21: al-Anbiyaa الأنبياء

Text and Translation

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

BISMIL LAAHIR RAHMAANIR RAHEEM

In the Name of Allah, the All-merciful, the All-compassionate

اِقْتَرَبَ لِلنَّاسِ حِسَابُهُمْ وَهُمْ فِىْ غَفْلَةٍ مُّعْرِضُوْنَ‌ۚ‏(1)

Closer and closer to mankind comes their Reckoning: yet they heed not and they turn away.

مَا يَاْتِيْهِمْ مِّنْ ذِكْرٍ مِّنْ رَّبِّہِمْ مُّحْدَثٍ اِلَّا اسْتَمَعُوْهُ وَهُمْ يَلْعَبُوْنَۙ‏(2)

Never comes (aught) to them of a renewed Message from their Lord, but they listen to it as in jest,

لَاهِيَةً قُلُوْبُهُمْ‌ ؕ وَاَسَرُّوا النَّجْوَى‌ۖ الَّذِيْنَ ظَلَمُوْا ‌ۖ  هَلْ هٰذَاۤ اِلَّا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ‌ ۚ اَفَتَاْتُوْنَ السِّحْرَ وَاَنْتُمْ تُبْصِرُوْنَ‏(3)

Their hearts toying as with trifles. The wrong-doers conceal their private counsels, (saying), “Is this (one) more than a man like yourselves? Will ye go to witchcraft with your eyes open?”

قٰلَ رَبِّىْ يَعْلَمُ الْقَوْلَ فِى السَّمَآءِ وَالْاَرْضِ‌ وَهُوَ السَّمِيْعُ الْعَلِيْمُ‏(4)

Say: “My Lord knoweth (every) word (spoken) in the heavens and on earth: He is the One that heareth and knoweth (all things).”

بَلْ قَالُوْۤا اَضْغَاثُ اَحْلَامٍۢ بَلِ افْتَرٰٮهُ بَلْ هُوَ شَاعِرٌ ‌ ۖۚ فَلْيَاْتِنَا بِاٰيَةٍ كَمَاۤ اُرْسِلَ الْاَوَّلُوْنَ‏(5)

“Nay,” they say, “(these are) medleys of dream! - Nay, He forged it! - Nay, He is (but) a poet! Let him then bring us a Sign like the ones that were sent to (Prophets) of old!”

مَاۤ اٰمَنَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ مِّنْ قَرْيَةٍ اَهْلَكْنٰهَا‌ۚ اَفَهُمْ يُؤْمِنُوْنَ‏(6)

(As to those) before them, not one of the populations which We destroyed believed: will these believe?

وَمَاۤ اَرْسَلْنَا قَبْلَكَ اِلَّا رِجَالًا نُّوْحِىْۤ اِلَيْهِمْ‌ فَسْئَلُوْۤا اَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُوْنَ‏(7)

Before thee, also, the messengers We sent were but men, to whom We granted inspiration: If ye realise this not, ask of those who possess the Message.

وَمَا جَعَلْنٰهُمْ جَسَدًا لَّا يَاْكُلُوْنَ الطَّعَامَ وَمَا كَانُوْا خٰلِدِيْنَ‏(8)

Nor did We give them bodies that ate no food, nor were they exempt from death.

ثُمَّ صَدَقْنٰهُمُ الْوَعْدَ فَاَنْجَيْنٰهُمْ وَمَنْ نَّشَآءُ وَاَهْلَكْنَا الْمُسْرِفِيْنَ‏(9)

In the end We fulfilled to them Our Promise, and We saved them and those whom We pleased, but We destroyed those who transgressed beyond bounds.

لَقَدْ اَنْزَلْنَاۤ اِلَيْكُمْ كِتٰبًا فِيْهِ ذِكْرُكُمْ‌ؕ اَفَلَا تَعْقِلُوْنَ‏(10)

We have revealed for you (O men!) a book in which is a Message for you: will ye not then understand?

وَكَمْ قَصَمْنَا مِنْ قَرْيَةٍ كَانَتْ ظَالِمَةً وَّاَنْشَاْنَا بَعْدَهَا قَوْمًا اٰخَرِيْنَ‏(11)

How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples?

فَلَمَّاۤ اَحَسُّوْا بَاْسَنَاۤ اِذَا هُمْ مِّنْهَا يَرْكُضُوْنَؕ‏(12)

Yet, when they felt Our Punishment (coming), behold, they (tried to) flee from it.

لَا تَرْكُضُوْا وَ ارْجِعُوْۤا اِلٰى مَاۤ اُتْرِفْتُمْ فِيْهِ وَمَسٰكِنِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْئَلُوْنَ‏(13)

Flee not, but return to the good things of this life which were given you, and to your homes in order that ye may be called to account.

قَالُوْا يٰوَيْلَنَاۤ اِنَّا كُنَّا ظٰلِمِيْنَ‏(14)

They said: “Ah! woe to us! We were indeed wrong-doers!”

فَمَا زَالَتْ تِّلْكَ دَعْوٰٮهُمْ حَتّٰى جَعَلْنٰهُمْ حَصِيْدًا خٰمِدِيْنَ‏(15)

And that cry of theirs ceased not, till We made them as a field that is mown, as ashes silent and quenched.

وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَآءَ وَالْاَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لٰعِبِيْنَ‏(16)

Not for (idle) sport did We create the heavens and the earth and all that is between!

لَوْ اَرَدْنَاۤ اَنْ نَّتَّخِذَ لَهْوًا لَّا تَّخَذْنٰهُ مِنْ لَّدُنَّاۤ ۖ  اِنْ كُنَّا فٰعِلِيْنَ‏(17)

If it had been Our wish to take (just) a pastime, We should surely have taken it from the things nearest to Us, if We would do (such a thing)!

بَلْ نَقْذِفُ بِالْحَقِّ عَلَى الْبَاطِلِ فَيَدْمَغُهٗ فَاِذَا هُوَ زَاهِقٌ‌ ؕ وَلَكُمُ الْوَيْلُ مِمَّا تَصِفُوْنَ‏(18)

BALNAQZEFO BIL HAQQE A’LAL BAATELE FAYADMAGHOHU FA-EZAA HOWA ZAAHEQUNW WA LAKOMUL WAYLO MIMMAA TASEFOON.

Nay, We hurl the Truth against falsehood, and it knocks out its brain, and behold, falsehood doth perish! Ah! woe be to you for the (false) things ye ascribe (to Us).

وَلَهٗ مَنْ فِى السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ‌ؕ وَمَنْ عِنْدَهٗ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُوْنَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهٖ وَلَا يَسْتَحْسِرُوْنَ‌ۚ‏(19)

To Him belong all (creatures) in the heavens and on earth: Even those who are in His (very) Presence are not too proud to serve Him, nor are they (ever) weary (of His service):

يُسَبِّحُوْنَ الَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ لَا يَفْتُرُوْنَ‏(20)

They celebrate His praises night and day, nor do they ever flag or intermit.

اَمِ اتَّخَذُوْۤا اٰلِهَةً مِّنَ الْاَرْضِ هُمْ يُنْشِرُوْنَ‏(21)

Or have they taken (for worship) gods from the earth who can raise (the dead)?

لَوْ كَانَ فِيْهِمَاۤ اٰلِهَةٌ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ لَفَسَدَتَا‌ۚ فَسُبْحٰنَ اللّٰهِ رَبِّ الْعَرْشِ عَمَّا يَصِفُوْنَ‏(22)

If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both! but glory to Allah, the Lord of the Throne: (High is He) above what they attribute to Him!

لَا يُسْئَلُ عَمَّا يَفْعَلُ وَهُمْ يُسْئَلُوْنَ‏(23)

He cannot be questioned for His acts, but they will be questioned (for theirs).

اَمِ اتَّخَذُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِهٖۤ اٰلِهَةً ‌ ؕ قُلْ هَاتُوْا بُرْهَانَكُمْ‌ ۚ هٰذَا ذِكْرُ مَنْ مَّعِىَ وَذِكْرُ مَنْ قَبْلِىْ‌ ؕ بَلْ اَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُوْنَ ۙ الْحَقَّ‌ فَهُمْ مُّعْرِضُوْنَ‏(24)

Or have they taken for worship (other) gods besides him? Say, “Bring your convincing proof: this is the Message of those with me and the Message of those before me.” But most of them know not the Truth, and so turn away.

وَمَاۤ اَرْسَلْنَا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ مِنْ رَّسُوْلٍ اِلَّا نُوْحِىْۤ اِلَيْهِ اَنَّهٗ لَاۤ اِلٰهَ اِلَّاۤ اَنَا فَاعْبُدُوْنِ‏(25)

Not a messenger did We send before thee without this inspiration sent by Us to him: that there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me.

وَقَالُوا اتَّخَذَ الرَّحْمٰنُ وَلَدًا‌ سُبْحٰنَهٗ‌ ؕ بَلْ عِبَادٌ مُّكْرَمُوْنَ ۙ‏(26)

???

And they say: The Beneficent Allah has taken to Himself a son. Glory be to Him. Nay! they are honored servants

لَا يَسْبِقُوْنَهٗ بِالْقَوْلِ وَهُمْ بِاَمْرِهٖ يَعْمَلُوْنَ‏(27)

???

They do not precede Him in speech and (only) according to His commandment do they act.

يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ اَيْدِيْهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَ لَا يَشْفَعُوْنَۙ اِلَّا لِمَنِ ارْتَضٰى وَهُمْ مِّنْ خَشْيَتِهٖ مُشْفِقُوْنَ‏(28)

???

He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede except for him whom He approves and for fear of Him they tremble.

وَمَنْ يَّقُلْ مِنْهُمْ اِنِّىْۤ اِلٰهٌ مِّنْ دُوْنِهٖ فَذٰلِكَ نَجْزِيْهِ جَهَنَّمَ‌ؕ كَذٰلِكَ نَجْزِى الظّٰلِمِيْنَ‏(29)

If any of them should say, “I am a god besides Him”, such a one We should reward with Hell: thus do We reward those who do wrong.

اَوَلَمْ يَرَ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْۤا اَنَّ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنٰهُمَا‌ ؕ وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَىٍّ‌ ؕ اَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُوْنَ‏(30)

AWA LAM YARAL LAZEENA KAFAROO ANNAS SAMAAWAATE WAL ARZA KAANATAA RATQAN FA-FATAQNAAHOMAA, WA JA-A’LNAA MENAL MAAA-E KULLA SHAY-IN HAYY, AFALAA YOAMENOON.

Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?

وَجَعَلْنَا فِى الْاَرْضِ رَوَاسِىَ اَنْ تَمِيْدَ بِهِمْ وَجَعَلْنَا فِيْهَا فِجَاجًا سُبُلًا لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُوْنَ‏(31)

And We have set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with them, and We have made therein broad highways (between mountains) for them to pass through: that they may receive Guidance.

وَجَعَلْنَا السَّمَآءَ سَقْفًا مَّحْفُوْظًا ۖۚ وَّهُمْ عَنْ اٰيٰتِهَا مُعْرِضُوْنَ‏(32)

And We have made the heavens as a canopy well guarded: yet do they turn away from the Signs which these things (point to)!

وَهُوَ الَّذِىْ خَلَقَ الَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ‌ؕ كُلٌّ فِىْ فَلَكٍ يَّسْبَحُوْنَ‏(33)

It is He Who created the Night and the Day, and the sun and the moon: all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course.

وَمَا جَعَلْنَا لِبَشَرٍ مِّنْ قَبْلِكَ الْخُلْدَ‌ ؕ اَفَا۟ئِن مِّتَّ فَهُمُ الْخٰلِدُوْنَ‏(34)

We granted not to any man before thee permanent life (here): if then thou shouldst die, would they live permanently?

كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَآئِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ‌ؕ وَنَبْلُوْكُمْ بِالشَّرِّ وَالْخَيْرِ فِتْنَةً‌ ؕ وَاِلَيْنَا تُرْجَعُوْنَ‏(35)

Every soul shall have a taste of death: and We test you by evil and by good by way of trial. to Us must ye return.

وَاِذَا رَاٰكَ الَّذِيْنَ كَفَرُوْۤا اِنْ يَّتَّخِذُوْنَكَ اِلَّا هُزُوًا ؕ اَهٰذَا الَّذِىْ يَذْكُرُ اٰلِهَتَكُمْ‌ۚ وَهُمْ بِذِكْرِ الرَّحْمٰنِ هُمْ كٰفِرُوْنَ‏(36)

When the Unbelievers see thee, they treat thee not except with ridicule. “Is this,” (they say), “the one who talks of your gods?” and they blaspheme at the mention of (Allah) Most Gracious!