مصحف الثريا

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ وَٱلصَّٰٓفَّٰتِ صَفًّۭا ۝١

CONSIDER these [messages] ranged in serried ranks,

فَٱلزَّٰجِرَٰتِ زَجْرًۭا ۝٢

and restraining [from evil] by a call to restraint,

فَٱلتَّٰلِيَٰتِ ذِكْرًا ۝۳

and conveying [to all the world] a reminder:

إِنَّ إِلَٰهَكُمْ لَوَٰحِدٌۭ ۝٤

Verily, most surely, your God is One –

رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَرَبُّ ٱلْمَشَٰرِقِ ۝٥

the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and of all that is between them, and the Sustainer of all the points of sunrise!

إِنَّا زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِزِينَةٍ ٱلْكَوَاكِبِ ۝٦

Behold, We have adorned the skies nearest to the earth with the beauty of stars,

وَحِفْظًۭا مِّن كُلِّ شَيْطَٰنٍۢ مَّارِدٍۢ ۝۷

and have made them secure against every rebellious, satanic force,

لَّا يَسَّمَّعُونَ إِلَى ٱلْمَلَإِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ وَيُقْذَفُونَ مِن كُلِّ جَانِبٍۢ ۝۸

[so that] they [who seek to learn the unknowable] should not be able to overhear the host on high, but shall be repelled from all sides,

دُحُورًۭا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌۭ وَاصِبٌ ۝۹

cast out [from all grace], with lasting suffering in store for them [in the life to come];

إِلَّا مَنْ خَطِفَ ٱلْخَطْفَةَ فَأَتْبَعَهُۥ شِهَابٌۭ ثَاقِبٌۭ ۝١۰

but if anyone does succeed in snatching a glimpse [of such knowledge], he is [henceforth] pursued by a piercing flame.

فَٱسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَهُمْ أَشَدُّ خَلْقًا أَم مَّنْ خَلَقْنَآ ۚ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَٰهُم مِّن طِينٍۢ لَّازِبٍۭ ۝١١

AND NOW ask those [who deny the truth] to enlight­en thee: Were they more difficult to create than all those [untold marvels] that We have created? - for, behold, them have We created out of [mere] clay commingled with water!

بَلْ عَجِبْتَ وَيَسْخَرُونَ ۝١٢

Nay, but whereas thou dost marvel, they [only] scoff;

وَإِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ لَا يَذْكُرُونَ ۝١۳

and when they are reminded [of the truth], they refuse to take it to heart;

وَإِذَا رَأَوْا۟ ءَايَةًۭ يَسْتَسْخِرُونَ ۝١٤

and when they become aware of a [divine] message, they turn it to ridicule

وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌۭ مُّبِينٌ ۝١٥

and say: “This is clearly nothing but [a mortal’s] spellbinding eloquence!

أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًۭا وَعِظَٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ ۝١٦

Why - after we have died and become mere dust and bones, shall we, forsooth, be raised from the dead? –

أَوَءَابَآؤُنَا ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ ۝١۷

and perhaps also our forebears of old?”

قُلْ نَعَمْ وَأَنتُمْ دَٰخِرُونَ ۝١۸

Say: “Yea, indeed - and most abject will you then be!” –

فَإِنَّمَا هِىَ زَجْرَةٌۭ وَٰحِدَةٌۭ فَإِذَا هُمْ يَنظُرُونَ ۝١۹

for that [resurrection which they deride] will be [upon them of a sudden, as if it were] but a single accusing cry - and then, lo! they will begin to see [the truth]

وَقَالُوا۟ يَٰوَيْلَنَا هَٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلدِّينِ ۝٢۰

and will say: “Oh, woe unto us! This is the Day of Judgment!”

هَٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلْفَصْلِ ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ ۝٢١

[And they will be told:] “This is the Day of Distinction [between the true and the false - the Day] which you were wont to call a lie!”

۞ ٱحْشُرُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ وَأَزْوَٰجَهُمْ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْبُدُونَ ۝٢٢

[And God will thus command:] “Assemble all those who were bent on evildoing, together with others of their ilk and [with] all that they were wont to worship

مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَٱهْدُوهُمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ ۝٢۳

instead of God, and lead them all onto the way to the blazing fire,

وَقِفُوهُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُم مَّسْـُٔولُونَ ۝٢٤

and halt them [there]!” [And then,] behold, they shall be asked,

مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَنَاصَرُونَ ۝٢٥

“How is it that [now] you cannot succour one another?”

بَلْ هُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ مُسْتَسْلِمُونَ ۝٢٦

Nay, but on that Day they would willingly surrender [to God];

وَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ ۝٢۷

but [since it will be too late,] they will turn upon one another, demanding of each other [to relieve them of the burden of their past sins].

قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَأْتُونَنَا عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ ۝٢۸

Some [of them] will say: “Behold, you were wont to approach us [deceptively] from the right!”

قَالُوا۟ بَل لَّمْ تَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ ۝٢۹

[To which] the others will reply: “Nay, you yourselves were bereft of all faith!

وَمَا كَانَ لَنَا عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَٰنٍۭ ۖ بَلْ كُنتُمْ قَوْمًۭا طَٰغِينَ ۝۳۰

Moreover, we had no power at all over you: nay, you were people filled with overweening arrogance!

فَحَقَّ عَلَيْنَا قَوْلُ رَبِّنَآ ۖ إِنَّا لَذَآئِقُونَ ۝۳١

But now our Sustainer’s word has come true against us [as well]: verily, we are bound to taste [the fruit of our sins].

فَأَغْوَيْنَٰكُمْ إِنَّا كُنَّا غَٰوِينَ ۝۳٢

So then, [if it be true that] we have caused you to err grievously - behold, we ourselves had been lost in grievous error!”

فَإِنَّهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍۢ فِى ٱلْعَذَابِ مُشْتَرِكُونَ ۝۳۳

And, verily, on that Day they all will share in their common suffering.

إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَفْعَلُ بِٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ ۝۳٤

Verily, thus shall We deal with all who were lost in sin:

إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوٓا۟ إِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ۝۳٥

for, behold, whenever they were told, “There is no deity save God,” they would glory in their arrogance

وَيَقُولُونَ أَئِنَّا لَتَارِكُوٓا۟ ءَالِهَتِنَا لِشَاعِرٍۢ مَّجْنُونٍۭ ۝۳٦

and would say, “Shall we, then, give up our deities at the bidding of a mad poet?”

بَلْ جَآءَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَصَدَّقَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ ۝۳۷

Nay, but he [whom you call a mad poet] has brought the truth; and he confirms the truth of [what the earlier of God’s] message-bearers [have taught].

إِنَّكُمْ لَذَآئِقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَلِيمِ ۝۳۸

Behold, you will indeed taste grievous suffering [in the life to come],

وَمَا تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ ۝۳۹

although you shall not be requited for aught but what you were wont to do.

إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ ۝٤۰

Not so, however, God’s true servants:

أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ رِزْقٌۭ مَّعْلُومٌۭ ۝٤١

[in the hereafter,] theirs shall be a sustenance which they will recognize

فَوَٰكِهُ ۖ وَهُم مُّكْرَمُونَ ۝٤٢

as the fruits [of their life on earth]; and honoured shall they be

فِى جَنَّٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ ۝٤۳

in gardens of bliss,

عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍۢ مُّتَقَٰبِلِينَ ۝٤٤

facing one another [in love] upon thrones of happiness.

يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِكَأْسٍۢ مِّن مَّعِينٍۭ ۝٤٥

A cup will be passed round among them [with a drink] from unsullied springs,

بَيْضَآءَ لَذَّةٍۢ لِّلشَّٰرِبِينَ ۝٤٦

clear, delightful to those who drink it:

لَا فِيهَا غَوْلٌۭ وَلَا هُمْ عَنْهَا يُنزَفُونَ ۝٤۷

no headiness will be in it, and they will not get drunk thereon.

وَعِندَهُمْ قَٰصِرَٰتُ ٱلطَّرْفِ عِينٌۭ ۝٤۸

And with them will be mates of modest gaze, most beautiful of eye,

كَأَنَّهُنَّ بَيْضٌۭ مَّكْنُونٌۭ ۝٤۹

[as free of faults] as if they were hidden [ostrich] eggs.

فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ ۝٥۰

And they will all turn to one another, asking each other [about their past lives].

قَالَ قَآئِلٌۭ مِّنْهُمْ إِنِّى كَانَ لِى قَرِينٌۭ ۝٥١

One of them speaks thus: “Behold, I had [on earth] a close companion

يَقُولُ أَءِنَّكَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُصَدِّقِينَ ۝٥٢

who was wont to ask [me], ‘Why - art thou really one of those who believe it to be true

أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًۭا وَعِظَٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَدِينُونَ ۝٥۳

[that] after we have died and become mere dust and bones we shall, forsooth, be brought to judgment?”’

قَالَ هَلْ أَنتُم مُّطَّلِعُونَ ۝٥٤

[And] he adds: “Would you like to look [and see him]?” –

فَٱطَّلَعَ فَرَءَاهُ فِى سَوَآءِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ ۝٥٥

and then he looks and sees that [companion of his] in the midst of the blazing fire,

قَالَ تَٱللَّهِ إِن كِدتَّ لَتُرْدِينِ ۝٥٦

and says: “By God! Verily, thou hast almost destroyed me [too, O my erstwhile companion]

وَلَوْلَا نِعْمَةُ رَبِّى لَكُنتُ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْضَرِينَ ۝٥۷

for had it not been for my Sustainer’s favour, I would surely be [now] among those who are given over [to suffering]!

أَفَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَيِّتِينَ ۝٥۸

But then, [O my friends in paradise,] is it [really] so that we are not to die

إِلَّا مَوْتَتَنَا ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ ۝٥۹

[again,] beyond our previous death, and that we shall never [again] be made to suffer?

إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ ۝٦۰

Verily, this - this indeed - is the triumph supreme!”

لِمِثْلِ هَٰذَا فَلْيَعْمَلِ ٱلْعَٰمِلُونَ ۝٦١

For the like of this, then, let them labour, those who labour [in God’s way]!

أَذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ نُّزُلًا أَمْ شَجَرَةُ ٱلزَّقُّومِ ۝٦٢

Is such [a paradise] the better welcome - or the [hellish] tree of deadly fruit?

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَٰهَا فِتْنَةًۭ لِّلظَّٰلِمِينَ ۝٦۳

Verily, We have caused it to be a trial for evildoers:

إِنَّهَا شَجَرَةٌۭ تَخْرُجُ فِىٓ أَصْلِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ ۝٦٤

for, behold, it is a tree that grows in the very heart of the blazing fire [of hell],

طَلْعُهَا كَأَنَّهُۥ رُءُوسُ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِ ۝٦٥

its fruit [as repulsive] as satans’ heads;

فَإِنَّهُمْ لَءَاكِلُونَ مِنْهَا فَمَالِـُٔونَ مِنْهَا ٱلْبُطُونَ ۝٦٦

and they [who are lost in evil] are indeed bound to eat thereof, and to fill their bellies therewith.

ثُمَّ إِنَّ لَهُمْ عَلَيْهَا لَشَوْبًۭا مِّنْ حَمِيمٍۢ ۝٦۷

And, behold, above all this they will be confounded with burning des­pair!

ثُمَّ إِنَّ مَرْجِعَهُمْ لَإِلَى ٱلْجَحِيمِ ۝٦۸

And once again: Verily, the blazing fire is their ultimate goal –

إِنَّهُمْ أَلْفَوْا۟ ءَابَآءَهُمْ ضَآلِّينَ ۝٦۹

for, behold, they found their forebears on a wrong way,

فَهُمْ عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَٰرِهِمْ يُهْرَعُونَ ۝۷۰

and [now] they make haste to follow in their footsteps!

وَلَقَدْ ضَلَّ قَبْلَهُمْ أَكْثَرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ ۝۷١

Thus, indeed, most of the people of old went astray before them,

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا فِيهِم مُّنذِرِينَ ۝۷٢

although, verily, We had sent warners unto them:

فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُنذَرِينَ ۝۷۳

and behold what happened in the end to those that had been warned [to no avail]!

إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ ۝۷٤

EXCEPT for God’s true servants, [most people are apt to go astray.]

وَلَقَدْ نَادَىٰنَا نُوحٌۭ فَلَنِعْمَ ٱلْمُجِيبُونَ ۝۷٥

And, indeed, [it was for this reason that] Noah cried unto Us - and how excellent was Our response:

وَنَجَّيْنَٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْكَرْبِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ۝۷٦

for We saved him and his household from that awesome calamity,

وَجَعَلْنَا ذُرِّيَّتَهُۥ هُمُ ٱلْبَاقِينَ ۝۷۷

and caused his offspring to endure [on earth];

وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ ۝۷۸

and We left him thus to be remembered among later generations:

سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰ نُوحٍۢ فِى ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ۝۷۹

“Peace be upon Noah throughout all the worlds!”

إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ۝۸۰

Verily, thus do We reward the doers of good –

إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۝۸١

for he was truly one of our believing servants:

ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا ٱلْءَاخَرِينَ ۝۸٢

[and so We saved him and those who followed him] and then We caused the others to drown.

۞ وَإِنَّ مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ لَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۝۸۳

AND, BEHOLD, of his persuasion was Abraham, too,

إِذْ جَآءَ رَبَّهُۥ بِقَلْبٍۢ سَلِيمٍ ۝۸٤

when he turned to his Sustainer with a heart free of evil,

إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَاذَا تَعْبُدُونَ ۝۸٥

and [thus] spoke to his father and his people: “What is it that you worship?

أَئِفْكًا ءَالِهَةًۭ دُونَ ٱللَّهِ تُرِيدُونَ ۝۸٦

Do you want [to bow down before] a lie - [before] deities other than God?

فَمَا ظَنُّكُم بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ۝۸۷

What, then, do you think of the Sustainer of all the worlds?”

فَنَظَرَ نَظْرَةًۭ فِى ٱلنُّجُومِ ۝۸۸

Then he cast a glance at the stars,

فَقَالَ إِنِّى سَقِيمٌۭ ۝۸۹

and said, “Verily, I am sick [at heart]!”

فَتَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ مُدْبِرِينَ ۝۹۰

and at that they turned their backs on him and went away.

فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰٓ ءَالِهَتِهِمْ فَقَالَ أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ ۝۹١

Thereupon he approached their gods stealthily and said, “What! You do not eat [of the offerings placed before you]?

مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَنطِقُونَ ۝۹٢

What is amiss with you that you do not speak?”

فَرَاغَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضَرْبًۢا بِٱلْيَمِينِ ۝۹۳

And then he fell upon them, smiting them with his right hand.

فَأَقْبَلُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ يَزِفُّونَ ۝۹٤

[But] then the others came towards him hur­riedly [and accused him of his deed].

قَالَ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ ۝۹٥

He answered: “Do you worship something that you [yourselves] have carved,

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ ۝۹٦

the while it is God who has created you and all your handiwork?”

قَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ لَهُۥ بُنْيَٰنًۭا فَأَلْقُوهُ فِى ٱلْجَحِيمِ ۝۹۷

They exclaimed: “Build a pyre for him, and cast him into the blazing fire!”

فَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًۭا فَجَعَلْنَٰهُمُ ٱلْأَسْفَلِينَ ۝۹۸

But whereas they sought to do evil unto him, We [frustrated their designs, and thus] brought them low?

وَقَالَ إِنِّى ذَاهِبٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ ۝۹۹

And [Abraham] said: “Verily, I shall [leave this land and] go wherever my Sustainer will guide me!”

رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ ۝١۰۰

[And he prayed:] “O my Sustainer! Bestow upon me the gift of [a son who shall be] one of the righteous!” –

فَبَشَّرْنَٰهُ بِغُلَٰمٍ حَلِيمٍۢ ۝١۰١

whereupon We gave him the glad tiding of a boy-child gentle [like himself]?

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 ۝١۰٢

And [one day,] when [the child] had become old enough to share in his [father’s] endeavours, the latter said: “O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice thee: consider, then, what would be thy view!” [Ishmael] answered: “O my father! Do as thou art bidden: thou wilt find me, if God so wills, among those who are patient in adversity!”

فَلَمَّآ أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلْجَبِينِ ۝١۰۳

But as soon as the two had surrendered themselves to [what they thought to be] the will of God, and [Abraham] had laid him down on his face,

وَنَٰدَيْنَٰهُ أَن يَٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ ۝١۰٤

We called out to him: “O Abraham,

قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ ٱلرُّءْيَآ ۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ۝١۰٥

thou hast already fulfilled [the purpose of] that dream- vision!” Thus, verily, do We reward the doers of good:

إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْبَلَٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلْمُبِينُ ۝١۰٦

for, behold, all this was indeed a trial, clear in itself.

وَفَدَيْنَٰهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍۢ ۝١۰۷

And We ransomed him with a tremendous sacrifice,

وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ ۝١۰۸

and left him thus to be remembered among later generations:

سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۝١۰۹

“Peace be upon Abraham!”

كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ۝١١۰

Thus do We reward the doers of good –

إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۝١١١

for he was truly one of our believing servants.

وَبَشَّرْنَٰهُ بِإِسْحَٰقَ نَبِيًّۭا مِّنَ ٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ ۝١١٢

And [in time] We gave him the glad tiding of Isaac, [who, too, would be] a prophet, one of the righteous;

وَبَٰرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَىٰٓ إِسْحَٰقَ ۚ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا مُحْسِنٌۭ وَظَالِمٌۭ لِّنَفْسِهِۦ مُبِينٌۭ ۝١١۳

and We blessed him and Isaac: but among the offspring of these two there were [des­tined] to be both doers of good and such as would glaringly sin against themselves.

وَلَقَدْ مَنَنَّا عَلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَ ۝١١٤

THUS, INDEED, did We bestow Our favour upon Moses and Aaron;

وَنَجَّيْنَٰهُمَا وَقَوْمَهُمَا مِنَ ٱلْكَرْبِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ ۝١١٥

and We saved them and their people from the awesome calamity [of bondage],

وَنَصَرْنَٰهُمْ فَكَانُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلْغَٰلِبِينَ ۝١١٦

and succoured them, so that [in the end] it was they who achieved victory.

وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُمَا ٱلْكِتَٰبَ ٱلْمُسْتَبِينَ ۝١١۷

And We gave them the divine writ that made [right and wrong] distinct,

وَهَدَيْنَٰهُمَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ ۝١١۸

and guided them the straight way,

وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِمَا فِى ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ ۝١١۹

and left them thus to be remem­bered among later generations:

سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَ ۝١٢۰

“Peace be upon Moses and Aaron!”

إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ۝١٢١

Thus do We reward the doers of good –

إِنَّهُمَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۝١٢٢

for those two were truly among Our believing ser­vants.

وَإِنَّ إِلْيَاسَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ ۝١٢۳

AND, BEHOLD, Elijah [too] was indeed one of Our message-bearers

إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِۦٓ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ ۝١٢٤

when he spoke [thus] to his people: “Will you not remain conscious of God?

أَتَدْعُونَ بَعْلًۭا وَتَذَرُونَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْخَٰلِقِينَ ۝١٢٥

Will you invoke Baal and forsake [God,] the best of artisans -

ٱللَّهَ رَبَّكُمْ وَرَبَّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ ۝١٢٦

God, your Sustainer and the Sustainer of your forebears of old?”

فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَمُحْضَرُونَ ۝١٢۷

But they gave him the lie: and therefore they will most surely be arraigned [on Judgment Day],

إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ ۝١٢۸

excepting only [those who were] God’s true servants;

وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ ۝١٢۹

and him We left thus to be remem­bered among later generations:

سَلَٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِلْ يَاسِينَ ۝١۳۰

“Peace be upon Elijah and his followers!”

إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ ۝١۳١

Verily, thus do We reward the doers of good –

إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ۝١۳٢

for he was truly one of Our believing servants!

وَإِنَّ لُوطًۭا لَّمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ ۝١۳۳

AND, BEHOLD, Lot was indeed one of Our mes­sage-bearers;

إِذْ نَجَّيْنَٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ ۝١۳٤

[and so,] when [We decreed the doom of his sinful town,] We saved him and his household,

إِلَّا عَجُوزًۭا فِى ٱلْغَٰبِرِينَ ۝١۳٥

except an old woman who was among those that stayed behind;

ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا ٱلْءَاخَرِينَ ۝١۳٦

and then We utterly destroyed the others:

وَإِنَّكُمْ لَتَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهِم مُّصْبِحِينَ ۝١۳۷

and, verily, [to this day] you pass by the remnants of their dwellings at morning-time

وَبِٱلَّيْلِ ۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ ۝١۳۸

and by night. Will you not, then, use your reason?

وَإِنَّ يُونُسَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ ۝١۳۹

AND, BEHOLD, Jonah was indeed one of Our mes­sage-bearers

إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ ۝١٤۰

when he fled like a runaway slave onto a laden ship.

فَسَاهَمَ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُدْحَضِينَ ۝١٤١

And then they cast lots, and he was the one who lost;

فَٱلْتَقَمَهُ ٱلْحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌۭ ۝١٤٢

[and they cast him into the sea,] whereupon the great fish swallowed him, for he had been blameworthy.

فَلَوْلَآ أَنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَبِّحِينَ ۝١٤۳

And had he not been of those who [even in the deep darkness of their distress are able to] extol God’s limitless glory,

لَلَبِثَ فِى بَطْنِهِۦٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ ۝١٤٤

he would indeed have remained in its belly till the Day when all shall be raised from the dead:

۞ فَنَبَذْنَٰهُ بِٱلْعَرَآءِ وَهُوَ سَقِيمٌۭ ۝١٤٥

but We caused him to be cast forth on a desert shore, sick [at heart] as he was,

وَأَنۢبَتْنَا عَلَيْهِ شَجَرَةًۭ مِّن يَقْطِينٍۢ ۝١٤٦

and caused a creeping plant to grow over him [out of the barren soil].

وَأَرْسَلْنَٰهُ إِلَىٰ مِا۟ئَةِ أَلْفٍ أَوْ يَزِيدُونَ ۝١٤۷

And [then] We sent him [once again] to [his people,] a hundred thousand [souls] or more:

فَـَٔامَنُوا۟ فَمَتَّعْنَٰهُمْ إِلَىٰ حِينٍۢ ۝١٤۸

and [this time] they believed [in him] and so We allowed them to enjoy their life during the time allotted to them?

فَٱسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَلِرَبِّكَ ٱلْبَنَاتُ وَلَهُمُ ٱلْبَنُونَ ۝١٤۹

AND NOW ask them to enlighten thee: Has thy Sustainer daughters, whereas they would have [only] sons?

أَمْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ إِنَٰثًۭا وَهُمْ شَٰهِدُونَ ۝١٥۰

- or is it that We have created the angels female, and they [who believe them to be divine] have witnessed [that act of creation]?

أَلَآ إِنَّهُم مِّنْ إِفْكِهِمْ لَيَقُولُونَ ۝١٥١

Oh, verily, it is out of their own [inclination to] falsehood that some people assert,

وَلَدَ ٱللَّهُ وَإِنَّهُمْ لَكَٰذِبُونَ ۝١٥٢

“God has begotten [a son]”; and, verily, they are lying [too, when they say],

أَصْطَفَى ٱلْبَنَاتِ عَلَى ٱلْبَنِينَ ۝١٥۳

“He has chosen daughters in preference to sons”!

مَا لَكُمْ كَيْفَ تَحْكُمُونَ ۝١٥٤

What is amiss with you and your judgment?

أَفَلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ ۝١٥٥

Will you not, then, bethink yourselves?

أَمْ لَكُمْ سُلْطَٰنٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ ۝١٥٦

Or have you, perchance, a clear evidence [for your assertions]?

فَأْتُوا۟ بِكِتَٰبِكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ ۝١٥۷

Produce, then, that divine writ of yours, if you are speaking the truth!

وَجَعَلُوا۟ بَيْنَهُۥ وَبَيْنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ نَسَبًۭا ۚ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمَتِ ٱلْجِنَّةُ إِنَّهُمْ لَمُحْضَرُونَ ۝١٥۸

And some people have invented a kinship between Him and all manner of invisible forces although [even] these invisible forces know well that, verily, they [who thus blaspheme against God] shall indeed be arraigned [before Him on Judgment Day: for]

سُبْحَٰنَ ٱللَّهِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ۝١٥۹

limitless is God in His glory, above anything that men may devise by way of definition!

إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ ۝١٦۰

Not thus, however, [behave] God’s true ser­vants:

فَإِنَّكُمْ وَمَا تَعْبُدُونَ ۝١٦١

for, verily, neither you [blasphemers] nor the objects of your worship

مَآ أَنتُمْ عَلَيْهِ بِفَٰتِنِينَ ۝١٦٢

can cause anyone to fall prey to your temptation

إِلَّا مَنْ هُوَ صَالِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ ۝١٦۳

unless it be such as rushes towards the blazing fire [of his own accord]!

وَمَا مِنَّآ إِلَّا لَهُۥ مَقَامٌۭ مَّعْلُومٌۭ ۝١٦٤

[All forces of nature praise God and say:] “Among us, too, there is none but has a place assigned to it [by Him];

وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ ٱلصَّآفُّونَ ۝١٦٥

and, verily, we too are ranged [before Him in worship];

وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ ٱلْمُسَبِّحُونَ ۝١٦٦

and, verily, we too extol His limitless glory!”

وَإِن كَانُوا۟ لَيَقُولُونَ ۝١٦۷

AND, INDEED, they [who deny the truth] have always been wont to say,

لَوْ أَنَّ عِندَنَا ذِكْرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ ۝١٦۸

“If only we had a tradition [to this effect] from our forebears,

لَكُنَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ ۝١٦۹

we would certainly be true servants of God.”

فَكَفَرُوا۟ بِهِۦ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ ۝١۷۰

And yet, [now that this divine writ has been placed before them,] they refuse to acknowledge it as true! In time, however, they will come to know [what it was that they had rejected]:

وَلَقَدْ سَبَقَتْ كَلِمَتُنَا لِعِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ ۝١۷١

for, long ago has Our word gone forth unto Our servants, the message- bearers,

إِنَّهُمْ لَهُمُ ٱلْمَنصُورُونَ ۝١۷٢

that, verily, they - they indeed - would be succoured,

وَإِنَّ جُندَنَا لَهُمُ ٱلْغَٰلِبُونَ ۝١۷۳

and that, verily, Our hosts - they indeed - would [in the end] be victorious!

فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍۢ ۝١۷٤

Hence, turn thou aside for a while from those [who deny the truth],

وَأَبْصِرْهُمْ فَسَوْفَ يُبْصِرُونَ ۝١۷٥

and see them [for what they are]; and in time they [too] will come to see [what they do not see now].

أَفَبِعَذَابِنَا يَسْتَعْجِلُونَ ۝١۷٦

Do they, then, [really] wish that Our chas­tisement be hastened on?

فَإِذَا نَزَلَ بِسَاحَتِهِمْ فَسَآءَ صَبَاحُ ٱلْمُنذَرِينَ ۝١۷۷

But then, once it alights upon them, hapless will be the awakening of those who were warned [to no avail]!

وَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍۢ ۝١۷۸

Hence, turn thou aside for a while from them,

وَأَبْصِرْ فَسَوْفَ يُبْصِرُونَ ۝١۷۹

and see [them for what they are]; and n time they [too] will come to see [what they do not see now].

سُبْحَٰنَ رَبِّكَ رَبِّ ٱلْعِزَّةِ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ ۝١۸۰

LIMITLESS in His glory is thy Sustainer, the Lord of almightiness, [exalted] above anything that men may devise by way of definition!

وَسَلَٰمٌ عَلَى ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ ۝١۸١

And peace be upon all His message-bearers!

وَٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ ۝١۸٢

And all praise is due to God alone, the Sus­tainer of all the worlds!