الإِنسَانِ
- Medinan
- 31 verses
- Surah 76 of 114
Introduction to Surah Al-Insan
Thirty-one verses, seventy-sixth in the written order. Most printed editions class it as Medinan, including the text shown here, though a number of early authorities held it Meccan. It is also known as ad-Dahr, Time, from its first word.
How it opens
Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was nothing – (not even) mentioned? (76:1)
The opening does not argue. It asks the reader to consider a stretch of time in which he did not exist and was not even referred to, and then describes his making from a drop of mingled fluid, and the giving of hearing and sight, and the showing of the way — whether he be grateful or ungrateful.
The meal
And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive,- (Saying),“We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks. (76:8–9)
The third of the three is the one worth pausing on. Feeding a poor man is expected; feeding an orphan is expected; the captive is an enemy combatant. He is listed alongside the other two without comment.
The speech attached refuses two things at once — payment and thanks — which places the transaction entirely outside the social economy of obligation the Arabs of the time ran on.
Traditional accounts, particularly in Shia sources but also reported elsewhere, connect these verses to a specific household: Ali and Fatima and their family, who fulfilled a vow of fasting and gave away their food on three successive evenings. The Qur’an names no one.
The rest
What follows is one of the fuller descriptions of the garden in the Qur’an, and it is unusually sensory: silk and brocade, reclining on raised couches, neither burning sun nor bitter cold, shade close over them and clusters of fruit brought low, vessels of silver and goblets of glass made of silver, a cup mixed with ginger, and a spring called Salsabil. Youths of perpetual freshness go round, and the surah says that if you saw them you would think them scattered pearls.
It ends by telling the Prophet to remember the name of his Lord morning and evening, and part of the night, and to be patient for the command of his Lord.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيم
هَلْ أَتَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ حِينٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلدَّهْرِ لَمْ يَكُن شَيْـًۭٔا مَّذْكُورًا
Hal ataa ‘alal insaani heenum minad dahri lam yakun shai’am mazkooraa
Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was nothing – (not even) mentioned?
Hath there come upon man (ever) any period of time in which he was a thing unremembered?
إِنَّا خَلَقْنَا ٱلْإِنسَٰنَ مِن نُّطْفَةٍ أَمْشَاجٍۢ نَّبْتَلِيهِ فَجَعَلْنَٰهُ سَمِيعًۢا بَصِيرًا
Innaa khalaqnal insaana min nutfatin amshaajin nabta leehi faja’alnaahu samee’am baseeraa
Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: So We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight.
Lo! We create man from a drop of thickened fluid to test him; so We make him hearing, knowing.
إِنَّا هَدَيْنَٰهُ ٱلسَّبِيلَ إِمَّا شَاكِرًۭا وَإِمَّا كَفُورًا
Innaa hadainaahus sabeela immaa shaakiranw wa immaa kafoora
We showed him the Way: whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).
Lo! We have shown him the way, whether he be grateful or disbelieving.
إِنَّآ أَعْتَدْنَا لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ سَلَٰسِلَا۟ وَأَغْلَٰلًۭا وَسَعِيرًا
Innaaa a’tadnaa lilkaa fireena salaasila wa aghlaalanw wa sa’eeraa
For the Rejecters we have prepared chains, yokes, and a blazing Fire.
Lo! We have prepared for disbelievers manacles and carcans and a raging fire.
إِنَّ ٱلْأَبْرَارَ يَشْرَبُونَ مِن كَأْسٍۢ كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا كَافُورًا
innal abraara yashra boona min kaasin kaana mizaa juhaa kaafooraa
As to the Righteous, they shall drink of a Cup (of Wine) mixed with Kafur,-
Lo! the righteous shall drink of a cup whereof the mixture is of Kafur,
عَيْنًۭا يَشْرَبُ بِهَا عِبَادُ ٱللَّهِ يُفَجِّرُونَهَا تَفْجِيرًۭا
‘Aynany yashrabu bihaa ‘ibaadul laahi yafajjiroonahaa tafjeeraa
A Fountain where the Devotees of Allah do drink, making it flow in unstinted abundance.
A spring wherefrom the slaves of Allah drink, making it gush forth abundantly,
يُوفُونَ بِٱلنَّذْرِ وَيَخَافُونَ يَوْمًۭا كَانَ شَرُّهُۥ مُسْتَطِيرًۭا
Yoofoona binnazri wa yakhaafoona yawman kaana sharruhoo mustateeraa
They perform (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil flies far and wide.
(Because) they perform the vow and fear a day whereof the evil is wide-spreading,
وَيُطْعِمُونَ ٱلطَّعَامَ عَلَىٰ حُبِّهِۦ مِسْكِينًۭا وَيَتِيمًۭا وَأَسِيرًا
Wa yut”imoonat ta’aama ‘alaa hubbihee miskeenanw wa yatemanw wa aseeraa
And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive,-
And feed with food the needy wretch, the orphan and the prisoner, for love of Him,
إِنَّمَا نُطْعِمُكُمْ لِوَجْهِ ٱللَّهِ لَا نُرِيدُ مِنكُمْ جَزَآءًۭ وَلَا شُكُورًا
Innaamaa nut’imukum li wajhil laahi laa nureedu minkum jazaaa’anw wa laa shukooraa
(Saying),”We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks.
(Saying): We feed you, for the sake of Allah only. We wish for no reward nor thanks from you;
إِنَّا نَخَافُ مِن رَّبِّنَا يَوْمًا عَبُوسًۭا قَمْطَرِيرًۭا
Innaa nakhaafu mir Rabbinna Yawman ‘aboosan qamtareeraa
“We only fear a Day of distressful Wrath from the side of our Lord.”
Lo! we fear from our Lord a day of frowning and of fate.
فَوَقَىٰهُمُ ٱللَّهُ شَرَّ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْيَوْمِ وَلَقَّىٰهُمْ نَضْرَةًۭ وَسُرُورًۭا
Fa waqaahumul laahu sharra zaalikal yawmi wa laqqaahum nadratanw wa surooraa
But Allah will deliver them from the evil of that Day, and will shed over them a Light of Beauty and (blissful) Joy.
Therefor Allah hath warded off from them the evil of that day, and hath made them find brightness and joy;
وَجَزَىٰهُم بِمَا صَبَرُوا۟ جَنَّةًۭ وَحَرِيرًۭا
Wa jazaahum bimaa sabaroo janatanw wa hareeraa
And because they were patient and constant, He will reward them with a Garden and (garments of) silk.
And hath awarded them for all that they endured, a Garden and silk attire;
مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ ۖ لَا يَرَوْنَ فِيهَا شَمْسًۭا وَلَا زَمْهَرِيرًۭا
muttaki’eena feeha ‘alal araaa ‘iki laa yarawna feehaa shamsanw wa laa zamhareeraa
Reclining in the (Garden) on raised thrones, they will see there neither the sun’s (excessive heat) nor (the moon’s) excessive cold.
Reclining therein upon couches, they will find there neither (heat of) a sun nor bitter cold.
وَدَانِيَةً عَلَيْهِمْ ظِلَٰلُهَا وَذُلِّلَتْ قُطُوفُهَا تَذْلِيلًۭا
Wa daaniyatan ‘alaihim zilaaluhaa wa zullilat qutoofu haa tazleela
And the shades of the (Garden) will come low over them, and the bunches (of fruit), there, will hang low in humility.
The shade thereof is close upon them and the clustered fruits thereof bow down.
وَيُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِـَٔانِيَةٍۢ مِّن فِضَّةٍۢ وَأَكْوَابٍۢ كَانَتْ قَوَارِيرَا۠
Wa yutaafu ‘alaihim bi aaniyatim min fiddatinw wa akwaabin kaanat qawaareeraa
And amongst them will be passed round vessels of silver and goblets of crystal,-
Goblets of silver are brought round for them, and beakers (as) of glass
قَوَارِيرَا۟ مِن فِضَّةٍۢ قَدَّرُوهَا تَقْدِيرًۭا
Qawaareera min fiddatin qaddaroohaa taqdeeraa
Crystal-clear, made of silver: they will determine the measure thereof (according to their wishes).
(Bright as) glass but (made) of silver, which they (themselves) have measured to the measure (of their deeds).
وَيُسْقَوْنَ فِيهَا كَأْسًۭا كَانَ مِزَاجُهَا زَنجَبِيلًا
Wa yusawna feehaa kaasan kaana mizaajuhaa zanjabeelaa
And they will be given to drink there of a Cup (of Wine) mixed with Zanjabil,-
There are they watered with a cup whereof the mixture is of Zanjabil,
عَيْنًۭا فِيهَا تُسَمَّىٰ سَلْسَبِيلًۭا
‘Aynan feeha tusammaa salsabeelaa
A fountain there, called Salsabil.
(The water of) a spring therein, named Salsabil.
۞ وَيَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَٰنٌۭ مُّخَلَّدُونَ إِذَا رَأَيْتَهُمْ حَسِبْتَهُمْ لُؤْلُؤًۭا مَّنثُورًۭا
Wa yatoofu ‘alaihim wildaanum mukhalladoona izaa ra aytahum hasibtahum lu’lu ‘am mansoora
And round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness): If thou seest them, thou wouldst think them scattered Pearls.
There wait on them immortal youths, whom, when thou seest, thou wouldst take for scattered pearls.
وَإِذَا رَأَيْتَ ثَمَّ رَأَيْتَ نَعِيمًۭا وَمُلْكًۭا كَبِيرًا
Wa izaa ra ayta summa ra ayta na’eemanw wa mulkan kabeera
And when thou lookest, it is there thou wilt see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificent.
When thou seest, thou wilt see there bliss and high estate.
عَٰلِيَهُمْ ثِيَابُ سُندُسٍ خُضْرٌۭ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٌۭ ۖ وَحُلُّوٓا۟ أَسَاوِرَ مِن فِضَّةٍۢ وَسَقَىٰهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ شَرَابًۭا طَهُورًا
‘Aaliyahum siyaabu sundusin khudrunw wa istabraq, wa hullooo asaawira min fiddatinw wa saqaahum Rabbuhum sharaaban tahooraa
Upon them will be green Garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, and they will be adorned with Bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a Wine Pure and Holy.
Their raiment will be fine green silk and gold embroidery. Bracelets of silver will they wear. Their Lord will slake their thirst with a pure drink.
إِنَّ هَٰذَا كَانَ لَكُمْ جَزَآءًۭ وَكَانَ سَعْيُكُم مَّشْكُورًا
Innaa haazaa kaana lakum jazz ‘anw wa kaana sa’yukum mashkooraa
“Verily this is a Reward for you, and your Endeavour is accepted and recognised.”
(And it will be said unto them): Lo! this is a reward for you. Your endeavour (upon earth) hath found acceptance.
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا عَلَيْكَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ تَنزِيلًۭا
Innaa nahnu nazzalnaa ‘alaikal quraana tanzeelaa
It is We Who have sent down the Qur’an to thee by stages.
Lo! We, even We, have revealed unto thee the Qur’an, a revelation;
فَٱصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ وَلَا تُطِعْ مِنْهُمْ ءَاثِمًا أَوْ كَفُورًۭا
Fasbir lihukmi Rabbika wa laa tuti’ minhum aasiman aw kafooraa
Therefore be patient with constancy to the Command of thy Lord, and hearken not to the sinner or the ingrate among them.
So submit patiently to thy Lord’s command, and obey not of them any guilty one or disbeliever.
وَٱذْكُرِ ٱسْمَ رَبِّكَ بُكْرَةًۭ وَأَصِيلًۭا
Wazkuris ma Rabbika bukratanw wa aseelaa
And celebrate the name of thy Lord morning and evening,
Remember the name of thy Lord at morn and evening.
وَمِنَ ٱلَّيْلِ فَٱسْجُدْ لَهُۥ وَسَبِّحْهُ لَيْلًۭا طَوِيلًا
Wa minal laili fasjud lahoo wa sabbihhu lailan taweelaa
And part of the night, prostrate thyself to Him; and glorify Him a long night through.
And worship Him (a portion) of the night. And glorify Him through the livelong night.
إِنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ يُحِبُّونَ ٱلْعَاجِلَةَ وَيَذَرُونَ وَرَآءَهُمْ يَوْمًۭا ثَقِيلًۭا
Inna haaa’ulaa’i yuhibboona ‘aajilata wa yazaroona waraaa’ahum yawman saqeelaa
As to these, they love the fleeting life, and put away behind them a Day (that will be) hard.
Lo! these love fleeting life, and put behind them (the remembrance of) a grievous day.
نَّحْنُ خَلَقْنَٰهُمْ وَشَدَدْنَآ أَسْرَهُمْ ۖ وَإِذَا شِئْنَا بَدَّلْنَآ أَمْثَٰلَهُمْ تَبْدِيلًا
Nahnu khalaqnaahum wa shadadnaaa asrahum wa izaa shi’naa baddalnaaa amsaala hum tabdeelaa
It is We Who created them, and We have made their joints strong; but, when We will, We can substitute the like of them by a complete change.
We, even We, created them, and strengthened their frame. And when We will, We can replace them, bringing others like them in their stead.
إِنَّ هَٰذِهِۦ تَذْكِرَةٌۭ ۖ فَمَن شَآءَ ٱتَّخَذَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِۦ سَبِيلًۭا
Inna haazihee tazkiratun fa man shaaa’at takhaza ilaa rabbihee sabeela
This is an admonition: Whosoever will, let him take a (straight) Path to his Lord.
Lo! this is an Admonishment, that whosoever will may choose a way unto his Lord.
وَمَا تَشَآءُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيمًا حَكِيمًۭا
Wa maa tashaaa’oona illaa anyyashaaa’al laah; innal laahaa kaana’Aleeman Hakeema
But ye will not, except as Allah wills; for Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom.
Yet ye will not, unless Allah willeth. Lo! Allah is Knower, Wise.
يُدْخِلُ مَن يَشَآءُ فِى رَحْمَتِهِۦ ۚ وَٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ أَعَدَّ لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًۢا
Yudkhilu mai yashaaa’u fee rahmatih; wazzaalimeena a’adda lahum ‘azaaban aleemaa
He will admit to His Mercy whom He will; But the wrong-doers,- for them has He prepared a grievous Penalty.
He maketh whom He will to enter His mercy, and for evil-doers hath prepared a painful doom.
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.