Surah 72 of 114 · Makki · 28 ayat
Al-Jinn الجن
The Jinn
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ قُلْ أُوحِىَ إِلَىَّ أَنَّهُ ٱسْتَمَعَ نَفَرٌ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ فَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا سَمِعْنَا قُرْءَانًا عَجَبًا
PickthallSay (O Muhammad): It is revealed unto me that a company of the Jinn gave ear, and they said: Lo! we have heard a marvellous Qur'an,
Yusuf AliSay: It has been revealed to me that a company of Jinns listened (to the Qur'an). They said, 'We have really heard a wonderful Recital!
The agreed readingSay: it has been revealed to me that a company of the jinn listened, and said: we have heard a wondrous recitation. The commentaries agree they heard the Prophet reciting and that he was not told of it until this revelation came.
يَهْدِىٓ إِلَى ٱلرُّشْدِ فَـَٔامَنَّا بِهِۦ وَلَن نُّشْرِكَ بِرَبِّنَآ أَحَدًا
PickthallWhich guideth unto righteousness, so we believe in it and we ascribe no partner unto our Lord.
Yusuf Ali'It gives guidance to the Right, and we have believed therein: we shall not join (in worship) any (gods) with our Lord.
The agreed readingIt guides to right conduct, so we have believed in it; and we shall never set up any partner with our Lord. The commentaries note that hearing was enough — they believed on the spot.
وَأَنَّهُۥ تَعَٰلَىٰ جَدُّ رَبِّنَا مَا ٱتَّخَذَ صَٰحِبَةً وَلَا وَلَدًا
PickthallAnd (we believe) that He - exalted be the glory of our Lord! - hath taken neither wife nor son,
Yusuf Ali'And Exalted is the Majesty of our Lord: He has taken neither a wife nor a son.
The agreed readingAnd that our Lord — exalted be His majesty — has taken neither consort nor child.
وَأَنَّهُۥ كَانَ يَقُولُ سَفِيهُنَا عَلَى ٱللَّهِ شَطَطًا
PickthallAnd that the foolish one among us used to speak concerning Allah an atrocious lie.
Yusuf Ali'There were some foolish ones among us, who used to utter extravagant lies against Allah;
The agreed readingAnd that the foolish among us used to say an outrageous thing about God — outrageous, the commentaries gloss, in going far past the truth in what it ascribed to Him.
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّآ أَن لَّن تَقُولَ ٱلْإِنسُ وَٱلْجِنُّ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ كَذِبًا
PickthallAnd lo! we had supposed that humankind and jinn would not speak a lie concerning Allah -
Yusuf Ali'But we do think that no man or spirit should say aught that untrue against Allah.
The agreed readingAnd we had supposed that no human or jinn would ever speak a lie about God — until, the commentaries add, they heard the Qur'ān and knew that some had.
وَأَنَّهُۥ كَانَ رِجَالٌ مِّنَ ٱلْإِنسِ يَعُوذُونَ بِرِجَالٍ مِّنَ ٱلْجِنِّ فَزَادُوهُمْ رَهَقًا
PickthallAnd indeed (O Muhammad) individuals of humankind used to invoke the protection of individuals of the jinn, so that they increased them in revolt against Allah);
Yusuf Ali'True, there were persons among mankind who took shelter with persons among the Jinns, but they increased them in folly.
The agreed readingAnd that men among humankind used to seek refuge with men among the jinn, and so increased them in insolence. The commentaries carry the same custom together: a traveller halting at a frightening place would call on the master of the valley for protection, and the jinn grew in arrogance by it.
وَأَنَّهُمْ ظَنُّوا۟ كَمَا ظَنَنتُمْ أَن لَّن يَبْعَثَ ٱللَّهُ أَحَدًا
PickthallAnd indeed they supposed, even as ye suppose, that Allah would not raise anyone (from the dead) -
Yusuf Ali'And they (came to) think as ye thought, that Allah would not raise up any one (to Judgment).
The agreed readingAnd they supposed, as you supposed, that God would never raise anyone up — the same denial of the resurrection, the commentaries note, held by jinn and by people alike.
وَأَنَّا لَمَسْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ فَوَجَدْنَٰهَا مُلِئَتْ حَرَسًا شَدِيدًا وَشُهُبًا
PickthallAnd (the Jinn who had listened to the Qur'an said): We had sought the heaven but had found it filled with strong warders and meteors.
Yusuf Ali'And we pried into the secrets of heaven; but we found it filled with stern guards and flaming fires.
The agreed readingAnd that we sought to reach the heaven and found it filled with stern guards and flames —
وَأَنَّا كُنَّا نَقْعُدُ مِنْهَا مَقَٰعِدَ لِلسَّمْعِ فَمَن يَسْتَمِعِ ٱلْـَٔانَ يَجِدْ لَهُۥ شِهَابًا رَّصَدًا
PickthallAnd we used to sit on places (high) therein to listen. But he who listeneth now findeth a flame in wait for him;
Yusuf Ali'We used, indeed, to sit there in (hidden) stations, to (steal) a hearing; but any who listen now will find a flaming fire watching him in ambush.
The agreed readingand we used to take up positions there to listen, but whoever listens now finds a flame lying in wait for him. The commentaries agree the barring began when the Prophet was sent, and that this is what sent the jinn looking for its cause.
وَأَنَّا لَا نَدْرِىٓ أَشَرٌّ أُرِيدَ بِمَن فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَمْ أَرَادَ بِهِمْ رَبُّهُمْ رَشَدًا
PickthallAnd we know not whether harm is boded unto all who are in the earth, or whether their Lord intendeth guidance for them.
Yusuf Ali'And we understand not whether ill is intended to those on earth, or whether their Lord (really) intends to guide them to right conduct.
The agreed readingAnd we do not know whether harm is intended for those on earth, or whether their Lord intends right guidance for them — the commentaries note they could tell something had changed, but not what.
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا ٱلصَّٰلِحُونَ وَمِنَّا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ كُنَّا طَرَآئِقَ قِدَدًا
PickthallAnd among us there are righteous folk and among us there are far from that. We are sects having different rules.
Yusuf Ali'There are among us some that are righteous, and some the contrary: we follow divergent paths.
The agreed readingAnd among us are the righteous, and among us are those below that; we are of differing kinds. The commentaries agree the jinn are not one sort, but divided as people are.
وَأَنَّا ظَنَنَّآ أَن لَّن نُّعْجِزَ ٱللَّهَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَن نُّعْجِزَهُۥ هَرَبًا
PickthallAnd we know that we cannot escape from Allah in the earth, nor can we escape by flight.
Yusuf Ali'But we think that we can by no means frustrate Allah throughout the earth, nor can we frustrate Him by flight.
The agreed readingAnd we know that we can never thwart God on earth, nor thwart Him by flight — not by staying and not by fleeing.
وَأَنَّا لَمَّا سَمِعْنَا ٱلْهُدَىٰٓ ءَامَنَّا بِهِۦ فَمَن يُؤْمِنۢ بِرَبِّهِۦ فَلَا يَخَافُ بَخْسًا وَلَا رَهَقًا
PickthallAnd when we heard the guidance, we believed therein, and whoso believeth in his Lord, he feareth neither loss nor oppression.
Yusuf Ali'And as for us, since we have listened to the Guidance, we have accepted it: and any who believes in his Lord has no fear, either of a short (account) or of any injustice.
The agreed readingAnd when we heard the guidance we believed in it; and whoever believes in his Lord fears neither loss nor oppression. The commentaries gloss the pair as nothing taken from his good deeds, and nothing added to his bad.
وَأَنَّا مِنَّا ٱلْمُسْلِمُونَ وَمِنَّا ٱلْقَٰسِطُونَ فَمَنْ أَسْلَمَ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ تَحَرَّوْا۟ رَشَدًا
PickthallAnd there are among us some who have surrendered (to Allah) and there are among us some who are unjust. And whoso hath surrendered to Allah, such have taken the right path purposefully.
Yusuf Ali'Amongst us are some that submit their wills (to Allah), and some that swerve from justice. Now those who submit their wills - they have sought out (the path) of right conduct:
The agreed readingAnd among us are those who submit, and among us are those who deviate. Whoever submits — those have sought out right guidance.
وَأَمَّا ٱلْقَٰسِطُونَ فَكَانُوا۟ لِجَهَنَّمَ حَطَبًا
PickthallAnd as for those who are unjust, they are firewood for hell.
Yusuf Ali'But those who swerve,- they are (but) fuel for Hell-fire'-
The agreed readingBut as for those who deviate, they are firewood for Hell — those who turned off the way of truth, the commentaries gloss, and the two halves of the jinn are parted here for good.
وَأَلَّوِ ٱسْتَقَٰمُوا۟ عَلَى ٱلطَّرِيقَةِ لَأَسْقَيْنَٰهُم مَّآءً غَدَقًا
PickthallIf they (the idolaters) tread the right path, We shall give them to drink of water in abundance
Yusuf Ali(And Allah's Message is): "If they (the Pagans) had (only) remained on the (right) Way, We should certainly have bestowed on them Rain in abundance.
The agreed readingAnd if they had kept straight on the way, We would have given them abundant water to drink — the commentaries take the abundance as provision opened wide for them, had they held to it.
لِّنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ وَمَن يُعْرِضْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِۦ يَسْلُكْهُ عَذَابًا صَعَدًا
PickthallThat We may test them thereby, and whoso turneth away from the remembrance of his Lord; He will thrust him into ever-growing torment.
Yusuf Ali"That We might try them by that (means). But if any turns away from the remembrance of his Lord, He will cause him to undergo a severe Penalty.
The agreed readingso as to test them by it. And whoever turns away from the remembrance of his Lord, He will drive him into a mounting punishment. The commentaries agree the giving is itself the test, and that what is given can become the trial.
وَأَنَّ ٱلْمَسَٰجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا۟ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدًا
PickthallAnd the places of worship are only for Allah, so pray not unto anyone along with Allah.
Yusuf Ali"And the places of worship are for Allah (alone): So invoke not any one along with Allah;
The agreed readingAnd that the places of prostration belong to God, so call on no one alongside God. The commentaries take it as a bar on associating anything with Him at the very moment of worship.
وَأَنَّهُۥ لَمَّا قَامَ عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ يَدْعُوهُ كَادُوا۟ يَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِ لِبَدًا
PickthallAnd when the slave of Allah stood up in prayer to Him, they crowded on him, almost stifling.
Yusuf Ali"Yet when the Devotee of Allah stands forth to invoke Him, they just make round him a dense crowd."
The agreed readingAnd that when the servant of God stood calling on Him, they were all but on top of him in a crowd. The commentaries agree the servant is the Prophet, and the crowding was of those pressing in at what they saw and heard.
قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَدْعُوا۟ رَبِّى وَلَآ أُشْرِكُ بِهِۦٓ أَحَدًا
PickthallSay (unto them, O Muhammad): I pray unto Allah only, and ascribe unto Him no partner.
Yusuf AliSay: "I do no more than invoke my Lord, and I join not with Him any (false god)."
The agreed readingSay: I call only on my Lord, and I set up no partner with Him. The commentaries take it as his answer to those who told him to give up what he was doing.
قُلْ إِنِّى لَآ أَمْلِكُ لَكُمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا رَشَدًا
PickthallSay: Lo! I control not hurt nor benefit for you.
Yusuf AliSay: "It is not in my power to cause you harm, or to bring you to right conduct."
The agreed readingSay: I hold no power to harm you or to guide you rightly — neither of the two is his to give, the commentaries agree, and saying so is part of the message.
قُلْ إِنِّى لَن يُجِيرَنِى مِنَ ٱللَّهِ أَحَدٌ وَلَنْ أَجِدَ مِن دُونِهِۦ مُلْتَحَدًا
PickthallSay: Lo! none can protect me from Allah, nor can I find any refuge beside Him
Yusuf AliSay: "No one can deliver me from Allah (If I were to disobey Him), nor should I find refuge except in Him,
The agreed readingSay: no one can shield me from God, and I shall find no refuge apart from Him. The commentaries read the three sayings as one answer: he claims nothing for himself that belongs to God.
إِلَّا بَلَٰغًا مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِسَٰلَٰتِهِۦ وَمَن يَعْصِ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥ فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ نَارَ جَهَنَّمَ خَٰلِدِينَ فِيهَآ أَبَدًا
Pickthall(Mine is) but conveyance (of the Truth) from Allah, and His messages; and whoso disobeyeth Allah and His messenger, lo! his is fire of hell, wherein such dwell for ever.
Yusuf Ali"Unless I proclaim what I receive from Allah and His Messages: for any that disobey Allah and His Messenger,- for them is Hell: they shall dwell therein for ever."
The agreed readingOnly a delivering from God, and His messages. And whoever disobeys God and His messenger — for him is the fire of Hell, to remain in it always. The commentaries agree that delivering the message is the whole of what he was given to do.
حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا رَأَوْا۟ مَا يُوعَدُونَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ أَضْعَفُ نَاصِرًا وَأَقَلُّ عَدَدًا
PickthallTill (the day) when they shall behold that which they are promised (they may doubt); but then they will know (for certain) who is weaker in allies and less in multitude.
Yusuf AliAt length, when they see (with their own eyes) that which they are promised,- then will they know who it is that is weakest in (his) helper and least important in point of numbers.
The agreed readingUntil, when they see what they are promised, they will know who is weaker in helpers and fewer in number. The commentaries note it answers those who counted his followers and found them few.
قُلْ إِنْ أَدْرِىٓ أَقَرِيبٌ مَّا تُوعَدُونَ أَمْ يَجْعَلُ لَهُۥ رَبِّىٓ أَمَدًا
PickthallSay (O Muhammad, unto the disbelievers): I know not whether that which ye are promised is nigh, or if my Lord hath set a distant term for it.
Yusuf AliSay: "I know not whether the (Punishment) which ye are promised is near, or whether my Lord will appoint for it a distant term.
The agreed readingSay: I do not know whether what you are promised is near, or whether my Lord will set a long term for it.
عَٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ فَلَا يُظْهِرُ عَلَىٰ غَيْبِهِۦٓ أَحَدًا
Pickthall(He is) the Knower of the Unseen, and He revealeth unto none His secret,
Yusuf Ali"He (alone) knows the Unseen, nor does He make any one acquainted with His Mysteries,-
The agreed readingKnower of the unseen — He discloses His unseen to no one. The commentaries agree the knowledge is His alone, and that no one reaches it from himself.
إِلَّا مَنِ ٱرْتَضَىٰ مِن رَّسُولٍ فَإِنَّهُۥ يَسْلُكُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ يَدَيْهِ وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِۦ رَصَدًا
PickthallSave unto every messenger whom He hath chosen, and then He maketh a guard to go before him and a guard behind him
Yusuf Ali"Except a messenger whom He has chosen: and then He makes a band of watchers march before him and behind him,
The agreed readingexcept to a messenger He has approved, and then He sends watchers before him and behind him. The commentaries agree the guard is set so that what is revealed reaches its destination unaltered.
لِّيَعْلَمَ أَن قَدْ أَبْلَغُوا۟ رِسَٰلَٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ وَأَحَاطَ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ وَأَحْصَىٰ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ عَدَدًۢا
PickthallThat He may know that they have indeed conveyed the messages of their Lord. He surroundeth all their doings, and He keepeth count of all things.
Yusuf Ali"That He may know that they have (truly) brought and delivered the Messages of their Lord: and He surrounds (all the mysteries) that are with them, and takes account of every single thing."
The agreed readingso that He may know that they have delivered the messages of their Lord. He encompasses all that is with them, and He has counted everything by number.