السَّجۡدَةِ
- Meccan
- 30 verses
- Surah 32 of 114
Introduction to Surah As-Sajdah
Thirty verses, Meccan, thirty-second in the written order. It is one of the shortest surahs to open with disconnected letters, and it takes its name from a verse near the middle where reciters traditionally prostrate.
What it argues
The objection it answers is the one the Meccans returned to most often: that once a body has gone into the ground and been lost in it, there is nothing left to raise. The surah’s reply is to retrace the first making — the beginning of the human being from clay, then a progeny from a despised fluid, then the fashioning and the breathing in of spirit, then hearing and sight and hearts. Its argument is that people are prepared to accept the harder claim, which is that they exist at all, and balk at the easier one.
It then describes the day when those who denied stand with their heads bowed before their Lord, saying they have seen and heard and asking to be sent back to do right. The scene is brief and the surah does not linger on it.
The night
Against that it sets a description of the people who do believe, and it is entirely physical:
Their limbs do forsake their beds of sleep, the while they call on their Lord, in Fear and Hope: and they spend (in charity) out of the sustenance which We have bestowed on them. (32:16)
The verse immediately after says that no soul knows what comfort of the eyes is kept hidden for them as a reward. The surah offers no description of it, which is the point: what is being withheld is being withheld from the reader too.
A note on its use
The Prophet recited As-Sajdah together with Al-Insan at the dawn prayer on Fridays, and this is among the better-attested recitation practices in the tradition: Abu Hurayra reports it in Sahih al-Bukhari 891, and it is carried in Muslim, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi, an-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah as well. It is still done in mosques today.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيم
تَنزِيلُ ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
Tanzeelul Kitaabi ‘laaraiba feehi mir rabbil ‘aalameen
(This is) the Revelation of the Book in which there is no doubt,- from the Lord of the Worlds.
The revelation of the Scripture whereof there is no doubt is from the Lord of the Worlds.
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ ۚ بَلْ هُوَ ٱلْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًۭا مَّآ أَتَىٰهُم مِّن نَّذِيرٍۢ مِّن قَبْلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ
Am yaqooloonaf taraahu bal huwal haqqu mir rabbika litunzira qawma maaa ataahum min nazeerim min qablika la’allahum yahtadoon
Or do they say, “He has forged it”? Nay, it is the Truth from thy Lord, that thou mayest admonish a people to whom no warner has come before thee: in order that they may receive guidance.
Or say they: He hath invented it? Nay, but it is the Truth from thy Lord, that thou mayst warn a folk to whom no warner came before thee, that haply they may walk aright.
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍۢ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِ ۖ مَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ مِن وَلِىٍّۢ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ ۚ أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ
Allaahul lazee khalaqas samaawaati wal arda wa maa bainahumaa fee sittati ayyaam;Thummas tawaa ‘alal ‘arsh; maa lakum min doonihee minw-wwaliyyinw-wala shafee’; afala tatazakkaroon
It is Allah Who has created the heavens and the earth, and all between them, in six Days, and is firmly established on the Throne (of Authority): ye have none, besides Him, to protect or intercede (for you): will ye not then receive admonition?
Allah it is Who created the heavens and the earth, and that which is between them, in six Days. Then He mounted the Throne. Ye have not, beside Him, a protecting friend or mediator. Will ye not then remember?
يُدَبِّرُ ٱلْأَمْرَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ثُمَّ يَعْرُجُ إِلَيْهِ فِى يَوْمٍۢ كَانَ مِقْدَارُهُۥٓ أَلْفَ سَنَةٍۢ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ
Yudabbirul amra minas samaaa’i ilal ardi Thumma ya’ruju ilai Thumma ya’ruju ilaihi fee yawmin kaana miqdaaruhoooo alfa sanatim mimmaa ta’uddoon
He rules (all) affairs from the heavens to the earth: in the end will (all affairs) go up to Him, on a Day, the space whereof will be (as) a thousand years of your reckoning.
He directeth the ordinance from the heaven unto the earth; then it ascendeth unto Him in a Day, whereof the measure is a thousand years of that ye reckon.
ذَٰلِكَ عَٰلِمُ ٱلْغَيْبِ وَٱلشَّهَٰدَةِ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ
Zaalika ‘aalimul ghaybi wa shahaadatil ‘azeezur raheem
Such is He, the Knower of all things, hidden and open, the Exalted (in power), the Merciful;-
Such is the Knower of the Invisible and the Visible, the Mighty, the Merciful,
ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ ۖ وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ مِن طِينٍۢ
Allazee ahsana kulla shai in khalaqa; wa bada a khalqal insaani min teen
He Who has made everything which He has created most good: He began the creation of man with (nothing more than) clay,
Who made all things good which He created, and He began the creation of man from clay;
ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسْلَهُۥ مِن سُلَٰلَةٍۢ مِّن مَّآءٍۢ مَّهِينٍۢ
Thumma ja’ala naslahoo min sulaalatim mim maaa’immaheen
And made his progeny from a quintessence of the nature of a fluid despised:
Then He made his seed from a draught of despised fluid;
ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦ ۖ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْأَبْصَٰرَ وَٱلْأَفْـِٔدَةَ ۚ قَلِيلًۭا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ
Thumma sawwaahu wa nafakha feehi mir roohihih; wa ja’ala lakumus sam’a wal-absaara wal-af’idah; taqaleelam maa tashkuroon
But He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him something of His spirit. And He gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding): little thanks do ye give!
Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His Spirit; and appointed for you hearing and sight and hearts. Small thanks give ye!
وَقَالُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا ضَلَلْنَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَءِنَّا لَفِى خَلْقٍۢ جَدِيدٍۭ ۚ بَلْ هُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّهِمْ كَٰفِرُونَ
Wa qaalooo ‘a-izaa dalalnaa fil ardi ‘a-innaa lafee khalqin jadeed; bal hum biliqaaa’i rabbihim kaafirroon
And they say: “What! when we lie, hidden and lost, in the earth, shall we indeed be in a Creation renewed? Nay, they deny the Meeting with their Lord.
And they say: When we are lost in the earth, how can we then be re-created? Nay but they are disbelievers in the meeting with their Lord.
۞ قُلْ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُم مَّلَكُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ٱلَّذِى وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ
Qul yatawaffaakum malakul mawtil lazee wukkila bikum Thumma ilaa rabbikum turja’oon
Say: “The Angel of Death, put in charge of you, will (duly) take your souls: then shall ye be brought back to your Lord.”
Say: The angel of death, who hath charge concerning you, will gather you, and afterward unto your Lord ye will be returned.
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ نَاكِسُوا۟ رُءُوسِهِمْ عِندَ رَبِّهِمْ رَبَّنَآ أَبْصَرْنَا وَسَمِعْنَا فَٱرْجِعْنَا نَعْمَلْ صَٰلِحًا إِنَّا مُوقِنُونَ
Wa law taraaa izil mujrimoona naakisoo ru’oosihim ‘inda rabbihim rabbanaaa absarnaa wa sami’naa farji’naa na’mal saalihan innaa mooqinoon
If only thou couldst see when the guilty ones will bend low their heads before their Lord, (saying:) “Our Lord! We have seen and we have heard: Now then send us back (to the world): we will work righteousness: for we do indeed (now) believe.”
Couldst thou but see when the guilty hang their heads before their Lord, (and say): Our Lord! We have now seen and heard, so send us back; we will do right, now we are sure.
وَلَوْ شِئْنَا لَءَاتَيْنَا كُلَّ نَفْسٍ هُدَىٰهَا وَلَٰكِنْ حَقَّ ٱلْقَوْلُ مِنِّى لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنَ ٱلْجِنَّةِ وَٱلنَّاسِ أَجْمَعِينَ
Wa law shi’naa la-aatainaa kulla nafsin hudaahaa wa laakin haqqal qawlu minnee la amla’anna jahannama minal jinnati wannaasi ajma’een
If We had so willed, We could certainly have brought every soul its true guidance: but the Word from Me will come true, “I will fill Hell with Jinns and men all together.”
And if We had so willed, We could have given every soul its guidance, but the word from Me concerning evildoers took effect: that I will fill hell with the jinn and mankind together.
فَذُوقُوا۟ بِمَا نَسِيتُمْ لِقَآءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَآ إِنَّا نَسِينَٰكُمْ ۖ وَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلْخُلْدِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
Fazooqoo bimaa naseetum liqaaa’a yawminkum haaza innaa naseenaakum wa zooqoo ‘azaabal khuldi bimaa kuntum ta’maloon
“Taste ye then – for ye forgot the Meeting of this Day of yours, and We too will forget you – taste ye the Penalty of Eternity for your (evil) deeds!”
So taste (the evil of your deeds). Forasmuch as ye forgot the meeting of this your day, lo! We forget you. Taste the doom of immortality because of what ye used to do.
إِنَّمَا يُؤْمِنُ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ بِهَا خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًۭا وَسَبَّحُوا۟ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّهِمْ وَهُمْ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ ۩
Innamaa yu’minu bi aayaatinal lazeena izaa zukkiroo bihaa kharroo sujjadanw wa sabbahoo bihamdi rabbihim wa hum laa yastakbiroon
Only those believe in Our Signs, who, when they are recited to them, fall down in prostration, and celebrate the praises of their Lord, nor are they (ever) puffed up with pride.
Only those believe in Our revelations who, when they are reminded of them, fall down prostrate and hymn the praise of their Lord, and they are not scornful,
تَتَجَافَىٰ جُنُوبُهُمْ عَنِ ٱلْمَضَاجِعِ يَدْعُونَ رَبَّهُمْ خَوْفًۭا وَطَمَعًۭا وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ
Tatajaafaa junoobuhum ‘anil madaaji’i yad’oona rabbahum khawfanw wa tama’anw wa mimmaa razaqnaahum yunfiqoon
Their limbs do forsake their beds of sleep, the while they call on their Lord, in Fear and Hope: and they spend (in charity) out of the sustenance which We have bestowed on them.
Who forsake their beds to cry unto their Lord in fear and hope, and spend of that We have bestowed on them.
فَلَا تَعْلَمُ نَفْسٌۭ مَّآ أُخْفِىَ لَهُم مِّن قُرَّةِ أَعْيُنٍۢ جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Falaa ta’lamu nafsum maaa ukhfiya lahum min qurrati a’yunin jazaaa’am bimaa kaanoo ya’maloon
Now no person knows what delights of the eye are kept hidden (in reserve) for them – as a reward for their (good) deeds.
No soul knoweth what is kept hid for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do.
أَفَمَن كَانَ مُؤْمِنًۭا كَمَن كَانَ فَاسِقًۭا ۚ لَّا يَسْتَوُۥنَ
Afaman kaana mu’minan kaman kaana faasiqaa; laa yasta woon
Is then the man who believes no better than the man who is rebellious and wicked? Not equal are they.
Is he who is a believer like unto him who is an evil-liver? They are not alike.
أَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ فَلَهُمْ جَنَّٰتُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰ نُزُلًۢا بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
Ammal lazeena aamanoo wa ‘amilus saalihaati falahum jannaatul maawa nuzulam bimaa kaanoo ya’maloon
For those who believe and do righteous deeds are Gardens as hospitable homes, for their (good) deeds.
But as for those who believe and do good works, for them are the Gardens of Retreat – a welcome (in reward) for what they used to do.
وَأَمَّا ٱلَّذِينَ فَسَقُوا۟ فَمَأْوَىٰهُمُ ٱلنَّارُ ۖ كُلَّمَآ أَرَادُوٓا۟ أَن يَخْرُجُوا۟ مِنْهَآ أُعِيدُوا۟ فِيهَا وَقِيلَ لَهُمْ ذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابَ ٱلنَّارِ ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ
Wa ammal lazeena fasaqoo famaawaahumn Naaru kullamaaa araadooo any yakhrujoo minhaaa u’eedoo feehaa wa qeela lahum zooqoo ‘zaaaban Naaril lazee kuntum bihee tukazziboon
As to those who are rebellious and wicked, their abode will be the Fire: every time they wish to get away therefrom, they will be forced thereinto, and it will be said to them: “Taste ye the Penalty of the Fire, the which ye were wont to reject as false.”
And as for those who do evil, their retreat is the Fire. Whenever they desire to issue forth from thence, they are brought back thither. Unto them it is said: Taste the torment of the Fire which ye used to deny.
وَلَنُذِيقَنَّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَدْنَىٰ دُونَ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَكْبَرِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
Wa lanuzeeqan nahum minal ‘azaabil ladnaa doonal ‘azaabil akbari la’allahum yarji’oon
And indeed We will make them taste of the Penalty of this (life) prior to the supreme Penalty, in order that they may (repent and) return.
And verily We make them taste the lower punishment before the greater, that haply they may return.
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن ذُكِّرَ بِـَٔايَٰتِ رَبِّهِۦ ثُمَّ أَعْرَضَ عَنْهَآ ۚ إِنَّا مِنَ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ مُنتَقِمُونَ
Wa man azlamu mimman zukkira bi aayaati rabbihee summa a’rada ‘anhaa; innaa minal mujrimeena muntaqimmon
And who does more wrong than one to whom are recited the Signs of his Lord, and who then turns away therefrom? Verily from those who transgress We shall exact (due) Retribution.
And who doth greater wrong than he who is reminded of the revelations of his Lord, then turneth from them. Lo! We shall requite the guilty.
وَلَقَدْ ءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَٰبَ فَلَا تَكُن فِى مِرْيَةٍۢ مِّن لِّقَآئِهِۦ ۖ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ هُدًۭى لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ
Wa laqad aayainaa Moosal Kitaaba falaa takun fee miryatim mil liqaaa’ihee wa ja’alnaahu hudal li Baneee Israaa’eel
We did indeed aforetime give the Book to Moses: be not then in doubt of its reaching (thee): and We made it a guide to the Children of Israel.
We verily gave Moses the Scripture; so be not ye in doubt of his receiving it; and We appointed it a guidance for the Children of Israel.
وَجَعَلْنَا مِنْهُمْ أَئِمَّةًۭ يَهْدُونَ بِأَمْرِنَا لَمَّا صَبَرُوا۟ ۖ وَكَانُوا۟ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا يُوقِنُونَ
Wa ja’alnaa minhum a’immatany yahdoona bi amrinaa lammaa sabaroo wa kaanoo bi aayaatinaa yooqinoon
And We appointed, from among them, leaders, giving guidance under Our command, so long as they persevered with patience and continued to have faith in Our Signs.
And when they became steadfast and believed firmly in Our revelations, We appointed from among them leaders who guided by Our command.
إِنَّ رَبَّكَ هُوَ يَفْصِلُ بَيْنَهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فِيمَا كَانُوا۟ فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ
Inna rabbaka huwa yafsilu bainahum yawmal qiyaamati feemaa kaanoo feehi yakhtalifoon
Verily thy Lord will judge between them on the Day of Judgment, in the matters wherein they differ (among themselves)
Lo! thy Lord will judge between them on the Day of Resurrection concerning that wherein they used to differ.
أَوَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِى مَسَٰكِنِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَءَايَٰتٍ ۖ أَفَلَا يَسْمَعُونَ
Awalam yahdi lahum kam ahlaknaa min qablihim minal qurooni yamshoona fee zaalika la aayaatin afalaa yasma’oon
Does it not teach them a lesson, how many generations We destroyed before them, in whose dwellings they (now) go to and fro? Verily in that are Signs: Do they not then listen?
Is it not a guidance for them (to observe) how many generations We destroyed before them, amid whose dwelling places they do walk? Lo! therein verily are portents! Will they not then heed?
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا نَسُوقُ ٱلْمَآءَ إِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ ٱلْجُرُزِ فَنُخْرِجُ بِهِۦ زَرْعًۭا تَأْكُلُ مِنْهُ أَنْعَٰمُهُمْ وَأَنفُسُهُمْ ۖ أَفَلَا يُبْصِرُونَ
Awalam yaraw annaa nasooqul maaa’a ilal lardil juruzi fanukhriju bihee zar’an taakulu minhu an’aamuhum wa anfusuhum afalaa yubsiroon
And do they not see that We do drive rain to parched soil (bare of herbage), and produce therewith crops, providing food for their cattle and themselves? Have they not the vision?
Have they not seen how We lead the water to the barren land and therewith bring forth crops whereof their cattle eat, and they themselves? Will they not then see?
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلْفَتْحُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ
Wa yaqooloona mataa haazal fat hu in kuntum saadiqeen
They say: “When will this decision be, if ye are telling the truth?”
And they say: When cometh this victory (of yours) if ye are truthful?
قُلْ يَوْمَ ٱلْفَتْحِ لَا يَنفَعُ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ إِيمَٰنُهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنظَرُونَ
Qul yawmal fat hi laa yanfa’ul lazeena kafarooo eemaanuhum wa laa hum yunzaroon
Say: “On the Day of Decision, no profit will it be to Unbelievers if they (then) believe! nor will they be granted a respite.”
Say (unto them): On the day of the victory the faith of those who disbelieve (and who then will believe) will not avail them, neither will they be reprieved.
فَأَعْرِضْ عَنْهُمْ وَٱنتَظِرْ إِنَّهُم مُّنتَظِرُونَ
Fa a’rid ‘anhum wantazir innahum muntazirron
So turn away from them, and wait: they too are waiting.
So withdraw from them (O Muhammad), and await (the event). Lo! they (also) are awaiting (it).
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.