21. Al-Anbya

[The time of] their account has approached for the people, while they are in heedlessness turning away.

The time of reckoning has drawn near for mankind, yet they are heedless and turn away

Closer draws to people the time of their reckoning, and yet they turn away stubbornly heedless of it

No mention [i.e., revelation] comes to them anew from their Lord except that they listen to it while they are at play

Whenever any fresh admonition comes to them from their Lord, they listen to it, but do not take it seriously

Whenever a new Reminder comes to them from their Lord, they listen to it with playful amusement

With their hearts distracted. And those who do wrong conceal their private conversation, [saying], "Is this [Prophet] except a human being like you? So would you approach magic while you are aware [of it]?"

their hearts are distracted and forgetful. The wrongdoers confer together secretly, saying, "Is not this man a mortal like you? Will you succumb to magic with your eyes open

With their hearts preoccupied with fleeting delights, the wrongdoers confer secretly, "Is he not just a human being like you? Will you yield to his spellbinding eloquence with your eyes open

He [the Prophet (ﷺ)] said, "My Lord knows whatever is said throughout the heaven and earth, and He is the Hearing, the Knowing."

Say, "My Lord knows every word spoken in the heavens and on the earth. He is All Hearing, All Knowing

The Prophet said, "My Lord knows every word that is spoken in the High and the Low. He is the Hearer, the Knower

But they say, "[The revelation is but] a mixture of false dreams; rather, he has invented it; rather, he is a poet. So let him bring us a sign just as the previous [messengers] were sent [with miracles]."

Some say, "These are his confused dreams." Others say, "He has invented it himself," and yet others say, "He is a poet. Let him bring us a sign as previous messengers did

Nay," they say, "Muddled dreams! Nay, he has but invented it! Nay, he is but a poet! Let him then bring us a miracle (as we have heard), like the ones that were given to Prophets of old

Not a [single] city which We destroyed believed before them,1 so will they believe?

Before them, not one of the communities which We destroyed believed either. Will these believe

Not one of the communities before them which Our Law destroyed, believed (in their Messengers). Will these, then, believe

And We sent not before you, [O Muḥammad], except men to whom We revealed [the message], so ask the people of the message [i.e., former scriptures] if you do not know.

The messengers We sent before you were but men whom We had sent revelations. Ask the People of the Book if you do not know this

(O Prophet) Before you We sent none but men to whom We granted Revelation. (Tell the deniers), "If you do not know this, ask the followers of previous Revelations

And We did not make them [i.e., the prophets] forms not eating food,1 nor were they immortal [on earth].

We did not give them bodies that needed no food, nor were they to live forever

We gave them not bodies that won't require food, nor were they immortal

Then1 We fulfilled for them the promise, and We saved them and whom We willed and destroyed the transgressors.

Then We fulfilled Our promise to them and We saved them and those with them whom We pleased, and We destroyed those who exceeded all bounds

We always fulfilled Our Promise to them. We saved them and all those who were worthy to be saved according to Our Law and We destroyed those who had wasted their own "Self

We have certainly sent down to you a Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] in which is your mention.1 Then will you not reason?

We have revealed a Book to you which is admonition for you. Will you not then understand

O Mankind! Now We have revealed unto you a Book that is all about you and it will give you eminence. Will you not, then, use your sense? (21:24), (23:7)

And how many a city which was unjust1 have We shattered and produced after it another people.

How many communities of evil-doers We have destroyed, raising up other people after them

Our Law of Requital has dashed into fragments many nations because of their unjust systems and We replaced them with other people

And when they [i.e., its inhabitants] perceived Our punishment, at once they fled from it.

When they felt Our punishment coming upon them, they began to flee from it

And as soon as they began feeling Our Mighty Requital, behold them fleeing from it! (7)

[Some angels said], "Do not flee but return to where you were given luxury and to your homes - perhaps you will be questioned."1

They were told, "Do not try to flee, but return to the comfort and luxuries in which you exulted and to the places where you lived, so that you may be questioned

(It was said) Flee not, but return to the good things of life you were given, and to your mansions, in order that you may be called to account. (How you amassed this wealth and luxury)

They said, "O woe to us! Indeed, we were wrongdoers."

They said, "Woe to us! We were indeed wrongdoers

They said, "Ah! Woe to us! We did indeed wrong others and ourselves

And that declaration of theirs did not cease until We made them [as] a harvest [mowed down], extinguished [like a fire].

and this they kept repeating until We caused them to become like a field mowed down, and reduced to ashes

And that cry of theirs did not cease until We made them as a field mown down, as silent as ashes

And We did not create the heaven and earth and that between them in play.

It was not in play that We created the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them

We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them without Purpose. (11:7), (4)

Had We intended to take a diversion,1 We could have taken it from [what is] with Us - if [indeed] We were to do so.

Had We wished to find a pastime, We would surely have found it in that which is with Us, if such had been Our will

If We had wished to find a pastime, We could have found it in Our Presence, if such had been Our Will at all

Rather, We dash the truth upon falsehood, and it destroys it,1 and thereupon it departs. And for you is destruction from that which you describe.2

We will hurl the truth at falsehood, the falsehood shall be crushed and will disappear. Woe to you for what you utter

Nay, We hurl the true against the false, and it crushes it and verily falsehood has to vanish. It is only harmful for yourselves to fabricate falsehood. (Some people conjecture that the Universe is a dream, a play or a mere shadow of the World of Ideas. But We have designed it such that the Reality advances and falsehood vanishes)

To Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. And those near Him [i.e., the angels] are not prevented by arrogance from His worship, nor do they tire.

To Him belongs whosoever is in the heavens and on the earth and those that are with Him are never too proud to worship Him, nor do they grow weary

Unto Him belongs whoever is in the heavens and the earth. All creation dwells in His Dominion and none is ever too proud to obey His Laws, nor do they get tired

They exalt [Him] night and day [and] do not slacken.

they glorify Him night and day without tiring

They (extol His Glory) strive night and day towards the fulfillment of His plan and do not pause

Or have they [i.e., men] taken for themselves gods from the earth who resurrect [the dead]?

Have they taken deities from the earth who can bring the dead to life

And yet, some people choose 'gods' from the earth thinking that systems devised by them can make the humanity rise

Had there been within them [i.e., the heavens and earth] gods besides Allāh, they both would have been ruined. So exalted is Allāh, Lord of the Throne, above what they describe.

If there had been in the heavens and on the earth, other deities besides God, both the heavens and earth would be ruined. God, Lord of the throne, is far above that which they ascribe to Him

If there were other gods besides God, there would have been chaos in both, the heavens and the earth. Glorified is Allah, the Lord of Supreme Control, above all that they contrive. (6:3), (16:51), (

He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.

None shall question Him about His works, but they shall be questioned

(The Ultimate Sovereignty, befits only Him.) He cannot be called to account for what He does, whereas they will be called to account

Or have they taken gods besides Him? Say, [O Muḥammad], "Produce your proof. This [Qur’ān] is the message for those with me and the message of those before me."1 But most of them do not know the truth, so they are turning away.

Have they taken other deities besides Him? Say to them, "Bring your proofs. This is the reminder of those who are with me and the reminder of those who were before me." But most of them do not know the truth, and so they turn away from it

And yet they choose deities instead of Him! Say, "Bring your evidence. This is the demand of those with me and this has been the demand of those who were with previous Prophets." (23:117). Indeed, most of them do not recognize the Truth hence, they stubbornly turn away from it

And We sent not before you any messenger except We revealed to him that, "There is no deity except Me, so worship Me."

We sent all messengers before you with this revelation: "There is no deity save Me, so worship Me alone

We sent no Messenger before you without having revealed to him, "There is no god but Me, therefore you shall worship Me alone

And they say, "The Most Merciful has taken a son." Exalted is He! Rather, they1 are [but] honored servants.

They say, "The All Merciful has taken a son!" Glory be to Him! They are only His honoured servants

And some say, "The Beneficent has taken unto Himself a son. Glory to Him! Those whom they call His offspring are His servants raised in honor

They cannot precede Him in word, and they act by His command.

they do not try to speak ahead of Him, and they act at His command

They exceed not what He has spoken to them, and they act by His Command

He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them,1 and they cannot intercede except on behalf of one whom He approves. And they, from fear of Him, are apprehensive.

He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot intercede without His permission. Indeed they themselves stand in awe of Him

He knows their future and their past. They cannot intercede, except that they may stand up as witnesses for those who have earned a bond of His Approval in the worldly life (19:87). And they stand in awe and reverence of His Glory

And whoever of them should say, "Indeed, I am a god besides Him" - that one We would recompense with Hell. Thus do We recompense the wrongdoers.

Whoever of them should say, "I am a deity besides Him," shall be requited with Hell. Thus do We reward the wrongdoers

Any person who claims, "Behold, I have divine powers beside Him," We reward him with Hell. Thus We repay the wrongdoers

Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and then We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?

Do not those who deny the truth see that the heavens and the earth were joined together and that We then split them asunder? And that We have made every living thing out of water? Will they still not believe

Are not the disbelievers willing to consider that the heavens and the earth used to be one solid mass that We exploded into parting (79:30) and We made out of water every living thing? (24:45). Will they not then (some day) believe? (Numerous celestial bodies came into being and started swimming along in their orbits (21)

And We placed within the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with them, and We made therein [mountain] passes [as] roads that they might be guided.

We set firm mountains upon the earth lest it should sway under them, and We placed therein passages for paths so that they might find their way

And We have set firm mountains on the earth, lest it sway with them (16:15). And We have made therein broad roadways so that they might find their way

And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs,1 are turning away.

We have made the heaven a well-secured canopy; yet still they turn away from Our signs

And We have rendered the sky a canopy well guarded. (The atmosphere in the Height keeps in safe balance the gases and temperature, and protects you from the incoming meteorites). Yet they turn away from the signs that these things point to

And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming.

It is He who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each gliding in its orbit

And He it is Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. They swim along each in an orbit

And We did not grant to any man before you eternity [on earth]; so if you die - would they be eternal?

We have not granted everlasting life to any human being before you; then if you [Muhammad] should die, will they live forever

(All things in the Universe are but mortal). We have never granted everlasting life to any human before you. If you die, can they be immortal

Every soul will taste death. And We test you with evil and with good as trial; and to Us you will be returned.

Every soul shall taste death; We test you with both good and evil [circumstances] as a trial. To Us you shall return

Every living being is bound to taste death. We test you through the evil and good aspects of things by way of trial. To Us must you return. (Life and death afford humans the opportunity to do good deeds and achieve eternal rewards)

And when those who disbelieve see you, [O Muḥammad], they take you not except in ridicule, [saying], "Is this the one who mentions [i.e., insults] your gods?" And they are, at the mention of the Most Merciful, disbelievers.

When those who deny the truth see you, they laugh at you, saying, "Is this the one who talks of your deities?" Yet it is they who deny all mention of the Gracious One

(O Prophet) whenever the rejecters see you, they make you a target of their mockery, saying, "Is this the one who talks of your gods?" And yet, it is they who deny all mention of (the True God) the Beneficent

Man was created of haste [i.e., impatience]. I will show you My signs [i.e., vengeance], so do not impatiently urge Me.

Man is a creature of haste. Soon I will show you My signs, but do not ask Me to hasten them

Man is a creature of haste. I will show you more and more of My signs, but ask Me not to hasten

And they say, "When is this promise, if you should be truthful?"

They ask, "When will this promise be fulfilled, if what you say be true

And they say, "When will this promise be fulfilled, if you are men of truth

If those who disbelieved but knew the time when they will not avert the Fire from their faces or from their backs and they will not be aided...1

If only those who deny the truth knew the time when they would not be able to ward off the fire neither from their faces nor from their backs. They will not be helped

If those who are bent upon denial, but knew that they will not be able to repel the fire from their faces and from their backs, and they will not be helped

Rather, it will come to them unexpectedly and bewilder them, and they will not be able to repel it, nor will they be reprieved.

Indeed, it will come upon them suddenly and confound them; and they will not be able to ward it off, nor shall they be reprieved

Nay, but it will come upon them suddenly, that it will stun them. They will be unable to repel it, nor will they be given any more respite

And already were messengers ridiculed before you, but those who mocked them were enveloped by what they used to ridicule.

Other messengers have been mocked before you, but those who scoffed were overwhelmed by the very thing they had mocked

Indeed, (O Prophet) even before your time Messengers have been mocked, but in the end, the mockers were overwhelmed by the very thing they ridiculed (the Divine retribution)

Say, "Who can protect you at night or by day from the Most Merciful?" But they are, from the remembrance of their Lord, turning away.

Say, "Who will save you from the wrath of the Most Gracious, by night and by day?" Yet they turn away from the remembrance of their Lord

Say, "Who guards you in the night and in the day from the Beneficent?" (It is His Mercy that He does not take you to task for every transgression (4:31), (16:61), (35:45)). Yet, they stubbornly turn away from remembrance of their Sustainer

Or do they have gods to defend them other than Us? They are unable [even] to help themselves, nor can they be protected from Us.

Do they have other deities who can defend them against Us? They cannot even help themselves, neither can they be aided against Us

Do they have gods who can shield them from Our Laws? Their perceived deities cannot even help themselves nor can they be defended against Our Laws

But, [on the contrary], We have provided good things for these [disbelievers] and their fathers until life was prolonged for them. Then do they not see that We set upon the land, reducing it from its borders?1 Is it they who will overcome?

Yet We bestowed the good things [of life] upon their fathers for a great length of time. But do they not see how We are shrinking their borders? Is it they who will prevail

Nay, We let these people and their ancestors enjoy the good things of life for a long time. Don't they see that Our Law visits the earth and We gradually reduce the land in their control? Can they prevail against Our Laws? (Don't they see that every day on earth brings them closer to the end)

Say, "I only warn you by revelation." But the deaf do not hear the call when they are warned.

Say, "I warn you only through the Revelation." But the deaf can hear nothing when they are warned

Say, "I warn you on the strength of Divine Revelation!" But the deaf to reason cannot hear the call, however often they are warned

And if [as much as] a whiff of the punishment of your Lord should touch them, they would surely say, "O woe to us! Indeed, we have been wrongdoers."

yet if even a breath of your Lord's punishment touched them, they would say, "Woe to us! We were indeed wrongdoers

And if a breath of your Lord's retribution were to touch them, they would say, "Oh, woe unto us! Verily, we were wrongdoers

And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed,1 We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as accountant.

We shall set up scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection, so that no soul can be in the least wronged. Actions as small as a grain of mustard seed shall be weighed. We are sufficient as a reckoner

We will set up the Scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection, and no person will be wronged in the least. Though the good or evil be of the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. We are Sufficient for reckoning and none can take account as We do

And We had already given Moses and Aaron the criterion and a light and a reminder1 for the righteous

We gave Moses and Aaron the criterion of right and wrong and a light and reminder for the righteous

And, indeed, We gave Moses and Aaron the Criterion of right and wrong, and a Light and Reminder for those who wished to walk aright

Who fear their Lord unseen,1 while they are of the Hour apprehensive.

those who fear their Lord in the unseen, also dread the Hour of Judgement

(For those) who stood in awe of their Lord even in privacy, and feared the approaching Hour of accountability

And this [Qur’ān] is a blessed message which We have sent down. Then are you with it unacquainted?1

This is a blessed reminder that We have revealed to you. Will you then reject it

Now this (Qur'an) is a Blessed Reminder that We have revealed. Will you then reject it? (After learning the consequence of those who had denied the Revelations unto Moses and Aaron)

And We had certainly given Abraham his sound judgement before,1 and We were of him well-Knowing

Before this We gave Abraham his guidance. We knew him well

And, indeed, long before, We showed Abraham his direction and We were Aware of his potential

When he said to his father and his people, "What are these statues to which you are devoted?"

When he asked his father and his people, "What are these images to which you are so devoted

He said to his father and his folk, "What are these images and statues that you sit around worshiping

They said, "We found our fathers worshippers of them."

They replied, "We found our fathers worshipping them

They responded, "We found our ancestors worshipers of them

He said, "You were certainly, you and your fathers, in manifest error."

Abraham said, "Indeed, you and your fathers have been clearly misguided

He said, "Indeed you are in plain error as your ancestors were

They said, "Have you come to us with truth, or are you of those who jest?"

They said, "Have you brought us the truth or are you jesting

They said, "Are you telling us some serious truth or are you one of those jesters

He said, "[No], rather, your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth who created them, and I, to that, am of those who testify.

Abraham replied, "Your Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, who created them, and I bear witness to that

He said, "Nay, your Lord is the Sustainer of the heavens and the earth, Who initiated them from nothing. I am of those who bear witness to this Truth (on the basis of reason)

And [I swear] by Allāh, I will surely plan against your idols after you have turned and gone away."

By the Lord, I will devise a plan against your deities after you have gone away and turned your backs

And by Allah, I have planned to deal with your idols when you turn back and leave the temple". (You will see if they whom you believe to guard you can guard themselves or not)

So he made them into fragments, except a large one among them, that they might return to it [and question].

He broke them all into pieces, except for the biggest one of them, so that they might return to it [for enquiry]

Then he reduced them to fragments except the big one, so that they might turn to it

They said, "Who has done this to our gods? Indeed, he is of the wrongdoers."

Who has done this to our deities? He must be a wrongdoer

They said, "Who has done this to our gods? He must indeed be of the wrongdoers

They said, "We heard a young man mention them who is called Abraham."

Some said, "We heard a young man, called Abraham, talking about them

Some said, "We heard a youth talking about them; he is called Abraham

They said, "Then bring him before the eyes of the people that they may testify."1

They said, "Then bring him here in the sight of all the people, so that they may act as witnesses

The custodians of the temple conferred and said, "Then bring him before the people's eyes, so that they might bear witness

They said, "Have you done this to our gods, O Abraham?"

They said, "Abraham, was it you who did this to our deities

(And when he came) they asked, "Is it you who has done this to our gods, O Abraham

He said, "Rather, this - the largest of them - did it, so ask them, if they should [be able to] speak."

He answered, "Rather this biggest one of them did it. Ask them, if they can speak

Abraham grabbed the opportunity of driving home the point, "Whoever did it, did it. This is their chief. Ask them if they speak

So they returned to [blaming] themselves and said [to each other], "Indeed, you are the wrongdoers."

Then they turned to one another and said, "It is you yourselves who are in the wrong

They were taken aback, withdrew themselves, thought and said to one another, "Verily, you yourselves are the wrongdoers." (You disregarded the security of the powerless idols)

Then they reversed themselves,1 [saying], "You have already known that these do not speak!"

then they hung their heads, and said, "O Abraham! You know they cannot speak

They were utterly confounded in shame, lowered their heads and said to Abraham, "You know that they speak not

He said, "Then do you worship instead of Allāh that which does not benefit you at all or harm you?

Abraham said, "So, do you worship something instead of God that can neither benefit you nor harm you

Abraham said, "Do you then worship instead of Allah that cannot benefit you or harm you

Uff1 to you and to what you worship instead of Allāh. Then will you not use reason?"

Shame on you and on whatever you worship instead of God. Can you not understand

Unbecoming it is for you and condemnable are all that you worship instead of Allah! Will you, then, use your sense

They said, "Burn him and support your gods - if you are to act."

They said, "Burn him and help your deities, if you are resolved to do something

The priesthood of the temple (in their vested interests) instigated the masses, "Burn him alive and uphold your gods if you are going to take any action

We [i.e., Allāh] said, "O fire, be coolness and safety upon Abraham."

But We said, "Fire! Be cool and a means of safety for Abraham

But We said, "O Fire! Be you cool, and security for Abraham." (The fire of their rage was cooled down in time (29:24-26)

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

They had sought to do him harm, but We frustrated them

And whereas they schemed against him, We made them the true losers. (They failed to value a man of his stature)

And We delivered him and Lot to the land which We had blessed for the worlds [i.e., peoples].

And We saved him and Lot [and brought them] to a land which We had blessed for all people

And We rescued Abraham and (his nephew and close companion) Lot to the land that We blessed for all people. (They migrated from their homeland of Ur in Mesopotamia, today's Iraq, to Syria-Palestine that was blessed with a long line of Prophets)

And We gave him Isaac and Jacob in addition, and all [of them] We made righteous.

We bestowed Isaac and then Jacob on him as an additional boon and We made all of them righteous

We bestowed upon Abraham, a son Isaac and a grandson Jacob. We made all of them great benefactors of humanity as they addressed the inequities in human thought and behavior

And We made them leaders guiding by Our command. And We inspired to them the doing of good deeds, establishment of prayer, and giving of zakāh; and they were worshippers of Us.

We made them leaders who guided people by Our command. We revealed to them the doing of good, observance of prayer and the giving of alms and Us alone did they worship

We made them leaders who set the standards of leadership. They guided people as We commanded, into doing collective good for the society, and to establish the Divine System with a Just Economic Order. They were true servants of Ours

And to Lot We gave judgement and knowledge, and We saved him from the city that was committing wicked deeds. Indeed, they were a people of evil, defiantly disobedient.

To Lot We gave wisdom and knowledge and delivered him from the city which practiced abomination. They were indeed a wicked people

Later We commissioned Lot to Prophethood and gave him wisdom and knowledge. (After his best efforts failed to reform the community that indulged in abominations) We saved him from their wrath. Verily, they were a rebellious nation who were given into, and lost in, evil

And We admitted him into Our mercy. Indeed, he was of the righteous.

We admitted him to Our mercy; he was a righteous man

We brought Lot in unto Our Grace. He too was a man of quality

And [mention] Noah, when he called [to Allāh]1 before [that time], so We responded to him and saved him and his family from the great affliction [i.e., the flood].

Before him Noah cried out to Us, and We heard his prayer. We saved him and all his household from a great distress

The same goes for Noah long before. He called on Us, and We saved him, his household and followers from the great distress of persecution

And We aided [i.e., saved] him from the people who denied Our signs. Indeed, they were a people of evil, so We drowned them, all together.

We helped him against his people who rejected Our revelations. They were surely a wicked people, so We drowned them all

We delivered him from the people who rejected Our Commands. They were a people given to inequities and oppressing the weak and We caused all of them to drown

And [mention] David and Solomon, when they judged concerning the field - when the sheep of a people overran it [at night],1 and We were witness to their judgement.

Tell of David and Solomon who both passed judgement on the field into which some people's sheep had strayed [and grazed] at night. We bore witness to their judgement

And David and Solomon ruled in great justice. They gathered the straying sheep, the masses of their kingdom, when they were bent upon destroying their own crop of prosperity. We are Witness to their benevolent governance

And We gave understanding of it [i.e., the case] to Solomon, and to each [of them] We gave judgement and knowledge. And We subjected the mountains to exalt [Us], along with David and [also] the birds. And We were doing [that].1

We gave Solomon the right understanding of the matter, and We bestowed wisdom and knowledge on both of them. We caused the mountains and the birds to celebrate Our praises along with David. We had the power to do this

We gave Solomon great understanding of the affairs of the state, and each of them We endowed with wisdom and knowledge. We made the most powerful tribal leaders loyal to David, and they fully complemented his efforts. The strong tribe of At-Taeer and the common citizens were supportive of him. It was We Who did all these things

And We taught him the fashioning of coats of armor to protect you from your [enemy in] battle. So will you then be grateful?

We taught him the art of making coats of mail for you, to protect you in battle. Will you then give thanks

We taught him the science of armor to protect you from each other's foolhardy violence. Are you then thankful

And to Solomon [We subjected] the wind, blowing forcefully, proceeding by his command toward the land which We had blessed. And We are ever, of all things, Knowing.

We subjected to Solomon the stormy wind, which blew at his behest towards the land which We had blessed. For it is We who have knowledge of all things

We made the gusting winds subservient to Solomon as his ships sailed to the land We had blessed. And of everything We are Aware. (When you discover some of Our Laws, you call it Science, and Solomon made good use of it)

And of the devils [i.e., jinn] were those who dived for him and did work other than that. And We were of them a guardian.1

We also subjected to him some of the jinn who dived for him in the sea and performed other tasks; We kept a watch over them

We humbled the most rebellious tribes, and made them compliant to him. Some of them dived for him in the sea and carried out other duties, besides. But it was We Who kept watch over them

And [mention] Job, when he called to his Lord, "Indeed, adversity has touched me, and You are the most merciful of the merciful."

Remember Job when he called on his Lord saying, "I have been afflicted with great distress: but You are the most merciful of the merciful

And, Job called unto his Lord, "Affliction has befallen me, but you are the Most Merciful of the merciful (38:41)!" (He was going through the agony of being lost away from his folk)

So We responded to him and removed what afflicted him of adversity. And We gave him [back] his family and the like thereof with them as mercy from Us and a reminder for the worshippers [of Allāh].

We heard his prayer and relieved his suffering, We restored to him his family, doubling their number as an act of Our grace, and as a reminder for the worshippers

We responded unto him and relieved his agony from which he suffered. We re-united him with his folk and his followers had doubled in the meantime. That was Grace from Us, and a thing to be commemorated by all those who serve Us

And [mention] Ishmael and Idrees and Dhul-Kifl; all were of the patient.

Remember Ishmael and Idris and Dhul Kifl: they were all patient and steadfast

Also remember Ishmael, Enoch and Ezekiel, all were among the steadfast

And We admitted them into Our mercy. Indeed, they were of the righteous.

We admitted them to Our mercy. They were all righteous men

And so We admitted them in Our Grace for they were men of quality

And [mention] the man of the fish [i.e., Jonah], when he went off in anger1 and thought that We would not decree [anything] upon him.2 And he called out within the darknesses,3 "There is no deity except You; exalted are You. Indeed, I have been of the wrongdoers."

Remember the man in the whale [Jonah] when he went away in anger, thinking We had no power over him. But he cried out in the darkness, "There is no deity but You. Glory be to You! I was indeed wrong

And Zan-Noon, he of the great fish (Jonah of Ninevah), (disappointed with their persistent rejection) left his people in anger. He thought that since he was not violating any Command, We would not bring him to task. Then from the darkness of error he called, "There is no god but You! Limitless is Your Glory! Verily, I have done wrong!" (Jonah, in his best judgment, had migrated before the Divine Decree came (37:)

So We responded to him and saved him from the distress. And thus do We save the believers.

So We heard his prayer and delivered him from sorrow. Thus shall We deliver the true believers

And so We responded to him and saved him from grief. Thus We save from grief those who believe in Our Laws

And [mention] Zechariah, when he called to his Lord, "My Lord, do not leave me alone [with no heir], while You are the best of inheritors."

Remember Zachariah, when he called out to his Lord, "Do not leave me heirless Lord, You are the best of heirs

And Zachariah called unto his Lord, O My Sustainer! Leave me not childless! However, I do realize that You will remain when all else has ceased to be! You are the Ultimate of the inheritors. (3)

So We responded to him, and We gave to him John, and amended for him his wife. Indeed, they used to hasten to good deeds and supplicate1 Us in hope and fear, and they were to Us humbly submissive.

So We heard his prayer and bestowed John upon him and made his wife fit to bear him a child. They used to hasten to do good and they called on Us in hope and fear, and they were always humble towards Us

And so We responded to him, and bestowed upon him Yahya, after making his wife fit to bear him a child. And verily, they (parents and son) used to race in doing good works, and remembered Us in situations of hope or fear. And they were always humble before Us

And [mention] the one who guarded her chastity [i.e., Mary], so We blew into her [garment] through Our angel [i.e., Gabriel], and We made her and her son a sign for the worlds.

Remember the one who guarded her chastity; so We breathed Our Spirit into her, and made her and her son a sign for all people

And remember her (Mary) who guarded her chastity (under very adverse circumstances). We breathed into her of Our Energy, and caused her, together with her son, to become a symbol of Our Grace unto all people

Indeed this, your religion, is one religion,1 and I am your Lord, so worship Me.

This community of yours is one community and I am your Lord, so worship Me

Verily, O Mankind! This community of yours is one single community, since I am the Sustainer of you all. So, serve Me alone

And [yet] they divided their affair [i.e., that of their religion] among themselves,1 [but] all to Us will return.

But they divided themselves into factions, but to Us they shall all return

But people have torn their unity wide asunder, (forgetting that) unto Our Law and ultimately unto Us are they bound to return

So whoever does righteous deeds while he is a believer - no denial will there be for his effort,1 and indeed We [i.e., Our angels], of it, are recorders.

He who does good works while he is a believer, shall not see his efforts disregarded: We record them all

And yet, whoever works for the good of others believing in Our Value System, his or her efforts will never be disowned. Behold, We are recording it in their favor

And it is prohibited to [the people of] a city which We have destroyed that they will [ever] return1

It is ordained that no nation We have destroyed shall ever rise again

Hence, it has been unfailingly true of any community whom Our Law has annihilated, that they would never return to glory (unless)

Until when [the dam of] Gog and Magog has been opened and they, from every elevation, descend

but when Gog and Magog are let loose and swarm down from every hillside and they spread out, [leaping across every barrier of land and sea]

And until Gog and Magog are let loose upon them and swarm down from every corner. (Imperialist nations run over and dominate them. And then after some passage of time the desire for freedom and glory germinates in their hearts once again)

And [when] the true promise [i.e., the resurrection] has approached; then suddenly the eyes of those who disbelieved will be staring [in horror, while they say], "O woe to us; we had been unmindful of this; rather, we were wrongdoers."

when the true promise of God draws near, those who denied the truth will stare in amazement, crying, "Woe to us! We have been so heedless of this. Indeed, we were wrongdoers

The time of the True Promise is coming closer. The eyes of the rejecters will stare in horror, "Oh, woe unto us! We lived in slumber. Nay, we were only hurting our 'Self

Indeed, you [disbelievers] and what you worship other than Allāh are the firewood of Hell. You will be coming to [enter] it.

You and what you worship instead of God will be fuel for hell: to it you shall all come

They will be told, "You and those whom you served instead of Allah, are but the fuel of Hell; that is the destiny you chose to come to

Had these [false deities] been [actual] gods, they would not have come to it, but all are eternal therein.

if those had really been deities, they would not have been led there; but there they will remain forever

If your leaders had foresight, they would have saved themselves and their people from this fire. If they were really deities, they wouldn't have come here. But the leaders and their followers will abide therein

For them therein is heavy sighing, and they therein will not hear.

They shall groan. They will not hear therein anything else

Sobbing and wailing will be their lot therein; and nothing else will they hear

Indeed, those for whom the best [reward] has preceded from Us - they are from it far removed.

But those who have been promised a good reward by Us will be kept far away from Hell

(The upheavals of the Revolution would only be a smooth transition for) those who have been trying to create balance in the society and improving the lot of humanity. Behold, to them kindness and compassion has gone forth from Us. They will be far removed from there

They will not hear its sound, while they are, in that which their souls desire, abiding eternally.

they will not hear the slightest sound of it, and they shall forever abide in a state of bliss, among everything their souls longed for

They will not hear the slightest sound thereof, while they enjoy an abode where they get all they desire

They will not be grieved by the greatest terror,1 and the angels will meet them, [saying], "This is your Day which you have been promised" -

The great Horror [of the Day of Judgement] shall not grieve them, and the angels will welcome them, saying, "This is your Day which you have been promised

The supreme horror will cause them no grief, since the angels (of peace, fulfillment, and delight) will welcome them, "This is your Day of triumph that you were promised

The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it.1

On that Day We shall roll up the heavens like a scroll of parchment. As We originated the first creation, so shall We repeat it. This is a promise binding on Us. Truly, We shall fulfill it

On that Day We shall roll up the Sky as a written scroll is rolled up. Then, just as We initiated the first Creation, We shall create a new Universe. This is a Promise incumbent upon Us. Truly We shall fulfill it. (The earth will see a new Dawn. Top leaders, tyrants, and tycoons of wealth will lose their high empires of influence. It will be a whole new life for the inhabitants of the earth, united one community as they were once (2:213), (10:19), (14)

And We have already written in the book [of Psalms]1 after the [previous] mention2 that the land [of Paradise] is inherited by My righteous servants.

We have already written in the Psalms following the Reminder, "My righteous servants shall inherit the earth

And, indeed, after advising mankind, We laid it down in all the Books of Divine Wisdom that My able servants will inherit the earth

Indeed, in this [Qur’ān] is notification for a worshipping people.

Herein, surely is a message for true worshippers

Herein, behold, there is a clear Message for people who would truly serve God

And We have not sent you, [O Muḥammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.

We have sent you forth as a mercy to all mankind

And thus, (O Prophet) We have sent you not but as a Mercy for the Worlds. (Mankind will become one Community through the Book revealed to you)

Say, "It is only revealed to me that your god is but one God; so will you be Muslims [in submission to Him]?"

Say, "It has been revealed to me that your God is but One God. Will you then submit to Him

Say, "It has been revealed to me that your God is One God. Will you then surrender to Him

But if they turn away, then say, "I have announced to [all of] you equally.1 And I know not whether near or far is that which you are promised.

If they turn away, say, "I have warned you all alike, though I do not know whether [the scourge] which you are promised is near at hand or far off

If they still turn away, then say, "I have conveyed the Message to all of you alike. But I do not know whether near or far is that which you are promised

Indeed, He knows what is declared of speech, and He knows what you conceal.

God surely knows what you say openly and also knows what you conceal

Verily, He knows all that is said openly, just as He knows all that you conceal

And I know not; perhaps it1 is a trial for you and enjoyment for a time."

Nor do I know whether it may mean a trial for you and a short reprieve

And I know not whether this interval is a test for you or the merciful period of Respite

[The Prophet (ﷺ)] has said, "My Lord, judge [between us] in truth. And our Lord is the Most Merciful, the one whose help is sought against that which you describe."1

Say, "My Lord, judge with truth. Our Lord is the Gracious One whose help we seek against what you utter

Say, "My Lord! Help us establish Your Rule." And, "Our Lord is the Beneficent Whose help is sought against whatever falsehood you ever ascribe to Him