76. Al-Insan

Has there [not] come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing [even] mentioned?

Was there not a period of time when man was nothing worth mentioning

Has there not passed over man an era when he was not even worth mentioning

Indeed, We created man from a sperm-drop mixture1 that We may try him; and We made him hearing and seeing.

We created man from a drop of mingled fluid so that We might try him; We gave him hearing and sight

Behold, it is We who have created the human being from marked out cells, male and female gametes, that joined. Then We passed him through subtle changes. And then We made him a being endowed with Hearing and Sight

Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful.

We showed him the way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful

Verily, We it is Who have shown him the Way, whether he be grateful or ungrateful

Indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers chains and shackles and a blaze.

[Now,] behold, for those who deny the truth, We have prepared chains, iron collars and a blazing fire, but

Behold, for those who deny the Truth we have readied chains and shackles and a blazing flame. (Chains and shackles of conjecture, blind following and superstition, and the fire of confusion and regret are the logical consequences of relegating the Truth)

Indeed, the righteous will drink from a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of Kāfūr,1

the righteous shall drink from a cup mixed with the coolness of kafur

Behold, the truly virtuous will drink from a cup sweetened with nectar of flowers. ('Kafur' = Camphor = Cool temperament = Nectar from the calyx of grape as it flowers = Sweet and fragrant drink of Divine Bliss)

A spring of which the [righteous] servants of Allāh will drink; they will make it gush forth in force [and abundance].

a spring from which God's servants will drink, making it gush forth in branches

A spring whereof the servants of Allah drink - it is they who make it flow in a flow abundant. (The true servants of Allah achieve His blessings of Guidance and all that is good, and share them with fellow human beings)

They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread.

They keep their vows and fear a day the woe of which will spread far and wide

They fulfill their vows and pledges and fear (and therefore, guard against) the times when chaos and corruption might sweep the society

And they give food in spite of love for it1 to the needy, the orphan, and the captive,

they give food, despite their love for it, to the poor and orphans and captives

And they feed, for the love of nobility, the indigent, the orphan and the captive

[Saying], "We feed you only for the face [i.e., approval] of Allāh. We wish not from you reward or gratitude.

saying, "We feed you for the sake of God alone, we seek neither recompense nor thanks from you

(They do all this selflessly) saying, "We provide for you for the sake of Allah alone. We want no return from you, not even a word of thanks

Indeed, We fear from our Lord a Day austere and distressful."

Truly, we fear from our Lord a woefully grim Day

Behold, we stand in awe of our Lord to ward off the times when the society might become a picture of frown and distress

So Allāh will protect them from the evil of that Day and give them radiance and happiness

Therefore, God will ward off from them the woes of that Day, and make them find brightness and joy

Hence, Allah wards off from them the chaos of those times, and showers on them inner splendor and delight. ('Yaum' = Day = Stage = Times = Era = Eventuality = The Resurrection Day)

And will reward them for what they patiently endured [with] a garden [in Paradise] and silk [garments].

and their reward for being patient will be a Garden and silk [clothing]

And for their steadfastness He rewards them with a Garden of Bliss and garments of silk (honor)

[They will be] reclining therein on adorned couches. They will not see therein any [burning] sun or [freezing] cold.

Reclining upon couches, they will find therein neither the heat of the sun nor bitter, biting cold

Relaxing therein on beautiful furnishings, they neither find a hot sun nor chill

And near above them are its shades, and its [fruit] to be picked will be lowered in compliance.

the shading branches of trees will come down low over them, and their clusters of fruit, will hang down where they are the easiest to reach

Pleasant shades close upon them and clusters of fruits reach them low

And there will be circulated among them vessels of silver and cups having been [created] clear [as glass],

Vessels of silver and goblets of pure crystal will be passed round among them

And they are served with goblets of silver and cups of crystal

Clear glasses [made] from silver of which they have determined the measure.

and gleaming silver goblets which have been filled to the exact measure

Silver trays shining as crystal - all this design they have determined (with their good deeds)

And they will be given to drink a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of ginger

and they will be given a cup to drink flavoured with ginger

And delicious invigorating drinks they shall be given. (43:71), (76:5), (83:27). Camphor: an allegory for cool relaxation, and ginger: warmth and action

[From] a fountain within it [i.e., Paradise] named Salsabeel.

from a flowing spring called Salsabil

From therein a spring named Salsabil. The water thereof seeks its own way to them. ((88:12). Salsabil = Find your way to them

There will circulate among them young boys made eternal. When you see them, you would think them [as beautiful as] scattered pearls.

They will be attended by youths who will not age -- when you see them you will think them to be like sprinkled pearls

And their children, immortal, playing around, lovely as pearls when you see them

And when you look there [in Paradise], you will see pleasure and great dominion.

wherever you look, you will see bliss and a great kingdom

And whenever you look around there you see Bliss and a Magnificent Kingdom

Upon them [i.e., the inhabitants] will be green garments of fine silk and brocade. And they will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a purifying drink.

they will wear green garments of fine silk and rich brocade. They will be adorned with silver bracelets. And their Lord will give them a pure drink

Upon them will be garments of green silk with gold embroidery, and they will be honored with bracelets of silver. And their Lord will give them pure refreshing drinks

[And it will be said], "Indeed, this is for you a reward, and your effort has been appreciated."

This is your reward. Your endeavour is fully acknowledged

Behold! All this is your Reward since your effort has found a befitting Acceptance

Indeed, it is We who have sent down to you, [O Muḥammad], the Qur’ān progressively.

Truly, it is We who have revealed to you the Quran, a gradual revelation

Behold, We, yes, We have revealed unto you the Qur'an step by step, a Revelation from Us

So be patient for the decision of your Lord and do not obey from among them a sinner or ungrateful [disbeliever].

So wait patiently for the command of your Lord, and do not yield to anyone among them who is sinful or ungrateful

Therefore, hold on to your Lord's Command unwaveringly. And heed not of them any dragger of progress or devotee of darkness. ('Athim' = One who drags or pulls down progress)

And mention the name of your Lord [in prayer] morning and evening

and glorify your Lord morning and evening

Raise the Name of your Lord morning and evening. ('Zikr' = Remembrance = Commemoration = Raise = Celebration = Magnify = Give eminence = Taking to heart = Keeping in mind)

And during the night prostrate to Him and exalt [i.e., praise] Him a long [part of the] night.

and during the night prostrate ourself before Him, and extol His glory for a long part of the night

Adore Him even at night and strive to establish His Glory on earth through long nights (as you do morning and evening)

Indeed, these [disbelievers] love the immediate and leave behind them1 a grave Day.

Those people [who are unmindful of God] aspire for immediate gains, and put behind them a Heavy Day

Behold, these people love only the instant gains and as a result leave behind a yesterday laden (with transgressions and wasted opportunities of doing good)

We have created them and strengthened their forms, and when We will, We can change their likenesses with [complete] alteration.

It was We who created them and made their constitution strong, but if We wish we can replace them with others like them

(Who gave them the mind and body to behave the way they choose?) We it is Who have created them, and strengthened their frame. And if We Will, We can replace them entirely with other nations. (Nations who will use their human potentials better)

Indeed, this is a reminder, so he who wills may take to his Lord a way.

This is a reminder. Let whoever wishes, take the right path to his Lord

Behold, this is an Advisory that whoever wants, may choose a Way to his Lord

And you do not will except that Allāh wills. Indeed, Allāh is ever Knowing and Wise.

But you cannot will it unless God wills [to show you that way] -- God is indeed all-knowing and wise

Yet, you cannot will it unless you align your free will with the Will of Allah. (Guidance can only be achieved according to Divine Laws (4:88)). For, behold, Allah is Knower, Wise

He admits whom He wills into His mercy; but the wrongdoers - He has prepared for them a painful punishment.

He admits whoever He will into His grace and has prepared a painful punishment for the evil doers

He admits into His Grace everyone who wills to be admitted. But, for those who wrong their 'Self' by making wrong decisions, He has prepared an awful doom. ('Zulm' = Wrongdoing = Being unjust to others or to one's own 'Self' = Oppression = Relegation of Truth = Displacing anything from its rightful place = Violation of human rights = Transgression)