Category: Chapters / Surah

By those [angels] lined up in rows

By those (angels) who drive the clouds in a good way.

And those who recite the message,

that surely your God is One,

Lord of the heavens and of the earth, and all that is between them, and Lord of every point of the sun’s risings. (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah).

We have indeed decked the worldly heaven with beautiful stars
Meaning:-
Deck: decorate

And as protection against every rebellious devil
Meaning:-
Rebellious: disobedient, insubordinate.

They cannot listen to the higher group (angels) for they are pelted from every side.
Meaning:-
Pelt: attack (someone) by repeatedly hurling things at them.

Outcast, and theirs is a constant (or painful) torment.
Meaning:-
Torment: severe physical or mental suffering.

Except such as snatch away something by stealing and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.
Meaning:-
Piercing: (of eyes or a look) appearing to see through someone; searching.

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

But you wonder, while they mock,
Meaning:-
Mock: making fun of someone or something in a cruel way, to ridicule by mimicry of action or speech,

And when they are reminded, they pay no attention.

And when they see an Ayah (a sign, a proof, or an evidence) from Allah, they mock at it.
Meaning:-
Mock: making fun of someone or something in a cruel way, to ridicule by mimicry of action or speech.

And say, “This is not but obvious magic.

What! When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we be raised to life again

And our forefathers [as well]?”

Say (O Muhammad): “Yes, and you shall then be humiliated.”

It will be just a single cry, and they will see it all with their own eyes.

They will say, “Ah! Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment!”

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

˹Allah will say to the angels,˺ “Gather ˹all˺ the wrongdoers along with their peers, and whatever they used to worship
Meaning:-
Peers: a person who is equal to another in abilities, qualifications, age, background, and social status

besides Allah and show them the way to hell.

When they will all be gathered and angels will start pushing them towards hell, Allah shall say: “Stop for a while, they have to be questioned:

“What is the matter with you today that you do not help each other?”

In fact, on that Day they will be ˹fully˺ submissive.
Meaning:-
Submissive: ready to submit, you obey someone without arguing.

And they will approach one another blaming each other.

The followers will say to their leaders: “It was you who used to come at us from the right hand (right hand is a symbol of authority) and forced us towards the wrong way.”

The misleaders will reply, “No! You disbelieved on your own.

We had no authority over you. In fact, you yourselves were a transgressing people (disobedient, polytheists, and disbelievers).
Meaning:-
Transgress: to violate a law, command, moral code, etc.; offend; sin, misbehave, behave badly, do wrong, go astray;

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

We misled you, for we ourselves were astray.”
Meaning:-
Astray: into error, away from the correct path or direction

So on that Day they shall all be partners in the punishment.

Indeed, that is how We deal with the criminals.

Truly, when it was said to them: La ilaha ill-Allah “(none has the right to be worshipped but Allah),” they puffed themselves up with pride (i.e. denied it).

And to say: What! shall we indeed give up our gods for the sake of a mad poet?

Rather, the Prophet (Muhammad) has come with the truth and confirmed the [previous] messengers.

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

And you shall not be rewarded except (for) what you did.

Save the chosen slaves of Allah (faithful, obedient, true believers of Islamic Monotheism).
Meaning:-
Monotheism: the doctrine or belief that there is only one God.

For them there will be a known provision (in Paradise).

Fruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity,

In the Gardens of delight (Paradise),

Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):

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

a crystal-white drink, delicious to those who drink it.

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

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

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

Then they will turn to one another and question one another.

One of them will start the talk and say: “I had an intimate companion (on the earth),

Who used to say: “Are you among those who believe (in resurrection after death).

“(That) when we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed (be raised up) to receive reward or punishment (according to our deeds)?”

It will be said: “Would you like to see him?”

He will look down and see his friend in the midst of hellfire.

Then he will say: “By Allah! You had almost ruined me.
Meaning:-
Ruin: destroy

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

Then, are we not to die

“Except our first death, and we shall not be punished? (after we have entered Paradise).”

Truly, this is the supreme success!

For such an end, let every one strive who wish to strive.
Meaning:-
Strive: make great efforts to achieve or obtain something.

Is that (Paradise) better entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum (a horrible tree in Hell)?
Meaning:-
Zaqqum (Arabic): is a tree that “springs out of the bottom of hell-fire” or Jahannam.

Surely We have made this tree a trial for the wrongdoers.
Meaning:-
Wrongdoer: a person who behaves illegally or dishonestly; an offender.

Surely it is a tree that grows in the bottom of the hellfire,

Its emerging fruit as if it was heads of the devils.
Meaning:-
Emerge : come out, appear, come into view, become visible

Then surely they will indeed be eating of it, and so of it they will be filling their bellies.

Then on the top of that they will be given boiling water to drink so that it becomes a mixture (of boiling water and Zaqqum in their bellies).
Meaning:-
Zaqqum (Arabic) : is a tree that “springs out of the bottom of hell-fire” or Jahannam

Then thereafter, verily, their return is to the flaming fire of Hell.

Truly they found their fathers on the wrong Path;
Meaning:-
Path: a way, a course of action, conduct, or procedure:

and they are eagerly following their footsteps.

Most of the ancient went astray before them,
Meaning:-
Astray: into error, away from the correct path or direction

And indeed We sent among them warners (Messengers);

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

except the sincere devotees of Allah.
Meaning:-
Devotee: a strong believer in a particular religion or god, follower, supporter, disciple.

Nuh prayed to Us; see how excellent was Our response to his prayer!

And We saved him and his family from the great affliction .
Meaning:-
Affliction: (of a problem or illness) cause pain or suffering to; affect or trouble.

And We made his offspring the survivors.
Meaning:-
Offspring : a person’s child or children, sons and daughters, family, youngsters, babies,

and We left his good name among the later generations.

“Peace upon Noah among the worlds.”

Thus indeed do we reward those who do right.

Verily, he [Nuh (Noah) ] was one of Our believing slaves.

Then the rest We drowned in the great flood.

Surely Ibrahim belonged to the first group (who followed Nuh’s way),

when he came to his Lord with a pure heart.

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

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

What is your idea about the Lord of the worlds?”

Then he looked at the stars one time

and said “I am feeling sick.”

And they turned their backs and went away from him.

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

What is the matter with you that you don’t even speak?”

Then he attacked them, striking with his right hand.

Then they (the worshippers of idols) came, towards him, hastening.
Meaning:-
Idol: an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship.

“Would you worship that which you have carved with your own hands,” he said,
Meaning:-
Carve: to form from a solid material by cutting: to carve a statue out of stone.

“when Allah is the One Who created you and that which you have made?”

They said: “Build for him a building (it is said that the building was like a furnace) and throw him into the blazing fire!”
Meaning:-
Furnace: an enclosed structure in which material can be heated to very high temperatures, e.g., for smelting metals.
Blazing: burn fiercely or brightly.

Thus did they scheme against him: but We humiliated them in their scheme.

Ibrahim said: “I am going to take refuge with my Lord, He will surely guide me.

My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.”
Meaning:-
Righteous: (of a person or conduct) morally right or justifiable; virtuous, very good; excellent.

So We gave him the good news of a gentle son.

And, when he (his son) was old enough to walk with him, he said: “O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offer you in sacrifice to Allah), so look what you think!” He said: “O my father! Do that which you are commanded, Insha’ Allah (if Allah will), you shall find me of As-Sabirin (the patient ones, etc.).”

Then, when they had both submitted themselves (to the Will of Allah), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (or on the side of his forehead for slaughtering);
Meaning:-
Prostrate: lying stretched out on the ground with one’s face downward, especially in reverence or submission.

And We called out to him saying: O Ibrahim!

“Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!” – thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

Indeed, this was the clear test.

We ransomed his son for a great sacrifice
Meaning:-
Ransomed: paid for such release.

and We left his good name among the later generations.

“Peace upon Abraham.”

Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

And We gave him the good news of Ishaq, a prophet among the good ones.

We blessed him and Ishaq both. Among their progeny there are some who are righteous and some who are clearly wrong doing to their own souls.
Meaning:-
Progeny: Family, sons and daughters, Offspring, young, babies, children,
Righteous: (of a person or conduct) morally right or justifiable; virtuous, very good; excellent.

And, indeed We gave Our Grace to Musa (Moses) and Harun (Aaron).

And We delivered them and their people from (their) Great Calamity;
Meaning:-
Calamity: an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress; a disaster.

And We helped them, so they overcame (their troubles);

We gave them the Glorious Book (Torah),

and guided them both to the Right Way.

We left their good names among the later generations.

“Peace upon Moses and Aaron.”

Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

Indeed, they were of Our believing servants.

And indeed, Elias was from among the messengers,

When he said to his people, “Will you not fear Allah ?

“Will you call upon Ba’l (a well- known idol of his nation whom they used to worship) and forsake the Best of creators,
Meaning:-
Forsake: to leave someone for ever, especially when they need you

– Allah – Who is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers?”

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

Except the chosen servants of Allah .

We left his good name among the later generations.

“Peace upon Elias.”

Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

And indeed, Lot was among the messengers.

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

except an old woman who was among those who remained behind,

and We destroyed the others.

And indeed, you pass by them in the morning

and by night. Will you not use your common sense?

And, verily, Yunus (Jonah) was one of the Messengers.

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

He (agreed to) cast lots, and he was among the losers,

Then the fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy.
Meaning:-
Blameworthy: responsible for wrongdoing and deserving of censure or blame.

Had he not repented and became of those who glorify Allah,

He would have indeed remained inside its belly (the fish) till the Day of Resurrection.

But We threw him onto the open shore while he was ill.

and caused a gourd plant to grow over him.

And We sent him to a hundred thousand (people) or even more.

They believed in him, so We permitted them to enjoy their life for a while.

Just ask the unbelievers, [O Muhammad], : Does it make any sense that their Lord should have daughters while they choose to have sons?

Or is it that We created the angels as females and they were present at their creation?

Surely they invent a lie when they say:

“Allah has children. They are utter liars.”

Would He choose daughters rather than sons?

What is the matter with you? How do you judge?

Will you then not be mindful?
Meaning:-
Mindful: conscious or aware of something.

Or do you have any proof of what you are saying?

Then bring your Book if you are truthful!

They assert blood-relationship between Him and the jinns; and the jinns know quite well that they will be called to account.
Meaning:-
Jinn: (in Arabian) an intelligent spirit of lower rank than the angels, able to appear in human and animal forms and to possess humans.

Glory be to Allah! He is free from what they ascribe to Him
Meaning:-
Ascribe: attribute something to (a cause), attribute to.

Except the chosen servants of Allah [who do not share in that sin].

So indeed, you [disbelievers] and whatever you worship,

Cannot lead astray [turn away from Him (Allah) anyone of the believers],
Meaning:-
Astray: into error, away from the correct path or direction

Except he who is to [enter and] burn in the Hellfire.

The angels in fact say: “We each have our appointed place.

Verily, we (angels), we stand in rows for the prayers (as you Muslims stand in rows for your prayers);

Verily, we (angels), we are they who glorify (Allah’s Praises i.e. perform prayers).

And indeed, the disbelievers used to say,

“If we had received a reminder which the earlier people had received,

We would have been the chosen servants of Allah .”

But now that the Qur’an has come, they reject it: but soon they will find out the consequences of this attitude.
Meaning:-
Consequences: a result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not convenient

And certainly Our word has already gone forth in respect of Our servants, the messengers:

that they would certainly be helped,

and that Our forces will surely be victorious.

So give no heed to them for a while;
Meaning:-
Heed: pay attention to; take notice of.

you will see their downfall as they shall see your victory.

Do they wish to hurry on Our punishment?

But dreadful will be that morning, when it will descend in the courtyards of those who have been forewarned.
Meaning:-
Descends: causing or involving great suffering, fear, or unhappiness; extremely bad or serious.
Forewarn: inform (someone) of a danger or possible problem, warn, warn in advance, give advance warning, give fair warning,

So turn (O Muhammad) away from them for a while,

You will surely see their downfall as they shall see your victory.

Exalted is your Lord, the Lord of might, above what they describe.
Meaning:-
Exalted: placed at a high or powerful level; held in high regard.

And peace upon the messengers.

And praise to Allah , Lord of the worlds.