Revealed during the middle Makkan period, Surah As-Saffat (Those Who Set the Ranks) begins with a powerful oath by the angels standing in ranks, establishing the absolute unity of the Creator and the protection of heaven from rebellious devils. It details the historical trials of past prophets—such as Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, Aaron, Elijah, and Jonah—focusing deeply on Abraham's agonizing trial of sacrificing his son and his ultimate reward for obedience. The chapter refutes the pagan myths of God having daughters, presenting logical arguments against polytheism. It ends with a strong message of victory for the messengers and the righteous, declaring that God's army will inevitably prevail.
Transliteration
Waalssaffati saffan
Translation
By the aligners aligning
God swears an oath by the angels standing in neat rows, ready to obey His commands.
Transliteration
Faalzzajirati zajran
Translation
And the drivers driving
God swears an oath by the angels who drive the clouds to bring rain wherever He wills.
Transliteration
Faalttaliyati thikran
Translation
And the reciters of the Reminder
God swears an oath by the angels who recite and deliver His divine messages to the prophets.
Transliteration
Inna ilahakum lawahidun
Translation
Your God is indeed One
God affirms the central truth: there is only one true God, with no partners.
Transliteration
Rabbu alssamawati waalardi wama baynahuma warabbu almashariqi
Translation
Lord of the heavens and the earth, and everything between them; and Lord of the Easts
Transliteration
Inna zayyanna alssamaa alddunya bizeenatin alkawakibi
Translation
We have adorned the lower heaven with the beauty of the planets
Describes the lowest cosmic heaven: adorned with dazzling stars and planets that function both as navigational beacons for humans and as a celestial defense system against devils attempting to eavesdrop on cosmic decrees.
Transliteration
Wahifthan min kulli shaytanin maridin
Translation
And guarded it against every defiant devil
Transliteration
La yassammaAAoona ila almalai alaAAla wayuqthafoona min kulli janibin
Translation
They cannot eavesdrop on the Supernal Elite, for they get bombarded from every side
Transliteration
Duhooran walahum AAathabun wasibun
Translation
Repelled—they will have a lingering torment
Transliteration
Illa man khatifa alkhatfata faatbaAAahu shihabun thaqibun
Translation
Except for him who snatches a fragment—he gets pursued by a piercing projectile
Transliteration
Faistaftihim ahum ashaddu khalqan am man khalaqna inna khalaqnahum min teenin lazibin
Translation
Inquire of them, “Are they more difficult to create, or the others We created?” We created them from sticky clay
Transliteration
Bal AAajibta wayaskharoona
Translation
But you wonder, and they ridicule
Transliteration
Waitha thukkiroo la yathkuroona
Translation
And when reminded, they pay no attention
Transliteration
Waitha raaw ayatan yastaskhiroona
Translation
And when they see a sign, they ridicule
Transliteration
Waqaloo in hatha illa sihrun mubeenun
Translation
And they say, “This is nothing but plain magic
Transliteration
Aitha mitna wakunna turaban waAAithaman ainna lamabAAoothoona
Translation
When we have died and become dust and bones, shall we be resurrected
Transliteration
Awaabaona alawwaloona
Translation
And our ancestors of old?”
Transliteration
Qul naAAam waantum dakhiroona
Translation
Say, “Yes indeed, and you will be totally subdued.”
Transliteration
Fainnama hiya zajratun wahidatun faitha hum yanthuroona
Translation
It will be a single nudge, and they will be staring
Transliteration
Waqaloo ya waylana hatha yawmu alddeeni
Translation
They will say, “Woe to us. This is the Day of Judgment.”
Transliteration
Hatha yawmu alfasli allathee kuntum bihi tukaththiboona
Translation
“This is the Day of Separation which you used to deny
Transliteration
Ohshuroo allatheena thalamoo waazwajahum wama kanoo yaAAbudoona
Translation
Gather those who did wrong, and their mates, and what they used to worship
Transliteration
Min dooni Allahi faihdoohum ila sirati aljaheemi
Translation
Besides God, and lead them to the way to Hell
Transliteration
Waqifoohum innahum masooloona
Translation
And stop them. They are to be questioned.”
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Ma lakum la tanasaroona
Translation
What is the matter with you? Why do you not help one another
Transliteration
Bal humu alyawma mustaslimoona
Translation
In fact, on that Day, they will be submissive
Transliteration
Waaqbala baAAduhum AAala baAAdin yatasaaloona
Translation
They will come to one another, questioning one another
Transliteration
Qaloo innakum kuntum tatoonana AAani alyameeni
Translation
They will say, “You used to come at us from the right.”
Transliteration
Qaloo bal lam takoonoo mumineena
Translation
They will say, “You yourselves were not believers
Transliteration
Wama kana lana AAalaykum min sultanin bal kuntum qawman tagheena
Translation
We had no authority over you. You yourselves were rebellious people
Transliteration
Fahaqqa AAalayna qawlu rabbina inna lathaiqoona
Translation
The Word of our Lord has been realized against us. We are tasting it
Transliteration
Faaghwaynakum inna kunna ghaweena
Translation
We seduced you. We were seducers.”
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Fainnahum yawmaithin fee alAAathabi mushtarikoona
Translation
On that Day, they will share in the punishment
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Inna kathalika nafAAalu bialmujrimeena
Translation
Thus We deal with the sinners
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Innahum kanoo itha qeela lahum la ilaha illa Allahu yastakbiroona
Translation
When it was said to them, “There is no god except God,” they grew arrogant
Transliteration
Wayaqooloona ainna latarikoo alihatina lishaAAirin majnoonin
Translation
And said, “Are we to abandon our gods for a mad poet?”
Transliteration
Bal jaa bialhaqqi wasaddaqa almursaleena
Translation
In fact, he came with the truth, and he confirmed the messengers
Transliteration
Innakum lathaiqoo alAAathabi alaleemi
Translation
Most assuredly, you will taste the painful punishment
Transliteration
Wama tujzawna illa ma kuntum taAAmaloona
Translation
And you will be repaid only for what you used to do
Transliteration
Illa AAibada Allahi almukhlaseena
Translation
Except for God’s sincere servants
Transliteration
Olaika lahum rizqun maAAloomun
Translation
For them is a known provision
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Fawakihu wahum mukramoona
Translation
Fruits; and they will be honored
Transliteration
Fee jannati alnnaAAeemi
Translation
In the Gardens of Bliss
Transliteration
AAala sururin mutaqabileena
Translation
On furnishings, facing one another
Transliteration
Yutafu AAalayhim bikasin min maAAeenin
Translation
They will be offered a cup of pure drink
Transliteration
Baydaa laththatin lilshsharibeena
Translation
White; a delight to those who drink
Transliteration
La feeha ghawlun wala hum AAanha yunzafoona
Translation
Never polluted, and never intoxicating
Transliteration
WaAAindahum qasiratu alttarfi AAeenun
Translation
With them will be bashful women with lovely eyes
Transliteration
Kaannahunna baydun maknoonun
Translation
As if they were closely guarded pearls
Transliteration
Faaqbala baAAduhum AAala baAAdin yatasaaloona
Translation
Then they will approach one another, questioning
Transliteration
Qala qailun minhum innee kana lee qareenun
Translation
One of them will say, “I used to have a friend
Transliteration
Yaqoolu ainnaka lamina almusaddiqeena
Translation
Who used to say, “Are you of those who believe
Transliteration
Aitha mitna wakunna turaban waAAithaman ainna lamadeenoona
Translation
That after we die and become dust and bones, we will be called to account?”
Transliteration
Qala hal antum muttaliAAoona
Translation
He will say, “Will you have a look?”
Transliteration
FaittalaAAa faraahu fee sawai aljaheemi
Translation
He will look, and will see him in the pit of Hell
Transliteration
Qala taAllahi in kidta laturdeeni
Translation
He will say, “By God, you almost ruined me
Transliteration
Walawla niAAmatu rabbee lakuntu mina almuhdareena
Translation
Were it not for the grace of my Lord, I would have been among the arraigned.”
Transliteration
Afama nahnu bimayyiteena
Translation
“We will not die
Transliteration
Illa mawtatana aloola wama nahnu bimuAAaththabeena
Translation
Except for our first death, and we will not be punished.”
Transliteration
Inna hatha lahuwa alfawzu alAAatheemu
Translation
This is the supreme triumph
Transliteration
Limithli hatha falyaAAmali alAAamiloona
Translation
For the like of this let the workers work
Transliteration
Athalika khayrun nuzulan am shajaratu alzzaqqoomi
Translation
Is this a better hospitality, or the Tree of Bitterness
Introduces the bitter Tree of Zaqqum in Hellfire. When these verses were revealed, Meccan polytheists like Abu Jahl mocked them, jokingly asking how a living tree could sprout in raging fire, and eating dates and butter saying: 'Eat the Zaqqum that Muhammad threatens you with!'
Transliteration
Inna jaAAalnaha fitnatan lilththalimeena
Translation
We made it an ordeal for the unjust
Transliteration
Innaha shajaratun takhruju fee asli aljaheemi
Translation
It is a tree that grows from the bottom of Hell
Transliteration
TalAAuha kaannahu ruoosu alshshayateeni
Translation
Its fruits are like the devils’ heads
Describes the eerie appearance of the Zaqqum fruit: its sinister, twisted shape is visually compared to the hideous heads of devils ('Ru'us ash-Shayatin').
Transliteration
Fainnahum laakiloona minha famalioona minha albutoona
Translation
They will eat from it, and fill their bellies with it
Transliteration
Thumma inna lahum AAalayha lashawban min hameemin
Translation
Then, on top of it, they will have a brew of boiling liquid
Transliteration
Thumma inna marjiAAahum laila aljaheemi
Translation
Then their return will be to the Blaze
Transliteration
Innahum alfaw abaahum dalleena
Translation
They had found their parents astray
Transliteration
Fahum AAala atharihim yuhraAAoona
Translation
And rushed along in their footsteps
Transliteration
Walaqad dalla qablahum aktharu alawwaleena
Translation
And most of the ancients before them went astray
Transliteration
Walaqad arsalna feehim munthireena
Translation
Even though We sent messengers to warn them
Transliteration
Faonthur kayfa kana AAaqibatu almunthareena
Translation
So observe the end of those who were warned
Transliteration
Illa AAibada Allahi almukhlaseena
Translation
Except for the sincere servants of God
Transliteration
Walaqad nadana noohun falaniAAma almujeeboona
Translation
And Noah called out to Us, and We are the Best of responders
Transliteration
Wanajjaynahu waahlahu mina alkarbi alAAatheemi
Translation
And We saved him and his family from the great calamity
Transliteration
WajaAAalna thurriyyatahu humu albaqeena
Translation
And We made his descendants the survivors
Transliteration
Watarakna AAalayhi fee alakhireena
Translation
And We left mention of him among those who succeeded
Transliteration
Salamun AAala noohin fee alAAalameena
Translation
Peace be upon Noah among all people
Transliteration
Inna kathalika najzee almuhsineena
Translation
We thus reward the righteous
Transliteration
Innahu min AAibadina almumineena
Translation
He was one of Our believing servants
Transliteration
Thumma aghraqna alakhareena
Translation
Then We drowned the others
Transliteration
Wainna min sheeAAatihi laibraheema
Translation
Of his kind was Abraham
Transliteration
Ith jaa rabbahu biqalbin saleemin
Translation
When he came to his Lord with a sound heart
Transliteration
Ith qala liabeehi waqawmihi matha taAAbudoona
Translation
He said to his father and his people, “What are you worshiping
Transliteration
Aifkan alihatan doona Allahi tureedoona
Translation
Is it falsified gods, instead of God, that you want
Transliteration
Fama thannukum birabbi alAAalameena
Translation
So what is your opinion about the Lord of the Worlds?”
Transliteration
Fanathara nathratan fee alnnujoomi
Translation
Then he took a glance at the stars
Transliteration
Faqala innee saqeemun
Translation
And said, “I am sick.”
Transliteration
Fatawallaw AAanhu mudbireena
Translation
But they turned their backs on him, and went away
Transliteration
Faragha ila alihatihim faqala ala takuloona
Translation
Then he turned to their gods, and said, “will you not eat
Transliteration
Ma lakum la tantiqoona
Translation
What is it with you, that you do not speak?”
Transliteration
Faragha AAalayhim darban bialyameeni
Translation
Then he turned on them, striking with his right hand
Transliteration
Faaqbaloo ilayhi yaziffoona
Translation
And they came running towards him
Transliteration
Qala ataAAbudoona ma tanhitoona
Translation
He said, “Do you worship what you carve
Transliteration
WaAllahu khalaqakum wama taAAmaloona
Translation
When God created you, and what you manufacture?”
Transliteration
Qaloo ibnoo lahu bunyanan faalqoohu fee aljaheemi
Translation
They said, “Build a pyre for him, and throw him into the furnace.”
Transliteration
Faaradoo bihi kaydan fajaAAalnahumu alasfaleena
Translation
They wished him ill, but We made them the losers
Transliteration
Waqala innee thahibun ila rabbee sayahdeeni
Translation
He said, “I am going towards my Lord, and He will guide me.”
Transliteration
Rabbi hab lee mina alssaliheena
Translation
“My Lord, give me one of the righteous.”
Transliteration
Fabashsharnahu bighulamin haleemin
Translation
So We gave him good news of a clement boy
Transliteration
Falamma balagha maAAahu alssaAAya qala ya bunayya innee ara fee almanami annee athbahuka faonthur matha tara qala ya abati ifAAal ma tumaru satajidunee in shaa Allahu mina alssabireena
Translation
Then, when he was old enough to accompany him, he said, “O My son, I see in a dream that I am sacrificing you; see what you think.” He said, “O my Father, do as you are commanded; you will find me, God willing, one of the steadfast.”
The supreme trial of Prophet Abraham (Ibrahim): he recounted a prophetic dream instructing him to sacrifice his beloved firstborn son (Ishmael/Isma'il). Demonstrating extraordinary spiritual maturity, the young son willingly submitted, encouraging his father to fulfill God's command.
Transliteration
Falamma aslama watallahu liljabeeni
Translation
Then, when they had submitted, and he put his forehead down
Both father and son surrendered unconditionally to the divine will; Abraham laid his son down on his forehead, ready to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Transliteration
Wanadaynahu an ya ibraheemu
Translation
We called out to him, “O Abraham
At the moment of sacrifice, God called out to Prophet Abraham from heaven: 'O Abraham!'—halting the blade and declaring his supreme spiritual test accomplished.
Transliteration
Qad saddaqta alrruya inna kathalika najzee almuhsineena
Translation
You have fulfilled the vision.” Thus We reward the doers of good
Confirms that Abraham's absolute willingness to sacrifice his beloved firstborn son proved his total surrender to God, for which he was granted eternal divine honor.
Transliteration
Inna hatha lahuwa albalao almubeenu
Translation
This was certainly an evident test
Transliteration
Wafadaynahu bithibhin AAatheemin
Translation
And We redeemed him with a great sacrifice
God halted the sacrifice, declaring the test fulfilled, and ransomed the boy with a magnificent ram ('Dhabhin 'Adhim'). This profound moment established the annual global celebration of Eid al-Adha and the sacrificial rites of Hajj.
Transliteration
Watarakna AAalayhi fee alakhireena
Translation
And We left with him for later generations
Transliteration
Salamun AAala ibraheema
Translation
Peace be upon Abraham
Transliteration
Kathalika najzee almuhsineena
Translation
Thus We reward the doers of good
Transliteration
Innahu min AAibadina almumineena
Translation
He was one of Our believing servants
Transliteration
Wabashsharnahu biishaqa nabiyyan mina alssaliheena
Translation
And We gave him good news of Isaac, a prophet, one of the righteous
Transliteration
Wabarakna AAalayhi waAAala ishaqa wamin thurriyyatihima muhsinun wathalimun linafsihi mubeenun
Translation
And We blessed him, and Isaac. But among their descendants are some who are righteous, and some who are clearly unjust to themselves
Transliteration
Walaqad mananna AAala moosa waharoona
Translation
And We blessed Moses and Aaron
Transliteration
Wanajjaynahuma waqawmahuma mina alkarbi alAAatheemi
Translation
And We delivered them and their people from the terrible disaster
Transliteration
Wanasarnahum fakanoo humu alghalibeena
Translation
And We supported them, and so they were the victors
Transliteration
Waataynahuma alkitaba almustabeena
Translation
And We gave them the Clarifying Scripture
Transliteration
Wahadaynahuma alssirata almustaqeema
Translation
And We guided them upon the straight path
Transliteration
Watarakna AAalayhima fee alakhireena
Translation
And We left with them for later generations
Transliteration
Salamun AAala moosa waharoona
Translation
Peace be upon Moses and Aaron
Transliteration
Inna kathalika najzee almuhsineena
Translation
Thus We reward the righteous
Transliteration
Innahuma min AAibadina almumineena
Translation
They were of Our believing servants
Transliteration
Wainna ilyasa lamina almursaleena
Translation
Also Elijah was one of the messengers
Transliteration
Ith qala liqawmihi ala tattaqoona
Translation
He said to his people, “Do you not fear
Transliteration
AtadAAoona baAAlan watatharoona ahsana alkhaliqeena
Translation
Do you call on Baal, and forsake the Best of creators
Prophet Elijah (Ilyas) confronted his people in Baalbek (modern Lebanon/Syria), rebuking them for abandoning the True Creator to worship 'Ba'l', the prominent Canaanite-Phoenician fertility idol.
Transliteration
Allaha rabbakum warabba abaikumu alawwaleena
Translation
God is your Lord, and the Lord of your ancestors.”
Transliteration
Fakaththaboohu fainnahum lamuhdaroona
Translation
But they called him a liar, and thus they will be brought forward
Transliteration
Illa AAibada Allahi almukhlaseena
Translation
Except for God’s sincere servants
Transliteration
Watarakna AAalayhi fee alakhireena
Translation
And We left with him for later generations
Transliteration
Salamun AAala il yaseena
Translation
Peace be upon the House of Elijah
Transliteration
Inna kathalika najzee almuhsineena
Translation
Thus We reward the virtuous
Transliteration
Innahu min AAibadina almumineena
Translation
He was one of Our believing servants
Transliteration
Wainna lootan lamina almursaleena
Translation
And Lot was one of the messengers
Transliteration
Ith najjaynahu waahlahu ajmaAAeena
Translation
We saved him and his family, all of them
Transliteration
Illa AAajoozan fee alghabireena
Translation
Except for an old woman who lagged behind
Transliteration
Thumma dammarna alakhareena
Translation
Then We annihilated the others
Transliteration
Wainnakum latamurroona AAalayhim musbiheena
Translation
You pass by them in the morning
Transliteration
Wabiallayli afala taAAqiloona
Translation
And at night. Do you not understand
Transliteration
Wainna yoonusa lamina almursaleena
Translation
And Jonah was one of the messengers
Transliteration
Ith abaqa ila alfulki almashhooni
Translation
When he fled to the laden boat
Transliteration
Fasahama fakana mina almudhadeena
Translation
He gambled and lost
Recalls Prophet Jonah (Yunus) boarding an overloaded ship during a violent sea storm. The sailors cast lots ('Qur'ah') to determine who should be cast overboard to lighten the vessel, and Jonah's name was drawn.
Transliteration
Failtaqamahu alhootu wahuwa muleemun
Translation
Then the fish swallowed him, and he was to blame
Transliteration
Falawla annahu kana mina almusabbiheena
Translation
Had he not been one of those who praised
Highlights the power of lifelong devotion: because Jonah was a constant glorifier of God prior to his crisis, God saved him from the belly of the whale; otherwise, he would have remained entombed in its stomach until the Day of Resurrection.
Transliteration
Lalabitha fee batnihi ila yawmi yubAAathoona
Translation
He would have stayed in its belly until the Day they are raised
Transliteration
Fanabathnahu bialAAarai wahuwa saqeemun
Translation
Then We threw him into the wilderness, and he was sick
Transliteration
Waanbatna AAalayhi shajaratan min yaqteenin
Translation
And We made a gourd tree grow over him
After the sea creature safely cast Jonah onto barren shores with weakened, sun-sensitive skin, God miraculously caused a fast-growing, broad-leafed gourd plant ('Yaqtin') to grow over him, providing natural shade, soothing nourishment, and insect-repelling oils.
Transliteration
Waarsalnahu ila miati alfin aw yazeedoona
Translation
Then We sent him to a hundred thousand, or more
Transliteration
Faamanoo famattaAAnahum ila heenin
Translation
And they believed, so We gave them enjoyment for a while
Transliteration
Faistaftihim alirabbika albanatu walahumu albanoona
Translation
Ask them, “Are the daughters for your Lord, while for them the sons?”
Transliteration
Am khalaqna almalaikata inathan wahum shahidoona
Translation
Or did We create the angels females, as they witnessed?”
Transliteration
Ala innahum min ifkihim layaqooloona
Translation
No indeed! It is one of their lies when they say
Transliteration
Walada Allahu wainnahum lakathiboona
Translation
“God has begotten.” They are indeed lying
Transliteration
Astafa albanati AAala albaneena
Translation
So He preferred girls over boys
Transliteration
Ma lakum kayfa tahkumoona
Translation
What is the matter with you? How do you judge
Transliteration
Afala tathakkaroona
Translation
Will you not reflect
Transliteration
Am lakum sultanun mubeenun
Translation
Or do you have some clear proof
Transliteration
Fatoo bikitabikum in kuntum sadiqeena
Translation
Then bring your book, if you are telling the truth
Transliteration
WajaAAaloo baynahu wabayna aljinnati nasaban walaqad AAalimati aljinnatu innahum lamuhdaroona
Translation
And they invented a relationship between Him and the jinn. But the jinn know that they will be arraigned
Rebuts the absurd pagan Arabian superstition claiming that angels were the female offspring of God born from an alleged matrimonial relationship between God and the jinn.
Transliteration
Subhana Allahi AAamma yasifoona
Translation
God be glorified, far above what they allege
Transliteration
Illa AAibada Allahi almukhlaseena
Translation
Except for God’s sincere servants
Transliteration
Fainnakum wama taAAbudoona
Translation
Surely, you and what you serve
Transliteration
Ma antum AAalayhi bifatineena
Translation
Cannot seduce away from Him
Transliteration
Illa man huwa sali aljaheemi
Translation
Except for he who will be roasting in Hell
Transliteration
Wama minna illa lahu maqamun maAAloomun
Translation
“There is not one of us but has an assigned position
Transliteration
Wainna lanahnu alssaffoona
Translation
And we are the arrangers
Transliteration
Wainna lanahnu almusabbihoona
Translation
And we are the glorifiers.”
Transliteration
Wain kanoo layaqooloona
Translation
Even though they used to say
Transliteration
Law anna AAindana thikran mina alawwaleena
Translation
“Had we received advice from the ancients
Transliteration
Lakunna AAibada Allahi almukhlaseena
Translation
We would have been God's faithful servants.”
Transliteration
Fakafaroo bihi fasawfa yaAAlamoona
Translation
But they rejected it, so they will find out
Transliteration
Walaqad sabaqat kalimatuna liAAibadina almursaleena
Translation
Our Word has already gone out to our servant messengers
Transliteration
Innahum lahumu almansooroona
Translation
It is they who will be supported
Transliteration
Wainna jundana lahumu alghaliboona
Translation
And Our troops will be the victors
Transliteration
Fatawalla AAanhum hatta heenin
Translation
So disregard them for a while
Transliteration
Waabsirhum fasawfa yubsiroona
Translation
And watch them—they will soon see
Transliteration
AfabiAAathabina yastaAAjiloona
Translation
Are they seeking to hasten Our punishment
Transliteration
Faitha nazala bisahatihim fasaa sabahu almunthareena
Translation
When it descends into their yard, miserable will be the morning of those forewarned
Transliteration
Watawalla AAanhum hatta heenin
Translation
So avoid them for a while
Transliteration
Waabsir fasawfa yubsiroona
Translation
And watch—they will soon see
Transliteration
Subhana rabbika rabbi alAAizzati AAamma yasifoona
Translation
Exalted be your Lord, the Lord of Glory, beyond their allegations
Transliteration
Wasalamun AAala almursaleena
Translation
And peace be upon the messengers
Transliteration
Waalhamdu lillahi rabbi alAAalameena
Translation
And praise be to God, the Lord of the Worlds