39. Az-Zumar

The revelation of the Book [i.e., the Qur’ān] is from Allāh, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

This Book is sent down by God the Mighty, the Wise

The Revelation of this Book issues from Allah, the Almighty, the Wise

Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book, [O Muḥammad], in truth. So worship Allāh, [being] sincere to Him in religion.

It is We who sent down the Book to you [Prophet] with the Truth, so worship God with your total devotion

Behold, it is We Who have revealed this Book to you (O Prophet) setting forth the Truth. Therefore, serve Allah sincere in your Faith in Him alone

Unquestionably, for Allāh is the pure religion.1 And those who take protectors besides Him [say], "We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allāh in position." Indeed, Allāh will judge between them concerning that over which they differ. Indeed, Allāh does not guide he who is a liar and [confirmed] disbeliever.

it is to God alone that sincere obedience is due. And those who take other guardians besides Him say, "We serve them only that they may bring us nearer to God." Surely, God will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. God does not guide anyone who is bent on lying and is a disbelieving liar

Know and make it known that the Pristine Religion is for Allah and from Him alone. And yet, they who take patrons besides Him say, "We worship them for no other reason than they bring us nearer to Allah." (5:35), (10:18), (17:57). Behold, Allah judges them (right in this Revelation) concerning that wherein they differ. Verily, Allah does not intervene to guide anyone who is a liar unto himself, thankless to his own detriment

If Allāh had intended to take a son, He could have chosen from what He creates whatever He willed. Exalted is He; He is Allāh, the One, the Prevailing.1

If God had willed to take a son He could have chosen anyone He pleased out of His creation: but Glory be to Him! [He is above such things.] He is God, the One, the Omnipotent

And if Allah had willed to take unto Himself a son, He could have chosen anyone that He wanted out of what He has created. Infinite is He in His Glory! He is Allah, the One, the Overpowering. (Utterly remote from all imperfection, Allah is in no need or desire of having an offspring)

He created the heavens and earth in truth. He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night and has subjected the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term. Unquestionably, He is the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver.1

He created the heavens and the earth for a true purpose; He causes the night to succeed the day and the day to succeed the night; He has subjected the sun and moon, so that they run their courses for an appointed time; He is truly the Mighty, the Forgiving

He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth to fulfill a definite Purpose. He rolls the night over the day, and rolls the day over the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon, each running along its course for a term appointed. Is not He the Almighty, the Ever-Absolver of Imperfections

He created you from one soul. Then He made from it its mate, and He produced for you from the grazing livestock eight mates.1 He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation, within three darknesses.2 That is Allāh, your Lord; to Him belongs dominion. There is no deity except Him, so how are you averted?

He created you from a single soul, then produced its spouse from it, and He has provided for you eight heads of cattle in pairs. He creates you stage by stage in your mothers' wombs in a threefold darkness. Such is God, your Lord. Sovereignty is His. There is no god but Him. So what has made you turn away

He has created you all out of one living entity (from a single life cell) - and fashioned similarly its mate, male and female. (6:99). And He has bestowed upon you cattle of eight kinds in pairs. (Sheep, goat, camel, cow - male and female, the common permissible livestock (6:144-146).) He creates you in the bellies of your mothers, creation after creation, in threefold depths of darkness (the abdominal wall, the uterine wall and the embryonic sac). Such is Allah, your Lord! Unto Him belongs the Kingdom. There is no god but He. How, then, can you sway like errant winds

If you disbelieve - indeed, Allāh is Free from need of you. And He does not approve for His servants disbelief. And if you are grateful, He approves [i.e., likes] it for you; and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your Lord is your return, and He will inform you about what you used to do. Indeed, He is Knowing of that within the breasts.

If you are ungrateful, remember that God has no need of you. He is not pleased by ingratitude in His servants; if you are grateful, He is pleased [to see] it in you. No soul shall bear another's burden. You will return to your Lord in the end and He will declare to you what you have done: He knows well what is in the hearts of men

If you are ungrateful, behold, Allah is in no need of you. He does not approve of ingratitude in His servants. And if you are grateful, He approves it for you. And no laden one will bear the burden of another. Ultimately, unto your Lord is your return. And, then He will make you understand everything you were doing in life. Verily, He is Knower of what is in the hearts

And when adversity touches man, he calls upon his Lord, turning to Him [alone]; then when He bestows on him a favor from Himself, he forgets Him whom he called upon before,1 and he attributes to Allāh equals to mislead [people] from His way. Say, "Enjoy your disbelief for a little; indeed, you are of the companions of the Fire."

When man suffers some affliction, he prays to his Lord and turns to Him in penitence, but once he has been granted a favour from God, he forgets the One he had been praying to and sets up rivals to God, to make others stray from His path. Say, "Enjoy your unbelief for a little while: you will be one of the inmates of the Fire

Now, when affliction befalls man, he calls upon his Lord turning unto Him. But as soon as He bestows upon him Bliss, he forgets Him Whom he called before, and he claims that there are other powers that can rival Allah - thus misleading others from His Path. (Such as he was saved by so and so of the saints, or magic, amulet etc.) Say, "Enjoy your disbelief for a little while. Behold, you are among the companions of the Fire

Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.

Is he who prays devoutly to God in the hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing in prayer, who is ever mindful of the life to come and hopes for the mercy of his Lord [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Truly, only those endowed with understanding will take heed

Is it not better to be one of those who are humble, adoring Him - even in the hours of the night, and standing, keeping in mind the life to come and hoping for his Lord's grace? Say, "Are those who know (that that the 'Self' can evolve) equal to those who know not?" But only those who build their insight will take this to heart

Say,1 "O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world is good, and the earth of Allāh is spacious. Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account [i.e., limit]."

Say, "[God says] O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world will have a good reward -- and God's earth is spacious. Truly, those who persevere patiently will be requited without measure

Convey to them on My behalf, "O You servants of Mine who have attained belief! Be mindful of your Lord. Good is the reward for those who do good in this world, and spacious is Allah's earth. Verily, the steadfast will be given their reward in full, beyond account

Say, [O Muḥammad], "Indeed, I have been commanded to worship Allāh, [being] sincere to Him in religion.

Say, "I have been commanded to serve God, dedicating my worship entirely to Him

Say, "Behold, I am commanded to serve Allah sincerely for the establishment of His System

And I have been commanded to be the first [among you] of the Muslims."

I have been commanded to be the first to submit

And I have been commanded to be the foremost among those who surrender to Him

Say, "Indeed I fear, if I should disobey my Lord, the punishment of a tremendous Day."

Say, "I fear, if I disobey my Lord, the punishment of a Terrible Day

Say, "Behold, if I disobey my Lord, I fear the doom of a Tremendous Day

Say, "Allāh [alone] do I worship, sincere to Him in my religion,

Say, "It is God I serve, sincere in my faith in Him alone

Say, "I serve Allah sincerely to establish His System

So worship what you will besides Him." Say, "Indeed, the losers are the ones who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Unquestionably, that is the manifest loss."

as for yourselves, worship anything you please besides Him!" Say, "The real losers will be those who lose themselves and all their kith and kin on the Day of Resurrection. That is the [most] obvious loss

You may worship whatever you wish besides Him." Say, "The real losers are those who lose their "Selves" and their families on the Day of Resurrection. Ah, that is without doubt the obvious loss." ('Mubin' = Obvious without any doubt)

They will have canopies [i.e., layers] of fire above them and below them, canopies. By that Allāh threatens [i.e., warns] His servants. O My servants, then fear Me.

They will have sheets of fire above them and sheets of fire beneath them." That is how God puts fear into the hearts of His servants. Fear me, then, My servants

They will have fire and ashes above them, and beneath them a dais of hot ashes. In this way does Allah alert His servants: O My servants! Be mindful of My Laws

But those who have avoided ṭāghūt,1 lest they worship it, and turned back to Allāh - for them are good tidings. So give good tidings to My servants

There is good news for those who shun the worship of false deities and turn to God, so give good news to My servants

As for those who shun the non-divine 'authorities' refraining from idol-worship in all forms, and turn to Allah alone, there are glad tidings. Give, then, this good news to My true servants

Who listen to speech and follow the best of it. Those are the ones Allāh has guided, and those are people of understanding.

who listen to what is said and follow what is best in it. These are the ones God has guided; these are the people endowed with understanding

Who listen to what is said and follow what is best. And they truly listen to the Word and see what is best applicable in a given situation. Such are those whom Allah guides, and they are the ones who grow in understanding

Then, is one who has deserved the decree of punishment [to be guided]? Then, can you save one who is in the Fire?

But what of him against whom the sentence of punishment is justified? Can you rescue one who is already in the Fire

On the other hand, he who has inevitably deserved suffering (for his persistence in following the non-divine 'authorities') - can you save someone who is already consumed in the Fire

But those who have feared their Lord - for them are chambers,1 above them chambers built high, beneath which rivers flow. [This is] the promise of Allāh. Allāh does not fail in [His] promise.

But for those who truly feared their Lord, there will be tall mansions, built up storey upon storey, beneath which there will be rivers flowing. This is God's promise: God never fails in His promise

But those who are mindful of their Lord, for them are lofty and honorable mansions built for them with rivers flowing beneath. This is Allah's Promise. Never does Allah fail His Promise

Do you not see that Allāh sends down rain from the sky and makes it flow as springs [and rivers] in the earth; then He produces thereby crops of varying colors; then they dry and you see them turned yellow; then He makes them [scattered] debris. Indeed in that is a reminder for those of understanding.

Have you not seen that God sends down water from the sky, guides it to form springs in the earth, and then, with it, brings forth vegetation of various colours, which later withers, turns yellow before your eyes, and then He makes it crumble away? There is truly a reminder in this for those who possess understanding

Have you not realized that it is Allah Who sends down water from the Height, and then leads it through the earth to form wells and come forth as springs? And then He brings forth a variety of colorful vegetation. Then you see the crops ripen turning golden yellow, and in the end He makes them crumble away (with grain aside). Verily, therein is a reminder to those who wish to develop their insight

So is one whose breast Allāh has expanded to [accept] Islām and he is upon [i.e., guided by] a light from his Lord [like one whose heart rejects it]? Then woe to those whose hearts are hardened against the remembrance of Allāh. Those are in manifest error.

Anyone whose heart God has opened up to Islam possesses a light from his Lord. But woe betide those whose hearts have been hardened against the rememberance of God! Such people are in obvious error

If Allah renders one's chest open to Islam he will be following a Light from his Sustainer. Hence, those whose hearts are hardened against Allah's Reminder (in the Book of Nature) only harm themselves. They are most obviously lost in error

Allāh has sent down the best statement: a consistent Book wherein is reiteration. The skins shiver therefrom of those who fear their Lord; then their skins and their hearts relax at the remembrance [i.e., mention] of Allāh. That is the guidance of Allāh by which He guides whom He wills. And one whom Allāh sends astray - for him there is no guide.

God has sent down the best Message: a Scripture that is consimilar and oft-repeated: that causes the skins of those in awe of their Lord to creep. Then their skins and their hearts soften at the mention of God: such is God's guidance. He bestows it upon whoever He will; but no one can guide those whom God leaves to stray

Allah has now revealed the best HADITH, a Book fully consistent within itself. It marks out both ways (to success and failure) repeating its Messages in diverse forms. Herewith shiver the skins of those who have some idea of the Glory of their Lord, and then, their skins and their hearts soften at Allah's Reminder. This is the Guidance of Allah, and with it He guides him who seeks guidance. Whereas he who follows a path that Allah has declared to be wrong, goes astray and he cannot find a guide. (

Then is he who will shield with his face1 the worst of the punishment on the Day of Resurrection [like one secure from it]? And it will be said to the wrongdoers, "Taste what you used to earn."

What about the one who will have only his bare face to protect him from his terrible punishment on the Day of Resurrection? The evil-doers will be told, "Taste what you have earned

Oh, he who defends himself against the suffering on the Resurrection Day only with his face! And it will be said to the violators of Divine Values, "Taste now what you had sown

Those before them denied, and punishment came upon them from where they did not perceive.

Those before them also denied the truth, and the punishment fell on them from where they did not expect

Those who lived before their times, also denied the Truth. So the punishment befell them from directions they could have not imagined

So Allāh made them taste disgrace in worldly life. But the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew.

God gave them a taste of humiliation in the life of this world, but the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew it

Thus Allah made them lose dignity and honor in the world. Yet, much greater will be the suffering in the life to come. They could have understood, had they made good use of what they knew

And We have certainly presented for the people in this Qur’ān from every [kind of] example - that they might remember.

We have set forth to men all kinds of parables in this Quran so that they may take heed

And, indeed, We have explained this Qur'an to mankind with all kinds of requisite examples so that they might reflect and understand

[It is] an Arabic Qur’ān, without any deviance1 that they might become righteous.2

a Quran in Arabic, free from any ambiguity -- so that people may be mindful

This Qur'an in Arabic is a Monograph in plain language free of all deviousness so that they might walk aright. (7:158), (12:3), (13:37), (14:4), (25:1), (39:28),

Allāh presents an example: a man [i.e., slave] owned by quarreling partners and another belonging exclusively to one man - are they equal in comparison? Praise be to Allāh! But most of them do not know.

God sets forth a parable: there are two men -- one belonging to many masters, all disagreeing with one another, and the other belonging entirely to one master: are those two equal in comparison? Praise be to God! But most of them have no knowledge

Allah gives you another example: There is a man who deals with several disputing supervisors, compared to a man who deals with only one consistent supervisor. Are these two equal as regards their condition? All Praise is due to Allah (the One Master of all mankind!) Nay, but most of them know not (the Bliss of strict Monotheism)

Indeed, you are to die, and indeed, they are to die.

You will die and they too will die

Behold (O Prophet) you will die, and verily, they will die. (What counts is how people journey through life)

Then indeed you, on the Day of Resurrection, before your Lord, will dispute.

and, then on the Day of Resurrection you shall place your dispute before your Sustainer

And, then, behold, on the Resurrection Day all of you shall present your disputes before your Lord for settlement

So who is more unjust than one who lies about Allāh and denies the truth when it has come to him? Is there not in Hell a residence for the disbelievers?

Who, then, is more unjust than he who lies about God and rejects the truth when it comes to him? Is not Hell an abode for those who deny the truth

(Here is the forewarning.) Who does a greater wrong than the one who tells a lie against Allah and the one who denies the Truth when it reaches him? Is not Hell the proper home of those who adamantly deny the Truth and choose to live in darkness? ('Kufr' = Denying the Truth, choosing to live in the darkness of ignorance, journey through life without Divine Guidance, being ungrateful for the Light)

And the one who has brought the truth [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ)] and [they who] believed in it - those are the righteous.

He who brings the truth, and he who testifies to it as such -- those are surely the people who are God-fearing

And, the one who brings the Truth and the one who affirms it - they, indeed they, are the upright. (Note that the statements in this verse and the preceding one allude to the Messenger and the recipients of the Message)

They will have whatever they desire with their Lord. That is the reward of the doers of good -

they will have everything they wish for from their Lord. Such is the reward of those who do good

With their Lord, they have all that they could ever desire. Such is the reward of the doers of good to others

That Allāh may remove from them the worst of what they did and reward them their due for the best of what they used to do.

God will efface their worst deeds from their record and give them their reward in accordance with the best of their actions

Allah will blot out the imprints of their faults and give them a reward par excellence, more than befitting for the best of their deeds

Is not Allāh sufficient for His Servant [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)]? And [yet], they threaten you with those [they worship] other than Him. And whoever Allāh leaves astray - for him there is no guide.

Is God not enough for His servant? Yet they try to frighten you with other [deities] besides Him! For such as God lets go astray, there will be no guide

Is not Allah Sufficient for His servant? And yet, they try to intimidate you with others besides Him. He whom violation of Allah's Law of guidance sends astray, for him there is no guide. (He who follows a path that Allah has declared to be wrong, goes astray and he cannot find a guide)

And whoever Allāh guides - for him there is no misleader. Is not Allāh Exalted in Might and Owner of Retribution?

but he whom God guides cannot be led astray by anyone. Is God not mighty and capable of retribution

And he who attains guidance according to Allah's Law of guidance, for him there can be no misleader. Is not Allah All Mighty, the Lord of Requital

And if you asked them, "Who created the heavens and the earth?" they would surely say, "Allāh." Say, "Then have you considered1 what you invoke besides Allāh? If Allāh intended me harm, are they removers of His harm; or if He intended me mercy, are they withholders of His mercy?" Say, "Sufficient for me is Allāh; upon Him [alone] rely the [wise] reliers."

If you ask them who created the heavens and the earth, they will surely reply, "God." Say, "Consider those you invoke besides Him: if God wished to harm me, could they undo that harm? Or if God wished to show me mercy, could they withhold that mercy?" Say, "God is sufficient for me. In Him let the faithful put their trust

And thus it is - If you ask them, "Who is it that has created the heavens and the earth?" - They will answer, "Allah". (29:61). Say, "Have you, then, ever reflected on what you worship besides him? Can they remove harm from me against the Laws of Allah? Can they withhold His Grace if He wills Grace for me?" Say, "Allah is Sufficient for me! On Him rely the reliant

Say, "O my people, work according to your position, [for] indeed, I am working; and you are going to know

Say, "My people, do whatever is in your power -- and so will I. Soon you shall come to know

Say, "O My people! Do all that may be in your power. For, behold, I am a laborer (in the Cause of Allah). In time you will come to know what you now don't

To whom will come a torment disgracing him and on whom will descend an enduring punishment."

who will suffer a humiliating torment and on whom will descend an everlasting punishment

As to who it is whom covers the torment of humiliation in this world and the Doom ever-Lasting." (6:136), (11: 93-121), (20)

Indeed, We sent down to you the Book for the people in truth. So whoever is guided - it is for [the benefit of] his soul; and whoever goes astray only goes astray to its detriment. And you are not a manager [i.e., authority] over them.

[O Prophet!] We have sent down to you the Book for mankind with the truth. Then whoever adopts the right way, will do so for his own soul, and whoever goes astray, injures his own soul. You are not their custodian

Behold, (O Prophet) We have revealed unto you this Book expounding the Truth for all mankind. Then whoever chooses to see the roadway is guided for his own good. And whoever chooses to be lost, he strays only to his own detriment. Neither are you a custodian over them, nor do you have power to determine their fate. (Wakeel = Advocate, guardian, warder, warden, defender, watcher, responsible, accountable)

Allāh takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.

It is God who takes away men's souls upon their death and the souls of the living during their sleep. Then He withholds those for whom He has ordained death and restores the souls of others for an appointed term. There are certainly signs in this for those who reflect

(Only the living of the mind and heart can make choices in this world.) It is Allah Who takes their 'Conscious' upon death, and of the living during their sleep. He withholds it for those upon whom He has passed the decree of death, and restores the others until an appointed time. Herein, behold, are Signs for people who think

Or have they taken other than Allāh as intercessors? Say, "Even though they do not possess [power over] anything, nor do they reason?"

Have they taken others for intercessors besides God? Say, "Even though they have no power nor understanding

What! Do they contrive mediators side by side with Allah? Say, "Why - even though they have power over nothing and have no intelligence

Say, "To Allāh belongs [the right to allow] intercession entirely. To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. Then to Him you will be returned."

Say, "Intercession is entirely in the hands of God. He controls the heavens and the earth; you will all return to Him

Say, "All intercession belongs to Allah alone! Unto Him belongs the Kingdom of the Highs and their Lows, and unto Him you shall be returned." (Only He can mediate on your behalf - between His Law of Requital and your faults. It is His Law that He shall blot out the imprints of your faults and absolve your imperfections by way of your good deeds that make you worthy of His Grace (3:195), (2)

And when Allāh is mentioned alone, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion, but when those [worshipped] other than Him are mentioned, immediately they rejoice.

When God alone is named, the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter shrink with aversion, but when others are named instead of Him, they are filled with joy

And yet, when Allah alone is mentioned, the hearts of those who believe not in the life to come, shrink with aversion. But, when others (such as their 'holy men') are mentioned besides Him, behold, they rejoice. (Belief in the Hereafter essentially involves belief in the unwavering Law of Recompense where all actions have their repercussions)

Say, "O Allāh, Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, You will judge between your servants concerning that over which they used to differ."

Say, "O God! Originator of the heavens and earth! Knower of all that is hidden and all that is manifest, You will judge between Your servants regarding their differences

Say, "O Allah! Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the Invisible and the Visible! It is You Who will judge between Your servants wherein they differed

And if those who did wrong had all that is in the earth entirely and the like of it with it, they would [attempt to] ransom themselves thereby from the worst of the punishment on the Day of Resurrection. And there will appear to them from Allāh that which they had not taken into account.1

If the wrongdoers possessed all that is on earth, and twice as much, they would offer it to redeem themselves from the awful suffering on the Day of Resurrection. For God will show them what they had never anticipated

If the violators of human rights owned everything on the earth, and twice as much, they would readily offer it as ransom from the awful retribution of the Resurrection Day. And there will appear unto them, from Allah' Law of Requital what they had never imagined. (They will realize that Paradise and Hellfire are but natural consequences of how the human beings use their capabilities)

And there will appear to them the evils they had earned, and they will be enveloped by what they used to ridicule.

the evil of their deeds will become apparent to them, and they will be overwhelmed by that which they used to mock

Here comes a hint - the very deeds they committed to cause imbalance in the lives of others, will appear before them. And the very things that they used to ridicule will come back to haunt and surround them

And when adversity touches man, he calls upon Us; then when We bestow on him a favor from Us, he says, "I have only been given it because of [my] knowledge." Rather, it is a trial, but most of them do not know.

When affliction befalls man, he appeals to Us; but when We bestow a favour upon him he says, "All this has been given to me because of my own knowledge." By no means! It is a trial: yet most of them do not realize it

But now this is so - when adversity touches the human, he calls upon Us. But as soon as We grant him Bliss from Us, he says, "I have been given this by way of skillful knowledge." Nay, this affords them a test of their character. But most of them know not that they do not know enough. ('La Ya'lamun' pertaining to knowledge, in my opinion, carries a double connotation here as rendered. And, however intelligent and skillful an individual may be, Divine Laws and the society work in concert toward his success)

Those before them had already said it, but they were not availed by what they used to earn.

Those who preceded them said the same thing but they gained nothing from what they did

The same was said by those who passed before them, but their earnings failed to make them truly rich

And the evil consequences of what they earned struck them. And those who have wronged of these [people] will be struck [i.e., afflicted] by the evil consequences of what they earned; and they will not cause failure.1

the very evil of their deeds recoiled upon them; today's wrongdoers shall also have the evil of their deeds recoil upon them: they will never be able to frustrate [Our plan]

They destabilized the lives of others, and their very deeds fell back upon themselves. And the same will happen to the oppressors always - their deeds falling back upon themselves, and they will never be able to evade the Law of Requital

Do they not know that Allāh extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.

Do they not know that God grants abundant sustenance to anyone He wishes and gives sparingly to anyone He pleases? Surely there are signs in this for those who believe

Do they not know that Allah increases and decreases provision according to His Laws? Herein are Messages for nations who believe in the Divine Laws

Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allāh. Indeed, Allāh forgives all sins.1 Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful."

Say, [God says] "O My servants, who have committed excesses against their own souls, do not despair of God's mercy, for God surely forgives all sins. He is truly the Most Forgiving, the Most Merciful

(O Prophet) convey on My behalf, "O You servants of Mine who have so far wasted their personal capabilities! Despair not the rejuvenating Attribute of Allah - His Grace! Behold, Allah absolves your imperfections and protects you from the detriment of all that caused you to trail behind in humanity. Verily, He, indeed He, is the Forgiving, the Merciful

And return [in repentance] to your Lord and submit to Him before the punishment comes upon you; then you will not be helped.

Turn to your Lord and submit to Him before His scourge overtakes you, for then you shall not be helped

Hence, turn to your Lord and surrender to Him before the period of respite is over and the doom befalls you. Then you will not be helped

And follow the best of what was revealed to you from your Lord [i.e., the Qur’ān] before the punishment comes upon you suddenly while you do not perceive,

Follow the best aspect of what is sent down to you from your Lord, before the scourge comes upon you unawares

And follow the best teaching (the Qur'an) that has been revealed for you by your Lord before the doom comes upon you suddenly without your perceiving of the why, how and whence of it. (39:18). (I have rendered: revealed 'for' you instead of 'to' you since the addressee in the verse is plural)

Lest a soul should say,1 "Oh, [how great is] my regret over what I neglected in regard to Allāh and that I was among the mockers."

lest anyone should say, "Alas for me, for having neglected what is due to God, and having been one of those who scoffed

Lest any person should say, "Ah! My grief that I was unmindful of Allah, and indeed was I among the mockers

Or [lest] it say, "If only Allāh had guided me, I would have been among the righteous."

Or, "If only God had guided me, I would surely have joined the God-fearing

Or lest he should say, "Had Allah guided me, I too would have been of those who walked aright

Or [lest] it say when it sees the punishment, "If only I had another turn1 so I could be among the doers of good."

Or, he may say as he sees the punishment, "Would that I had a second chance, so that I could be among the doers of good

Or lest he should say, when he sees the Requital, "I wish I had a second chance so that I could be among those who do good to others

But yes, there had come to you My verses, but you denied them and were arrogant, and you were among the disbelievers.

No indeed! My revelations did come to you, but you rejected them: you showed arrogance, and were among those who deny the truth

Nay! My Messages did come to you, but you denied them in false pride and so were you of the rejecters of the Truth

And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied about Allāh [with] their faces blackened. Is there not in Hell a residence for the arrogant?

On the Day of Resurrection you will see those who uttered falsehoods about God with their faces blackened. Is there not enough room in Hell for the arrogant

Saddened in gloom you will see, on the Resurrection Day, the faces of those who lied concerning Allah. Is not Hell the proper home for those given to false pride

And Allāh will save those who feared Him by their attainment;1 no evil will touch them, nor will they grieve.

But God will deliver them who feared Him to their place of salvation. No evil shall touch them, nor shall they grieve

But Allah will safeguard those who walked aright, for their successful journey through life. No harm will touch them, nor will they grieve

Allāh is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs.

God is the Creator of all things, He has charge of everything

Allah is the Supreme Creator of all things, and He alone determines through His Laws the destiny of all things

To Him belong the keys of the heavens and the earth. And they who disbelieve in the verses of Allāh - it is those who are the losers.

the keys of the heavens and the earth belong to Him. Those who deny God's revelations will surely be the losers

His are the keys of the heavens and the earth. (He has appointed Laws through which the heavens and the earth can be explored). Those who shun His Signs in the Universe - it is they, they, who are the real losers

Say, [O Muḥammad], "Is it other than Allāh that you order me to worship, O ignorant ones?"

Say, "Ignorant men! Would you bid me worship someone other than God

Say, "Is it something other than Allah that you want me to serve, worship and obey, O You the ignorant ones

And it was already revealed to you and to those before you that if you should associate [anything] with Allāh, your work would surely become worthless, and you would surely be among the losers.

It has already been revealed to you and to those who have gone before you that if you ascribe any partner to God, all your works will come to nothing, and you will surely be among the losers

It has already been revealed for you as well as for those before you, "If you fell for idolatry in any form, all your works will be nullified, and indeed you will be among the losers

Rather, worship [only] Allāh and be among the grateful.

Therefore, you should worship God alone and be among the thankful

Nay, but you shall serve Allah alone and be among those who show gratitude for His Guidance and Bounties by sharing them with others. ('Shukr' = Gratitude = Keeping Allah's bounties open for the benefit of others thus obtaining best possible and collective results. It does not end with just verbal 'Thank God)

They have not appraised Allāh with true appraisal,1 while the earth entirely will be [within] His grip2 on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand.3 Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.

No just estimate have they made of God, such as is due to Him. But on the Day of Resurrection, the whole earth will lie within His grasp, while heaven will be folded up in His right hand -- Glory be to Him! Exalted is He above all that they associate with Him

And they (mankind) do not esteem Allah as He has the right to be esteemed. When mankind stand at their feet, His Law will be held Supreme in the human society as it is in the Universe. (As an allegory) on the Resurrection Day the entire earth will be as a mere handful to Him, and the heavens will be rolled up in His Right Hand. Glorious is He, Sublimely Exalted Above all that they associate with Him. (6:92), (21:20-23), (2)

And the Horn will be blown, and whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth will fall dead except whom Allāh wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.

the Trumpet shall be blown and whoever is in heaven and whoever is on earth will fall down in a swoon, except those who shall be spared by God. Then the trumpet will be blown again and they shall rise and gaze around them

When the Trumpet will be sounded the high leaders and the masses will be stunned except those who are already walking the Divine Path. And then it will sound again, and behold, they will stand in awe seeing the Truth. (

And the earth will shine with the light of its Lord, and the record [of deeds] will be placed, and the prophets and the witnesses will be brought, and it will be judged between them in truth, and they will not be wronged.

The earth will shine with the light of its Lord, and the Book will be laid open; the prophets and witnesses will be brought in; and judgement will be passed on them with fairness. And none shall be wronged

And the earth will shine bright with the Light of its Lord. And all matters will be seen in the Light of the Book that clearly expounds all things. And the roadmap that the Messengers had come to point out, and the believers kept witnessing to their Truth, will help Justice prevail. And no one shall be wronged

And every soul will be fully compensated [for] what it did; and He is most knowing1 of what they do.

Every soul will be repaid in full for what it has done. He is fully aware of all that they did

For, every human being will be repaid in full for whatever he has been doing. (The Justice that is so well expounded in the Qur'an.) And He is the best Knower of whatever they do

And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, "Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?" They will say, "Yes, but the word [i.e., decree] of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers."

Those who rejected the truth will be led to Hell in throngs. When they reach it, its gates will be opened and its keepers will say to them, "Have messengers not come to you from among yourselves, who conveyed to you the revelations of your Lord and warned you about meeting [Him] on this Day?" They will answer, "Yes, they did come." But the decree of punishment has proved true against the deniers of the truth

The rejecters of the Truth will be led to hell as communities till they reach it and its gates are opened. The keepers of hell will ask them, "Did not come to you Messengers from among yourselves conveying to you the Messages of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this your Day?" They will say, "Yes, indeed!" But at that time the sentence of punishment would have already been announced against the deniers of the Truth

[To them] it will be said, "Enter the gates of Hell to abide eternally therein, and wretched is the residence of the arrogant."

They will be told, "Enter the gates of Hell, to stay therein forever." What an evil dwelling place for the haughty

It will be said to them, "Enter you the gates of hell to abide therein." The time is now to realize how miserable is the destination of those given to false pride

But those who feared their Lord will be driven to Paradise in groups until, when they reach it while its gates have been opened and its keepers say, "Peace be upon you; you have become pure; so enter it to abide eternally therein," [they will enter].1

But those who fear their Lord will be led in groups towards Paradise. When they reach it, its gate will be opened, and its keepers will say to them, "Peace be upon you. You have done well, enter Paradise and dwell in it forever

And those who are mindful of their Lord will be escorted into the Garden as communities till they reach it and its gates are opened. The keepers of the Garden will say to them, "Peace be upon you! You have done well! Enter, then, herein to abide

And they will say, "Praise to Allāh, who has fulfilled for us His promise and made us inherit the earth [so] we may settle in Paradise wherever we will. And excellent is the reward of [righteous] workers."

and they will say, "Praise be to God who has fulfilled His promise to us and made us the inheritors of this land, letting us settle in the Garden wherever we want." How excellent is the reward of those who labour

And they will say, "All Praise is due to Allah Who has fulfilled His Promise unto us, and made us inherit the land. We can live in beautiful dwellings of our choice in this Garden." So Bounteous is the reward of the sincere workers! (2)

And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne, exalting [Allāh] with praise of their Lord. And it will be judged between them in truth, and it will be said, "[All] praise to Allāh, Lord of the worlds."

You shall see the angels circling about the throne, glorifying their Lord with praise. And judgement will have been passed in justice on all and it will be said, "Praise be to God, Lord of the Universe

And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne of the Almighty's Supreme Control extolling their Lord's Glory and Praise. And all will be judged aright. And they will say in concert, "All Praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds." (Allah's physical Laws in the Universe will help the guided mankind establish the Divine Rule on earth, as it is in the Cosmos. And the Divine System in the lives of mankind will make them truly see that all Praise indeed belongs to the Giver of such Benevolent Guidance)