الشُّعَرَاءِ
- Meccan
- 227 verses
- Surah 26 of 114
Introduction to Surah Ash-Shu’ara
Two hundred and twenty-seven verses, Meccan, twenty-sixth in the written order. Most of its verses are very short, which makes it one of the fastest-moving long surahs in the Qur’an.
What it does
Seven accounts follow one another: Moses at greatest length, then Abraham, Noah, Hud, Salih, Lot and Shu’ayb. Each of the last six closes on the same pair of verses — that in this is a sign, though most of them do not believe, and that your Lord is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful. The repetition is exact and it is the structural device of the surah; the effect of hearing it six times is a kind of tolling.
The Moses section includes the detail the others lack: his reluctance, his fear of being called a liar, the debt of the man he killed, and then the moment at the sea when his people say they are caught and he answers that his Lord is with him and will guide him. The magicians who prostrate after the contest are given the surah’s most striking line — that they do not care what Pharaoh does to them, because they are hoping their Lord will forgive their faults, as they were the first of the believers.
The poets
The surah is named for its last four verses. In pre-Islamic Arabia a poet was understood to be inspired by a jinn, and calling the Prophet a poet was an explanation of the Qur’an’s quality rather than a denial of it. The surah takes the accusation directly, and the answer it gives is not aesthetic:
And that they say what they practise not?- (26:226)
The distinguishing mark offered is the gap between speech and conduct. The verse immediately after makes an exception for poets who believe, do right, remember God often, and defend themselves only after being wronged — which is worth noting, because the surah is routinely quoted as a blanket condemnation of poetry and does not make one.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيم
تِلْكَ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ ٱلْمُبِينِ
Tilka Aayaatul Kitaabil Mubeen
These are verses of the Book that makes (things) clear.
These are revelations of the Scripture that maketh plain.
لَعَلَّكَ بَٰخِعٌۭ نَّفْسَكَ أَلَّا يَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ
La’allaka baakhi’un nafsaka allaa yakoonoo mu’mineen
It may be thou frettest thy soul with grief, that they do not become Believers.
It may be that thou tormentest thyself (O Muhammad) because they believe not.
إِن نَّشَأْ نُنَزِّلْ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ ءَايَةًۭ فَظَلَّتْ أَعْنَٰقُهُمْ لَهَا خَٰضِعِينَ
In nashaa nunazzil ‘alaihim minas samaaa’i Aayatan fazallat a’naaquhum lahaa khaadi’een
If (such) were Our Will, We could send down to them from the sky a Sign, to which they would bend their necks in humility.
If We will, We can send down on them from the sky a portent so that their necks would remain bowed before it.
وَمَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن ذِكْرٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ مُحْدَثٍ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ عَنْهُ مُعْرِضِينَ
Wa maa yaateehim min zikrim minar Rahmaani muhdasin illaa kaanoo ‘anhu mu’rideen
But there comes not to them a newly-revealed Message from (Allah) Most Gracious, but they turn away therefrom.
Never cometh there unto them a fresh reminder from the Beneficent One, but they turn away from it.
فَقَدْ كَذَّبُوا۟ فَسَيَأْتِيهِمْ أَنۢبَٰٓؤُا۟ مَا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
Faqad kazzaboo fasa yaateehim ambaaa’u maa kaanoo bihee yastahzi’oon
They have indeed rejected (the Message): so they will know soon (enough) the truth of what they mocked at!
Now they have denied (the Truth); but there will come unto them tidings of that whereat they used to scoff.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَمْ أَنۢبَتْنَا فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ زَوْجٍۢ كَرِيمٍ
Awa lam yaraw ilal ardi kam ambatnaa feehaa min kulli zawjin kareem
Do they not look at the earth,- how many noble things of all kinds We have produced therein?
Have they not seen the earth, how much of every fruitful kind We make to grow therein?
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Inn fee zaalika la Aayah; wa maa kaana aksaruhum mu’mineen
Verily, in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe.
Lo! herein is indeed a portent; yet most of them are not believers.
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Wa inna Rabbaka la Huwal ‘Azeezur Raheem
And verily, thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful.
And lo! thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.
وَإِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبُّكَ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱئْتِ ٱلْقَوْمَ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ
Wa iz naadaa Rabbuka Moosaaa ani’-til qawmaz zaalimeen
Behold, thy Lord called Moses: “Go to the people of iniquity,-
And when thy Lord called Moses, saying: Go unto the wrongdoing folk,
قَوْمَ فِرْعَوْنَ ۚ أَلَا يَتَّقُونَ
Qawma Fir’awn; alaa yattaqoon
“The people of the Pharaoh: will they not fear Allah?”
The folk of Pharaoh. Will they not ward off (evil)?
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ أَن يُكَذِّبُونِ
Qaala Rabbi inneee akhaafu ai yukazziboon
He said: “O my Lord! I do fear that they will charge me with falsehood:
He said: My Lord! Lo! I fear that they will deny me,
وَيَضِيقُ صَدْرِى وَلَا يَنطَلِقُ لِسَانِى فَأَرْسِلْ إِلَىٰ هَٰرُونَ
Wa yadeequ sadree wa laa yantaliqu lisaanee fa arsil ilaa Haaroon
“My breast will be straitened. And my speech may not go (smoothly): so send unto Aaron.
And I shall be embarrassed, and my tongue will not speak plainly, therefor send for Aaron (to help me).
وَلَهُمْ عَلَىَّ ذَنۢبٌۭ فَأَخَافُ أَن يَقْتُلُونِ
Wa lahum ‘alaiya zambun fa akhaafu ai yaqtuloon
“And (further), they have a charge of crime against me; and I fear they may slay me.”
And they have a crime against me, so I fear that they will kill me.
قَالَ كَلَّا ۖ فَٱذْهَبَا بِـَٔايَٰتِنَآ ۖ إِنَّا مَعَكُم مُّسْتَمِعُونَ
Qaala kallaa fazhabaa bi Aayaatinaaa innaa ma’akum mustami’oon
Allah said: “By no means! proceed then, both of you, with Our Signs; We are with you, and will listen (to your call).
He said: Nay, verily. So go ye twain with Our tokens. Lo! We shall be with you, Hearing.
فَأْتِيَا فِرْعَوْنَ فَقُولَآ إِنَّا رَسُولُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Faatiyaa Fir’awna faqoolaaa innaa Rasoolu Rabbil ‘aalameen
“So go forth, both of you, to Pharaoh, and say: ‘We have been sent by the Lord and Cherisher of the worlds;
And come together unto Pharaoh and say: Lo! we bear a message of the Lord of the Worlds,
أَنْ أَرْسِلْ مَعَنَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ
An arsil ma’anaa Baneee Israaa’eel
“‘Send thou with us the Children of Israel.’”
(Saying): Let the Children of Israel go with us.
قَالَ أَلَمْ نُرَبِّكَ فِينَا وَلِيدًۭا وَلَبِثْتَ فِينَا مِنْ عُمُرِكَ سِنِينَ
Qaala alam nurabbika feenaa waleedanw wa labista feenaa min ‘umurika sineen
(Pharaoh) said: “Did we not cherish thee as a child among us, and didst thou not stay in our midst many years of thy life?
(Pharaoh) said (unto Moses): Did we not rear thee among us as a child? And thou didst dwell many years of thy life among us,
وَفَعَلْتَ فَعْلَتَكَ ٱلَّتِى فَعَلْتَ وَأَنتَ مِنَ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ
Wa fa’alta fa’latakal latee fa’alta wa anta minal kaafireen
“And thou didst a deed of thine which (thou knowest) thou didst, and thou art an ungrateful (wretch)!”
And thou didst that thy deed which thou didst, and thou wast one of the ingrates.
قَالَ فَعَلْتُهَآ إِذًۭا وَأَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Qaala fa’altuhaaa izanw wa ana minad daaaleen
Moses said: “I did it then, when I was in error.
He said: I did it then, when I was of those who are astray.
فَفَرَرْتُ مِنكُمْ لَمَّا خِفْتُكُمْ فَوَهَبَ لِى رَبِّى حُكْمًۭا وَجَعَلَنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
Fafarartu minkum lam maa khiftukum fawahaba lee Rabbee hukmanw wa ja’alanee minal mursaleen
“So I fled from you (all) when I feared you; but my Lord has (since) invested me with judgment (and wisdom) and appointed me as one of the messengers.
Then I fled from you when I feared you, and my Lord vouchsafed me a command and appointed me (of the number) of those sent (by Him).
وَتِلْكَ نِعْمَةٌۭ تَمُنُّهَا عَلَىَّ أَنْ عَبَّدتَّ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ
Wa tilka ni’matun tamun nuhaa ‘alaiya an ‘abbatta Baneee Israaa’eel
“And this is the favour with which thou dost reproach me,- that thou hast enslaved the Children of Israel!”
And this is the past favour wherewith thou reproachest me: that thou hast enslaved the Children of Israel.
قَالَ فِرْعَوْنُ وَمَا رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Qaala Fir’awnu wa maa Rabbul ‘aalameen
Pharaoh said: “And what is the ‘Lord and Cherisher of the worlds’?”
Pharaoh said: And what is the Lord of the Worlds?
قَالَ رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ
Qaala Rabbus samaawaati wal ardi wa maa bainahumaa in kuntum mooqineen
(Moses) said: “The Lord and Cherisher of the heavens and the earth, and all between,- if ye want to be quite sure.”
(Moses) said: Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if ye had but sure belief.
قَالَ لِمَنْ حَوْلَهُۥٓ أَلَا تَسْتَمِعُونَ
Qaala liman hawlahooo alaa tastami’oon
(Pharaoh) said to those around: “Did ye not listen (to what he says)?”
(Pharaoh) said unto those around him: Hear ye not?
قَالَ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
Qaala Rabbukum wa Rabbu aabaaa’ikumul awwaleen
(Moses) said: “Your Lord and the Lord of your fathers from the beginning!”
He said: Your Lord and the Lord of your fathers.
قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَكُمُ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ لَمَجْنُونٌۭ
Qaala inna Rasoolakumul lazee ursila ilaikum lamajnoon
(Pharaoh) said: “Truly your messenger who has been sent to you is a veritable madman!”
(Pharaoh) said: Lo! your messenger who hath been sent unto you is indeed a madman!
قَالَ رَبُّ ٱلْمَشْرِقِ وَٱلْمَغْرِبِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَآ ۖ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ
Qaala Rabbul mashriqi wal maghribi wa maa baina humaa in kuntum ta’qiloon
(Moses) said: “Lord of the East and the West, and all between! if ye only had sense!”
He said: Lord of the East and the West and all that is between them, if ye did but understand.
قَالَ لَئِنِ ٱتَّخَذْتَ إِلَٰهًا غَيْرِى لَأَجْعَلَنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْمَسْجُونِينَ
Qaala la’init takhazta ilaahan ghairee la aj’alannaka minal masjooneen
(Pharaoh) said: “If thou dost put forward any god other than me, I will certainly put thee in prison!”
(Pharaoh) said: If thou choosest a god other than me, I assuredly shall place thee among the prisoners.
قَالَ أَوَلَوْ جِئْتُكَ بِشَىْءٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
Qaala awalw ji’tuka bishai’im mubeen
(Moses) said: “Even if I showed you something clear (and) convincing?”
He said: Even though I show thee something plain?
قَالَ فَأْتِ بِهِۦٓ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ
Qaala faati biheee in kunta minas saadiqeen
(Pharaoh) said: “Show it then, if thou tellest the truth!”
(Pharaoh) said: Produce it then, if thou art of the truthful!
فَأَلْقَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ ثُعْبَانٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
Fa alqaa ‘asaahu fa izaaa hiya su’baanum mubeen
So (Moses) threw his rod, and behold, it was a serpent, plain (for all to see)!
Then he flung down his staff and it became a serpent manifest,
وَنَزَعَ يَدَهُۥ فَإِذَا هِىَ بَيْضَآءُ لِلنَّٰظِرِينَ
Wa naza’a yadahoo faizaa hiya baidaaa’u linnaa zireen
And he drew out his hand, and behold, it was white to all beholders!
And he drew forth his hand and lo! it was white to the beholders.
قَالَ لِلْمَلَإِ حَوْلَهُۥٓ إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَسَٰحِرٌ عَلِيمٌۭ
Qaala lilmala-i hawlahooo inna haazaa lasaahirun ‘aleem
(Pharaoh) said to the Chiefs around him: “This is indeed a sorcerer well-versed:
(Pharaoh) said unto the chiefs about him: Lo! this is verily a knowing wizard,
يُرِيدُ أَن يُخْرِجَكُم مِّنْ أَرْضِكُم بِسِحْرِهِۦ فَمَاذَا تَأْمُرُونَ
Yureedu ai yukhrijakum min ardikum bisihrihee famaazaa taamuroon
“His plan is to get you out of your land by his sorcery; then what is it ye counsel?”
Who would drive you out of your land by his magic. Now what counsel ye?
قَالُوٓا۟ أَرْجِهْ وَأَخَاهُ وَٱبْعَثْ فِى ٱلْمَدَآئِنِ حَٰشِرِينَ
Qaalooo arjih wa akhaahu wab’as filmadaaa’ini haashireen
They said: “Keep him and his brother in suspense (for a while), and dispatch to the Cities heralds to collect-
They said: Put him off, (him) and his brother, and send into the cities summoners
يَأْتُوكَ بِكُلِّ سَحَّارٍ عَلِيمٍۢ
Yaatooka bikulli sah haarin ‘aleem
“And bring up to thee all (our) sorcerers well-versed.”
Who shall bring unto thee every knowing wizard.
فَجُمِعَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ لِمِيقَٰتِ يَوْمٍۢ مَّعْلُومٍۢ
Fa jumi’as saharatu limeeqaati Yawmim ma’loom
So the sorcerers were got together for the appointment of a day well-known,
So the wizards were gathered together at a set time on a day appointed.
وَقِيلَ لِلنَّاسِ هَلْ أَنتُم مُّجْتَمِعُونَ
Wa qeela linnaasi hal antum mujtami’oon
And the people were told: “Are ye (now) assembled?-
And it was said unto the people: Are ye (also) gathering?
لَعَلَّنَا نَتَّبِعُ ٱلسَّحَرَةَ إِن كَانُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلْغَٰلِبِينَ
La’allanaa nattabi’us saharata in kaanoo humul ghaalibeen
“That we may follow the sorcerers (in religion) if they win?”
(They said): Aye, so that we may follow the wizards if they are the winners.
فَلَمَّا جَآءَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ قَالُوا۟ لِفِرْعَوْنَ أَئِنَّ لَنَا لَأَجْرًا إِن كُنَّا نَحْنُ ٱلْغَٰلِبِينَ
Falammaa jaaa’as saharatu qaaloo li Fir’awna a’inna lanaa la ajjran in kunnaa nahnul ghaalibeen
So when the sorcerers arrived, they said to Pharaoh: “Of course – shall we have a (suitable) reward if we win?
And when the wizards came they said unto Pharaoh: Will there surely be a reward for us if we are the winners?
قَالَ نَعَمْ وَإِنَّكُمْ إِذًۭا لَّمِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ
Qaala na’am wa innakum izal laminal muqarrabeen
He said: “Yea, (and more),- for ye shall in that case be (raised to posts) nearest (to my person).”
He said: Aye, and ye will then surely be of those brought near (to me).
قَالَ لَهُم مُّوسَىٰٓ أَلْقُوا۟ مَآ أَنتُم مُّلْقُونَ
Qaala lahum Moosaaa alqoo maaa antum mulqoon
Moses said to them: “Throw ye – that which ye are about to throw!”
Moses said unto them: Throw what ye are going to throw!
فَأَلْقَوْا۟ حِبَالَهُمْ وَعِصِيَّهُمْ وَقَالُوا۟ بِعِزَّةِ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّا لَنَحْنُ ٱلْغَٰلِبُونَ
Fa alqaw hibaalahum wa ‘isiyyahum wa qaaloo bi’izzati Fir’awna innaa lanahnul ghaaliboon
So they threw their ropes and their rods, and said: “By the might of Pharaoh, it is we who will certainly win!”
Then they threw down their cords and their staves and said: By Pharaoh’s might, lo! we verily are the winners.
فَأَلْقَىٰ مُوسَىٰ عَصَاهُ فَإِذَا هِىَ تَلْقَفُ مَا يَأْفِكُونَ
Fa alqaa Moosaa ‘asaahu fa izaa hiya talqafu maa yaafikoon
Then Moses threw his rod, when, behold, it straightway swallows up all the falsehoods which they fake!
Then Moses threw his staff and lo! it swallowed that which they did falsely show.
فَأُلْقِىَ ٱلسَّحَرَةُ سَٰجِدِينَ
Fa ulqiyas saharatu saajideen
Then did the sorcerers fall down, prostrate in adoration,
And the wizards were flung prostrate,
قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Qaalooo aamannaa bi Rabbil ‘aalameen
Saying: “We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,
Crying: We believe in the Lord of the Worlds,
رَبِّ مُوسَىٰ وَهَٰرُونَ
Rabbi Moosaa wa Haaroon
“The Lord of Moses and Aaron.”
The Lord of Moses and Aaron.
قَالَ ءَامَنتُمْ لَهُۥ قَبْلَ أَنْ ءَاذَنَ لَكُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكَبِيرُكُمُ ٱلَّذِى عَلَّمَكُمُ ٱلسِّحْرَ فَلَسَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ ۚ لَأُقَطِّعَنَّ أَيْدِيَكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُم مِّنْ خِلَٰفٍۢ وَلَأُصَلِّبَنَّكُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Qaala aamantum lahoo qabla an aazana lakum innahoo lakabeerukumul lazee ‘alla makumus sihra falasawfa ta’lamoon; la uqatti’anna aidiyakum wa arjulakum min khilaafinw wa la usallibanna kum ajma’een
Said (Pharaoh): “Believe ye in Him before I give you permission? surely he is your leader, who has taught you sorcery! but soon shall ye know! Be sure I will cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I will cause you all to die on the cross!”
(Pharaoh) said: Ye put your faith in him before I give you leave. Lo! he doubtless is your chief who taught you magic! But verily ye shall come to know. Verily I will cut off your hands and your feet alternately, and verily I will crucify you every one.
قَالُوا۟ لَا ضَيْرَ ۖ إِنَّآ إِلَىٰ رَبِّنَا مُنقَلِبُونَ
Qaaloo la daira innaaa ilaa Rabbinaa munqalliboon
They said: “No matter! for us, we shall but return to our Lord!
They said: It is no hurt, for lo! unto our Lord we shall return.
إِنَّا نَطْمَعُ أَن يَغْفِرَ لَنَا رَبُّنَا خَطَٰيَٰنَآ أَن كُنَّآ أَوَّلَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Innaa natma’u ai yaghfira lanaa Rabbunna khataa yaanaaa an kunnaaa awwalal mu’mineen
“Only, our desire is that our Lord will forgive us our faults, that we may become foremost among the believers!”
Lo! we ardently hope that our Lord will forgive us our sins because we are the first of the believers.
۞ وَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنْ أَسْرِ بِعِبَادِىٓ إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ
Wa awhainaaa ilaa Moosaaa an asri bi’ibaadeee innakum muttaba’oon
By inspiration we told Moses: “Travel by night with my servants; for surely ye shall be pursued.”
And We inspired Moses, saying: Take away My slaves by night, for ye will be pursued.
فَأَرْسَلَ فِرْعَوْنُ فِى ٱلْمَدَآئِنِ حَٰشِرِينَ
Fa arsala Fir’awnu filmadaaa’ini haashireen
Then Pharaoh sent heralds to (all) the Cities,
Then Pharaoh sent into the cities summoners,
إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ لَشِرْذِمَةٌۭ قَلِيلُونَ
Inna haaa’ulaaa’i lashir zimatun qaleeloon
(Saying): “These (Israelites) are but a small band,
(Who said): Lo! these indeed are but a little troop,
وَإِنَّهُمْ لَنَا لَغَآئِظُونَ
Wa innahum lanaa laghaaa’izoon
“And they are raging furiously against us;
And lo! they are offenders against us.
وَإِنَّا لَجَمِيعٌ حَٰذِرُونَ
Wa innaa lajamee’un haaziroon
“But we are a multitude amply fore-warned.”
And lo! we are a ready host.
فَأَخْرَجْنَٰهُم مِّن جَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍۢ
Fa akhrajnaahum min Jannaatinw wa ‘uyoon
So We expelled them from gardens, springs,
Thus did We take them away from gardens and watersprings,
وَكُنُوزٍۢ وَمَقَامٍۢ كَرِيمٍۢ
Wa kunoozinw wa ma qaamin kareem
Treasures, and every kind of honourable position;
And treasures and a fair estate.
كَذَٰلِكَ وَأَوْرَثْنَٰهَا بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ
Kazaalika wa awrasnaahaa Baneee Israaa’eel
Thus it was, but We made the Children of Israel inheritors of such things.
Thus (were those things taken from them) and We caused the Children of Israel to inherit them.
فَأَتْبَعُوهُم مُّشْرِقِينَ
Fa atba’oohum mushriqeen
So they pursued them at sunrise.
And they overtook them at sunrise.
فَلَمَّا تَرَٰٓءَا ٱلْجَمْعَانِ قَالَ أَصْحَٰبُ مُوسَىٰٓ إِنَّا لَمُدْرَكُونَ
Falammaa taraaa’al jam’aani qaala as haabu Moosaaa innaa lamudrakoon
And when the two bodies saw each other, the people of Moses said: “We are sure to be overtaken.”
And when the two hosts saw each other, those with Moses said: Lo! we are indeed caught.
قَالَ كَلَّآ ۖ إِنَّ مَعِىَ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ
Qaala kallaaa inna ma’iya Rabbee sa yahdeen
(Moses) said: “By no means! my Lord is with me! Soon will He guide me!”
He said: Nay, verily! for lo! my Lord is with me. He will guide me.
فَأَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ مُوسَىٰٓ أَنِ ٱضْرِب بِّعَصَاكَ ٱلْبَحْرَ ۖ فَٱنفَلَقَ فَكَانَ كُلُّ فِرْقٍۢ كَٱلطَّوْدِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
Fa awhainaaa ilaa Moosaaa anidrib bi’asaakal bahra fanfalaqa fakaana kullu firqin kattawdil ‘azeem
Then We told Moses by inspiration: “Strike the sea with thy rod.” So it divided, and each separate part became like the huge, firm mass of a mountain.
Then We inspired Moses, saying: Smite the sea with thy staff. And it parted, and each part was as a mountain vast.
وَأَزْلَفْنَا ثَمَّ ٱلْءَاخَرِينَ
Wa azlafnaa sammal aakhareen
And We made the other party approach thither.
Then brought We near the others to that place.
وَأَنجَيْنَا مُوسَىٰ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ
Wa anjainaa Moosaa wa mam ma’ahooo ajma’een
We delivered Moses and all who were with him;
And We saved Moses and those with him, every one;
ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا ٱلْءَاخَرِينَ
Summa aghraqnal aakhareen
But We drowned the others.
And We drowned the others.
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Inna fee zaalika la Aayaah; wa maa kaana aksaru hu mu’mineen
Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe.
Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers.
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Wa inna Rabbaka la Huwal ‘Azeezur Raheem
And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful.
And lo, thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.
وَٱتْلُ عَلَيْهِمْ نَبَأَ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ
Watlu ‘alaihim naba-a Ibraaheem
And rehearse to them (something of) Abraham’s story.
Recite unto them the story of Abraham:
إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَا تَعْبُدُونَ
Iz qaala li abeehi wa qawmihee maa ta’budoon
Behold, he said to his father and his people: “What worship ye?”
When he said unto his father and his folk: What worship ye?
قَالُوا۟ نَعْبُدُ أَصْنَامًۭا فَنَظَلُّ لَهَا عَٰكِفِينَ
Qaaloo na’budu asnaaman fanazallu lahaa ‘aakifeen
They said: “We worship idols, and we remain constantly in attendance on them.”
They said: We worship idols, and are ever devoted unto them.
قَالَ هَلْ يَسْمَعُونَكُمْ إِذْ تَدْعُونَ
Qaala hal yasma’oona kum iz tad’oon
He said: “Do they listen to you when ye call (on them)?”
He said: Do they hear you when ye cry?
أَوْ يَنفَعُونَكُمْ أَوْ يَضُرُّونَ
Aw yanfa’oonakum aw yadurroon
“Or do you good or harm?”
Or do they benefit or harm you?
قَالُوا۟ بَلْ وَجَدْنَآ ءَابَآءَنَا كَذَٰلِكَ يَفْعَلُونَ
Qaaloo bal wajadnaaa aabaaa ‘anaa kazaalika yaf’aloon
They said: “Nay, but we found our fathers doing thus (what we do).”
They said: Nay, but we found our fathers acting on this wise.
قَالَ أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا كُنتُمْ تَعْبُدُونَ
Qaala afara ‘aitum maa kuntum ta’budoon
He said: “Do ye then see whom ye have been worshipping,-
He said: See now that which ye worship,
أَنتُمْ وَءَابَآؤُكُمُ ٱلْأَقْدَمُونَ
Antum wa aabaaa’ukumul aqdamoon
“Ye and your fathers before you?-
Ye and your forefathers!
فَإِنَّهُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ لِّىٓ إِلَّا رَبَّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Fa innahum ‘aduwwwul leee illaa Rabbal ‘aalameen
“For they are enemies to me; not so the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds;
Lo! they are (all) an enemy unto me, save the Lord of the Worlds,
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَنِى فَهُوَ يَهْدِينِ
Allazee khalaqanee fa Huwa yahdeen
“Who created me, and it is He Who guides me;
Who created me, and He doth guide me,
وَٱلَّذِى هُوَ يُطْعِمُنِى وَيَسْقِينِ
Wallazee Huwa yut’imunee wa yasqeen
“Who gives me food and drink,
And Who feedeth me and watereth me.
وَإِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِينِ
Wa izaa mardtu fahuwa yashfeen
“And when I am ill, it is He Who cures me;
And when I sicken, then He healeth me,
وَٱلَّذِى يُمِيتُنِى ثُمَّ يُحْيِينِ
Wallazee yumeetunee summa yuhyeen
“Who will cause me to die, and then to life (again);
And Who causeth me to die, then giveth me life (again),
وَٱلَّذِىٓ أَطْمَعُ أَن يَغْفِرَ لِى خَطِيٓـَٔتِى يَوْمَ ٱلدِّينِ
Wallazeee atma’u ai yaghfira lee khateee’ atee Yawmad Deen
“And who, I hope, will forgive me my faults on the day of Judgment.
And Who, I ardently hope, will forgive me my sin on the Day of Judgment.
رَبِّ هَبْ لِى حُكْمًۭا وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِٱلصَّٰلِحِينَ
Rabbi hab lee hukmanw wa alhiqnee bis saaliheen
“O my Lord! bestow wisdom on me, and join me with the righteous;
My Lord! Vouchsafe me wisdom and unite me to the righteous.
وَٱجْعَل لِّى لِسَانَ صِدْقٍۢ فِى ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ
Waj’al lee lisaana sidqin fil aakhireen
“Grant me honourable mention on the tongue of truth among the latest (generations);
And give unto me a good report in later generations.
وَٱجْعَلْنِى مِن وَرَثَةِ جَنَّةِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
Waj’alnee minw warasati Jannnatin Na’eem
“Make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss;
And place me among the inheritors of the Garden of Delight,
وَٱغْفِرْ لِأَبِىٓ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
Waghfir li abeee innahoo kaana mind daalleen
“Forgive my father, for that he is among those astray;
And forgive my father. Lo! he is of those who err.
وَلَا تُخْزِنِى يَوْمَ يُبْعَثُونَ
Wa laa tukhzinee Yawma yub’asoon
“And let me not be in disgrace on the Day when (men) will be raised up;-
And abase me not on the day when they are raised,
يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌۭ وَلَا بَنُونَ
Yawma laa yanfa’u maalunw wa laa banoon
“The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail,
The day when wealth and sons avail not (any man)
إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى ٱللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍۢ سَلِيمٍۢ
Illaa man atal laaha biqalbin saleem
“But only he (will prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart;
Save him who bringeth unto Allah a whole heart.
وَأُزْلِفَتِ ٱلْجَنَّةُ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ
Wa uzlifatil Jannatu lilmuttaqeen
“To the righteous, the Garden will be brought near,
And the Garden will be brought nigh for those who ward off (evil).
وَبُرِّزَتِ ٱلْجَحِيمُ لِلْغَاوِينَ
Wa burrizatil Jaheemu lilghaaween
“And to those straying in Evil, the Fire will be placed in full view;
And hell will appear plainly to the erring.
وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْبُدُونَ
Wa qeela lahum aina maa kuntum ta’budoon
“And it shall be said to them: ‘Where are the (gods) ye worshipped-
And it will be said unto them: Where is (all) that ye used to worship
مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ هَلْ يَنصُرُونَكُمْ أَوْ يَنتَصِرُونَ
Min doonil laahi hal yansuroonakum aw yantasiroon
“‘Besides Allah? Can they help you or help themselves?’
Instead of Allah? Can they help you or help themselves?
فَكُبْكِبُوا۟ فِيهَا هُمْ وَٱلْغَاوُۥنَ
Fakubkiboo feehaa hum walghaawoon
“Then they will be thrown headlong into the (Fire),- they and those straying in Evil,
Then will they be hurled therein, they and the seducers
وَجُنُودُ إِبْلِيسَ أَجْمَعُونَ
Wa junoodu Ibleesa ajma’oon
“And the whole hosts of Iblis together.
And the hosts of Iblis, together.
قَالُوا۟ وَهُمْ فِيهَا يَخْتَصِمُونَ
Qaaloo wa hum feehaa yakkhtasimoon
“They will say there in their mutual bickerings:
And they will say, when they are quarrelling therein:
تَٱللَّهِ إِن كُنَّا لَفِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍ
Tallaahi in kunnaa lafee dalaalim mubeen
“‘By Allah, we were truly in an error manifest,
By Allah, of a truth we were in error manifest
إِذْ نُسَوِّيكُم بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Iz nusawweekum bi Rabbil ‘aalameen
“‘When we held you as equals with the Lord of the Worlds;
When we made you equal with the Lord of the Worlds.
وَمَآ أَضَلَّنَآ إِلَّا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ
Wa maaa adallanaaa illal mujrimoon
“‘And our seducers were only those who were steeped in guilt.
It was but the guilty who misled us.
فَمَا لَنَا مِن شَٰفِعِينَ
Famaa lanaa min shaa fi’een
“‘Now, then, we have none to intercede (for us),
Now we have no intercessors
وَلَا صَدِيقٍ حَمِيمٍۢ
Wa laa sadeeqin hameem
“‘Nor a single friend to feel (for us).
Nor any loving friend.
فَلَوْ أَنَّ لَنَا كَرَّةًۭ فَنَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Falaw anna lanaa karratan fanakoona minal mu’mineen
“‘Now if we only had a chance of return we shall truly be of those who believe!’”
Oh, that we had another turn (on earth), that we might be of the believers!
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Inna fee zaalika la Aayatanw wa maa kaana aksaruhum mu’mineen
Verily in this is a Sign but most of them do not believe.
Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers!
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Wa inna Rabbaka la Huwal ‘Azeezur Raheem
And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful.
And lo, thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.
كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
Kazzabat qawmu Noohinil Mursaleen
The people of Noah rejected the messengers.
Noah’s folk denied the messengers (of Allah),
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ نُوحٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
Iz qaala lahum akhoohum Noohun alaa tattaqoon
Behold, their brother Noah said to them: “Will ye not fear (Allah)?
When their brother Noah said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil)?
إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ
Innee lakum Rasoolun ameen
“I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust:
Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you,
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
Fattaqullaaha wa atee’oon
“So fear Allah, and obey me.
So keep your duty to Allah, and obey me.
وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Wa maaa as’alukum ‘alaihi min ajrin in ajriya illaa ‘alaa Rabbil ‘aalameen
“No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds:
And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds.
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
Fattaqul laaha wa atee’oon
“So fear Allah, and obey me.”
So keep your duty to Allah, and obey me.
۞ قَالُوٓا۟ أَنُؤْمِنُ لَكَ وَٱتَّبَعَكَ ٱلْأَرْذَلُونَ
Qaalooo anu’minu laka wattaba ‘akal arzaloon
They said: “Shall we believe in thee when it is the meanest that follow thee?”
They said: Shall we put faith in thee, when the lowest (of the people) follow thee?
قَالَ وَمَا عِلْمِى بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Qaala wa maa ‘ilmee bimaa kaanoo ya’maloon
He said: “And what do I know as to what they do?
He said: And what knowledge have I of what they may have been doing (in the past)?
إِنْ حِسَابُهُمْ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّى ۖ لَوْ تَشْعُرُونَ
In hisaabuhum illaa ‘alaa Rabbee law tash’uroon
“Their account is only with my Lord, if ye could (but) understand.
Lo! their reckoning is my Lord’s concern, if ye but knew;
وَمَآ أَنَا۠ بِطَارِدِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Wa maaa ana bitaaridil mu’mineen
“I am not one to drive away those who believe.
And I am not (here) to repulse believers.
إِنْ أَنَا۠ إِلَّا نَذِيرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
In ana illaa nazeerum mubeen
“I am sent only to warn plainly in public.”
I am only a plain warner.
قَالُوا۟ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ يَٰنُوحُ لَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمَرْجُومِينَ
Qaaloo la’il lam tantahi yaa Noohu latakoonanna minal marjoomeen
They said: “If thou desist not, O Noah! thou shalt be stoned (to death).”
They said: If thou cease not, O Noah, thou wilt surely be among those stoned (to death).
قَالَ رَبِّ إِنَّ قَوْمِى كَذَّبُونِ
Qaala Rabbi inna qawmee kazzaboon
He said: “O my Lord! truly my people have rejected me.
He said: My Lord! Lo! my own folk deny me.
فَٱفْتَحْ بَيْنِى وَبَيْنَهُمْ فَتْحًۭا وَنَجِّنِى وَمَن مَّعِىَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Faftab bainee wa bai nahum fat hanw wa najjinee wa mam ma’iya minal mu’mineen
“Judge Thou, then, between me and them openly, and deliver me and those of the Believers who are with me.”
Therefor judge Thou between us, a (conclusive) judgment, and save me and those believers who are with me.
فَأَنجَيْنَٰهُ وَمَن مَّعَهُۥ فِى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ
Fa anjainaahu wa mamma’ahoo fil fulkil mashhoon
So We delivered him and those with him, in the Ark filled (with all creatures).
And We saved him and those with him in the laden ship.
ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا بَعْدُ ٱلْبَاقِينَ
Summa aghraqnaa ba’dul baaqeen
Thereafter We drowned those who remained behind.
Then afterward We drowned the others.
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Inna fee zaalika la Aayaah; wa maa kaana aksaruhum mu’mineen
Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe.
Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers.
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Wa inna Rabbaka la huwal ‘Azeezur Raheem
And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful.
And lo, thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.
كَذَّبَتْ عَادٌ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
Kazzabat ‘Aadunil mursaleen
The ‘Ad (people) rejected the messengers.
(The tribe of) A’ad denied the messengers (of Allah).
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ هُودٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
Iz qaala lahum akhoohum Hoodun alaa tattaqoon
Behold, their brother Hud said to them: “Will ye not fear (Allah)?
When their brother Hud said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil)?
إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ
Innee lakum Rasoolun ameen
“I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust:
Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you,
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
Fattaqullaaha wa atee’oon
“So fear Allah and obey me.
So keep your duty to Allah and obey me.
وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Wa maa as’alukum ‘alaihi min ajrin in ajriya illaa ‘alaa Rabbil ‘aalameen
“No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds.
And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds.
أَتَبْنُونَ بِكُلِّ رِيعٍ ءَايَةًۭ تَعْبَثُونَ
Atabnoona bikulli ree’in aayatan ta’basoon
“Do ye build a landmark on every high place to amuse yourselves?
Build ye on every high place a monument for vain delight?
وَتَتَّخِذُونَ مَصَانِعَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَخْلُدُونَ
Wa tattakhizoona masaani’a la’allakum takhludoon
“And do ye get for yourselves fine buildings in the hope of living therein (for ever)?
And seek ye out strongholds, that haply ye may last for ever?
وَإِذَا بَطَشْتُم بَطَشْتُمْ جَبَّارِينَ
Wa izaa batashtum batashtum jabbaareen
“And when ye exert your strong hand, do ye do it like men of absolute power?
And if ye seize by force, seize ye as tyrants?
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
Fattaqul laaha wa atee’oon
“Now fear Allah, and obey me.
Rather keep your duty to Allah, and obey me.
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَمَدَّكُم بِمَا تَعْلَمُونَ
Wattaqul lazeee amad dakum bimaa ta’lamoon
“Yea, fear Him Who has bestowed on you freely all that ye know.
Keep your duty toward Him Who hath aided you with (the good things) that ye know,
أَمَدَّكُم بِأَنْعَٰمٍۢ وَبَنِينَ
Amaddakum bi an’aa minw wa baneen
“Freely has He bestowed on you cattle and sons,-
Hath aided you with cattle and sons.
وَجَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍ
Wa jannaatinw wa ‘uyoon
“And Gardens and Springs.
And gardens and watersprings.
إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍۢ
Innee akhaafu ‘alaikum ‘azaaba Yawmin ‘azeem
“Truly I fear for you the Penalty of a Great Day.”
Lo! I fear for you the retribution of an awful day.
قَالُوا۟ سَوَآءٌ عَلَيْنَآ أَوَعَظْتَ أَمْ لَمْ تَكُن مِّنَ ٱلْوَٰعِظِينَ
Qaaloo sawaaa’un ‘alainaaa awa ‘azta am lam takum minal waa’izeen
They said: “It is the same to us whether thou admonish us or be not among (our) admonishers!
They said: It is all one to us whether thou preachest or art not of those who preach;
إِنْ هَٰذَآ إِلَّا خُلُقُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
In haazaaa illaa khuluqul awwaleen
“This is no other than a customary device of the ancients,
This is but a fable of the men of old,
وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ
Wa maa nahnu bimu ‘azzabeen
“And we are not the ones to receive Pains and Penalties!”
And we shall not be doomed.
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَهْلَكْنَٰهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Fakazzaboohu fa ahlaknaahum; inna fee zaalika la aayah; wa maa kaana aksaruhum mu’mineen
So they rejected him, and We destroyed them. Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe.
And they denied him; therefor We destroyed them. Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers.
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Wa inna Rabbaka la huwal ‘Azeezur Raheem
And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful.
And lo! thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.
كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
Kazzabat Samoodul mursaleen
The Thamud (people) rejected the messengers.
(The tribe of) Thamud denied the messengers (of Allah)
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ صَٰلِحٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
Iz qaala lahum akhoohum Saalihun alaa tattaqoon
Behold, their brother Salih said to them: “Will you not fear (Allah)?
When their brother Salih said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil)?
إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ
Innee lakum Rasoolun ameen
“I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust.
Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you,
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
Fattaqul laaha wa atee’oon
“So fear Allah, and obey me.
So keep your duty to Allah and obey me.
وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Wa maaa as’alukum ‘alaihi min ajrin in ajriya illaa ‘alaa Rabbil ‘aalameen
“No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds.
And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds.
أَتُتْرَكُونَ فِى مَا هَٰهُنَآ ءَامِنِينَ
Atutrakoona fee maa haahunnaaa aamineen
“Will ye be left secure, in (the enjoyment of) all that ye have here?-
Will ye be left secure in that which is here before us,
فِى جَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍۢ
Fee jannaatinw wa ‘uyoon
“Gardens and Springs,
In gardens and watersprings.
وَزُرُوعٍۢ وَنَخْلٍۢ طَلْعُهَا هَضِيمٌۭ
Wa zuroo inw wa nakhlin tal ‘uhaa hadeem
“And corn-fields and date-palms with spathes near breaking (with the weight of fruit)?
And tilled fields and heavy-sheathed palm-trees,
وَتَنْحِتُونَ مِنَ ٱلْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًۭا فَٰرِهِينَ
Wa tanhitoona minal jibaali buyootan faariheen
“And ye carve houses out of (rocky) mountains with great skill.
Though ye hew out dwellings in the mountain, being skilful?
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
Fattaqul laaha wa atee’oon
“But fear Allah and obey me;
Therefor keep your duty to Allah and obey me,
وَلَا تُطِيعُوٓا۟ أَمْرَ ٱلْمُسْرِفِينَ
Wa laa tutee’ooo amral musrifeen
“And follow not the bidding of those who are extravagant,-
And obey not the command of the prodigal,
ٱلَّذِينَ يُفْسِدُونَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا يُصْلِحُونَ
Allazeena yufsidoona fil ardi wa laa yuslihoon
“Who make mischief in the land, and mend not (their ways).”
Who spread corruption in the earth, and reform not.
قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَحَّرِينَ
Qaalooo innamaa anta minal musahhareen
They said: “Thou art only one of those bewitched!
They said: Thou art but one of the bewitched;
مَآ أَنتَ إِلَّا بَشَرٌۭ مِّثْلُنَا فَأْتِ بِـَٔايَةٍ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ
Maaa anta illaa basharum mislunaa faati bi Aayatin in kunta minas saadiqeen
“Thou art no more than a mortal like us: then bring us a Sign, if thou tellest the truth!”
Thou art but a mortal like us. So bring some token if thou art of the truthful.
قَالَ هَٰذِهِۦ نَاقَةٌۭ لَّهَا شِرْبٌۭ وَلَكُمْ شِرْبُ يَوْمٍۢ مَّعْلُومٍۢ
Qaala haazihee naaqatul lahaa shirbunw w alakum shirbu yawmim ma’loom
He said: “Here is a she-camel: she has a right of watering, and ye have a right of watering, (severally) on a day appointed.
He said: (Behold) this she-camel. She hath the right to drink (at the well), and ye have the right to drink, (each) on an appointed day.
وَلَا تَمَسُّوهَا بِسُوٓءٍۢ فَيَأْخُذَكُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍۢ
Wa laa tamassoohaa bisooo’in fa yaakhuzakum ‘azaabu Yawmin ‘Azeem
“Touch her not with harm, lest the Penalty of a Great Day seize you.”
And touch her not with ill lest there come on you the retribution of an awful day.
فَعَقَرُوهَا فَأَصْبَحُوا۟ نَٰدِمِينَ
Fa’aqaroohaa fa asbahoo naadimeen
But they ham-strung her: then did they become full of regrets.
But they hamstrung her, and then were penitent.
فَأَخَذَهُمُ ٱلْعَذَابُ ۗ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Fa akhazahumul ‘azaab; inna fee zaalika la Aayah; wa maa kaana aksaruhum m’mineen
But the Penalty seized them. Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe.
So the retribution came on them. Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers.
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Wa inna Rabbaka la Huwal ‘Azeezur Raheem
And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful.
And lo! thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.
كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ لُوطٍ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
kazzabat qawmu Lootinil mursaleen
The people of Lut rejected the messengers.
The folk of Lot denied the messengers (of Allah),
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ أَخُوهُمْ لُوطٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
Iz qaala lahum akhoohum Lootun alaa tattaqoon
Behold, their brother Lut said to them: “Will ye not fear (Allah)?
When their brother Lot said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil)?
إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ
Innee lakum rasoolun ameen
“I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust.
Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you,
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
Fattaqul laaha wa atee’oon
“So fear Allah and obey me.
So keep your duty to Allah and obey me.
وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Wa maaa as’alukum ‘alaihi min ajrin in ajriya illaa ‘alaa Rabbil ‘aalameen
“No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the lord of the Worlds.
And I ask of you no wage therefor; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds.
أَتَأْتُونَ ٱلذُّكْرَانَ مِنَ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Ataatoonaz zukraana minal ‘aalameen
“Of all the creatures in the world, will ye approach males,
What! Of all creatures do ye come unto the males,
وَتَذَرُونَ مَا خَلَقَ لَكُمْ رَبُّكُم مِّنْ أَزْوَٰجِكُم ۚ بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ عَادُونَ
Wa tazaroona maa khalaqa lakum Rabbukum min azwaajikum; bal antum qawmun ‘aadoon
“And leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are a people transgressing (all limits)!”
And leave the wives your Lord created for you? Nay, but ye are froward folk.
قَالُوا۟ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ يَٰلُوطُ لَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلْمُخْرَجِينَ
Qaloo la’il lam tantahi yaa Lootu latakoonanna minal mukhrajeen
They said: “If thou desist not, O Lut! thou wilt assuredly be cast out!”
They said: If thou cease not, O Lot, thou wilt soon be of the outcast.
قَالَ إِنِّى لِعَمَلِكُم مِّنَ ٱلْقَالِينَ
Qaala innee li’amalikum minal qaaleen
He said: “I do detest your doings.”
He said: I am in truth of those who hate your conduct.
رَبِّ نَجِّنِى وَأَهْلِى مِمَّا يَعْمَلُونَ
Rabbi najjjinee wa ahlee mimmmaa ya’maloon
“O my Lord! deliver me and my family from such things as they do!”
My Lord! Save me and my household from what they do.
فَنَجَّيْنَٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ
Fanajjainaahu wa ahlahooo ajma’een
So We delivered him and his family,- all
So We saved him and his household, every one,
إِلَّا عَجُوزًۭا فِى ٱلْغَٰبِرِينَ
Illaa ‘ajoozan filghaabireen
Except an old woman who lingered behind.
Save an old woman among those who stayed behind.
ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا ٱلْءَاخَرِينَ
Summa dammarnal aa khareen
But the rest We destroyed utterly.
Then afterward We destroyed the others.
وَأَمْطَرْنَا عَلَيْهِم مَّطَرًۭا ۖ فَسَآءَ مَطَرُ ٱلْمُنذَرِينَ
Wa amtarnaa ‘alaihim mataran fasaaa’a matarul munzareen
We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)!
And We rained on them a rain. And dreadful is the rain of those who have been warned.
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Inna fee zaalika la Aayah; wa maa kaana aksaruhum mu’mineen
Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe.
Lo! herein is indeed a portent, yet most of them are not believers.
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Wa inna Rabbaka la Huwal ‘Azeezur Raheem
And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might Most Merciful.
And lo! thy Lord, He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.
كَذَّبَ أَصْحَٰبُ لْـَٔيْكَةِ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
Kazzaba As haabul Aykatil mursaleen
The Companions of the Wood rejected the messengers.
The dwellers in the wood (of Midian) denied the messengers (of Allah),
إِذْ قَالَ لَهُمْ شُعَيْبٌ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ
Iz qaala lahum Shu’aybun alaa tattaqoon
Behold, Shu’aib said to them: “Will ye not fear (Allah)?
When Shu’eyb said unto them: Will ye not ward off (evil)?
إِنِّى لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌۭ
Innee lakum Rasoolun ameen
“I am to you a messenger worthy of all trust.
Lo! I am a faithful messenger unto you,
فَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ
Fattaqul laaha wa atee’oon
“So fear Allah and obey me.
So keep your duty to Allah and obey me.
وَمَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِىَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Wa maaa as’alukum ‘alaihi min ajrin in ajriya illaa ‘alaa Rabbil ‘aalameen
“No reward do I ask of you for it: my reward is only from the Lord of the Worlds.
And I ask of you no wage for it; my wage is the concern only of the Lord of the Worlds.
۞ أَوْفُوا۟ ٱلْكَيْلَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْمُخْسِرِينَ
Awful kaila wa laa takoonoo minal mukhsireen
“Give just measure, and cause no loss (to others by fraud).
Give full measure, and be not of those who give less (than the due).
وَزِنُوا۟ بِٱلْقِسْطَاسِ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمِ
Wa zinoo bilqistaasil mustaqeem
“And weigh with scales true and upright.
And weigh with the true balance.
وَلَا تَبْخَسُوا۟ ٱلنَّاسَ أَشْيَآءَهُمْ وَلَا تَعْثَوْا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مُفْسِدِينَ
Wa laa tabkhasun naasa ashyaaa ‘ahum wa laa ta’saw fil ardi mufsideen
“And withhold not things justly due to men, nor do evil in the land, working mischief.
Wrong not mankind in their goods, and do not evil, making mischief, in the earth.
وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَكُمْ وَٱلْجِبِلَّةَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
Wattaqul lazee khalaqakum waljibillatal awwaleen
“And fear Him Who created you and (who created) the generations before (you)”
And keep your duty unto Him Who created you and the generations of the men of old.
قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّمَآ أَنتَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَحَّرِينَ
Qaalooo innamaa anta minal musahhareen
They said: “Thou art only one of those bewitched!
They said: Thou art but one of the bewitched;
وَمَآ أَنتَ إِلَّا بَشَرٌۭ مِّثْلُنَا وَإِن نَّظُنُّكَ لَمِنَ ٱلْكَٰذِبِينَ
Wa maaa anta illaa basharum mislunaa wa innazunnuka laminal kaazibeen
“Thou art no more than a mortal like us, and indeed we think thou art a liar!
Thou art but a mortal like us, and lo! we deem thee of the liars.
فَأَسْقِطْ عَلَيْنَا كِسَفًۭا مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِن كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلصَّٰدِقِينَ
Fa asqit ‘alainaa kisafam minas samaaa’i in kunta minas saadiqeen
“Now cause a piece of the sky to fall on us, if thou art truthful!”
Then make fragments of the heaven fall upon us, if thou art of the truthful.
قَالَ رَبِّىٓ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
Qaala Rabbeee a’lamu bimaa ta’maloon
He said: “My Lord knows best what ye do.”
He said: My Lord is Best Aware of what ye do.
فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَأَخَذَهُمْ عَذَابُ يَوْمِ ٱلظُّلَّةِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَذَابَ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ
Fakazzaboohu fa akhazahum ‘azaabu Yawmiz zullah; innahoo kaana ‘azaaba Yawmin ‘Azeem
But they rejected him. Then the punishment of a day of overshadowing gloom seized them, and that was the Penalty of a Great Day.
But they denied him, so there came on them the retribution of the day of gloom. Lo! it was the retribution of an awful day.
إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَةًۭ ۖ وَمَا كَانَ أَكْثَرُهُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ
Inna fee zaalika la Aayah; wa maa kaana aksaruhum mu’mineen
Verily in that is a Sign: but most of them do not believe.
Lo! herein is indeed a portent; yet most of them are not believers.
وَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ لَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Wa inna Rabbaka la huwal ‘Azeezur Raheem
And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful.
And lo! thy Lord! He is indeed the Mighty, the Merciful.
وَإِنَّهُۥ لَتَنزِيلُ رَبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Wa innahoo latanzeelu Rabbil ‘aalameen
Verily this is a Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds:
And lo! it is a revelation of the Lord of the Worlds,
نَزَلَ بِهِ ٱلرُّوحُ ٱلْأَمِينُ
Nazala bihir Roohul Ameen
With it came down the spirit of Faith and Truth-
Which the True Spirit hath brought down
عَلَىٰ قَلْبِكَ لِتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنذِرِينَ
‘Alaa qalbika litakoona minal munzireen
To thy heart and mind, that thou mayest admonish.
Upon thy heart, that thou mayst be (one) of the warners,
بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِىٍّۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
Bilisaanin ‘Arabiyyim mubeen
In the perspicuous Arabic tongue.
In plain Arabic speech.
وَإِنَّهُۥ لَفِى زُبُرِ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
Wa innahoo lafee Zuburil awwaleen
Without doubt it is (announced) in the mystic Books of former peoples.
And lo! it is in the Scriptures of the men of old.
أَوَلَمْ يَكُن لَّهُمْ ءَايَةً أَن يَعْلَمَهُۥ عُلَمَٰٓؤُا۟ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ
Awalam yakul lahum Aayatan ai ya’lamahoo ‘ulamaaa’u Baneee Israaa’eel
Is it not a Sign to them that the Learned of the Children of Israel knew it (as true)?
Is it not a token for them that the doctors of the Children of Israel know it?
وَلَوْ نَزَّلْنَٰهُ عَلَىٰ بَعْضِ ٱلْأَعْجَمِينَ
Wa law nazzalnaahu ‘alaa ba’dil a’jameen
Had We revealed it to any of the non-Arabs,
And if We had revealed it unto one of any other nation than the Arabs,
فَقَرَأَهُۥ عَلَيْهِم مَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ مُؤْمِنِينَ
Faqara ahoo ‘alaihim maa kaanoo bihee mu’mineen
And had he recited it to them, they would not have believed in it.
And he had read it unto them, they would not have believed in it.
كَذَٰلِكَ سَلَكْنَٰهُ فِى قُلُوبِ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ
Kazaalika salaknaahu fee quloobil mujrimeen
Thus have We caused it to enter the hearts of the sinners.
Thus do We make it traverse the hearts of the guilty.
لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِهِۦ حَتَّىٰ يَرَوُا۟ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَلِيمَ
Laa yu’minoona bihee hattaa yarawul ‘azaabal aleem
They will not believe in it until they see the grievous Penalty;
They will not believe in it till they behold the painful doom,
فَيَأْتِيَهُم بَغْتَةًۭ وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ
Fayaatiyahum baghtatanw wa hum laa yash’uroon
But the (Penalty) will come to them of a sudden, while they perceive it not;
So that it will come upon them suddenly, when they perceive not.
فَيَقُولُوا۟ هَلْ نَحْنُ مُنظَرُونَ
Fa yaqooloo hal nahnu munzaroon
Then they will say: “Shall we be respited?”
Then they will say: Are we to be reprieved?
أَفَبِعَذَابِنَا يَسْتَعْجِلُونَ
Aafabi ‘azaabinaa yasta’jiloon
Do they then ask for Our Penalty to be hastened on?
Would they (now) hasten on Our doom?
أَفَرَءَيْتَ إِن مَّتَّعْنَٰهُمْ سِنِينَ
Aara’aita im matta’naahum sineen
Seest thou? If We do let them enjoy (this life) for a few years,
Hast thou then seen, if We content them for (long) years,
ثُمَّ جَآءَهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يُوعَدُونَ
Summa jaaa’ahum maa kaanoo yoo’adoon
Yet there comes to them at length the (Punishment) which they were promised!
And then cometh that which they were promised,
مَآ أَغْنَىٰ عَنْهُم مَّا كَانُوا۟ يُمَتَّعُونَ
Maaa aghnaaa ‘anhum maa kaanoo yumaatoo’oon
It will profit them not that they enjoyed (this life)!
(How) that wherewith they were contented naught availeth them?
وَمَآ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَرْيَةٍ إِلَّا لَهَا مُنذِرُونَ
Wa maaa ahlaknaa min qaryatin illaa lahaa munziroon
Never did We destroy a population, but had its warners –
And We destroyed no township but it had its warners
ذِكْرَىٰ وَمَا كُنَّا ظَٰلِمِينَ
Zikraa wa maa kunnaa zaalimeen
By way of reminder; and We never are unjust.
For reminder, for We never were oppressors.
وَمَا تَنَزَّلَتْ بِهِ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ
Wa maa tanazzalat bihish Shayaateen
No evil ones have brought down this (Revelation):
The devils did not bring it down.
وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لَهُمْ وَمَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ
Wa maa yambaghee lahum wa maa yastatee’oon
It would neither suit them nor would they be able (to produce it).
It is not meet for them, nor is it in their power,
إِنَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّمْعِ لَمَعْزُولُونَ
Innahum ‘anis sam’i lama’zooloon
Indeed they have been removed far from even (a chance of) hearing it.
Lo! verily they are banished from the hearing.
فَلَا تَدْعُ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتَكُونَ مِنَ ٱلْمُعَذَّبِينَ
Falaa tad’u ma’al laahi ilaahan aakhara fatakoona minal mu’azzabeen
So call not on any other god with Allah, or thou wilt be among those under the Penalty.
Therefor invoke not with Allah another god, lest thou be one of the doomed.
وَأَنذِرْ عَشِيرَتَكَ ٱلْأَقْرَبِينَ
Wa anzir ‘asheeratakal aqrabeen
And admonish thy nearest kinsmen,
And warn thy tribe of near kindred,
وَٱخْفِضْ جَنَاحَكَ لِمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Wakhfid janaahaka limanit taba ‘aka minal mu’mineen
And lower thy wing to the Believers who follow thee.
And lower thy wing (in kindness) unto those believers who follow thee.
فَإِنْ عَصَوْكَ فَقُلْ إِنِّى بَرِىٓءٌۭ مِّمَّا تَعْمَلُونَ
Fa in asawka faqul innee bareee’um mimmmaa ta’maloon
Then if they disobey thee, say: “I am free (of responsibility) for what ye do!”
And if they (thy kinsfolk) disobey thee, say: Lo! I am innocent of what they do.
وَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Wa tawakkal alal ‘Azeezir Raheem
And put thy trust on the Exalted in Might, the Merciful,-
And put thy trust in the Mighty, the Merciful.
ٱلَّذِى يَرَىٰكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ
Allazee yaraaka heena taqoom
Who seeth thee standing forth (in prayer),
Who seeth thee when thou standest up (to pray)
وَتَقَلُّبَكَ فِى ٱلسَّٰجِدِينَ
Wa taqallubaka fis saajideen
And thy movements among those who prostrate themselves,
And (seeth) thine abasement among those who fall prostrate (in worship).
إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
Innahoo Huwas Samee’ul ‘Aleem
For it is He Who heareth and knoweth all things.
Lo! He, only He, is the Hearer, the Knower.
هَلْ أُنَبِّئُكُمْ عَلَىٰ مَن تَنَزَّلُ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ
Hal unabbi’ukum ‘alaa man tanazzalush Shayaateen
Shall I inform you, (O people!), on whom it is that the evil ones descend?
Shall I inform you upon whom the devils descend?
تَنَزَّلُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ أَفَّاكٍ أَثِيمٍۢ
Tanazzalu ‘alaa kulli affaakin aseem
They descend on every lying, wicked person,
They descend on every sinful, false one.
يُلْقُونَ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَأَكْثَرُهُمْ كَٰذِبُونَ
Yulqoonas sam’a wa aksaruhum aaziboon
(Into whose ears) they pour hearsay vanities, and most of them are liars.
They listen eagerly, but most of them are liars.
وَٱلشُّعَرَآءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ ٱلْغَاوُۥنَ
Washshu ‘araaa’u yattabi ‘uhumul ghaawoon
And the Poets,- It is those straying in Evil, who follow them:
As for poets, the erring follow them.
أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّهُمْ فِى كُلِّ وَادٍۢ يَهِيمُونَ
Alam tara annahum fee kulli waadiny yaheemoon
Seest thou not that they wander distracted in every valley?-
Hast thou not seen how they stray in every valley,
وَأَنَّهُمْ يَقُولُونَ مَا لَا يَفْعَلُونَ
Wa annahum yaqooloona ma laa yaf’aloon
And that they say what they practise not?-
And how they say that which they do not?
إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ وَذَكَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا وَٱنتَصَرُوا۟ مِنۢ بَعْدِ مَا ظُلِمُوا۟ ۗ وَسَيَعْلَمُ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوٓا۟ أَىَّ مُنقَلَبٍۢ يَنقَلِبُونَ
Illal lazeena aamanoo w a’amilus saalihaati wa zakarul laaha kaseeranw wantasaroo mim ba’di maa zulimoo; wa saya’lamul lazeena zalamooo aiya munqalbiny yanqaliboon
Except those who believe, work righteousness, engage much in the remembrance of Allah, and defend themselves only after they are unjustly attacked. And soon will the unjust assailants know what vicissitudes their affairs will take!
Save those who believe and do good works, and remember Allah much, and vindicate themselves after they have been wronged. Those who do wrong will come to know by what a (great) reverse they will be overturned!
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.