Surah 76 of 114 · Madani · 31 ayat
Al-Insan الانسان
The Man
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ حِينٌ مِّنَ ٱلدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْـًٔا مَّذْكُورًا
PickthallHath there come upon man (ever) any period of time in which he was a thing unremembered?
Yusuf AliHas there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was nothing - (not even) mentioned?
The agreed readingHas there come upon man a stretch of time in which he was not a thing worth mentioning? The commentaries agree the question is put to be granted: there was such a time, when he was nothing anyone spoke of.
إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍ نَّبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَٰهُ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا
PickthallLo! We create man from a drop of thickened fluid to test him; so We make him hearing, knowing.
Yusuf AliVerily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: So We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight.
The agreed readingWe created man from a mingled drop, to test him, and made him hearing and seeing. The commentaries agree the mingling is of the two fluids, and that hearing and sight are given him so that the testing can mean something.
إِنَّا هَدَيْنَٰهُ ٱلسَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا
PickthallLo! We have shown him the way, whether he be grateful or disbelieving.
Yusuf AliWe showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).
The agreed readingWe showed him the way — either grateful or refusing. The commentaries agree the way was made plain by the sending of messengers, and that what follows is his own.
إِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ سَلَٰسِلَا۟ وَأَغْلَٰلًا وَسَعِيرًا
PickthallLo! We have prepared for disbelievers manacles and carcans and a raging fire.
Yusuf AliFor the Rejecters we have prepared chains, yokes, and a blazing Fire.
The agreed readingFor those who refuse We have prepared chains and shackles and a blaze — chains to be dragged by, the commentaries gloss, shackles at the neck, and a fire kindled for them.
إِنَّ ٱلْأَبْرَارَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِن كَأْسٍ كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا كَافُورًا
PickthallLo! the righteous shall drink of a cup whereof the mixture is of Kafur,
Yusuf AliAs to the Righteous, they shall drink of a Cup (of Wine) mixed with Kafur,-
The agreed readingThe truly good drink from a cup mixed with camphor — camphor, the commentaries note, for its coolness and its scent, and the good are those who obey.
عَيْنًا يَشْرَبُ بِهَا عِبَادُ ٱللَّهِ يُفَجِّرُونَهَا تَفْجِيرًا
PickthallA spring wherefrom the slaves of Allah drink, making it gush forth abundantly,
Yusuf AliA Fountain where the Devotees of Allah do drink, making it flow in unstinted abundance.
The agreed readinga spring from which God's servants drink, making it gush where they will. The commentaries agree they direct it as they please rather than come to it.
يُوفُونَ بِٱلنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوْمًا كَانَ شَرُّهُۥ مُسْتَطِيرًا
Pickthall(Because) they perform the vow and fear a day whereof the evil is wide-spreading,
Yusuf AliThey perform (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil flies far and wide.
The agreed readingThey fulfil the vow, and fear a Day whose evil is far-spreading. The commentaries agree the vow is one bound to God's obedience, and the evil is spread over everything on that Day.
وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًا وَيَتِيمًا وَأَسِيرًا
PickthallAnd feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan and the prisoner, for love of Him,
Yusuf AliAnd they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive,-
The agreed readingand they give food, for love of Him, to the needy and the orphan and the captive. The commentaries agree the giving is out of what they themselves wanted, and that all three are given without distinction.
إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءً وَلَا شُكُورًا
Pickthall(Saying): We feed you, for the sake of Allah only. We wish for no reward nor thanks from you;
Yusuf Ali(Saying),"We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks.
The agreed readingWe feed you only for the face of God; we want no repayment from you and no thanks. The commentaries note the words were either said or held in their hearts and known to God, who then set them down.
إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًا قَمْطَرِيرًا
PickthallLo! we fear from our Lord a day of frowning and of fate.
Yusuf Ali"We only fear a Day of distressful Wrath from the side of our Lord."
The agreed readingWe fear from our Lord a Day of scowling and distress — a Day, the commentaries gloss, so grim that faces draw tight at it.
فَوَقَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمِ وَلَقَّىٰهُمْ نَضْرَةً وَسُرُورًا
PickthallTherefor Allah hath warded off from them the evil of that day, and hath made them find brightness and joy;
Yusuf AliBut Allah will deliver them from the evil of that Day, and will shed over them a Light of Beauty and (blissful) Joy.
The agreed readingSo God guarded them from the evil of that Day, and gave them brightness and joy — brightness in the faces, the commentaries agree, and joy in the hearts.
وَجَزَىٰهُم بِمَا صَبَرُوا۟ جَنَّةً وَحَرِيرًا
PickthallAnd hath awarded them for all that they endured, a Garden and silk attire;
Yusuf AliAnd because they were patient and constant, He will reward them with a Garden and (garments of) silk.
The agreed readingand rewarded them, for their patience, with a Garden and with silk — patience, the commentaries gloss, held under what was asked of them and against what they were tempted by.
مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ لَا يَرَوْنَ فِيهَا شَمْسًا وَلَا زَمْهَرِيرًا
PickthallReclining therein upon couches, they will find there neither (heat of) a sun nor bitter cold.
Yusuf AliReclining in the (Garden) on raised thrones, they will see there neither the sun's (excessive heat) nor (the moon's) excessive cold.
The agreed readingreclining there on couches, seeing in it neither sun nor bitter cold. The commentaries agree the air is level: no heat that burns and no cold that hurts.
وَدَانِيَةً عَلَيْهِمْ ظِلَٰلُهَا وَذُلِّلَتْ قُطُوفُهَا تَذْلِيلًا
PickthallThe shade thereof is close upon them and the clustered fruits thereof bow down.
Yusuf AliAnd the shades of the (Garden) will come low over them, and the bunches (of fruit), there, will hang low in humility.
The agreed readingIts shade close over them, and its clusters brought low, well within reach. The commentaries agree the fruit comes to the one standing, sitting or lying alike.
وَيُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِـَٔانِيَةٍ مِّن فِضَّةٍ وَأَكْوَابٍ كَانَتْ قَوَارِيرَا۠
PickthallGoblets of silver are brought round for them, and beakers (as) of glass
Yusuf AliAnd amongst them will be passed round vessels of silver and goblets of crystal,-
The agreed readingVessels of silver are passed round them, and cups of crystal — cups, the commentaries note, without handles, and vessels carried round to them rather than fetched.
قَوَارِيرَا۟ مِن فِضَّةٍ قَدَّرُوهَا تَقْدِيرًا
Pickthall(Bright as) glass but (made) of silver, which they (themselves) have measured to the measure (of their deeds).
Yusuf AliCrystal-clear, made of silver: they will determine the measure thereof (according to their wishes).
The agreed readingcrystal of silver, which they have measured out exactly. The commentaries take the two together: the clearness of glass with the whiteness of silver, and each cup filled to precisely what the drinker wants.
وَيُسْقَوْنَ فِيهَا كَأْسًا كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا زَنجَبِيلًا
PickthallThere are they watered with a cup whereof the mixture is of Zanjabil,
Yusuf AliAnd they will be given to drink there of a Cup (of Wine) mixed with Zanjabil,-
The agreed readingAnd they are given there a cup mixed with ginger — a taste, the commentaries note, the Arabs prized in a drink.
عَيْنًا فِيهَا تُسَمَّىٰ سَلْسَبِيلًا
Pickthall(The water of) a spring therein, named Salsabil.
Yusuf AliA fountain there, called Salsabil.
The agreed readingfrom a spring in it called Salsabīl — named, the commentaries agree, for how easily it goes down.
وَيَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَٰنٌ مُّخَلَّدُونَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ حَسِبْتَهُمْ لُؤْلُؤًا مَّنثُورًا
PickthallThere wait on them immortal youths, whom, when thou seest, thou wouldst take for scattered pearls.
Yusuf AliAnd round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness): If thou seest them, thou wouldst think them scattered Pearls.
The agreed readingImmortal youths go round them; seeing them you would think them scattered pearls — for the clearness of them, the commentaries agree, and for how they are spread through the place.
وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ ثَمَّ رَأَيْتَ نَعِيمًا وَمُلْكًا كَبِيرًا
PickthallWhen thou seest, thou wilt see there bliss and high estate.
Yusuf AliAnd when thou lookest, it is there thou wilt see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificent.
The agreed readingAnd when you look there, you see bliss, and a great kingdom — bliss beyond describing, the commentaries agree, and a kingdom with no limit set to it.
عَٰلِيَهُمْ ثِيَابُ سُندُسٍ خُضْرٌ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٌ وَحُلُّوٓا۟ أَسَاوِرَ مِن فِضَّةٍ وَسَقَىٰهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ شَرَابًا طَهُورًا
PickthallTheir raiment will be fine green silk and gold embroidery. Bracelets of silver will they wear. Their Lord will slake their thirst with a pure drink.
Yusuf AliUpon them will be green Garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, and they will be adorned with Bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a Wine Pure and Holy.
The agreed readingOver them are garments of fine green silk and brocade, and they are adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord gives them a pure drink to drink.
إِنَّ هَٰذَا كَانَ لَكُمْ جَزَآءً وَكَانَ سَعْيُكُم مَّشْكُورًا
Pickthall(And it will be said unto them): Lo! this is a reward for you. Your endeavour (upon earth) hath found acceptance.
Yusuf Ali"Verily this is a Reward for you, and your Endeavour is accepted and recognised."
The agreed readingThis is a reward for you, and your striving has been met with thanks. The commentaries agree it is said to them on arrival, and that what is thanked is the striving described earlier in the sūrah.
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَنزِيلًا
PickthallLo! We, even We, have revealed unto thee the Qur'an, a revelation;
Yusuf AliIt is We Who have sent down the Qur'an to thee by stages.
The agreed readingWe Ourselves have sent the Qur'ān down upon you, a sending-down — sent down in parts, the commentaries note, and not all at once.
فَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تُطِعْ مِنْهُمْ ءَاثِمًا أَوْ كَفُورًا
PickthallSo submit patiently to thy Lord's command, and obey not of them any guilty one or disbeliever.
Yusuf AliTherefore be patient with constancy to the Command of thy Lord, and hearken not to the sinner or the ingrate among them.
The agreed readingSo be patient for your Lord's judgement, and do not obey any sinner or refuser among them. The commentaries carry the same occasion: men of Mecca came to him telling him to give this up.
وَٱذْكُرِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ بُكْرَةً وَأَصِيلًا
PickthallRemember the name of thy Lord at morn and evening.
Yusuf AliAnd celebrate the name of thy Lord morning and evening,
The agreed readingAnd remember the name of your Lord at daybreak and at evening — the commentaries take the two ends of the day as naming the prayers appointed in them.
وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَٱسْجُدْ لَهُۥ وَسَبِّحْهُ لَيْلًا طَوِيلًا
PickthallAnd worship Him (a portion) of the night. And glorify Him through the livelong night.
Yusuf AliAnd part of the night, prostrate thyself to Him; and glorify Him a long night through.
The agreed readingand in the night prostrate to Him, and glorify Him a long night through. The commentaries agree the verses name the prayers by their times, and that the long night is the voluntary standing in it.
إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ يُحِبُّونَ ٱلْعَاجِلَةَ وَيَذَرُونَ وَرَآءَهُمْ يَوْمًا ثَقِيلًا
PickthallLo! these love fleeting life, and put behind them (the remembrance of) a grievous day.
Yusuf AliAs to these, they love the fleeting life, and put away behind them a Day (that will be) hard.
The agreed readingThese love the fleeting thing, and leave behind them a heavy Day — heavy, the commentaries gloss, and left unprepared for.
نَّحْنُ خَلَقْنَٰهُمْ وَشَدَدْنَآ أَسْرَهُمْ وَإِذَا شِئْنَا بَدَّلْنَآ أَمْثَٰلَهُمْ تَبْدِيلًا
PickthallWe, even We, created them, and strengthened their frame. And when We will, We can replace them, bringing others like them in their stead.
Yusuf AliIt is We Who created them, and We have made their joints strong; but, when We will, We can substitute the like of them by a complete change.
The agreed readingWe created them and made their frame firm, and when We will We shall replace them with others like them, wholly exchanged. The commentaries agree the firmness is of the joints and sinews, and that the replacing is stated as easy for the One who made them.
إِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦ تَذْكِرَةٌ فَمَن شَآءَ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ سَبِيلًا
PickthallLo! this is an Admonishment, that whosoever will may choose a way unto his Lord.
Yusuf AliThis is an admonition: Whosoever will, let him take a (straight) Path to his Lord.
The agreed readingThis is a reminder, so whoever wishes may take a way to his Lord — a way, the commentaries gloss, taken by obedience, and the sūrah leaves the taking to him.
وَمَا تَشَآءُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًا
PickthallYet ye will not, unless Allah willeth. Lo! Allah is Knower, Wise.
Yusuf AliBut ye will not, except as Allah wills; for Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom.
The agreed readingAnd you will not wish unless God wills. God is knowing and wise. The commentaries agree the two verses are held together: the way is open to whoever wants it, and the wanting itself is not outside God's will.
يُدْخِلُ مَن يَشَآءُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦ وَٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ أَعَدَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًۢا
PickthallHe maketh whom He will to enter His mercy, and for evil-doers hath prepared a painful doom.
Yusuf AliHe will admit to His Mercy whom He will; But the wrong-doers,- for them has He prepared a grievous Penalty.
The agreed readingHe admits whom He wills into His mercy; and for the wrongdoers He has prepared a painful punishment.