86. At-Tariq

By the sky and the night comer

By the heavens and that which comes in the night

The sky and the Tariq are witness to what is being said

And what can make you know what is the night comer?

and what could make you know what it is that comes in the night

And what will enlighten you as to what the Tariq is

It is the piercing star1

It is the shining star

The Brightest Star! The noble night-visitant with the Radiant Lamp of the Qur'an in his hand knocking at the doors of minds and hearts, giving Light

There is no soul but that it has over it a protector.

[for] no human being has been left unguarded

There is no person without a watch being kept over him. (The Law of Requital is ever-vigilant)

So let man observe from what he was created.

Let man reflect on what he was created from

Let the human being, then, consider out of what he has been created. (And realize the common origin of all mankind. Has there not passed over man an era when he was not even worth mentioning)

He was created from a fluid, ejected,

He was created from spurting fluid

He has been created from a turbulent water. (2)

Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.

issuing from between the backbone and the breastbone

That issued from between tough rocks and mingled dust

Indeed, He [i.e., Allāh], to return him [to life], is Able.

He certainly has the power to bring him back to life

Now, verily, He (Who has thus created man), is well Able to bring him back

The Day when secrets will be put on trial,1

On the Day when secrets are disclosed

On the Day when all secrets will be disclosed

Then he [i.e., man] will have no power or any helper.

[man] will have no power, and no helper

Then he will have no power, nor a helper

By the sky which sends back1

By the heavens, ever-revolving

Witness is the high atmosphere that keeps returning (its water, gases and other composition)

And [by] the earth which splits,1

by the earth cracking open with new growth

And witness is the earth which cracks open for springs and plants

Indeed, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is a decisive statement,

It is surely a decisive utterance

Behold, this (Qur'an) is a Conclusive Word. (That can give you a new life)

And it is not amusement.

and is not to be taken lightly

It is not an amusing idle talk

Indeed, they are planning a plan,

They are planning a scheme

(Yet) Behold, they plot and scheme (to refute the Truth)

But I am planning a plan.

and so am I

But My Law works its own Way

So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.1

so bear with those who deny the truth, and let them be for a little while

Therefore give the rejecters some time. Leave them alone for a while