Surah Saffat (As-Saffat)

وَٱلصَّـٰٓفَّـٰتِ صَفًّا

By those [angels] lined up in rows

فَٱلزَّٰجِرَٰتِ زَجْرًا

And those who drive [the clouds]

فَٱلتَّـٰلِيَـٰتِ ذِكْرًا

And those who recite the message,¹

إِنَّ إِلَـٰهَكُمْ لَوَٰحِدٌ

Indeed, your God is One,

رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَرَبُّ ٱلْمَشَـٰرِقِ

Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them and Lord of the sunrises.¹

إِنَّا زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِزِينَةٍ ٱلْكَوَاكِبِ

Indeed, We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment of stars

وَحِفْظًا مِّن كُلِّ شَيْطَـٰنٍ مَّارِدٍ

And as protection against every rebellious devil

لَّا يَسَّمَّعُونَ إِلَى ٱلْمَلَإِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ وَيُقْذَفُونَ مِن كُلِّ جَانِبٍ

[So] they may not listen to the exalted assembly [of angels] and are pelted from every side,¹

دُحُورًا ۖ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابٌ وَاصِبٌ

Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment,

إِلَّا مَنْ خَطِفَ ٱلْخَطْفَةَ فَأَتْبَعَهُۥ شِهَابٌ ثَاقِبٌ

Except one who snatches [some words] by theft, but they are pursued by a burning flame, piercing [in brightness].

فَٱسْتَفْتِهِمْ أَهُمْ أَشَدُّ خَلْقًا أَم مَّنْ خَلَقْنَآ ۚ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَـٰهُم مِّن طِينٍ لَّازِبٍۭ

Then inquire of them, [O Muḥammad], "Are they a stronger [or more difficult] creation or those [others] We have created?" Indeed, We created them [i.e., men] from sticky clay.

بَلْ عَجِبْتَ وَيَسْخَرُونَ

But you wonder, while they mock,

وَإِذَا ذُكِّرُوا۟ لَا يَذْكُرُونَ

And when they are reminded, they remember not.

وَإِذَا رَأَوْا۟ ءَايَةً يَسْتَسْخِرُونَ

And when they see a sign, they ridicule.

وَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحْرٌ مُّبِينٌ

And say, "This is not but obvious magic.

أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَـٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ

When we have died and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?

أَوَءَابَآؤُنَا ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ

And our forefathers [as well]?"

قُلْ نَعَمْ وَأَنتُمْ دَٰخِرُونَ

Say, "Yes, and you will be [rendered] contemptible."

فَإِنَّمَا هِىَ زَجْرَةٌ وَٰحِدَةٌ فَإِذَا هُمْ يَنظُرُونَ

It will be only one shout, and at once they will be observing.

وَقَالُوا۟ يَـٰوَيْلَنَا هَـٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلدِّينِ

They will say, "O woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense."

هَـٰذَا يَوْمُ ٱلْفَصْلِ ٱلَّذِى كُنتُم بِهِۦ تُكَذِّبُونَ

[They will be told], "This is the Day of Judgement which you used to deny."

۞ ٱحْشُرُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ وَأَزْوَٰجَهُمْ وَمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْبُدُونَ

[The angels will be ordered], "Gather those who committed wrong, their kinds,¹ and what they used to worship

مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَٱهْدُوهُمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَٰطِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ

Other than Allāh, and guide them to the path of Hellfire

وَقِفُوهُمْ ۖ إِنَّهُم مَّسْـُٔولُونَ

And stop them; indeed, they are to be questioned."

مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَنَاصَرُونَ

[They will be asked], "What is [wrong] with you? Why do you not help each other?"

بَلْ هُمُ ٱلْيَوْمَ مُسْتَسْلِمُونَ

But they, that Day, are in surrender.

وَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ

And they will approach one another asking [i.e., blaming] each other.

قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّكُمْ كُنتُمْ تَأْتُونَنَا عَنِ ٱلْيَمِينِ

They will say, "Indeed, you used to come at us from the right."¹

قَالُوا۟ بَل لَّمْ تَكُونُوا۟ مُؤْمِنِينَ

They [i.e., the oppressors] will say, "Rather, you [yourselves] were not believers,

وَمَا كَانَ لَنَا عَلَيْكُم مِّن سُلْطَـٰنٍۭ ۖ بَلْ كُنتُمْ قَوْمًا طَـٰغِينَ

And we had over you no authority, but you were a transgressing people.

فَحَقَّ عَلَيْنَا قَوْلُ رَبِّنَآ ۖ إِنَّا لَذَآئِقُونَ

So the word [i.e., decree] of our Lord has come into effect upon us; indeed, we will taste [punishment].

فَأَغْوَيْنَـٰكُمْ إِنَّا كُنَّا غَـٰوِينَ

And we led you to deviation; indeed, we were deviators."

فَإِنَّهُمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ فِى ٱلْعَذَابِ مُشْتَرِكُونَ

So indeed they, that Day, will be sharing in the punishment.

إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَفْعَلُ بِٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ

Indeed, that is how We deal with the criminals.

إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوٓا۟ إِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ

Indeed they, when it was said to them, "There is no deity but Allāh," were arrogant

وَيَقُولُونَ أَئِنَّا لَتَارِكُوٓا۟ ءَالِهَتِنَا لِشَاعِرٍ مَّجْنُونٍۭ

And were saying, "Are we to leave our gods for a mad poet?"

بَلْ جَآءَ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَصَدَّقَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

Rather, he [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ)] has come with the truth and confirmed the [previous] messengers.

إِنَّكُمْ لَذَآئِقُوا۟ ٱلْعَذَابِ ٱلْأَلِيمِ

Indeed, you [disbelievers] will be tasters of the painful punishment,

وَمَا تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

And you will not be recompensed except for what you used to do -

إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ

But not the chosen servants of Allāh.

أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ لَهُمْ رِزْقٌ مَّعْلُومٌ

Those will have a provision determined -

فَوَٰكِهُ ۖ وَهُم مُّكْرَمُونَ

Fruits;¹ and they will be honored

فِى جَنَّـٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ

In gardens of pleasure

عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ

On thrones facing one another.

يُطَافُ عَلَيْهِم بِكَأْسٍ مِّن مَّعِينٍۭ

There will be circulated among them a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring,

بَيْضَآءَ لَذَّةٍ لِّلشَّـٰرِبِينَ

White and delicious to the drinkers;

لَا فِيهَا غَوْلٌ وَلَا هُمْ عَنْهَا يُنزَفُونَ

No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated.

وَعِندَهُمْ قَـٰصِرَٰتُ ٱلطَّرْفِ عِينٌ

And with them will be women limiting [their] glances,¹ with large, [beautiful] eyes,

كَأَنَّهُنَّ بَيْضٌ مَّكْنُونٌ

As if they were [delicate] eggs, well-protected.

فَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ يَتَسَآءَلُونَ

And they will approach one another, inquiring of each other.

قَالَ قَآئِلٌ مِّنْهُمْ إِنِّى كَانَ لِى قَرِينٌ

A speaker among them will say, "Indeed, I had a companion [on earth].

يَقُولُ أَءِنَّكَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُصَدِّقِينَ

Who would say, 'Are you indeed of those who believe

أَءِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًا وَعِظَـٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَدِينُونَ

That when we have died and become dust and bones, we will indeed be recompensed?'"

قَالَ هَلْ أَنتُم مُّطَّلِعُونَ

He will say,¹ "Would you [care to] look?"

فَٱطَّلَعَ فَرَءَاهُ فِى سَوَآءِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ

And he will look and see him¹ in the midst of the Hellfire.

قَالَ تَٱللَّهِ إِن كِدتَّ لَتُرْدِينِ

He will say, "By Allāh, you almost ruined me.

وَلَوْلَا نِعْمَةُ رَبِّى لَكُنتُ مِنَ ٱلْمُحْضَرِينَ

If not for the favor of my Lord, I would have been of those brought in [to Hell].

أَفَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَيِّتِينَ

Then, are we not to die

إِلَّا مَوْتَتَنَا ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُعَذَّبِينَ

Except for our first death, and we will not be punished?"

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْعَظِيمُ

Indeed, this is the great attainment.

لِمِثْلِ هَـٰذَا فَلْيَعْمَلِ ٱلْعَـٰمِلُونَ

For the like of this let the workers [on earth] work.

أَذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ نُّزُلًا أَمْ شَجَرَةُ ٱلزَّقُّومِ

Is that [i.e., Paradise] a better accommodation or the tree of zaqqūm?

إِنَّا جَعَلْنَـٰهَا فِتْنَةً لِّلظَّـٰلِمِينَ

Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers.

إِنَّهَا شَجَرَةٌ تَخْرُجُ فِىٓ أَصْلِ ٱلْجَحِيمِ

Indeed, it is a tree issuing from the bottom of the Hellfire,

طَلْعُهَا كَأَنَّهُۥ رُءُوسُ ٱلشَّيَـٰطِينِ

Its emerging fruit as if it was heads of the devils.

فَإِنَّهُمْ لَـَٔاكِلُونَ مِنْهَا فَمَالِـُٔونَ مِنْهَا ٱلْبُطُونَ

And indeed, they will eat from it and fill with it their bellies.

ثُمَّ إِنَّ لَهُمْ عَلَيْهَا لَشَوْبًا مِّنْ حَمِيمٍ

Then indeed, they will have after it a mixture of scalding water.

ثُمَّ إِنَّ مَرْجِعَهُمْ لَإِلَى ٱلْجَحِيمِ

Then indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire.

إِنَّهُمْ أَلْفَوْا۟ ءَابَآءَهُمْ ضَآلِّينَ

Indeed they found their fathers astray.

فَهُمْ عَلَىٰٓ ءَاثَـٰرِهِمْ يُهْرَعُونَ

So they hastened [to follow] in their footsteps.

وَلَقَدْ ضَلَّ قَبْلَهُمْ أَكْثَرُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

And there had already strayed before them most of the former peoples,

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا فِيهِم مُّنذِرِينَ

And We had already sent among them warners.

فَٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَـٰقِبَةُ ٱلْمُنذَرِينَ

Then look how was the end of those who were warned -

إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ

But not the chosen servants of Allāh.

وَلَقَدْ نَادَىٰنَا نُوحٌ فَلَنِعْمَ ٱلْمُجِيبُونَ

And Noah had certainly called Us, and [We are] the best of responders.

وَنَجَّيْنَـٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْكَرْبِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

And We saved him and his family from the great affliction.

وَجَعَلْنَا ذُرِّيَّتَهُۥ هُمُ ٱلْبَاقِينَ

And We made his descendants those remaining [on the earth]

وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ

And left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَىٰ نُوحٍ فِى ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

"Peace upon Noah among the worlds."

إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

ثُمَّ أَغْرَقْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ

Then We drowned the others [i.e., disbelievers].

۞ وَإِنَّ مِن شِيعَتِهِۦ لَإِبْرَٰهِيمَ

And indeed, among his kind was Abraham,

إِذْ جَآءَ رَبَّهُۥ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

When he came to his Lord with a sound heart

إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ وَقَوْمِهِۦ مَاذَا تَعْبُدُونَ

[And] when he said to his father and his people, "What do you worship?

أَئِفْكًا ءَالِهَةً دُونَ ٱللَّهِ تُرِيدُونَ

Is it falsehood [as] gods other than Allāh you desire?

فَمَا ظَنُّكُم بِرَبِّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

Then what is your thought about the Lord of the worlds?"

فَنَظَرَ نَظْرَةً فِى ٱلنُّجُومِ

And he cast a look at the stars

فَقَالَ إِنِّى سَقِيمٌ

And said, "Indeed, I am [about to be] ill."

فَتَوَلَّوْا۟ عَنْهُ مُدْبِرِينَ

So they turned away from him, departing.

فَرَاغَ إِلَىٰٓ ءَالِهَتِهِمْ فَقَالَ أَلَا تَأْكُلُونَ

Then he turned to their gods and said, "Do you not eat?¹

مَا لَكُمْ لَا تَنطِقُونَ

What is [wrong] with you that you do not speak?"

فَرَاغَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضَرْبًۢا بِٱلْيَمِينِ

And he turned upon them a blow with [his] right hand.

فَأَقْبَلُوٓا۟ إِلَيْهِ يَزِفُّونَ

Then they [i.e., the people] came toward him, hastening.

قَالَ أَتَعْبُدُونَ مَا تَنْحِتُونَ

He said, "Do you worship that which you [yourselves] carve,

وَٱللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ

While Allāh created you and that which you do?"

قَالُوا۟ ٱبْنُوا۟ لَهُۥ بُنْيَـٰنًا فَأَلْقُوهُ فِى ٱلْجَحِيمِ

They said, "Construct for him a structure [i.e., furnace] and throw him into the burning fire."

فَأَرَادُوا۟ بِهِۦ كَيْدًا فَجَعَلْنَـٰهُمُ ٱلْأَسْفَلِينَ

And they intended for him a plan [i.e., harm], but We made them the most debased.

وَقَالَ إِنِّى ذَاهِبٌ إِلَىٰ رَبِّى سَيَهْدِينِ

And [then] he said, "Indeed, I will go to [where I am ordered by] my Lord; He will guide me.

رَبِّ هَبْ لِى مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ

My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous."

فَبَشَّرْنَـٰهُ بِغُلَـٰمٍ حَلِيمٍ

So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy.

فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ مَعَهُ ٱلسَّعْىَ قَالَ يَـٰبُنَىَّ إِنِّىٓ أَرَىٰ فِى ٱلْمَنَامِ أَنِّىٓ أَذْبَحُكَ فَٱنظُرْ مَاذَا تَرَىٰ ۚ قَالَ يَـٰٓأَبَتِ ٱفْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ ۖ سَتَجِدُنِىٓ إِن شَآءَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ

And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion,¹ he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allāh wills, of the steadfast."

فَلَمَّآ أَسْلَمَا وَتَلَّهُۥ لِلْجَبِينِ

And when they had both submitted¹ and he put him down upon his forehead,

وَنَـٰدَيْنَـٰهُ أَن يَـٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ

We called to him, "O Abraham,

قَدْ صَدَّقْتَ ٱلرُّءْيَآ ۚ إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

You have fulfilled the vision." Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَهُوَ ٱلْبَلَـٰٓؤُا۟ ٱلْمُبِينُ

Indeed, this was the clear trial.

وَفَدَيْنَـٰهُ بِذِبْحٍ عَظِيمٍ

And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice,¹

وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ

And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ

"Peace upon Abraham."

كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

وَبَشَّرْنَـٰهُ بِإِسْحَـٰقَ نَبِيًّا مِّنَ ٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ

And We gave him good tidings of Isaac, a prophet from among the righteous.¹

وَبَـٰرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَىٰٓ إِسْحَـٰقَ ۚ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّتِهِمَا مُحْسِنٌ وَظَالِمٌ لِّنَفْسِهِۦ مُبِينٌ

And We blessed him and Isaac. But among their descendants is the doer of good and the clearly unjust to himself [i.e., sinner].

وَلَقَدْ مَنَنَّا عَلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَهَـٰرُونَ

And We did certainly confer favor upon Moses and Aaron.

وَنَجَّيْنَـٰهُمَا وَقَوْمَهُمَا مِنَ ٱلْكَرْبِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ

And We saved them and their people from the great affliction,

وَنَصَرْنَـٰهُمْ فَكَانُوا۟ هُمُ ٱلْغَـٰلِبِينَ

And We supported them so it was they who overcame.

وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُمَا ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ ٱلْمُسْتَبِينَ

And We gave them the explicit Scripture [i.e., the Torah],

وَهَدَيْنَـٰهُمَا ٱلصِّرَٰطَ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمَ

And We guided them on the straight path.

وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِمَا فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ

And We left for them [favorable mention] among later generations:

سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَىٰ مُوسَىٰ وَهَـٰرُونَ

"Peace upon Moses and Aaron."

إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

إِنَّهُمَا مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Indeed, they were of Our believing servants.

وَإِنَّ إِلْيَاسَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

And indeed, Elias was from among the messengers,

إِذْ قَالَ لِقَوْمِهِۦٓ أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ

When he said to his people, "Will you not fear Allāh?

أَتَدْعُونَ بَعْلًا وَتَذَرُونَ أَحْسَنَ ٱلْخَـٰلِقِينَ

Do you call upon Baʿl¹ and leave the best of creators -

ٱللَّهَ رَبَّكُمْ وَرَبَّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ

Allāh, your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers?"

فَكَذَّبُوهُ فَإِنَّهُمْ لَمُحْضَرُونَ

And they denied him, so indeed, they will be brought [for punishment],

إِلَّا عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَ

Except the chosen servants of Allāh.

وَتَرَكْنَا عَلَيْهِ فِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرِينَ

And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَىٰٓ إِلْ يَاسِينَ

"Peace upon Elias."¹

إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِى ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ

Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

إِنَّهُۥ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

وَإِنَّ لُوطًا لَّمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

And indeed, Lot was among the messengers.

إِذْ نَجَّيْنَـٰهُ وَأَهْلَهُۥٓ أَجْمَعِينَ

[So mention] when We saved him and his family, all,

إِلَّا عَجُوزًا فِى ٱلْغَـٰبِرِينَ

Except an old woman [i.e., his wife] among those who remained [with the evildoers].

ثُمَّ دَمَّرْنَا ٱلْـَٔاخَرِينَ

Then We destroyed the others.

وَإِنَّكُمْ لَتَمُرُّونَ عَلَيْهِم مُّصْبِحِينَ

And indeed, you pass by them in the morning

وَبِٱلَّيْلِ ۗ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ

And at night. Then will you not use reason?

وَإِنَّ يُونُسَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

And indeed, Jonah was among the messengers.

إِذْ أَبَقَ إِلَى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ

[Mention] when he ran away to the laden ship.

فَسَاهَمَ فَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُدْحَضِينَ

And he drew lots¹ and was among the losers.

فَٱلْتَقَمَهُ ٱلْحُوتُ وَهُوَ مُلِيمٌ

Then the fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy.¹

فَلَوْلَآ أَنَّهُۥ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُسَبِّحِينَ

And had he not been of those who exalt Allāh,

لَلَبِثَ فِى بَطْنِهِۦٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ

He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected.¹