43. Sūrat Az-Zukhruf · The Ornaments of Gold

Ḥâ-Mĩm.

Ha. Mim.

Ha. Mim.

Ha-Mim.

Ha-Mim. (Only Allah and the Messenger [blessings and peace be upon him] know the real meaning.

By the clear Book!

By the Scripture which maketh plain,

CONSIDER this divine writ, clear in itself and clearly showing the truth:

By the Book luminous.

By the illumined Book

Certainly, We have made it a Quran in Arabic so perhaps you will understand.

Lo! We have appointed it a Lecture, in Arabic that haply ye may understand.

behold, We have caused it to be a discourse in the Arabic tongue, so that you might encompass it with your reason.

We have sent it down an Arabic Quran that you may understand.

Verily, We have made it, the Qur’an, in the Arabic (language) so that you may understand

And indeed, it is—in the Master Record with Us—highly esteemed, rich in wisdom.

And Lo! in the Source of Decrees, which We possess, it is indeed sublime, decisive.

And, verily, [originating as it does] in the source, with Us, of all revelation, it is indeed sublime, full of wisdom.

And undoubtedly, it is in the Mother Book with Us, indeed exalted, full of wisdom.

And verily, it is inscribed with Us in (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz [the Preserved Table]), the origin of all the Books. It is certainly exalted (over all the Books), full of wisdom

Should We then turn the ˹Quranic˺ Reminder away from you ˹simply˺ because you have been a transgressing people?

Shall We utterly ignore you because ye are a wanton folk?

[O YOU who deny the truth!] Should We, perchance, withdraw this reminder from you altogether, seeing that you are people bent on wasting your own selves?

Shall We then turn away the Remembrance from you for that you are a people extravagant?

And should We withhold this Reminder from you because you are a people who exceed limits

˹Imagine˺ how many prophets We sent to those ˹destroyed˺ before!

How many a prophet did We send among the men of old!

And how many a prophet did We send to people of olden times!

And how many a communicator of unseen (a prophet) did We send among the earlier people.

And how many a Messenger We sent amongst the preceding communities

But no prophet ever came to them without being mocked.

And never came there unto them a prophet but they used to mock him.

But never yet came a prophet to them without their deriding him –

And whoever as a communicator of the unseen (a prophet) came to them, they used to mock at him.

And no Prophet came to them, but they used to make fun of him

So We destroyed those who were far mightier than these ˹Meccans˺. The examples of ˹their˺ predecessors have ˹already˺ been related.

Then We destroyed men mightier than these in prowess; and the example of the men of old hath gone (before them).

and so, [in the end,] We destroyed them [even though they were] of greater might than these: and the [very] image of those people of old became a thing of the past.

Therefore We destroyed those who were stronger in power than these, and the example of the earlier peoples has gone before.

And We destroyed the people who were more powerful than these (disbelievers of Mecca). And the annals of the bygone people have been cited (on many preceding occasions)

If you ask them ˹O Prophet˺ who created the heavens and the earth, they will certainly say, “The Almighty, All-Knowing did.”

And if thou (Muhammad) ask them: Who created the heavens and the earth, they will surely answer: The Mighty, the Knower created them;

Yet thus it is [with most people]: if thou ask them, “Who is it that has created the heavens and the earth?” - they will surely answer, “The Almighty, the All-Knowing has created them.”

And if you ask them, "who has made the heavens and the earth" they will necessarily say, "the Esteemed One the All-Knowing made them.

And if you ask them: ‘Who has created the heavens and the earth?’ they will certainly say: ‘The Almighty, All-Knowing (Lord) has created them.

˹He is the One˺ Who has laid out the earth for you, and set in it pathways for you so that you may find your way.

Who made the earth a resting-place for you, and placed roads for you therein, that haply ye may find your way;

He it is who has made the earth a cradle for you, and has provided for you ways [of livelihood] thereon, so that you might follow the right path.

He, Who made the earth a bed for you and made pathways therein for you that you, may be guided.

(He is) the One Who has made the earth a cradle for you, and has made for you pathways in it so that you may reach the destination

And ˹He is the One˺ Who sends down rain from the sky in perfect measure, with which We give life to a lifeless land. And so will you be brought forth ˹from the grave˺.

And Who sendeth down water from the sky in (due) measure, and We revive a dead land therewith. Even so will ye be brought forth;

And He it is who sends down, again and again, waters from the sky in due measure: and [as] We raise therewith dead land to life, even thus will you be brought forth [from the dead].

And He, Who sent down water from the sky according to an estimate, and We there by give life to a dead city and thus you, will be brought forth.

And He Who sent water from the sky according to a measure (of necessity). Then with that, We gave life to the dead city. You will also be brought forth (after death from the earth) in the same way

And ˹He is the One˺ Who created all ˹things in˺ pairs, and made for you ships and animals to ride

He Who created all the pairs, and appointed for you ships and cattle whereupon ye ride.

And He it is who has created all opposites. And He [it is who] has provided for you all those ships and animals whereon you ride,

And who made all the pairs and made for you carriages from boats and cattle.

And He Who has brought into existence creatures of all kinds and made for you ships and vessels and the cattle you ride (on sea as well as on land)

so that you may sit firmly on their backs, and remember your Lord’s blessings once you are settled on them, saying, “Glory be to the One Who has subjected these for us, for we could have never done so ˹on our own˺.

That ye may mount upon their backs, and may remember your Lord's favour when ye mount thereon, and may say: Glorified be He Who hath subdued these unto us, and we were not capable (of subduing them);

in order that you might gain mastery over them, and that, whenever you have mastered them, you might remember your Sustainer’s blessings and say: “Limitless in His glory is He who has made [all] this subservient to our use - since [but for Him,] we would not have been able to attain to it.

That you may sit rightly on their backs, and then you remember the favours of your Lord when you are rightly seated thereon and say, Sanctity is to Him Who has subjected this carriage to us and this was not controllable by our power.

So that you may sit on their backs (i.e., seats) firmly, then remember the favour of your Lord. When you sit firmly on it (the seat of your means of transport), say: ‘Glory be to Him Who has made it subservient to us, whereas we could not bring it under control

And surely to our Lord we will ˹all˺ return.”

And lo! unto our Lord we surely are returning.

Hence, verily, it is unto Him that we must always turn.”

And undoubtedly' We are to return to our Lord.

And indeed, we are bound to return to our Lord.

Still the pagans have made some of His creation out to be a part of Him. Indeed, humankind is clearly ungrateful.

And they allot to Him a portion of His bondmen! Lo! man is verily a mere ingrate.

AND YET, they attribute to Him offspring from among some of the beings created by Him! Verily, most obviously bereft of all gratitude is man!

And they have appointed for Him a portion of His bondmen. Undoubtedly, man is clearly ungrateful.

And those (polytheists) have made some of His servants His component (of divinity by declaring them His children). Verily, man is blatantly ungrateful

Has He taken ˹angels as His˺ daughters from what He created, and favoured you ˹O pagans˺ with sons?

Or chooseth He daughters of all that He hath created, and honoureth He you with sons?

Or [do you think], perchance, that out of all His creation He has chosen for Himself daughters, and favoured you with sons?

Has He taken for Him daughters of His Creations and has chosen you with sons?

(O disbelievers! Reply according to your calibre of thinking:) ‘Has He chosen (for Himself) daughters out of His Creation and has specified sons for you?

Whenever one of them is given the good news of what they attribute to the Most Compassionate, his face grows gloomy, as he suppresses his rage.

And if one of them hath tidings of that which he likeneth to the Beneficent One, his countenance becometh black and he is full of inward rage.

For [thus it is:] if any of them is given the glad tiding of [the birth of] what he so readily attributes to the Most Gracious, his face darkens, and he is filled with suppressed anger:

And when any of them is given the glad-tidings of that whose worth he has already described for the Most Affectionate, his face remains darkened the entire day and he endures grief.

Whereas when the news is given to any one of them (of the birth of a daughter at his home) whom they have held as an image of the Most Kind (Lord), his face turns dark and he is filled with anger and grief

˹Do they attribute to Him˺ those who are brought up in fineries and are not commanding in disputes?

(Liken they then to Allah) that which is bred up in outward show, and in dispute cannot make itself plain?

“What! [Am I to have a daughter -] one who is to be reared [only] for the sake of ornament?” and thereupon he finds himself torn by a vague inner conflict.

And what! One who is reared in ornaments, and speaks not clearly in altercation?

And (will Allah make her His offspring for partnership and assistance in His affairs) who is raised in refinery and is not bold (in giving her opinion expressly) in a contention (owing to her mild, modest and feminine temperament)

Still they have labelled the angels, who are servants of the Most Compassionate, as female. Did they witness their creation? Their statement will be recorded, and they will be questioned!

And they make the angels, who are the slaves of the Beneficent, females. Did they witness their creation? Their testimony will be recorded and they will be questioned.

And [yet] they claim that the angels - who in themselves are but beings created by the Most Gracious - are females: [but] did they witness their creation? This false claim of theirs will be recorded, and they will be called to account [for it on Judgment Day]!

And they have appointed the angles who are bondmen of the Most Affectionate, females. Were they present at the time of their creation? Now their evidence shall be recorded and they shall be questioned.

And they have declared the angels who are the servants of the Most Kind (Lord) to be women. Were they present at the time of their creation? (They were not, so) now their witness will be recorded, and they will be interrogated (on the Last Day)

And they argue, “Had the Most Compassionate willed, we would have never worshipped them.” They have no knowledge ˹in support˺ of this ˹claim˺. They do nothing but lie.

And they say: If the Beneficent One had (so) willed, we should not have worshipped them. They have no knowledge whatsoever of that. They do but guess.

Yet they say, “Had [not] the Most Gracious so willed, we would never have worshipped them!” [But] they cannot have any knowledge of [His having willed] such a thing: they do nothing but guess.

And they said, 'Had the Most Affectionate so willed, we would not have worshipped them? They know nothing about its reality, they are only guessing.

And they say: ‘If the Most Kind (Lord) had intended, we would not have worshipped these (idols).’ They do not know anything about this (as well). They only tell lies out of fancy

Or have We given them a Book ˹for proof˺, before this ˹Quran˺, to which they are holding firm?

Or have We given them any scripture before (this Qur'an) so that they are holding fast thereto?

Or have We, perchance, vouchsafed them, before this one, a revelation [to the contrary,] to which they are still holding fast?

Or have We given any Book to them before this to which they hold?

Have We given them before this any Book which they stick to as an authority

In fact, they say, “We found our forefathers following a ˹particular˺ way, and we are following in their footsteps.”

Nay, for they say only: Lo! we found our fathers following a religion, and we are guided by their footprints.

Nay, but they say, “Behold, We found our forefathers agreed on what to believe - and, verily, it is in their footsteps that we find our guidance!”

But rather they said, 'We found our forefathers on one religion and we are going on their footsteps'.

(No,) but they say: ‘Indeed, we found our fathers following a course (and a religion), and surely we are rightly guided (following) in their footsteps.

Similarly, whenever We sent a warner to a society before you ˹O Prophet˺, its ˹spoiled˺ elite would say, “We found our forefathers following a ˹particular˺ way, and we are walking in their footsteps.”

And even so We sent not a warner before thee (Muhammad) into any township but its luxurious ones said: Lo! we found our fathers following a religion, and we are following their footprints.

And thus it is: whenever We sent, before thy time, a warner to any community, those of its people who had lost themselves entirely in the pursuit of pleasures would always say, “Behold, we found our forefathers agreed on what to believe - and, verily, it is but in their footsteps that we follow!”

And likewise when We sent any warner in any city before you, the affluent thereof said, 'indeed we found our forefathers on one religion and we are following their footsteps.

And the same way, We never sent any Warner to a town before you, but their chiefs and the affluent people amongst them said: ‘Surely, we found our fathers following a course and a religion, and certainly we are following in their footsteps.

Each ˹warner˺ asked, “Even if what I brought you is better guidance than what you found your forefathers practicing?” They replied, “We totally reject whatever you have been sent with.”

(And the warner) said: What! Even though I bring you better guidance than that ye found your fathers following? They answered: Lo! in what ye bring we are disbelievers.

[Whereupon each prophet] would say, “Why, even though I bring you guidance better than that which you found your forefathers believing in?” - [to which] the others would reply, “Behold, we deny that there is any truth in [what you claim to be] your messages!”

The prophet said, 'and what! Even though I may bring to you a better guidance than you found your fathers upon?' They said, 'we deny that you are sent with?'

(The Messenger) said: ‘Even though I bring you a way (and Din [Religion]) better than that on which you found your fathers?’ They said: ‘We deny whatever you have been sent with.

So We inflicted punishment upon them. See then what was the fate of the deniers!

So We requited them. Then see the nature of the consequence for the rejecters!

And so We inflicted Our retribution on them: and behold what happened in the end to those who gave the lie to the truth!

Therefore, We took vengeance upon them. Behold then, how was the end of the beliers?

So We took revenge on them. So see what was the end of those who denied

˹Remember, O Prophet˺ when Abraham declared to his father and his people, “I am totally free of whatever ˹gods˺ you worship,

And when Abraham said unto his father and his folk: Lo! I am innocent of what ye worship

AND WHEN Abraham spoke to his father and his people, [he had this very truth in mind:] “Verily, far be it from me to worship what you worship!

And when Ibrahim said to his father and his people, 'I am quit of what you worship'?

And when Ibrahim (Abraham) said to his father (i.e., his uncle but called him father as he brought him up) and his people: ‘Surely, I despise all these things that you worship

except the One Who originated me, and He will surely guide me.”

Save Him Who did create me, for He will surely guide me.

None [do I worship] but Him who has brought me into being: and, behold, it is He who will guide me!”

Except Him who created, He will, and me necessarily, guide me soon.

Except for Him Who has created me. So He alone will show me the path very soon.

And he left this enduring declaration among his descendants, so they may ˹always˺ turn back ˹to Allah˺.

And he made it a word enduring among his seed, that haply they might return.

And he uttered this as a word destined to endure among those who would come after him, so that they might [always] return [to it].

And he let the word remain in his posterity that haply they may desist.

And Ibrahim (Abraham) made that (formula of the Oneness of Allah) the lasting word amongst his descendants and race so that they may remain bent (towards Allah)

In fact, I had allowed enjoyment for these ˹Meccans˺ and their forefathers, until the truth came to them along with a messenger making things clear.

Nay, but I let these and their fathers enjoy life (only) till there should come unto them the Truth and a messenger making plain.

Now [as for those who did come after him,] I allowed them - as [I had allowed] their forebears - to enjoy their lives freely until the truth should come unto them through an apostle who would make all things clear:

But rather I gave them and their fathers wordily enjoyments, until there came to them the truth and a Messenger explaining clearly.

In truth, I bestowed upon these people and their ancestors (worldly) provision (for the sake of and due to the mediation of Ibrahim [Abraham]) until there came to them the truth (the Qur’an) and the Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) with clear and illumining exposition

˹But˺ when the truth came to them, they said, “This is magic, and we totally reject it.”

And now that the Truth hath come unto them they say: This is mere magic, and lo! we are disbelievers therein.

but now that the truth has come to them, they say, “All this is mere spellbinding eloquence” - and, behold, we deny that there is any truth in it!”

And when the truth came to them, they said, 'this is a magic, and we are denier of it.'

And when the truth reached them, they said: ‘This is magic and we deny it.

And they exclaimed, “If only this Quran was revealed to a great man from ˹one of˺ the two cities!”

And they say: If only this Qur'an had been revealed to some great man of the two towns?

And they say, too, “Why was not this Qur’an bestowed from on high on some great man of the two cities?”

And they said, 'why has not this Quran sent down upon any great man of the two cities'?

And they said: ‘Why has this Qur’an not been sent down upon some high-ranking personage (i.e., some chief, landlord, or the affluent) of the two towns (Mecca and Ta’if)?

Is it they who distribute your Lord’s mercy? We ˹alone˺ have distributed their ˹very˺ livelihood among them in this worldly life and raised some of them in rank above others so that some may employ others in service. ˹But˺ your Lord’s mercy is far better than whatever ˹wealth˺ they amass.

Is it they who apportion thy Lord's mercy? We have apportioned among them their livelihood in the life of the world, and raised some of them above others in rank that some of them may take labour from others; and the mercy of thy Lord is better than (the wealth) that they amass.

But is it they who distribute thy Sustainer’s grace? [Nay, as] it is We who distribute their means of livelihood among them in the life of this world, and raise some of them by degrees above others, to the end that they might avail themselves of one another’s help - [so, too, it is We who bestow gifts of the spirit upon whomever We will]: and this thy Sustainer’s grace is better than all [the worldly wealth] that they may amass.

Do they distribute the mercy of your Lord? We have distributed their livelihood among them in the life of the world and have raised some of them over others in degrees, that in between them one may laugh at the other. And the mercy of your Lord is better than that they amass.

Is it they who distribute the mercy (of the Prophethood) of your Lord? We distribute amongst them (the resources of) economy in the life of this world, and We alone raise some of them in grades (of wealth and resources) over the others. (Do We do this so that) some of them (who are rich) should make fun of the others (who are poor? This is mockery of poverty if, due to this, you do not consider someone as deserving the mercy of the Prophethood.) And the mercy of your Lord is better than that (wealth) which they amass (and become arrogant)

Were it not that people might ˹be tempted to˺ become one community ˹of disbelievers˺, We would have supplied the homes of ˹only˺ those who disbelieve in the Most Compassionate with silver roofs and ˹silver˺ stairways to ascend,

And were it not that mankind would have become one community, We might well have appointed, for those who disbelieve in the Beneficent, roofs of silver for their houses and stairs (of silver) whereby to mount,

And were it not that [with the prospect of boundless riches before them] all people would become one [evil] community, We might indeed have provided for those who [now] deny the Most Gracious roofs of silver for their houses, and [silver] stairways whereon to ascend,

And had it not been that all mankind would become of the same faith, We would have surely made for those who disbelieve in the All Affectionate, roofs of silver for their houses and stairs whereon they ascend.

And had it not been that mankind (converging on disbelief) would have become one community, We would have made, for those who disbelieve in the Most Kind (Lord), silver roofs for their houses and silver staircases by which they ascend

as well as ˹silver˺ gates and thrones to recline on,

And for their houses doors (of silver) and couches of silver whereon to recline,

and [silver] doors for their houses, and [silver] couches whereon to recline,

And for their houses silver doors and silvers couches upon which they recline,

And likewise, (silver) doors of their houses and the couches (too) on which they recline

and ornaments ˹of gold˺. Yet all this is no more than a ˹fleeting˺ enjoyment in this worldly life. ˹But˺ the Hereafter with your Lord is ˹only˺ for those mindful ˹of Him˺.

And ornaments of gold. Yet all that would have been but a provision of the life of the world. And the Hereafter with your Lord would have been for those who keep from evil.

and gold [beyond count]. Yet all this would have been nothing but a [brief] enjoyment of life in this world - whereas [happiness in] the life to come awaits the God-conscious with thy Sustainer.

And various types of adornments. And all this is, it is only a provision of the life of this world. And the Here after with your Lord is for the God-fearing.

And (embellish) ornamentation of gold and jewels (over this silver work). But all that is the temporary and worthless possession of the life of this world. And (the beauty and ornamentation of) the Hereafter is with your Lord (which is) only for the pious

And whoever turns a blind eye to the Reminder of the Most Compassionate, We place at the disposal of each a devilish one as their close associate,

And he whose sight is dim to the remembrance of the Beneficent, We assign unto him a devil who becometh his comrade;

But as for anyone who chooses to remain blind to the remembrance of the Most Gracious, to him We assign an [enduring] evil impulse, to become his other self:

And whoso blinds himself from the remembrance of the All Affectionate, We assign to him a devil that he may remain his companion.

And whoever turns away from the remembrance of the Most Kind (Lord), We appoint a Satan to dominate him and stick to him constantly

who will certainly hinder them from the ˹Right˺ Way while they think they are ˹rightly˺ guided.

And lo! they surely turn them from the way of Allah, and yet they deem that they are rightly guided;

whereupon, behold, these [evil impulses] bar all such from the path [of truth], making them think that they are guided aright!

And undoubtedly, the devil hinders them from the way and they imagine that they are rightly guided.

And these (satans) hinder them from the path (of guidance), but they maintain the wrong perception that they are on the path of guidance

But when such a person comes to Us, one will say ˹to their associate˺, “I wish you were as distant from me as the east is from the west! What an evil associate ˹you were˺!”

Till, when he cometh unto Us, he saith (unto his comrade): Ah, would that between me and thee there were the distance of the two horizons - an evil comrade!

But in the end, when he [who has thus sinned] appears before us [on Judgment Day], he will say [to his other self], “Would that between me and thee there had been the distance of east and west!” for, evil indeed [has proved] that other self!

Until when the infidels will come to Us, he will say to his devil, Ah! Would there had been between you and me a distance of east and west! What an evil companion is he,

Until when he will come to Us, he will say (to his companion, Satan): ‘Alas! Would that there had been between me and you the distance of east and west; So (you were) the most evil companion indeed!

˹It will be said to both,˺ “Since you all did wrong, sharing in the punishment will be of no benefit to you this Day.”

And it profiteth you not this day, because ye did wrong, that ye will be sharers in the doom.

On that Day it will not profit you in the least [to know] that, since you have sinned [together], you are now to share your suffering [as well].

And you shall never be benefited by it today, since you have done wrong that you all are associated in the torment.

And this Day it is not profitable for you (to have this aspiration), whereas you kept doing wrong (all your life. Today) all of you will share the torment

Can you make the deaf hear, or guide the blind or those clearly astray?

Canst thou (Muhammad) make the deaf to hear, or canst thou guide the blind or him who is in error manifest?

CANST THOU, perchance, [O Muhammad,] make the deaf hear, or show the right way to the blind or to such as are obviously lost in error?

Will you then make the deaf to hear, or will you guide the blind and those who are in clear error?

Then will you make the deaf hear, or show the path of guidance to the blind and those who are in open error

Even if We take you away ˹from this world˺, We will surely inflict punishment upon them.

And if We take thee away, We surely shall take vengeance on them,

But whether We do [or do not] take thee away [ere thy message prevails] - verily, We shall inflict Our retribution on them;

And even though We take you away, We shall surely take vengeance on them.

So if We take you away (from the world), even then We shall take revenge on them

Or if We show you what We threaten them with, We certainly have full power over them.

Or (if) We show thee that wherewith We threaten them; for lo! We have complete command of them.

and whether We show thee [or do not show thee in this world] the fulfillment of what We have promised them - verily, We have full power over them!

Or We show you that We promised them for We have great power.

Or We show you that (torment) which We have promised them. Certainly, We have absolute control over them

So hold firmly to what has been revealed to you ˹O Prophet˺. You are truly on the Straight Path.

So hold thou fast to that which is inspired in thee. Lo! thou art on a right path.

So hold fast to all that has been revealed to thee: for, behold, thou art on a straight way;

Therefore, hold you fast to that which has been revealed to you. Undoubtedly, you are on the straight-path.

So hold fast to this (Qur’an) which has been revealed to you. Surely, you are (firm) on the straight path

Surely this ˹Quran˺ is a glory for you and your people. And you will ˹all˺ be questioned ˹about it˺.

And lo! it is in truth a Reminder for thee and for thy folk; and ye will be questioned.

and, verily, this [revelation] shall indeed become [a source of] eminence for thee and thy people: but in time you all will be called to account [for what you have done with it].

And undoubtedly, it (The Quran) is an eminence for you and for your people, and soon you will be questioned.

And verily, this (Qur’an) is a great honour for you and for your Umma (Community). And, (O people,) you will soon be asked (how strong and firm a relation you established with the Qur’an)

Ask ˹the followers of˺ the messengers that We already sent before you if We ˹ever˺ appointed ˹other˺ gods to be worshipped besides the Most Compassionate.

And ask those of Our messengers whom We sent before thee: Did We ever appoint gods to be worshipped beside the Beneficent?

Yet [above all else,] ask any of Our apostles whom We sent forth before thy time whether We have ever allowed that deities other than the Most Gracious be worshipped!

And ask those of Our Messengers whom We sent before you, 'Did We appoint some other gods besides the All-Affectionate to be worshipped'?

And ask the Messengers We sent before you whether We made any gods to be worshipped instead of the Most Kind (Lord)

Indeed, We sent Moses with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs, and he said: “I am a messenger of the Lord of all worlds.”

And verily We sent Moses with Our revelations unto Pharaoh and his chiefs, and he said: I am a messenger of the Lord of the Worlds.

THUS, INDEED, have We sent Moses with Our messages unto Pharaoh and his great ones; and he said: “Behold, I am an apostle of the Sustainer of all the worlds!”

And undoubtedly, We sent Musa with Our signs to Firawn and his chiefs, and he said, 'undoubtedly, I am the Messenger of Him Who is the Lord of the entire world.

And certainly, We sent Musa (Moses) with Our signs to Pharaoh and his chiefs. He said: ‘Indeed, I am the Messenger of the Lord of all the worlds.

But as soon as he came to them with Our signs, they laughed at them,

But when he brought them Our tokens, behold! they laughed at them.

But as soon as he came before them with Our [miraculous] signs, lo! they derided them,

Then when he brought Our signs to them, hence they began to laugh at them.

So when he came to them with Our signs, there they began laughing at them (the signs)

although every sign We showed them was greater than the one before. Ultimately, We seized them with torments so that they might return ˹to the Right Path˺.

And every token that We showed them was greater than its sister (token), and We grasped them with the torment, that haply they might turn again.

although each sign that We showed them was weigh­tier than the preceding one: and [each time] We took them to task through suffering, so that they might return [to Us].

And We showed them no signs but it was greater than its previous one and We seized them in misery in order that they may desist.

And never did We show them any sign but (that) it used to be far greater than the resembling sign preceding it. And (eventually) We seized them (many a time) with the torment so that they might desist (from the evil course they followed)

˹Then˺ they pleaded, “O ˹mighty˺ magician! Pray to your Lord on our behalf, by virtue of the covenant He made with you. We will certainly accept guidance.”

And they said: O wizard! Entreat thy Lord for us by the pact that He hath made with thee. Lo! we verily will walk aright.

And [every time] they exclaimed: “O thou sorcerer! Pray for us to thy Sustainer on the strength of the covenant [of prophethood] which He has made with thee: for, verily, we shall now follow the right way!”

And they said, 'O magician! 'pray your Lord for us because of His convenant which is with you, undoubtedly, we shall come to guidance'.

And they said: ‘O magician, pray to your Lord for us according to the promise He has made to you. (Then) surely we shall be guided.

But as soon as We removed the torments from them, they broke their promise.

But when We eased them of the torment, behold! they broke their word.

But whenever We removed the suffering from them, lo! they would break their word.

Then when We removed from them the misery henceforth they broke the convenant.

But when (granting the prayer of Musa [Moses]) We removed from them that torment, they at once violated the promise

And Pharaoh called out to his people, boasting, “O my people! Am I not sovereign over Egypt as well as ˹all˺ these streams flowing at my feet? Can you not see?

And Pharaoh caused a proclamation to be made among his people saying: O my people! Is not mine the sovereignty of Egypt and these rivers flowing under me? Can ye not then discern?

And Pharaoh issued a call to his people, say­ing: “O my people! Does not the dominion over Egypt belong to me, since all these running waters flow at my feet? Can you not, then, see [that I am your lord supreme]?

And Firawn proclaimed among his people, 'O my people! Is not the Kingdom of Egypt for me and these streams that flow beneath me? Do you not then see?

And Pharaoh (arrogantly) proclaimed amongst his people, saying: ‘O my people, is the kingdom of Egypt not under my control, and (are) these streams (not mine) which are flowing beneath my (palaces)? So do you not see

Am I not better than this nobody who can hardly express himself?

I am surely better than this fellow, who is despicable and can hardly make (his meaning) plain!

Am I not better than this contemptible man who can hardly make his meaning clear?

Or am I better than this man who is contemptible and seems not to be clear in speech?

(Is it not the fact that) I am better than this worthless, lowly man who cannot even talk clearly

Why then have no golden bracelets ˹of kingship˺ been granted to him or angels come with him as escorts!”

Why, then, have armlets of gold not been set upon him, or angels sent along with him?

“And then - why have no golden armlets been bestowed on him? or why have no angels come together with him?”

Why, then, bracelets of gold have been bestowed on him or angels come along with him that they may remain with him?

Then (if he is a truthful Messenger,) why are the bracelets of gold not sent upon him, or why do the angels not come with him in ranks (in succession)?

And so he fooled his people, and they obeyed him. They were truly a rebellious people.

Thus he persuaded his people to make light (of Moses), and they obeyed him. Lo! they were a wanton folk.

Thus he incited his people to levity, and they obeyed him: for, behold, they were people depraved!

Then he befooled his people and they obeyed him. Undoubtedly, they were the people disobedient.

So he made fools of his people (by these utterances) and they followed him. They were, indeed, a disobedient people

So when they enraged Us, We inflicted punishment upon them, drowning them all.

So, when they angered Us, We punished them and drowned them every one.

But when they continued to challenge Us, We inflicted Our retribution on them, and drowned them all:

Then when they did that upon which Our anger came on them, We took vengeance on them and We drowned them all.

But when they spurred Our wrath (by denigrating the dignity of Musa [Moses]), We took revenge on them and drowned them all

And We made them an example and a lesson for those after them.

And We made them a thing past, and an example for those after (them).

and so We made them a thing of the past, and an example to those who would come after them.

And We made them a story of the past and an example for the coming generations.

So We made them a tale and a lesson of warning for the communities to succeed

When the son of Mary was cited as an example ˹in argument˺, your people ˹O Prophet˺ broke into ˹joyful˺ applause.

And when the son of Mary is quoted as an example, behold! the folk laugh out,

NOW WHENEVER [the nature of] the son of Mary is set forth as an example, [O Muhammad,] lo! thy people raise an outcry on this score,

And when the example of the son of Maryam is narrated, henceforth your people begin to laugh thereat.

And when the example of (‘Isa [Jesus]) the son of Maryam (Mary) is given, your people laugh (mockingly)

They exclaimed, “Which is better: our gods or Jesus?” They cite him only to argue. In fact, they are a people prone to dispute.

And say: Are our gods better, or is he? They raise not the objection save for argument. Nay! but they are a contentious folk.

and say, “Which is better - our deities or he?” [But] it is only in the spirit of dispute that they put this comparison before thee: yea, they are conten­tious folk!

And say 'are our gods better or he? They said not this to you but for quarreling, Nay, but they are a people quarrel-some.

And say: ‘Are our gods better or he (‘Isa [Jesus])?’ They say this only to have a dispute with you. No doubt, they are very quarrelsome

He was only a servant We showed favour to, and made as an example for the Children of Israel.

He is nothing but a slave on whom We bestowed favour, and We made him a pattern for the Children of Israel.

[As for Jesus,] he was nothing but [a human being -] a servant [of Ours] whom We had graced [with prophethood], and whom We made an example for the children of Israel.

He was not but a bondman whom We favoured and made him a strange example for the children of Israel.

He (‘Isa [Jesus]) was only an (exalted) servant whom We blessed with favour. And We made him an example (of Our might) for the Children of Israel

Had We willed, We could have easily replaced you ˹all˺ with angels, succeeding one another on earth.

And had We willed We could have set among you angels to be viceroys in the earth.

And had We so willed, [O you who worship angels,] We could indeed have made you into angels succeeding one another on earth!

If We wished, We would have peopled angels in the earth in place of you.

And had We so willed, We would have made angels who would have been your successors to replace you in the earth

And his ˹second˺ coming is truly a sign for the Hour. So have no doubt about it, and follow me. This is the Straight Path.

And lo! verily there is knowledge of the Hour. So doubt ye not concerning it, but follow Me. This is the right path.

AND, BEHOLD, this [divine writ] is indeed a means to know [that] the Last Hour [is bound to come]; hence, have no doubt whatever about it, but follow Me: this [alone] is a straight way.

And undoubtedly, Isa is the news of the Hour, therefore never doubt about the Hour and follow Me. This is the straight path.

And surely (when) he, (Isa [Jesus], descends from heaven), he will be a sign of (the nearness of) the Last Hour. So do not doubt it at all. And keep following Me. This is the straight path

And do not let Satan hinder you, ˹for˺ he is certainly your sworn enemy.

And let not Satan turn you aside. Lo! he is an open enemy for you.

And let not Satan bars you [from it] - for, verily, he is your open foe!

And let never the devil hinder you. Undoubtedly, he is your manifest enemy.

And let not Satan hinder you (from this way) at all. No doubt he is your open enemy

When Jesus came with clear proofs, he declared, “I have come to you with wisdom, and to clarify to you some of what you differ about. So fear Allah, and obey me.

When Jesus came with clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty), he said: I have come unto you with wisdom, and to make plain some of that concerning which ye differ. So keep your duty to Allah, and obey me.

NOW WHEN Jesus came [to his people] with all evidence of the truth, he said: “I have now come unto you with wisdom, and to make clear Unto you some of that on which you are at variance: hence, be conscious of God, and pay heed unto me.

And when Isa brought bright signs, he said, 'I have come to you with wisdom and in order to make clear to you some of that wherein you differ, therefore fear Allah and obey my command.'

And when ‘Isa (Jesus) came with evident signs, he said: ‘Surely, I have come to you with wisdom and understanding, and (with the purpose) that I may make clear to you some of the matters on which you disagree. So fear Allah and obey me

Surely Allah ˹alone˺ is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him ˹alone˺. This is the Straight Path.”

Lo! Allah, He is my Lord and your Lord. So worship Him. This is a right path.

“Verily, God is my Sustainer as well as your Sustainer; so worship [none but] Him: this [alone] is a straight way!”

Undoubtedly, Allah is my Lord and is your Lord, therefore, worship Him. This is the straight path.

Surely, Allah is the One Who is your Lord and my Lord (as well). So worship Him alone. That is the only straight path.

Yet their ˹various˺ groups have differed among themselves ˹about him˺, so woe to the wrongdoers when they face the torment of a painful Day!

But the factions among them differed. Then woe unto those who do wrong from the doom of a painful day.

But factions from among those [who came after Jesus] began to hold divergent views: woe, then, unto those who are bent on evildoing - [woe] for the suffering [that will befall them] on a grie­vous Day!

But the parties differed among themselves. Therefore, woe is to those who are unjust because of the torment of a painful day.

Then various sects cropped up amongst them. So those who did wrong, woe to them on account of the torment of a grievous Day

Are they waiting for the Hour to take them by surprise when they least expect ˹it˺?

Await they aught save the Hour, that it shall come upon them suddenly, when they know not?

ARE THEY [who are lost in sin] but waiting for the Last Hour - [waiting] that it come upon them of a sudden, without their being aware [of its approach]?

What they are waiting for, but for the Hour that it should come upon them of a sudden while they know not?

What are they waiting for (save) the Hour that should seize them all of a sudden whilst they have no awareness of it

Close friends will be enemies to one another on that Day, except the righteous,

Friends on that day will be foes one to another, save those who kept their duty (to Allah).

On that Day, [erstwhile] friends will be foes unto one another - [all] save the God-conscious.

Fast friends shall be foes to one another on that day but the God-fearing.

On that Day, all friends and acquaintances will become enemies to one another except the pious. (Only their friendship and nearness [wilaya] will prove fruitful.

˹who will be told,˺ “O My servants! There is no fear for you Today, nor will you grieve—

O My slaves! For you there is no fear this day, nor is it ye who grieve;

[And God will say:] “O you servants of Mine! No fear need you have today, and neither shall you grieve –

It will be said to them, O My Bondmen! there is no fear for you this day nor shall you grieve.

(It will be said to them:) ‘O My (intimate) servants, there is no fear for you this Day, nor shall you grieve.

˹those˺ who believed in Our signs and ˹fully˺ submitted ˹to Us˺.

(Ye) who believed Our revelations and were self-surrendered,

[O you] who have attained to faith in Our messages and have surrendered your own selves unto Us!

Those who believed in Our signs and were Muslims.

(It is) they who believed in Our Revelations and were always obedient (to Us)

Enter Paradise, you and your spouses, rejoicing.”

Enter the Garden, ye and your wives, to be made glad.

Enter paradise, you and your spouses, with happiness blest!”

Enter you the Paradise, you and your wives joyfully and honorably.

Enter Paradise, you and your intimate companions* (all); you will be honoured (with blessings, comforts and the pleasures of Paradise)

Golden trays and cups will be passed around to them. There will be whatever the souls desire and the eyes delight in. And you will be there forever.

Therein are brought round for them trays of gold and goblets, and therein is all that souls desire and eyes find sweet. And ye are immortal therein.

[And there] they will be waited upon with trays and goblets of gold; and there will be found all that the souls might desire, and [all that] the eyes might delight in. And therein shall you abide, [O you who believe:]

There shall be passed around them the cups of gold and goblets and therein shall be whatsoever soul desires and eyes delight in, and therein you shall remain for ever.

The plates and drinking cups made of gold will be passed around amongst them, and all those things which the hearts will long for, and (that which) will cool the eyes will be available there. And you will dwell there forever

That is the Paradise which you will be awarded for what you used to do.

This is the Garden which ye are made to inherit because of what ye used to do.

for such will be the paradise which you shall have inherited by virtue of your past deeds:

And this is Paradise to which you have been made heirs because of your actions.

And, (O Godfearing folk,) this is the Paradise of which you have been made the owners, a recompense of those (works) which you used to do

There you will have abundant fruit to eat from.

Therein for you is fruit in plenty whence to eat.

fruits [of those deeds] shall you have in abundance, [and] thereof shall you partake!

Therein you have abundant fruits that you may eat.

There are abundant fruits in it for you to eat

Indeed, the wicked will be in the torment of Hell forever.

Lo! the guilty are immortal in hell's torment.

[But,] behold, they who are lost in sin shall abide in the suffering of hell:

Undoubtedly, the culprits are to abide forever in the torment of the Hell.

Indeed, the sinners will live forever in the torment of Hell

It will never be lightened for them, and there they will be overwhelmed with despair.

It is not relaxed for them, and they despair therein.

it will not be lightened for them; and therein they will be lost in hopeless despair.

That shall never be abated from them and they shall remain there despaired

Which will never be decreased for them, and they will be lying there in endless despair

We did not wrong them, but it was they who were the wrongdoers.

We wronged them not, but they it was who did the wrong.

And it is not We who will be doing wrong unto them, but it is they who will have wronged them­selves.

And We wronged them nothing, yes, they were themselves unjust.

And We have not wronged them, but they were themselves the wrongdoers

They will cry, “O Mâlik! Let your Lord finish us off.” He will answer, “You are definitely here to stay.”

And they cry: O master! Let thy Lord make an end of us. He saith: Lo! here ye must remain.

And they will cry: “O thou [angel] who rulest [over hell]! Let thy Sustainer put an end to us!” - whereupon] he will reply: “Verily, you must live on [in this state]

They will call, O master! 'let your Lord finish with us'. He shall say, 'you are to stay.'

And they will cry out (to the guard of Hell): ‘O master, (better it is if) your Lord causes us to die.’ He will say: ‘(Now) you will live (in the same plight) forever.

We certainly brought the truth to you, but most of you were resentful of the truth.

We verily brought the Truth unto you, but ye were, most of you, averse to the Truth.

INDEED, [O you sinners,] We have conveyed the truth unto you; but most of you abhor the truth.

Undoubtedly, We brought you the truth but the truth is offensive to most of you.

Surely, We brought you the truth, but most of you disliked the truth

Or have they mastered some ˹evil˺ plan? Then We ˹too˺ are surely planning.

Or do they determine any thing (against the Prophet)? Lo! We (also) are determining.

Why - can they [who deny the truth ever] determine what [the truth] should be?

Have they determined any affair in their opinion, then We are to determine Our affair?

Have they (the disbelievers of Mecca) finalized (any scheme against the Messenger [blessings and peace be upon him])? So We (too) are going to take the ultimate decision

Or do they think that We do not hear their ˹evil˺ thoughts and secret talks? Yes ˹We do˺! And Our messenger-angels are in their presence, recording ˹it all˺.

Or deem they that We cannot hear their secret thoughts and private confidences? Nay, but Our envoys, present with them, do record.

Or do they, perchance, think that We do not hear their hidden thoughts and their secret confabulations? Yea, indeed, [We do,] and Our heavenly forces are with them, recording [all].

Do they think that We hear not their secrets and their private counsels? Yes, why not and Our angels are writing present with them.

Do they think that We do not hear their secret talk and whisperings? Why not? (We do listen.) And the angels sent by Us also remain with them, writing

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “If the Most Compassionate ˹really˺ had offspring, I would be the first worshipper.”

Say (O Muhammad): If the Beneficent One hath a son, then, I shall be first among the worshippers. (But there is no son).

Say [O Prophet]: “If the Most Gracious [truly] had a son, I would be the first to worship him!”

Say you, 'if worst come to worst there had been a son to the Most Affectionate, I would have worshipped first'.

Say: ‘If (supposing the impossible) the Most Kind (Lord) had a son (or children), I would have been the first one to worship (him).

Glorified is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne, far above what they claim.

Glorified be the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne, from that which they ascribe (unto Him)!

Utterly remote, in His glory, is the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth - the Sustainer, in almigh­tiness enthroned from all that they may attribute to Him by way of definition!

Sanctity is to Allah the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne from all those things which they fabricate.

The Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne, Glory be to Him, Transcendent above all what they ascribe (to Him)

So let them indulge ˹in falsehood˺ and amuse ˹themselves˺ until they face their Day, which they have been warned of.

So let them flounder (in their talk) and play until they meet the Day which they are promised.

But leave them to indulge in idle talk and play [with words] until they face that [Judgment] Day of theirs which they have been promised:

So, leave them that they may talk nonsense and play until they encounter that day of theirs, which they are promised.

So leave them. Let them remain indulged in vain talk and absurd sport until they meet the Day which they are promised

It is He Who is ˹the only˺ God in the heavens and ˹the only˺ God on the earth. For He is the All-Wise, All-Knowing.

And He it is Who in the heaven is Allah, and in the earth Allah. He is the Wise, the Knower.

for [then they will come to know that] it is He [alone] who is God in heaven and God on earth, and [that] He alone is truly wise, all-knowing.

And He is the God of the people of heaven, and God of the people of earth. And' He is the Wise, the Knowing.

And He is the One Who is God in the heaven and God in the earth (as well) and He is Most Wise, All-Knowing

And Blessed is the One to Whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and everything in between! With Him ˹alone˺ is the knowledge of the Hour. And to Him you will ˹all˺ be returned.

And blessed be He unto Whom belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, and with Whom is knowledge of the Hour, and unto Whom ye will be returned.

And hallowed be He unto whom the dominion over the heavens and the earth and all that is between them belongs, and with whom the knowledge of the Last Hour rests, and unto whom you all shall be brought back!

And blessed is He for Whom is the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in between and He has the knowledge of the Hour and you are to return to Him

And Most Blessed is He to Whom belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth and (also of all) that is between them. And He has the knowledge of the Last Hour (as well), and you will be returned to Him alone

˹But˺ those ˹objects of worship˺ they invoke besides Him have no power to intercede, except those who testify to the truth knowingly.

And those unto whom they cry instead of Him possess no power of intercession, saving him who beareth witness unto the Truth knowingly.

And those [beings] whom some invoke beside God have it not in their power to intercede [on Judgment Day] for any but such as have [in their lifetime] borne witness to the truth, and have been aware [that God is one and unique].

And those whom they worship beside Allah have no power of intercession, yes, those who bear witness to the truth and know have the power of intercession.

And those whom they (the disbelievers) worship instead of Allah have no power to intercede. But, (on the contrary, they do have the power of intercession) who bear witness to the truth, and they also know it (with certitude)

If you ask them ˹O Prophet˺ who created them, they will certainly say, “Allah!” How can they then be deluded ˹from the truth˺?

And if thou ask them who created them, they will surely say: Allah. How then are they turned away?

Now if thou ask those [who worship any being other than God] as to who it is that has created them, they are sure to answer, “God.” How perverted, then, are their minds!

If you ask them who created them, they will necessarily say, Allah, then whither they are turning away?

And if you ask them: ‘Who has created them?’ they will certainly say: ‘Allah.’ Then where are they wandering disorientated

˹Allah is Aware of˺ the Prophet’s cry: “O my Lord! Indeed, these are a people who persist in disbelief.”

And he saith: O my Lord! Lo! these are a folk who believe not.

[But God has full knowledge of the true be­liever] and of his [despairing] cry: “O my Sustainer! Verily, these are people who will not believe!”

And by the saying of the Messenger, O My Lord, they do not believe.

And by his (Esteemed Messenger’s) saying: ‘O Lord, surely, they are a people who (somehow) do not tend to believe.

So bear with them and respond with peace. They will soon come to know.

Then bear with them (O Muhammad) and say: Peace. But they will come to know.

Yet bear thou with them, and say, “Peace [be upon you]!” - for in time they will come to know [the truth].

Therefore overlook them and say, peace: soon they shall l know.

So, (O My Beloved,) turn your face away from them and say (like this: ‘Alright, our greeting is:) Peace!’ Then soon they will come to know (their end)