Sūrat al-Mulk

سورۃ الملک

Sūrat al-Mulk was revealed in Makka; it has thirty (30) verses and two (2) rukūʿs.

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

tabāraka lladhī biyadihi l-mulku wa-huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr.

"Blessed is He in Whose hand is the dominion — and He has power over all things." (al-Mulk 67:1)

Tabāraka — the possessor of blessing. Alladhī — He who is. Biyadihi l-mulk — sovereignty is in His hands; kingship belongs to Him. Wa-huwa ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīr — and He is over all things powerful, He can do whatever He wills.

Translation: "Great and abiding is the blessing of Him in Whose hands is the dominion (sovereignty) — and He is over all things powerful."

الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا ۚ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفُورُ

alladhī khalaqa l-mawta wa-l-ḥayāta li-yabluwakum ayyukum aḥsanu ʿamalan wa-huwa l-ʿazīzu l-ghafūr.

"Who created death and life that He might test you — which of you is finest in deeds — and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Forgiving." (al-Mulk 67:2)

Alladhī khalaqa l-mawta wa-l-ḥayāt — He who has created both death and life as a measure — He kills and He revives. Li-yabluwakum — so that He puts you to the test, examines you. Ayyukum aḥsanu ʿamalā — which of you performs the finest of deeds — who does the best work. Wa-huwa l-ʿazīzu l-ghafūr — and He is the All-Mighty, possessed of honour; and He is also the All-Forgiving, the greatly pardoning.

Translation: "He who created both death and life — so that He tests you (puts you to the test) to see who among you does the finest deeds — and He is the All-Mighty and All-Forgiving."

الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِي خَلْقِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ مِن تَفَاوُتٍ ۖ فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ

alladhī khalaqa sabʿa samāwātin ṭibāqan mā tarā fī khalqi l-raḥmāni min tafāwutin fa-rjiʿi l-baṣara hal tarā min fuṭūr.

"Who created seven heavens in layers — you see no incongruity in the creation of the Most Merciful. So cast your gaze again — do you see any cracks?" (al-Mulk 67:3)

Alladhī khalaqa sabʿa samāwāt — He who has created seven heavens. Ṭibāqan — layer upon layer, tier upon tier. Mā tarā — you will see. Fī khalqi l-raḥmān — in the creation of the Most Merciful God. Min tafāwut — no disparity, no inconsistency, no gap or break — any crack. Fa-rjiʿi l-baṣar — so return your gaze, look again. Hal tarā min fuṭūr — is there any break or fissure you can find — a crack, a break, a split?

Translation: "He who created the seven heavens in layers (all stacked up, one above the other, O Addressee!) — there is no incongruity in the creation of the Merciful God — so cast your gaze again and look — is there anywhere a fissure or a crack? (No reality can be found by anyone.)"

ثُمَّ ارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِئًا وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ

thumma rjiʿi l-baṣara karratayni yanqalib ilayka l-baṣaru khāsiʾan wa-huwa ḥasīr.

"Then cast your gaze again, twice over — the gaze will return to you humbled and weary." (al-Mulk 67:4)

Thumma rjiʿi l-baṣara karratayni — then look again — return your gaze — twice over, again and again, repeatedly. Yanqalib ilayka l-baṣar — your gaze will return to you — will turn back. Khāsiʾan — humiliated, abased, unsuccessful, finding nothing — returning empty. Wa-huwa ḥasīr — and it will be tired, weary — incapable of further examination.

Translation: "— Then turn your gaze back again — look repeatedly — your gaze will return humiliated and tired, having found nothing — (and no one will be able to find any reality.)"

وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَاهَا رُجُومًا لِّلشَّيَاطِينِ ۖ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ السَّعِيرِ

wa-laqad zayyannā l-samāʾa l-dunyā bi-maṣābīḥa wa-jaʿalnāhā rujūman li-l-shayāṭīni wa-aʿtadnā lahum ʿadhāba l-saʿīr.

"And We have indeed adorned the nearest heaven with lamps, and We have made them missiles to drive away the Satans — and We have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze." (al-Mulk 67:5)

Wa-laqad zayyannā — and We have adorned, beautified. Al-samāʾa l-dunyā — the nearest sky, the sky closest to us. Bi-maṣābīḥ — with lamps — the stars. Wa-jaʿalnāhā rujūman li-l-shayāṭīn — and We have made them as missiles to drive away the Satans. The understanding the author expresses here is worth pondering: there are as many suns as there are stars, all the suns of the first heaven — and each sky has one moon and one sun, and in the earth the same — the moon together with many stars — every sun has as many stars with it, and every star orbits a sun in its grasp. The scholars' view is that there are four forces in the world in the physical world — Jibrīl, Mīkāʾīl, Isrāfīl, and ʿIzrāʾīl — and in the Hereafter instead of four, eight angels will do the work. And the understanding that is coming here is not a matter of physical science — it is the disclosure that all of this is before His eyes, and what we see with our own eyes — what we think we know is a very great error — for what it is that we do not know is also what we know. Think on this deeply.

Translation: "And We have adorned the nearest sky with (the stars') lamps and made them missiles for driving away the Satans — and We have prepared the fire of Hellfire for them."

وَلِلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا بِرَبِّهِمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ ۖ وَبِئْسَ الْمَصِيرُ

wa-li-lladhīna kafarū bi-rabbihim ʿadhābu jahannama wa-biʾsa l-maṣīr.

"And for those who disbelieve in their Lord is the punishment of Jahannam — and a wretched destination it is." (al-Mulk 67:6)

Wa-li-lladhīna kafarū — and for those who disbelieve. Bi-rabbihim — in their Lord, who deny. ʿAdhābu jahannama — the punishment of Hell is waiting. Wa-biʾsa l-maṣīr — and what a wretched destination, what an evil final abode.

Translation: "And for those who disbelieve in their Lord is the punishment of Hell — and this is the most wretched destination (what an evil ending it is)."

إِذَا أُلْقُوا فِيهَا سَمِعُوا لَهَا شَهِيقًا وَهِيَ تَفُورُ

idhā ulqū fīhā samiʿū lahā shahīqan wa-hiya tafūr.

"When they are cast into it, they will hear it roaring as it boils up." (al-Mulk 67:7)

Idhā ulqū fīhā — when they are thrown into it, when they are cast into Hell. Samiʿū lahā shahīqan — they will hear it roaring — the roar of Hell, its great clamour. Wa-hiya tafūr — and it will be seething and boiling — a mass of turbulence within it.

Translation: "When they are cast into it they will hear it roaring — and it will be in a seething tumult."

تَكَادُ تَمَيَّزُ مِنَ الْغَيْظِ ۖ كُلَّمَا أُلْقِيَ فِيهَا فَوْجٌ سَأَلَهُمْ خَزَنَتُهَا أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ نَذِيرٌ

takādu tamayyazu mina l-ghayẓi kullamā ulqiya fīhā fawjun saʾalahum khazanatuhā alam yaʾtikum nadhīr.

"It will almost burst with rage — whenever a group is cast into it, its keepers will ask them: 'Did not a warner come to you?'" (al-Mulk 67:8)

Takādu tamayyazu — it is almost bursting, ready to split apart. Mina l-ghayẓ — from rage and fury. Kullamā ulqiya fīhā fawj — whenever a group, a band, an assembly, a congregation is cast into Hell. Saʾalahum khazatuhā — the keepers of Hell, the guardians, the custodians, the organizers will question them. Alam yaʾtikum nadhīr — did not someone come to you as a warner — a person to give alarm — no prophet coming to warn?

Translation: "Hell will almost burst with rage — whenever a group is cast into it the custodians of Hell will question them: 'Was no warner sent to you? (Was not a Prophet sent before to give warning?)'"

قَالُوا بَلَىٰ قَدْ جَاءَنَا نَذِيرٌ فَكَذَّبْنَا وَقُلْنَا مَا نَزَّلَ اللَّهُ مِن شَيْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِي ضَلَالٍ كَبِيرٍ

qālū balā qad jāʾanā nadhīrun fa-kadhdhabnā wa-qulnā mā nazzala llāhu min shayʾin in antum illā fī ḍalālin kabīr.

"They will say: 'Yes indeed, a warner did come to us — but we denied him, saying: Allah has not sent down anything — you are only in great error.'" (al-Mulk 67:9)

Qālū — they will say. Balā — yes, indeed. Qad jāʾanā nadhīr — a warner did come to us, without doubt. Fa-kadhdhabnā — but we denied him, we rejected him. Wa-qulnā mā nazzala llāhu min shayʾ — and we said: Allah has not sent down anything, nothing at all. In antum illā fī ḍalālin kabīr — but you are only in great error and straying.

Translation: "(In Hell, they) will say: 'Yes, a warner did come to us — but then we rejected him — (we ridiculed the warner) — and we said: Allah has sent down nothing — and you are in great error and straying.'"

وَقَالُوا لَوْ كُنَّا نَسْمَعُ أَوْ نَعْقِلُ مَا كُنَّا فِي أَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ

wa-qālū law kunnā nasmaʿu aw naʿqilu mā kunnā fī aṣḥābi l-saʿīr.

"And they will say: 'Had we been listening or using our reason, we would not be among the companions of the Blaze.'" (al-Mulk 67:10)

Wa-qālū — and the people of Hell will say. Law kunnā nasmaʿu — if we had listened to the prophets' words. Aw naʿqilu — or applied our reason, used our minds somewhat. Mā kunnā fī aṣḥābi l-saʿīr — we would not be in the fire, we would not be becoming companions of the Blaze.

Translation: "And they will say: 'If we had listened and used our minds, we would not have become companions of the Fire.'"

فَاعْتَرَفُوا بِذَنبِهِمْ فَسُحْقًا لِّأَصْحَابِ السَّعِيرِ

fa-ʿatarafū bi-dhanbihim fa-suḥqan li-aṣḥābi l-saʿīr.

"So they confessed their sin — then away with the companions of the Blaze!" (al-Mulk 67:11)

Fa-ʿatarafū bi-dhanbihim — then they confessed, acknowledged their sin, their fault. Fa-suḥqan — then may they be driven far away, may they be doomed, damned. Li-aṣḥābi l-saʿīr — for the companions of the Blaze.

Translation: "Then they acknowledged their sins and faults — and now they are condemned — it is damnation for the companions of the Fire."

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَخْشَوْنَ رَبَّهُم بِالْغَيْبِ لَهُم مَّغْفِرَةٌ وَأَجْرٌ كَبِيرٌ

inna lladhīna yakhshawna rabbahum bi-l-ghaybi lahum maghfiratun wa-ajrun kabīr.

"Indeed those who fear their Lord in secret — for them is forgiveness and a great reward." (al-Mulk 67:12)

Inna lladhīna yakhshawna — those without doubt who tremble in awe. Rabbahum bi-l-ghayb — their Lord — in secret, in hidden circumstances — even when not seen. Lahum maghfiratun — for them is forgiveness — wa-ajrun kabīr — and a great reward.

Translation: "Indeed, those who truly fear their Lord in secret — for them is forgiveness and great reward."

وَأَسِرُّوا قَوْلَكُمْ أَوِ اجْهَرُوا بِهِ ۖ إِنَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِذَاتِ الصُّدُورِ

wa-asirru qawlakum awi jharū bihi innahu ʿalīmun bi-dhāti l-ṣudūr.

"And whether you speak in secret or aloud — indeed He is All-Knowing of what lies within the breasts." (al-Mulk 67:13)

Wa-asirru qawlakum — and speak your words softly, quietly. Awi jharū bihi — or say it aloud, proclaim it. Innahu ʿalīmun — He is very well knowing. Bi-dhāti l-ṣudūr — of the mysteries of the hearts, of your hidden inner thoughts.

Translation: "Say what you will, speak quietly or proclaim aloud — undoubtedly Allah knows everything in the hearts."

أَلَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ خَلَقَ وَهُوَ اللَّطِيفُ الْخَبِيرُ

alā yaʿlamu man khalaqa wa-huwa l-laṭīfu l-khabīr.

"Does He not know Who created? — and He is the Most Subtle, the Fully Aware." (al-Mulk 67:14)

Alā yaʿlamu man khalaqa — will not He know? He who created — He who brought everything into being. Wa-huwa l-laṭīfu l-khabīr — and He is the Most Subtle, the penetrating perceiver of the finest things — and He is the Fully Aware, the Knower of all.

Translation: "Who created — will He not know? He is fully acquainted with all states and conditions."

هُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ ذَلُولًا فَامْشُوا فِي مَنَاكِبِهَا وَكُلُوا مِن رِّزْقِهِ ۖ وَإِلَيْهِ النُّشُورُ

huwa lladhī jaʿala lakumu l-arḍa dhalūlan fa-mshū fī manākibihā wa-kulū min rizqihi wa-ilayhi l-nushūr.

"He it is Who made the earth subservient for you — so walk in its tracts and eat of His provision — and to Him is the Resurrection." (al-Mulk 67:15)

Huwa lladhī — He is the one who. Jaʿala lakumu l-arḍa dhalūlan — He made the earth subservient for you — smoothly humble and compliant. Dhalūlā — smooth, gently walkable — for people it is a ground on which one can walk. Fa-mshū fī manākibihā — walk along its paths, in all directions. Wa-kulū min rizqihi — and eat the provision that He has given, enjoy the sustenance He has provided. Wa-ilayhi l-nushūr — and the direction of return is His — Resurrection, gathering.

Translation: "He it is Who made the earth smooth for you — so walk in all directions across it and eat the provision that He has given — and the return is to Him — the Gathering, the Resurrection."

أَأَمِنتُم مَّن فِي السَّمَاءِ أَن يَخْسِفَ بِكُمُ الْأَرْضَ فَإِذَا هِيَ تَمُورُ

a-amintum man fī l-samāʾi an yakhsifa bikumu l-arḍa fa-idhā hiya tamūr.

"Do you feel secure that He Who is in the heaven will not cause the earth to swallow you up — and then it shakes and trembles?" (al-Mulk 67:16)

A-amintum man fī l-samāʾ — have you become secure regarding Him Who is in the sky — from Allah Who is the Master of the whole cosmos? An yakhsifa bikumu l-arḍ — that He might cause the earth to swallow you — that He might make the earth crack and open under you. Fa-idhā hiya tamūr — then suddenly the earth would quake — trembling and shuddering everywhere.

Translation: "Have you become secure regarding Him Who is in the sky (that He will not harm you from above) — that He might sink the earth beneath you causing it to tremble all around?"

أَمْ أَمِنتُم مَّن فِي السَّمَاءِ أَن يُرْسِلَ عَلَيْكُمْ حَاصِبًا ۖ فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ كَيْفَ نَذِيرِ

am amintum man fī l-samāʾi an yursila ʿalaykum ḥāṣiban fa-sa-taʿlamūna kayfa nadhīr.

"Or do you feel secure that He Who is in the heaven will not send against you a rain of stones — then you shall know how My warning is." (al-Mulk 67:17)

Am amintum man fī l-samāʾ — or have you become secure regarding the God Who is in the sky, becoming heedless. An yursila ʿalaykum ḥāṣibā — that He might send, dispatch — send a rain of stones down upon you to pelt you. Fa-sa-taʿlamūna — then you will very soon come to know. Kayfa nadhīr — how My warning is — what My Dreadful punishment is.

Translation: "Or have you become secure regarding the God (Who is in the sky) — that He might send a rain of stones down upon you — and then you will soon come to know what a dreadful thing my warning is."

وَلَقَدْ كَذَّبَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ فَكَيْفَ كَانَ نَكِيرِ

wa-laqad kadhdhaba lladhīna min qablihim fa-kayfa kāna nakīr.

"And those before them also denied — then how was My rejection of them?" (al-Mulk 67:18)

Wa-laqad kadhdhaba lladhīna — and indeed those people who denied certainly rejected — their denying was like this, they threw it into the face. Min qablihim — from before — those before them. Fa-kayfa kāna nakīr — then how was My punishment — My rejection — what came upon them then.

Translation: "Many people before them also denied — then how My punishment came upon them."

أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا إِلَى الطَّيْرِ فَوْقَهُمْ صَافَّاتٍ وَيَقْبِضْنَ ۚ مَا يُمْسِكُهُنَّ إِلَّا الرَّحْمَٰنُ ۚ إِنَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ بَصِيرٌ

a-wa-lam yaraw ilā l-ṭayri fawqahum ṣāffātin wa-yaqbiḍna mā yumsikuhunna illā l-raḥmānu innahu bi-kulli shayʾin baṣīr.

"Have they not looked at the birds above them, spreading their wings and folding them — none holds them up except the Most Merciful — indeed He sees all things." (al-Mulk 67:19)

A-wa-lam yaraw ilā l-ṭayr — have they not seen the birds and looked at them? Fawqahum — above them. Ṣāffāt wa-yaqbiḍna — spreading their wings and folding them — opening and closing. Mā yumsikuhunna illā l-raḥmān — none holds them — only the Most Merciful keeps them; no one else can hold them. Innahu bi-kulli shayʾin baṣīr — He sees all things, He is keeping watch over all.

Translation: "(O people! O those who deny the power of God) have they not seen how birds spread their wings above them and fold them again — that none holds them except Allah (God) — He sees all things (He keeps watch over everything)."

أَمَّنْ هَٰذَا الَّذِي هُوَ جُندٌ لَّكُمْ يَنصُرُكُم مِّن دُونِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ ۚ إِنِ الْكَافِرُونَ إِلَّا فِي غُرُورٍ

amman hādhā lladhī huwa jundun lakum yanṣurukum min dūni l-raḥmāni in al-kāfirūna illā fī ghurūr.

"Who is this that is an army for you, to come to your aid against the Most Merciful? The disbelievers are in nothing but delusion." (al-Mulk 67:20)

Amman hādhā — who is this? What army, what troop is this. Alladhī huwa jundun lakum — which you take as your army, which you consider your own force? Yanṣurukum — will it come to your aid? Min dūni l-raḥmān — against the Merciful God, against the Most Compassionate? In al-kāfirūna illā fī ghurūr — the disbelievers are nothing but in self-deception — ghurūr — deceiving oneself, considering one's self-importance to be true — ghurūr — swindler, trickster, deceiver; Satan, who deceives himself by coming to terms with himself.

Translation: "Who is the army that can come to your aid against (Allah the) Merciful? These are nothing but disbelievers in delusion."

أَمَّنْ هَٰذَا الَّذِي يَرْزُقُكُمْ إِنْ أَمْسَكَ رِزْقَهُ ۚ بَل لَّجُّوا فِي عُتُوٍّ وَنُفُورٍ

amman hādhā lladhī yarzuqukum in amsaka rizqahu bal lajjū fī ʿutuwwin wa-nufūr.

"Who is this that would provide for you if He were to withhold His provision? Nay, but they persist in insolence and aversion." (al-Mulk 67:21)

Amman hādhā lladhī — who is this who provides for you — who feeds you? Yarzuqukum — He gives you. In amsaka rizqahu — if He were to hold back, restrict His provision. Bal lajjū — but they go on persisting — they continue stubbornly in their ways. Fī ʿutuwwin wa-nufūr — in rebellion, insolence — arrogance and stubbornness.

Translation: "Who is this who gives you sustenance? If God were to withhold sustenance from you — (no one would give you anything to eat) — but these people persist in their arrogance and stubbornness."

أَفَمَن يَمْشِي مُكِبًّا عَلَىٰ وَجْهِهِ أَهْدَىٰ أَمَّن يَمْشِي سَوِيًّا عَلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُّسْتَقِيمٍ

a-fa-man yamshī mukibban ʿalā wajhihi ahdā amman yamshī sawiyyan ʿalā ṣirāṭin mustaqīm.

"Is one who walks face-down on the ground better guided — or one who walks upright on a straight path?" (al-Mulk 67:22)

A-fa-man yamshī mukibban — well then, who is the person who walks with their face turned to the ground — mukibban ʿalā wajhihi — pressing their face to the ground, stumbling forward. Ahdā — is better guided, has more guidance. Amman yamshī sawiyyan — or the person who walks straight. ʿAlā ṣirāṭin mustaqīm — on the straight road, the level, smooth path.

Translation: "(Better guiding is) whoever walks upright is more guided — or the person who walks stumbling on the ground?"

قُلْ هُوَ الَّذِي أَنشَأَكُمْ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَ ۖ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ

qul huwa lladhī anshaʾakum wa-jaʿala lakumu l-samʿa wa-l-abṣāra wa-l-afʾidata qalīlan mā tashkurūn.

"Say: He it is Who created you and made for you hearing, sight, and hearts — yet little do you give thanks." (al-Mulk 67:23)

Qul huwa lladhī anshaʾakum — tell them (O Prophet!): He it is Who created you. Wa-jaʿala lakumu l-samʿ — and gave you ears (hearing). Wa-l-abṣār — and eyes (sight). Wa-l-afʾida — and hearts — reason and understanding. Qalīlan mā tashkurūn — you give very little gratitude and thanks; you acknowledge the blessing very little.

Translation: "Tell them (O Prophet!) He it is Who created you — He gave you ears, eyes, and hearts — yet you give very little gratitude and thanks."

قُلْ هُوَ الَّذِي ذَرَأَكُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ وَإِلَيْهِ تُحْشَرُونَ

qul huwa lladhī dharaʾakum fī l-arḍi wa-ilayhi tuḥsharūn.

"Say: He it is Who scattered you throughout the earth — and to Him you will be gathered." (al-Mulk 67:24)

Qul huwa lladhī dharaʾakum fī l-arḍ — tell them (O Prophet!): He it is Who spread you throughout the earth — and He will gather you on the Day of Judgement.

Translation: "(O Prophet!) Tell them: He it is Who spread you throughout the earth and your gathering is towards Him — the Day of Judgement will come."

وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا الْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

wa-yaqūlūna matā hādhā l-waʿdu in kuntum ṣādiqīn.

"And they say: 'When will this promise come — if you are truthful?'" (al-Mulk 67:25)

Wa-yaqūlūna — and (the disbelievers) are saying. Matā hādhā l-waʿd — when will this promise be — when is this appointed time? In kuntum ṣādiqīn — if you are truly truthful.

Translation: "And they say: When is this promise coming? — if you are telling the truth."

قُلْ إِنَّمَا الْعِلْمُ عِندَ اللَّهِ وَإِنَّمَا أَنَا نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌ

qul innamā l-ʿilmu ʿinda llāhi wa-innamā anā nadhīrun mubīn.

"Say: The knowledge of it is only with Allah — and I am only a plain warner." (al-Mulk 67:26)

Qul innamā l-ʿilmu ʿinda llāhi — tell them: the knowledge of it is with Allah alone — (when the Hour will come) — only He knows this. Wa-innamā anā nadhīrun mubīn — and I am only a plain, clear warner — one who only warns clearly and openly of the dreadful coming events and their consequences.

Translation: "(O Prophet!) Tell them: The knowledge (of when the Hour will come) is with Allah alone — and I am only a plain warner of dreadful outcomes."

فَلَمَّا رَأَوْهُ زُلْفَةً سِيئَتْ وُجُوهُ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَقِيلَ هَٰذَا الَّذِي كُنتُمْ بِهِ تَدَّعُونَ

fa-lammā raʾawhu zulfatan sīʾat wujūhu lladhīna kafarū wa-qīla hādhā lladhī kuntum bihi taddaʿūn.

"But when they see it drawing near, the faces of the disbelievers will turn grim — and it will be said: 'This is what you were calling for.'" (al-Mulk 67:27)

Fa-lammā raʾawhu zulfatan — but when the Divine promise draws very close, when the Hour approaches. Sīʾat wujūhu lladhīna kafarū — the faces of the disbelievers will turn grim and bleak. Wa-qīla hādhā lladhī kuntum bihi taddaʿūn — and it will be said to them: this is it, the very thing you were seeking (crying out for).

Translation: "Then when the Hour of the Divine promise draws near, the faces of the disbelievers will turn grim — and it will be said: this is what you used to demand (those who used to cry out for it)."

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَهْلَكَنِيَ اللَّهُ وَمَن مَّعِيَ أَوْ رَحِمَنَا فَمَن يُجِيرُ الْكَافِرِينَ مِنْ عَذَابٍ أَلِيمٍ

qul a-raʾaytum in ahlakaniya llāhu wa-man maʿiya aw raḥimanā fa-man yujīru l-kāfirina min ʿadhābin alīm.

"Say: Do you see — if Allah destroys me and those with me, or has mercy on us — who will protect the disbelievers from a painful punishment?" (al-Mulk 67:28)

Qul a-raʾaytum — tell them: consider, look at this. In ahlakaniya llāhu wa-man maʿiya — if Allah destroys me and those with me. Aw raḥimanā — or shows us mercy. Fa-man yujīru l-kāfirīna — then who will save the disbelievers? Who will give them protection? Min ʿadhābin alīm — from a painful punishment.

Translation: "(O Prophet!) Tell them: Consider — if Allah destroys me and those with me or shows us mercy — then who will protect the disbelievers from a painful and dreadful punishment?"

قُلْ هُوَ الرَّحْمَٰنُ آمَنَّا بِهِ وَعَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْنَا ۖ فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ فِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ

qul huwa l-raḥmānu āmannā bihi wa-ʿalayhi tawakkalnā fa-sa-taʿlamūna man huwa fī ḍalālin mubīn.

"Say: He is the Most Merciful — we believe in Him and upon Him we place our trust — and soon you will know who is in clear error." (al-Mulk 67:29)

Qul huwa l-raḥmānu — tell them (O Prophet!): He is the Most Merciful — God is merciful. Āmannā bihi — we have faith in Him. Wa-ʿalayhi tawakkalnā — and we have placed our trust in Him, entrusted all our affairs to Him. Fa-sa-taʿlamūna — and then very soon you will come to know. Man huwa fī ḍalālin mubīn — who is in manifest, clear error — which of us is in open straying.

Translation: "(O Prophet!) Tell them: He (i.e. Allah) is Merciful, we have faith in Him and our trust is in Him — and you will soon come to know who is in clear error (is it you or us?)."

قُلْ أَرَأَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ مَاؤُكُمْ غَوْرًا فَمَن يَأْتِيكُم بِمَاءٍ مَّعِينٍ

qul a-raʾaytum in aṣbaḥa māʾukum ghawran fa-man yaʾtīkum bi-māʾin maʿīn.

"Say: Do you see — if your water were to sink into the earth, who would bring you flowing water?" (al-Mulk 67:30)

Qul a-raʾaytum — (O Prophet!) tell them: consider your own situation. In aṣbaḥa māʾukum ghawran — if your water were to sink into the earth and go underground — fa-man yaʾtīkum bi-māʾin maʿīn — then who would bring you spring water, well water, flowing water? Where would your water come from? (No one will be able to bring it.)

Translation: "(O Prophet!) Tell them: Consider — if your water (spring and well water) were to sink underground — then who would bring you flowing water? (No one will be able to bring it.)"