Surah 27 of 114 · Makki · 93 ayat
An-Naml النمل
The Ant
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ طسٓ تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْقُرْءَانِ وَكِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ
PickthallTa. Sin. These are revelations of the Qur'an and a Scripture that maketh plain;
Yusuf AliThese are verses of the Qur'an,-a book that makes (things) clear;
The agreed readingTa Sin. The letters are recited as letters, and their certain meaning is left with God. What follows them are the signs of the Qur'an, and of a Book that makes plain what it carries.
هُدًى وَبُشْرَىٰ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
PickthallA guidance and good tidings for believers
Yusuf AliA guide: and glad tidings for the believers,-
The agreed readingGuidance and good news for those who believe. It guides away from going astray, and the good news it carries for those who accept it is the Garden.
ٱلَّذِينَ يُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَيُؤْتُونَ ٱلزَّكَوٰةَ وَهُم بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمْ يُوقِنُونَ
PickthallWho establish worship and pay the poor-due and are sure of the Hereafter.
Yusuf AliThose who establish regular prayers and give in regular charity, and also have (full) assurance of the hereafter.
The agreed readingThose who establish the prayer, performing it as it should be performed, and give the zakat, and are certain of the life to come. Their certainty is reached by weighing the evidence set before them, not by guesswork.
إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ زَيَّنَّا لَهُمْ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ فَهُمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
PickthallLo! as for those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their works fairseeming unto them so that they are all astray.
Yusuf AliAs to those who believe not in the Hereafter, We have made their deeds pleasing in their eyes; and so they wander about in distraction.
The agreed readingAs for those who do not believe in the life to come, God has let their own deeds be made to look beautiful to them, so that ugly acts appear good in their own eyes. They are left wandering in confusion, unable to see where those deeds lead.
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَهُمْ سُوٓءُ ٱلْعَذَابِ وَهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ هُمُ ٱلْأَخْسَرُونَ
PickthallThose are they for whom is the worst of punishment, and in the Hereafter they will be the greatest losers.
Yusuf AliSuch are they for whom a grievous Penalty is (waiting); and in the Hereafter theirs will be the greatest loss.
The agreed readingThose are the ones who will have the worst of the punishment, and in the life to come they will be the greatest losers of all, having missed the reward and earned the penalty, with the Fire before them.
وَإِنَّكَ لَتُلَقَّى ٱلْقُرْءَانَ مِن لَّدُنْ حَكِيمٍ عَلِيمٍ
PickthallLo! as for thee (Muhammad), thou verily receivest the Qur'an from the presence of One Wise, Aware.
Yusuf AliAs to thee, the Qur'an is bestowed upon thee from the presence of one who is wise and all-knowing.
The agreed readingAnd you, Muhammad, are being given the Qur'an from One who is Wise and Knowing. It is laid upon you from His presence: it is not of your own composing, and the wisdom and the knowledge in it are His.
إِذْ قَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِأَهْلِهِۦٓ إِنِّىٓ ءَانَسْتُ نَارًا سَـَٔاتِيكُم مِّنْهَا بِخَبَرٍ أَوْ ءَاتِيكُم بِشِهَابٍ قَبَسٍ لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَصْطَلُونَ
Pickthall(Remember) when Moses said unto his household: Lo! I spy afar off a fire; I will bring you tidings thence, or bring to you a borrowed flame that ye may warm yourselves.
Yusuf AliBehold! Moses said to his family: "I perceive a fire; soon will I bring you from there some information, or I will bring you a burning brand to light our fuel, that ye may warm yourselves.
The agreed readingRemember when Moses said to his household, as he travelled from Midian towards Egypt, that he had caught sight of a fire. It was night and he had lost the road. He hoped to bring back either news of the way or a burning brand from that fire, so that they could warm themselves.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَهَا نُودِىَ أَنۢ بُورِكَ مَن فِى ٱلنَّارِ وَمَنْ حَوْلَهَا وَسُبْحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
PickthallBut when he reached it, he was called, saying: Blessed is Whosoever is in the fire and Whosoever is round about it! And Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!
Yusuf AliBut when he came to the (fire), a voice was heard: "Blessed are those in the fire and those around: and glory to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.
The agreed readingWhen he reached the fire he was called: blessed is whoever is at the fire and whoever is around it. The ground itself was blessed, the same spot named elsewhere as the blessed ground on the right side of the valley. The call closed with glory be to God, the Lord of the worlds, so that hearing God speak would carry no suggestion that He resembles anything.
يَٰمُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَنَا ٱللَّهُ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
PickthallO Moses! Lo! it is I, Allah, the Mighty, the Wise.
Yusuf Ali"O Moses! verily, I am Allah, the exalted in might, the wise!....
The agreed readingMoses, it is I, God, the Mighty and the Wise. He is the Strong, able to do what lies beyond anything a person could imagine, as when a staff is turned into a snake, and everything He does He does with wisdom and design.
وَأَلْقِ عَصَاكَ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهَا تَهْتَزُّ كَأَنَّهَا جَآنٌّ وَلَّىٰ مُدْبِرًا وَلَمْ يُعَقِّبْ يَٰمُوسَىٰ لَا تَخَفْ إِنِّى لَا يَخَافُ لَدَىَّ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
PickthallAnd throw down thy staff! But when he saw it writhing as it were a demon, he turned to flee headlong; (but it was said unto him): O Moses! Fear not! the emissaries fear not in My presence,
Yusuf Ali"Now do thou throw thy rod!" But when he saw it moving (of its own accord) as if it had been a snake, he turned back in retreat, and retraced not his steps: "O Moses!" (it was said), "Fear not: truly, in My presence, those called as messengers have no fear,-
The agreed readingThrow down your staff. When Moses saw it moving quickly like a slender snake he turned and fled without looking back. He was told: Moses, do not be afraid. Those whom God sends have no fear in His presence.
إِلَّا مَن ظَلَمَ ثُمَّ بَدَّلَ حُسْنًۢا بَعْدَ سُوٓءٍ فَإِنِّى غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
PickthallSave him who hath done wrong and afterward hath changed evil for good. And lo! I am Forgiving, Merciful.
Yusuf Ali"But if any have done wrong and have thereafter substituted good to take the place of evil, truly, I am Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
The agreed readingExcept one who has done wrong, wronging his own soul, and then put good in the place of the evil he did, which is to turn back in repentance. To such a one God is Forgiving and Merciful: He accepts the turning and covers over the fault.
وَأَدْخِلْ يَدَكَ فِى جَيْبِكَ تَخْرُجْ بَيْضَآءَ مِنْ غَيْرِ سُوٓءٍ فِى تِسْعِ ءَايَٰتٍ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ وَقَوْمِهِۦٓ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمًا فَٰسِقِينَ
PickthallAnd put thy hand into the bosom of thy robe, it will come forth white but unhurt. (This will be one) among nine tokens unto Pharaoh and his people Lo! they were ever evil-living folk.
Yusuf Ali"Now put thy hand into thy bosom, and it will come forth white without stain (or harm): (these are) among the nine Signs (thou wilt take) to Pharaoh and his people: for they are a people rebellious in transgression."
The agreed readingPut your hand inside your garment: it will come out white, unlike its own colour, shining and with no disease in it. This is one sign among nine sent to Pharaoh and his people. They were a people who had left obedience.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَتْهُمْ ءَايَٰتُنَا مُبْصِرَةً قَالُوا۟ هَٰذَا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
PickthallBut when Our tokens came unto them, plain to see, they said: This is mere magic,
Yusuf AliBut when Our Signs came to them, that should have opened their eyes, they said: "This is sorcery manifest!"
The agreed readingWhen God's signs reached them, plain and lit up for anyone to see, they said: this is nothing but obvious magic.
وَجَحَدُوا۟ بِهَا وَٱسْتَيْقَنَتْهَآ أَنفُسُهُمْ ظُلْمًا وَعُلُوًّا فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ
PickthallAnd they denied them, though their souls acknowledged them, for spite and arrogance. Then see the nature of the consequence for the wrong-doers!
Yusuf AliAnd they rejected those Signs in iniquity and arrogance, though their souls were convinced thereof: so see what was the end of those who acted corruptly!
The agreed readingThey refused to acknowledge the signs while their own souls were certain those signs came from God. What drove them was wrong and the wish to stand above the truth. Look, then, at how those who spread ruin ended.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا دَاوُۥدَ وَسُلَيْمَٰنَ عِلْمًا وَقَالَا ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى فَضَّلَنَا عَلَىٰ كَثِيرٍ مِّنْ عِبَادِهِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
PickthallAnd We verily gave knowledge unto David and Solomon, and they said: Praise be to Allah, Who hath preferred us above many of His believing slaves!
Yusuf AliWe gave (in the past) knowledge to David and Solomon: And they both said: "Praise be to Allah, Who has favoured us above many of his servants who believe!"
The agreed readingGod gave David and Solomon knowledge: knowledge of judging between people, of the speech of the birds, and more besides. Both of them met the gift with thanks, saying that praise belongs to God, who has favoured us above many of His believing servants.
وَوَرِثَ سُلَيْمَٰنُ دَاوُۥدَ وَقَالَ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ عُلِّمْنَا مَنطِقَ ٱلطَّيْرِ وَأُوتِينَا مِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْفَضْلُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
PickthallAnd Solomon was David's heir. And he said: O mankind! Lo! we have been taught the language of birds, and have been given (abundance) of all things. This surely is evident favour.
Yusuf AliAnd Solomon was David's heir. He said: "O ye people! We have been taught the speech of birds, and on us has been bestowed (a little) of all things: this is indeed Grace manifest (from Allah.)"
The agreed readingSolomon inherited David. What he inherited was prophethood and knowledge, not wealth and property, and it did not pass to David's other sons. He said: people, we have been taught to understand the speech of the birds and given something of everything. This is a plain favour from God.
وَحُشِرَ لِسُلَيْمَٰنَ جُنُودُهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ وَٱلْإِنسِ وَٱلطَّيْرِ فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ
PickthallAnd there were gathered together unto Solomon his armies of the jinn and humankind, and of the birds, and they were set in battle order;
Yusuf AliAnd before Solomon were marshalled his hosts,- of Jinns and men and birds, and they were all kept in order and ranks.
The agreed readingSolomon's armies were gathered to him as he set out, jinn and human beings and birds together. They were held in their ranks, the front kept back until the rest caught up, so that none of them broke order.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَآ أَتَوْا۟ عَلَىٰ وَادِ ٱلنَّمْلِ قَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّمْلُ ٱدْخُلُوا۟ مَسَٰكِنَكُمْ لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ سُلَيْمَٰنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
PickthallTill, when they reached the Valley of the Ants, an ant exclaimed: O ants! Enter your dwellings lest Solomon and his armies crush you, unperceiving.
Yusuf AliAt length, when they came to a (lowly) valley of ants, one of the ants said: "O ye ants, get into your habitations, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you (under foot) without knowing it."
The agreed readingWhen they reached the Valley of the Ants, an ant called out: ants, go into your dwellings, or Solomon and his armies will crush you without realising it. She had seen the army coming. Her last words clear them of any intent to harm; the danger was that they would not notice.
فَتَبَسَّمَ ضَاحِكًا مِّن قَوْلِهَا وَقَالَ رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَٰلِحًا تَرْضَىٰهُ وَأَدْخِلْنِى بِرَحْمَتِكَ فِى عِبَادِكَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
PickthallAnd (Solomon) smiled, laughing at her speech, and said: My Lord, arouse me to be thankful for Thy favour wherewith Thou hast favoured me and my parents, and to do good that shall be pleasing unto Thee, and include me in (the number of) Thy righteous slaves.
Yusuf AliSo he smiled, amused at her speech; and he said: "O my Lord! so order me that I may be grateful for Thy favours, which thou hast bestowed on me and on my parents, and that I may work the righteousness that will please Thee: And admit me, by Thy Grace, to the ranks of Thy righteous Servants."
The agreed readingSolomon smiled at what the ant said, for the wind carried her voice to him, and he held his army back until the ants were safe. Then he prayed: my Lord, keep me thankful for the favour You have shown me and my parents, let me do good that You accept, and admit me by Your mercy among Your righteous servants.
وَتَفَقَّدَ ٱلطَّيْرَ فَقَالَ مَا لِىَ لَآ أَرَى ٱلْهُدْهُدَ أَمْ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْغَآئِبِينَ
PickthallAnd he sought among the birds and said: How is it that I see not the hoopoe, or is he among the absent?
Yusuf AliAnd he took a muster of the Birds; and he said: "Why is it I see not the Hoopoe? Or is he among the absentees?
The agreed readingSolomon inspected the birds, checking which were present and which were not, and said: why do I not see the hoopoe? Is he among the absent? The commentaries note what the bird was to him: it could sense water beneath the ground and mark the place, so that water could be reached for the prayer.
لَأُعَذِّبَنَّهُۥ عَذَابًا شَدِيدًا أَوْ لَأَا۟ذْبَحَنَّهُۥٓ أَوْ لَيَأْتِيَنِّى بِسُلْطَٰنٍ مُّبِينٍ
PickthallI verily will punish him with hard punishment or I verily will slay him, or he verily shall bring me a plain excuse.
Yusuf Ali"I will certainly punish him with a severe penalty, or execute him, unless he bring me a clear reason (for absence)."
The agreed readingSolomon said: I will punish him severely, or I will slaughter him, unless he brings me a clear proof for his absence. The punishment named is a bird's punishment, the plucking of feathers and the like, and the third possibility is left open from the start: a reason that clears him.
فَمَكَثَ غَيْرَ بَعِيدٍ فَقَالَ أَحَطتُ بِمَا لَمْ تُحِطْ بِهِۦ وَجِئْتُكَ مِن سَبَإٍۭ بِنَبَإٍ يَقِينٍ
PickthallBut he was not long in coming, and he said: I have found out (a thing) that thou apprehendest not, and I come unto thee from Sheba with sure tidings.
Yusuf AliBut the Hoopoe tarried not far: he (came up and) said: "I have compassed (territory) which thou hast not compassed, and I have come to thee from Saba with tidings true.
The agreed readingThe hoopoe was gone only a short while. He came back and said: I have grasped something you have not grasped, and I bring you certain news from Sheba. He said this to a prophet and a king, as one who knew a thing the king did not.
إِنِّى وَجَدتُّ ٱمْرَأَةً تَمْلِكُهُمْ وَأُوتِيَتْ مِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍ وَلَهَا عَرْشٌ عَظِيمٌ
PickthallLo! I found a woman ruling over them, and she hath been given (abundance) of all things, and hers is a mighty throne.
Yusuf Ali"I found (there) a woman ruling over them and provided with every requisite; and she has a magnificent throne.
The agreed readingI found a woman ruling over them. The commentaries give her name as Bilqis. She has been given everything a ruler could need, and she has a mighty throne.
وَجَدتُّهَا وَقَوْمَهَا يَسْجُدُونَ لِلشَّمْسِ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَزَيَّنَ لَهُمُ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ أَعْمَٰلَهُمْ فَصَدَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّبِيلِ فَهُمْ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ
PickthallI found her and her people worshipping the sun instead of Allah; and Satan maketh their works fairseeming unto them, and debarreth them from the way (of Truth), so that they go not aright;
Yusuf Ali"I found her and her people worshipping the sun besides Allah: Satan has made their deeds seem pleasing in their eyes, and has kept them away from the Path,- so they receive no guidance,-
The agreed readingI found her and her people bowing to the sun instead of God, for they worshipped the sun and the stars. Satan had made their deeds look beautiful to them and turned them off the road of truth, so they are not guided.
أَلَّا يَسْجُدُوا۟ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى يُخْرِجُ ٱلْخَبْءَ فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُخْفُونَ وَمَا تُعْلِنُونَ
PickthallSo that they worship not Allah, Who bringeth forth the hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knoweth what ye hide and what ye proclaim,
Yusuf Ali"(Kept them away from the Path), that they should not worship Allah, Who brings to light what is hidden in the heavens and the earth, and knows what ye hide and what ye reveal.
The agreed readingTurned away, that is, from bowing to God, who brings out what is hidden in the heavens and the earth and knows what you keep secret and what you make known.
ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ رَبُّ ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
PickthallAllah; there is no Allah save Him, the Lord of the Tremendous Throne.
Yusuf Ali"Allah!- there is no god but He!- Lord of the Throne Supreme!"
The agreed readingGod: there is no god but He, the Lord of the mighty Throne. The commentaries hear this set directly against the throne of the queen just mentioned, and between the two thrones the distance is beyond measuring; His Throne takes in everything created.
قَالَ سَنَنظُرُ أَصَدَقْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰذِبِينَ
Pickthall(Solomon) said: We shall see whether thou speakest truth or whether thou art of the liars.
Yusuf Ali(Solomon) said: "Soon shall we see whether thou hast told the truth or lied!
The agreed readingSolomon said: we shall look into whether you told the truth in what you reported, or are of the liars. Saying it that way, rather than saying you lied, is at once weightier and gentler than a direct accusation.
ٱذْهَب بِّكِتَٰبِى هَٰذَا فَأَلْقِهْ إِلَيْهِمْ ثُمَّ تَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا يَرْجِعُونَ
PickthallGo with this my letter and throw it down unto them; then turn away and see what (answer) they return,
Yusuf Ali"Go thou, with this letter of mine, and deliver it to them: then draw back from them, and (wait to) see what answer they return"...
The agreed readingTake this letter of mine and deliver it to them, then withdraw, staying near enough to see what answer they give one another.
قَالَتْ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟ إِنِّىٓ أُلْقِىَ إِلَىَّ كِتَٰبٌ كَرِيمٌ
Pickthall(The Queen of Sheba) said (when she received the letter): O chieftains! Lo! there hath been thrown unto me a noble letter.
Yusuf Ali(The queen) said: "Ye chiefs! here is delivered to me - a letter worthy of respect.
The agreed readingShe said to the leading men of her people: chiefs, a letter has been delivered to me, and it is a noble one. She calls it noble before she has read out a word of what it says.
إِنَّهُۥ مِن سُلَيْمَٰنَ وَإِنَّهُۥ بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
PickthallLo! it is from Solomon, and lo! it is: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful;
Yusuf Ali"It is from Solomon, and is (as follows): 'In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful:
The agreed readingIt is from Solomon, and what it contains is this: In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
أَلَّا تَعْلُوا۟ عَلَىَّ وَأْتُونِى مُسْلِمِينَ
PickthallExalt not yourselves against me, but come unto me as those who surrender.
Yusuf Ali"'Be ye not arrogant against me, but come to me in submission (to the true Religion).'"
The agreed readingDo not set yourselves above me, but come to me in submission. The letter is short, and its whole weight lies in three things: it opens in God's name, it forbids pride, and it calls them to submit.
قَالَتْ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟ أَفْتُونِى فِىٓ أَمْرِى مَا كُنتُ قَاطِعَةً أَمْرًا حَتَّىٰ تَشْهَدُونِ
PickthallShe said: O chieftains! Pronounce for me in my case. I decide no case till ye are present with me.
Yusuf AliShe said: "Ye chiefs! advise me in (this) my affair: no affair have I decided except in your presence."
The agreed readingShe said: chiefs, give me your counsel in this matter of mine. I settle nothing until you are present with me. She put it to them as one seeking their goodwill as much as their advice.
قَالُوا۟ نَحْنُ أُو۟لُوا۟ قُوَّةٍ وَأُو۟لُوا۟ بَأْسٍ شَدِيدٍ وَٱلْأَمْرُ إِلَيْكِ فَٱنظُرِى مَاذَا تَأْمُرِينَ
PickthallThey said: We are lords of might and lords of great prowess, but it is for thee to command; so consider what thou wilt command.
Yusuf AliThey said: "We are endued with strength, and given to vehement war: but the command is with thee; so consider what thou wilt command."
The agreed readingThey said: we are men of strength and hard fighters in war, but the decision is yours. Consider what you will command, and we will obey.
قَالَتْ إِنَّ ٱلْمُلُوكَ إِذَا دَخَلُوا۟ قَرْيَةً أَفْسَدُوهَا وَجَعَلُوٓا۟ أَعِزَّةَ أَهْلِهَآ أَذِلَّةً وَكَذَٰلِكَ يَفْعَلُونَ
PickthallShe said: Lo! kings, when they enter a township, ruin it and make the honour of its people shame. Thus will they do.
Yusuf AliShe said: "Kings, when they enter a country, despoil it, and make the noblest of its people its meanest thus do they behave.
The agreed readingShe said: when kings enter a town they ruin it, plundering its wealth and pulling down its houses, and they bring the honoured of its people low by humiliation and captivity. That is what such kings do.
وَإِنِّى مُرْسِلَةٌ إِلَيْهِم بِهَدِيَّةٍ فَنَاظِرَةٌۢ بِمَ يَرْجِعُ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
PickthallBut lo! I am going to send a present unto them, and to see with what (answer) the messengers return.
Yusuf Ali"But I am going to send him a present, and (wait) to see with what (answer) return (my) ambassadors."
The agreed readingI am sending them a gift, and I will see what the envoys bring back. The answer will settle the question: a king would take the gift, and one sent by God would not.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ سُلَيْمَٰنَ قَالَ أَتُمِدُّونَنِ بِمَالٍ فَمَآ ءَاتَىٰنِۦَ ٱللَّهُ خَيْرٌ مِّمَّآ ءَاتَىٰكُم بَلْ أَنتُم بِهَدِيَّتِكُمْ تَفْرَحُونَ
PickthallSo when (the envoy) came unto Solomon, (the King) said: What! Would ye help me with wealth? But that which Allah hath given me is better than that which He hath given you. Nay it is ye (and not I) who exult in your gift.
Yusuf AliNow when (the embassy) came to Solomon, he said: "Will ye give me abundance in wealth? But that which Allah has given me is better than that which He has given you! Nay it is ye who rejoice in your gift!
The agreed readingWhen the envoy reached Solomon with the gift he said: are you offering me wealth? What God has given me, prophethood and a kingdom, is better than what He has given you. It is you who take delight in a gift like this, not I.
ٱرْجِعْ إِلَيْهِمْ فَلَنَأْتِيَنَّهُم بِجُنُودٍ لَّا قِبَلَ لَهُم بِهَا وَلَنُخْرِجَنَّهُم مِّنْهَآ أَذِلَّةً وَهُمْ صَٰغِرُونَ
PickthallReturn unto them. We verily shall come unto them with hosts that they cannot resist, and we shall drive them out from thence with shame, and they will be abased.
Yusuf Ali"Go back to them, and be sure we shall come to them with such hosts as they will never be able to meet: We shall expel them from there in disgrace, and they will feel humbled (indeed)."
The agreed readingGo back to them with what you brought. We shall come against them with armies they have no power to face, and drive them out of their land stripped of the honour they lived in, and brought low.
قَالَ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلْمَلَؤُا۟ أَيُّكُمْ يَأْتِينِى بِعَرْشِهَا قَبْلَ أَن يَأْتُونِى مُسْلِمِينَ
PickthallHe said: O chiefs! Which of you will bring me her throne before they come unto me, surrendering?
Yusuf AliHe said (to his own men): "Ye chiefs! which of you can bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?"
The agreed readingSolomon said: chiefs, which of you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission? Once they arrived submitting, the throne would no longer be his to take.
قَالَ عِفْرِيتٌ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن تَقُومَ مِن مَّقَامِكَ وَإِنِّى عَلَيْهِ لَقَوِىٌّ أَمِينٌ
PickthallA stalwart of the jinn said: I will bring it thee before thou canst rise from thy place. Lo! I verily am strong and trusty for such work.
Yusuf AliSaid an 'Ifrit, of the Jinns: "I will bring it to thee before thou rise from thy council: indeed I have full strength for the purpose, and may be trusted."
The agreed readingA powerful one of the jinn said: I will bring it to you before you rise from the place where you sit to give judgement, which lasted from the morning until midday. I am strong enough to carry it and trustworthy enough to take nothing from it and exchange nothing in it.
قَالَ ٱلَّذِى عِندَهُۥ عِلْمٌ مِّنَ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ أَنَا۠ ءَاتِيكَ بِهِۦ قَبْلَ أَن يَرْتَدَّ إِلَيْكَ طَرْفُكَ فَلَمَّا رَءَاهُ مُسْتَقِرًّا عِندَهُۥ قَالَ هَٰذَا مِن فَضْلِ رَبِّى لِيَبْلُوَنِىٓ ءَأَشْكُرُ أَمْ أَكْفُرُ وَمَن شَكَرَ فَإِنَّمَا يَشْكُرُ لِنَفْسِهِۦ وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ رَبِّى غَنِىٌّ كَرِيمٌ
PickthallOne with whom was knowledge of the Scripture said: I will bring it thee before thy gaze returneth unto thee. And when he saw it set in his presence, (Solomon) said: This is of the bounty of my Lord, that He may try me whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whosoever giveth thanks he only giveth thanks for (the good of) his own soul; and whosoever is ungrateful (is ungrateful only to his own soul's hurt). For lo! my Lord is Absolute in independence, Bountiful.
Yusuf AliSaid one who had knowledge of the Book: "I will bring it to thee within the twinkling of an eye!" Then when (Solomon) saw it placed firmly before him, he said: "This is by the Grace of my Lord!- to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! and if any is grateful, truly his gratitude is (a gain) for his own soul; but if any is ungrateful, truly my Lord is Free of all Needs, Supreme in Honour!"
The agreed readingOne who had knowledge of the Book said: I will bring it to you before your glance returns to you. Both traditions name him Asaf son of Barkhiya, who knew the greatest name of God, which is answered when it is called upon. When Solomon saw the throne settled before him he said: this is of my Lord's bounty, testing whether I give thanks or am ungrateful. Whoever gives thanks does so for his own soul, and whoever is ungrateful takes nothing from God, who is Rich and Generous.
قَالَ نَكِّرُوا۟ لَهَا عَرْشَهَا نَنظُرْ أَتَهْتَدِىٓ أَمْ تَكُونُ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يَهْتَدُونَ
PickthallHe said: Disguise her throne for her that we may see whether she will go aright or be of those not rightly guided.
Yusuf AliHe said: "Transform her throne out of all recognition by her: let us see whether she is guided (to the truth) or is one of those who receive no guidance."
The agreed readingSolomon said: alter her throne so that she will not know it at once. We shall see whether she recognises it, or is one of those who are not guided. The test is of her mind and of her readiness to see what stands in front of her.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَتْ قِيلَ أَهَٰكَذَا عَرْشُكِ قَالَتْ كَأَنَّهُۥ هُوَ وَأُوتِينَا ٱلْعِلْمَ مِن قَبْلِهَا وَكُنَّا مُسْلِمِينَ
PickthallSo, when she came, it was said (unto her): Is thy throne like this? She said: (It is) as though it were the very one. And (Solomon said): We were given the knowledge before her and we had surrendered (to Allah).
Yusuf AliSo when she arrived, she was asked, "Is this thy throne?" She said, "It was just like this; and knowledge was bestowed on us in advance of this, and we have submitted to Allah (in Islam)."
The agreed readingWhen she came it was said to her: is your throne like this? She said: it is as though it were the very one. She knew it, and answered with the same ambiguity that had been used on her, not saying outright that it was hers because it might have been one made like it. The commentaries read that answer as a mark of the completeness of her mind. And we were given the knowledge before her, and we were submitting to God.
وَصَدَّهَا مَا كَانَت تَّعْبُدُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِنَّهَا كَانَتْ مِن قَوْمٍ كَٰفِرِينَ
PickthallAnd (all) that she was wont to worship instead of Allah hindered her, for she came of disbelieving folk.
Yusuf AliAnd he diverted her from the worship of others besides Allah: for she was (sprung) of a people that had no faith.
The agreed readingWhat she had been worshipping instead of God had held her back, for her worship of the sun kept her from coming forward to submit. She came of a people who refuse.
قِيلَ لَهَا ٱدْخُلِى ٱلصَّرْحَ فَلَمَّا رَأَتْهُ حَسِبَتْهُ لُجَّةً وَكَشَفَتْ عَن سَاقَيْهَا قَالَ إِنَّهُۥ صَرْحٌ مُّمَرَّدٌ مِّن قَوَارِيرَ قَالَتْ رَبِّ إِنِّى ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِى وَأَسْلَمْتُ مَعَ سُلَيْمَٰنَ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
PickthallIt was said unto her: Enter the hall. And when she saw it she deemed it a pool and bared her legs. (Solomon) said: Lo! it is a hall, made smooth, of glass. She said: My Lord! Lo! I have wronged myself, and I surrender with Solomon unto Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
Yusuf AliShe was asked to enter the lofty Palace: but when she saw it, she thought it was a lake of water, and she (tucked up her skirts), uncovering her legs. He said: "This is but a palace paved smooth with slabs of glass." She said: "O my Lord! I have indeed wronged my soul: I do (now) submit (in Islam), with Solomon, to the Lord of the Worlds."
The agreed readingShe was told to enter the hall. Solomon had made its floor of clear white glass with water flowing under it and fish in the water. Seeing it she took it for a pool and uncovered her legs, and he told her it was a hall paved smooth with glass. At that she said: my Lord, I have wronged myself, and I submit with Solomon to God, the Lord of the worlds.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَىٰ ثَمُودَ أَخَاهُمْ صَٰلِحًا أَنِ ٱعْبُدُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ فَإِذَا هُمْ فَرِيقَانِ يَخْتَصِمُونَ
PickthallAnd We verily sent unto Thamud their brother Salih, saying: Worship Allah. And lo! they (then became two parties quarrelling.
Yusuf AliWe sent (aforetime), to the Thamud, their brother Salih, saying, "Serve Allah": But behold, they became two factions quarrelling with each other.
The agreed readingGod sent to Thamud their brother Salih, one of their own tribe, calling them to worship God alone. At once they became two parties in dispute over religion, one that believed him and one that refused.
قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ لِمَ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ قَبْلَ ٱلْحَسَنَةِ لَوْلَا تَسْتَغْفِرُونَ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
PickthallHe said: O my people! Why will ye hasten on the evil rather than the good? Why will ye not ask pardon of Allah, that ye may receive mercy.
Yusuf AliHe said: "O my people! why ask ye to hasten on the evil in preference to the good? If only ye ask Allah for forgiveness, ye may hope to receive mercy.
The agreed readingHe said: my people, why do you call for the harm to come before the good, asking for the punishment before the mercy? Why do you not ask God's forgiveness instead, so that you may be shown mercy?
قَالُوا۟ ٱطَّيَّرْنَا بِكَ وَبِمَن مَّعَكَ قَالَ طَٰٓئِرُكُمْ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ تُفْتَنُونَ
PickthallThey said: We augur evil of thee and those with thee. He said: Your evil augury is with Allah. Nay, but ye are folk that are being tested.
Yusuf AliThey said: "Ill omen do we augur from thee and those that are with thee". He said: "Your ill omen is with Allah; yea, ye are a people under trial."
The agreed readingThey said: we read you and those with you as a bad omen, for hardship had come upon them and they laid it at his door. He answered that whatever reaches them is with God and from Him. They are a people being put to trial, and the hardship is itself the trial.
وَكَانَ فِى ٱلْمَدِينَةِ تِسْعَةُ رَهْطٍ يُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُونَ
PickthallAnd there were in the city nine persons who made mischief in the land and reformed not.
Yusuf AliThere were in the city nine men of a family, who made mischief in the land, and would not reform.
The agreed readingIn the city of Thamud there were nine men whose work was to spread ruin in the land and never to put anything right. The commentaries name acts of disobedience among them, the clipping of coin among these.
قَالُوا۟ تَقَاسَمُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ لَنُبَيِّتَنَّهُۥ وَأَهْلَهُۥ ثُمَّ لَنَقُولَنَّ لِوَلِيِّهِۦ مَا شَهِدْنَا مَهْلِكَ أَهْلِهِۦ وَإِنَّا لَصَٰدِقُونَ
PickthallThey said: Swear one to another by Allah that we verily will attack him and his household by night, and afterward we will surely say unto his friend: We witnessed not the destruction of his household. And lo! we are truthtellers.
Yusuf AliThey said: "Swear a mutual oath by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his people, and that we shall then say to his heir (when he seeks vengeance): 'We were not present at the slaughter of his people, and we are positively telling the truth.'"
The agreed readingThey said to one another: swear together by God that we will fall upon Salih and his household by night, and then tell whoever comes to claim his blood that we did not witness his household destroyed, and that we are telling the truth.
وَمَكَرُوا۟ مَكْرًا وَمَكَرْنَا مَكْرًا وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
PickthallSo they plotted a plot: and We plotted a plot, while they perceived not.
Yusuf AliThey plotted and planned, but We too planned, even while they perceived it not.
The agreed readingThey laid a plot and God laid a plot, and they did not sense it. What is called God's plot is His repaying them in kind, bringing their punishment forward upon them.
فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ مَكْرِهِمْ أَنَّا دَمَّرْنَٰهُمْ وَقَوْمَهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
PickthallThen see the nature of the consequence of their plotting, for lo! We destroyed them and their people, every one.
Yusuf AliThen see what was the end of their plot!- this, that We destroyed them and their people, all (of them).
The agreed readingThen look at how their plot ended. God destroyed them, and their people with them, all together.
فَتِلْكَ بُيُوتُهُمْ خَاوِيَةًۢ بِمَا ظَلَمُوٓا۟ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
PickthallSee, yonder are their dwellings empty and in ruins because they did wrong. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for a people who have knowledge.
Yusuf AliNow such were their houses, - in utter ruin, - because they practised wrong-doing. Verily in this is a Sign for people of knowledge.
The agreed readingThose are their houses, standing empty and fallen in, and it came upon them because of the wrong they did. In that there is a sign for a people who know, and who take the warning from it.
وَأَنجَيْنَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَكَانُوا۟ يَتَّقُونَ
PickthallAnd we saved those who believed and used to ward off (evil).
Yusuf AliAnd We saved those who believed and practised righteousness.
The agreed readingAnd God saved those who believed in Salih and who guarded themselves, keeping clear of setting up partners with God.
وَلُوطًا إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِۦٓ أَتَأْتُونَ ٱلْفَٰحِشَةَ وَأَنتُمْ تُبْصِرُونَ
PickthallAnd Lot! when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination knowingly?
Yusuf Ali(We also sent) Lut (as a messenger): behold, He said to his people, "Do ye do what is shameful though ye see (its iniquity)?
The agreed readingAnd remember Lot, when he said to his people: do you commit this indecency with your eyes open, seeing one another and doing it openly in your gatherings?
أَئِنَّكُمْ لَتَأْتُونَ ٱلرِّجَالَ شَهْوَةً مِّن دُونِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ تَجْهَلُونَ
PickthallMust ye needs lust after men instead of women? Nay, but ye are folk who act senselessly.
Yusuf AliWould ye really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, ye are a people (grossly) ignorant!
The agreed readingDo you go to men in desire instead of to women? You are a people settled in ignorance, so settled in it that being rebuked will not turn you back.
فَمَا كَانَ جَوَابَ قَوْمِهِۦٓ إِلَّآ أَن قَالُوٓا۟ أَخْرِجُوٓا۟ ءَالَ لُوطٍ مِّن قَرْيَتِكُمْ إِنَّهُمْ أُنَاسٌ يَتَطَهَّرُونَ
PickthallBut the answer of his folk was naught save that they said: Expel the household of Lot from your township, for they (forsooth) are folk who would keep clean!
Yusuf AliBut his people gave no other answer but this: they said, "Drive out the followers of Lut from your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!"
The agreed readingHis people had no answer but to say: drive the household of Lot out of your town, they are people who keep themselves pure. They said it in mockery, making his household's freedom from the act the very reason to expel them.
فَأَنجَيْنَٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَهُۥ قَدَّرْنَٰهَا مِنَ ٱلْغَٰبِرِينَ
PickthallThen We saved him and his household save his wife; We destined her to be of those who stayed behind.
Yusuf AliBut We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged behind.
The agreed readingGod saved Lot and the people of his house, except his wife. She was decreed to be among those who stayed behind and remained in the punishment.
وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهِم مَّطَرًا فَسَآءَ مَطَرُ ٱلْمُنذَرِينَ
PickthallAnd We rained a rain upon them. Dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned.
Yusuf AliAnd We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)!
The agreed readingGod rained down upon them a rain of stones of baked clay, and it destroyed them. Evil was that rain, falling on a people who had already been warned.
قُلِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَسَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰ عِبَادِهِ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱصْطَفَىٰٓ ءَآللَّهُ خَيْرٌ أَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
PickthallSay (O Muhammad): Praise be to Allah, and peace be on His slaves whom He hath chosen! Is Allah best, or (all) that ye ascribe as partners (unto Him)?
Yusuf AliSay: Praise be to Allah, and Peace on his servants whom He has chosen (for his Message). (Who) is better?- Allah or the false gods they associate (with Him)?
The agreed readingSay: praise belongs to God, and peace be on His servants whom He has chosen. The praise is for how He dealt with those who refused among the communities that have passed. Then comes the question: is God better, or the things they set up beside Him?
أَمَّنْ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَأَنزَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَنۢبَتْنَا بِهِۦ حَدَآئِقَ ذَاتَ بَهْجَةٍ مَّا كَانَ لَكُمْ أَن تُنۢبِتُوا۟ شَجَرَهَآ أَءِلَٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ يَعْدِلُونَ
PickthallIs not He (best) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sendeth down for you water from the sky wherewith We cause to spring forth joyous orchards, whose trees it never hath been yours to cause to grow. Is there any Allah beside Allah? Nay, but they are folk who ascribe equals (unto Him)!
Yusuf AliOr, Who has created the heavens and the earth, and Who sends you down rain from the sky? Yea, with it We cause to grow well-planted orchards full of beauty of delight: it is not in your power to cause the growth of the trees in them. (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Nay, they are a people who swerve from justice.
The agreed readingOr who created the heavens and the earth and sent water down for you from the sky, and with it made walled gardens of beauty grow? It was never in your power to make their trees grow. The speech turns at that point from He to We, to fix the act on God alone. Is there a god beside God? No, but they are a people who set up equals to Him.
أَمَّن جَعَلَ ٱلْأَرْضَ قَرَارًا وَجَعَلَ خِلَٰلَهَآ أَنْهَٰرًا وَجَعَلَ لَهَا رَوَٰسِىَ وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ حَاجِزًا أَءِلَٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ بَلْ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
PickthallIs not He (best) Who made the earth a fixed abode, and placed rivers in the folds thereof, and placed firm hills therein, and hath set a barrier between the two seas? Is there any Allah beside Allah? Nay, but most of them know not!
Yusuf AliOr, Who has made the earth firm to live in; made rivers in its midst; set thereon mountains immovable; and made a separating bar between the two bodies of flowing water? (can there be another) god besides Allah? Nay, most of them know not.
The agreed readingOr who made the earth a place of settled rest, so that it does not sway under those who live on it, ran rivers through it, set firm mountains upon it, and placed a barrier between the two seas? Is there a god beside God? No, but most of them do not know, and so they set up partners with Him.
أَمَّن يُجِيبُ ٱلْمُضْطَرَّ إِذَا دَعَاهُ وَيَكْشِفُ ٱلسُّوٓءَ وَيَجْعَلُكُمْ خُلَفَآءَ ٱلْأَرْضِ أَءِلَٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَذَكَّرُونَ
PickthallIs not He (best) Who answereth the wronged one when he crieth unto Him and removeth the evil, and hath made you viceroys of the earth? Is there any Allah beside Allah? Little do they reflect!
Yusuf AliOr, Who listens to the (soul) distressed when it calls on Him, and Who relieves its suffering, and makes you (mankind) inheritors of the earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Little it is that ye heed!
The agreed readingOr who answers the one in distress when he calls on Him, whose hardship has driven him to take refuge with God, and lifts the harm away, and makes you successors in the land after those who went before? Is there a god beside God? Little do they take it to heart.
أَمَّن يَهْدِيكُمْ فِى ظُلُمَٰتِ ٱلْبَرِّ وَٱلْبَحْرِ وَمَن يُرْسِلُ ٱلرِّيَٰحَ بُشْرًۢا بَيْنَ يَدَىْ رَحْمَتِهِۦٓ أَءِلَٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ تَعَٰلَى ٱللَّهُ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
PickthallIs not He (best) Who guideth you in the darkness of the land and the sea, He Who sendeth the winds as heralds of His mercy? Is there any Allah beside Allah? High Exalted be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him)!
Yusuf AliOr, Who guides you through the depths of darkness on land and sea, and Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy? (Can there be another) god besides Allah?- High is Allah above what they associate with Him!
The agreed readingOr who guides you through the darkness of land and sea, by the stars at night and by the marks of the land by day, and who sends the winds as good news ahead of His mercy? Is there a god beside God? God is far above the partners they set up with Him.
أَمَّن يَبْدَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَلْقَ ثُمَّ يُعِيدُهُۥ وَمَن يَرْزُقُكُم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ أَءِلَٰهٌ مَّعَ ٱللَّهِ قُلْ هَاتُوا۟ بُرْهَٰنَكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ
PickthallIs not He (best) Who produceth creation, then reproduceth it, and Who provideth for you from the heaven and the earth? Is there any Allah beside Allah? Say: Bring your proof, if ye are truthful!
Yusuf AliOr, Who originates creation, then repeats it, and who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Say, "Bring forth your argument, if ye are telling the truth!"
The agreed readingOr who begins the creation, in the womb from a drop, and then repeats it after death, and who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Is there a god beside God? Say: bring your proof, if what you say is true.
قُل لَّا يَعْلَمُ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْغَيْبَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ أَيَّانَ يُبْعَثُونَ
PickthallSay (O Muhammad): None in the heavens and the earth knoweth the Unseen save Allah; and they know not when they will be raised (again).
Yusuf AliSay: None in the heavens or on earth, except Allah, knows what is hidden: nor can they perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment).
The agreed readingSay: no one in the heavens or the earth knows the unseen except God, neither the angels nor people. The exception is absolute, and they do not even perceive when they will be raised.
بَلِ ٱدَّٰرَكَ عِلْمُهُمْ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ بَلْ هُمْ فِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهَا بَلْ هُم مِّنْهَا عَمُونَ
PickthallNay, but doth their knowledge reach to the Hereafter? Nay, for they are in doubt concerning it. Nay, for they cannot see it.
Yusuf AliStill less can their knowledge comprehend the Hereafter: Nay, they are in doubt and uncertainty thereanent; nay, they are blind thereunto!
The agreed readingTheir knowledge has run out where the life to come is concerned. More than that, they are in doubt about it. More than that again, they are blind to it altogether. Each statement takes back the one before it and says something worse.
وَقَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا كُنَّا تُرَٰبًا وَءَابَآؤُنَآ أَئِنَّا لَمُخْرَجُونَ
PickthallYet those who disbelieve say: When we have become dust like our fathers, shall we verily be brought forth (again)?
Yusuf AliThe Unbelievers say: "What! when we become dust,- we and our fathers,- shall we really be raised (from the dead)?
The agreed readingThose who refuse say: when we and our fathers have become dust, are we really to be brought out of the graves? The question is put twice over in the Arabic, pressing the denial as hard as it can be pressed.
لَقَدْ وُعِدْنَا هَٰذَا نَحْنُ وَءَابَآؤُنَا مِن قَبْلُ إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّآ أَسَٰطِيرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
PickthallWe were promised this, forsooth, we and our fathers. (All) this is naught but fables of the men of old.
Yusuf Ali"It is true we were promised this,- we and our fathers before (us): these are nothing but tales of the ancients."
The agreed readingThis was promised to us and to our fathers before us, they said, and nothing has come of it. It is nothing but the tales of the ancients, things written down long ago and untrue.
قُلْ سِيرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱنظُرُوا۟ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
PickthallSay (unto them, O Muhammad): Travel in the land and see the nature of the sequel for the guilty!
Yusuf AliSay: "Go ye through the earth and see what has been the end of those guilty (of sin)."
The agreed readingSay: travel through the land and see how the guilty ended. Their ruins are still standing, and they are the answer to the question these people are asking.
وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا تَكُن فِى ضَيْقٍ مِّمَّا يَمْكُرُونَ
PickthallAnd grieve thou not for them, nor be in distress because of what they plot (against thee).
Yusuf AliBut grieve not over them, nor distress thyself because of their plots.
The agreed readingDo not grieve over them, and do not let what they plot press upon your heart. This is said to settle the Prophet: their scheming against him is not his to carry, because God will protect him from them.
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ
PickthallAnd they say: When (will) this promise (be fulfilled), if ye are truthful?
Yusuf AliThey also say: "When will this promise (come to pass)? (Say) if ye are truthful."
The agreed readingAnd they say: when will this promise come, if you are telling the truth? They ask for the date as though not having one settled the matter.
قُلْ عَسَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ رَدِفَ لَكُم بَعْضُ ٱلَّذِى تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ
PickthallSay: It may be that a part of that which ye would hasten on is close behind you.
Yusuf AliSay: "It may be that some of the events which ye wish to hasten on may be (close) in your pursuit!"
The agreed readingSay: it may be that some of what you are trying to hurry along is already close behind you. Part of it, the commentaries say, reached them in this life, and the rest waits for them after death.
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَذُو فَضْلٍ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَشْكُرُونَ
PickthallLo! thy Lord is full of bounty for mankind, but most of them do not give thanks.
Yusuf AliBut verily thy Lord is full of grace to mankind: Yet most of them are ungrateful.
The agreed readingYour Lord is full of bounty towards people, and part of that bounty is the very delay they are complaining of. Most of them give no thanks: not knowing what the favour is worth, they press instead for it to end.
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَيَعْلَمُ مَا تُكِنُّ صُدُورُهُمْ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ
PickthallLo! thy Lord knoweth surely all that their bosoms hide, and all that they proclaim.
Yusuf AliAnd verily thy Lord knoweth all that their hearts do hide. As well as all that they reveal.
The agreed readingAnd your Lord knows what their breasts keep hidden and what they say aloud with their tongues. Nothing stands between the two for Him: He knows both alike.
وَمَا مِنْ غَآئِبَةٍ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا فِى كِتَٰبٍ مُّبِينٍ
PickthallAnd there is nothing hidden in the heaven or the earth but it is in a clear Record.
Yusuf AliNor is there aught of the unseen, in heaven or earth, but is (recorded) in a clear record.
The agreed readingThere is nothing hidden away in the heavens or the earth, however far out of the reach of people, that is not in a clear Book.
إِنَّ هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ يَقُصُّ عَلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَكْثَرَ ٱلَّذِى هُمْ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
PickthallLo! this Qur'an narrateth unto the Children of Israel most of that concerning which they differ.
Yusuf AliVerily this Qur'an doth explain to the Children of Israel most of the matters in which they disagree.
The agreed readingThis Qur'an sets out for the Children of Israel most of what they are divided about, stating each thing as it actually is. Among those divisions the commentaries name what is said of Jesus, and the accounts given of the Garden and the Fire.
وَإِنَّهُۥ لَهُدًى وَرَحْمَةٌ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
PickthallAnd lo! it is a guidance and a mercy for believers.
Yusuf AliAnd it certainly is a Guide and a Mercy to those who believe.
The agreed readingAnd it is guidance and mercy for those who believe: guidance away from going astray, and mercy that spares them the punishment.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَقْضِى بَيْنَهُم بِحُكْمِهِۦ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
PickthallLo! thy Lord will judge between them of His wisdom, and He is the Mighty, the Wise.
Yusuf AliVerily thy Lord will decide between them by His Decree: and He is Exalted in Might, All-Knowing.
The agreed readingYour Lord will decide between them by His own judgement, which is His justice, on the Day of Rising. He is the Mighty, who prevails, and the Knowing, who knows exactly what He decides by, so that no ruling of His can be resisted.
فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ إِنَّكَ عَلَى ٱلْحَقِّ ٱلْمُبِينِ
PickthallTherefor (O Muhammad) put thy trust in Allah, for thou (standest) on the plain Truth.
Yusuf AliSo put thy trust in Allah: for thou art on (the path of) manifest Truth.
The agreed readingSo put your trust in God. You stand on the plain truth, and the outcome belongs to you. What follows sets those who turn away beside the dead, the deaf and the blind.
إِنَّكَ لَا تُسْمِعُ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَلَا تُسْمِعُ ٱلصُّمَّ ٱلدُّعَآءَ إِذَا وَلَّوْا۟ مُدْبِرِينَ
PickthallLo! thou canst not make the dead to hear, nor canst thou make the deaf to hear the call when they have turned to flee;
Yusuf AliTruly thou canst not cause the dead to listen, nor canst thou cause the deaf to hear the call, (especially) when they turn back in retreat.
The agreed readingYou cannot make the dead hear, nor make the deaf hear the call once they have turned their backs and gone. The hearing meant is not the hearing of the ear.
وَمَآ أَنتَ بِهَٰدِى ٱلْعُمْىِ عَن ضَلَٰلَتِهِمْ إِن تُسْمِعُ إِلَّا مَن يُؤْمِنُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا فَهُم مُّسْلِمُونَ
PickthallNor canst thou lead the blind out of their error. Thou canst make none to hear, save those who believe Our revelations and who have surrendered.
Yusuf AliNor canst thou be a guide to the blind, (to prevent them) from straying: only those wilt thou get to listen who believe in Our Signs, and they will bow in Islam.
The agreed readingNor can you lead the blind out of the straying they are in. The only ones you make hear, with the hearing that understands and accepts, are those who believe in God's signs, and they are the ones submitting to what they are told.
وَإِذَا وَقَعَ ٱلْقَوْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ أَخْرَجْنَا لَهُمْ دَآبَّةً مِّنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ تُكَلِّمُهُمْ أَنَّ ٱلنَّاسَ كَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا لَا يُوقِنُونَ
PickthallAnd when the word is fulfilled concerning them, We shall bring forth a beast of the earth to speak unto them because mankind had not faith in Our revelations.
Yusuf AliAnd when the Word is fulfilled against them (the unjust), we shall produce from the earth a beast to (face) them: He will speak to them, for that mankind did not believe with assurance in Our Signs.
The agreed readingWhen the word falls due against them, God will bring out for them a creature from the earth that speaks to them, because people had no certainty about God's signs. Both traditions count it among the signs that come before the Hour.
وَيَوْمَ نَحْشُرُ مِن كُلِّ أُمَّةٍ فَوْجًا مِّمَّن يُكَذِّبُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا فَهُمْ يُوزَعُونَ
PickthallAnd (remind them of) the Day when We shall gather out of every nation a host of those who denied Our revelations, and they will be set in array;
Yusuf AliOne day We shall gather together from every people a troop of those who reject our Signs, and they shall be kept in ranks,-
The agreed readingAnd on the Day when God gathers from every community a company of those who called His signs lies, they will be held in their ranks, the last of them brought up to the first, and then driven forward.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا جَآءُو قَالَ أَكَذَّبْتُم بِـَٔايَٰتِى وَلَمْ تُحِيطُوا۟ بِهَا عِلْمًا أَمَّاذَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
PickthallTill, when they come (before their Lord), He will say: Did ye deny My revelations when ye could not compass them in knowledge, or what was it that ye did?
Yusuf AliUntil, when they come (before the Judgment-seat), (Allah) will say: "Did ye reject My Signs, though ye comprehended them not in knowledge, or what was it ye did?"
The agreed readingUntil, when they arrive at the place of reckoning, He says: did you call My signs lies without ever taking in what they were? Or what was it that you were doing? The charge is that they rejected before they understood.
وَوَقَعَ ٱلْقَوْلُ عَلَيْهِم بِمَا ظَلَمُوا۟ فَهُمْ لَا يَنطِقُونَ
PickthallAnd the Word will be fulfilled concerning them because they have done wrong, and they will not speak.
Yusuf AliAnd the Word will be fulfilled against them, because of their wrong-doing, and they will be unable to speak (in plea).
The agreed readingThe word falls due against them for the wrong they did, and they do not speak, not because they are silenced by force but because they have no argument left to make.
أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا جَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ لِيَسْكُنُوا۟ فِيهِ وَٱلنَّهَارَ مُبْصِرًا إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ
PickthallHave they not seen how We have appointed the night that they may rest therein, and the day sight-giving? Lo! therein verily are portents for a people who believe.
Yusuf AliSee they not that We have made the Night for them to rest in and the Day to give them light? Verily in this are Signs for any people that believe!
The agreed readingHave they not seen that God made the night for them to rest in and the day a thing to see by, so that they may go about their work in it? In that there are signs for a people who believe.
وَيَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَفَزِعَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ وَكُلٌّ أَتَوْهُ دَٰخِرِينَ
PickthallAnd (remind them of) the Day when the Trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the heavens and the earth will start in fear, save him whom Allah willeth. And all come unto Him, humbled.
Yusuf AliAnd the Day that the Trumpet will be sounded - then will be smitten with terror those who are in the heavens, and those who are on earth, except such as Allah will please (to exempt): and all shall come to His (Presence) as beings conscious of their lowliness.
The agreed readingAnd on the Day when the Trumpet is blown, everyone in the heavens and the earth will be struck with a terror that carries them past bearing, except those God exempts. The commentaries name Israfil as the one who blows it. All of them come to God brought low.
وَتَرَى ٱلْجِبَالَ تَحْسَبُهَا جَامِدَةً وَهِىَ تَمُرُّ مَرَّ ٱلسَّحَابِ صُنْعَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَتْقَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ إِنَّهُۥ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَفْعَلُونَ
PickthallAnd thou seest the hills thou deemest solid flying with the flight of clouds: the doing of Allah Who perfecteth all things. Lo! He is Informed of what ye do.
Yusuf AliThou seest the mountains and thinkest them firmly fixed: but they shall pass away as the clouds pass away: (such is) the artistry of Allah, who disposes of all things in perfect order: for he is well acquainted with all that ye do.
The agreed readingYou see the mountains and take them to be standing still, because of their size, while they are passing by like clouds. That is the doing of God, who has made everything He made complete. He is aware of what you do.
مَن جَآءَ بِٱلْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُۥ خَيْرٌ مِّنْهَا وَهُم مِّن فَزَعٍ يَوْمَئِذٍ ءَامِنُونَ
PickthallWhoso bringeth a good deed will have better than its worth; and such are safe from fear that Day.
Yusuf AliIf any do good, good will (accrue) to them therefrom; and they will be secure from terror that Day.
The agreed readingWhoever comes with the good deed will have what is better than it, and such people are safe from the terror of that Day. The commentaries take the good deed here to be the word that there is no god but God.
وَمَن جَآءَ بِٱلسَّيِّئَةِ فَكُبَّتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ فِى ٱلنَّارِ هَلْ تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
PickthallAnd whoso bringeth an ill-deed, such will be flung down on their faces in the Fire. Are ye rewarded aught save what ye did?
Yusuf AliAnd if any do evil, their faces will be thrown headlong into the Fire: "Do ye receive a reward other than that which ye have earned by your deeds?"
The agreed readingAnd whoever comes with the evil deed will be flung down on his face into the Fire. The commentaries take the evil deed here to be setting up partners with God. The face is named because it is the seat of a person's honour. Are you repaid for anything but what you did?
إِنَّمَآ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَعْبُدَ رَبَّ هَٰذِهِ ٱلْبَلْدَةِ ٱلَّذِى حَرَّمَهَا وَلَهُۥ كُلُّ شَىْءٍ وَأُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
Pickthall(Say): I (Muhammad) am commanded only to serve the Lord of this land which He hath hallowed, and unto Whom all things belong. And I am commanded to be of those who surrender (unto Him),
Yusuf AliFor me, I have been commanded to serve the Lord of this city, Him Who has sanctified it and to Whom (belong) all things: and I am commanded to be of those who bow in Islam to Allah's Will,-
The agreed readingI have been commanded only to worship the Lord of this town, Mecca, which He made inviolable, so that no blood is shed in it, no one is wronged in it, and its game is not hunted. And everything belongs to Him. And I am commanded to be one of those who submit.
وَأَنْ أَتْلُوَا۟ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ فَمَنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَقُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُنذِرِينَ
PickthallAnd to recite the Qur'an. And whoso goeth right, goeth right only for (the good of) his own soul; and as for him who goeth astray - (Unto him) say: Lo! I am only a warner.
Yusuf AliAnd to rehearse the Qur'an: and if any accept guidance, they do it for the good of their own souls, and if any stray, say: "I am only a Warner".
The agreed readingAnd I am commanded to recite the Qur'an, reciting it as a call to faith. Whoever takes the guidance takes it for his own soul, and to whoever goes astray, say: I am only a warner.
وَقُلِ ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ سَيُرِيكُمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ فَتَعْرِفُونَهَا وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِغَٰفِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
PickthallAnd say: Praise be to Allah Who will show you His portents so that ye shall know them. And thy Lord is not unaware of what ye (mortals) do.
Yusuf AliAnd say: "Praise be to Allah, Who will soon show you His Signs, so that ye shall know them"; and thy Lord is not unmindful of all that ye do.
The agreed readingAnd say: praise belongs to God. He will show you His signs and you will recognise them for what they are. And your Lord is not unaware of anything you do.