The Holy Qur'an: Chapter 37: Those Ranged in Ranks (Sãffãt)

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

37:1. By those who range themselves in ranks,

37:2. And so are strong in repelling (evil),

37:3. And thus proclaim the Message (of God)!

37:4. Verily, verily, your God is one!-

37:5. Lord of the heavens and of the earth and all between them, and Lord of every point at the rising of the sun!

37:6. We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars,-

37:7. (For beauty) and for guard against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits,

37:8. (So) they should not strain their ears in the direction of the Exalted Assembly but be cast away from every side,

37:9. Repulsed, for they are under a perpetual penalty,

37:10. Except such as snatch away something by stealth, and they are pursued by a flaming fire, of piercing brightness.

37:11. Just ask their opinion: are they the more difficult to create, or the (other) beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay!

37:12. Truly dost thou marvel, while they ridicule,

37:13. And, when they are admonished, pay no heed,-

37:14. And, when they see a Sign, turn it to mockery,

37:15. And say, "This is nothing but evident sorcery!

37:16. "What! when we die, and become dust and bones, shall we (then) be raised up (again)

37:17. "And also our fathers of old?"

37:18. Say thou: "Yea, and ye shall then be humiliated (on account of your evil)."

37:19. Then it will be a single (compelling) cry; and behold, they will begin to see!

37:20. They will say, "Ah! Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment!"

37:21. (A voice will say,) "This is the Day of Sorting Out, whose truth ye (once) denied!"

37:22. "Bring ye up", it shall be said, "The wrong-doers and their wives, and the things they worshipped-

37:23. "Besides God, and lead them to the Way to the (Fierce) Fire!

37:24. "But stop them, for they must be asked:

37:25. "'What is the matter with you that ye help not each other?'"

37:26. Nay, but that day they shall submit (to Judgment);

37:27. And they will turn to one another, and question one another.

37:28. They will say: "It was ye who used to come to us from the right hand (of power and authority)!"

37:29. They will reply: "Nay, ye yourselves had no Faith!

37:30. "Nor had we any authority over you. Nay, it was ye who were a people in obstinate rebellion!

37:31. "So now has been proved true, against us, the word of our Lord that we shall indeed (have to) taste (the punishment of our sins).

37:32. "We led you astray: for truly we were ourselves astray."

37:33. Truly, that Day, they will (all) share in the Penalty.

37:34. Verily that is how We shall deal with Sinners.

37:35. For they, when they were told that there is no god except God, would puff themselves up with Pride,

37:36. And say: "What! shall we give up our gods for the sake of a Poet possessed?"

37:37. Nay! he has come with the (very) Truth, and he confirms (the Message of) the messengers (before him).

37:38. Ye shall indeed taste of the Grievous Penalty;-

37:39. But it will be no more than the retribution of (the Evil) that ye have wrought;-

37:40. But the sincere (and devoted) Servants of God,-

37:41. For them is a Sustenance determined,

37:42. Fruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity,

37:43. In Gardens of Felicity,

37:44. Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):

37:45. Round will be passed to them a Cup from a clear-flowing fountain,

37:46. Crystal-white, of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof),

37:47. Free from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom.

37:48. And besides them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes (of wonder and beauty).

37:49. As if they were (delicate) eggs closely guarded.

37:50. Then they will turn to one another and question one another.

37:51. One of them will start the talk and say: "I had an intimate companion (on the earth),

37:52. "Who used to say, 'what! art thou amongst those who bear witness to the Truth (of the Message)?

37:53. "'When we die and become dust and bones, shall we indeed receive rewards and punishments?'"

37:54. (A voice) said: "Would ye like to look down?"

37:55. He looked down and saw him in the midst of the Fire.

37:56. He said: "By God! thou wast little short of bringing me to perdition!

37:57. "Had it not been for the Grace of my Lord, I should certainly have been among those brought (there)!

37:58. "Is it (the case) that we shall not die,

37:59. "Except our first death, and that we shall not be punished?"

37:60. Verily this is the supreme achievement!

37:61. For the like of this let all strive, who wish to strive.

37:62. Is that the better entertainment or the Tree of Zaqqum?

37:63. For We have truly made it (as) a trial for the wrong-doers.

37:64. For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hell-Fire:

37:65. The shoots of its fruit-stalks are like the heads of devils:

37:66. Truly they will eat thereof and fill their bellies therewith.

37:67. Then on top of that they will be given a mixture made of boiling water.

37:68. Then shall their return be to the (Blazing) Fire.

37:69. Truly they found their fathers on the wrong Path;

37:70. So they (too) were rushed down on their footsteps!

37:71. And truly before them, many of the ancients went astray;-

37:72. But We sent aforetime, among them, (messengers) to admonish them;-

37:73. Then see what was the end of those who were admonished (but heeded not),-

37:74. Except the sincere (and devoted) Servants of God.

37:75. (In the days of old), Noah cried to Us, and We are the best to hear prayer.

37:76. And We delivered him and his people from the Great Calamity,

37:77. And made his progeny to endure (on this earth);

37:78. And We left (this blessing) for him among generations to come in later times:

37:79. "Peace and salutation to Noah among the nations!"

37:80. Thus indeed do we reward those who do right.

37:81. For he was one of our believing Servants.

37:82. Then the rest we overwhelmed in the Flood.

37:83. Verily among those who followed his Way was Abraham.

37:84. Behold! he approached his Lord with a sound heart.

37:85. Behold! he said to his father and to his people, "What is that which ye worship?

37:86. "Is it a falsehood- gods other than God- that ye desire?

37:87. "Then what is your idea about the Lord of the worlds?"

37:88. Then did he cast a glance at the Stars.

37:89. And he said, "I am indeed sick (at heart)!"

37:90. So they turned away from him, and departed.

37:91. Then did he turn to their gods and said, "will ye not eat (of the offerings before you)?...

37:92. "What is the matter with you that ye speak not (intelligently)?"

37:93. Then did he turn upon them, striking (them) with the right hand.

37:94. Then came (the worshippers) with hurried steps, and faced (him).

37:95. He said: "Worship ye that which ye have (yourselves) carved?

37:96. "But God has created you and your handwork!"

37:97. They said, "Build him a furnace, and throw him into the blazing fire!"

37:98. (This failing), they then sought a stratagem against him, but We made them the ones most humiliated!

37:99. He said: "I will go to my Lord! He will surely guide me!

37:100. "O my Lord! Grant me a righteous (son)!"

37:101. So We gave him the good news of a boy ready to suffer and forbear.

37:102. Then, when (the son) reached (the age of) (serious) work with him, he said: "O my son! I see in vision that I offer thee in sacrifice: Now see what is thy view!" (The son) said: "O my father! Do as thou art commanded: thou will find me, if God so wills one practising Patience and Constancy!"

37:103. So when they had both submitted their wills (to God), and he had laid him prostrate on his forehead (for sacrifice),

37:104. We called out to him "O Abraham!

37:105. "Thou hast already fulfilled the vision!" - thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

37:106. For this was obviously a trial-

37:107. And We ransomed him with a momentous sacrifice:

37:108. And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:

37:109. "Peace and salutation to Abraham!"

37:110. Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

37:111. For he was one of our believing Servants.

37:112. And We gave him the good news of Isaac - a prophet,- one of the Righteous.

37:113. We blessed him and Isaac: but of their progeny are (some) that do right, and (some) that obviously do wrong, to their own souls.

37:114. Again (of old) We bestowed Our favour on Moses and Aaron,

37:115. And We delivered them and their people from (their) Great Calamity;

37:116. And We helped them, so they overcame (their troubles);

37:117. And We gave them the Book which helps to make things clear;

37:118. And We guided them to the Straight Way.

37:119. And We left (this blessing) for them among generations (to come) in later times:

37:120. "Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron!"

37:121. Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

37:122. For they were two of our believing Servants.

37:123. So also was Elias among those sent (by Us).

37:124. Behold, he said to his people, "Will ye not fear (God)?

37:125. "Will ye call upon Baal and forsake the Best of Creators,-

37:126. "God, your Lord and Cherisher and the Lord and Cherisher of your fathers of old?"

37:127. But they rejected him, and they will certainly be called up (for punishment),-

37:128. Except the sincere and devoted Servants of God (among them).

37:129. And We left (this blessing) for him among generations (to come) in later times:

37:130. "Peace and salutation to such as Elias!"

37:131. Thus indeed do We reward those who do right.

37:132. For he was one of our believing Servants.

37:133. So also was Lut among those sent (by Us).

37:134. Behold, We delivered him and his adherents, all

37:135. Except an old woman who was among those who lagged behind:

37:136. Then We destroyed the rest.

37:137. Verily, ye pass by their (sites), by day-

37:138. And by night: will ye not understand?

37:139. So also was Jonah among those sent (by Us).

37:140. When he ran away (like a slave from captivity) to the ship (fully) laden,

37:141. He (agreed to) cast lots, and he was condemned:

37:142. Then the big Fish did swallow him, and he had done acts worthy of blame.

37:143. Had it not been that he (repented and) glorified God,

37:144. He would certainly have remained inside the Fish till the Day of Resurrection.

37:145. But We cast him forth on the naked shore in a state of sickness,

37:146. And We caused to grow, over him, a spreading plant of the gourd kind.

37:147. And We sent him (on a mission) to a hundred thousand (men) or more.

37:148. And they believed; so We permitted them to enjoy (their life) for a while.

37:149. Now ask them their opinion: Is it that thy Lord has (only) daughters, and they have sons?-

37:150. Or that We created the angels female, and they are witnesses (thereto)?

37:151. Is it not that they say, from their own invention,

37:152. "God has begotten children"? but they are liars!

37:153. Did He (then) choose daughters rather than sons?

37:154. What is the matter with you? How judge ye?

37:155. Will ye not then receive admonition?

37:156. Or have ye an authority manifest?

37:157. Then bring ye your Book (of authority) if ye be truthful!

37:158. And they have invented a blood-relationship between Him and the Jinns: but the Jinns know (quite well) that they have indeed to appear (before his Judgment-Seat)!

37:159. Glory to God! (He is free) from the things they ascribe (to Him)!

37:160. Not (so do) the Servants of God, sincere and devoted.

37:161. For, verily, neither ye nor those ye worship-

37:162. Can lead (any) into temptation concerning God,

37:163. Except such as are (themselves) going to the blazing Fire!

37:164. (Those ranged in ranks say): "Not one of us but has a place appointed;

37:165. "And we are verily ranged in ranks (for service);

37:166. "And we are verily those who declare (God's) glory!"

37:167. And there were those who said,

37:168. "If only we had had before us a Message from those of old,

37:169. "We should certainly have been Servants of God, sincere (and devoted)!"

37:170. But (now that the Qur'an has come), they reject it: But soon will they know!

37:171. Already has Our Word been passed before (this) to our Servants sent (by Us),

37:172. That they would certainly be assisted,

37:173. And that Our forces,- they surely must conquer.

37:174. So turn thou away from them for a little while,

37:175. And watch them (how they fare), and they soon shall see (how thou farest)!

37:176. Do they wish (indeed) to hurry on our Punishment?

37:177. But when it descends into the open space before them, evil will be the morning for those who were warned (and heeded not)!

37:178. So turn thou away from them for a little while,

37:179. And watch (how they fare) and they soon shall see (how thou farest)!

37:180. Glory to thy Lord, the Lord of Honour and Power! (He is free) from what they ascribe (to Him)!

37:181. And Peace on the messengers!

37:182. And Praise to God, the Lord and Cherisher of the Worlds.