38. Sūrat Sad · The Letter Sad

Ṣãd. By the Quran, full of reminders!

Sad. By the renowned Qur'an,

Sad. CONSIDER this Qur’an, endowed with all that one ought to remember!

By this renowned Quran.

Sad. (Only Allah and the Messenger [blessings and peace be upon him] know the real meaning.) By the Holy Qur’an, full of direction and guidance

˹This is the truth,˺ yet the disbelievers are ˹entrenched˺ in arrogance and opposition.

Nay, but those who disbelieve are in false pride and schism.

But nay - they who are bent on denying the truth are lost in [false] pride, and [hence] deeply in the wrong.

Rather the infidels are in pride and schism.

But the disbelievers are in (the trouble of undue and unjust) conceit and arrogance, (suffering from) opposition and enmity (against Our Esteemed Prophet)

˹Imagine˺ how many peoples We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was too late to escape.

How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape!

How many a generation have We destroyed before their time [for this very sin]! And [how] they called [unto Us] when it was too late to escape!

How many a generation We destroyed before them, then now they cried when there was no time for deliverance

How many a community We have destroyed before them! And they started crying (on seeing the torment) when there was no time left for deliverance (and release)

Now, the pagans are astonished that a warner has come to them from among themselves. And the disbelievers say, “This is a magician, a total liar!

And they marvel that a warner from among themselves hath come unto them, and the disbelievers say: This is a wizard, a charlatan.

Now these [people] deem it strange that a warner should have come unto them from their own midst - and [so] the deniers of the truth are saying: “A [mere] spellbinder is he, a liar!

And they were surprised that a warner from among themselves came to them, and the infidels said, 'this is a magician, a great liar'

And they wondered that a Warner had come to them from amongst themselves and the disbelievers said: ‘He is a magician, a great liar

Has he reduced ˹all˺ the gods to One God? Indeed, this is something totally astonishing.”

Maketh he the gods One Allah? Lo! that is an astounding thing.

Does he claim that all the deities are [but] one God? Verily, a most strange thing is this!”

Has he made one God of many gods? Undoubtedly, this is a strange thing.

Has he turned all the gods into one God? That is indeed a very strange thing!

The chiefs among them went forth saying, “Carry on, and stand firm in devotion to your gods. Certainly this is just a scheme ˹for power˺.

The chiefs among them go about, exhorting: Go and be staunch to your gods! Lo! this is a thing designed.

And their leaders launch forth [thus]: “Go ahead, and hold steadfastly onto your deities: this, behold, is the only thing to do!

And the chiefs of them departed saying, 'go away from him and be steadfast to your gods; undoubtedly, he has some object in this

And their chiefs (stood up terminating their meeting with the Holy Prophet [blessings and peace be upon him] at Abu Talib’s house) and walked out saying (to the rest of the people): ‘You also walk out, and be firm-footed in (worshipping) your gods. There is for sure some motive (and purpose) behind it

We have never heard of this in the previous faith. This is nothing but a fabrication.

We have not heard of this in later religion. This is naught but an invention.

Never did we hear of [a claim like] this in any faith of latter days! It is nothing but [a mortal man’s] invention!

We have not heard about this even in the latest religion of Christianity. This is indeed wholly a new invention.

We have not heard of this (belief in the Oneness of God) even amongst the last community (of Christianity or the religion of the Quraysh). This is but a fabricated lie

Has the Reminder been revealed ˹only˺ to him out of ˹all of˺ us?” In fact, they are ˹only˺ in doubt of My ˹revealed˺ Reminder. In fact, ˹they do so because˺ they have not yet tasted My punishment.

Hath the reminder been unto him (alone) among us? Nay, but they are in doubt concerning My reminder; nay but they have not yet tasted My doom.

What! Upon him alone from among all of us should a [divine] reminder have been bestowed from on high?” Nay, but it is My Own reminder that they distrust! Nay, they have not yet tasted the suffering which I do impose!

Has the Quran been sent upon him from amongst us all? Nay, rather they are in doubt concerning My Book. Nay, they have not yet tasted My chastisement

Has this admonition (the Qur’an) been sent down to him alone out of all of us?’ To be more precise, they are (caught) in doubt about My admonition. But in truth they have not yet tasted My torment

Or ˹is it because˺ they possess the treasuries of the mercy of your Lord—the Almighty, the Giver ˹of all bounties˺.

Or are theirs the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower?

Or do they [think that they] own the treasures of thy Sustainer’s grace - [the grace] of the Almighty, the Giver of Gifts?

Are they treasurers of the mercy of your Lord, the Dignified, and the Bestower?

Do they have the treasures of the mercy of your Lord, Who is the Almighty, the Most Benevolent

Or ˹is it because˺ the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in between belongs to them? Let them then climb their way ˹to heaven, if their claim is true˺.

Or is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them theirs? Then let them ascend by ropes!

Or [that] the dominion over the heavens and the earth and all that is between them is theirs? Why, then, let them try to ascend [to God-like power] by all [conceivable] means!

Is the kingdom of the heavens and earth and what is between them for them? If so let them ascend by hanging ropes.

Or do they possess the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them? (If so,) then they should tie up ropes and climb up (to heaven)

This is just another ˹enemy˺ force bound for defeat out there.

A defeated host are (all) the factions that are there.

[But] there it is: any and all human beings, however [strongly] leagued together, are bound to suffer defeat [whenever they refuse to accept the truth].

This is a disgraced host from amongst the confederates, which shall be made to flee to the same place.

They are just a worthless army of the armies (of the disbelievers) that is about to be badly defeated at this very place

Before them, the people of Noah denied ˹the truth˺, as did ’Âd, Pharaoh of the mighty structures,

The folk of Noah before them denied (their messenger) and (so did the tribe of) A'ad, and Pharaoh firmly planted,

To the truth gave the lie aforetime Noah’s people, and [the tribe of] Ad, and Pharaoh of the [many] tent-poles,

Before them, the people of Nuh and Aad and pharaoh (Firawn) the contriver of stakes have already belied (the Messengers).

Before them the people of Nuh (Noah) and ‘Ad and (also) Pharaoh, the powerful king (who tortured with stakes), belied and disbelieved

Thamûd, the people of Lot, and the residents of the Forest. These were ˹all˺ enemy forces.

And (the tribe of) Thamud, and the folk of Lot, and the dwellers in the wood: these were the factions.

and [the tribe of] Thamud, and the people of Lot, and the dwellers of the wooded dales [of Madyan]: they all were leagued together, [as it were, in their unbelief:]

And Samud and the people of Lut and dwellers of the wood. These are those parties.

And Thamud and the people of Lut (Lot) and the dwellers of (the Wood) al-Ayka (i.e., the people of Shu‘ayb) too (denied). These were the large armies

Each rejected their messenger, so My punishment was justified.

Not one of them but did deny the messengers, therefor My doom was justified,

not one [was there] but gave the lie to the apostles - and thereupon My retribution fell due.

There is none among them but belied the Messengers, so My torment became inevitable.

Each (one of these) people rejected the Messengers and My torment became inevitable (for them)

These ˹pagans˺ are awaiting nothing but a single Blast that cannot be stopped.

These wait for but one Shout, there will be no second thereto.

And they [who now deny the truth - they, too,] have but to wait for one single blast [of punishment to overtake them]: it shall not be delayed a whit.

They wait not but of a single roaring cry which no one can turn away.

And all of them are waiting for a single mighty blast (shout) in which there will be no deferment

They say ˹mockingly˺, “Our Lord! Hasten for us our share ˹of the punishment˺ before the Day of Reckoning.”

They say: Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning.

As it is, they say [mockingly]: “O our Sus­tainer! Hasten on to us our share [of punishment even] before the Day of Reckoning!”

And they said, 'O our Lord, hasten to us our shares before the Day of Reckoning.

And they say: ‘O our Lord, hasten to us our share even before the Day of Reckoning.

Be patient ˹O Prophet˺ with what they say. And remember Our servant, David, the man of strength. Indeed, he ˹constantly˺ turned ˹to Allah˺.

Bear with what they say, and remember Our bondman David, lord of might, Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).

[But] bear thou with patience whatever they may say, and remember Our servant David, him who was endowed with [so much] inner strength! He, verily, would always turn unto Us:

Bear you patiently at what they say, and remember Our bondman Daud a man of blessings; undoubtedly, he is a great penitent.

(O My Esteemed Beloved!) Continue observing patience with what they say and remember Our servant Dawud (David), who had great power. Certainly, he was ever-turning (to Us in repentance)

We truly subjected the mountains to hymn ˹Our praises˺ along with him in the evening and after sunrise.

Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise,

[and for this,] behold, We caused the mountains to join him in extolling Our limitless glory at eventide and at sun­rise,

Undoubtedly, We have subjected mountains, that they with him glorify Allah at evening and sunrise

Indeed, We put mountains under his command which (joining him) used to glorify Me evening and morning

And ˹We subjected˺ the birds, flocking together. All turned to him ˹echoing his hymns˺.

And the birds assembled; all were turning unto Him.

and [likewise] the birds in their assemblies: [together] they all Would turn again and again unto Him [who had created them].

And the birds assembled; all were obedient to him.

And the birds as well that used to flock (in his presence); each would turn towards him (seeking to obey his commands)

We strengthened his kingship, and gave him wisdom and sound judgment.

We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech.

And We streng­thened his dominion, and bestowed upon him wisdom and sagacity in judgment.

And We strengthened his kingdom and bestowed him wisdom and decisive speech.

And We strengthened and stabilized his state and rule, and blessed him with wisdom, insight and a decisive (and distinctive) oratory

Has the story of the two plaintiffs, who scaled the ˹wall of David’s˺ sanctuary, reached you ˹O Prophet˺?

And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber;

AND YET, has the story of the litigants come within thy ken - [the story of the two] who surmounted the walls of the sanctuary [in which David prayed]?

Has the tidings of the claimants reached to you when they came into Daud's mosque jumping over the walls?

And has the news of the contenders reached you when they jumped over the wall and entered the chamber of worship (of Dawud [David])

When they came into David’s presence, he was startled by them. They said, “Have no fear. ˹We are merely˺ two in a dispute: one of us has wronged the other. So judge between us with truth—do not go beyond ˹it˺—and guide us to the right way.

How they burst in upon David, and he was afraid of them. They said: Be not afraid! (We are) two litigants, one of whom hath wronged the other, therefor judge aright between us; be not unjust; and show us the fair way.

As they came upon David, and he shrank back in fear from them, they said: “Fear not! [We are but] two litigants. One of us has wronged the other: so judge thou between us with justice, and deviate not from what is right, and show [both of] us the way to rectitude.

When they entered upon Daud, he became confused on account of them. They said, 'fear not, we are two disputants, one has shown high handedness against the other, therefore decide between us with truth and be not unjust and guide us to the right path.

When they came inside to Dawud (David), he felt nervous. They said: ‘Do not feel upset. We are two parties in a dispute. One of us has wronged the other. So judge between us with truth and justice, and do not exceed limits, and lead us towards the right path

This is my brother. He has ninety-nine sheep while I have ˹only˺ one. ˹Still˺ he asked me to give it up to him, overwhelming me with ˹his˺ argument.”

Lo! this my brother hath ninety and nine ewes while I had one ewe; and he said: Entrust it to me, and he conquered me in speech.

“Behold, this is my brother: he has ninety-nine ewes, whereas I have [only] one ewe - and yet he said, ‘Make her over to me,’ and forcibly prevailed against me in this [our] dispute.”

Undoubtedly, this is my brother, he has ninety-nine ewes and I have one ewe, now he says entrust this one also to me and presses me in speech.

Surely, he is my brother; he has ninety-nine ewes and I have only one ewe. Yet he says: ‘Give it (also) to me,’ and he suppresses me in conversation (as well)

David ˹eventually˺ ruled, “He has definitely wronged you in demanding ˹to add˺ your sheep to his. And certainly many partners wrong each other, except those who believe and do good—but how few are they!” Then David realized that We had tested him so he asked for his Lord’s forgiveness, fell down in prostration, and turned ˹to Him in repentance˺.

(David) said: He hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe in addition to his ewes, and lo! many partners oppress one another, save such as believe and do good works, and they are few. And David guessed that We had tried him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented.

Said [David]: “He has certainly wronged thee by demanding that thy ewe be added to his ewes! Thus, behold, do many kinsmen wrong one another [all] save those who believe [in God] and do righteous deeds: but how few are they!” And [suddenly] David understood that We had tried him: and so he asked his Sustainer to forgive him his sin, and fell down in prostration, and turned unto Him in repentance.

Daud said, 'undoubtedly, he is doing injustice in demanding your ewe to add to his ewes. And certainly, many of the partners show high handedness against each other, but those who believe and do good, and they are very few. Now Daud guessed that We had tested him, therefore, he begged forgiveness of his Lord and fell in prostration and turned (to Allah). [^] (SAJDA

Dawud (David) said: ‘He has done you a wrong in demanding your ewe to add to his own ewes, and it is true that most of the partners wrong one another except those who believe and do pious deeds, and such people are very few.’ And it occurred to Dawud (David) that We had put him to trial (through that dispute). So he prayed for forgiveness from his Lord and fell down prostrate and turned (to Allah) in repentance

So We forgave that for him. And he will indeed have ˹a status of˺ closeness to Us and an honourable destination!

So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey's end.

And thereupon We forgave him that [sin]: and, verily, nearness to Us awaits him [in the life to come], and the most beauteous of all goals!

Then We forgave him that. And verily he has necessarily nearness to Us and an excellent resort.

So We granted him forgiveness, and surely he enjoys special nearness in Our presence and an exalted position (in the Hereafter)

˹We instructed him:˺ “O David! We have surely made you an authority in the land, so judge between people with truth. And do not follow ˹your˺ desires or they will lead you astray from Allah’s Way. Surely those who go astray from Allah’s Way will suffer a severe punishment for neglecting the Day of Reckoning.”

(And it was said unto him): O David! Lo! We have set thee as a viceroy in the earth; therefor judge aright between mankind, and follow not desire that it beguile thee from the way of Allah. Lo! those who wander from the way of Allah have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning.

[And We said:] “O David! Behold, We have made thee a [prophet and, thus, Our] vicegerent on earth: judge, then, between men with justice, and do not follow vain desire, lest it lead thee astray from the path of God: verily, for those who go astray from the path of God there is suffering severe in store for having forgotten the Day of Reckoning!”

'O Daud', Undoubtedly, We have made you a vicegerent in the earth, therefore order between mankind with truth, and follow not desire, otherwise it would cause you to go astray from the path of Allah. Verily, those who go astray from the path of Allah, there is for them a severe torment for that they have forgotten the Day of Reckoning.

O Dawud (David)! Verily, We have made you (Our) vicegerent in the earth. So judge between the people (or rule) with truth and justice. And do not follow your desire, for this (pursuance of desire) shall turn you away from the path of Allah. Surely, those who turn away from the path of Allah, for them is severe punishment because they forget the Day of Reckoning

We have not created the heavens and earth and everything in between without purpose—as the disbelievers think. So woe to the disbelievers because of the Fire!

And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in vain. That is the opinion of those who disbelieve. And woe unto those who disbelieve, from the Fire!

AND [thus it is:] We have not created heaven and earth and all that is between them without meaning and purpose, as is the surmise of those who are bent on denying the truth: but then, woe from the fire [of hell] unto all who are bent on denying the truth!

And We have not made the heavens and the earth and what is in between them in vain. This is the thought of the infidels. There fore woe is to the infidels because of the Fire.

And We have not created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them without any purpose and good reason. It is the view and concept of the disbelievers (that this is a purposeless creation that came about by chance). So for the disbelievers there is torment of the Fire of Hell

Or should We treat those who believe and do good like those who make mischief throughout the land? Or should We treat the righteous like the wicked?

Shall We treat those who believe and do good works as those who spread corruption in the earth; or shall We treat the pious as the wicked?

[For,] would We treat those who have attained to faith and do righteous deeds in the same manner as [We shall treat] those who spread corruption on earth? Would We treat the God-conscious in the same manner as the wicked?

Shall We make those who have believed and have done good deeds like those who spread mischief in the earth or make the pious ones like wicked disobedients?

Shall We make those who believe and do constructive works like those who corrupt the earth with mischief and destructive works? Or shall We make the pious like the corrupt and wicked

˹This is˺ a blessed Book which We have revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺ so that they may contemplate its verses, and people of reason may be mindful.

(This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto thee, full of blessing, that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding may reflect.

[All this have We expounded in this] blessed divine writ which We have revealed unto thee, [O Muhammad,] so that men may ponder over its mes­sages, and that those who are endowed with insight may take them to heart.

This is a Book that We have sent down towards you Blessed, so that they may ponder on its signs and that the men of wisdom may be admonished.

This is a Blessed Book that We have revealed to you so that the wise may ponder over its Verses and seek direction and guidance

And We blessed David with Solomon—what an excellent servant ˹he was˺! Indeed, he ˹constantly˺ turned ˹to Allah˺.

And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).

AND UNTO DAVID We granted Solomon [as a son - and] how excellent a servant [of Ours he grew up to be]! Behold, he would always turn unto Us -

And We bestowed on Daud, Sulaiman. What a fine bondman! Verily, he was most repenting.

And We blessed Dawud (David) with (a son) Sulayman (Solomon). How excellent a servant was he! He is indeed oft-returning to Allah in repentance

˹Remember˺ when the well-trained, swift horses were paraded before him in the evening.

When there were shown to him at eventide lightfooted coursers

[and even] when, towards the close of day, nobly-bred, swift-footed steeds were brought before him,

When, in the after-noon were presented to him, horses when at ease standing on three feet and touching the ground with the tow of fourth foot, and when they run, they are very swift.

When swift horses of a fine breed were presented to him in the evening

He then proclaimed, “I am truly in love with ˹these˺ fine things out of remembrance for Allah,” until they went out of sight.

And he said: Lo! I have preferred the good things (of the world) to the remembrance of my Lord; till they were taken out of sight behind the curtain.

he would say, “Verily, I have come to love the love of all that is good because I bear my Sustainer in mind!” [repeating these words as the steeds raced away,] until they were hidden by the veil [of distance - whereupon he would command],

Then he said, 'I have loved the love of these horses for the remembrance of my Lord'. Then he ordered to drive them until they were hidden from his sight behind the veil.

He said (remorsefully): ‘I have cherished love for wealth (i.e., horses) more than the love for the remembrance of my Lord until (the sun) disappeared behind the veil (of night).

˹He ordered,˺ “Bring them back to me!” Then he began to rub down their legs and necks.

(Then he said): Bring them back to me, and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks.

“Bring them back unto me!”- and would [lovingly] stroke their legs and their necks.

Then he ordered that bring them back to me. Then he began to pass his hand over their shanks and necks.

He said: ‘Bring them (horses) back to me.’ So he cut away their legs and necks (with a sword, and thus he slaughtered his love for nearness to Allah)

And indeed, We tested Solomon, placing a ˹deformed˺ body on his throne, then he turned ˹to Allah in repentance˺.

And verily We tried Solomon, and set upon his throne a (mere) body. Then did he repent.

But [ere this], indeed, We had tried Solomon by placing upon his throne a [lifeless] body; and thereupon he turned [towards Us; and]

And undoubtedly, We tested Sulaiman and placed on his throne a lifeless body, then he turned repented.

And indeed, We (also) put Sulayman (Solomon) to trial, and placed an (unusually created) body on his throne. Then he regained (the rule)

He prayed, “My Lord! Forgive me, and grant me an authority that will never be matched by anyone after me. You are indeed the Giver ˹of all bounties˺.”

He said: My Lord! Forgive me and bestow on me sovereignty such as shall not belong to any after me. Lo! Thou art the Bestower.

he prayed: “O my Sustainer! Forgive me my sins, and bestow upon me the gift of a kingdom which may not suit anyone after me: verily, Thou alone art a giver of gifts!”

He said, 'O my Lord' for give me, and bestow me a Kingdom which may not suit to anyone else after me. Undoubtedly, You are the Big Bestower.

He submitted: ‘O my Lord, forgive me, and bestow on me such a reign that no one may have after me. Surely, You are Most Benevolent.

So We subjected to him the wind, blowing gently at his command to wherever he pleased.

So We made the wind subservient unto him, setting fair by his command whithersoever he intended.

And so We made subservient to him the wind, so that it gently sped at his behest whithersoever he willed,

Then We subjected the wind to him that it ran by his commandment softly, wherever he desired.

Then We caused the wind to obey him. It used to blow gently under his command wherever he would desire (it) to go

And ˹We subjected to him˺ every builder and diver of the jinn,

And the unruly, every builder and diver (made We subservient),

as well as all the rebellious forces [that We made to work for him] - every kind of builder and diver -

And subjected to him the giants (Satan), every builder and diver.

And all the jinn (and devils were also subdued to him) and every architect and diver (too)

and others bound together in chains.

And others linked together in chains,

and others linked together in fetters.

And others bound in fetters.

And (also) other jinn bound in chains

˹Allah said,˺ “This is Our gift, so give or withhold ˹as you wish˺, never to be called to account.”

(Saying): This is Our gift, so bestow thou, or withhold, without reckoning.

[And We told him:] “This is Our gift, for thee to bestow freely on others, or to withhold, without [having to render] account!”

This is Our gift, now you do favour upon whom you like or withhold there is no reckoning upon you.

(Allah said:) ‘This is Our bestowal. (Whether you) confer (it) on others or hold back (to you), no account will be asked for (in both the cases).

And he will indeed have ˹a status of˺ closeness to Us and an honourable destination!

And lo! he hath favour with Us, and a happy journey's end.

And, verily, nearness to Us awaits him [in the life to come], and the most beauteous of all goals!

And undoubtedly, he has necessarily nearness to Us and an excellent resort.

And surely, he enjoys exclusive nearness in Our presence and an exalted position in the Hereafter

And remember Our servant Job, when he cried out to his Lord, “Satan has afflicted me with distress and suffering.”

And make mention (O Muhammad) of Our bondman Job, when he cried unto his Lord (saying): Lo! the devil doth afflict me with distress and torment.

AND CALL to mind Our servant Job, [how it was] when he cried out to his Sustainer, “Behold, Satan has afflicted me with [utter] weariness and suffering!”

And remember Our bondman Ayub. He called his Lord that the devil (Satan) has touched me with affliction and oppression.

And mention Our servant Ayyub (Job) when he cried to his Lord: ‘Satan has afflicted me with great torture and suffering.

˹We responded,˺ “Stomp your foot: ˹now˺ here is a cool ˹and refreshing˺ spring for washing and drinking.”

(And it was said unto him): Strike the ground with thy foot. This (spring) is a cool bath and a refreshing drink.

[and thereupon was told:] “Strike [the ground] with thy foot: here is cool water to wash with and to drink!”

We said, 'strike your foot with the ground, here is the cool, stream for bathing and for drinking.'

(Allah said:) ‘Strike the ground with your foot. Here is a spring (of cool water) to bathe and drink.

And We gave him back his family, twice as many, as a mercy from Us and a lesson for people of reason.

And We bestowed on him (again) his household and therewith the like thereof, a mercy from Us, and a memorial for men of understanding.

And We bestowed upon him new offspring, doubling their number as an act of grace from Us, and as a reminder unto all who are endowed with insight.

And We bestowed him his family and others like them in addition to them as a mercy from Us and as admonition to the people of understanding.

And We gave him his family, and as many more (members of family) along with them, as a special mercy from Us and as advice for the wise

˹And We said to him,˺ “Take in your hand a bundle of grass, and strike ˹your wife˺ with it, and do not break your oath.” We truly found him patient. What an excellent servant ˹he was˺! Indeed, he ˹constantly˺ turned ˹to Allah˺.

And (it was said unto him): Take in thine hand a branch and smite therewith, and break not thine oath. Lo! We found him steadfast, how excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (to his Lord).

[And finally We told him:] “Now take in thy hand a small bunch of grass, and strike therewith, and thou wilt not break thine oath!” for, verily, We found him full of patience in adversity: how excellent a servant [of Ours], who, behold, would always turn unto Us!

And We said, 'take in your hand a broom of dry grass and strike there with and break not your oath. Undoubtedly, We found him steadfast, What an excellent bondman was he? Verily he is of returning.

(O Ayyub [Job]!) Take a broom of (one hundred) twigs in your hand, and strike (your wife once) with that (to fulfil your oath), and do not break your oath. Surely, We found him steadfast. How excellent a servant was (Ayyub [Job])! Surely, he was oft-returning (to Us) in repentance

And remember Our servants: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the men of strength and insight.

And make mention of Our bondmen, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men of parts and vision.

AND CALL to mind Our servants Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, [all of them] endowed with inner strength and vision:

And remember Our bondmen Ibrahim, Ishaq, and Yaqoob the men of authority and knowledge.

And mention Our servants Ibrahim (Abraham) and Ishaq (Isaac) and Ya‘qub (Jacob), who wielded great power and possessed vision

We truly chose them for the honour of proclaiming the Hereafter.

Lo! We purified them with a pure thought, remembrance of the Home (of the Hereafter).

for, verily, We purified them by means of a thought most pure: the remembrance of the life to come.

Verily, We distinguished them with a distinct speech that is the remembrance of that abode (Hereafter)

Surely, We chose them for an exclusive (characteristic of) the remembrance of the home in the Hereafter

And in Our sight they are truly among the chosen and the finest.

Lo! in Our sight they are verily of the elect, the excellent.

And, behold, in Our sight they were indeed among the elect, the truly good!

And undoubtedly, they are in Our sight chosen and favorites.

And verily, in Our Sight they were of the chosen, exalted (and) most liked servants

Also remember Ishmael, Elisha, and Ⱬul-Kifl. All are among the best.

And make mention of Ishmael and Elisha and Dhu'l-Kifl. All are of the chosen.

And call to mind Ishmael and Elisha, and every one who [like them] has pledged himself [unto Us]: for, each of them was of the truly good!

And remember Ismail, Al-Yasa, and Zulkifl. They are all excellent ones.

And (also) mention Isma‘il (Ishmael) and al-Yasa‘ (Isaiah) and Dhu al-Kifl (Ezekiel). And all of them were of the chosen ones

This is ˹all˺ a reminder. And the righteous will certainly have an honourable destination:

This is a reminder. And lo! for those who ward off (evil) is a happy journey's end,

LET [all] this be a reminder [to those who believe in God] - for, verily, the most beauteous of all goals awaits the God-conscious:

This is an admonition. And undoubtedly, the resort of pious ones is good.'

This is the direction and guidance (which is cited in the first Verse of this Sura). And surely, for the Godfearing there is a blessed abode

the Gardens of Eternity, whose gates will be open for them.

Gardens of Eden, whereof the gates are opened for them,

gardens of perpetual bliss, with gates wide-open to them,

Gardens of perpetual abode, the doors of which are open for them.

(They are) the Gardens of Eden to live in forever. Their doors will be opened for them

There they will recline, calling for abundant fruit and drink.

Wherein, reclining, they call for plenteous fruit and cool drink (that is) therein.

wherein they will recline, [and] wherein they may [freely] call for many a fruit and drink,

Reclining therein on cushions, therein they ask for plenty of fruits and drink.

There, reclining on cushions, they will be sitting (on couches), calling (at intervals) for plenteous fine fruits and (delicious) drinks

And with them will be maidens of modest gaze and equal age.

And with them are those of modest gaze, companions.

having beside them well-matched mates of modest gaze.”

And they have such wives with them that they look not towards others save their husbands, Companions of equal age.

And beside them will be pure women (houris) with gazes lowered (i.e., chaste) and of equal age

This is what you are promised for the Day of Reckoning.

This it is that ye are promised for the Day of Reckoning.

This is what you are promised for the Day of Reckoning:

This is what you are promised for the Day of Reckoning.

These are the blessings which you are promised for the Day of Reckoning

This is indeed Our provision that will never end.

Lo! this in truth is Our provision, which will never waste away.

this, verily, shall be Our provision [for you], with no end to it!

Undoubtedly, this is Our provision which will never be exhausted.

Surely, this is Our provision which is never to exhaust

That is that. And the transgressors will certainly have the worst destination:

This (is for the righteous). And lo! for the transgressors there with be an evil journey's end,

All this [for the righteous]: but, verily, the most evil of all goals awaits those who are wont to transgress the bounds of what is right:

This is for them (believers). But undoubtedly, for the contumacious is the evil resort.

This (is for the believers), and surely for the defiant there is an extremely evil abode

Hell, where they will burn. What an evil place to rest!

Hell, where they will burn, an evil resting-place.

hell will they have to endure - and how vile a resting-place!

Hell, that they shall enter it what is an evil couch.

(That is) Hell which they will enter, and that is extremely evil bedding

Let them then taste this: boiling water and ˹oozing˺ pus,

Here is a boiling and an ice-cold draught, so let them taste it,

This, [then, for them -] so let them taste it: burning despair and ice-cold darkness

This is for them, therefore let them taste it, boiling water and pus.

This (is punishment) so they should taste it: boiling water and pus

and other torments of the same sort!

And other (torment) of the kind in pairs (the two extremes)!

and, coupled with it, further [suffering] of a similar nature.

And other couples of torments of the same nature.

And there is also a variety of (torments of) similar nature

˹The misleaders will say to one another,˺ “Here is a crowd ˹of followers˺ being thrown in with us. They are not welcome, ˹for˺ they ˹too˺ will burn in the Fire.”

Here is an army rushing blindly with you. (Those who are already in the Fire say): No word of welcome for them. Lo! they will roast at the Fire.

[And they will say to one another: “Do you see] this crowd of people who rushed headlong [into sin] with you? No welcome to them! Verily, they [too] shall have to endure the fire!”

They will be told, 'this is a troop of yours rushing in along with you'. They will say, let them not get any open place'. They are indeed to enter the Fire, let them remain there too in a strained place.'

(The Guards of Hell or the inmates of Hell already there will say:) ‘This is an(other) army which is rushing into Hell along with you. There is no welcome for them. Surely, they (too) are about to enter Hell.

The followers will respond, “No! You are not welcome! You brought this upon us. What an evil place for settlement!”

They say: Nay, but you (misleaders), for you there is no word of welcome. Ye prepared this for us (by your misleading). Now hapless is the plight.

[And] they [who had been seduced] will exclaim: “Nay, but it is you! No welcome to you! It is you who have prepared this for us: and how vile a state to abide in!”

The followers said, 'nay! Rather you should not get an open place'. You brought this distress to us'. Therefore what an evil destination it is

They (the arrivals) will say: ‘In fact, it is you; may there be no reception for you! It is but you who brought us this (disbelief and torment). So (this) is an evil resting place.

Adding, “Our Lord! Whoever brought this upon us, double their punishment in the Fire.”

They say: Our Lord! Whoever did prepare this for us, oh, give him double portion of the Fire!

[And] they will pray: “O our Sustainer! Who­ever has prepared this for us, double Thou his suffering in the fire!”

They said, 'O our Lord, whoso brought this distress to us, increase him in torment two fold in the Fire.

They will say: ‘O our Lord, the one who brought for us this (disbelief or torment), increase his torment in Hell twofold.

The tyrants will ask ˹one another˺, “But why do we not see those we considered to be lowly?

And they say: What aileth us that we behold not men whom we were wont to count among the wicked?

And they will add: “How is it that we do not see [here any of the] men whom we were wont to count among the wicked,

They said, 'what has happened to us that we see not the men whom we used to count among evil ones'.

And they will say: ‘What is the matter with us that we do not see (those) persons (here) we used to count amongst the evil people?

Were we wrong in mocking them ˹in the world˺? Or do our eyes ˹just˺ fail to see them ˹in the Fire˺?”

Did we take them (wrongly) for a laughing-stock, or have our eyes missed them?

[and] whom we made the target of our derision? Or is it that [they are here, and] our eyes have missed them?”

Did we treat them in ridicule or our eyes are turned away from them?

Did we use to scoff at them (unjustly) or did our eyes miss (to recognize) them? (These were the sold-to-God divines like ‘Ammar, Khabab, Suhayb, Bilal and Salman, [may Allah be well pleased with all of them.]

This dispute between the residents of the Fire will certainly come to pass.

Lo! that is very truth: the wrangling of the dwellers in the Fire.

Such, behold, will in truth be the [confusion and] mutual wrangling of the people of the fire!

Undoubtedly, it is necessarily a truth, the disputing together of the people of the Fire.

Surely, this mutual dispute of the inmates of Hell is true

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I am only a warner. And there is no god ˹worthy of worship˺ except Allah—the One, the Supreme.

Say (unto them, O Muhammad): I am only a warner, and there is no Allah save Allah, the One, the Absolute,

SAY [O Muhammad]: “I am only a warner; and there is no deity whatever save God, the One, who holds absolute sway over all that exists,

Say you, 'I am only a warner, and there is no god but Allah, the One All Dominant'.

Say: ‘I am only a Warner and there is no God except Allah, the One, the All-Dominant

˹He is the˺ Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything in between—the Almighty, Most Forgiving.”

Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Mighty, the Pardoning.

the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Almighty, the All-Forgiving!”

'The Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in between, the Dignified, the Great Forgiver'.

The Lord of the heavens and the earth and (all) what is between the two, the Almighty, Most Forgiving.

Say, “This ˹Quran˺ is momentous news,

Say: It is tremendous tidings

Say: “This is a message tremendous:

Say you, 'that is a supreme news'.

Say: ‘That (Day of Rising) is the tremendous piece of news

from which you ˹pagans˺ are turning away.”

Whence ye turn away!

[how can] you turn away from it?”

You are negligent of it.

You have turned your faces away from it

˹And say,˺ “I had no knowledge of the highest assembly ˹in heaven˺ when they differed ˹concerning Adam˺.

I had no knowledge of the Highest Chiefs when they disputed;

[Say, O Muhammad:] “No knowledge would I have had of [what passed among] the host on high when they argued [against the creation of man],

What knowledge I had about heavenly world, when they disputed.

I did not know of the Supreme Assembly (of angels on my own) when they were holding discussions (about the creation of Adam)

What is revealed to me is that I am only sent with a clear warning.”

It is revealed unto me only that I may be a plain warner.

had it not been revealed unto me [by God] - to no other end than that I might convey [unto you] a plain warning.

I am only revealed that I am not but a manifest warner.

The only Revelation that is sent to me (from Allah) is that I am but a clear and straight Warner.

˹Remember, O Prophet˺ when your Lord said to the angels, “I am going to create a human being from clay.

When thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire,

[For,] lo, thy Sustainer said unto the angels: “Behold, I am about to create a human being out of clay;

When your Lord said to the angels, I shall make man from the clay.

(Recall) when your Lord said to the angels: ‘I am about to create a human organism from (moist) clay

So when I have fashioned him and had a spirit of My Own ˹creation˺ breathed into him, fall down in prostration to him.”

And when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down before him prostrate,

and when I have formed him fully and breathed into him of My spirit, fall you down before him in prostration!”

And so when I have fashioned him perfectly, and have breathed into him of My spirit, then fall you down prostrating for him.

Then when I have perfected its (visible body) and blown into its (invisible) self My Own (illumining) spirit, fall down prostrate before him (in his honour).

So the angels prostrated all together—

The angels fell down prostrate, every one,

Thereupon the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together,

There fore angles fell down prostrate, all of them together.

So all the angels fell down together prostrating themselves before him

but not Iblîs, who acted arrogantly, becoming unfaithful.

Saving Iblis; he was scornful and became one of the disbelievers.

save Iblis: he gloried in his arrogance, and [thus] became one of those who deny the truth.

But Iblis He waxed proud, he was among the infidels.

Except Iblis. He showed arrogance (against the dignity of the Prophet) and became one of the disbelievers

Allah asked, “O Iblîs! What prevented you from prostrating to what I created with My Own Hands? Did you ˹just˺ become proud? Or have you always been arrogant?”

He said: O Iblis! What hindereth thee from falling prostrate before that which I have created with both My hands? Art thou too proud or art thou of the high exalted?

Said He: “O Iblis! What has kept thee from prostrating thyself before that [being] which I have created with My hands? Art thou too proud [to bow down before another created being], or art thou of those who think [only] of themselves as high?”

Allah said, O lblis', 'what hindered you from falling prostrate before that which I made with My own hands? Have you been proud or you were indeed among haughty ones?

(Allah) said: ‘O Iblis, what has prevented you from falling down prostrate before this (exalted person) whom I have created with My Own (Benevolent) Hand? Did you show arrogance (to him), or were you (presuming yourself) high ranking?

He replied, “I am better than he is: You created me from fire and him from clay.”

He said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire, whilst him Thou didst create of clay.

Answered [Iblis]: “I am better than he: Thou hast created me out of fire, whereas him Thou hast created out of clay.”

He said, 'I am better than him, You have made me of fire and created him of clay'.

(Comparing himself with the Prophet,) he said: ‘I am better than he. You have created me from fire and You have created him from clay.

Allah commanded, “Then get out of Paradise, for you are truly cursed.

He said: Go forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast,

Said He: “Go forth, then, from this [angelic state] - for, behold, thou art henceforth accursed,

Allah said, 'get you out from the heaven, for you are rejected'.

Allah said: ‘So get out from here (for the sin of insolence against the Prophet). Surely, you are rejected

And surely upon you is My condemnation until the Day of Judgment.”

And lo! My curse is on thee till the Day of Judgment.

and My rejection shall be thy due until the Day of Judgment!”

And undoubtedly, My curse is on you till the Day of Judgement.

And surely, My curse is on you till the Day of Resurrection.

Satan appealed, “My Lord! Then delay my end until the Day of their resurrection.”

He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised.

Said [Iblis]: “Then, O my Sustainer, grant me a respite till the Day when all shall be raised from the dead!”

He said, 'O my Lord, if it is so then grant me respite till the day when they are raised'.

He said: ‘O Lord, then give me respite (to remain alive) till the Day when they are raised alive from the graves.

Allah said, “You will be delayed

He said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved

Answered He: “Verily, so [be it:] thou shalt be among those who are granted respite

Allah said, 'certainly, you are of those that are granted respite'.

Allah said: ‘(Be off;) you are surely of those who are granted respite

until the appointed Day.”

Until the day of the time appointed.

till the Day the time whereof is known [only to Me].”

'Till the day of the known time'.

Till the Day of the time which is appointed (and known).

Satan said, “By Your Glory! I will certainly mislead them all,

He said: Then, by Thy might, I surely will beguile them every one,

[Whereupon Iblis] said: “Then [I swear] by Thy very might: I shall most certainly beguile them all into grievous error –

He said, 'By Your Dignity I shall necessarily, beguile them all'.

He said: ‘By Your Honour, I shall certainly turn all of them away from the straight path with persistence

except Your chosen servants among them.”

Save Thy single-minded slaves among them.

[all] save such of them as are truly Thy servants!”

'But those among them who are Your chosen bondmen'.

Except those of Your servants who are chosen and exalted ones.

Allah concluded, “The truth is—and I ˹only˺ say the truth—:

He said: The Truth is, and the Truth I speak,

[And God] said: “This, then, is the truth! And this truth do I state:

Allah said, 'then the truth is this, and I speak the truth.

Allah said: ‘So the truth is (this), and the truth I say

I will surely fill up Hell with you and whoever follows you from among them, all together.”

That I shall fill hell with thee and with such of them as follow thee, together.

Most certainly will I fill hell with thee and such of them as shall follow thee, all together!”

Undoubtedly, I shall necessarily fill Hell with you of those who will follow you all together.

That I will fill Hell with you and with all those who will follow your (denigrating mindset).

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “I do not ask you for any reward for this ˹Quran˺, nor do I pretend to be someone I am not.

Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I ask of you no fee for this, and I am no simulating.

SAY [O Prophet]: “No reward whatever do I ask of you for this [message]; and I am not one of those who claim to be what they are not.

Say you, 'I ask of you no wage for this Quran nor I am of those who affect.

Say: ‘I do not ask you for any reward for this (preaching of the truth), nor am I of those who pretend

It is only a reminder to the whole world.

Lo! it is naught else than a reminder for all peoples

This [divine writ], behold, is no less than a reminder to all the worlds —

That is not but an admonition to the entire world.

This (Qur’an) is only direction and guidance for the whole world

And you will certainly know its truth before long.”

And ye will come in time to know the truth thereof.

and you will most certainly grasp its purport after a lapse of time!”

And you shall surely know its news after a time

And you will yourselves come to know its truth after a while.