الحِجۡرِ
- Meccan
- 99 verses
- Surah 15 of 114
Introduction to Surah Al-Hijr
Ninety-nine verses, Meccan, fifteenth in the written order. The name refers to a rocky place in north-western Arabia associated with the people of Thamud, who carved dwellings into cliff faces and whose ruins were on the trade route the Meccans used.
The verse it is known for
We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption). (15:9)
This is the verse most often cited in discussions of the Qur’an’s preservation, and it is worth noting what it says and does not say. It is a claim about the text, made by the text, in the middle of a passage answering people who were calling that text the work of a madman. Whether one takes it as a self-fulfilling guarantee or as a claim to be assessed on the historical evidence, it is the Qur’an’s own statement about itself and it is stated in one line.
How it is built
The surah runs through three movements. It opens on the opposition — their demand for angels, their laughter, and a remark that on the last day the ones who rejected will wish they had been Muslims, which is a strange and quiet way to begin.
The middle is the story of Iblis, given at length: the making of the human being from sounding clay, the command to bow, the refusal, the reason given for the refusal, and the reprieve granted until a known day. The surah then follows the guests of Abraham, who arrive as strangers and are feared before they are recognised, and goes on to Lot and the destruction of the cities at dawn.
The last section returns to the Prophet. It tells him not to strain his eyes after the things given to various classes of people, not to grieve over them, and to lower his wing to the believers — and then says, in a line that lands differently once the rest of the surah has been read, that his Lord is the Creator who knows, and that he should proclaim what he is commanded and turn away from the polytheists. The instruction is to keep speaking, not to win.
The seven oft-repeated
Verse 87 mentions seven of the oft-repeated verses given to the Prophet alongside the great Qur’an. Most commentators identify these as Al-Fatihah, which has seven verses; a minority reading takes them to be seven long surahs. It is the phrase that gives Al-Fatihah one of its traditional names.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيم
الٓر ۚ تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ وَقُرْءَانٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
Alif-Laaam-Raa; tilka Aayaatul Kitaabi wa Qur-aa-nim Mubeen
A. L. R. These are the Ayats of Revelation,- of a Qur’an that makes things clear.
Alif. Lam. Ra. These are verses of the Scripture and a plain Reading.
رُّبَمَا يَوَدُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لَوْ كَانُوا۟ مُسْلِمِينَ
Rubamaa yawaddul lazeena kafaroo law kaanoo muslimeen
Again and again will those who disbelieve, wish that they had bowed (to Allah’s will) in Islam.
It may be that those who disbelieve wish ardently that they were Muslims.
ذَرْهُمْ يَأْكُلُوا۟ وَيَتَمَتَّعُوا۟ وَيُلْهِهِمُ ٱلْأَمَلُ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ
Zarhum yaakuloo wa tatamatta’oo wa yulhihimul amalu fasawfa ya’lamoon
Leave them alone, to enjoy (the good things of this life) and to please themselves: let (false) hope amuse them: soon will knowledge (undeceive them).
Let them eat and enjoy life, and let (false) hope beguile them. They will come to know!
وَمَآ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ إِلَّا وَلَهَا كِتَابٌۭ مَّعْلُومٌۭ
Wa maaa ahlaknaa min qaryatin illaa wa lahaa kitaabum ma’loom
Never did We destroy a population that had not a term decreed and assigned beforehand.
And We destroyed no township but there was a known decree for it.
مَّا تَسْبِقُ مِنْ أُمَّةٍ أَجَلَهَا وَمَا يَسْتَـْٔخِرُونَ
Maa tasbiqu min ummatin ajalahaa wa maa yastaakhiroon
Neither can a people anticipate its term, nor delay it.
No nation can outstrip its term nor can they lag behind.
وَقَالُوا۟ يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِى نُزِّلَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلذِّكْرُ إِنَّكَ لَمَجْنُونٌۭ
Wa qaaloo yaaa aiyuhal lazee nuzzila ‘alaihiz Zikru innaka lamajnoon
They say: “O thou to whom the Message is being revealed! truly thou art mad (or possessed)!
And they say: O thou unto whom the Reminder is revealed, lo! thou art indeed a madman!
لَّوْ مَا تَأْتِينَا بِٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ
Law maa taateenaa bil malaaa’ikati in kunta minas saadiqeen
“Why bringest thou not angels to us if it be that thou hast the Truth?”
Why bringest thou not angels unto us, if thou art of the truthful?
مَا نُنَزِّلُ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةَ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَمَا كَانُوٓا۟ إِذًۭا مُّنظَرِينَ
Maa nunazzilul malaaa’i kata illaa bilhaqqi wa maa kaanooo izam munzareen
We send not the angels down except for just cause: if they came (to the ungodly), behold! no respite would they have!
We send not down the angels save with the Fact, and in that case (the disbelievers) would not be tolerated.
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا ٱلذِّكْرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُۥ لَحَٰفِظُونَ
Innaa Nahnu nazalnaz Zikra wa Innaa lahoo lahaa fizoon
We have, without doubt, sent down the Message; and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).
Lo! We, even We, reveal the Reminder, and lo! We verily are its Guardian.
وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا مِن قَبْلِكَ فِى شِيَعِ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
Wa laqad arsalnaa min qablika fee shiya’il awwaleen
We did send messengers before thee amongst the religious sects of old:
We verily sent (messengers) before thee among the factions of the men of old.
وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
Wa maa yaateehim mir Rasoolin illaa kaanoo bihee yastahzi’oon
But never came a messenger to them but they mocked him.
And never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him.
كَذَٰلِكَ نَسْلُكُهُۥ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
kazaalika naslukuhoo fee quloobil mujrimeen
Even so do we let it creep into the hearts of the sinners –
Thus do We make it traverse the hearts of the guilty:
لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ ۖ وَقَدْ خَلَتْ سُنَّةُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
Laa yu’minoona bihee wa qad khalat sunnatul awwaleen
That they should not believe in the (Message); but the ways of the ancients have passed away.
They believe not therein, though the example of the men of old hath gone before.
وَلَوْ فَتَحْنَا عَلَيْهِم بَابًۭا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَظَلُّوا۟ فِيهِ يَعْرُجُونَ
Wa law fatahnaa ‘alaihim baabam minas samaaa’i fazaloo feehi ya’rujoon
Even if We opened out to them a gate from heaven, and they were to continue (all day) ascending therein,
And even if We opened unto them a gate of heaven and they kept mounting through it,
لَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَا سُكِّرَتْ أَبْصَٰرُنَا بَلْ نَحْنُ قَوْمٌۭ مَّسْحُورُونَ
Laqaaloo innamaa sukkirat absaarunaa bal nahnu qawmum mashooroon
They would only say: “Our eyes have been intoxicated: Nay, we have been bewitched by sorcery.”
They would say: Our sight is wrong – nay, but we are folk bewitched.
وَلَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ بُرُوجًۭا وَزَيَّنَّٰهَا لِلنَّٰظِرِينَ
Wa laqad ja’alnaa fissamaaa’i buroojanw wa zaiyannaahaa linnaazireen
It is We Who have set out the zodiacal signs in the heavens, and made them fair-seeming to (all) beholders;
And verily in the heaven we have set mansions of the stars, and We have beautified it for beholders.
وَحَفِظْنَٰهَا مِن كُلِّ شَيْطَٰنٍۢ رَّجِيمٍ
Wa hafiznaahaa min kulli Shaitaanir rajeem
And (moreover) We have guarded them from every cursed devil:
And We have guarded it from every outcast devil,
إِلَّا مَنِ ٱسْتَرَقَ ٱلسَّمْعَ فَأَتْبَعَهُۥ شِهَابٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
Illaa manis taraqas sam’a fa atba’ahoo shihaabum mubeen
But any that gains a hearing by stealth, is pursued by a flaming fire, bright (to see).
Save him who stealeth the hearing, and them doth a clear flame pursue.
وَٱلْأَرْضَ مَدَدْنَٰهَا وَأَلْقَيْنَا فِيهَا رَوَٰسِىَ وَأَنۢبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ مَّوْزُونٍۢ
Wal arda madadnaahaa wa alqainaa feehaa rawaasiya wa ambatnaa feehaa min kulli shai’im mawzoon
And the earth We have spread out (like a carpet); set thereon mountains firm and immovable; and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance.
And the earth have We spread out, and placed therein firm hills, and caused each seemly thing to grow therein.
وَجَعَلْنَا لَكُمْ فِيهَا مَعَٰيِشَ وَمَن لَّسْتُمْ لَهُۥ بِرَٰزِقِينَ
Wa ja’alnaa lakum feehaa ma’aayisha wa mal lastum lahoo biraaziqeen
And We have provided therein means of subsistence,- for you and for those for whose sustenance ye are not responsible.
And we have given unto you livelihoods therein, and unto those for whom ye provide not.
وَإِن مِّن شَىْءٍ إِلَّا عِندَنَا خَزَآئِنُهُۥ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِقَدَرٍۢ مَّعْلُومٍۢ
Wa im min shai’in illaa ‘indanaa khazaaa ‘inuhoo wa maa nunazziluhooo illaa biqadarim ma’loom
And there is not a thing but its (sources and) treasures (inexhaustible) are with Us; but We only send down thereof in due and ascertainable measures.
And there is not a thing but with Us are the stores thereof. And we send it not down save in appointed measure.
وَأَرْسَلْنَا ٱلرِّيَٰحَ لَوَٰقِحَ فَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءًۭ فَأَسْقَيْنَٰكُمُوهُ وَمَآ أَنتُمْ لَهُۥ بِخَٰزِنِينَ
Wa arsalnar riyaaha la waaqiha fa anzalnaa minas samaaa’i maaa’an fa asqai naakumoohu wa maaa antum lahoo bikhaazineen
And We send the fecundating winds, then cause the rain to descend from the sky, therewith providing you with water (in abundance), though ye are not the guardians of its stores.
And We send the winds fertilising, and cause water to descend from the sky, and give it you to drink. It is not ye who are the holders of the store thereof.
وَإِنَّا لَنَحْنُ نُحْىِۦ وَنُمِيتُ وَنَحْنُ ٱلْوَٰرِثُونَ
Wa innnaa la nahnu nuhyee wa numeetu wa nahnul waarisoon
And verily, it is We Who give life, and Who give death: it is We Who remain inheritors (after all else passes away).
Lo! and it is We, even We, Who quicken and give death, and We are the Inheritor.
وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْنَا ٱلْمُسْتَقْدِمِينَ مِنكُمْ وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْنَا ٱلْمُسْتَـْٔخِرِينَ
Wa la qad ‘alimnal mustaqdimeena minkum wa laqad ‘alimnal mustaakhireen
To Us are known those of you who hasten forward, and those who lag behind.
And verily We know the eager among you and verily We know the laggards.
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَحْشُرُهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ حَكِيمٌ عَلِيمٌۭ
Wa inna Rabbaka Huwa yahshuruhum; innahoo Hakeem ‘Aleem
Assuredly it is thy Lord Who will gather them together: for He is perfect in Wisdom and Knowledge.
Lo! thy Lord will gather them together. Lo! He is Wise, Aware.
وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِن صَلْصَٰلٍۢ مِّنْ حَمَإٍۢ مَّسْنُونٍۢ
Wa laqad khalaqnal insaana min salsaalim min hama im masnoon
We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape;
Verily We created man of potter’s clay of black mud altered,
وَٱلْجَآنَّ خَلَقْنَٰهُ مِن قَبْلُ مِن نَّارِ ٱلسَّمُومِ
Waljaaanna khalaqnaahu min qablu min naaris samoom
And the Jinn race, We had created before, from the fire of a scorching wind.
And the jinn did We create aforetime of essential fire.
وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى خَٰلِقٌۢ بَشَرًۭا مِّن صَلْصَٰلٍۢ مِّنْ حَمَإٍۢ مَّسْنُونٍۢ
Wa iz qaala Rabbuka lilmalaaa’ ikati innee khaaliqum basharam min salsaalim min hama im masnoon
Behold! thy Lord said to the angels: “I am about to create man, from sounding clay from mud moulded into shape;
And (remember) when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am creating a mortal out of potter’s clay of black mud altered,
فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُۥ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ سَٰجِدِينَ
Fa izaa sawwaituhoo wa nafakhtu feehi mir roohee faqa’oo lahoo saajideen
“When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him.”
So, when I have made him and have breathed into him of My Spirit, do ye fall down, prostrating yourselves unto him.
فَسَجَدَ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُونَ
Fasajadal malaaa’ikatu kulluhum ajma’oon
So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together:
So the angels fell prostrate, all of them together
إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ أَبَىٰٓ أَن يَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّٰجِدِينَ
Illaaa ibleesa abaaa ai yakoona ma’as saajideen
Not so Iblis: he refused to be among those who prostrated themselves.
Save Iblis. He refused to be among the prostrate.
قَالَ يَٰٓإِبْلِيسُ مَا لَكَ أَلَّا تَكُونَ مَعَ ٱلسَّٰجِدِينَ
Qaala yaaa Ibleesu maa laka allaa takoona ma’as saajideen
(Allah) said: “O Iblis! what is your reason for not being among those who prostrated themselves?”
He said: O Iblis! What aileth thee that thou art not among the prostrate?
قَالَ لَمْ أَكُن لِّأَسْجُدَ لِبَشَرٍ خَلَقْتَهُۥ مِن صَلْصَٰلٍۢ مِّنْ حَمَإٍۢ مَّسْنُونٍۢ
Qaala lam akul li asjuda libasharin khalaqtahoo min salsaalim min hama im masnoon
(Iblis) said: “I am not one to prostrate myself to man, whom Thou didst create from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape.”
He said: I am not one to prostrate myself unto a mortal whom Thou hast created out of potter’s clay of black mud altered!
قَالَ فَٱخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌۭ
Qaala fakhruj minhaa fa innaka rajeem
(Allah) said: “Then get thee out from here; for thou art rejected, accursed.
He said: Then go thou forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast.
وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ ٱللَّعْنَةَ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِ
Wa inna ‘alikal la’nata ilaa Yawmid Deen
“And the curse shall be on thee till the day of Judgment.”
And lo! the curse shall be upon thee till the Day of Judgment.
قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرْنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ
Qaala Rabbi fa anzirneee ilaa Yawmi yub’asoon
(Iblis) said: “O my Lord! give me then respite till the Day the (dead) are raised.”
He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised.
قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنظَرِينَ
Qaala fa innaka minal munzareen
(Allah) said: “Respite is granted thee
He said: Then lo! thou art of those reprieved
إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْوَقْتِ ٱلْمَعْلُومِ
Ilaa Yawmil waqtil ma’loom
“Till the Day of the Time appointed.”
Till the Day of appointed time.
قَالَ رَبِّ بِمَآ أَغْوَيْتَنِى لَأُزَيِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Qaala Rabbi bimaaa aghwaitanee la uzayyinaana lahum fil ardi wa la ughwiyan nahum ajma’een
(Iblis) said: “O my Lord! because Thou hast put me in the wrong, I will make (wrong) fair-seeming to them on the earth, and I will put them all in the wrong,-
He said: My Lord! Because Thou hast sent me astray, I verily shall adorn the path of error for them in the earth, and shall mislead them every one,
إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ
Illaa ‘ibaadaka minhumul mukhlaseen
“Except Thy servants among them, sincere and purified (by Thy Grace).”
Save such of them as are Thy perfectly devoted slaves.
قَالَ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌ عَلَىَّ مُسْتَقِيمٌ
Qaala haaza Siraatun ‘alaiya Mustaqeem
(Allah) said: “This (way of My sincere servants) is indeed a way that leads straight to Me.
He said: This is a right course incumbent upon Me:
إِنَّ عِبَادِى لَيْسَ لَكَ عَلَيْهِمْ سُلْطَٰنٌ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلْغَاوِينَ
Inna ‘ibaadee laisa laka ‘alaihim sultaanun illaa manittaba’aka minal ghaaween
“For over My servants no authority shalt thou have, except such as put themselves in the wrong and follow thee.”
Lo! as for My slaves, thou hast no power over any of them save such of the froward as follow thee,
وَإِنَّ جَهَنَّمَ لَمَوْعِدُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Wa inna jahannama lamaw’iduhum ajma’een
And verily, Hell is the promised abode for them all!
And lo! for all such, hell will be the promised place.
لَهَا سَبْعَةُ أَبْوَٰبٍۢ لِّكُلِّ بَابٍۢ مِّنْهُمْ جُزْءٌۭ مَّقْسُومٌ
Lahaa sab’atu abwaab; likulli baabim minhum juz’um maqsoom
To it are seven gates: for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.
It hath seven gates, and each gate hath an appointed portion.
إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍ
Innal muttaqeena fee Jannaatinw wa ‘uyoon
The righteous (will be) amid gardens and fountains (of clear-flowing water).
Lo! those who ward off (evil) are among gardens and watersprings.
ٱدْخُلُوهَا بِسَلَٰمٍ ءَامِنِينَ
Udkhuloohaa bisalaamin aamineen
(Their greeting will be): “Enter ye here in peace and security.”
(And it is said unto them): Enter them in peace, secure.
وَنَزَعْنَا مَا فِى صُدُورِهِم مِّنْ غِلٍّ إِخْوَٰنًا عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍۢ مُّتَقَٰبِلِينَ
Wa naza’naa ma fee sudoorihim min ghillin ikhwaanan ‘alaa sururim mutaqaabileen
And We shall remove from their hearts any lurking sense of injury: (they will be) brothers (joyfully) facing each other on thrones (of dignity).
And We remove whatever rancour may be in their breasts. As brethren, face to face, (they rest) on couches raised.
لَا يَمَسُّهُمْ فِيهَا نَصَبٌۭ وَمَا هُم مِّنْهَا بِمُخْرَجِينَ
Laa yamas suhum feehaa nasabunw wa maa hum minhaa bimukhrajeen
There no sense of fatigue shall touch them, nor shall they (ever) be asked to leave.
Toil cometh not unto them there, nor will they be expelled from thence.
۞ نَبِّئْ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Nabbi’ ‘ibaadeee annneee anal Ghafoorur Raheem
Tell My servants that I am indeed the Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful;
Announce, (O Muhammad) unto My slaves that verily I am the Forgiving, the Merciful,
وَأَنَّ عَذَابِى هُوَ ٱلْعَذَابُ ٱلْأَلِيمُ
Wa anna ‘azaabee uwal ‘azaabul aleem
And that My Penalty will be indeed the most grievous Penalty.
And that My doom is the dolorous doom.
وَنَبِّئْهُمْ عَن ضَيْفِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ
Wa nabbi’hum ‘an daifi Ibraaheem
Tell them about the guests of Abraham.
And tell them of Abraham’s guests,
إِذْ دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالُوا۟ سَلَٰمًۭا قَالَ إِنَّا مِنكُمْ وَجِلُونَ
Iz dakhaloo ‘alaihi faqaaloo salaaman qaala innaa minkum wajiloon
When they entered his presence and said, “Peace!” He said, “We feel afraid of you!”
(How) when they came in unto him, and said: Peace. He said: Lo! we are afraid of you.
قَالُوا۟ لَا تَوْجَلْ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَٰمٍ عَلِيمٍۢ
Qaaloo la tawjal innaa nubashshiruka bighulaamin ‘aleem
They said: “Fear not! We give thee glad tidings of a son endowed with wisdom.”
They said: Be not afraid! Lo! we bring thee good tidings of a boy possessing wisdom.
قَالَ أَبَشَّرْتُمُونِى عَلَىٰٓ أَن مَّسَّنِىَ ٱلْكِبَرُ فَبِمَ تُبَشِّرُونَ
Qaala abashshartumoonee ‘alaaa am massaniyal kibaru fabima tubashshiroon
He said: “Do ye give me glad tidings that old age has seized me? Of what, then, is your good news?”
He said: Bring ye me good tidings (of a son) when old age hath overtaken me? Of what then can ye bring good tidings?
قَالُوا۟ بَشَّرْنَٰكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ فَلَا تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلْقَٰنِطِينَ
Qaaloo bashsharnaaka bilhaqqi falaa takum minal qaaniteen
They said: “We give thee glad tidings in truth: be not then in despair!”
They said: We bring thee good tidings in truth. So be not thou of the despairing.
قَالَ وَمَن يَقْنَطُ مِن رَّحْمَةِ رَبِّهِۦٓ إِلَّا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ
Qaala wa mai yaqnatu mir rahmati Rabbiheee illad daaaloon
He said: “And who despairs of the mercy of his Lord, but such as go astray?”
He said: And who despaireth of the mercy of his Lord save those who are astray?
قَالَ فَمَا خَطْبُكُمْ أَيُّهَا ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
Qaala famaa khatbukum aiyuhal mursaloon
Abraham said: “What then is the business on which ye (have come), O ye messengers (of Allah)?”
He said: And afterward what is your business, O ye messengers (of Allah)?
قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّآ أُرْسِلْنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوْمٍۢ مُّجْرِمِينَ
Qaaloo innaaa ursilnaaa ilaa qawmim mujrimeen
They said: “We have been sent to a people (deep) in sin,
They said: We have been sent unto a guilty folk,
إِلَّآ ءَالَ لُوطٍ إِنَّا لَمُنَجُّوهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Illaaa Aala Loot; innaa lamunajjoohum ajma’een
“Excepting the adherents of Lut: them we are certainly (charged) to save (from harm),- All –
(All) save the family of Lot. Them we shall deliver every one,
إِلَّا ٱمْرَأَتَهُۥ قَدَّرْنَآ ۙ إِنَّهَا لَمِنَ ٱلْغَٰبِرِينَ
Illam ra atahoo qaddarnaaa innahaa laminal ghaabireen
“Except his wife, who, We have ascertained, will be among those who will lag behind.”
Except his wife, of whom We had decreed that she should be of those who stay behind.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ءَالَ لُوطٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
Falamma jaaa’a Aala Lootinil mursaloon
At length when the messengers arrived among the adherents of Lut,
And when the messengers came unto the family of Lot,
قَالَ إِنَّكُمْ قَوْمٌۭ مُّنكَرُونَ
Qaala innakum qawmum munkaroon
He said: “Ye appear to be uncommon folk.”
He said: Lo! ye are folk unknown (to me).
قَالُوا۟ بَلْ جِئْنَٰكَ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَمْتَرُونَ
Qaaloo bal ji’naaka bimaa kaanoo feehi yamtaroon
They said: “Yea, we have come to thee to accomplish that of which they doubt.
They said: Nay, but we bring thee that concerning which they keep disputing,
وَأَتَيْنَٰكَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَإِنَّا لَصَٰدِقُونَ
Wa atainaaka bilhaqqi wa innaa lasaadiqoon
“We have brought to thee that which is inevitably due, and assuredly we tell the truth.
And bring thee the Truth, and lo! we are truth-tellers.
فَأَسْرِ بِأَهْلِكَ بِقِطْعٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱتَّبِعْ أَدْبَٰرَهُمْ وَلَا يَلْتَفِتْ مِنكُمْ أَحَدٌۭ وَٱمْضُوا۟ حَيْثُ تُؤْمَرُونَ
Fa asri bi ahlika biqit’im minal laili wattabi’ adbaarahum wa laa yaltafit minkum ahadunw wamdoo haisu tu’maroon
“Then travel by night with thy household, when a portion of the night (yet remains), and do thou bring up the rear: let no one amongst you look back, but pass on whither ye are ordered.”
So travel with thy household in a portion of the night, and follow thou their backs. Let none of you turn round, but go whither ye are commanded.
وَقَضَيْنَآ إِلَيْهِ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْأَمْرَ أَنَّ دَابِرَ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ مَقْطُوعٌۭ مُّصْبِحِينَ
Wa qadainaaa ilaihi zaalikal amra anna daabira haaa’ulaaa’i maqtoo’um musbiheen
And We made known this decree to him, that the last remnants of those (sinners) should be cut off by the morning.
And We made plain the case to him, that the root of them (who did wrong) was to be cut at early morn.
وَجَآءَ أَهْلُ ٱلْمَدِينَةِ يَسْتَبْشِرُونَ
Wa jaaa’a ahlul madeenati yastabshiroon
The inhabitants of the city came in (mad) joy (at news of the young men).
And the people of the city came, rejoicing at the news (of new arrivals).
قَالَ إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ ضَيْفِى فَلَا تَفْضَحُونِ
Qaala inna haaa’ulaaa’i daifee falaa tafdahoon
Lut said: “These are my guests: disgrace me not:
He said: Lo! they are my guests. Affront me not!
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَلَا تُخْزُونِ
Wattaqul laaha wa laa tukhzoon
“But fear Allah, and shame me not.”
And keep your duty to Allah, and shame me not!
قَالُوٓا۟ أَوَلَمْ نَنْهَكَ عَنِ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Qaalooo awalam nanhaka ‘anil ‘aalameen
They said: “Did we not forbid thee (to speak) for all and sundry?”
They said; Have we not forbidden you from (entertaining) anyone?
قَالَ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ بَنَاتِىٓ إِن كُنتُمْ فَٰعِلِينَ
Qaala haaa’ulaaa’i banaateee in kuntum faa’ileen
He said: “There are my daughters (to marry), if ye must act (so).”
He said: Here are my daughters, if ye must be doing (so).
لَعَمْرُكَ إِنَّهُمْ لَفِى سَكْرَتِهِمْ يَعْمَهُونَ
La’amruka innahum lafee sakratihim ya’mahoon
Verily, by thy life (O Prophet), in their wild intoxication, they wander in distraction, to and fro.
By thy life (O Muhammad) they moved blindly in the frenzy of approaching death.
فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ مُشْرِقِينَ
Fa akhazat humus saihatu mushriqeen
But the (mighty) Blast overtook them before morning,
Then the (Awful) Cry overtook them at the sunrise.
فَجَعَلْنَا عَٰلِيَهَا سَافِلَهَا وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهِمْ حِجَارَةًۭ مِّن سِجِّيلٍ
Faja’alnaa ‘aaliyahaa saafilahaa wa amtamaa ‘alaihim hijaaratam min sjijjeel
And We turned (the cities) upside down, and rained down on them brimstones hard as baked clay.
And We utterly confounded them, and We rained upon them stones of heated clay.
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَٰتٍۢ لِّلْمُتَوَسِّمِينَ
Inna fee zaalika la Aayaatil lilmutawassimeen
Behold! in this are Signs for those who by tokens do understand.
Lo! therein verily are portents for those who read the signs.
وَإِنَّهَا لَبِسَبِيلٍۢ مُّقِيمٍ
Wa innahaa labi sabeelim muqeem
And the (cities were) right on the high-road.
And lo! it is upon a road still uneffaced.
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Inna fee zaalika la Aayatal lilmu’mineen
Behold! in this is a sign for those who believed.
Lo! therein is indeed a portent for believers.
وَإِن كَانَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْأَيْكَةِ لَظَٰلِمِينَ
Wa in kaana Ashaabul Aikati lazaalimeen
And the Companions of the Wood were also wrong-doers;
And the dwellers in the wood indeed were evil-doers.
فَٱنتَقَمْنَا مِنْهُمْ وَإِنَّهُمَا لَبِإِمَامٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
Fantaqamnaa minhum wa innahumaa labi imaamim mubeen
So We exacted retribution from them. They were both on an open highway, plain to see.
So we took vengeance on them; and lo! they both are on a high-road plain to see.
وَلَقَدْ كَذَّبَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْحِجْرِ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
Wa laqad kazzaba ashaabul Hijril mursaleen
The Companions of the Rocky Tract also rejected the messengers:
And the dwellers in Al-Hijr denied (Our) messengers.
وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُمْ ءَايَٰتِنَا فَكَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِينَ
Wa aatainaahum Aayaatinaa fakaanoo ‘anhaa mu’rideen
We sent them Our Signs, but they persisted in turning away from them.
And we gave them Our revelations, but they were averse to them.
وَكَانُوا۟ يَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا ءَامِنِينَ
Wa kaanoo yanhitoona minal jibaali buyootan aamineen
Out of the mountains did they hew (their) edifices, (feeling themselves) secure.
And they used to hew out dwellings from the hills, (wherein they dwelt) secure.
فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلصَّيْحَةُ مُصْبِحِينَ
Fa akhazat humus saihatu musbiheen
But the (mighty) Blast seized them of a morning,
But the (Awful) Cry overtook them at the morning hour,
فَمَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
Famaaa aghnaa ‘anhum maa kaanoo yaksiboon
And of no avail to them was all that they did (with such art and care)!
And that which they were wont to count as gain availed them not.
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَإِنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ لَءَاتِيَةٌۭ ۖ فَٱصْفَحِ ٱلصَّفْحَ ٱلْجَمِيلَ
Wa maa khalaqnas samaawaati wal arda wa maa bainahumaaa illaa bilhaqq; wa innas Saa’ata la aatiyatun fasfahis safhal jameel
We created not the heavens, the earth, and all between them, but for just ends. And the Hour is surely coming (when this will be manifest). So overlook (any human faults) with gracious forgiveness.
We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them save with truth, and lo! the Hour is surely coming. So forgive, (O Muhammad), with a gracious forgiveness.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ ٱلْخَلَّٰقُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
Inna Rabbaka Huwal khallaaqul ‘aleem
For verily it is thy Lord who is the Master-Creator, knowing all things.
Lo! Thy Lord! He is the All-Wise Creator.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَٰكَ سَبْعًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمَثَانِى وَٱلْقُرْءَانَ ٱلْعَظِيمَ
Wa laqad aatainaaka sab’am mnal masaanee wal Qur-aanal ‘azeem
And We have bestowed upon thee the Seven Oft-repeated (verses) and the Grand Qur’an.
We have given thee seven of the oft-repeated (verses) and the great Qur’an.
لَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَىٰ مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجًۭا مِّنْهُمْ وَلَا تَحْزَنْ عَلَيْهِمْ وَٱخْفِضْ جَنَاحَكَ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Laa tamuddanna ‘ainaika ilaa maa matta ‘naa biheee azwaajam minhum wa laa tahzan ‘alaihim wakhfid janaahaka lilmu ‘mineen
Strain not thine eyes. (Wistfully) at what We have bestowed on certain classes of them, nor grieve over them: but lower thy wing (in gentleness) to the believers.
Strain not thine eyes toward that which We cause some wedded pairs among them to enjoin, and be not grieved on their account, and lower thy wing (in tenderness) for the believers.
وَقُلْ إِنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلنَّذِيرُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
Wa qul inneee anan nazeerul mubeen
And say: “I am indeed he that warneth openly and without ambiguity,”-
And say: Lo! I, even I, am a plain warner,
كَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَى ٱلْمُقْتَسِمِينَ
Kamaaa anzalnaa ‘alal muqtasimeen
(Of just such wrath) as We sent down on those who divided (Scripture into arbitrary parts),-
Such as We send down for those who make division,
ٱلَّذِينَ جَعَلُوا۟ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ عِضِينَ
Allazeena ja’alul Quraana’ideen
(So also on such) as have made Qur’an into shreds (as they please).
Those who break the Qur’an into parts.
فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَسْـَٔلَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Fawa Rabbika lanas’a lannahum ajma’een
Therefore, by the Lord, We will, of a surety, call them to account,
Them, by thy Lord, We shall question, every one,
عَمَّا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
‘Ammaa kaanoo ya’maloon
For all their deeds.
Of what they used to do.
فَٱصْدَعْ بِمَا تُؤْمَرُ وَأَعْرِضْ عَنِ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ
Fasda’ bimaa tu’maru wa a’rid anil mushrikeen
Therefore expound openly what thou art commanded, and turn away from those who join false gods with Allah.
So proclaim that which thou art commanded, and withdraw from the idolaters.
إِنَّا كَفَيْنَٰكَ ٱلْمُسْتَهْزِءِينَ
Innaa kafainaakal mustahzi’een
For sufficient are We unto thee against those who scoff,-
Lo! We defend thee from the scoffers,
ٱلَّذِينَ يَجْعَلُونَ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ ۚ فَسَوْفَ يَعْلَمُونَ
Allazeena yaj’aloona ma’al laahi ilaahan aakhar; fasawfa ya’lamoon
Those who adopt, with Allah, another god: but soon will they come to know.
Who set some other god along with Allah. But they will come to know.
وَلَقَدْ نَعْلَمُ أَنَّكَ يَضِيقُ صَدْرُكَ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ
Wa laqad na’lamu annak yadeequ sadruka bimaa yaqooloon
We do indeed know how thy heart is distressed at what they say.
Well know We that thy bosom is oppressed by what they say,
فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ ٱلسَّٰجِدِينَ
Fasbbih bihamdi Rabbika wa kum minas saajideen
But celebrate the praises of thy Lord, and be of those who prostrate themselves in adoration.
But hymn the praise of thy Lord, and be of those who make prostration (unto Him).
وَٱعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ ٱلْيَقِينُ
Wa’bud Rabbaka hattaa yaatiyakal yaqeen
And serve thy Lord until there come unto thee the Hour that is Certain.
And serve thy Lord till the Inevitable cometh unto thee.
Sources. Arabic text: Tanzil Uthmani edition. Translations: Abdullah Yusuf Ali (original edition, 1934–1938) and Marmaduke Pickthall (1930), both in the public domain. Any introduction above is original writing and is not part of any translation.