يسٓ
- Meccan
- 83 verses
- Surah 36 of 114
Introduction to Surah Ya-Sin
Eighty-three verses, Meccan, thirty-sixth in the written order. It opens with two disconnected letters, Ya and Sin, which the surah does not explain and which commentators have never agreed on. A widely quoted saying calls Ya-Sin the heart of the Qur’an (Jami’ at-Tirmidhi 2887). The phrase is everywhere in Muslim writing, but the narration is graded weak; at-Tirmidhi called it gharib, and its chain turns on a narrator the critics could not place.
What it argues
The surah is built around a single question that the Meccan opposition kept returning to: once a body has gone into the ground and broken down, what could possibly bring it back? Ya-Sin answers not with argument from authority but with argument from what its listeners could see. A dead field takes rain and turns green. A seed splits and becomes grain. Night is pulled off the day like a skin. The sun runs to an appointed place; the moon passes through its stations until it is thin and curved like an old date-stalk. The surah’s claim is that a power already visibly doing all of this daily is not plausibly defeated by a handful of bones.
The man from the far end of the city
At the centre of the surah is a short story with no names in it. A town is sent two messengers and rejects them; a third is sent as reinforcement; the town threatens all three. Then a man comes running from the far end of the city — no title, no office, no standing described — and tells his people to follow the messengers, and says openly that he himself believes.
The town kills him. The surah cuts immediately to what happens next:
It was said: “Enter thou the Garden.” He said: “Ah me! Would that my People knew (what I know)!- “For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in honour!” (36:26–27)
He is dead and his first recorded thought is about the people who killed him. It is worth noticing whose example the surah chooses to dwell on. The messengers are given four verses. The ordinary man who stood up for them is given the death and the reply.
How it ends
The closing verses return to the opening question and put it in the mouth of an objector who brings a crumbling bone as his evidence. The reply runs through creation from the beginning, through the green tree that yields fire, and ends on the phrase that the whole surah has been building toward: that God’s command, when He intends a thing, is to say to it Be, and it is.
A note on its use
Ya-Sin is frequently recited at the bedside of the dying and at funerals, and in many Muslim communities that is the setting people know it from. The instruction to recite it over the dying appears in Sunan Abi Dawud 3121 and Sunan Ibn Majah 1448, and is usually graded weak, though the gradings conflict. What is securely established for the dying is something different: that they be helped to say la ilaha illa Allah (Sahih Muslim 916a). The reason it fits is not hard to see: it is the passage of the Qur’an most concentrated on the claim that death is a passage rather than an ending.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيم
وَٱلْقُرْءَانِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ
Wal-Qur-aanil-Hakeem
By the Qur’an, full of Wisdom,-
By the wise Qur’an,
إِنَّكَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
Innaka laminal mursaleen
Thou art indeed one of the messengers,
Lo! thou art of those sent
عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ
‘Alaa Siraatim Mustaqeem
On a Straight Way.
On a straight path,
تَنزِيلَ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Tanzeelal ‘Azeezir Raheem
It is a Revelation sent down by (Him), the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful.
A revelation of the Mighty, the Merciful,
لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًۭا مَّآ أُنذِرَ ءَابَآؤُهُمْ فَهُمْ غَٰفِلُونَ
Litunzira qawmam maaa unzira aabaaa’uhum fahum ghaafiloon
In order that thou mayest admonish a people, whose fathers had received no admonition, and who therefore remain heedless (of the Signs of Allah).
That thou mayst warn a folk whose fathers were not warned, so they are heedless.
لَقَدْ حَقَّ ٱلْقَوْلُ عَلَىٰٓ أَكْثَرِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Laqad haqqal qawlu ‘alaaa aksarihim fahum laa yu’minoon
The Word is proved true against the greater part of them: for they do not believe.
Already hath the judgment, (for their infidelity) proved true of most of them, for they believe not.
إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا فِىٓ أَعْنَٰقِهِمْ أَغْلَٰلًۭا فَهِىَ إِلَى ٱلْأَذْقَانِ فَهُم مُّقْمَحُونَ
Innaa ja’alnaa feee a’naaqihim aghlaalan fahiya ilal azqaani fahum muqmahoon
We have put yokes round their necks right up to their chins, so that their heads are forced up (and they cannot see).
Lo! We have put on their necks carcans reaching unto the chins, so that they are made stiff-necked.
وَجَعَلْنَا مِنۢ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ سَدًّۭا وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ سَدًّۭا فَأَغْشَيْنَٰهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُبْصِرُونَ
Wa ja’alnaa mim baini aydeehim saddanw-wa min khalfihim saddan fa aghshai naahum fahum laa yubsiroon
And We have put a bar in front of them and a bar behind them, and further, We have covered them up; so that they cannot see.
And We have set a bar before them and a bar behind them, and (thus) have covered them so that they see not.
وَسَوَآءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَأَنذَرْتَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تُنذِرْهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Wa sawaaa’un ‘alaihim ‘a-anzartahum am lam tunzirhum laa yu’minoon
The same is it to them whether thou admonish them or thou do not admonish them: they will not believe.
Whether thou warn them or thou warn them not, it is alike for them, for they believe not.
إِنَّمَا تُنذِرُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلذِّكْرَ وَخَشِىَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنَ بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۖ فَبَشِّرْهُ بِمَغْفِرَةٍۢ وَأَجْرٍۢ كَرِيمٍ
Innamaa tunziru manit taba ‘az-Zikra wa khashiyar Rahmaana bilghaib, fabashshirhu bimaghfiratinw-wa ajrin kareem
Thou canst but admonish such a one as follows the Message and fears the (Lord) Most Gracious, unseen: give such a one, therefore, good tidings, of Forgiveness and a Reward most generous.
Thou warnest only him who followeth the Reminder and feareth the Beneficent in secret. To him bear tidings of forgiveness and a rich reward.
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَنَكْتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُوا۟ وَءَاثَٰرَهُمْ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ أَحْصَيْنَٰهُ فِىٓ إِمَامٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
Innaa Nahnu nuhyil mawtaa wa naktubu maa qaddamoo wa aasaarahum; wa kulla shai’in ahsainaahu feee Imaamim Mubeen
Verily We shall give life to the dead, and We record that which they send before and that which they leave behind, and of all things have We taken account in a clear Book (of evidence).
Lo! We it is Who bring the dead to life. We record that which they send before (them, and their footprints. And all things We have kept in a clear Register.
وَٱضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلًا أَصْحَٰبَ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ إِذْ جَآءَهَا ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
Wadrib lahum masalan Ashaabal Qaryatih; iz jaaa’ahal mursaloon
Set forth to them, by way of a parable, the (story of) the Companions of the City. Behold!, there came messengers to it.
Coin for them a similitude: The people of the city when those sent (from Allah) came unto them;
إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱثْنَيْنِ فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَعَزَّزْنَا بِثَالِثٍۢ فَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّآ إِلَيْكُم مُّرْسَلُونَ
Iz arsalnaaa ilaihimusnaini fakazzaboohumaa fa’azzaznaa bisaalisin faqaalooo innaaa ilaikum mursaloon
When We (first) sent to them two messengers, they rejected them: But We strengthened them with a third: they said, “Truly, we have been sent on a mission to you.”
When We sent unto them twain, and they denied them both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: Lo! we have been sent unto you.
قَالُوا۟ مَآ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا بَشَرٌۭ مِّثْلُنَا وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ مِن شَىْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا تَكْذِبُونَ
Qaaloo maaa antum illaa basharum mislunaa wa maaa anzalar Rahmaanu min shai’in in antum illaa takziboon
The (people) said: “Ye are only men like ourselves; and (Allah) Most Gracious sends no sort of revelation: ye do nothing but lie.”
They said: Ye are but mortals like unto us. The Beneficent hath naught revealed. Ye do but lie!
قَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا يَعْلَمُ إِنَّآ إِلَيْكُمْ لَمُرْسَلُونَ
Qaaloo Rabbunaa ya’lamu innaaa ilaikum lamursaloon
They said: “Our Lord doth know that we have been sent on a mission to you:
They answered: Our Lord knoweth that we are indeed sent unto you,
وَمَا عَلَيْنَآ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ
Wa maa ‘alainaaa illal balaaghul mubeen
“And our duty is only to proclaim the clear Message.”
And our duty is but plain conveyance (of the message).
قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا تَطَيَّرْنَا بِكُمْ ۖ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهُوا۟ لَنَرْجُمَنَّكُمْ وَلَيَمَسَّنَّكُم مِّنَّا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ
Qaaloo innaa tataiyarnaa bikum la’il-lam tantahoo lanar jumannakum wa la-yamassan nakum minnaa ‘azaabun aleem
The (people) said: “for us, we augur an evil omen from you: if ye desist not, we will certainly stone you. And a grievous punishment indeed will be inflicted on you by us.”
(The people of the city) said: We augur ill of you. If ye desist not, we shall surely stone you, and grievous torture will befall you at our hands.
قَالُوا۟ طَٰٓئِرُكُم مَّعَكُمْ ۚ أَئِن ذُكِّرْتُم ۚ بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌۭ مُّسْرِفُونَ
Qaaloo taaa’irukum ma’akum; a’in zukkirtum; bal antum qawmum musrifoon
They said: “Your evil omens are with yourselves: (deem ye this an evil omen). If ye are admonished? Nay, but ye are a people transgressing all bounds!”
They said: Your evil augury be with you! Is it because ye are reminded (of the truth)? Nay, but ye are froward folk!
وَجَآءَ مِنْ أَقْصَا ٱلْمَدِينَةِ رَجُلٌۭ يَسْعَىٰ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ
Wa jaaa’a min aqsal madeenati rajuluny yas’aa qaala yaa qawmit tabi’ul mursaleen
Then there came running, from the farthest part of the City, a man, saying, “O my people! Obey the messengers:
And there came from the uttermost part of the city a man running. He cried: O my people! Follow those who have been sent!
ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مَن لَّا يَسْـَٔلُكُمْ أَجْرًۭا وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ
Ittabi’oo mal-laa yas’alukum ajranw-wa hum muhtadoon
“Obey those who ask no reward of you (for themselves), and who have themselves received Guidance.
Follow those who ask of you no fee, and who are rightly guided.
وَمَا لِىَ لَآ أَعْبُدُ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Wa maa liya laaa a’budul lazee fataranee wa ilaihi turja’oon
“It would not be reasonable in me if I did not serve Him Who created me, and to Whom ye shall (all) be brought back.
For what cause should I not serve Him Who hath created me, and unto Whom ye will be brought back?
ءَأَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةً إِن يُرِدْنِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ بِضُرٍّۢ لَّا تُغْنِ عَنِّى شَفَٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا يُنقِذُونِ
‘A-attakhizu min dooniheee aalihatan iny-yuridnir Rahmaanu bidurril-laa tughni ‘annee shafaa ‘atuhum shai ‘anw-wa laa yunqizoon
“Shall I take (other) gods besides Him? If (Allah) Most Gracious should intend some adversity for me, of no use whatever will be their intercession for me, nor can they deliver me.
Shall I take (other) gods in place of Him when, if the Beneficent should wish me any harm, their intercession will avail me naught, nor can they save?
إِنِّىٓ إِذًۭا لَّفِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍ
Inneee izal-lafee dalaa-lim-mubeen
“I would indeed, if I were to do so, be in manifest Error.
Then truly I should be in error manifest.
إِنِّىٓ ءَامَنتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَٱسْمَعُونِ
Inneee aamantu bi Rabbikum fasma’oon
“For me, I have faith in the Lord of you (all): listen, then, to me!”
Lo! I have believed in your Lord, so hear me!
قِيلَ ٱدْخُلِ ٱلْجَنَّةَ ۖ قَالَ يَٰلَيْتَ قَوْمِى يَعْلَمُونَ
Qeelad khulil Jannnah; qaala yaa laita qawmee ya’lamoon
It was said: “Enter thou the Garden.” He said: “Ah me! Would that my People knew (what I know)!-
It was said (unto him): Enter paradise. He said: Would that my people knew
بِمَا غَفَرَ لِى رَبِّى وَجَعَلَنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُكْرَمِينَ
Bimaa ghafara lee Rabbee wa ja’alanee minal mukrameen
“For that my Lord has granted me Forgiveness and has enrolled me among those held in honour!”
With what (munificence) my Lord hath pardoned me and made me of the honoured ones!
۞ وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ مِن جُندٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا كُنَّا مُنزِلِينَ
Wa maaa anzalnaa ‘alaa qawmihee mim ba’dihee min jundim minas-samaaa’i wa maa kunnaa munzileen
And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do.
We sent not down against his people after him a host from heaven, nor do We ever send.
إِن كَانَتْ إِلَّا صَيْحَةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ فَإِذَا هُمْ خَٰمِدُونَ
In kaanat illaa saihatanw waahidatan fa-izaa hum khaamidoon
It was no more than a single mighty Blast, and behold! they were (like ashes) quenched and silent.
It was but one Shout, and lo! they were extinct.
يَٰحَسْرَةً عَلَى ٱلْعِبَادِ ۚ مَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ
Yaa hasratan ‘alal ‘ibaad; maa yaateehim mir Rasoolin illaa kaanoo bihee yastahzi ‘oon
Ah! Alas for (My) Servants! There comes not a messenger to them but they mock him!
Ah, the anguish for the bondmen! Never came there unto them a messenger but they did mock him!
أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ
Alam yaraw kam ahlak naa qablahum minal qurooni annahum ilaihim laa yarji’oon
See they not how many generations before them we destroyed? Not to them will they return:
Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, which indeed returned not unto them;
وَإِن كُلٌّۭ لَّمَّا جَمِيعٌۭ لَّدَيْنَا مُحْضَرُونَ
Wa in kullul lammaa jamee’ul-ladainaa muhdaroon
But each one of them all – will be brought before Us (for judgment).
But all, without exception, will be brought before Us.
وَءَايَةٌۭ لَّهُمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ ٱلْمَيْتَةُ أَحْيَيْنَٰهَا وَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهَا حَبًّۭا فَمِنْهُ يَأْكُلُونَ
Wa Aayatul lahumul ardul maitatu ahyainaahaa wa akhrajnaa minhaa habban faminhu yaakuloon
A Sign for them is the earth that is dead: We do give it life, and produce grain therefrom, of which ye do eat.
A token unto them is the dead earth. We revive it, and We bring forth from it grain so that they eat thereof;
وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا جَنَّٰتٍۢ مِّن نَّخِيلٍۢ وَأَعْنَٰبٍۢ وَفَجَّرْنَا فِيهَا مِنَ ٱلْعُيُونِ
Wa ja’alnaa feehaa jannaatim min nakheelinw wa a’naabinw wa fajjarnaa feeha minal ‘uyoon
And We produce therein orchard with date-palms and vines, and We cause springs to gush forth therein:
And We have placed therein gardens of the date-palm and grapes, and We have caused springs of water to gush forth therein,
لِيَأْكُلُوا۟ مِن ثَمَرِهِۦ وَمَا عَمِلَتْهُ أَيْدِيهِمْ ۖ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ
Liyaakuloo min samarihee wa maa ‘amilat-hu aideehim; afalaa yashkuroon
That they may enjoy the fruits of this (artistry): It was not their hands that made this: will they not then give thanks?
That they may eat of the fruit thereof, and their hands made it not. Will they not, then, give thanks?
سُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْأَزْوَٰجَ كُلَّهَا مِمَّا تُنۢبِتُ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَمِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَمِمَّا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Subhaanal lazee khalaqal azwaaja kullahaa mimmaa tumbitul ardu wa min anfusihim wa mimmaa laa ya’lamoon
Glory to Allah, Who created in pairs all things that the earth produces, as well as their own (human) kind and (other) things of which they have no knowledge.
Glory be to Him Who created all the sexual pairs, of that which the earth groweth, and of themselves, and of that which they know not!
وَءَايَةٌۭ لَّهُمُ ٱلَّيْلُ نَسْلَخُ مِنْهُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فَإِذَا هُم مُّظْلِمُونَ
Wa Aayatul lahumul lailu naslakhu minhun nahaara fa-izaa hum muzlimoon
And a Sign for them is the Night: We withdraw therefrom the Day, and behold they are plunged in darkness;
A token unto them is night. We strip it of the day, and lo! they are in darkness.
وَٱلشَّمْسُ تَجْرِى لِمُسْتَقَرٍّۢ لَّهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ
Wash-shamsu tajree limustaqarril lahaa; zaalika taqdeerul ‘Azeezil Aleem
And the sun runs his course for a period determined for him: that is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing.
And the sun runneth on unto a resting-place for him. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise.
وَٱلْقَمَرَ قَدَّرْنَٰهُ مَنَازِلَ حَتَّىٰ عَادَ كَٱلْعُرْجُونِ ٱلْقَدِيمِ
Walqamara qaddarnaahu manaazila hattaa ‘aada kal’ur joonil qadeem
And the Moon,- We have measured for her mansions (to traverse) till she returns like the old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk.
And for the moon We have appointed mansions till she return like an old shrivelled palm-leaf.
لَا ٱلشَّمْسُ يَنۢبَغِى لَهَآ أَن تُدْرِكَ ٱلْقَمَرَ وَلَا ٱلَّيْلُ سَابِقُ ٱلنَّهَارِ ۚ وَكُلٌّۭ فِى فَلَكٍۢ يَسْبَحُونَ
Lash shamsu yambaghee lahaaa an tudrikal qamara wa lal lailu saabiqun nahaar; wa kullun fee falaki yasbahoon
It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: Each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law).
It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit.
وَءَايَةٌۭ لَّهُمْ أَنَّا حَمَلْنَا ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ فِى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ
Wa Aayatul lahum annaa hamalnaa zurriyatahum fil fulkil mashhoon
And a Sign for them is that We bore their race (through the Flood) in the loaded Ark;
And a token unto them is that We bear their offspring in the laden ship,
وَخَلَقْنَا لَهُم مِّن مِّثْلِهِۦ مَا يَرْكَبُونَ
Wa khalaqnaa lahum mim-mislihee maa yarkaboon
And We have created for them similar (vessels) on which they ride.
And have created for them of the like thereof whereon they ride.
وَإِن نَّشَأْ نُغْرِقْهُمْ فَلَا صَرِيخَ لَهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنقَذُونَ
Wa in nashaa nughriqhum falaa sareekha lahum wa laa hum yunqazoon
If it were Our Will, We could drown them: then would there be no helper (to hear their cry), nor could they be delivered,
And if We will, We drown them, and there is no help for them, neither can they be saved;
إِلَّا رَحْمَةًۭ مِّنَّا وَمَتَٰعًا إِلَىٰ حِينٍۢ
Illaa rahmatam minnaa wa mataa’an ilaa heen
Except by way of Mercy from Us, and by way of (world) convenience (to serve them) for a time.
Unless by mercy from Us and as comfort for a while.
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَمَا خَلْفَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ
Wa izaa qeela lahumuttaqoo maa baina aideekum wa maa khalfakum la’allakum turhamoon
When they are told, “Fear ye that which is before you and that which will be after you, in order that ye may receive Mercy,” (they turn back).
When it is said unto them: Beware of that which is before you and that which is behind you, that haply ye may find mercy (they are heedless).
وَمَا تَأْتِيهِم مِّنْ ءَايَةٍۢ مِّنْ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِينَ
Wa maa taateehim min aayatim min ayataati Rabbihim illaa kaanoo ‘anhaa mu’rideen
Not a Sign comes to them from among the Signs of their Lord, but they turn away therefrom.
Never came a token of the tokens of their Lord to them, but they did turn away from it!
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ أَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَنُطْعِمُ مَن لَّوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ أَطْعَمَهُۥٓ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
Wa izaa qeela lahum anfiqoo mimmaa razaqakumul laahu qaalal lazeena kafaroo lillazeena aamanooo anut’imu mal-law yashaaa’ul laahu at’amahooo in antum illaa fee dalaalim mubeen
And when they are told, “Spend ye of (the bounties) with which Allah has provided you,” the Unbelievers say to those who believe: “Shall we then feed those whom, if Allah had so willed, He would have fed, (Himself)?- Ye are in nothing but manifest error.”
And when it is said unto them: Spend of that wherewith Allah hath provided you, those who disbelieve say unto those who believe: Shall we feed those whom Allah, if He willed, would feed? Ye are in naught else than error manifest.
وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ
Wa yaqooloona mataa haazal wa’du in kuntum saadiqeen
Further, they say, “When will this promise (come to pass), if what ye say is true?”
And they say: When will this promise be fulfilled, if ye are truthful?
مَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا صَيْحَةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ تَأْخُذُهُمْ وَهُمْ يَخِصِّمُونَ
Maa yanzuroona illaa saihatanw waahidatan taa khuzuhum wa hum yakhissimoon
They will not (have to) wait for aught but a single Blast: it will seize them while they are yet disputing among themselves!
They await but one Shout, which will surprise them while they are disputing.
فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ تَوْصِيَةًۭ وَلَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِمْ يَرْجِعُونَ
Falaa yastatee’oona taw siyatanw-wa laaa ilaaa ahlihim yarji’oon
No (chance) will they then have, by will, to dispose (of their affairs), nor to return to their own people!
Then they cannot make bequest, nor can they return to their own folk.
وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَإِذَا هُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَجْدَاثِ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَنسِلُونَ
Wa nufikha fis-soori faizaa hum minal ajdaasi ilaa Rabbihim yansiloon
The trumpet shall be sounded, when behold! from the sepulchres (men) will rush forth to their Lord!
And the trumpet is blown and lo! from the graves they hie unto their Lord,
قَالُوا۟ يَٰوَيْلَنَا مَنۢ بَعَثَنَا مِن مَّرْقَدِنَا ۜ ۗ هَٰذَا مَا وَعَدَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وَصَدَقَ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
Qaaloo yaa wailanaa mam ba’asanaa mim marqadinaa; haaza maa wa’adar Rahmanu wa sadaqal mursaloon
They will say: “Ah! Woe unto us! Who hath raised us up from our beds of repose?”… (A voice will say:) “This is what (Allah) Most Gracious had promised. And true was the word of the messengers!”
Crying: Woe upon us! Who hath raised us from our place of sleep? This is that which the Beneficent did promise, and the messengers spoke truth.
إِن كَانَتْ إِلَّا صَيْحَةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ فَإِذَا هُمْ جَمِيعٌۭ لَّدَيْنَا مُحْضَرُونَ
In kaanat illaa saihatanw waahidatan fa-izaa hum jamee’ul ladainaa muhdaroon
It will be no more than a single Blast, when lo! they will all be brought up before Us!
It is but one Shout, and behold them brought together before Us!
فَٱلْيَوْمَ لَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌۭ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
Fal-Yawma laa tuzlamu nafsun shai’anw-wa laa tujzawna illaa maa kuntum ta’maloon
Then, on that Day, not a soul will be wronged in the least, and ye shall but be repaid the meeds of your past Deeds.
This day no soul is wronged in aught; nor are ye requited aught save what ye used to do.
إِنَّ أَصْحَٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلْيَوْمَ فِى شُغُلٍۢ فَٰكِهُونَ
Inna Ashaabal jannatil Yawma fee shughulin faakihoon
Verily the Companions of the Garden shall that Day have joy in all that they do;
Lo! those who merit paradise this day are happily employed,
هُمْ وَأَزْوَٰجُهُمْ فِى ظِلَٰلٍ عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ مُتَّكِـُٔونَ
Hum wa azwaajuhum fee zilaalin ‘alal araaa’iki muttaki’oon
They and their associates will be in groves of (cool) shade, reclining on Thrones (of dignity);
They and their wives, in pleasant shade, on thrones reclining;
لَهُمْ فِيهَا فَٰكِهَةٌۭ وَلَهُم مَّا يَدَّعُونَ
Lahum feehaa faakiha tunw-wa lahum maa yadda’oon
(Every) fruit (enjoyment) will be there for them; they shall have whatever they call for;
Theirs the fruit (of their good deeds) and theirs (all) that they ask;
سَلَٰمٌۭ قَوْلًۭا مِّن رَّبٍّۢ رَّحِيمٍۢ
Salaamun qawlam mir Rabbir Raheem
“Peace!” – a word (of salutation) from a Lord Most Merciful!
The word from a Merciful Lord (for them) is: Peace!
وَٱمْتَٰزُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ أَيُّهَا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ
Wamtaazul Yawma ayyuhal mujrimoon
“And O ye in sin! Get ye apart this Day!
But avaunt ye, O ye guilty, this day!
۞ أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يَٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ أَن لَّا تَعْبُدُوا۟ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
Alam a’had ilaikum yaa Baneee Aadama al-laa ta’budush Shaitaana innahoo lakum ‘aduwwum mubeen
“Did I not enjoin on you, O ye Children of Adam, that ye should not worship Satan; for that he was to you an enemy avowed?-
Did I not charge you, O ye sons of Adam, that ye worship not the devil – Lo! he is your open foe! –
وَأَنِ ٱعْبُدُونِى ۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌۭ مُّسْتَقِيمٌۭ
Wa ani’budoonee; haazaa Siraatum Mustaqeem
“And that ye should worship Me, (for that) this was the Straight Way?
But that ye worship Me? That was the right path.
وَلَقَدْ أَضَلَّ مِنكُمْ جِبِلًّۭا كَثِيرًا ۖ أَفَلَمْ تَكُونُوا۟ تَعْقِلُونَ
Wa laqad adalla minkum jibillan kaseeraa; afalam takoonoo ta’qiloon
“But he did lead astray a great multitude of you. Did ye not, then, understand?
Yet he hath led astray of you a great multitude. Had ye then no sense?
هَٰذِهِۦ جَهَنَّمُ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ
Haazihee Jahannamul latee kuntum too’adoon
“This is the Hell of which ye were (repeatedly) warned!
This is hell which ye were promised (if ye followed him).
ٱصْلَوْهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ
Islawhal Yawma bimaa kuntum takfuroon
“Embrace ye the (fire) this Day, for that ye (persistently) rejected (Truth).”
Burn therein this day for that ye disbelieved.
ٱلْيَوْمَ نَخْتِمُ عَلَىٰٓ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَتُكَلِّمُنَآ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَتَشْهَدُ أَرْجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ
Al-Yawma nakhtimu ‘alaaa afwaahihim wa tukallimunaaa aideehim wa tashhadu arjuluhum bimaa kaanoo yaksiboon
That Day shall We set a seal on their mouths. But their hands will speak to us, and their feet bear witness, to all that they did.
This day We seal up their mouths, and their hands speak out to Us and their feet bear witness as to what they used to earn.
وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَطَمَسْنَا عَلَىٰٓ أَعْيُنِهِمْ فَٱسْتَبَقُوا۟ ٱلصِّرَٰطَ فَأَنَّىٰ يُبْصِرُونَ
Wa law nashaaa’u lata masna ‘alaaa aiyunihim fasta baqus-siraata fa-annaa yubsiroon
If it had been our Will, We could surely have blotted out their eyes; then should they have run about groping for the Path, but how could they have seen?
And had We willed, We verily could have quenched their eyesight so that they should struggle for the way. Then how could they have seen?
وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَمَسَخْنَٰهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِهِمْ فَمَا ٱسْتَطَٰعُوا۟ مُضِيًّۭا وَلَا يَرْجِعُونَ
Wa law nashaaa’u lamasakhnaahum ‘alaa makaanatihim famas-tataa’oo mudiyyanw-wa laa yarji’oon
And if it had been Our Will, We could have transformed them (to remain) in their places; then should they have been unable to move about, nor could they have returned (after error).
And had We willed, We verily could have fixed them in their place, making them powerless to go forward or turn back.
وَمَن نُّعَمِّرْهُ نُنَكِّسْهُ فِى ٱلْخَلْقِ ۖ أَفَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ
Wa man nu ‘ammirhu nunakkishu fil-khalq; afalaa ya’qiloon
If We grant long life to any, We cause him to be reversed in nature: Will they not then understand?
He whom we bring unto old age, We reverse him in creation (making him go back to weakness after strength). Have ye then no sense?
وَمَا عَلَّمْنَٰهُ ٱلشِّعْرَ وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌۭ وَقُرْءَانٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
Wa maa ‘allamnaahush shi’ra wa maa yambaghee lah; in huwa illaa zikrunw-wa Qur-aanum mubeen
We have not instructed the (Prophet) in Poetry, nor is it meet for him: this is no less than a Message and a Qur’an making things clear:
And We have not taught him (Muhammad) poetry, nor is it meet for him. This is naught else than a Reminder and a Lecture making plain,
لِّيُنذِرَ مَن كَانَ حَيًّۭا وَيَحِقَّ ٱلْقَوْلُ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ
Liyunzira man kaana haiyanw-wa yahiqqal qawlu ‘alal-kaafireen
That it may give admonition to any (who are) alive, and that the charge may be proved against those who reject (Truth).
To warn whosoever liveth, and that the word may be fulfilled against the disbelievers.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَا لَهُم مِّمَّا عَمِلَتْ أَيْدِينَآ أَنْعَٰمًۭا فَهُمْ لَهَا مَٰلِكُونَ
Awalam yaraw annaa khalaqnaa lahum mimmaa ‘amilat aideenaaa an’aaman fahum lahaa maalikoon
See they not that it is We Who have created for them – among the things which Our hands have fashioned – cattle, which are under their dominion?-
Have they not seen how We have created for them of Our handiwork the cattle, so that they are their owners,
وَذَلَّلْنَٰهَا لَهُمْ فَمِنْهَا رَكُوبُهُمْ وَمِنْهَا يَأْكُلُونَ
Wa zallalnaahaa lahum faminhaa rakoobuhum wa minhaa yaakuloon
And that We have subjected them to their (use)? of them some do carry them and some they eat:
And have subdued them unto them, so that some of them they have for riding, some for food?
وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مَنَٰفِعُ وَمَشَارِبُ ۖ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ
Wa lahum feehaa manaa fi’u wa mashaarib; afalaa yashkuroon
And they have (other) profits from them (besides), and they get (milk) to drink. Will they not then be grateful?
Benefits and (divers) drinks have they from them. Will they not then give thanks?
وَٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةًۭ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
Wattakhazoo min doonil laahi aalihatal la’allahum yunsaroon
Yet they take (for worship) gods other than Allah, (hoping) that they might be helped!
And they have taken (other) gods beside Allah, in order that they may be helped.
لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ نَصْرَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَهُمْ جُندٌۭ مُّحْضَرُونَ
Laa yastatee’oona nasrahum wa hum lahum jundum muhdaroon
They have not the power to help them: but they will be brought up (before Our Judgment-seat) as a troop (to be condemned).
It is not in their power to help them; but they (the worshippers) are unto them a host in arms.
فَلَا يَحْزُنكَ قَوْلُهُمْ ۘ إِنَّا نَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ
Falaa yahzunka qawluhum; innaa na’lamu maa yusirroona wa maa yu’linoon
Let not their speech, then, grieve thee. Verily We know what they hide as well as what they disclose.
So let not their speech grieve thee (O Muhammad). Lo! We know what they conceal and what proclaim.
أَوَلَمْ يَرَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَٰهُ مِن نُّطْفَةٍۢ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
Awalam yaral insaanu annaa khalaqnaahu min nutfatin fa-izaa huwa khaseemum mubeen
Doth not man see that it is We Who created him from sperm? yet behold! he (stands forth) as an open adversary!
Hath not man seen that We have created him from a drop of seed? Yet lo! he is an open opponent.
وَضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلًۭا وَنَسِىَ خَلْقَهُۥ ۖ قَالَ مَن يُحْىِ ٱلْعِظَٰمَ وَهِىَ رَمِيمٌۭ
Wa daraba lanaa maslanw-wa nasiya khalqahoo qaala mai-yuhyil’izaama wa hiya rameem
And he makes comparisons for Us, and forgets his own (origin and) Creation: He says, “Who can give life to (dry) bones and decomposed ones (at that)?”
And he hath coined for Us a similitude, and hath forgotten the fact of his creation, saying: Who will revive these bones when they have rotted away?
قُلْ يُحْيِيهَا ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَهَآ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۢ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِيمٌ
Qul yuh yeehal lazeee ansha ahaaa awwala marrah; wa Huwa bikulli khalqin ‘Aleem
Say, “He will give them life Who created them for the first time! for He is Well-versed in every kind of creation!-
Say: He will revive them Who produced them at the first, for He is Knower of every creation,
ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ ٱلْأَخْضَرِ نَارًۭا فَإِذَآ أَنتُم مِّنْهُ تُوقِدُونَ
Allazee ja’ala lakum minash shajaril akhdari naaran fa-izaaa antum minhu tooqidoon
“The same Who produces for you fire out of the green tree, when behold! ye kindle therewith (your own fires)!
Who hath appointed for you fire from the green tree, and behold! ye kindle from it.
أَوَلَيْسَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِقَٰدِرٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَخْلُقَ مِثْلَهُم ۚ بَلَىٰ وَهُوَ ٱلْخَلَّٰقُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
Awa laisal lazee khalaqas samaawaati wal arda biqaadirin ‘alaaa ai-yakhluqa mislahum; balaa wa Huwal Khallaaqul ‘Aleem
“Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth able to create the like thereof?” – Yea, indeed! for He is the Creator Supreme, of skill and knowledge (infinite)!
Is not He Who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the like of them? Aye, that He is! for He is the All-Wise Creator,
إِنَّمَآ أَمْرُهُۥٓ إِذَآ أَرَادَ شَيْـًٔا أَن يَقُولَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ
Innamaa amruhooo izaaa araada shai’an ai-yaqoola lahoo kun fa-yakoon
Verily, when He intends a thing, His Command is, “be”, and it is!
But His command, when He intendeth a thing, is only that He saith unto it: Be! and it is.
فَسُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِۦ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ
Fa Subhaanal lazee biyadihee malakootu kulli shai-inw-wa ilaihi turja’oon
So glory to Him in Whose hands is the dominion of all things: and to Him will ye be all brought back.
Therefor Glory be to Him in Whose hand is the dominion over all things! Unto Him ye will be brought back.
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.