Surah 37 of 114 · Makki · 182 ayat
As-Saffat الصافات
Those who set the Ranks
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ وَٱلصَّٰٓفَّٰتِ صَفًّا
PickthallBy those who set the ranks in battle order
Yusuf AliBy those who range themselves in ranks,
The agreed readingAn oath by those drawn up in ranks - the commentaries take them as the angels, ranged row upon row in worship and in obedience.
فَٱلزَّٰجِرَٰتِ زَجْرًا
PickthallAnd those who drive away (the wicked) with reproof
Yusuf AliAnd so are strong in repelling (evil),
The agreed readingAnd by those who drive on with a driving - the same ranks, urging forward what they are set over, as they drive the clouds.
فَٱلتَّٰلِيَٰتِ ذِكْرًا
PickthallAnd those who read (the Word) for a reminder,
Yusuf AliAnd thus proclaim the Message (of Allah)!
The agreed readingAnd by those who recite a reminder - reciting the word of God, which the commentaries take as the same ranks bearing and rehearsing His revelation.
إِنَّ إِلَٰهَكُمْ لَوَٰحِدٌ
PickthallLo! thy Lord is surely One;
Yusuf AliVerily, verily, your Allah is one!-
The agreed readingThe thing sworn to: your God is One - a single Lord, with no second beside Him, and the address falls on the people of Mecca.
رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَرَبُّ ٱلْمَشَٰرِقِ
PickthallLord of the heavens and of the earth and all that is between them, and Lord of the sun's risings.
Yusuf AliLord of the heavens and of the earth and all between them, and Lord of every point at the rising of the sun!
The agreed readingLord of the heavens and the earth and everything between them, and Lord of the places of sunrise - and so of every setting that answers them.
إِنَّا زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِزِينَةٍ ٱلْكَوَاكِبِ
PickthallLo! We have adorned the lowest heaven with an ornament, the planets;
Yusuf AliWe have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars,-
The agreed readingGod has adorned the nearest heaven with an ornament - the stars, whose light is set across it.
وَحِفْظًا مِّن كُلِّ شَيْطَٰنٍ مَّارِدٍ
PickthallWith security from every froward devil.
Yusuf Ali(For beauty) and for guard against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits,
The agreed readingAnd guarded it against every rebellious satan - one that has broken out of obedience.
لَّا يَسَّمَّعُونَ إِلَى ٱلْمَلَإِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ وَيُقْذَفُونَ مِن كُلِّ جَانِبٍ
PickthallThey cannot listen to the Highest Chiefs for they are pelted from every side,
Yusuf Ali(So) they should not strain their ears in the direction of the Exalted Assembly but be cast away from every side,
The agreed readingThey cannot listen in on the highest assembly, and they are pelted from every side.
دُحُورًا وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ وَاصِبٌ
PickthallOutcast, and theirs is a perpetual torment;
Yusuf AliRepulsed, for they are under a perpetual penalty,
The agreed readingDriven off and repelled; and beyond that, in the world to come, a punishment that does not let up.
إِلَّا مَنْ خَطِفَ ٱلْخَطْفَةَ فَأَتْبَعَهُۥ شِهَابٌ ثَاقِبٌ
PickthallSave him who snatcheth a fragment, and there pursueth him a piercing flame.
Yusuf AliExcept such as snatch away something by stealth, and they are pursued by a flaming fire, of piercing brightness.
The agreed readingExcept one who snatches a fragment away - and then a piercing flame pursues him.
فَٱسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَهُمْ أَشَدُّ خَلْقًا أَم مَّنْ خَلَقْنَآ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَٰهُم مِّن طِينٍ لَّازِبٍۭ
PickthallThen ask them (O Muhammad): Are they stronger as a creation, or those (others) whom we have created? Lo! We created them of plastic clay.
Yusuf AliJust ask their opinion: are they the more difficult to create, or the (other) beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay!
The agreed readingSo ask them: are they harder to create, or the rest of what God has created? He made them from sticky clay.
بَلْ عَجِبْتَ وَيَسْخَرُونَ
PickthallNay, but thou dost marvel when they mock
Yusuf AliTruly dost thou marvel, while they ridicule,
The agreed readingRather, you marvel at their denial - the address is to the Prophet - while they answer marvelling with mockery.
وَإِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ لَا يَذْكُرُونَ
PickthallAnd heed not when they are reminded,
Yusuf AliAnd, when they are admonished, pay no heed,-
The agreed readingAnd when they are reminded - warned and admonished by the Qur'an - they take no reminder from it and do not heed.
وَإِذَا رَأَوْا۟ ءَايَةً يَسْتَسْخِرُونَ
PickthallAnd seek to scoff when they behold a portent.
Yusuf AliAnd, when they see a Sign, turn it to mockery,
The agreed readingAnd when they see a sign they press it into a joke; the commentaries recall the splitting of the moon.
وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ
PickthallAnd they say: Lo! this is mere magic;
Yusuf AliAnd say, "This is nothing but evident sorcery!
The agreed readingAnd they say of what they have just seen: this is nothing but plain magic, its sorcery obvious.
أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ
PickthallWhen we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then, forsooth, be raised (again)?
Yusuf Ali"What! when we die, and become dust and bones, shall we (then) be raised up (again)
The agreed readingWhen we are dead and turned to dust and bones, are we really to be raised again? So the deniers put it, pressing the impossibility.
أَوَءَابَآؤُنَا ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ
PickthallAnd our forefathers?
Yusuf Ali"And also our fathers of old?"
The agreed readingAnd our forefathers, the men of old, long since gone to dust - are they to be raised as well?
قُلْ نَعَمْ وَأَنتُمْ دَٰخِرُونَ
PickthallSay (O Muhammad): Ye, in truth; and ye will be brought low.
Yusuf AliSay thou: "Yea, and ye shall then be humiliated (on account of your evil)."
The agreed readingSay: yes, you will be raised - and you will be brought low, humbled and small, on the day it happens.
فَإِنَّمَا هِىَ زَجْرَةٌ وَٰحِدَةٌ فَإِذَا هُمْ يَنظُرُونَ
PickthallThere is but one Shout, and lo! they behold,
Yusuf AliThen it will be a single (compelling) cry; and behold, they will begin to see!
The agreed readingIt is a single cry only, and at once they are looking on, seeing what is done with them.
وَقَالُوا۟ يَٰوَيْلَنَا هَٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلدِّينِ
PickthallAnd say: Ah, woe for us! This is the Day of Judgment.
Yusuf AliThey will say, "Ah! Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment!"
The agreed readingAnd they say: woe to us, this is the Day of Judgement - the day of reckoning and of being repaid.
هَٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلْفَصْلِ ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ
PickthallThis is the Day of Separation, which ye used to deny.
Yusuf Ali(A voice will say,) "This is the Day of Sorting Out, whose truth ye (once) denied!"
The agreed readingThis is the Day of Separation - the day the deniers were told of and denied - when the good and the evil are parted.
ٱحْشُرُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ وَأَزْوَٰجَهُمْ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْبُدُونَ
Pickthall(And it is said unto the angels): Assemble those who did wrong, together with their wives and what they used to worship
Yusuf Ali"Bring ye up", it shall be said, "The wrong-doers and their wives, and the things they worshipped-
The agreed readingThe command goes out: gather those who wronged themselves, and their companions, and what they used to serve
مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَٱهْدُوهُمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
PickthallInstead of Allah, and lead them to the path to hell;
Yusuf Ali"Besides Allah, and lead them to the Way to the (Fierce) Fire!
The agreed readingin place of God - the idols they served - and lead them along the road that goes to the Blaze.
وَقِفُوهُمْ إِنَّهُم مَّسْـُٔولُونَ
PickthallAnd stop them, for they must be questioned.
Yusuf Ali"But stop them, for they must be asked:
The agreed readingAnd halt them where they stand - they are to be questioned about everything they said and everything they did.
مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَنَاصَرُونَ
PickthallWhat aileth you that ye help not one another?
Yusuf Ali"'What is the matter with you that ye help not each other?'"
The agreed readingWhat is wrong with you, that you do not help one another today, as you did in the world?
بَلْ هُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ مُسْتَسْلِمُونَ
PickthallNay, but this day they make full submission.
Yusuf AliNay, but that day they shall submit (to Judgment);
The agreed readingNo - today they are wholly submissive, brought low and led, with none of yesterday's defiance left in them.
وَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ
PickthallAnd some of them draw near unto others, mutually questioning.
Yusuf AliAnd they will turn to one another, and question one another.
The agreed readingThen they turn on one another with questions - the commentaries read it as mutual blame and recrimination rather than enquiry.
قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَأْتُونَنَا عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ
PickthallThey say: Lo! ye used to come unto us, imposing, (swearing that ye spoke the truth).
Yusuf AliThey will say: "It was ye who used to come to us from the right hand (of power and authority)!"
The agreed readingThe followers say to those they followed: it was you who used to come at us from the right - from the side we trusted, cutting us off from the good.
قَالُوا۟ بَل لَّمْ تَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ
PickthallThey answer: Nay, but ye (yourselves) were not believers.
Yusuf AliThey will reply: "Nay, ye yourselves had no Faith!
The agreed readingThey answer: no, it was not us - you yourselves were never believers, and there was no faith in you for us to take away.
وَمَا كَانَ لَنَا عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَٰنٍۭ بَلْ كُنتُمْ قَوْمًا طَٰغِينَ
PickthallWe had no power over you, but ye were wayward folk.
Yusuf Ali"Nor had we any authority over you. Nay, it was ye who were a people in obstinate rebellion!
The agreed readingWe had no power over you to force your obedience; you were a people given to excess, gone astray as we were.
فَحَقَّ عَلَيْنَا قَوْلُ رَبِّنَآ إِنَّا لَذَآئِقُونَ
PickthallNow the Word of our Lord hath been fulfilled concerning us. Lo! we are about to taste (the doom).
Yusuf Ali"So now has been proved true, against us, the word of our Lord that we shall indeed (have to) taste (the punishment of our sins).
The agreed readingSo our Lord's word has proved true against all of us together: we are indeed going to taste the punishment.
فَأَغْوَيْنَٰكُمْ إِنَّا كُنَّا غَٰوِينَ
PickthallThus we misled you. Lo! we were (ourselves) astray.
Yusuf Ali"We led you astray: for truly we were ourselves astray."
The agreed readingWe led you astray, yes - because we ourselves were astray, and error was all we had to give.
فَإِنَّهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ فِى ٱلْعَذَابِ مُشْتَرِكُونَ
PickthallThen lo! this day they (both) are sharers in the doom.
Yusuf AliTruly, that Day, they will (all) share in the Penalty.
The agreed readingSo that Day they are partners in the punishment, as they were partners in the going astray.
إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَفْعَلُ بِٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
PickthallLo! thus deal We with the guilty.
Yusuf AliVerily that is how We shall deal with Sinners.
The agreed readingThat is how God deals with the guilty - the followed and the followers alike, since both shared in the crime.
إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوٓا۟ إِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
PickthallFor when it was said unto them, There is no Allah save Allah, they were scornful
Yusuf AliFor they, when they were told that there is no god except Allah, would puff themselves up with Pride,
The agreed readingWhen they were told there is no god but God, they grew proud and would not have it.
وَيَقُولُونَ أَئِنَّا لَتَارِكُوٓا۟ ءَالِهَتِنَا لِشَاعِرٍ مَّجْنُونٍۭ
PickthallAnd said: Shall we forsake our gods for a mad poet?
Yusuf AliAnd say: "What! shall we give up our gods for the sake of a Poet possessed?"
The agreed readingAnd said: are we to leave our gods for a possessed poet? - meaning the Prophet Muhammad.
بَلْ جَآءَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَصَدَّقَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
PickthallNay, but he brought the Truth, and he confirmed those sent (before him).
Yusuf AliNay! he has come with the (very) Truth, and he confirms (the Message of) the messengers (before him).
The agreed readingNo: he brought the truth, and confirmed the messengers who came before him, who brought that same word.
إِنَّكُمْ لَذَآئِقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَلِيمِ
PickthallLo! (now) verily ye taste the painful doom -
Yusuf AliYe shall indeed taste of the Grievous Penalty;-
The agreed readingYou are going to taste the painful punishment - the address now turned on them directly.
وَمَا تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
PickthallYe are requited naught save what ye did -
Yusuf AliBut it will be no more than the retribution of (the Evil) that ye have wrought;-
The agreed readingAnd you are repaid for nothing but what you were doing; the commentaries note there is no wrong in it, since it is your own work returned to you.
إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ
PickthallSave single-minded slaves of Allah;
Yusuf AliBut the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah,-
The agreed readingBut the servants of God, those made sincere and chosen - they are set apart from all of this.
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ رِزْقٌ مَّعْلُومٌ
PickthallFor them there is a known provision,
Yusuf AliFor them is a Sustenance determined,
The agreed readingFor them there is a provision known and appointed, waiting for them in the Garden - named, the commentaries say, and not left vague.
فَوَٰكِهُ وَهُم مُّكْرَمُونَ
PickthallFruits. And they will be honoured
Yusuf AliFruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity,
The agreed readingFruits - and they are the honoured ones, held in honour beyond the provision itself.
فِى جَنَّٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
PickthallIn the Gardens of delight,
Yusuf AliIn Gardens of Felicity,
The agreed readingIn the Gardens of delight - the standing name of the place their provision is set in.
عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مُّتَقَٰبِلِينَ
PickthallOn couches facing one another;
Yusuf AliFacing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):
The agreed readingOn couches, facing one another - so that none sees another's back, and the commentaries take the facing as the ease of good company.
يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِكَأْسٍ مِّن مَّعِينٍۭ
PickthallA cup from a gushing spring is brought round for them,
Yusuf AliRound will be passed to them a Cup from a clear-flowing fountain,
The agreed readingA cup is passed round among them, drawn from a spring that flows of itself, needing no drawing up.
بَيْضَآءَ لَذَّةٍ لِّلشَّٰرِبِينَ
PickthallWhite, delicious to the drinkers,
Yusuf AliCrystal-white, of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof),
The agreed readingWhite, a delight to those who drink - unlike the wine of this world, which the commentaries note is neither.
لَا فِيهَا غَوْلٌ وَلَا هُمْ عَنْهَا يُنزَفُونَ
PickthallWherein there is no headache nor are they made mad thereby.
Yusuf AliFree from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.
The agreed readingIn it there is nothing to unsettle the mind and no harm of the kind wine carries here, and they are not made drunk by it.
وَعِندَهُمْ قَٰصِرَٰتُ ٱلطَّرْفِ عِينٌ
PickthallAnd with them are those of modest gaze, with lovely eyes,
Yusuf AliAnd besides them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes (of wonder and beauty).
The agreed readingAnd with them are those of restrained glance, wide-eyed, who look to their companions and to no one else.
كَأَنَّهُنَّ بَيْضٌ مَّكْنُونٌ
Pickthall(Pure) as they were hidden eggs (of the ostrich).
Yusuf AliAs if they were (delicate) eggs closely guarded.
The agreed readingAs though they were eggs kept hidden - sheltered and untouched, the commentaries take the likeness as one of pure and guarded whiteness.
فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ
PickthallAnd some of them draw near unto others, mutually questioning.
Yusuf AliThen they will turn to one another and question one another.
The agreed readingThen they turn to one another with questions - here in the Garden, asking after what passed with them in the world.
قَالَ قَآئِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ إِنِّى كَانَ لِى قَرِينٌ
PickthallA speaker of them saith: Lo! I had a comrade
Yusuf AliOne of them will start the talk and say: "I had an intimate companion (on the earth),
The agreed readingOne of them speaks: I had a companion in the world, a man close to me who denied that any of this would come.
يَقُولُ أَءِنَّكَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُصَدِّقِينَ
PickthallWho used to say: Art thou in truth of those who put faith (in his words)?
Yusuf Ali"Who used to say, 'what! art thou amongst those who bear witness to the Truth (of the Message)?
The agreed readingWho used to say to me: are you really one of those who hold this true - who believe in being raised and repaid?
أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَدِينُونَ
PickthallCan we, when we are dead and have become mere dust and bones - can we (then) verily be brought to book?
Yusuf Ali"'When we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed receive rewards and punishments?'"
The agreed readingWhen we are dead and turned to dust and bones, are we really to be judged and repaid?
قَالَ هَلْ أَنتُم مُّطَّلِعُونَ
PickthallHe saith: Will ye look?
Yusuf Ali(A voice) said: "Would ye like to look down?"
The agreed readingHe says to those sitting with him: will you look down with me and see where he is now?
فَٱطَّلَعَ فَرَءَاهُ فِى سَوَآءِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
PickthallThen looketh he and seeth him in the depth of hell.
Yusuf AliHe looked down and saw him in the midst of the Fire.
The agreed readingSo he looks down, and sees him there in the very midst of the Blaze - the companion who had mocked him.
قَالَ تَٱللَّهِ إِن كِدتَّ لَتُرْدِينِ
PickthallHe saith: By Allah, thou verily didst all but cause my ruin,
Yusuf AliHe said: "By Allah! thou wast little short of bringing me to perdition!
The agreed readingHe says to him: by God, you very nearly ruined me and brought me down into the place where you now are.
وَلَوْلَا نِعْمَةُ رَبِّى لَكُنتُ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْضَرِينَ
PickthallAnd had it not been for the favour of my Lord, I too had been of those haled forth (to doom).
Yusuf Ali"Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I should certainly have been among those brought (there)!
The agreed readingAnd but for the favour of my Lord, who gave me faith, I would have been among those hauled up for punishment beside you.
أَفَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَيِّتِينَ
PickthallAre we then not to die
Yusuf Ali"Is it (the case) that we shall not die,
The agreed readingThen he turns back to his companions, marvelling at what he has been given: are we then not to die at all,
إِلَّا مَوْتَتَنَا ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ
PickthallSaving our former death, and are we not to be punished?
Yusuf Ali"Except our first death, and that we shall not be punished?"
The agreed readingexcept for our first death, and are we not to be punished? The commentaries read the question as delight, not doubt - a man telling over the mercy given him.
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
PickthallLo! this is the supreme triumph.
Yusuf AliVerily this is the supreme achievement!
The agreed readingThis, truly, is the supreme triumph - the winning that nothing after it can undo.
لِمِثْلِ هَٰذَا فَلْيَعْمَلِ ٱلْعَٰمِلُونَ
PickthallFor the like of this, then, let the workers work.
Yusuf AliFor the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive.
The agreed readingFor the like of this, then, let the workers work; the commentaries take it as spoken either to the people of the Garden or by them.
أَذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ نُّزُلًا أَمْ شَجَرَةُ ٱلزَّقُّومِ
PickthallIs this better as a welcome, or the tree of Zaqqum?
Yusuf AliIs that the better entertainment or the Tree of Zaqqum?
The agreed readingIs that a better welcome to come down to, or the tree of Zaqqum - the comparison set deliberately side by side.
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَٰهَا فِتْنَةً لِّلظَّٰلِمِينَ
PickthallLo! We have appointed it a torment for wrong-doers.
Yusuf AliFor We have truly made it (as) a trial for the wrong-doers.
The agreed readingGod has made that tree a trial for the wrongdoers - the deniers who scoffed that fire consumes trees rather than growing them.
إِنَّهَا شَجَرَةٌ تَخْرُجُ فِىٓ أَصْلِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
PickthallLo! it is a tree that springeth in the heart of hell.
Yusuf AliFor it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire:
The agreed readingIt is a tree that comes up from the very bottom of the Blaze, its branches rising through it.
طَلْعُهَا كَأَنَّهُۥ رُءُوسُ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِ
PickthallIts crop is as it were the heads of devils
Yusuf AliThe shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils:
The agreed readingIts fruit is as though it were the heads of devils - a likeness, the commentaries say, for something utterly repellent to look at.
فَإِنَّهُمْ لَـَٔاكِلُونَ مِنْهَا فَمَالِـُٔونَ مِنْهَا ٱلْبُطُونَ
PickthallAnd lo! they verily must eat thereof, and fill (their) bellies therewith.
Yusuf AliTruly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith.
The agreed readingAnd they eat from it, foul as it is, driven by hunger, and fill their bellies with it.
ثُمَّ إِنَّ لَهُمْ عَلَيْهَا لَشَوْبًا مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ
PickthallAnd afterward, lo! thereupon they have a drink of boiling water
Yusuf AliThen on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water.
The agreed readingThen on top of it they have a mixture of scalding water, which blends with what they have eaten.
ثُمَّ إِنَّ مَرْجِعَهُمْ لَإِلَى ٱلْجَحِيمِ
PickthallAnd afterward, lo! their return is surely unto hell.
Yusuf AliThen shall their return be to the (Blazing) Fire.
The agreed readingThen their return is to the Blaze - which tells you, the commentaries note, that the scalding water is met outside it.
إِنَّهُمْ أَلْفَوْا۟ ءَابَآءَهُمْ ضَآلِّينَ
PickthallThey indeed found their fathers astray,
Yusuf AliTruly they found their fathers on the wrong Path;
The agreed readingThey found their fathers astray, gone away from the truth and from the religion, and took that as reason enough.
فَهُمْ عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِمْ يُهْرَعُونَ
PickthallBut they make haste (to follow) in their footsteps.
Yusuf AliSo they (too) were rushed down on their footsteps!
The agreed readingand they are rushed along in their footsteps, hurried after them without stopping to think.
وَلَقَدْ ضَلَّ قَبْلَهُمْ أَكْثَرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
PickthallAnd verily most of the men of old went astray before them,
Yusuf AliAnd truly before them, many of the ancients went astray;-
The agreed readingAnd before them most of the men of old had gone astray - whole peoples, long since past.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا فِيهِم مُّنذِرِينَ
PickthallAnd verily We sent among them warners.
Yusuf AliBut We sent aforetime, among them, (messengers) to admonish them;-
The agreed readingAnd God had sent warners among them, messengers who put the danger plainly before them.
فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُنذَرِينَ
PickthallThen see the nature of the consequence for those warned,
Yusuf AliThen see what was the end of those who were admonished (but heeded not),-
The agreed readingSo look at what became of those who were warned and would not hear - their end was the punishment.
إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ
PickthallSave single-minded slaves of Allah.
Yusuf AliExcept the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah.
The agreed readingExcept the servants of God made sincere, who came through it; and they are the exception every time it is said.
وَلَقَدْ نَادَىٰنَا نُوحٌ فَلَنِعْمَ ٱلْمُجِيبُونَ
PickthallAnd Noah verily prayed unto Us, and gracious was the Hearer of his prayer
Yusuf Ali(In the days of old), Noah cried to Us, and We are the best to hear prayer.
The agreed readingNoah called out to God - and how excellent are those who answer: the commentaries gloss his call as 'Lord, I am overcome, so help me.'
وَنَجَّيْنَٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْكَرْبِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
PickthallAnd We saved him and his household from the great distress,
Yusuf AliAnd We delivered him and his people from the Great Calamity,
The agreed readingAnd God delivered him and his household from the great distress - from the drowning, and from what his people had been doing to him.
وَجَعَلْنَا ذُرِّيَّتَهُۥ هُمُ ٱلْبَاقِينَ
PickthallAnd made his seed the survivors,
Yusuf AliAnd made his progeny to endure (on this earth);
The agreed readingAnd made his offspring the ones who remained, so that the commentaries say all people since descend from him.
وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ
PickthallAnd left for him among the later folk (the salutation):
Yusuf AliAnd We left (this blessing) for him among generations to come in later times:
The agreed readingAnd left for him among those who came after a good remembrance that has not stopped being spoken.
سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰ نُوحٍ فِى ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
PickthallPeace be unto Noah among the peoples!
Yusuf Ali"Peace and salutation to Noah among the nations!"
The agreed readingPeace be upon Noah among all the worlds - a greeting the commentaries say was left standing for him for good.
إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
PickthallLo! thus do We reward the good.
Yusuf AliThus indeed do we reward those who do right.
The agreed readingThat is how God rewards those who do good - the same reward, the commentaries add, for every one of them.
إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
PickthallLo! he is one of Our believing slaves.
Yusuf AliFor he was one of our believing Servants.
The agreed readingHe was one of Our believing servants - and the commentaries note the praise this puts on faith itself, that it produced a Noah.
ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ
PickthallThen We did drown the others.
Yusuf AliThen the rest we overwhelmed in the Flood.
The agreed readingThen God drowned the others - the people of his own community who had refused him to the end.
وَإِنَّ مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ لَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ
PickthallAnd lo! of his persuasion verily was Abraham
Yusuf AliVerily among those who followed his Way was Abraham.
The agreed readingAnd among those who followed his way was Abraham, though long ages lay between the two men.
إِذْ جَآءَ رَبَّهُۥ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ
PickthallWhen he came unto his Lord with a whole heart;
Yusuf AliBehold! he approached his Lord with a sound heart.
The agreed readingWhen he came to his Lord with a sound heart - free of doubt, the commentaries say, and free of the love of this world.
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَاذَا تَعْبُدُونَ
PickthallWhen he said unto his father and his folk: What is it that ye worship?
Yusuf AliBehold! he said to his father and to his people, "What is that which ye worship?
The agreed readingWhen he said to his father and his people, reproaching them: what is this that you serve?
أَئِفْكًا ءَالِهَةً دُونَ ٱللَّهِ تُرِيدُونَ
PickthallIs it a falsehood - gods beside Allah - that ye desire?
Yusuf Ali"Is it a falsehood- gods other than Allah- that ye desire?
The agreed readingIs it a lie you want - gods besides God, set up beside the only One who is owed worship?
فَمَا ظَنُّكُم بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
PickthallWhat then is your opinion of the Lord of the Worlds?
Yusuf Ali"Then what is your idea about the Lord of the worlds?"
The agreed readingThen what do you suppose about the Lord of the Worlds - that He will leave you to it without account?
فَنَظَرَ نَظْرَةً فِى ٱلنُّجُومِ
PickthallAnd he glanced a glance at the stars
Yusuf AliThen did he cast a glance at the Stars.
The agreed readingAnd he cast a look at the stars, in the manner of the people around him who read them.
فَقَالَ إِنِّى سَقِيمٌ
PickthallThen said: Lo! I feel sick!
Yusuf AliAnd he said, "I am indeed sick (at heart)!"
The agreed readingAnd said: I am sick. The commentaries note his people were star-readers, so the look and the words let him stay behind as they went out.
فَتَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ مُدْبِرِينَ
PickthallAnd they turned their backs and went away from him.
Yusuf AliSo they turned away from him, and departed.
The agreed readingSo they turned their backs on him and went away, leaving him behind as they set out for their festival.
فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰٓ ءَالِهَتِهِمْ فَقَالَ أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ
PickthallThen turned he to their gods and said: Will ye not eat?
Yusuf AliThen did he turn to their gods and said, "will ye not eat (of the offerings before you)?...
The agreed readingThen he slipped off to their gods, where food had been set, and said in mockery: will you not eat?
مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَنطِقُونَ
PickthallWhat aileth you that ye speak not?
Yusuf Ali"What is the matter with you that ye speak not (intelligently)?"
The agreed readingWhat is wrong with you, that you do not speak? And no answer came back from any of them.
فَرَاغَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضَرْبًۢا بِٱلْيَمِينِ
PickthallThen he attacked them, striking with his right hand.
Yusuf AliThen did he turn upon them, striking (them) with the right hand.
The agreed readingThen he turned on them, striking with the right hand - with force - and broke them.
فَأَقْبَلُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ يَزِفُّونَ
PickthallAnd (his people) came toward him, hastening.
Yusuf AliThen came (the worshippers) with hurried steps, and faced (him).
The agreed readingAnd his people came at him, hurrying back from their festival when word of the broken idols reached them.
قَالَ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ
PickthallHe said: Worship ye that which ye yourselves do carve
Yusuf AliHe said: "Worship ye that which ye have (yourselves) carved?
The agreed readingHe said, reproaching them: do you serve what you carve yourselves, out of stone and the like?
وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
PickthallWhen Allah hath created you and what ye make?
Yusuf Ali"But Allah has created you and your handwork!"
The agreed readingwhen God created you and what you make? The commentaries press the point: the substance is His and the shaping is by His power.
قَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ لَهُۥ بُنْيَٰنًا فَأَلْقُوهُ فِى ٱلْجَحِيمِ
PickthallThey said: Build for him a building and fling him in the red-hotfire.
Yusuf AliThey said, "Build him a furnace, and throw him into the blazing fire!"
The agreed readingThey said: build him a structure, fill it with fuel, and fling him into the blaze.
فَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْأَسْفَلِينَ
PickthallAnd they designed a snare for him, but We made them the undermost.
Yusuf Ali(This failing), they then sought a stratagem against him, but We made them the ones most humiliated!
The agreed readingThey meant a trap for him - but God made them the lowest, and their scheme came to nothing.
وَقَالَ إِنِّى ذَاهِبٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ
PickthallAnd he said: Lo! I am going unto my Lord Who will guide me.
Yusuf AliHe said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me!
The agreed readingAnd he said: I am going to my Lord; He will guide me - leaving the land of refusal behind him.
رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
PickthallMy Lord! Vouchsafe me of the righteous.
Yusuf Ali"O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!"
The agreed readingMy Lord, grant me one of the righteous - a son, the commentaries say, to help him and keep him company in exile.
فَبَشَّرْنَٰهُ بِغُلَٰمٍ حَلِيمٍ
PickthallSo We gave him tidings of a gentle son.
Yusuf AliSo We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear.
The agreed readingSo God gave him the good news of a boy who would be forbearing - great in forbearance, the commentaries say.
فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ قَالَ يَٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰبِرِينَ
PickthallAnd when (his son) was old enough to walk with him, (Abraham) said: O my dear son, I have seen in a dream that I must sacrifice thee. So look, what thinkest thou? He said: O my father! Do that which thou art commanded. Allah willing, thou shalt find me of the steadfast.
Yusuf AliThen, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if Allah so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!"
The agreed readingWhen the boy reached the age of working alongside him, Abraham said: my son, I see in sleep that I am to sacrifice you - so look, what do you say? He said: father, do what you are commanded; God willing, you will find me one of the steadfast.
فَلَمَّآ أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلْجَبِينِ
PickthallThen, when they had both surrendered (to Allah), and he had flung him down upon his face,
Yusuf AliSo when they had both submitted their wills (to Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice),
The agreed readingSo when the two of them had submitted to God's command, and he had laid him down upon his brow,
وَنَٰدَيْنَٰهُ أَن يَٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ
PickthallWe called unto him: O Abraham!
Yusuf AliWe called out to him "O Abraham!
The agreed readingGod called out to him: Abraham - stopping him at the very moment the knife was ready.
قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ ٱلرُّءْيَآ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
PickthallThou hast already fulfilled the vision. Lo! thus do We reward the good.
Yusuf Ali"Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!" - thus indeed do We reward those who do right.
The agreed readingyou have already fulfilled the vision. That is how God rewards those who do good.
إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْبَلَٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلْمُبِينُ
PickthallLo! that verily was a clear test.
Yusuf AliFor this was obviously a trial-
The agreed readingThat was the clear test - the trial in the open, in which the sincere are told apart.
وَفَدَيْنَٰهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ
PickthallThen We ransomed him with a tremendous victim.
Yusuf AliAnd We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice:
The agreed readingAnd God ransomed him with a great sacrifice, a ram put in his place, so the son was not slain.
وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ
PickthallAnd We left for him among the later folk (the salutation):
Yusuf AliAnd We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:
The agreed readingAnd left for him among those who came after a good remembrance that has not ceased.
سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ
PickthallPeace be unto Abraham!
Yusuf Ali"Peace and salutation to Abraham!"
The agreed readingPeace be upon Abraham - the greeting God left standing over him among those who came after.
كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
PickthallThus do We reward the good.
Yusuf AliThus indeed do We reward those who do right.
The agreed readingThat is how God rewards those who do good, and the good they do returns to their own souls.
إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
PickthallLo! he is one of Our believing slaves.
Yusuf AliFor he was one of our believing Servants.
The agreed readingHe was one of Our believing servants - the same seal set on him as on Noah before.
وَبَشَّرْنَٰهُ بِإِسْحَٰقَ نَبِيًّا مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
PickthallAnd we gave him tidings of the birth of Isaac, a prophet of the righteous.
Yusuf AliAnd We gave him the good news of Isaac - a prophet,- one of the Righteous.
The agreed readingAnd God gave him the good news of Isaac, who would be a prophet and one of the righteous.
وَبَٰرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَىٰٓ إِسْحَٰقَ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا مُحْسِنٌ وَظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِۦ مُبِينٌ
PickthallAnd We blessed him and Isaac. And of their seed are some who do good, and some who plainly wrong themselves.
Yusuf AliWe blessed him and Isaac: but of their progeny are (some) that do right, and (some) that obviously do wrong, to their own souls.
The agreed readingAnd blessed him and Isaac, multiplying their offspring and setting most of the prophets among them; and of their offspring some do good and some plainly wrong themselves.
وَلَقَدْ مَنَنَّا عَلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَ
PickthallAnd We verily gave grace unto Moses and Aaron,
Yusuf AliAgain (of old) We bestowed Our favour on Moses and Aaron,
The agreed readingAnd God was gracious to Moses and Aaron, giving them prophethood and much besides.
وَنَجَّيْنَٰهُمَا وَقَوْمَهُمَا مِنَ ٱلْكَرْبِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
PickthallAnd saved them and their people from the great distress,
Yusuf AliAnd We delivered them and their people from (their) Great Calamity;
The agreed readingAnd delivered them and their people from the great distress - from Pharaoh's grip upon them.
وَنَصَرْنَٰهُمْ فَكَانُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلْغَٰلِبِينَ
PickthallAnd helped them so that they became the victors.
Yusuf AliAnd We helped them, so they overcame (their troubles);
The agreed readingAnd helped them against the Egyptians, so that they were the ones who came out on top.
وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُمَا ٱلْكِتَٰبَ ٱلْمُسْتَبِينَ
PickthallAnd We gave them the clear Scripture
Yusuf AliAnd We gave them the Book which helps to make things clear;
The agreed readingAnd gave the two of them the Scripture that makes things clear, plain in its limits and its rulings.
وَهَدَيْنَٰهُمَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ
PickthallAnd showed them the right path.
Yusuf AliAnd We guided them to the Straight Way.
The agreed readingAnd guided the two of them on the straight path - guidance in the full sense of the word, the commentaries say.
وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِمَا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ
PickthallAnd We left for them among the later folk (the salutation):
Yusuf AliAnd We left (this blessing) for them among generations (to come) in later times:
The agreed readingAnd left for them among those who came after a good remembrance, still spoken long after them.
سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَ
PickthallPeace be unto Moses and Aaron!
Yusuf Ali"Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron!"
The agreed readingPeace be upon Moses and Aaron - the same greeting, in the same words, as was left for those before.
إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
PickthallLo! thus do We reward the good.
Yusuf AliThus indeed do We reward those who do right.
The agreed readingThat is how God rewards those who do good - the same formula that closed the account of Abraham.
إِنَّهُمَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
PickthallLo! they are two of Our believing slaves.
Yusuf AliFor they were two of our believing Servants.
The agreed readingThe two of them were among Our believing servants, sealed with the same words as the prophets before.
وَإِنَّ إِلْيَاسَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
PickthallAnd lo! Elias was of those sent (to warn),
Yusuf AliSo also was Elias among those sent (by Us).
The agreed readingAnd Elias too was one of those sent, raised up among his own people as a messenger from God.
إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِۦٓ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
PickthallWhen he said unto his folk: Will ye not ward off (evil)?
Yusuf AliBehold, he said to his people, "Will ye not fear (Allah)?
The agreed readingWhen he said to his people: will you not guard yourselves - will you not fear God?
أَتَدْعُونَ بَعْلًا وَتَذَرُونَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْخَٰلِقِينَ
PickthallWill ye cry unto Baal and forsake the Best of creators,
Yusuf Ali"Will ye call upon Baal and forsake the Best of Creators,-
The agreed readingDo you call upon Baal - the commentaries name it an idol of theirs - and leave the best of creators,
ٱللَّهَ رَبَّكُمْ وَرَبَّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
PickthallAllah, your Lord and Lord of your forefathers?
Yusuf Ali"Allah, your Lord and Cherisher and the Lord and Cherisher of your fathers of old?"
The agreed readingGod, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers who went before you - the same Lord over both generations.
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَمُحْضَرُونَ
PickthallBut they denied him, so they surely will be haled forth (to the doom)
Yusuf AliBut they rejected him, and they will certainly be called up (for punishment),-
The agreed readingBut they denied him; so they will be hauled up for the punishment, brought out to meet it.
إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ
PickthallSave single-minded slaves of Allah.
Yusuf AliExcept the sincere and devoted Servants of Allah (among them).
The agreed readingExcept the servants of God made sincere - and the exception shows, the commentaries note, that some of his people did believe.
وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ
PickthallAnd we left for him among the later folk (the salutation):
Yusuf AliAnd We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:
The agreed readingAnd God left for him among those who came after a good remembrance, as He did for the others.
سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِلْ يَاسِينَ
PickthallPeace be unto Elias!
Yusuf Ali"Peace and salutation to such as Elias!"
The agreed readingPeace be upon Elias - the greeting left standing over him among those who came after.
إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ
PickthallLo! thus do We reward the good.
Yusuf AliThus indeed do We reward those who do right.
The agreed readingThat is how God rewards those who do good, whoever they are and whenever they lived.
إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
PickthallLo! he is one of our believing slaves.
Yusuf AliFor he was one of our believing Servants.
The agreed readingHe was one of Our believing servants - the seal set on every one of these accounts.
وَإِنَّ لُوطًا لَّمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
PickthallAnd lo! Lot verily was of those sent (to warn).
Yusuf AliSo also was Lut among those sent (by Us).
The agreed readingAnd Lot was one of those sent, raised up as a messenger to his own people, as the others were to theirs.
إِذْ نَجَّيْنَٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ
PickthallWhen We saved him and his household, every one,
Yusuf AliBehold, We delivered him and his adherents, all
The agreed readingWhen God delivered him and the whole of his household from what was about to come down on that place,
إِلَّا عَجُوزًا فِى ٱلْغَٰبِرِينَ
PickthallSave an old woman among those who stayed behind;
Yusuf AliExcept an old woman who was among those who lagged behind:
The agreed readingexcept an old woman among those who stayed behind and were destroyed with the rest.
ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ
PickthallThen We destroyed the others.
Yusuf AliThen We destroyed the rest.
The agreed readingThen God destroyed the others - the people of his community who had refused him to the last.
وَإِنَّكُمْ لَتَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهِم مُّصْبِحِينَ
PickthallAnd lo! ye verily pass by (the ruin of) them in the morning
Yusuf AliVerily, ye pass by their (sites), by day-
The agreed readingAnd you pass by what is left of them in the morning as you travel - the commentaries place the ruins on the road to Syria,
وَبِٱلَّيْلِ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ
PickthallAnd at night-time; have ye then no sense?
Yusuf AliAnd by night: will ye not understand?
The agreed readingand you pass them again at night as you go. Will you not use reason and take the lesson?
وَإِنَّ يُونُسَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
PickthallAnd lo! Jonah verily was of those sent (to warn)
Yusuf AliSo also was Jonah among those sent (by Us).
The agreed readingAnd Jonah was one of those sent, raised up as a messenger to his people like those before him.
إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ
PickthallWhen he fled unto the laden ship,
Yusuf AliWhen he ran away (like a slave from captivity) to the ship (fully) laden,
The agreed readingWhen he ran off to the laden ship, leaving his people before God had given him leave.
فَسَاهَمَ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُدْحَضِينَ
PickthallAnd then drew lots and was of those rejected;
Yusuf AliHe (agreed to) cast lots, and he was condemned:
The agreed readingAnd lots were drawn among those aboard the ship, and he was the one the lot fell against.
فَٱلْتَقَمَهُ ٱلْحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌ
PickthallAnd the fish swallowed him while he was blameworthy;
Yusuf AliThen the big Fish did swallow him, and he had done acts worthy of blame.
The agreed readingAnd the fish swallowed him, and he had done what left him open to blame in going off as he did.
فَلَوْلَآ أَنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَبِّحِينَ
PickthallAnd had he not been one of those who glorify (Allah)
Yusuf AliHad it not been that he (repented and) glorified Allah,
The agreed readingAnd had he not been one of those who glorify God - the commentaries point to his words in the belly of the fish -
لَلَبِثَ فِى بَطْنِهِۦٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
PickthallHe would have tarried in its belly till the day when they are raised;
Yusuf AliHe would certainly have remained inside the Fish till the Day of Resurrection.
The agreed readinghe would have stayed in its belly until the Day they are raised, and it would have been his grave.
فَنَبَذْنَٰهُ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ سَقِيمٌ
PickthallThen We cast him on a desert shore while he was sick;
Yusuf AliBut We cast him forth on the naked shore in a state of sickness,
The agreed readingBut God cast him out onto the open shore, out from the belly of the fish, and he was sick.
وَأَنۢبَتْنَا عَلَيْهِ شَجَرَةً مِّن يَقْطِينٍ
PickthallAnd We caused a tree of gourd to grow above him;
Yusuf AliAnd We caused to grow, over him, a spreading plant of the gourd kind.
The agreed readingAnd caused a gourd plant to grow over him, spreading its broad leaves for shade.
وَأَرْسَلْنَٰهُ إِلَىٰ مِا۟ئَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ
PickthallAnd We sent him to a hundred thousand (folk) or more
Yusuf AliAnd We sent him (on a mission) to a hundred thousand (men) or more.
The agreed readingAnd sent him to a hundred thousand people, or more - the commentaries name them the people of Nineveh.
فَـَٔامَنُوا۟ فَمَتَّعْنَٰهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍ
PickthallAnd they believed, therefor We gave them comfort for a while.
Yusuf AliAnd they believed; so We permitted them to enjoy (their life) for a while.
The agreed readingAnd they believed, so God let them enjoy life for a time instead of destroying them.
فَٱسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَلِرَبِّكَ ٱلْبَنَاتُ وَلَهُمُ ٱلْبَنُونَ
PickthallNow ask them (O Muhammad): Hath thy Lord daughters whereas they have sons?
Yusuf AliNow ask them their opinion: Is it that thy Lord has (only) daughters, and they have sons?-
The agreed readingSo ask them, in reproach: does your Lord have daughters, while they keep the sons for themselves?
أَمْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ إِنَٰثًا وَهُمْ شَٰهِدُونَ
PickthallOr created We the angels females while they were present?
Yusuf AliOr that We created the angels female, and they are witnesses (thereto)?
The agreed readingOr did God create the angels female while they were there watching it happen - since nothing but seeing could tell them so?
أَلَآ إِنَّهُم مِّنْ إِفْكِهِمْ لَيَقُولُونَ
PickthallLo! it is of their falsehood that they say:
Yusuf AliIs it not that they say, from their own invention,
The agreed readingIt is out of their own lying invention, and out of nothing else at all, that they come to say
وَلَدَ ٱللَّهُ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَٰذِبُونَ
PickthallAllah hath begotten. Allah! verily they tell a lie.
Yusuf Ali"Allah has begotten children"? but they are liars!
The agreed readingthat God has begotten - and in saying it they are liars, the commentaries state flatly.
أَصْطَفَى ٱلْبَنَاتِ عَلَى ٱلْبَنِينَ
Pickthall(And again of their falsehood): He hath preferred daughters to sons.
Yusuf AliDid He (then) choose daughters rather than sons?
The agreed readingHas He chosen daughters in preference to sons? The question is put to be refused.
مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ
PickthallWhat aileth you? How judge ye?
Yusuf AliWhat is the matter with you? How judge ye?
The agreed readingWhat is wrong with you? How do you judge like this - a judgement, the commentaries say, no sound mind accepts?
أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
PickthallWill ye not then reflect?
Yusuf AliWill ye not then receive admonition?
The agreed readingWill you not then take heed and remember that God is far above having any child at all?
أَمْ لَكُمْ سُلْطَٰنٌ مُّبِينٌ
PickthallOr have ye a clear warrant?
Yusuf AliOr have ye an authority manifest?
The agreed readingOr do you have a clear warrant for it - some plain proof sent down to you from heaven?
فَأْتُوا۟ بِكِتَٰبِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ
PickthallThen produce your writ, if ye are truthful.
Yusuf AliThen bring ye your Book (of authority) if ye be truthful!
The agreed readingThen bring your scripture and show me the place in it, if you are truthful in what you claim.
وَجَعَلُوا۟ بَيْنَهُۥ وَبَيْنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ نَسَبًا وَلَقَدْ عَلِمَتِ ٱلْجِنَّةُ إِنَّهُمْ لَمُحْضَرُونَ
PickthallAnd they imagine kinship between him and the jinn, whereas the jinn know well that they will be brought before (Him).
Yusuf AliAnd they have invented a blood-relationship between Him and the Jinns: but the Jinns know (quite well) that they have indeed to appear (before his Judgment-Seat)!
The agreed readingAnd they have invented a kinship between God and the jinn - while the jinn themselves know they will be brought up for judgement.
سُبْحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
PickthallGlorified be Allah from that which they attribute (unto Him),
Yusuf AliGlory to Allah! (He is free) from the things they ascribe (to Him)!
The agreed readingGlory be to God, far above what they describe of Him when they give Him a child.
إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ
PickthallSave single-minded slaves of Allah.
Yusuf AliNot (so do) the Servants of Allah, sincere and devoted.
The agreed readingBut the servants of God made sincere do not say it - they declare Him far above it.
فَإِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ
PickthallLo! verily, ye and that which ye worship,
Yusuf AliFor, verily, neither ye nor those ye worship-
The agreed readingFor you, and the things you serve in place of God, have no such power over anyone:
مَآ أَنتُمْ عَلَيْهِ بِفَٰتِنِينَ
PickthallYe cannot excite (anyone) against Him.
Yusuf AliCan lead (any) into temptation concerning Allah,
The agreed readingyou cannot turn a single soul against Him, however hard the two of you work at it,
إِلَّا مَنْ هُوَ صَالِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ
PickthallSave him who is to burn in hell.
Yusuf AliExcept such as are (themselves) going to the blazing Fire!
The agreed readingexcept the one already bound for the Blaze, whom God knows to be of its people already.
وَمَا مِنَّآ إِلَّا لَهُۥ مَقَامٌ مَّعْلُومٌ
PickthallThere is not one of us but hath his known position.
Yusuf Ali(Those ranged in ranks say): "Not one of us but has a place appointed;
The agreed readingAnd the angels say: there is not one of us without a known station appointed for him.
وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ ٱلصَّآفُّونَ
PickthallLo! we, even we are they who set the ranks,
Yusuf Ali"And we are verily ranged in ranks (for service);
The agreed readingAnd we are the ones drawn up in ranks, standing each in his own place in worship.
وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ ٱلْمُسَبِّحُونَ
PickthallLo! we, even we are they who hymn His praise
Yusuf Ali"And we are verily those who declare (Allah's) glory!"
The agreed readingAnd we are the ones who glorify Him, declaring Him above all that does not befit Him.
وَإِن كَانُوا۟ لَيَقُولُونَ
PickthallAnd indeed they used to say:
Yusuf AliAnd there were those who said,
The agreed readingAnd before the Qur'an ever came down to them, these very people used to say the following -
لَوْ أَنَّ عِندَنَا ذِكْرًا مِّنَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
PickthallIf we had but a reminder from the men of old
Yusuf Ali"If only we had had before us a Message from those of old,
The agreed readingif only we had a reminder from the men of old, a scripture such as the earlier communities were given,
لَكُنَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ
PickthallWe would be single-minded slaves of Allah.
Yusuf Ali"We should certainly have been Servants of Allah, sincere (and devoted)!"
The agreed readingwe would have been servants of God made sincere, and we would not have gone the way those others went.
فَكَفَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ
PickthallYet (now that it is come) they disbelieve therein; but they will come to know.
Yusuf AliBut (now that the Qur'an has come), they reject it: But soon will they know!
The agreed readingYet when it came they refused it - the noblest of all such reminders - and they will come to know.
وَلَقَدْ سَبَقَتْ كَلِمَتُنَا لِعِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
PickthallAnd verily Our word went forth of old unto Our bondmen sent (to warn)
Yusuf AliAlready has Our Word been passed before (this) to our Servants sent (by Us),
The agreed readingAnd God's word had already gone ahead in favour of His servants the messengers - the promise of victory:
إِنَّهُمْ لَهُمُ ٱلْمَنصُورُونَ
PickthallThat they verily would be helped,
Yusuf AliThat they would certainly be assisted,
The agreed readingthat they would be the ones helped, whatever the day itself looked like at the time,
وَإِنَّ جُندَنَا لَهُمُ ٱلْغَٰلِبُونَ
PickthallAnd that Our host, they verily would be the victors.
Yusuf AliAnd that Our forces,- they surely must conquer.
The agreed readingand that God's forces would be the ones to prevail, in argument and in the event.
فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ
PickthallSo withdraw from them (O Muhammad) awhile,
Yusuf AliSo turn thou away from them for a little while,
The agreed readingSo turn away from them for a time, until the moment God has appointed for it comes.
وَأَبْصِرْهُمْ فَسَوْفَ يُبْصِرُونَ
PickthallAnd watch, for they will (soon) see.
Yusuf AliAnd watch them (how they fare), and they soon shall see (how thou farest)!
The agreed readingAnd watch them as it falls - they will soon see for themselves what their refusal comes to.
أَفَبِعَذَابِنَا يَسْتَعْجِلُونَ
PickthallWould they hasten on Our doom?
Yusuf AliDo they wish (indeed) to hurry on our Punishment?
The agreed readingIs it Our punishment that they are trying to hurry along, asking when it will fall?
فَإِذَا نَزَلَ بِسَاحَتِهِمْ فَسَآءَ صَبَاحُ ٱلْمُنذَرِينَ
PickthallBut when it cometh home to them, then it will be a hapless morn for those who have been warned.
Yusuf AliBut when it descends into the open space before them, evil will be the morning for those who were warned (and heeded not)!
The agreed readingBut when it comes down in their own courtyard, it will be an evil morning for those who were warned.
وَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ
PickthallWithdraw from them awhile
Yusuf AliSo turn thou away from them for a little while,
The agreed readingSo turn away from them for a time - the command is said again here, so that it is held to.
وَأَبْصِرْ فَسَوْفَ يُبْصِرُونَ
PickthallAnd watch, for they will (soon) see.
Yusuf AliAnd watch (how they fare) and they soon shall see (how thou farest)!
The agreed readingAnd watch them closely; they will soon see what has been coming to them all along.
سُبْحَٰنَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ ٱلْعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ
PickthallGlorified be thy Lord, the Lord of Majesty, from that which they attribute (unto Him)
Yusuf AliGlory to thy Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they ascribe (to Him)!
The agreed readingGlory be to your Lord, the Lord of might, far above all that they describe of Him.
وَسَلَٰمٌ عَلَى ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
PickthallAnd peace be unto those sent (to warn).
Yusuf AliAnd Peace on the messengers!
The agreed readingAnd peace be upon those sent - all the messengers named here and those not named.
وَٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
PickthallAnd praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds!
Yusuf AliAnd Praise to Allah, the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds.
The agreed readingAnd praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds - the sura closing as it began, with Him.