الذَّارِيَاتِ
- Meccan
- 60 verses
- Surah 51 of 114
Introduction to Surah Adh-Dhariyat
Sixty verses, Meccan, fifty-first in the written order. It opens on four oaths in four short lines — by the winds that scatter, by those that bear a load, by those that glide with ease, by those that distribute a command — and only the last of them is usually taken to mean something other than weather.
The guests
Its longest narrative is the visit to Abraham, and it is told for the detail of the hospitality. He does not question the strangers; he goes quietly to his household and comes back with a fattened calf and puts it near them. When they do not eat, he becomes afraid of them. They tell him not to fear and give him news of a son, and his wife comes forward with a cry, striking her face and saying that she is a barren old woman.
Only after this do they mention where they are going, which is Lot’s people. The surah puts the good news and the destruction in the same conversation.
The verse it is known for
I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve Me. (51:56)
The verse immediately after says that no sustenance is wanted from them, and that God is not asking to be fed — which was a live point in a religious culture built on offerings. The purpose stated is service, and the surah is careful to say that it is not a transaction.
The rest
Short passages on Moses, on Ad, on Thamud, and on the people of Noah, each a few lines. And, among the signs, the line about the heaven built with power and about God being the expander of it, and the note that everything has been created in pairs, so that people may reflect.
Its description of the righteous is brief and physical: they used to sleep little at night, they asked forgiveness in the hours before dawn, and in their wealth there was a recognised share for the one who asked and the one who was too proud to.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيم
وَٱلذَّٰرِيَٰتِ ذَرْوًۭا
Waz-zaariyaati zarwaa
By the (Winds) that scatter broadcast;
By those that winnow with a winnowing
فَٱلْحَٰمِلَٰتِ وِقْرًۭا
Falhaamilaati wiqraa
And those that lift and bear away heavy weights;
And those that bear the burden (of the rain)
فَٱلْجَٰرِيَٰتِ يُسْرًۭا
Faljaariyaati yusraa
And those that flow with ease and gentleness;
And those that glide with ease (upon the sea)
فَٱلْمُقَسِّمَٰتِ أَمْرًا
Falmuqassimaati amraa
And those that distribute and apportion by Command;-
And those who distribute (blessings) by command,
إِنَّمَا تُوعَدُونَ لَصَادِقٌۭ
Innamaa too’adoona la-saadiq
Verily that which ye are promised is true;
Lo! that wherewith ye are threatened is indeed true,
وَإِنَّ ٱلدِّينَ لَوَٰقِعٌۭ
Wa innad deena la waaqi’
And verily Judgment and Justice must indeed come to pass.
And lo! the judgment will indeed befall.
وَٱلسَّمَآءِ ذَاتِ ٱلْحُبُكِ
Wassamaaa’i zaatil hubuk
By the Sky with (its) numerous Paths,
By the heaven full of paths,
إِنَّكُمْ لَفِى قَوْلٍۢ مُّخْتَلِفٍۢ
Innakum lafee qawlim mukhtalif
Truly ye are in a doctrine discordant,
Lo! ye, forsooth, are of various opinion (concerning the truth).
يُؤْفَكُ عَنْهُ مَنْ أُفِكَ
Yu’faku ‘anhu man ufik
Through which are deluded (away from the Truth) such as would be deluded.
He is made to turn away from it who is (himself) averse.
قُتِلَ ٱلْخَرَّٰصُونَ
Qutilal kharraasoon
Woe to the falsehood-mongers,-
Accursed be the conjecturers
ٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ فِى غَمْرَةٍۢ سَاهُونَ
Allazeena hum fee ghamratin saahoon
Those who (flounder) heedless in a flood of confusion:
Who are careless in an abyss!
يَسْـَٔلُونَ أَيَّانَ يَوْمُ ٱلدِّينِ
Yas’aloona ayyaana yawmud Deen
They ask, “When will be the Day of Judgment and Justice?”
They ask: When is the Day of Judgment?
يَوْمَ هُمْ عَلَى ٱلنَّارِ يُفْتَنُونَ
Yawma hum ‘alan naari yuftanoon
(It will be) a Day when they will be tried (and tested) over the Fire!
(It is) the day when they will be tormented at the Fire,
ذُوقُوا۟ فِتْنَتَكُمْ هَٰذَا ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَسْتَعْجِلُونَ
Zooqoo fitnatakum haa zal lazee kuntum bihee tas ta’jiloon
“Taste ye your trial! This is what ye used to ask to be hastened!”
(And it will be said unto them): Taste your torment (which ye inflicted). This is what ye sought to hasten.
إِنَّ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ فِى جَنَّٰتٍۢ وَعُيُونٍ
Innal muttaqeena fee jannaatinw wa ‘uyoon
As to the Righteous, they will be in the midst of Gardens and Springs,
Lo! those who keep from evil will dwell amid gardens and watersprings,
ءَاخِذِينَ مَآ ءَاتَىٰهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُحْسِنِينَ
Aakhizeena maaa aataahum Rabbuhum; innahum kaanoo qabla zaalika muhsineen
Taking joy in the things which their Lord gives them, because, before then, they lived a good life.
Taking that which their Lord giveth them; for lo! aforetime they were doers of good;
كَانُوا۟ قَلِيلًۭا مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ
kaanoo qaleelam minal laili maa yahja’oon
They were in the habit of sleeping but little by night,
They used to sleep but little of the night,
وَبِٱلْأَسْحَارِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
Wa bilashaari hum yastaghfiroon
And in the hour of early dawn, they (were found) praying for Forgiveness;
And ere the dawning of each day would seek forgiveness,
وَفِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّۭ لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ
Wa feee amwaalihim haqqul lissaaa’ili walmahroom
And in their wealth and possessions (was remembered) the right of the (needy,) him who asked, and him who (for some reason) was prevented (from asking).
And in their wealth the beggar and the outcast had due share.
وَفِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ءَايَٰتٌۭ لِّلْمُوقِنِينَ
Wa fil ardi aayaatul lilmooqineen
On the earth are signs for those of assured Faith,
And in the earth are portents for those whose faith is sure.
وَفِىٓ أَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ
Wa feee anfusikum; afalaa tubsiroon
As also in your own selves: Will ye not then see?
And (also) in yourselves. Can ye then not see?
وَفِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ
Wa fissamaaa’i rizqukum wa maa too’adoon
And in heaven is your Sustenance, as (also) that which ye are promised.
And in the heaven is your providence and that which ye are promised;
فَوَرَبِّ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِنَّهُۥ لَحَقٌّۭ مِّثْلَ مَآ أَنَّكُمْ تَنطِقُونَ
Fawa Rabbis samaaa’i wal ardi innahoo lahaqqum misla maa annakum tantiqoon
Then, by the Lord of heaven and earth, this is the very Truth, as much as the fact that ye can speak intelligently to each other.
And by the Lord of the heavens and the earth, it is the truth, even as (it is true) that ye speak.
هَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ ضَيْفِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ٱلْمُكْرَمِينَ
Hal ataaka hadeesu daifi Ibraaheemal mukrameen
Has the story reached thee, of the honoured guests of Abraham?
Hath the story of Abraham’s honoured guests reached thee (O Muhammad)?
إِذْ دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالُوا۟ سَلَٰمًۭا ۖ قَالَ سَلَٰمٌۭ قَوْمٌۭ مُّنكَرُونَ
Iz dakhaloo ‘alaihi faqaaloo salaaman qaala salaamun qawmum munkaroon
Behold, they entered his presence, and said: “Peace!” He said, “Peace!” (and thought, “These seem) unusual people.”
When they came in unto him and said: Peace! he answered, Peace! (and thought): Folk unknown (to me).
فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِۦ فَجَآءَ بِعِجْلٍۢ سَمِينٍۢ
Faraagha ilaaa ahlihee fajaaa’a bi’ijlin sameen
Then he turned quickly to his household, brought out a fatted calf,
Then he went apart unto his housefolk so that they brought a fatted calf;
فَقَرَّبَهُۥٓ إِلَيْهِمْ قَالَ أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ
Faqarrabahooo ilaihim qaala alaa taakuloon
And placed it before them.. he said, “Will ye not eat?”
And he set it before them, saying: Will ye not eat?
فَأَوْجَسَ مِنْهُمْ خِيفَةًۭ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَا تَخَفْ ۖ وَبَشَّرُوهُ بِغُلَٰمٍ عَلِيمٍۢ
Fa awjasa minhm khee fatan qaaloo laa takhaf wa bashsharoohu bighulaamin ‘aleem
(When they did not eat), He conceived a fear of them. They said, “Fear not,” and they gave him glad tidings of a son endowed with knowledge.
Then he conceived a fear of them. They said: Fear not! and gave him tidings of (the birth of) a wise son.
فَأَقْبَلَتِ ٱمْرَأَتُهُۥ فِى صَرَّةٍۢ فَصَكَّتْ وَجْهَهَا وَقَالَتْ عَجُوزٌ عَقِيمٌۭ
Fa aqbalatim ra-atuhoo fee sarratin fasakkat wajhahaa wa qaalat ‘ajoozun ‘aqeem
But his wife came forward (laughing) aloud: she smote her forehead and said: “A barren old woman!”
Then his wife came forward, making moan, and smote her face, and cried: A barren old woman!
قَالُوا۟ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْحَكِيمُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ
Qaaloo kazaaliki qaala Rabbuki innahoo huwal hakeemul ‘aleem
They said, “Even so has thy Lord spoken: and He is full of Wisdom and Knowledge.”
They said: Even so saith thy Lord. Lo! He is the Wise, the Knower.
۞ قَالَ فَمَا خَطْبُكُمْ أَيُّهَا ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ
Qaala famaa khatbukum ayyuhal mursaloon
(Abraham) said: “And what, O ye Messengers, is your errand (now)?”
(Abraham) said: And (afterward) what is your errand, O ye sent (from Allah)?
قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّآ أُرْسِلْنَآ إِلَىٰ قَوْمٍۢ مُّجْرِمِينَ
Qaalooo innaaa ursilnaaa ilaa qawmim mujrimeen
They said, “We have been sent to a people (deep) in sin;-
They said: Lo! we are sent unto a guilty folk,
لِنُرْسِلَ عَلَيْهِمْ حِجَارَةًۭ مِّن طِينٍۢ
Linursila ‘alaihim hijaa ratam min teen
“To bring on, on them, (a shower of) stones of clay (brimstone),
That we may send upon them stones of clay,
مُّسَوَّمَةً عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلْمُسْرِفِينَ
Musawwamatan ‘inda rabbika lilmusrifeen
“Marked as from thy Lord for those who trespass beyond bounds.”
Marked by thy Lord for (the destruction of) the wanton.
فَأَخْرَجْنَا مَن كَانَ فِيهَا مِنَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Fa akhrajnaa man kaana feehaa minal mu’mineen
Then We evacuated those of the Believers who were there,
Then we brought forth such believers as were there.
فَمَا وَجَدْنَا فِيهَا غَيْرَ بَيْتٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلْمُسْلِمِينَ
Famaa wajadnaa feehaa ghaira baitim minal muslimeen
But We found not there any just (Muslim) persons except in one house:
But We found there but one house of those surrendered (to Allah).
وَتَرَكْنَا فِيهَآ ءَايَةًۭ لِّلَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ ٱلْعَذَابَ ٱلْأَلِيمَ
Wa taraknaa feehaaa aayatal lillazeena yakhaafoonal ‘azaabal aleem
And We left there a Sign for such as fear the Grievous Penalty.
And We left behind therein a portent for those who fear a painful doom.
وَفِى مُوسَىٰٓ إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَٰهُ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ بِسُلْطَٰنٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ
Wa fee Moosaaa iz arsalnaahu ilaa Fir’wna bisultaa nim mubeen
And in Moses (was another Sign): Behold, We sent him to Pharaoh, with authority manifest.
And in Moses (too, there is a portent) when We sent him unto Pharaoh with clear warrant,
فَتَوَلَّىٰ بِرُكْنِهِۦ وَقَالَ سَٰحِرٌ أَوْ مَجْنُونٌۭ
Fatawalla biruknihee wa qaala saahirun aw majnoon
But (Pharaoh) turned back with his Chiefs, and said, “A sorcerer, or one possessed!”
But he withdrew (confiding) in his might, and said: A wizard or a madman.
فَأَخَذْنَٰهُ وَجُنُودَهُۥ فَنَبَذْنَٰهُمْ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌۭ
Fa akhaznaahu wa junoo dahoo fanabaznaahum fil yammi wa huwa muleem
So We took him and his forces, and threw them into the sea; and his was the blame.
So We seized him and his hosts and flung them in the sea, for he was reprobate.
وَفِى عَادٍ إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ ٱلرِّيحَ ٱلْعَقِيمَ
Wa fee ‘Aadin iz arsalnaa ‘alaihimur reehal’aqeem
And in the ‘Ad (people) (was another Sign): Behold, We sent against them the devastating Wind:
And in (the tribe of) A’ad (there is a portent) when we sent the fatal wind against them.
مَا تَذَرُ مِن شَىْءٍ أَتَتْ عَلَيْهِ إِلَّا جَعَلَتْهُ كَٱلرَّمِيمِ
Maa tazaru min shai’in atat ‘alaihi illaa ja’alat hu karrameem
It left nothing whatever that it came up against, but reduced it to ruin and rottenness.
It spared naught that it reached, but made it (all) as dust.
وَفِى ثَمُودَ إِذْ قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَمَتَّعُوا۟ حَتَّىٰ حِينٍۢ
Wa fee Samooda iz qeela lahum tamatta”oo hattaa heen
And in the Thamud (was another Sign): Behold, they were told, “Enjoy (your brief day) for a little while!”
And in (the tribe of) Thamud (there is a portent) when it was told them: Take your ease awhile.
فَعَتَوْا۟ عَنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّهِمْ فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ ٱلصَّٰعِقَةُ وَهُمْ يَنظُرُونَ
Fa’ataw ‘an amri Rabbihim fa akhazal humus saa’iqatu wa hum yanzuroon
But they insolently defied the Command of their Lord: So the stunning noise (of an earthquake) seized them, even while they were looking on.
But they rebelled against their Lord’s decree, and so the thunderbolt overtook them even while they gazed;
فَمَا ٱسْتَطَٰعُوا۟ مِن قِيَامٍۢ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ مُنتَصِرِينَ
Famas tataa’oo min qiyaaminw wa maa kaanoo muntasireen
Then they could not even stand (on their feet), nor could they help themselves.
And they were unable to rise up, nor could they help themselves.
وَقَوْمَ نُوحٍۢ مِّن قَبْلُ ۖ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَوْمًۭا فَٰسِقِينَ
Wa qawma Noohim min qablu innahum kaano qawman faasiqeen
So were the People of Noah before them for they wickedly transgressed.
And the folk of Noah aforetime. Lo! they were licentious folk.
وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بَنَيْنَٰهَا بِأَيْي۟دٍۢ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ
Wassamaaa’a banainaa haa bi aydinw wa innaa lamoosi’oon
With power and skill did We construct the Firmament: for it is We Who create the vastness of pace.
We have built the heaven with might, and We it is Who make the vast extent (thereof).
وَٱلْأَرْضَ فَرَشْنَٰهَا فَنِعْمَ ٱلْمَٰهِدُونَ
Wal arda farashnaahaa fani’mal maahidoon
And We have spread out the (spacious) earth: How excellently We do spread out!
And the earth have We laid out, how gracious is the Spreader (thereof)!
وَمِن كُلِّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقْنَا زَوْجَيْنِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
Wa min kulli shai’in khalaqnaa zawjaini la’allakum tazakkaroon
And of every thing We have created pairs: That ye may receive instruction.
And all things We have created by pairs, that haply ye may reflect.
فَفِرُّوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ ۖ إِنِّى لَكُم مِّنْهُ نَذِيرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
Fafirrooo ilal laahi innee lakum minhu nazeerum mubeen
Hasten ye then (at once) to Allah: I am from Him a Warner to you, clear and open!
Therefor flee unto Allah; lo! I am a plain warner unto you from him.
وَلَا تَجْعَلُوا۟ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ ۖ إِنِّى لَكُم مِّنْهُ نَذِيرٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ
Wa laa taj’aloo ma’al laahi ilaahan aakhara innee lakum minhu nazeerum mubeen
And make not another an object of worship with Allah: I am from Him a Warner to you, clear and open!
And set not any other god along with Allah; lo! I am a plain warner unto you from Him.
كَذَٰلِكَ مَآ أَتَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا قَالُوا۟ سَاحِرٌ أَوْ مَجْنُونٌ
Kazaalika maaa atal lazeena min qablihim mir Rasoolin illaa qaaloo saahirun aw majnoon
Similarly, no messenger came to the Peoples before them, but they said (of him) in like manner, “A sorcerer, or one possessed”!
Even so there came no messenger unto those before them but they said: A wizard or a madman!
أَتَوَاصَوْا۟ بِهِۦ ۚ بَلْ هُمْ قَوْمٌۭ طَاغُونَ
Atawaasaw bih; bal hum qawmun taaghoon
Is this the legacy they have transmitted, one to another? Nay, they are themselves a people transgressing beyond bounds!
Have they handed down (the saying) as an heirloom one unto another? Nay, but they are froward folk.
فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ فَمَآ أَنتَ بِمَلُومٍۢ
Fatawalla ‘anhum famaaa anta bimaloom
So turn away from them: not thine is the blame.
So withdraw from them (O Muhammad), for thou art in no wise blameworthy,
وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ ٱلذِّكْرَىٰ تَنفَعُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ
Wa zakkir fa innaz zikraa tanfa’ul mu’mineen
But teach (thy Message) for teaching benefits the Believers.
And warn, for warning profiteth believers.
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
Wa maa khalaqtul jinna wal insa illaa liya’budoon
I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve Me.
I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.
مَآ أُرِيدُ مِنْهُم مِّن رِّزْقٍۢ وَمَآ أُرِيدُ أَن يُطْعِمُونِ
Maaa ureedu minhum mir rizqinw wa maaa ureedu anyyut’imoon
No Sustenance do I require of them, nor do I require that they should feed Me.
I seek no livelihood from them, nor do I ask that they should feed Me.
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ هُوَ ٱلرَّزَّاقُ ذُو ٱلْقُوَّةِ ٱلْمَتِينُ
Innal laaha Huwar Razzaaqu Zul Quwwatil Mateen
For Allah is He Who gives (all) Sustenance,- Lord of Power,- Steadfast (for ever).
Lo! Allah! He it is that giveth livelihood, the Lord of unbreakable might.
فَإِنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ ذَنُوبًۭا مِّثْلَ ذَنُوبِ أَصْحَٰبِهِمْ فَلَا يَسْتَعْجِلُونِ
Fa inna lillazeena zalamoo zanoobam misla zanoobi ashaabihim falaa yasta’jiloon
For the Wrong-doers, their portion is like unto the portion of their fellows (of earlier generations): then let them not ask Me to hasten (that portion)!
And lo! for those who (now) do wrong there is an evil day like unto the evil day (which came for) their likes (of old); so let them not ask Me to hasten on (that day).
فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن يَوْمِهِمُ ٱلَّذِى يُوعَدُونَ
Fawailul lillazeena kafaroo miny yawmihimul lazee yoo’adoon
Woe, then, to the Unbelievers, on account of that Day of theirs which they have been promised!
And woe unto those who disbelieve, from (that) their day which they are promised.
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.