Consider the arranged ranks.
[They] deter by restraint.
[They] proclaim the remembrance [of Allah].
“Truly, your God is One!
“[He is] Lord of Heaven and Earth and all thereof. He is Lord of every point of the rising sun.”
Truly, with beautiful stars, We decorated the sky of this universe.
[This is] to guard against all obstinate, rebellious demons.
[This is] so they could not listen to the Exalted Assembly. Instead, they are repelled from every side.
[They are] banished because they are under a perpetual penalty.
Some may snatch something [of divine value], but they are pursued by a comet of piercing brightness.
Ask their opinion: Are they more difficult to create or others We have created? Indeed, We created (humanity) from a sticky clay.
How you marvel while they mock!
And when they are reminded, they still do not pay heed.
When they see a sign, they mock it.
They say, “This is nothing but apparent magic.
When we die and become dust and bones, will we be resurrected?
Does that go for our ancestors?”
Say, “Yes, and you will be humiliated.”
There will be a single shout. Suddenly, they will realize.
They will say, “Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment.”
“This is the day of reckoning which you denied.”
Assemble the sinners and their [sinful] companions, along with the things they worshiped…
…instead of Allah. Lead them to the way of the fire.
Stop them, however, for they must be asked,…
…“What is wrong with you that you do not try to help each other?”
Bunk! That day they will submit.
They will turn to one another and question each other.
They will say, “Indeed, you used to come to us from the right hand [of authority].”
They will reply, “No, you yourselves had no faith.
“We did not have any authority over you. No, you were sinful people.
“The Word of our Lord has been proven true against us. We will indeed taste [the punishment].
“We led you astray because, truly, we were astray ourselves.”
Truly, that day, they will share in the penalty.
Truly, that is how We will treat the sinners.
Indeed, whenever they were told that no god is there except Allah, they became arrogant.
They would say, “Should we give up our gods for the sake of a crazy poet?”
Nonsense! He has come with the truth. He confirms the earlier messengers.
You will indeed taste the horrible punishment.
It will be no more than the payment for what you have done.
The sincere servants of Allah, however,…
…will have a determined provision.
[That includes] fruits. They will have honor…
…in comfortable gardens.
[They will] face one another on thrones.
Passed around will be a cup from a crystal clear fountain…
…–sterling crystal, of a taste delicious to those who drink.
[It will be] free from causing dizziness, and they will not suffer intoxication.
With them will be companions who are not flirtatious, having beautiful eyes.
[They will be] as if they were eggs carefully protected.
They will turn to one another and question each other.
One of them will begin a conversation and say, “I had a close friend.
“He used to say, ‘Are you really one of the believers?
“When we die and become dust and bones, will we really be brought to judgment?’”
It will be said, “Do you want to look?”
He looked and saw (his friend) in the midst of the fire.
He will say, “By Allah, you almost brought me to such ruin [by leading me astray].
“If it had not been by the grace of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those assembled [into the fire].
“Is it that we will not die…
“…except for our first death? Will we not be punished?
“Truly, this is the ultimate salvation!”
For this simile, may all strive who will strive!
Is that better hospitality than the Tree of Bitterness?
Truly, We have made it a trial for the sinners.
Indeed, it is a tree that grows from the bottom of Hell.
Its fruits are like the heads of demons.
They certainly will eat from it and fill their bellies with it.
In addition, they will be given a brew of boiling water.
They will then be returned to the fire.
Truly, they found their ancestors on the wrong path.
They are hasty to follow their footsteps.
Truly, before them, many ancient people went astray.
We certainly sent warners among them.
See what [horrible demise] happened to those who were warned.
The exception was the sincere servants of Allah.
Noah certainly called to Us, and We are the best in response.
We delivered him and his family from the Great Calamity.
We made his descendants endure.
We left this for him among the later generations:…
…“Peace upon Noah, among the nations!”
That is truly how We reward those who live righteously.
He was one of Our believing servants.
We then drowned the others.
Truly, among those who followed (Noah) was Abraham.
He came to his Lord with a true heart.
He said to his father and to his people, “What do you worship?
“Is it a sham –other gods besides Allah that you desire?
“What do you think about the Lord of the Worlds?”
He glanced at the stars.
He said, “I truly feel ill.”
They turned away from him and left.
He turned to their gods and said, “Will you not eat?
“What is wrong with you that you do not speak?”
He then turned against them and hit [the idols] with his right hand.
(The idolaters) came quickly toward him.
He said, “Do you worship what you have made?
“Allah has created you and what you’ve made.”
They said, “Build a furnace for him and throw him into the blazing fire.”
They made a plot against him, but We humiliated them.
(Abraham) said, “I will surely go to my Lord. He will guide me.”
[Abraham prayed,] “O my Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.”
So We gave him the good news of a pleasant son.
When (the son) had attained an accountable age, (Abraham) told him, “O my son, I have seen a vision in which I offer you in sacrifice. What is your opinion?” “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will discover, Allah willing, that I will be loyal.”
After they had both peacefully agreed, and Abraham had laid the son face down,…
We called to him, “O Abraham,…
“…you have already fulfilled the vision!” This is how We reward those who do right.
This was obviously a test.
We ransomed (the son) with a substantial sacrifice.
And We instituted for him among later generations,…
…“May peace be upon Abraham!”
This is how We reward those who do right.
He truly was one of Our believing servants.
We gave him the good news of Isaac, a prophet and one of the righteous.
We blessed (Abraham) and Isaac. Of their descendants are those that do right and those that do obvious wrong to their own souls.
We bestowed Our favor on Moses and Aaron.
We delivered them and their people from great calamity.
We helped them overcome and become victors.
We gave them the Book that clarifies.
We guided them to the Straight Way.
We provided for them, through later generations, [this blessing]:…
… “Peace to Moses and Aaron!”
This is how We reward those who do right.
They were among our believing servants.
Elijah was also among the messengers.
He said to his people, “Will you not have fear?
“Will you call upon Baal and forsake the Best of Creators?
“Allah [is] your Lord and the Lord of your ancestors.”
But they rejected him, and they will certainly be held accountable.
The exception is the devoted servants of Allah.
We provided for him, through later generations, [this blessing]:…
… “Peace to Elijah!”
This is how We reward those who do right.
He was one of our believing servants.
Lot was certainly one of the messengers.
We delivered him and all his family.
The only exception was an old woman [his wife] who was among those who stayed behind.
We destroyed the others.
Truly, you pass by their sites by day…
…and by night. Will you not understand?
Jonah was certainly one of the messengers.
He ran away to a loaded ship.
He cast lots [with the other seafarers], and he was condemned [and cast into the sea].
The big fish swallowed him. He had committed acts worthy of blame.
If he had not been among those who glorify [Allah],…
…then he would certainly have remained inside (the fish’s) belly until the Day of Resurrection.
We cast him onto the barren shore in a state of sickness.
We caused a spreading gourd plant to grow over him [to shade him].
We sent him to over a hundred thousand people.
They believed, so We allowed them to have joy for a while.
Ask them whether your Lord has daughters while they have sons.
Did We create angels as females? Are they witnesses?
Do they not say from their own invention,…
…“Allah has begotten”? They are truly liars.
Did He choose daughters instead of sons?
What is wrong with you? How do you figure things?
Will you not receive instruction?
Do you have a clear evidence?
If so, bring your book if you are truthful.
They have invented a relationship between Him and the spirit-beings. The spirit-beings know, however, that they will have to appear [on Judgment Day].
Glory to Allah! [He is free] from the things they associate.
The devoted servants of Allah do not [associate others with Him].
Truly, neither you nor those you worship…
…can tempt anyone.
The exception is anyone going to Hell.
“There is not one of us without an appointed place.
We are the arranged ranks.
We are truly those who declare glory.”
Certainly, some said,…
…“If only we had a message from the ancestors,…
“…we would certainly have been sincere servants of Allah.”
They reject it, however [now that the Qur’an has come]. Soon they will know.
Truly, Our Word has already been sent to Our servants, the messengers.
Certainly, they would be assisted.
Certainly, Our forces would triumph.
Turn away from them for a while.
Watch them, and they will soon see.
Do they wish to speed Our punishment?
When it does descend before them, the morning will be horrid for those who were warned.
Turn away from them for a little while.
Watch them, and they will soon see.
Glory to your Lord, the Lord of Victory! [He is free] from what they ascribe.
Peace on the messengers!
Praise to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!