37. As-Saffat

By those [angels] lined up in rows

By those [angels] who range themselves in close ranks

Those vanguards who set up ranks (in order to defend the Divine System)

And those who drive [the clouds]

and those who drive away [the wicked] with reproof

And those officers of the state who help maintain law and order

And those who recite the message,1

and by the reciters of the Reminder

And those believers who convey the Reminder

Indeed, your God is One,

your God is One

(Are the living witnesses that) - Verily, most surely, your God is One

Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them and Lord of the sunrises.1

Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything between them; Lord of the Easts

He is the Lord of the heavens and the earth and everything that is between them (the intergalactic material) - And the Lord of the sunrises (and of the Light-giving Revelation)

Indeed, We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment of stars

We have adorned the lowest heaven with the beauty of the planets

Behold, We have beautified the lowest heaven nearest to the earth with ornaments, the stars and planets

And as protection against every rebellious devil

and guarded it against all rebellious devils

And made them secure against every satanic force (The Revelation brings an end to the false claims of the fortune-telling astrologers)

[So] they may not listen to the exalted assembly [of angels] and are pelted from every side,1

they cannot overhear the Higher Assembly for they are pelted from every side

Repelled faraway from the Truth, the 'occult sciences' despite their boisterous claims, can get not a hint of what Divine Revelation is

Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment,

driven away, and will suffer eternal punishment

Outcast--and theirs is a lasting torment

Except one who snatches [some words] by theft, but they are pursued by a burning flame, piercing [in brightness].

But if anyone does succeed in snatching a glimpse [of such knowledge], he shall be pursued by a piercing flame

Even if a thing of their conjecture comes to pass, they are pursued by a Flame of Brightness. (The Divine Revelation exposes the claimants to the 'occult sciences' (18:22), (26:210-212), (52:38), (67:)

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

So, ask those who deny the truth if it was harder to create them than all the other things We have created? We created them from sticky clay

And ask them to enlighten you, "What is more difficult and stronger - their creation or the rest of Our creation in the multiform Universe? Them (the humans) We have only created out of a sticky clay

But you wonder, while they mock,

No wonder you are surprised as they laugh with scorn

Nay, but whereas you (O Prophet) marvel at the Universe, they mock - and again you marvel at their mocking

And when they are reminded, they remember not.

When they are reminded, they do not pay heed

They take not to heart the wonders of Nature when reminded

And when they see a sign, they ridicule.

and whenever they see some sign, they ridicule it

And they turn to mockery every Wonder that they see

And say, "This is not but obvious magic.

saying, "This is plain sorcery

And of the Revelation they say, "This is nothing but magical eloquence

When we have died and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?

What! When we have died and become dust and bones, will we be brought back to life again

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

And our forefathers [as well]?"

along with our forefathers

And even our forefathers

Say, "Yes, and you will be [rendered] contemptible."

Say, "Yes indeed, and you will be brought low

Say, "Yes, indeed. And you will be brought low

It will be only one shout, and at once they will be observing.

There will be but a single blast and then their eyes will open

There will be a single Rebuke, and then, behold, they will begin to see

They will say, "O woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense."

They will say, "Woe to us! This is the Day of Reckoning

And they will say, "Oh, woe unto us! This is the Day of Judgment

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

[It will be said], "This is the Day of Judgement which you have been denying

Yes - This is the Day of Decision you used to deny

[The angels will be ordered], "Gather those who committed wrong, their kinds,1 and what they used to worship

But We shall say, "Assemble those who did wrong together with their associates and what they worshipped

Bring you up", it will be said, "The transgressors and their companions and the leaders whom they obeyed

Other than Allāh, and guide them to the path of Hellfire

besides God, and lead them to the path of the Fire

Instead of Allah, and lead them onto the path to the Blazing Fire. ('Azwaj' in 37:22 = Companions)

And stop them; indeed, they are to be questioned."

and stop them there for questioning

Halt them! For, they must be questioned

[They will be asked], "What is [wrong] with you? Why do you not help each other?"

But what is the matter with you that you cannot help one another

What is the matter with you that you help not each other

But they, that Day, are in surrender.

indeed, on that Day they will surrender themselves

Nay, but this Day they make full submission

And they will approach one another asking [i.e., blaming] each other.

They will turn upon one another, and question one another

And they will turn to one another asking, demanding

They will say, "Indeed, you used to come at us from the right."1

They will say, "You used to come at us from the right

Some will say, "You used to approach us in power

They [i.e., the oppressors] will say, "Rather, you [yourselves] were not believers,

They will say, "No! It was you who would not believe

The leaders will reply, "Nay, it were you yourself who were devoid of Faith

And we had over you no authority, but you were a transgressing people.

we had no power over you; but you yourselves were a rebellious people

And we had no power at all over you. Nay, you were a people of unrestrained conduct

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

But now our Lord's word has come true against us: truly, we are bound to taste [the punishment]

But now the Word of our Lord has come to pass about all of us. Verily, we are bound to taste the fruit of our deeds

And we led you to deviation; indeed, we were deviators."

We led you astray as we were ourselves astray

So then, if we misled you, behold, we ourselves were astray

So indeed they, that Day, will be sharing in the punishment.

On that Day they will all share the punishment

And on that Day, verily, they will be partners in a common doom. (14:21), (33:67), (3)

Indeed, that is how We deal with the criminals.

that is how We deal with evil-doers

Behold, this is how We deal with the guilty

Indeed they, when it was said to them, "There is no deity but Allāh," were arrogant

When they were told, "There is no deity but God," they turned away with disdain

For when it was said to them, "There is no god but Allah", they showed arrogance

And were saying, "Are we to leave our gods for a mad poet?"

and replied, "Shall we then give up our deities at the bidding of a mad poet

And used to say, "Shall we give up our gods for a mad poet

Rather, he [i.e., the Prophet (ﷺ)] has come with the truth and confirmed the [previous] messengers.

Surely, he has brought the truth, confirming those who were sent before

Nay, but he brought the Truth, and he confirmed the previous Messengers

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

you shall surely taste the painful punishment

Behold, you will indeed taste the grievous suffering

And you will not be recompensed except for what you used to do -

and be rewarded only according to your deeds

And you are requited only for what you have done

But not the chosen servants of Allāh.

But the chosen servants of God

But the sincere servants of Allah

Those will have a provision determined -

shall have a known provision

Theirs shall be a sustenance known to them

Fruits;1 and they will be honored

fruits of various kinds; and they shall be honoured

As the fruits of their labor, and they shall be honored

In gardens of pleasure

in the Gardens of Bliss

In the Gardens of Delight

On thrones facing one another.

seated on couches, facing one another

Facing one another upon thrones of happiness

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

A drink will be passed round among them from a flowing spring

A cup from a gushing spring of Bliss brought around for them

White and delicious to the drinkers;

white and delicious to those who drink it

Crystal clear, delicious to those who drink

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

causing no headiness or intoxication

No headache or hangover in it, nor will they get drunk

And with them will be women limiting [their] glances,1 with large, [beautiful] eyes,

With them will be spouses, modest of gaze and beautiful of eye

And in their company will be mates of modest gaze, endowed with vision

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

like closely guarded pearls

Faultless like the hidden ostrich eggs (of unblemished character)

And they will approach one another, inquiring of each other.

They will turn to one another with questions

And they will all turn to one another asking (socializing)

A speaker among them will say, "Indeed, I had a companion [on earth].

one of them will say, "I had a friend

One of them speaks thus, "Behold, I had a close companion

Who would say, 'Are you indeed of those who believe

who used to ask, 'Do you really believe that

He used to ask me, "What! Are you of those who affirm

That when we have died and become dust and bones, we will indeed be recompensed?'"

after we die and become dust and bones, we shall be brought to judgement

That after we have died and become mere dust and bones, we will be called to account

He will say,1 "Would you [care to] look?"

Then he will say, "Shall we look for him

A voice will be heard, "Will you people like to look at him

And he will look and see him1 in the midst of the Hellfire.

Then he will look and see him in the midst of the Fire

And then he looks and finds his companion in the midst of the blazing fire

He will say, "By Allāh, you almost ruined me.

He will say, "By God! You almost brought me to ruin

He says to the companion in the fire, "By God! You had almost ruined me too

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

If it had not been for the blessing of my Lord, I would also have been taken to Hell

Had I not earned the blessing of my Lord, I would surely be of those given over to punishment

Then, are we not to die

Then he will say [to his blessed companions], "Are we not going to die

Are we then never to die (O My Companions of Paradise)

Except for our first death, and we will not be punished?"

except for our first death? Are we not going to be punished

After our former death, and that we will never be among the suffering

Indeed, this is the great attainment.

Truly, this is a great victory

Verily, this - this indeed, is the Supreme Triumph

For the like of this let the workers [on earth] work.

It is for the like of this that all should strive

For such an end should work all workers

Is that [i.e., Paradise] a better accommodation or the tree of zaqqūm?

Is that better by way of hospitality or the Zaqqum tree

Is this better as a welcome or the inedible cactus (the bitter tree of harming others (17:60), (44: 43)

Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers.

which We have made as a test for the wrongdoers

Verily, We have appointed it a torment for the oppressors

Indeed, it is a tree issuing from the bottom of the Hellfire,

For it is a tree that springs out of the bottom of Hellfire

For, behold, it is a tree that springs in the heart of the blazing Fire. (Harming others, oppression and violation of human rights build one's own Hellfire. Likewise, humans earn Paradise with their own hands (7:42), (16:32), (17:9), (29:55), (4)

Its emerging fruit as if it was heads of the devils.

and its fruits are like devils' heads

Its growth like cobra heads. ('Shaitan' and 'Jaann' = Serpent, Cobra. (38:41-44), Harming others harms one's own 'Self

And indeed, they will eat from it and fill with it their bellies.

They will eat from it and fill their bellies with it

Verily, from it they must eat, and fill their bellies with it

Then indeed, they will have after it a mixture of scalding water.

then in addition to it they shall have a draught of boiling water to drink

And, behold, above all this they have a drink of burning despair

Then indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire.

then surely they shall return to Hell

And once again, verily, the blazing Fire is their destination

Indeed they found their fathers astray.

They found their fathers had gone astray

For, verily, they had found their fathers on the wrong path

So they hastened [to follow] in their footsteps.

so they are rushing to follow in their footsteps

But they made haste to follow their footprints

And there had already strayed before them most of the former peoples,

And assuredly many of the ancients went astray before them

This is how, indeed, most of the people of the old had gone astray before them

And We had already sent among them warners.

though We had sent warners among them

And verily, We had sent Warners among them

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

See how those who were warned met their end

Behold, then, what happened to those who had been warned

But not the chosen servants of Allāh.

Not so the chosen servants of God

Except for the sincere servants of Allah

And Noah had certainly called Us, and [We are] the best of responders.

Noah cried to Us, and how excellent was Our response

And it was so when Noah cried to Us. Behold, how excellent are We as Responder

And We saved him and his family from the great affliction.

We saved him and his people from great distress

For, We saved him, his family and his followers from the great distress. ('Ahl' or the Household of a Prophet includes his followers)

And We made his descendants those remaining [on the earth]

and We made his offspring the only survivors

And made his progeny and followers survive

And left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

We left mention of him among later generations

And We left his remembrance for later generations

"Peace upon Noah among the worlds."

Peace be upon Noah among all the peoples

Peace and salutation to Noah in the Worlds

Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

That is how We recompense the righteous

Verily, this is how We reward the benefactors of humanity

Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

he was truly one of Our faithful servants

Behold, he was one of Our truly believing servants

Then We drowned the others [i.e., disbelievers].

We drowned the rest

And We caused the others to drown

And indeed, among his kind was Abraham,

Abraham was of the same faith

And verily, to his group (of believers, later) belonged Abraham

When he came to his Lord with a sound heart

he came to his Lord with a sound heart

When he came to his Lord with a noble heart

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

Behold!" he said to his father and to his people, "What are these that you worship

And thus spoke to his father and his people, "What is that you worship

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

Would you serve false deities instead of God

It is a falsehood. Do you desire gods besides Allah

Then what is your thought about the Lord of the worlds?"

What do you think of the Lord of the Worlds

What do you think of the Lord of the Worlds

And he cast a look at the stars.

He looked up at the stars

And he glanced at the stars

And said, "Indeed, I am [about to be] ill."

And said, "I am sick

And said, "Behold, I am sick (of you worshiping false deities)

So they turned away from him, departing.

so they turned their backs on him and went off

At that they turned their backs and went away from him

Then he turned to their gods and said, "Do you not eat?1

He turned to their gods and said, "Do you not eat

Then Abraham gently turned to their idols and said, "What! You do not eat

What is [wrong] with you that you do not speak?".

What is the matter with you that you do not speak

What ails you that you speak not

And he turned upon them a blow with [his] right hand.

then he turned on them, striking them down with his right hand

Then he turned upon them, striking them with the right hand (struck them hard)

Then they [i.e., the people] came toward him, hastening.

His people came rushing towards him

The people came running to him

He said, "Do you worship that which you [yourselves] carve,

but he said, "How can you worship things you carve with your own hands

He said, "Do you worship that which you carve with your own hands

While Allāh created you and that which you do?"

when it is God who has created you and all your handiwork

When Allah has created you and your handicraft

They said, "Construct for him a structure [i.e., furnace] and throw him into the burning fire."

They said, "Build a pyre for him and throw him into the blaze

They said, "Build a structure for him and fling him into the blazing fire

And they intended for him a plan [i.e., harm], but We made them the most debased.

They wanted to harm him, but We humiliated them all

But as they schemed against him, We brought them low

And [then] he said, "Indeed, I will go to [where I am ordered by] my Lord; He will guide me.

He said, "I will go to my Lord: He is sure to guide me

And he said, "Behold, I am going to my Lord Who will guide me (to refuge)

My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous."

Lord, grant me a righteous son

(Abraham emigrated to Syria and prayed), "My Lord! Grant me the company of the righteous, and children who will be righteous

So We gave him good tidings of a forbearing boy.

We gave him the good news that he would have a patient, forbearing son

So We gave him the good news of a clement son (Ishmael)

And when he reached with him [the age of] exertion,1 he said, "O my son, indeed I have seen in a dream that I [must] sacrifice you, so see what you think." He said, "O my father, do as you are commanded. You will find me, if Allāh wills, of the steadfast."

And when he reached the age when he could work with him, he said, "O my son, I have seen in a dream that I am sacrificing you. So tell me what you think of it!" He replied, "O my father, do as you are commanded; and God willing, you will find me steadfast

And when he was old enough to strive along with him, Abraham said, "O My dear son! I have a vision that I must give you to a life of test and tribulation for a Noble cause (37:107). So look, what do you think?" He said, "O My father! Do what you are commanded. God willing, you will find me of the steadfast." ('Zibh' & 'Zabh' = Sacrifice = Disregard comfort for a Noble cause. Just as 'Qatl' = Killing, fighting, humiliating, to bring low)

And when they had both submitted1 and he put him down upon his forehead,

When they had both submitted to God, and he had laid his son down on his face

As both of them had surrendered themselves (to Allah), he made Ishmael prostrate on his forehead in gratitude. (Contrary to popular tradition Abraham never envisioned or intended to slaughter his son)

We called to him, "O Abraham,

We called out to him, "Abraham

We called unto him, "O Abraham

You have fulfilled the vision." Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

you have fulfilled the dream." It is thus indeed that We reward those who do good

You have already affirmed the vision. We - This is so - We must reward the doers of good

Indeed, this was the clear trial.

that surely was a manifest trial

This was indeed a Trial, clear in itself. (Leaving the prestigious office of Chief Priesthood in Babylon and now the comfort of Syria for the wilderness of Makkah)

And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice,1

We ransomed him with a great sacrifice

We exchanged his life for a Momentous Sacrifice. (Please notice here the absence of the Biblical and the traditional myth of a 'ram' sent from the heavens. Also, note that slaughtering of a sheep or goat, by no means, can be considered a Momentous Sacrifice. (14)

And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

and left him thus to be succeeded by a group [of followers] among later generations

And We left for him remembrance among the later generations

"Peace upon Abraham."

Peace and salutation to Abraham

Peace and salutation to Abraham

Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

That is how We recompense the righteous

Thus do We reward the benefactors of humanity

Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

truly, he was one of Our faithful servants

He was one of Our truly believing servants

And We gave him good tidings of Isaac, a prophet from among the righteous.1

We gave Abraham the good news of Isaac, a prophet and a righteous man

Then We gave him the good news of Isaac - a Prophet, among men of quality

And We blessed him and Isaac. But among their descendants is the doer of good and the clearly unjust to himself [i.e., sinner].

and blessed him and Isaac too: some of their offspring were good, but some clearly sinned against their souls

And We gave lasting felicity to him and Isaac. But among their generations are the doers of good, and those who, by doing wrong to others, clearly wrong their own "Self

And We did certainly confer favor upon Moses and Aaron.

We also bestowed Our favour on Moses and Aaron

Yes indeed, We bestowed excellence upon Moses and Aaron

And We saved them and their people from the great affliction,

We saved them and their people from great distress

And We saved them and their people from the awesome distress (of bondage)

And We supported them so it was they who overcame.

and We helped them, so that they were victorious

And helped them so that they became the victors

And We gave them the explicit Scripture [i.e., the Torah],

and We gave them the Book which helps to make things clear

And We gave both of them the Scripture that helped to distinguish the right from wrong. ('Kitabal Mustabeen' = the Book that helped to distinguish = The Torah. 'Kitabil Mubin' = The Book that distinguishes = The Qur'an)

And We guided them on the straight path.

and guided them to the straight path

And showed both of them the Straight Path

And We left for them [favorable mention] among later generations:

and We left them thus to be succeeded by a group [of followers] among later generations

And We left for them remembrance among the later generations

"Peace upon Moses and Aaron."

Peace be upon Moses and Aaron

Peace and salutation to Moses and Aaron

Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

This is how We reward those who do good

Verily! This is how We reward the benefactors of humanity

Indeed, they were of Our believing servants.

truly they were among Our faithful servants

Indeed, both of them were Our truly believing servants

And indeed, Elias was from among the messengers,

Elijah too was one of the messengers

And, behold, Elias (Elijah) was one of Our Messengers

When he said to his people, "Will you not fear Allāh?

He said to his people, "Have you no fear [of God]

When he said to his people, "Will you not walk aright

Do you call upon Baʿl1 and leave the best of creators -

Do you call on Baal and abandon the Best of Creators

You call upon Ba'l, and disregard the Best of creators

Allāh, your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers?"

God your Lord and Lord of your forefathers

Allah! Your Lord, and Lord of your forefathers

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

but they rejected him, and thus will certainly be called to account

But they denied him. And they will certainly be called to account

Except the chosen servants of Allāh.

except the chosen servants of God

But the sincere servants of Allah

And We left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:

We left him thus to be succeeded by a group [of followers] among the following generations

And we left for him remembrance among the later generations

"Peace upon Elias."1

Peace be on Elijah and his people

Peace and salutation to Elias

Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.

It is thus indeed that We reward those who do good

Verily, this is how we reward the benefactors of humanity

Indeed, he was of Our believing servants.

surely he was one of Our believing servants

Indeed, He was among our truly believing servants

And indeed, Lot was among the messengers.

Lot was also one of the messengers

And, behold, Lot was indeed among the Messengers

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

We saved him and all his people

When We saved him and his household, everyone

Except an old woman [i.e., his wife] among those who remained [with the evildoers].

except for an old woman who stayed behind

Except an old woman who was among those who stayed behind in belief

Then We destroyed the others.

and We destroyed the rest

And then We destroyed the rest

And indeed, you pass by them in the morning

You pass by their ruins morning

And verily, you pass by their sites by day

And at night. Then will you not use reason?

and night: will you not take heed

And by night. Will you not, then, use your sense to draw lessons

And indeed, Jonah was among the messengers.

Jonah too was one of the messengers

And, behold, Jonah was indeed among the Messengers

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

He fled to the overloaded ship

When he fled like a runaway slave onto a laden ship. ('Abaqa' = Fled like a runaway slave. He migrated before Allah's Command)

And he drew lots1 and was among the losers.

And then they cast lots and he was the one who lost

He had cast an arrow and missed the mark. (Untimely action)

Then the fish swallowed him, while he was blameworthy.1

and the fish swallowed him while he was blaming himself

Then the Fish grabbed him while he was blaming himself. (Again, usually a whale is mentioned here. But the whale is a mammal and not a fish, and the Qur'an which is never inaccurate, speaks of)

And had he not been of those who exalt Allāh,

Had he not been one of those who acknowledge the glory of God

And had he not been a valiant swimmer

He would have remained inside its belly until the Day they are resurrected.1

he would certainly have remained inside the fish till the Day of Resurrection

(The fish would have eaten him up and) he would have remained in her belly disintegrated there and further until the Day of Rising

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

But We caused him to be cast forth on to the beach, sick as he was

(He freed himself and swam to safety.) Then We cast him on the shore, while he was exhausted

And We caused to grow over him a gourd vine.1

and We caused a gourd tree to grow over him

We caused him to rest under a well-grown fruitful tree

And We sent him1 to [his people of] a hundred thousand or more.

We sent him as a messenger to a hundred thousand people or more

And We sent him back to his people, a hundred thousand, even more

And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment [of life] for a time.

and they believed in him: so We let them live in ease for a while

And this time they believed in him and so We let them enjoy this life

So inquire of them, [O Muḥammad], "Does your Lord have daughters while they have sons?1

Now ask them whether your Lord has daughters, whereas they have sons

Now (O Prophet) ask them if your Lord has daughters whereas they have sons! (Do they wish to live with superstitions, such as that Jonah lived in the belly of a fish for forty days and then he got free only by reciting a verse, or that your Lord has offspring)

Or did We create the angels as females while they were witnesses?"

Did We create the angels females, to which they were witnesses

Or is it that We have created angels female and they witnessed it

Unquestionably, it is out of their [invented] falsehood that they say,

No indeed! It is one of their fabrications when they say

Attention! It is out of their own invention that they say

"Allāh has begotten," and indeed, they are liars.

God has begotten children." They are truly liars

That Allah has begotten." And, verily, they tell a lie too

Has He chosen daughters over sons?

Has He chosen daughters over sons

When they say, "He has chosen daughters over sons

What is [wrong] with you? How do you make judgement?

What is the matter with you? How do you form your judgement

What is amiss with you? How do you judge

Then will you not be reminded?

Will you not then reflect

Will you not then reflect

Or do you have a clear authority?1

Or have you clear evidence

Or have you a clear authoritative evidence

Then produce your scripture, if you should be truthful.

Then produce your scriptures, if you are telling the truth

Then bring your Divine Authority if you are truthful

And they have made [i.e., claimed] between Him and the jinn a lineage, but the jinn have already known that they [who made such claims] will be brought [to punishment].

They claim that He has kinship with the jinn, yet the jinn themselves know that they will be produced before Him [for judgement]

And they imagine relationship between the unseen forces and their Lord. But the unseen forces know their assignments and constantly remain in His servitude

Exalted is Allāh above what they describe,

God is far above what they attribute to Him

Glorified is Allah from what they attribute to Him

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

but not so the true servants of God

But the sincere servants of Allah

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

neither you nor what you worship

Verily, neither you nor what you worship

You cannot tempt [anyone] away from Him

can lure away from God any

Can tempt the sincere servants against Him

Except he who is to [enter and] burn in the Hellfire.1

except those who will burn in Hell

Only the one who rushes to the Blazing Fire

[The angels say],1 "There is not among us any except that he has a known position.2

[The angels say], "Every single one of us has his place assigned

The sincere servants say, "Each one of us has an assignment

And indeed, we are those who line up [for prayer].

we are those who stand ranged in ranks

And, behold, we are soldiers in ranks

And indeed, we are those who exalt Allāh."

We glorify God

And, verily, we, yes we are they who strive to establish His Glory on earth. ('Sabh' = Swim with long and strong laps and strides. It is not the rolling of the rosary-beads or to hymn some words)

And indeed, they [i.e., the disbelievers] used to say,1

They say

And indeed the disbelievers used to say

"If we had a message from [those of] the former peoples,

If we had had with us a Book like that of the people of old

If only we had a reminder from the old generations, or a Scripture as they had

We would have been the chosen servants of Allāh."

we would surely have been God's chosen servants

We would certainly be sincere servants of Allah alone

But they disbelieved in it,1 so they are going to know.

but they have rejected it, [the Quran] and they shall soon learn

And yet, now they are denying the Truth. In time, they will come to know what they denied

And Our word [i.e., decree] has already preceded for Our servants, the messengers,

And surely Our word has gone forth respecting Our servants, the messengers

Our Word has already gone forth to Our servants, the Messengers

[That] indeed, they would be those given victory

that it is certainly they who will be helped

That verily, they - indeed they - would be helped

And [that] indeed, Our soldiers [i.e., the believers] will be those who overcome.1

and that it is Our host that would certainly triumph

And that Our soldiers - they indeed - would be the victors

So, [O Muḥammad], leave them for a time.

So turn away from them for a while

So (O Prophet) withdraw from the disbelievers for a while

And see [what will befall] them, for they are going to see.

Watch them: they will soon see

And see them for what they do, and soon they will see what they now don't

Then for Our punishment are they impatient?

Do they really wish to hasten Our punishment

Do they really wish to hasten Our retribution

But when it descends in their territory, then evil is the morning of those who were warned.

When it descends on their courtyards, how terrible that morning will be for those who were warned

But when it comes upon their front-yards, it will be a dreadful awakening for those who have been sufficiently warned

And leave them for a time.

So turn away from them for a while

Hence, turn aside from them for a while

And see, for they are going to see.

And watch, for they will soon see

And see them for what they do, and soon they will see what they now don't

Exalted is your Lord, the Lord of might, above what they describe.

Glory be to your Lord: the Lord of Glory is far above what they attribute to Him

Glory to your Lord, the Lord of Majesty, Exalted above their contriving

And peace upon the messengers.

Peace be upon the Messengers

And Peace and salutation to all the Message-bearers

And praise to Allāh, Lord of the worlds.

and praise be to God, the Lord of all the Worlds

And all Praise is due to Allah, the Sustainer of the Worlds! (And to that end strive the Soldiers in Ranks)