Surah 23 of 114 · Makki · 118 ayat
Al-Mu'minun المؤمنون
The Believers
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ قَدْ أَفْلَحَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ
PickthallSuccessful indeed are the believers
Yusuf AliThe believers must (eventually) win through,-
The agreed readingThose who believe have won through: the word is of reaching the thing sought and keeping it. What follows is a list of what such people actually do, given as the description of them.
ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى صَلَاتِهِمْ خَٰشِعُونَ
PickthallWho are humble in their prayers,
Yusuf AliThose who humble themselves in their prayers;
The agreed readingThey are the ones who are humbled in their prayer. The commentaries take it as something visible as well as inward: the eyes lowered, the attention turned onto the prayer and held there.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَنِ ٱللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُونَ
PickthallAnd who shun vain conversation,
Yusuf AliWho avoid vain talk;
The agreed readingAnd who turn away from what is idle. The commentaries do not confine it to talk; whatever has no point in it is meant.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِلزَّكَوٰةِ فَٰعِلُونَ
PickthallAnd who are payers of the poor-due;
Yusuf AliWho are active in deeds of charity;
The agreed readingAnd who are doers of the zakat: the wording is of doing it, not merely of owing it.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِفُرُوجِهِمْ حَٰفِظُونَ
PickthallAnd who guard their modesty -
Yusuf AliWho abstain from sex,
The agreed readingAnd who guard themselves in the matter of sex, keeping clear of what is not lawful to them.
إِلَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَزْوَٰجِهِمْ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ غَيْرُ مَلُومِينَ
PickthallSave from their wives or the (slaves) that their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy,
Yusuf AliExcept with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (in their case) they are free from blame,
The agreed readingExcept with their wives and those their right hands possess; with these there is no blame on them.
فَمَنِ ٱبْتَغَىٰ وَرَآءَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْعَادُونَ
PickthallBut whoso craveth beyond that, such are transgressors -
Yusuf AliBut those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors;-
The agreed readingWhoever looks for it beyond that has gone past the limit that was set, and those are the ones who have overstepped.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ لِأَمَٰنَٰتِهِمْ وَعَهْدِهِمْ رَٰعُونَ
PickthallAnd who are shepherds of their pledge and their covenant,
Yusuf AliThose who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants;
The agreed readingAnd who keep watch over what has been entrusted to them and over what they have undertaken - the commentaries include both what is between people and what is between a person and God.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ عَلَىٰ صَلَوَٰتِهِمْ يُحَافِظُونَ
PickthallAnd who pay heed to their prayers.
Yusuf AliAnd who (strictly) guard their prayers;-
The agreed readingAnd who guard their prayers. The plural is read as covering the count of them: not one of the prayers is let slip, and each is kept at its time.
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْوَٰرِثُونَ
PickthallThese are the heirs
Yusuf AliThese will be the heirs,
The agreed readingThose, and no others, are the ones who inherit. The commentaries carry a report that every person is given a place in the Garden and a place in the Fire, and that these inherit the places the others left empty.
ٱلَّذِينَ يَرِثُونَ ٱلْفِرْدَوْسَ هُمْ فِيهَا خَٰلِدُونَ
PickthallWho will inherit paradise. There they will abide.
Yusuf AliWho will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (for ever).
The agreed readingThey are the ones who inherit the Firdaws, which the commentaries name as the highest of the Gardens, and they stay in it and do not leave.
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِن سُلَٰلَةٍ مِّن طِينٍ
PickthallVerily We created man from a product of wet earth;
Yusuf AliMan We did create from a quintessence (of clay);
The agreed readingMan was created from an extract of clay - the word is of what is drawn out of a thing, the pure part of it. The first man was made from that.
ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَٰهُ نُطْفَةً فِى قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ
PickthallThen placed him as a drop (of seed) in a safe lodging;
Yusuf AliThen We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed;
The agreed readingThen his descendants were made from a drop, put in a lodging that holds it safe, which is the womb.
ثُمَّ خَلَقْنَا ٱلنُّطْفَةَ عَلَقَةً فَخَلَقْنَا ٱلْعَلَقَةَ مُضْغَةً فَخَلَقْنَا ٱلْمُضْغَةَ عِظَٰمًا فَكَسَوْنَا ٱلْعِظَٰمَ لَحْمًا ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَٰهُ خَلْقًا ءَاخَرَ فَتَبَارَكَ ٱللَّهُ أَحْسَنُ ٱلْخَٰلِقِينَ
PickthallThen fashioned We the drop a clot, then fashioned We the clot a little lump, then fashioned We the little lump bones, then clothed the bones with flesh, and then produced it as another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators!
Yusuf AliThen We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (foetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the best to create!
The agreed readingThen the drop was made a clinging clot, the clot a lump of flesh, the lump bones, and the bones were clothed with flesh. Then it was brought forth as another creation altogether - the commentaries take that last step as the breathing of the spirit into it. So blessed be God, the best of creators.
ثُمَّ إِنَّكُم بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَيِّتُونَ
PickthallThen lo! after that ye surely die.
Yusuf AliAfter that, at length ye will die
The agreed readingThen, after all of that has been done in you, you die. The making and the dying are set down in one sequence, as two stages of a single account.
ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ تُبْعَثُونَ
PickthallThen lo! on the Day of Resurrection ye are raised (again).
Yusuf AliAgain, on the Day of Judgment, will ye be raised up.
The agreed readingThen on the Day of Resurrection you are raised again - raised, the commentaries say, for the reckoning and for what is paid out after it.
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعَ طَرَآئِقَ وَمَا كُنَّا عَنِ ٱلْخَلْقِ غَٰفِلِينَ
PickthallAnd We have created above you seven paths, and We are never unmindful of creation.
Yusuf AliAnd We have made, above you, seven tracts; and We are never unmindful of (our) Creation.
The agreed readingAbove you seven paths were made. The commentaries take them as the seven heavens, called paths because things travel down them. And God has never been heedless of what is underneath them.
وَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۢ بِقَدَرٍ فَأَسْكَنَّٰهُ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰ ذَهَابٍۭ بِهِۦ لَقَٰدِرُونَ
PickthallAnd we send down from the sky water in measure, and We give it lodging in the earth, and lo! We are Able to withdraw it.
Yusuf AliAnd We send down water from the sky according to (due) measure, and We cause it to soak in the soil; and We certainly are able to drain it off (with ease).
The agreed readingWater was sent down from the sky in a measure - enough for what is needed - and lodged in the earth, in the stores from which the springs and rivers come out. And God is able to take it away again.
فَأَنشَأْنَا لَكُم بِهِۦ جَنَّٰتٍ مِّن نَّخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَٰبٍ لَّكُمْ فِيهَا فَوَٰكِهُ كَثِيرَةٌ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ
PickthallThen We produce for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you and whereof ye eat;
Yusuf AliWith it We grow for you gardens of date-palms and vines: in them have ye abundant fruits: and of them ye eat (and have enjoyment),-
The agreed readingWith it, gardens of date palms and vines were brought out for you - the two fruits most at hand for those first addressed - with much fruit in them, and you eat of them.
وَشَجَرَةً تَخْرُجُ مِن طُورِ سَيْنَآءَ تَنۢبُتُ بِٱلدُّهْنِ وَصِبْغٍ لِّلْـَٔاكِلِينَ
PickthallAnd a tree that springeth forth from Mount Sinai that groweth oil and relish for the eaters.
Yusuf AliAlso a tree springing out of Mount Sinai, which produces oil, and relish for those who use it for food.
The agreed readingAnd a tree that comes out of Mount Sinai, which yields oil and a relish for those who eat: the commentaries name it as the olive.
وَإِنَّ لَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَنْعَٰمِ لَعِبْرَةً نُّسْقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِى بُطُونِهَا وَلَكُمْ فِيهَا مَنَٰفِعُ كَثِيرَةٌ وَمِنْهَا تَأْكُلُونَ
PickthallAnd lo! in the cattle there is verily a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, and many uses have ye in them, and of them do ye eat;
Yusuf AliAnd in cattle (too) ye have an instructive example: from within their bodies We produce (milk) for you to drink; there are, in them, (besides), numerous (other) benefits for you; and of their (meat) ye eat;
The agreed readingAnd in the grazing animals there is a lesson to be taken. You are given to drink of what is in their bellies, and there are many other uses in them for you, and you eat of them.
وَعَلَيْهَا وَعَلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ تُحْمَلُونَ
PickthallAnd on them and on the ship ye are carried.
Yusuf AliAnd on them, as well as in ships, ye ride.
The agreed readingAnd on them and on the ships you are carried - the camel, as the commentaries put it, being the ship of the land.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ فَقَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
PickthallAnd We verily sent Noah unto his folk, and he said: O my people! Serve Allah. Ye have no other Allah save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)?
Yusuf Ali(Further, We sent a long line of prophets for your instruction). We sent Noah to his people: He said, "O my people! worship Allah! Ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?"
The agreed readingNoah was sent to his people and said: my people, serve God; you have no god other than Him. Will you not be mindful of Him?
فَقَالَ ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن قَوْمِهِۦ مَا هَٰذَآ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُرِيدُ أَن يَتَفَضَّلَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَوْ شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ لَأَنزَلَ مَلَٰٓئِكَةً مَّا سَمِعْنَا بِهَٰذَا فِىٓ ءَابَآئِنَا ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
PickthallBut the chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved, said: This is only a mortal like you who would make himself superior to you. Had Allah willed, He surely could have sent down angels. We heard not of this in the case of our fathers of old.
Yusuf AliThe chiefs of the Unbelievers among his people said: "He is no more than a man like yourselves: his wish is to assert his superiority over you: if Allah had wished (to send messengers), He could have sent down angels; never did we hear such a thing (as he says), among our ancestors of old."
The agreed readingThe chiefs of his people who refused said to their followers: this is only a man like you, out to set himself above you and be followed while you follow. Had God willed to send anyone, He would have sent angels. We never heard of such a thing among our forefathers.
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلٌۢ بِهِۦ جِنَّةٌ فَتَرَبَّصُوا۟ بِهِۦ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ
PickthallHe is only a man in whom is a madness, so watch him for a while.
Yusuf Ali(And some said): "He is only a man possessed: wait (and have patience) with him for a time."
The agreed readingHe is only a man with a madness in him, they said - so bear with him and wait a while, until either he recovers from it or his time runs out.
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱنصُرْنِى بِمَا كَذَّبُونِ
PickthallHe said: My Lord! Help me because they deny me.
Yusuf Ali(Noah) said: "O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood!"
The agreed readingHe said: my Lord, help me against them, because they have called me a liar. What he asks for is that they be dealt with.
فَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِ أَنِ ٱصْنَعِ ٱلْفُلْكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَوَحْيِنَا فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَمْرُنَا وَفَارَ ٱلتَّنُّورُ فَٱسْلُكْ فِيهَا مِن كُلٍّ زَوْجَيْنِ ٱثْنَيْنِ وَأَهْلَكَ إِلَّا مَن سَبَقَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلْقَوْلُ مِنْهُمْ وَلَا تُخَٰطِبْنِى فِى ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ إِنَّهُم مُّغْرَقُونَ
PickthallThen We inspired in him, saying: Make the ship under Our eyes and Our inspiration. Then, when Our command cometh and the oven gusheth water, introduce therein of every (kind) two spouses, and thy household save him thereof against whom the Word hath already gone forth. And plead not with Me on behalf of those who have done wrong. Lo! they will be drowned.
Yusuf AliSo We inspired him (with this message): "Construct the Ark within Our sight and under Our guidance: then when comes Our Command, and the fountains of the earth gush forth, take thou on board pairs of every species, male and female, and thy family- except those of them against whom the Word has already gone forth: And address Me not in favour of the wrong-doers; for they shall be drowned (in the Flood).
The agreed readingHe was told: build the ship under God's eye and by His instruction. When the command comes and the oven gushes, take aboard a pair of every kind and your household, except the one against whom the word has already gone out. And do not speak to Me on behalf of those who did wrong: they are to be drowned.
فَإِذَا ٱسْتَوَيْتَ أَنتَ وَمَن مَّعَكَ عَلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ فَقُلِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى نَجَّىٰنَا مِنَ ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
PickthallAnd when thou art on board the ship, thou and whoso is with thee, then say: Praise be to Allah Who hath saved us from the wrongdoing folk!
Yusuf AliAnd when thou hast embarked on the Ark - thou and those with thee,- say: "Praise be to Allah, Who has saved us from the people who do wrong."
The agreed readingAnd when you and those with you are settled on the ship, say: praise be to God, who has delivered us from the wrongdoing people.
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَنزِلْنِى مُنزَلًا مُّبَارَكًا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلْمُنزِلِينَ
PickthallAnd say: My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing-place, for Thou art Best of all who bring to land.
Yusuf AliAnd say: "O my Lord! enable me to disembark with thy blessing: for Thou art the Best to enable (us) to disembark."
The agreed readingAnd say: my Lord, bring me down at a blessed landing, for You are the best of those who bring to land. The commentaries pass it on both as a prayer for coming down off the ship and as one to be said whenever a traveller halts anywhere.
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ وَإِن كُنَّا لَمُبْتَلِينَ
PickthallLo! herein verily are portents, for lo! We are ever putting (mankind) to the test.
Yusuf AliVerily in this there are Signs (for men to understand); (thus) do We try (men).
The agreed readingIn all of that there are signs of God's power. And the testing does not stop: the commentaries note that a person is kept safe from being wronged by God, but not from being tried by Him.
ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ قَرْنًا ءَاخَرِينَ
PickthallThen, after them, We brought forth another generation;
Yusuf AliThen We raised after them another generation.
The agreed readingThen after them another generation was raised up in their place, and the same pattern began again with new people.
فَأَرْسَلْنَا فِيهِمْ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ مَا لَكُم مِّنْ إِلَٰهٍ غَيْرُهُۥٓ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
PickthallAnd we sent among them a messenger of their own, saying: Serve Allah, Ye have no other Allah save Him. Will ye not ward off (evil)?
Yusuf AliAnd We sent to them a messenger from among themselves, (saying), "Worship Allah! ye have no other god but Him. Will ye not fear (Him)?"
The agreed readingAnd a messenger was sent among them, one of themselves, with the same words: serve God; you have no god other than Him. Will you not be mindful of Him?
وَقَالَ ٱلْمَلَأُ مِن قَوْمِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ وَكَذَّبُوا۟ بِلِقَآءِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ وَأَتْرَفْنَٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا مَا هَٰذَآ إِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يَأْكُلُ مِمَّا تَأْكُلُونَ مِنْهُ وَيَشْرَبُ مِمَّا تَشْرَبُونَ
PickthallAnd the chieftains of his folk, who disbelieved and denied the meeting of the Hereafter, and whom We had made soft in the life of the world, said: This is only a mortal like you, who eateth of that whereof ye eat and drinketh of that ye drink.
Yusuf AliAnd the chiefs of his people, who disbelieved and denied the Meeting in the Hereafter, and on whom We had bestowed the good things of this life, said: "He is no more than a man like yourselves: he eats of that of which ye eat, and drinks of what ye drink.
The agreed readingThe chiefs of his people - those who refused, who denied that there is any meeting in the life to come, and whom God had given ease and plenty in this one - said: this is only a man like you. He eats what you eat and drinks what you drink.
وَلَئِنْ أَطَعْتُم بَشَرًا مِّثْلَكُمْ إِنَّكُمْ إِذًا لَّخَٰسِرُونَ
PickthallIf ye were to obey a mortal like yourselves, then, lo! ye surely would be losers.
Yusuf Ali"If ye obey a man like yourselves, behold, it is certain ye will be lost.
The agreed readingAnd if you obey a man like yourselves, they said, you will be the losers by it. It is put as an oath and a condition at once, so that the threat carries.
أَيَعِدُكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ إِذَا مِتُّمْ وَكُنتُمْ تُرَابًا وَعِظَٰمًا أَنَّكُم مُّخْرَجُونَ
PickthallDoth he promise you that you, when ye are dead and have become dust and bones, will (again) be brought forth?
Yusuf Ali"Does he promise that when ye die and become dust and bones, ye shall be brought forth (again)?
The agreed readingDoes he promise you, they said, that once you are dead and turned to dust and bare bones, you will be brought out of the graves again?
هَيْهَاتَ هَيْهَاتَ لِمَا تُوعَدُونَ
PickthallBegone, begone, with that which ye are promised!
Yusuf Ali"Far, very far is that which ye are promised!
The agreed readingFar off, far off, they said, is the thing you are promised - the word is one of dismissal, and it is said twice over.
إِنْ هِىَ إِلَّا حَيَاتُنَا ٱلدُّنْيَا نَمُوتُ وَنَحْيَا وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَبْعُوثِينَ
PickthallThere is naught but our life of the world; we die and we live, and we shall not be raised (again).
Yusuf Ali"There is nothing but our life in this world! We shall die and we live! But we shall never be raised up again!
The agreed readingThere is nothing, they said, but this life of ours: some of us die and others are born after us, and there is no raising once a man is dead.
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا رَجُلٌ ٱفْتَرَىٰ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا وَمَا نَحْنُ لَهُۥ بِمُؤْمِنِينَ
PickthallHe is only a man who hath invented a lie about Allah. We are not going to put faith in him.
Yusuf Ali"He is only a man who invents a lie against Allah, but we are not the ones to believe in him!"
The agreed readingHe is only a man, they said, who has made up a lie about God; and we are not going to believe him.
قَالَ رَبِّ ٱنصُرْنِى بِمَا كَذَّبُونِ
PickthallHe said: My Lord! Help me because they deny me.
Yusuf Ali(The prophet) said: "O my Lord! help me: for that they accuse me of falsehood."
The agreed readingHe said: my Lord, help me, because they have called me a liar - the same words the messenger before him had used.
قَالَ عَمَّا قَلِيلٍ لَّيُصْبِحُنَّ نَٰدِمِينَ
PickthallHe said: In a little while they surely will become repentant.
Yusuf Ali(Allah) said: "In but a little while, they are sure to be sorry!"
The agreed readingThe answer came: in a little while they will be sorry - sorry for the refusal, once they have seen what is coming to them.
فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ بِٱلْحَقِّ فَجَعَلْنَٰهُمْ غُثَآءً فَبُعْدًا لِّلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
PickthallSo the (Awful) Cry overtook them rightfully, and We made them like as wreckage (that a torrent hurleth). A far removal for wrongdoing folk!
Yusuf AliThen the Blast overtook them with justice, and We made them as rubbish of dead leaves (floating on the stream of Time)! So away with the people who do wrong!
The agreed readingThen the Cry took them, and rightly. They were left like the scum a torrent carries; the commentaries gloss it as withered plant matter, dry and crumbling and worth nothing. So away with the wrongdoing people.
ثُمَّ أَنشَأْنَا مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ قُرُونًا ءَاخَرِينَ
PickthallThen after them We brought forth other generations.
Yusuf AliThen We raised after them other generations.
The agreed readingThen after them, other generations again were raised up in their turn - the commentaries name among them the peoples of Salih, of Lot and of Shuayb.
مَا تَسْبِقُ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسْتَـْٔخِرُونَ
PickthallNo nation can outstrip its term, nor yet postpone it.
Yusuf AliNo people can hasten their term, nor can they delay (it).
The agreed readingNo community gets ahead of its appointed term, and none of them puts it off. The term is fixed at both ends: their haste cannot bring it forward and their wanting more time cannot delay it.
ثُمَّ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا تَتْرَا كُلَّ مَا جَآءَ أُمَّةً رَّسُولُهَا كَذَّبُوهُ فَأَتْبَعْنَا بَعْضَهُم بَعْضًا وَجَعَلْنَٰهُمْ أَحَادِيثَ فَبُعْدًا لِّقَوْمٍ لَّا يُؤْمِنُونَ
PickthallThen We sent our messengers one after another. Whenever its messenger came unto a nation they denied him; so We caused them to follow one another (to disaster) and We made them bywords. A far removal for folk who believe not!
Yusuf AliThen sent We our messengers in succession: every time there came to a people their messenger, they accused him of falsehood: so We made them follow each other (in punishment): We made them as a tale (that is told): So away with a people that will not believe!
The agreed readingThen messengers were sent one after another, with a long stretch of time between each two. Every time a community's messenger came to it, they called him a liar; so they were made to follow one another into ruin, and nothing was left of them but the stories told about them. So away with people who will not believe.
ثُمَّ أَرْسَلْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَأَخَاهُ هَٰرُونَ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَسُلْطَٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ
PickthallThen We sent Moses and his brother Aaron with Our tokens and a clear warrant
Yusuf AliThen We sent Moses and his brother Aaron, with Our Signs and authority manifest,
The agreed readingThen Moses and his brother Aaron were sent with God's signs and a clear warrant - the staff, the hand, and the other signs given with them.
إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَمَلَإِي۟هِۦ فَٱسْتَكْبَرُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا عَالِينَ
PickthallUnto Pharaoh and his chiefs, but they scorned (them) and they were despotic folk.
Yusuf AliTo Pharaoh and his Chiefs: But these behaved insolently: they were an arrogant people.
The agreed readingTo Pharaoh and his chiefs. They were too proud to believe, and they were a people who set themselves high, holding the Children of Israel down beneath them.
فَقَالُوٓا۟ أَنُؤْمِنُ لِبَشَرَيْنِ مِثْلِنَا وَقَوْمُهُمَا لَنَا عَٰبِدُونَ
PickthallAnd they said: Shall we put faith in two mortals like ourselves, and whose folk are servile unto us?
Yusuf AliThey said: "Shall we believe in two men like ourselves? And their people are subject to us!"
The agreed readingThey said: are we to believe two men like ourselves, when their own people are our servants and do as they are told?
فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَكَانُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُهْلَكِينَ
PickthallSo they denied them, and became of those who were destroyed.
Yusuf AliSo they accused them of falsehood, and they became of those who were destroyed.
The agreed readingSo they called the two of them liars, and ended among those who were destroyed: the drowning was the outcome of the denial.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَٰبَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ
PickthallAnd We verily gave Moses the Scripture, that haply they might go aright.
Yusuf AliAnd We gave Moses the Book, in order that they might receive guidance.
The agreed readingAnd Moses was given the Book, so that his people might find their way by it. The commentaries note that it came after Pharaoh and his people had already been destroyed.
وَجَعَلْنَا ٱبْنَ مَرْيَمَ وَأُمَّهُۥٓ ءَايَةً وَءَاوَيْنَٰهُمَآ إِلَىٰ رَبْوَةٍ ذَاتِ قَرَارٍ وَمَعِينٍ
PickthallAnd We made the son of Mary and his mother a portent, and We gave them refuge on a height, a place of flocks and watersprings.
Yusuf AliAnd We made the son of Mary and his mother as a Sign: We gave them both shelter on high ground, affording rest and security and furnished with springs.
The agreed readingAnd the son of Mary and his mother were made a sign - one sign and not two, because what is shown in them is a single thing: his birth without a father. And they were given shelter on high ground, level enough to settle and plant on, with flowing water.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلرُّسُلُ كُلُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلطَّيِّبَٰتِ وَٱعْمَلُوا۟ صَٰلِحًا إِنِّى بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ
PickthallO ye messengers! Eat of the good things, and do right. Lo! I am Aware of what ye do.
Yusuf AliO ye messengers! enjoy (all) things good and pure, and work righteousness: for I am well-acquainted with (all) that ye do.
The agreed readingMessengers: eat of the good things - the commentaries gloss them as what is lawful - and do what is right; I know what you are doing. They carry with it the report that God is good and accepts only what is good, and that He commanded those who believe with exactly what He commanded the messengers here.
وَإِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦٓ أُمَّتُكُمْ أُمَّةً وَٰحِدَةً وَأَنَا۠ رَبُّكُمْ فَٱتَّقُونِ
PickthallAnd lo! this your religion is one religion and I am your Lord, so keep your duty unto Me.
Yusuf AliAnd verily this Brotherhood of yours is a single Brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore fear Me (and no other).
The agreed readingAnd this community of yours is one community: one religion, the same one every messenger before was sent with. And I am your Lord, so be mindful of Me.
فَتَقَطَّعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَهُم بَيْنَهُمْ زُبُرًا كُلُّ حِزْبٍۭ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ
PickthallBut they (mankind) have broken their religion among them into sects, each group rejoicing in its tenets.
Yusuf AliBut people have cut off their affair (of unity), between them, into sects: each party rejoices in that which is with itself.
The agreed readingBut those who came after cut it into pieces among themselves, into parties holding different things, each party pleased with what it had in its own hands.
فَذَرْهُمْ فِى غَمْرَتِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ
PickthallSo leave them in their error till a time.
Yusuf AliBut leave them in their confused ignorance for a time.
The agreed readingSo leave them in the flood they are in - the commentaries gloss it as the error they are drowning in - until their time comes.
أَيَحْسَبُونَ أَنَّمَا نُمِدُّهُم بِهِۦ مِن مَّالٍ وَبَنِينَ
PickthallThink they that in the wealth and sons wherewith We provide them
Yusuf AliDo they think that because We have granted them abundance of wealth and sons,
The agreed readingDo they suppose that what they are given here of wealth and sons is God hurrying good things to them? The question runs on into the āyah after it, which answers it.
نُسَارِعُ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ بَل لَّا يَشْعُرُونَ
PickthallWe hasten unto them with good things? Nay, but they perceive not.
Yusuf AliWe would hasten them on in every good? Nay, they do not understand.
The agreed readingThe answer is no. They do not see what is being done: the commentaries call it a drawing-out - the giving continues so that they go further, not because they are approved of.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ هُم مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ رَبِّهِم مُّشْفِقُونَ
PickthallLo! those who go in awe for fear of their Lord.
Yusuf AliVerily those who live in awe for fear of their Lord;
The agreed readingThey are the ones who live in fear of their Lord out of awe of Him. The commentaries note that these are people already doing well, and they are afraid all the same.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ يُؤْمِنُونَ
PickthallAnd those who believe in the revelations of their Lord,
Yusuf AliThose who believe in the Signs of their Lord;
The agreed readingAnd who believe in the signs of their Lord - the signs meant here being the Qur'an as it is recited to them.
وَٱلَّذِينَ هُم بِرَبِّهِمْ لَا يُشْرِكُونَ
PickthallAnd those who ascribe not partners unto their Lord,
Yusuf AliThose who join not (in worship) partners with their Lord;
The agreed readingAnd who set up no partner with their Lord: neither an open partner, as the commentaries put it, nor a hidden one.
وَٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْتُونَ مَآ ءَاتَوا۟ وَّقُلُوبُهُمْ وَجِلَةٌ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ رَٰجِعُونَ
PickthallAnd those who give that which they give with hearts afraid because they are about to return unto their Lord,
Yusuf AliAnd those who dispense their charity with their hearts full of fear, because they will return to their Lord;-
The agreed readingAnd who give what they give with their hearts trembling, because they are going back to their Lord. The commentaries agree about what that fear is: not doubt about God, but fear that what they brought will not be accepted and that they fell short in it.
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ يُسَٰرِعُونَ فِى ٱلْخَيْرَٰتِ وَهُمْ لَهَا سَٰبِقُونَ
PickthallThese race for the good things, and they shall win them in the race.
Yusuf AliIt is these who hasten in every good work, and these who are foremost in them.
The agreed readingThose are the ones who hurry towards the good things, and they are the ones who get there first. The commentaries read the hurrying as a strength of wanting: they go at obedience the way other men go at what they crave.
وَلَا نُكَلِّفُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا وَلَدَيْنَا كِتَٰبٌ يَنطِقُ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَهُمْ لَا يُظْلَمُونَ
PickthallAnd we task not any soul beyond its scope, and with Us is a Record which speaketh the truth, and they will not be wronged.
Yusuf AliOn no soul do We place a burden greater than it can bear: before Us is a record which clearly shows the truth: they will never be wronged.
The agreed readingNo soul is charged with more than it can carry. The commentaries give the plain cases: whoever cannot pray standing prays sitting, and whoever cannot fast eats. And with God is a record that speaks the truth, and no one is wronged.
بَلْ قُلُوبُهُمْ فِى غَمْرَةٍ مِّنْ هَٰذَا وَلَهُمْ أَعْمَٰلٌ مِّن دُونِ ذَٰلِكَ هُمْ لَهَا عَٰمِلُونَ
PickthallNay, but their hearts are in ignorance of this (Qur'an), and they have other works, besides, which they are doing;
Yusuf AliBut their hearts are in confused ignorance of this; and there are, besides that, deeds of theirs, which they will (continue) to do,-
The agreed readingBut their hearts are drowned in ignorance where this Qur'an is concerned, and they have deeds of another kind altogether, which they go on doing.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَخَذْنَا مُتْرَفِيهِم بِٱلْعَذَابِ إِذَا هُمْ يَجْـَٔرُونَ
PickthallTill when We grasp their luxurious ones with the punishment, behold! they supplicate.
Yusuf AliUntil, when We seize in Punishment those of them who received the good things of this world, behold, they will groan in supplication!
The agreed readingUntil the moment their comfortable ones are seized by the punishment - and then they cry out aloud.
لَا تَجْـَٔرُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ إِنَّكُم مِّنَّا لَا تُنصَرُونَ
PickthallSupplicate not this day! Assuredly ye will not be helped by Us.
Yusuf Ali(It will be said): "Groan not in supplication this day: for ye shall certainly not be helped by Us.
The agreed readingDo not cry out today: no help is coming to you from Us. The address turns onto them directly, to cut off any hope they had in the crying.
قَدْ كَانَتْ ءَايَٰتِى تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَكُنتُمْ عَلَىٰٓ أَعْقَٰبِكُمْ تَنكِصُونَ
PickthallMy revelations were recited unto you, but ye used to turn back on your heels,
Yusuf Ali"My Signs used to be rehearsed to you, but ye used to turn back on your heels-
The agreed readingMy signs were being recited to you, and you would turn and walk away backwards from them.
مُسْتَكْبِرِينَ بِهِۦ سَٰمِرًا تَهْجُرُونَ
PickthallIn scorn thereof. Nightly did ye rave together.
Yusuf Ali"In arrogance: talking nonsense about the (Qur'an), like one telling fables by night."
The agreed readingFull of pride, and sitting up at night in talk. The commentaries take the talk as being about this very message, and as the thing that carried them away from it.
أَفَلَمْ يَدَّبَّرُوا۟ ٱلْقَوْلَ أَمْ جَآءَهُم مَّا لَمْ يَأْتِ ءَابَآءَهُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
PickthallHave they not pondered the Word, or hath that come unto them which came not unto their fathers of old?
Yusuf AliDo they not ponder over the Word (of Allah), or has anything (new) come to them that did not come to their fathers of old?
The agreed readingHave they not turned the word over in their minds? The commentaries say that had they weighed it properly they would have seen it was true. Or has something come to them that never came to their fathers of old?
أَمْ لَمْ يَعْرِفُوا۟ رَسُولَهُمْ فَهُمْ لَهُۥ مُنكِرُونَ
PickthallOr know they not their messenger, and so reject him?
Yusuf AliOr do they not recognise their Messenger, that they deny him?
The agreed readingOr is it that they do not recognise their own messenger? They knew his descent, his character and his conduct, and it is on the strength of that knowledge that the question is put to them.
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ بِهِۦ جِنَّةٌۢ بَلْ جَآءَهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ لِلْحَقِّ كَٰرِهُونَ
PickthallOr say they: There is a madness in him? Nay, but he bringeth them the Truth; and most of them are haters of the Truth.
Yusuf AliOr do they say, "He is possessed"? Nay, he has brought them the Truth, but most of them hate the Truth.
The agreed readingOr do they say there is a madness in him? He brought them the truth, and that is the whole of the matter: most of them dislike the truth, and the dislike is what produces the charge.
وَلَوِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلْحَقُّ أَهْوَآءَهُمْ لَفَسَدَتِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ بَلْ أَتَيْنَٰهُم بِذِكْرِهِمْ فَهُمْ عَن ذِكْرِهِم مُّعْرِضُونَ
PickthallAnd if the Truth had followed their desires, verily the heavens and the earth and whosoever is therein had been corrupted. Nay, We have brought them their Reminder, but from their Reminder they now turn away.
Yusuf AliIf the Truth had been in accord with their desires, truly the heavens and the earth, and all beings therein would have been in confusion and corruption! Nay, We have sent them their admonition, but they turn away from their admonition.
The agreed readingIf the truth were made to follow what they want - a partner for God, a child for Him - the heavens and the earth and everyone in them would fall into ruin. Instead they were brought their own reminder, the thing that would have raised them, and from it they turn away.
أَمْ تَسْـَٔلُهُمْ خَرْجًا فَخَرَاجُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَهُوَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰزِقِينَ
PickthallOr dost thou ask of them (O Muhammad) any tribute? But the bounty of thy Lord is better, for He is Best of all who make provision.
Yusuf AliOr is it that thou askest them for some recompense? But the recompense of thy Lord is best: He is the Best of those who give sustenance.
The agreed readingOr is he asking them for a payment for what he brings? He is not; and what his Lord pays is better than anything they could give. God is the best of providers.
وَإِنَّكَ لَتَدْعُوهُمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ
PickthallAnd lo! thou summonest them indeed unto a straight path.
Yusuf AliBut verily thou callest them to the Straight Way;
The agreed readingAnd he is calling them to a path that runs straight - the commentaries name that path as the religion itself.
وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَنِ ٱلصِّرَٰطِ لَنَٰكِبُونَ
PickthallAnd lo! those who believe not in the Hereafter are indeed astray from the path.
Yusuf AliAnd verily those who believe not in the Hereafter are deviating from that Way.
The agreed readingAnd those who do not believe in the life to come are off that road; they have turned aside from it, whichever way they suppose they are going.
وَلَوْ رَحِمْنَٰهُمْ وَكَشَفْنَا مَا بِهِم مِّن ضُرٍّ لَّلَجُّوا۟ فِى طُغْيَٰنِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
PickthallThough We had mercy on them and relieved them of the harm afflicting them, they still would wander blindly on in their contumacy.
Yusuf AliIf We had mercy on them and removed the distress which is on them, they would obstinately persist in their transgression, wandering in distraction to and fro.
The agreed readingAnd if God had mercy on them and lifted the harm they are under - the commentaries name it as the famine that struck Mecca - they would go straight back to persisting in their rebellion, wandering about inside it.
وَلَقَدْ أَخَذْنَٰهُم بِٱلْعَذَابِ فَمَا ٱسْتَكَانُوا۟ لِرَبِّهِمْ وَمَا يَتَضَرَّعُونَ
PickthallAlready have We grasped them with punishment, but they humble not themselves unto their Lord, nor do they pray,
Yusuf AliWe inflicted Punishment on them, but they humbled not themselves to their Lord, nor do they submissively entreat (Him)!-
The agreed readingThey were seized with punishment already, and it did not bring them low before their Lord. They did not humble themselves, and they do not turn to Him and ask.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَابًا ذَا عَذَابٍ شَدِيدٍ إِذَا هُمْ فِيهِ مُبْلِسُونَ
PickthallUntil, when We open for them the gate of extreme punishment, behold! they are aghast thereat.
Yusuf AliUntil We open on them a gate leading to a severe Punishment: then Lo! they will be plunged in despair therein!
The agreed readingUntil a gate of severe punishment is opened on them - and then they are inside it with no hope left of any good at all.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
PickthallHe it is Who hath created for you ears and eyes and hearts. Small thanks give ye!
Yusuf AliIt is He Who has created for you (the faculties of) hearing, sight, feeling and understanding: little thanks it is ye give!
The agreed readingHe is the one who made for you the hearing and the sight and the hearts: the first two to take in the signs that were set up, and the last to think about them. And little thanks is given for it.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى ذَرَأَكُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ
PickthallAnd He it is Who hath sown you broadcast in the earth, and unto Him ye will be gathered.
Yusuf AliAnd He has multiplied you through the earth, and to Him shall ye be gathered back.
The agreed readingHe is the one who scattered you over the earth like sown seed, and it is to Him that you will be gathered in.
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى يُحْىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ وَلَهُ ٱخْتِلَٰفُ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
PickthallAnd He it is Who giveth life and causeth death, and His is the difference of night and day. Have ye then no sense?
Yusuf AliIt is He Who gives life and death, and to Him (is due) the alternation of Night and Day: will ye not then understand?
The agreed readingHe is the one who gives life and brings death, and the turning of night into day is His: the dark and the light, each lengthening as the other shortens. Will you not use your minds on it?
بَلْ قَالُوا۟ مِثْلَ مَا قَالَ ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ
PickthallNay, but they say the like of that which said the men of old;
Yusuf AliOn the contrary they say things similar to what the ancients said.
The agreed readingInstead they said the same thing the people before them said; the objection is not even a new one.
قَالُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ
PickthallThey say: When we are dead and have become (mere) dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised again?
Yusuf AliThey say: "What! when we die and become dust and bones, could we really be raised up again?
The agreed readingThey said: when we are dead and turned to dust and bones, are we really to be raised? The commentaries note what they did not stop to consider - that they had been dust once already, and were made from it.
لَقَدْ وُعِدْنَا نَحْنُ وَءَابَآؤُنَا هَٰذَا مِن قَبْلُ إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
PickthallWe were already promised this, we and our forefathers. Lo! this is naught but fables of the men of old.
Yusuf Ali"Such things have been promised to us and to our fathers before! they are nothing but tales of the ancients!"
The agreed readingWe were promised this before, they said, we and our fathers, and nothing came of it. This is nothing but the tales of the ancients - stories set down to be amused by.
قُل لِّمَنِ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهَآ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
PickthallSay: Unto Whom (belongeth) the earth and whosoever is therein, if ye have knowledge?
Yusuf AliSay: "To whom belong the earth and all beings therein? (say) if ye know!"
The agreed readingSay to them: whose is the earth and everyone on it, if you have any knowledge of who made it and who owns it?
سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ قُلْ أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
PickthallThey will say: Unto Allah. Say: Will ye not then remember?
Yusuf AliThey will say, "To Allah!" say: "Yet will ye not receive admonition?"
The agreed readingThey will say: God's. Plain reason forces that much out of them at the first look. Say then: will you not take the lesson of your own answer?
قُلْ مَن رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ ٱلسَّبْعِ وَرَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
PickthallSay: Who is Lord of the seven heavens, and Lord of the Tremendous Throne?
Yusuf AliSay: "Who is the Lord of the seven heavens, and the Lord of the Throne (of Glory) Supreme?"
The agreed readingSay: who is the Lord of the seven heavens and the Lord of the mighty Throne? The question is put a second time and higher, so that the same answer has to be given about more.
سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ قُلْ أَفَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
PickthallThey will say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: Will ye not then keep duty (unto Him)?
Yusuf AliThey will say, "(They belong) to Allah." Say: "Will ye not then be filled with awe?"
The agreed readingThey will say: God. Say then: will you not be mindful of Him, and wary of serving anything besides Him?
قُلْ مَنۢ بِيَدِهِۦ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَهُوَ يُجِيرُ وَلَا يُجَارُ عَلَيْهِ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
PickthallSay: In Whose hand is the dominion over all things and He protecteth, while against Him there is no protection, if ye have knowledge?
Yusuf AliSay: "Who is it in whose hands is the governance of all things,- who protects (all), but is not protected (of any)? (say) if ye know."
The agreed readingSay: in whose hand is the dominion over everything - who gives protection, while no one can be protected against Him? Say it, if you know.
سَيَقُولُونَ لِلَّهِ قُلْ فَأَنَّىٰ تُسْحَرُونَ
PickthallThey will say: Unto Allah (all that belongeth). Say: How then are ye bewitched?
Yusuf AliThey will say, "(It belongs) to Allah." Say: "Then how are ye deluded?"
The agreed readingThey will say: God's. Say then: how are you being taken in, turned away from what is right when the matter is this plain?
بَلْ أَتَيْنَٰهُم بِٱلْحَقِّ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَٰذِبُونَ
PickthallNay, but We have brought them the Truth, and lo! they are liars.
Yusuf AliWe have sent them the Truth: but they indeed practise falsehood!
The agreed readingThey were brought the truth, and what they say against it is false. They answer correctly when they are asked, and then deny what their own answer means.
مَا ٱتَّخَذَ ٱللَّهُ مِن وَلَدٍ وَمَا كَانَ مَعَهُۥ مِنْ إِلَٰهٍ إِذًا لَّذَهَبَ كُلُّ إِلَٰهٍۭ بِمَا خَلَقَ وَلَعَلَا بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ سُبْحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
PickthallAllah hath not chosen any son, nor is there any god along with Him; else would each god have assuredly championed that which he created, and some of them would assuredly have overcome others. Glorified be Allah above all that they allege.
Yusuf AliNo son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him: (if there were many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have lorded it over others! Glory to Allah! (He is free) from the (sort of) things they attribute to Him!
The agreed readingGod has taken no child, and there is no other god beside Him. Had there been, each god would have gone off with what he made and kept the others out of it, and they would have striven to rise one above another, as kings of this world do. Glory be to God, above the things they say of Him.
عَٰلِمِ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ فَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
PickthallKnower of the Invisible and the Visible! and Exalted be He over all that they ascribe as partners (unto Him)!
Yusuf AliHe knows what is hidden and what is open: too high is He for the partners they attribute to Him!
The agreed readingHe knows the unseen and the seen - the commentaries gloss the two as what has not yet come to be and what already has. And He is high above the partners they set beside Him.
قُل رَّبِّ إِمَّا تُرِيَنِّى مَا يُوعَدُونَ
PickthallSay: My Lord! If Thou shouldst show me that which they are promised.
Yusuf AliSay: "O my Lord! if Thou wilt show me (in my lifetime) that which they are warned against,-
The agreed readingSay: my Lord, if You are going to show me the thing they have been promised, and have me there to see it happen -
رَبِّ فَلَا تَجْعَلْنِى فِى ٱلْقَوْمِ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
PickthallMy Lord! then set me not among the wrongdoing folk.
Yusuf Ali"Then, O my Lord! put me not amongst the people who do wrong!"
The agreed reading- my Lord, then do not put me among the wrongdoing people: not destroyed along with them, and not counted as one of them.
وَإِنَّا عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّرِيَكَ مَا نَعِدُهُمْ لَقَٰدِرُونَ
PickthallAnd verily We are Able to show thee that which We have promised them.
Yusuf AliAnd We are certainly able to show thee (in fulfilment) that against which they are warned.
The agreed readingAnd God is well able to show him what they were promised. The prayer is not about whether it will come, but about where he will be standing when it does.
ٱدْفَعْ بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ ٱلسَّيِّئَةَ نَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَصِفُونَ
PickthallRepel evil with that which is better. We are Best Aware of that which they allege.
Yusuf AliRepel evil with that which is best: We are well acquainted with the things they say.
The agreed readingPush back what is bad with the thing that is better - the commentaries name that better thing as pardoning and turning away. God knows best what they are saying.
وَقُل رَّبِّ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزَٰتِ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِ
PickthallAnd say: My Lord! I seek refuge in Thee from suggestions of the evil ones,
Yusuf AliAnd say "O my Lord! I seek refuge with Thee from the suggestions of the Evil Ones.
The agreed readingAnd say: my Lord, I take refuge in You from the promptings of the satans - the commentaries gloss them as the whisperings that fall into a person's heart.
وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ رَبِّ أَن يَحْضُرُونِ
PickthallAnd I seek refuge in Thee, my Lord, lest they be present with me,
Yusuf Ali"And I seek refuge with Thee O my Lord! lest they should come near me."
The agreed readingAnd I take refuge in You, my Lord, from their being present with me at all, since their presence is never for anything but harm.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءَ أَحَدَهُمُ ٱلْمَوْتُ قَالَ رَبِّ ٱرْجِعُونِ
PickthallUntil, when death cometh unto one of them, he saith: My Lord! Send me back,
Yusuf Ali(In Falsehood will they be) Until, when death comes to one of them, he says: "O my Lord! send me back (to life),-
The agreed readingUntil death comes to one of them and he says: my Lord, send me back. The commentaries say what puts the words in his mouth: at that moment he is shown what is waiting for him, and what would have been his had he believed.
لَعَلِّىٓ أَعْمَلُ صَٰلِحًا فِيمَا تَرَكْتُ كَلَّآ إِنَّهَا كَلِمَةٌ هُوَ قَآئِلُهَا وَمِن وَرَآئِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
PickthallThat I may do right in that which I have left behind! But nay! It is but a word that he speaketh; and behind them is a barrier until the day when they are raised.
Yusuf Ali"In order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected." - "By no means! It is but a word he says."- Before them is a Partition till the Day they are raised up.
The agreed readingSo that I may do right in what I left undone. No: it is only a word he says, and nothing comes of it. Behind them there is a barrier standing until the day they are raised.
فَإِذَا نُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَلَآ أَنسَابَ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ وَلَا يَتَسَآءَلُونَ
PickthallAnd when the trumpet is blown there will be no kinship among them that day, nor will they ask of one another.
Yusuf AliThen when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that Day, nor will one ask after another!
The agreed readingWhen the trumpet is blown there are no ties of kin left between them on that day, and they do not ask after one another. No one boasts of his descent then, and no one is helped by it.
فَمَن ثَقُلَتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ هُمُ ٱلْمُفْلِحُونَ
PickthallThen those whose scales are heavy, they are the successful.
Yusuf AliThen those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy,- they will attain salvation:
The agreed readingThose whose scales come down heavy - heavy with the good they did - are the ones who have come through.
وَمَنْ خَفَّتْ مَوَٰزِينُهُۥ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ خَسِرُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَهُمْ فِى جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدُونَ
PickthallAnd those whose scales are light are those who lose their souls, in hell abiding.
Yusuf AliBut those whose balance is light, will be those who have lost their souls, in Hell will they abide.
The agreed readingAnd those whose scales are light are the ones who lost their own selves, and they stay in Hell.
تَلْفَحُ وُجُوهَهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ وَهُمْ فِيهَا كَٰلِحُونَ
PickthallThe fire burneth their faces, and they are glum therein.
Yusuf AliThe Fire will burn their faces, and they will therein grin, with their lips displaced.
The agreed readingThe Fire sears their faces, and they are drawn back in it: the commentaries describe the lips shrunk away from the teeth by the burning.
أَلَمْ تَكُنْ ءَايَٰتِى تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْكُمْ فَكُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ
Pickthall(It will be said): Were not My revelations recited unto you, and then ye used to deny them?
Yusuf Ali"Were not My Signs rehearsed to you, and ye did but treat them as falsehood?"
The agreed readingWere My signs not recited to you, and were you not put in fear by them - and did you not call them lies?
قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا غَلَبَتْ عَلَيْنَا شِقْوَتُنَا وَكُنَّا قَوْمًا ضَآلِّينَ
PickthallThey will say: Our Lord! Our evil fortune conquered us, and we were erring folk.
Yusuf AliThey will say: "our Lord! Our misfortune overwhelmed us, and we became a people astray!
The agreed readingThey say: our Lord, our own wretchedness got the better of us, and we were a people gone astray. The commentaries note where that wretchedness came from: it was their own deeds that made them wretched.
رَبَّنَآ أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْهَا فَإِنْ عُدْنَا فَإِنَّا ظَٰلِمُونَ
PickthallOur Lord! Oh, bring us forth from hence! If we return (to evil) then indeed we shall be wrong-doers.
Yusuf Ali"Our Lord! bring us out of this: if ever we return (to Evil), then shall we be wrong-doers indeed!"
The agreed readingOur Lord, bring us out of this; and if we go back to what we did, then we are wrongdoers and it is on us.
قَالَ ٱخْسَـُٔوا۟ فِيهَا وَلَا تُكَلِّمُونِ
PickthallHe saith: Begone therein, and speak not unto Me.
Yusuf AliHe will say: "Be ye driven into it (with ignominy)! And speak ye not to Me!
The agreed readingThe answer comes: away with you into it, and do not speak to Me. The commentaries take these as the last words that will be said to them, and after them there is no more speech.
إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَرِيقٌ مِّنْ عِبَادِى يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَآ ءَامَنَّا فَٱغْفِرْ لَنَا وَٱرْحَمْنَا وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
PickthallLo! there was a party of My slaves who said: Our Lord! We believe, therefor forgive us and have mercy on us for Thou art Best of all who show mercy;
Yusuf Ali"A part of My servants there was, who used to pray 'our Lord! we believe; then do Thou forgive us, and have mercy upon us: For Thou art the Best of those who show mercy!"
The agreed readingThere was a group of My servants who used to say: our Lord, we believe, so forgive us and have mercy on us, and You are the best of those who show mercy.
فَٱتَّخَذْتُمُوهُمْ سِخْرِيًّا حَتَّىٰٓ أَنسَوْكُمْ ذِكْرِى وَكُنتُم مِّنْهُمْ تَضْحَكُونَ
PickthallBut ye chose them for a laughing-stock until they caused you to forget remembrance of Me, while ye laughed at them.
Yusuf Ali"But ye treated them with ridicule, so much so that (ridicule of) them made you forget My Message while ye were laughing at them!
The agreed readingBut you took them as a thing to laugh at, until you were so taken up with laughing at them that you forgot to remember Me at all.
إِنِّى جَزَيْتُهُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ بِمَا صَبَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّهُمْ هُمُ ٱلْفَآئِزُونَ
PickthallLo! I have rewarded them this day forasmuch as they were steadfast in that they, even they, are the triumphant.
Yusuf Ali"I have rewarded them this Day for their patience and constancy: they are indeed the ones that have achieved Bliss..."
The agreed readingToday they have been repaid for their patience - patience under that same mockery and that same harm. They are the ones who have won.
قَٰلَ كَمْ لَبِثْتُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ عَدَدَ سِنِينَ
PickthallHe will say: How long tarried ye in the earth, counting by years?
Yusuf AliHe will say: "What number of years did ye stay on earth?"
The agreed readingHe says: how many years did you stay in the earth? The commentaries take the question as covering both the stay in the world and the stay in the grave.
قَالُوا۟ لَبِثْنَا يَوْمًا أَوْ بَعْضَ يَوْمٍ فَسْـَٔلِ ٱلْعَآدِّينَ
PickthallThey will say: We tarried by a day or part of a day. Ask of those who keep count!
Yusuf AliThey will say: "We stayed a day or part of a day: but ask those who keep account."
The agreed readingThey say: a day, or part of a day - ask those who keep the count. What they are in now is so great that their whole stay looks short, and they no longer trust their own reckoning of it.
قَٰلَ إِن لَّبِثْتُمْ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا لَّوْ أَنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
PickthallHe will say: Ye tarried but a little if ye only knew.
Yusuf AliHe will say: "Ye stayed not but a little,- if ye had only known!
The agreed readingHe says: you stayed only a little - if only you had known that while you were there.
أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَٰكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ
PickthallDeemed ye then that We had created you for naught, and that ye would not be returned unto Us?
Yusuf Ali"Did ye then think that We had created you in jest, and that ye would not be brought back to Us (for account)?"
The agreed readingDid you suppose you were made for nothing, with no purpose in the making, and that you would not be brought back to Us?
فَتَعَٰلَى ٱللَّهُ ٱلْمَلِكُ ٱلْحَقُّ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْكَرِيمِ
PickthallNow Allah be Exalted, the True King! There is no Allah save Him, the Lord of the Throne of Grace.
Yusuf AliTherefore exalted be Allah, the King, the Reality: there is no god but He, the Lord of the Throne of Honour!
The agreed readingSo exalted is God above that: the True King, and there is no god but He, the Lord of the noble Throne.
وَمَن يَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ لَا بُرْهَٰنَ لَهُۥ بِهِۦ فَإِنَّمَا حِسَابُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦٓ إِنَّهُۥ لَا يُفْلِحُ ٱلْكَٰفِرُونَ
PickthallHe who crieth unto any other god along with Allah hath no proof thereof. His reckoning is only with his Lord. Lo! disbelievers will not be successful.
Yusuf AliIf anyone invokes, besides Allah, Any other god, he has no authority therefor; and his reckoning will be only with his Lord! and verily the Unbelievers will fail to win through!
The agreed readingWhoever calls on another god beside God has no proof of it at all, and there is none to be had. His reckoning is with his Lord, and those who refuse do not come through.
وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱغْفِرْ وَٱرْحَمْ وَأَنتَ خَيْرُ ٱلرَّٰحِمِينَ
PickthallAnd (O Muhammad) say: My Lord! Forgive and have mercy, for Thou art Best of all who show mercy.
Yusuf AliSo say: "O my Lord! grant Thou forgiveness and mercy for Thou art the Best of those who show mercy!"
The agreed readingAnd say: my Lord, forgive and have mercy - the mercy asked for being something beyond the forgiveness. And You are the best of those who show mercy.