37
37. As-Saffat - Those who set the Ranks
1 | By oath of those who establish proper ranks. |
2 | And by oath of those who herd with a stern warning. |
3 | And by oath of the groups that read the Qur’an. |
4 | Indeed your God is surely only One. |
5 | Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them – and the Lord of the sun’s rising points. |
6 | We have indeed adorned the lowest heaven with stars as ornaments. |
7 | And to protect it from every rebellious devil. |
8 | They cannot listen to the speech of those on higher elevations and they are targeted from every side. |
9 | To make them flee, and for them is a never-ending punishment. |
10 | Except one who sometimes steals a part, so a blazing flame goes after him. |
11 | Therefore ask them (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him), “Are they a stronger creation, or are other things of our creation, (the angels, the heavens etc.)?” We have indeed created them from sticky clay. |
12 | Rather you are surprised, whereas they keep mocking. |
13 | And they do not understand, when explained to. |
14 | And whenever they see a sign, they mock at it. |
15 | And they say, “This is nothing but clear magic.” |
16 | “When we are dead and have turned into dust and bones, will we certainly be raised again?” |
17 | “And also our forefathers?” |
18 | Proclaim, “Yes, and with disgrace.” |
19 | So that is just a single jolt, thereupon they will begin staring. |
20 | And will say, “O our misfortune!” It will be said to them, “This is the Day of Justice.” |
21 | “This is the Day of Judgement, which you used to deny!” |
22 | “Gather all the unjust persons and their spouses, and all that they used to worship!” – |
23 | “Instead of Allah – and herd them to the path leading to hell.” |
24 | “And stop them – they are to be questioned.” |
25 | “What is the matter with you, that you do not help one another?” |
26 | In fact this day they have all surrendered. |
27 | And some of them inclined towards others, mutually questioning. |
28 | They said, “It is you who used to come to us from our right, in order to sway.” |
29 | They will answer, “You yourselves did not have faith!” |
30 | “And we did not have any control over you; but in fact you yourselves were rebellious.” |
31 | “So the Word of our Lord has proved true upon us; we will surely have to taste (the punishment).” |
32 | “We therefore led you astray, for we ourselves were astray!” |
33 | So this day they all are partners in the punishment. |
34 | This is how We deal with the guilty. |
35 | Indeed, when it was said to them, “There is no God except Allah”, they were haughty. |
36 | And they used to say, “Shall we forsake our Gods upon the sayings of a mad poet?” |
37 | In fact he has brought the Truth, and testified for the Noble Messengers! |
38 | “You surely have to taste the painful punishment.” |
39 | “And you will not be compensated except for your deeds.” |
40 | Except the chosen bondmen of Allah. |
41 | For them is the sustenance known to Us. |
42 | Fruits; and they will be honoured. |
43 | In Gardens of peace. |
44 | Facing one another on thrones. |
45 | Cups of wine will be presented to them in rounds, from a spring flowing in front of them. |
46 | White, delicious for the drinkers. |
47 | Neither does it intoxicate, nor give a headache. |
48 | And with them are those who do not set gaze upon men except their husbands, the maidens with gorgeous eyes. |
49 | As if they were eggs, safely hidden. |
50 | So one among them turns to the other, questioning. – |
51 | The speaker among them said, “I had a companion.” – |
52 | “Who used to tell me, ‘Do you believe it is true?’ – |
53 | ‘That when we are dead and have turned into dust and bones, that we will either be rewarded or punished?’” |
54 | He said (to others on the thrones), “Will you take a glimpse (into hell) below?” |
55 | He therefore looked down and saw him amidst the blazing fire. |
56 | He said, “By Allah, you had nearly ruined me!” |
57 | “And were it not for the munificence of my Lord, I too would have been seized and brought forth (captive)!” |
58 | “So are we never to die?” (The people of Paradise will ask the angels, with delight, after the announcement of everlasting life.) |
59 | “Except our earlier death, and nor will we be punished?” |
60 | “This is, most certainly, the supreme success.” |
61 | For such a reward should the workers perform. |
62 | So is this welcome better, or the tree of Zaqqum? |
63 | We have indeed made that a punishment for the unjust. |
64 | Indeed it is a tree that sprouts from the base of hell. |
65 | Its fruit like the heads of demons. |
66 | So indeed they will eat from it, and fill their bellies with it. |
67 | Then after it, indeed for them is the drink of boiling hot water. |
68 | Then surely their return is towards hell. |
69 | They had indeed found their forefathers astray. |
70 | So they hastily follow their footsteps! |
71 | And indeed before them, most of the former people went astray. |
72 | And indeed We had sent Heralds of warnings among them. |
73 | Therefore see what sort of fate befell those who were warned! |
74 | Except the chosen bondmen of Allah. |
75 | And indeed Nooh prayed to Us – so what an excellent Acceptor of Prayer We are! |
76 | And We rescued him and his household from the great calamity. |
77 | And We preserved his descendants. |
78 | And We kept his praise among the latter generations. |
79 | Peace be upon Nooh, among the entire people. |
80 | This is how We reward the virtuous. |
81 | He is indeed one of Our high ranking, firmly believing bondmen. |
82 | We then drowned the others. |
83 | And indeed Ibrahim is from his (Nooh’s) group. |
84 | When he came to his Lord, with a sound heart. (Free from falsehood). |
85 | When he said to his father (paternal uncle) and his people, “What do you worship?” |
86 | “What! You desire, through fabrication, Gods other than Allah?” |
87 | “So what do you assume regarding the Lord Of The Creation?” (That He will not punish you?) |
88 | He then shot a glance at the stars. |
89 | He then said, “I feel sick (of you)!” |
90 | And they turned their backs on him and went away. (The pagans thought he would transmit the disease). |
91 | He then sneaked upon their deities and said, “Do you not eat?” |
92 | “What is the matter with you, that you do not say anything?” |
93 | He then began striking them with his right hand, unseen by the people. |
94 | So the disbelievers came running towards him. |
95 | He said, “What! You worship what you yourselves have sculpted?” |
96 | “Whereas Allah has created you and your actions?” |
97 | They said, “Construct a building (furnace) for him, and then cast him in the blazing fire!” |
98 | So they tried to execute their evil scheme upon him – We therefore degraded them. (Allah saved him, by commanding the fire to turn cool). |
99 | And he said, “Indeed I shall go to my Lord Who will guide me.” |
100 | “My Lord! Give me a meritorious child.” |
101 | We therefore gave him the glad tidings of an intelligent son. |
102 | And when he became capable of working with him, Ibrahim said, “O my son, I dreamt that I am sacrificing you – therefore now consider what is your opinion”; he said, “O my father! Do what you are commanded! Allah willing, you will soon find me patiently enduring!” |
103 | Then (remember) when they both submitted to Allah’s command, and Ibrahim lay his son facing downwards. (The knife did not hurt Ismail) |
104 | And We called out to him, “O Ibrahim!” |
105 | “You have indeed made the dream come true”; and this is how We reward the virtuous. |
106 | Indeed this was a clear test. |
107 | And We rescued him in exchange of a great sacrifice. (The sacrifice of Ibrahim and Ismail – peace be upon them – is commemorated every year on 10, 11 and 12 Zil Haj). |
108 | And We kept his praise among the latter generations. |
109 | Peace be upon Ibrahim! |
110 | This is how We reward the virtuous. |
111 | He is indeed one of Our high ranking, firmly believing bondmen. |
112 | And We gave him the glad tidings of Ishaq, a Herald of the Hidden, from among those who deserve Our proximity. |
113 | And We sent blessings upon him and Ishaq; and among their descendants – some who do good deeds, and some who clearly wrong themselves. |
114 | And We indeed did a great favour to Moosa and Haroon. |
115 | And rescued them and their people from the great calamity. |
116 | And We helped them, so they were victorious. |
117 | And We bestowed the clear Book to both of them. |
118 | And guided them to the Straight Path. |
119 | And We kept their praise among the latter generations. |
120 | Peace be upon Moosa and Haroon! |
121 | This is how We reward the virtuous. |
122 | Indeed they are two of Our high ranking, firmly believing bondmen. |
123 | And indeed Ilyas is one of the Noble Messengers. |
124 | When he said to his people, “Do you not fear?” |
125 | “What! You worship Baal (an idol) and leave the Best Creator?” – |
126 | “Allah – Who is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers?” |
127 | In response they denied him, so they will surely be brought forth as captives. |
128 | Except the chosen bondmen of Allah. |
129 | And We kept his praise among the latter generations. |
130 | Peace be upon Ilyas! |
131 | This is how We reward the virtuous. |
132 | He is indeed one of Our high ranking, firmly believing bondmen. |
133 | And indeed Lut is one of the Noble Messengers. |
134 | When We rescued him and his entire household. |
135 | Except an old woman, who became of those who stayed behind. |
136 | We then destroyed the others. |
137 | And indeed you pass over them in the morning. – |
138 | And during the night; so do you not have sense? |
139 | And indeed Yunus is one of the Noble Messengers. |
140 | When he left towards the laden ship. |
141 | Then lots were drawn and he became of those who were pushed into the sea. |
142 | The fish then swallowed him and he blamed himself. (For not waiting for Allah’s command.) |
143 | And were he not one of those who praise. – |
144 | He would have remained in its belly till the day when all will be raised. |
145 | We then put him ashore on a plain, and he was sick. |
146 | And We grew a tree of gourd (as a shelter) above him. |
147 | And We sent him towards a hundred thousand people, in fact more. |
148 | So they accepted faith – We therefore gave them usage for a while. |
149 | Therefore ask them (O dear Prophet Mohammed – peace and blessings be upon him), whether the daughters are for your Lord and the sons for them! |
150 | Or that have We created the angels as females, while they were present? |
151 | Pay heed! It is their slander that they say. – |
152 | That “Allah has offspring”; and indeed, surely, they are liars. |
153 | “Has he chosen daughters instead of sons?” |
154 | “What is the matter with you? What sort of a judgement you impose!” |
155 | “So do you not ponder?” |
156 | “Or do you have some clear proof?” |
157 | “Then bring forth your Book, if you are truthful!” |
158 | And they have appointed a relationship between Him and the jinns; and indeed the jinns surely know that they will be brought forth. |
159 | Purity is to Allah from the matters they fabricate. |
160 | Except the chosen bondmen of Allah. |
161 | Therefore you and all what you worship. (The disbelievers and their deities.) |
162 | You cannot make anyone rebel against Him. |
163 | Except the one who will go into the blazing fire. |
164 | And the angels say, “Each one of us has an appointed known position.” |
165 | “And indeed we, with our wings spread, await the command.” |
166 | “And indeed we are those who say His purity.” |
167 | And indeed the disbelievers used to say, – |
168 | “If we had some advice from the earlier generations,” – |
169 | “We would certainly be the chosen bondmen of Allah.” |
170 | They therefore denied it, so they will soon come to know. |
171 | And indeed Our Word has already gone forth for Our bondmen who were sent. |
172 | That undoubtedly, only they will be helped. |
173 | And surely, only Our army will be victorious. |
174 | Therefore turn away from them for some time. |
175 | And watch them, for they will soon see. |
176 | So are they being impatient for Our punishment? |
177 | So when it does descend in their courtyards – so what an evil morning it will be for those who were warned! |
178 | And turn away from them for some time. |
179 | And wait, for they will soon see. |
180 | Purity is to your Lord, the Lord of Honour, from all what they say. |
181 | And peace is upon the Noble Messengers. |
182 | And all praise is to Allah, the Lord Of The Creation. |