبُ جَهَنَّمَ أَنتُمْ لَهَا وَٰرِدُونَ
PickthallLo! ye (idolaters) and that which ye worship beside Allah are fuel of hell. Thereunto ye will come.
Yusuf AliVerily ye, (unbelievers), and the (false) gods that ye worship besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! to it will ye (surely) come!
The agreed readingYou and what you worship instead of God are fuel for Hell, and to it you are coming.
لَوْ كَانَ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ ءَالِهَةً مَّا وَرَدُوهَا وَكُلٌّ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ
PickthallIf these had been gods they would not have come thither, but all will abide therein.
Yusuf AliIf these had been gods, they would not have got there! but each one will abide therein.
The agreed readingHad these been gods, they would not be going into it at all. The worshippers and the things they worshipped go in together.
لَهُمْ فِيهَا زَفِيرٌ وَهُمْ فِيهَا لَا يَسْمَعُونَ
PickthallTherein wailing is their portion, and therein they hear not.
Yusuf AliThere, sobbing will be their lot, nor will they there hear (aught else).
The agreed readingIn it they have nothing but groaning, and in it they hear nothing at all - the roar of the place takes their hearing from them.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ سَبَقَتْ لَهُم مِّنَّا ٱلْحُسْنَىٰٓ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ عَنْهَا مُبْعَدُونَ
PickthallLo! those unto whom kindness hath gone forth before from Us, they will be far removed from thence.
Yusuf AliThose for whom the good (record) from Us has gone before, will be removed far therefrom.
The agreed readingThose for whom the good has already gone out from God are kept far away from it. The commentaries name among them the angels and Jesus son of Mary: to have been worshipped by others puts no one in the Fire.
لَا يَسْمَعُونَ حَسِيسَهَا وَهُمْ فِى مَا ٱشْتَهَتْ أَنفُسُهُمْ خَٰلِدُونَ
PickthallThey will not hear the slightest sound thereof, while they abide in that which their souls desire.
Yusuf AliNot the slightest sound will they hear of Hell: what their souls desired, in that will they dwell.
The agreed readingThey do not hear the faintest sound of it. They are in what their own souls desired, and there they stay.
لَا يَحْزُنُهُمُ ٱلْفَزَعُ ٱلْأَكْبَرُ وَتَتَلَقَّىٰهُمُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ هَٰذَا يَوْمُكُمُ ٱلَّذِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ
PickthallThe Supreme Horror will not grieve them, and the angels will welcome them, (saying): This is your Day which ye were promised;
Yusuf AliThe Great Terror will bring them no grief: but the angels will meet them (with mutual greetings): "This is your Day,- (the Day) that ye were promised."
The agreed readingThe greatest terror does not reach them with grief. The angels come out to meet them as they rise, and say: this is your day, the one you were promised.
يَوْمَ نَطْوِى ٱلسَّمَآءَ كَطَىِّ ٱلسِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ كَمَا بَدَأْنَآ أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُّعِيدُهُۥ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَآ إِنَّا كُنَّا فَٰعِلِينَ
PickthallThe Day when We shall roll up the heavens as a recorder rolleth up a written scroll. As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. (It is) a promise (binding) upon Us. Lo! We are to perform it.
Yusuf AliThe Day that We roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books (completed),- even as We produced the first creation, so shall We produce a new one: a promise We have undertaken: truly shall We fulfil it.
The agreed readingOn that Day the sky is rolled up the way a written sheet is rolled up. Creation will be begun again as it was begun the first time. It is a promise God has taken upon Himself, and He will carry it out.
وَلَقَدْ كَتَبْنَا فِى ٱلزَّبُورِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ ٱلذِّكْرِ أَنَّ ٱلْأَرْضَ يَرِثُهَا عِبَادِىَ ٱلصَّٰلِحُونَ
PickthallAnd verily we have written in the Scripture, after the Reminder: My righteous slaves will inherit the earth:
Yusuf AliBefore this We wrote in the Psalms, after the Message (given to Moses): My servants the righteous, shall inherit the earth."
The agreed readingIt stands written in scripture, after the Reminder, that the earth will be inherited by God's righteous servants. The promise is put as something already recorded, not as something still to be settled.
إِنَّ فِى هَٰذَا لَبَلَٰغًا لِّقَوْمٍ عَٰبِدِينَ
PickthallLo! there is a plain statement for folk who are devout.
Yusuf AliVerily in this (Qur'an) is a Message for people who would (truly) worship Allah.
The agreed readingIn this there is enough - enough to carry a person through to what he is seeking - for a people who serve God, meaning those who act on what they have been given.
وَمَآ أَرْسَلْنَٰكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ
PickthallWe sent thee not save as a mercy for the peoples.
Yusuf AliWe sent thee not, but as a Mercy for all creatures.
The agreed readingMuhammad was not sent for anything but mercy, and that mercy is for all peoples, not for those who accepted him alone. What he brought is the good of this life and the next, and even those who refused him were spared the punishments that wiped out the peoples before.
قُلْ إِنَّمَا يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ أَنَّمَآ إِلَٰهُكُمْ إِلَٰهٌ وَٰحِدٌ فَهَلْ أَنتُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
PickthallSay: It is only inspired in me that your Allah is One Allah. Will ye then surrender (unto Him)?
Yusuf AliSay: "What has come to me by inspiration is that your Allah is One Allah: will ye therefore bow to His Will (in Islam)?"
The agreed readingSay: what is revealed to me about God is His oneness and nothing besides. Will you then submit? It is put as a question, but it carries the force of a command.
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا۟ فَقُلْ ءَاذَنتُكُمْ عَلَىٰ سَوَآءٍ وَإِنْ أَدْرِىٓ أَقَرِيبٌ أَم بَعِيدٌ مَّا تُوعَدُونَ
PickthallBut if they are averse, then say: I have warned you all alike, although I know not whether nigh or far is that which ye are promised.
Yusuf AliBut if they turn back, Say: "I have proclaimed the Message to you all alike and in truth; but I know not whether that which ye are promised is near or far.
The agreed readingIf they turn away, say: I have given you the notice, and we stand equal in it - I have kept nothing back for myself. Whether what you are promised is near or far, I do not know.
إِنَّهُۥ يَعْلَمُ ٱلْجَهْرَ مِنَ ٱلْقَوْلِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تَكْتُمُونَ
PickthallLo! He knoweth that which is said openly, and that which ye conceal.
Yusuf Ali"It is He Who knows what is open in speech and what ye hide (in your hearts).
The agreed readingGod knows what is said out loud and what is kept hidden - what they say openly against this, and what they hold in behind it.
وَإِنْ أَدْرِى لَعَلَّهُۥ فِتْنَةٌ لَّكُمْ وَمَتَٰعٌ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
PickthallAnd I know not but that this may be a trial for you, and enjoyment for a while.
Yusuf Ali"I know not but that it may be a trial for you, and a grant of (worldly) livelihood (to you) for a time."
The agreed readingAnd he does not know: perhaps the delay is a trial for them, taken here in the sense of a test to see what they will do with the time, and an enjoyment for a while until their term runs out.
قَٰلَ رَبِّ ٱحْكُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَرَبُّنَا ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ ٱلْمُسْتَعَانُ عَلَىٰ مَا تَصِفُونَ
PickthallHe saith: My Lord! Judge Thou with truth. Our Lord is the Beneficent, Whose help is to be implored against that which ye ascribe (unto Him).
Yusuf AliSay: "O my Lord! judge Thou in truth!" "Our Lord Most Gracious is the One Whose assistance should be sought against the blasphemies ye utter!"
The agreed readingHe said: my Lord, judge between me and those who call me a liar, and judge with the truth. And our Lord is the Compassionate, the One whose help is sought against the things they say of Him.