| | Linda “iLHam” Barto rendition of Surah Those Who Set The Ranks, Drawn up in Ranks, The Rangers(as-Saffat)
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| 37:1 | | Consider the arranged ranks. |
| 37:2 | | [They] deter by restraint. |
| 37:3 | | [They] proclaim the remembrance [of Allah]. |
| 37:4 | | “Truly, your God is One! |
| 37:5 | | “[He is] Lord of Heaven and Earth and all thereof. He is Lord of every point of the rising sun.” |
| 37:6 | | Truly, with beautiful stars, We decorated the sky of this universe. |
| 37:7 | | [This is] to guard against all obstinate, rebellious demons. |
| 37:8 | | [This is] so they could not listen to the Exalted Assembly. Instead, they are repelled from every side. |
| 37:9 | | [They are] banished because they are under a perpetual penalty. |
| 37:10 | | Some may snatch something [of divine value], but they are pursued by a comet of piercing brightness. |
| 37:11 | | Ask their opinion: Are they more difficult to create or others We have created? Indeed, We created (humanity) from a sticky clay. |
| 37:12 | | How you marvel while they mock! |
| 37:13 | | And when they are reminded, they still do not pay heed. |
| 37:14 | | When they see a sign, they mock it. |
| 37:15 | | They say, “This is nothing but apparent magic. |
| 37:16 | | When we die and become dust and bones, will we be resurrected? |
| 37:17 | | Does that go for our ancestors?” |
| 37:18 | | Say, “Yes, and you will be humiliated.” |
| 37:19 | | There will be a single shout. Suddenly, they will realize. |
| 37:20 | | They will say, “Woe to us! This is the Day of Judgment.” |
| 37:21 | | “This is the day of reckoning which you denied.” |
| 37:22 | | Assemble the sinners and their [sinful] companions, along with the things they worshiped… |
| 37:23 | | …instead of Allah. Lead them to the way of the fire. |
| 37:24 | | Stop them, however, for they must be asked,… |
| 37:25 | | …“What is wrong with you that you do not try to help each other?” |
| 37:26 | | Bunk! That day they will submit. |
| 37:27 | | They will turn to one another and question each other. |
| 37:28 | | They will say, “Indeed, you used to come to us from the right hand [of authority].” |
| 37:29 | | They will reply, “No, you yourselves had no faith. |
| 37:30 | | “We did not have any authority over you. No, you were sinful people. |
| 37:31 | | “The Word of our Lord has been proven true against us. We will indeed taste [the punishment]. |
| 37:32 | | “We led you astray because, truly, we were astray ourselves.” |
| 37:33 | | Truly, that day, they will share in the penalty. |
| 37:34 | | Truly, that is how We will treat the sinners. |
| 37:35 | | Indeed, whenever they were told that no god is there except Allah, they became arrogant. |
| 37:36 | | They would say, “Should we give up our gods for the sake of a crazy poet?” |
| 37:37 | | Nonsense! He has come with the truth. He confirms the earlier messengers. |
| 37:38 | | You will indeed taste the horrible punishment. |
| 37:39 | | It will be no more than the payment for what you have done. |
| 37:40 | | The sincere servants of Allah, however,… |
| 37:41 | | …will have a determined provision. |
| 37:42 | | [That includes] fruits. They will have honor… |
| 37:43 | | …in comfortable gardens. |
| 37:44 | | [They will] face one another on thrones. |
| 37:45 | | Passed around will be a cup from a crystal clear fountain… |
| 37:46 | | …–sterling crystal, of a taste delicious to those who drink. |
| 37:47 | | [It will be] free from causing dizziness, and they will not suffer intoxication. |
| 37:48 | | With them will be companions who are not flirtatious, having beautiful eyes. |
| 37:49 | | [They will be] as if they were eggs carefully protected. |
| 37:50 | | They will turn to one another and question each other. |
| 37:51 | | One of them will begin a conversation and say, “I had a close friend. |
| 37:52 | | “He used to say, ‘Are you really one of the believers? |
| 37:53 | | “When we die and become dust and bones, will we really be brought to judgment?’” |
| 37:54 | | It will be said, “Do you want to look?” |
| 37:55 | | He looked and saw (his friend) in the midst of the fire. |
| 37:56 | | He will say, “By Allah, you almost brought me to such ruin [by leading me astray]. |
| 37:57 | | “If it had not been by the grace of my Lord, I would certainly have been among those assembled [into the fire]. |
| 37:58 | | “Is it that we will not die… |
| 37:59 | | “…except for our first death? Will we not be punished? |
| 37:60 | | “Truly, this is the ultimate salvation!” |
| 37:61 | | For this simile, may all strive who will strive! |
| 37:62 | | Is that better hospitality than the Tree of Bitterness? |
| 37:63 | | Truly, We have made it a trial for the sinners. |
| 37:64 | | Indeed, it is a tree that grows from the bottom of Hell. |
| 37:65 | | Its fruits are like the heads of demons. |
| 37:66 | | They certainly will eat from it and fill their bellies with it. |
| 37:67 | | In addition, they will be given a brew of boiling water. |
| 37:68 | | They will then be returned to the fire. |
| 37:69 | | Truly, they found their ancestors on the wrong path. |
| 37:70 | | They are hasty to follow their footsteps. |
| 37:71 | | Truly, before them, many ancient people went astray. |
| 37:72 | | We certainly sent warners among them. |
| 37:73 | | See what [horrible demise] happened to those who were warned. |
| 37:74 | | The exception was the sincere servants of Allah. |
| 37:75 | | Noah certainly called to Us, and We are the best in response. |
| 37:76 | | We delivered him and his family from the Great Calamity. |
| 37:77 | | We made his descendants endure. |
| 37:78 | | We left this for him among the later generations:… |
| 37:79 | | …“Peace upon Noah, among the nations!” |
| 37:80 | | That is truly how We reward those who live righteously. |
| 37:81 | | He was one of Our believing servants. |
| 37:82 | | We then drowned the others. |
| 37:83 | | Truly, among those who followed (Noah) was Abraham. |
| 37:84 | | He came to his Lord with a true heart. |
| 37:85 | | He said to his father and to his people, “What do you worship? |
| 37:86 | | “Is it a sham –other gods besides Allah that you desire? |
| 37:87 | | “What do you think about the Lord of the Worlds?” |
| 37:88 | | He glanced at the stars. |
| 37:89 | | He said, “I truly feel ill.” |
| 37:90 | | They turned away from him and left. |
| 37:91 | | He turned to their gods and said, “Will you not eat? |
| 37:92 | | “What is wrong with you that you do not speak?” |
| 37:93 | | He then turned against them and hit [the idols] with his right hand. |
| 37:94 | | (The idolaters) came quickly toward him. |
| 37:95 | | He said, “Do you worship what you have made? |
| 37:96 | | “Allah has created you and what you’ve made.” |
| 37:97 | | They said, “Build a furnace for him and throw him into the blazing fire.” |
| 37:98 | | They made a plot against him, but We humiliated them. |
| 37:99 | | (Abraham) said, “I will surely go to my Lord. He will guide me.” |
| 37:100 | | [Abraham prayed,] “O my Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.” |
| 37:101 | | So We gave him the good news of a pleasant son. |
| 37:102 | | When (the son) had attained an accountable age, (Abraham) told him, “O my son, I have seen a vision in which I offer you in sacrifice. What is your opinion?” “O my father, do as you are commanded. You will discover, Allah willing, that I will be loyal.” |
| 37:103 | | After they had both peacefully agreed, and Abraham had laid the son face down,… |
| 37:104 | | We called to him, “O Abraham,… |
| 37:105 | | “…you have already fulfilled the vision!” This is how We reward those who do right. |
| 37:106 | | This was obviously a test. |
| 37:107 | | We ransomed (the son) with a substantial sacrifice. |
| 37:108 | | And We instituted for him among later generations,… |
| 37:109 | | …“May peace be upon Abraham!” |
| 37:110 | | This is how We reward those who do right. |
| 37:111 | | He truly was one of Our believing servants. |
| 37:112 | | We gave him the good news of Isaac, a prophet and one of the righteous. |
| 37:113 | | We blessed (Abraham) and Isaac. Of their descendants are those that do right and those that do obvious wrong to their own souls. |
| 37:114 | | We bestowed Our favor on Moses and Aaron. |
| 37:115 | | We delivered them and their people from great calamity. |
| 37:116 | | We helped them overcome and become victors. |
| 37:117 | | We gave them the Book that clarifies. |
| 37:118 | | We guided them to the Straight Way. |
| 37:119 | | We provided for them, through later generations, [this blessing]:… |
| 37:120 | | … “Peace to Moses and Aaron!” |
| 37:121 | | This is how We reward those who do right. |
| 37:122 | | They were among our believing servants. |
| 37:123 | | Elijah was also among the messengers. |
| 37:124 | | He said to his people, “Will you not have fear? |
| 37:125 | | “Will you call upon Baal and forsake the Best of Creators? |
| 37:126 | | “Allah [is] your Lord and the Lord of your ancestors.” |
| 37:127 | | But they rejected him, and they will certainly be held accountable. |
| 37:128 | | The exception is the devoted servants of Allah. |
| 37:129 | | We provided for him, through later generations, [this blessing]:… |
| 37:130 | | … “Peace to Elijah!” |
| 37:131 | | This is how We reward those who do right. |
| 37:132 | | He was one of our believing servants. |
| 37:133 | | Lot was certainly one of the messengers. |
| 37:134 | | We delivered him and all his family. |
| 37:135 | | The only exception was an old woman [his wife] who was among those who stayed behind. |
| 37:136 | | We destroyed the others. |
| 37:137 | | Truly, you pass by their sites by day… |
| 37:138 | | …and by night. Will you not understand? |
| 37:139 | | Jonah was certainly one of the messengers. |
| 37:140 | | He ran away to a loaded ship. |
| 37:141 | | He cast lots [with the other seafarers], and he was condemned [and cast into the sea]. |
| 37:142 | | The big fish swallowed him. He had committed acts worthy of blame. |
| 37:143 | | If he had not been among those who glorify [Allah],… |
| 37:144 | | …then he would certainly have remained inside (the fish’s) belly until the Day of Resurrection. |
| 37:145 | | We cast him onto the barren shore in a state of sickness. |
| 37:146 | | We caused a spreading gourd plant to grow over him [to shade him]. |
| 37:147 | | We sent him to over a hundred thousand people. |
| 37:148 | | They believed, so We allowed them to have joy for a while. |
| 37:149 | | Ask them whether your Lord has daughters while they have sons. |
| 37:150 | | Did We create angels as females? Are they witnesses? |
| 37:151 | | Do they not say from their own invention,… |
| 37:152 | | …“Allah has begotten”? They are truly liars. |
| 37:153 | | Did He choose daughters instead of sons? |
| 37:154 | | What is wrong with you? How do you figure things? |
| 37:155 | | Will you not receive instruction? |
| 37:156 | | Do you have a clear evidence? |
| 37:157 | | If so, bring your book if you are truthful. |
| 37:158 | | They have invented a relationship between Him and the spirit-beings. The spirit-beings know, however, that they will have to appear [on Judgment Day]. |
| 37:159 | | Glory to Allah! [He is free] from the things they associate. |
| 37:160 | | The devoted servants of Allah do not [associate others with Him]. |
| 37:161 | | Truly, neither you nor those you worship… |
| 37:162 | | …can tempt anyone. |
| 37:163 | | The exception is anyone going to Hell. |
| 37:164 | | “There is not one of us without an appointed place. |
| 37:165 | | We are the arranged ranks. |
| 37:166 | | We are truly those who declare glory.” |
| 37:167 | | Certainly, some said,… |
| 37:168 | | …“If only we had a message from the ancestors,… |
| 37:169 | | “…we would certainly have been sincere servants of Allah.” |
| 37:170 | | They reject it, however [now that the Qur’an has come]. Soon they will know. |
| 37:171 | | Truly, Our Word has already been sent to Our servants, the messengers. |
| 37:172 | | Certainly, they would be assisted. |
| 37:173 | | Certainly, Our forces would triumph. |
| 37:174 | | Turn away from them for a while. |
| 37:175 | | Watch them, and they will soon see. |
| 37:176 | | Do they wish to speed Our punishment? |
| 37:177 | | When it does descend before them, the morning will be horrid for those who were warned. |
| 37:178 | | Turn away from them for a little while. |
| 37:179 | | Watch them, and they will soon see. |
| 37:180 | | Glory to your Lord, the Lord of Victory! [He is free] from what they ascribe. |
| 37:181 | | Peace on the messengers! |
| 37:182 | | Praise to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds! |
