Sūrat al-Mursalāt
سورۃ المرسلات
Revealed in Makkah — 50 āyāt — 2 rukūʿ
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever-Merciful.
وَالْمُرْسَلَاتِ عُرْفًا
wa-l-mursalāti ʿurfā.
"By the winds sent forth in succession." (al-Mursalāt 77:1)
Wa-l-mursalāti — an oath by those (winds) that are released, sent loose and flowing. ʿUrfā — in a gentle, orderly manner, in accordance with established custom — a pleasant, gentle, beneficial sending. These are winds that blow gently and pleasantly, cool and soothing, beneficial to all.
Translation: "An oath by those winds that blow in a gentle, measured fashion."
فَالْعَاصِفَاتِ عَصْفًا
fa-l-ʿāṣifāti ʿaṣfā.
"Then by the stormy ones that storm violently." (al-Mursalāt 77:2)
Fa-l-ʿāṣifāti — and by the violent winds — the blustering, gale-force winds. ʿAṣfan — blowing violently, rushing, striking.
Translation: "And by the violent winds that come rushing and knock down trees."
وَالنَّاشِرَاتِ نَشْرًا
wa-l-nāshirāti nashrā.
"And by those that scatter widely." (al-Mursalāt 77:3)
Wa-l-nāshirāti — and by those winds that disperse things, scatter clouds. Nashrā — dispersing and spreading — spreading everything out, scattering.
Translation: "And by those winds that scatter very widely."
فَالْفَارِقَاتِ فَرْقًا
fa-l-fāriqāti farqā.
"Then by those that separate distinctly." (al-Mursalāt 77:4)
Fa-l-fāriqāti — and by those winds that separate one cloud from another, that divide and distinguish. Farqan — separating, distinguishing, setting apart, making distinct.
Translation: "And by those winds that separate (one piece, one fragment) from another."
What is all this about? This is what becomes apparent: that just as winds blow in various ways — sometimes in the gentlest, most beneficial manner, sometimes harshly scattering and uprooting trees — a single cloud is at times broken away from another. Similarly upon the human heart various kinds of thoughts come and go: some give benefit, some only cause harm — a single block of thought is at times broken from another. Some come only to cause distress while others stop a person from evil deeds.
فَالْمُلْقِيَاتِ ذِكْرًا
fa-l-mulqiyāti dhikrā.
"Then by those that cast a reminder." (al-Mursalāt 77:5)
Fa-l-mulqiyāti — and by those that cast down, those that bring, that inspire and deliver. Dhikrā — remembrance, divine remembrance — the mention of God.
Translation: "Then (from these thoughts) some produce divine remembrance (and remind the heart of God and repentance)."
عُذْرًا أَوْ نُذْرًا
ʿudhran aw nudhrā.
"As justification or warning." (al-Mursalāt 77:6)
ʿUdhran — this is either seeking forgiveness and repentance. Aw nudhrā — or it is frightening and warning.
Translation: "Whether for seeking forgiveness (and repentance) or for causing fear — (that is, the divine inspiration (ilhām) that comes into the heart brings a person either to repentance or keeps him fearful and awe-struck)."
إِنَّمَا تُوعَدُونَ لَوَاقِعٌ
innamā tūʿadūna la-wāqiʿ.
"Indeed what you are promised is certain to occur." (al-Mursalāt 77:7)
It is because of these things that man should repent and fear, for what you have been promised is coming — innamā tūʿadūna — because all that you have been promised is inevitably happening. La-wāqiʿun — it will certainly come to pass, it is bound to occur.
Translation: "Whatever matter you have been promised will surely come to pass (that is, Resurrection Day)."
فَإِذَا النُّجُومُ طُمِسَتْ
fa-idhā l-nujūmu ṭumisat.
"When the stars are extinguished." (al-Mursalāt 77:8)
Fa-idhā l-nujūmu — and when the stars. Ṭumisat — are extinguished, wiped out, blotted out — the stars will be extinguished, the light will be gone — that is, when the present order of the world comes to an end.
Translation: "When the stars are made lightless (extinguished)."
وَإِذَا السَّمَاءُ فُرِجَتْ
wa-idhā l-samāʾu furrijat.
"And when the heaven is opened up." (al-Mursalāt 77:9)
Wa-idhā l-samāʾu — and when the sky and heaven. Furrijat — is opened, is split open — gaps and cracks will appear in it.
Translation: "And when the sky is opened up (it will be split open)."
وَإِذَا الْجِبَالُ نُسِّفَتْ
wa-idhā l-jibālu nussifat.
"And when the mountains are scattered as dust." (al-Mursalāt 77:10)
Wa-idhā l-jibālu — and when the mountains. Nussifat — are pulverised and scattered — nussifa, nuṣṣifa — mountains, hills, broken into pieces, scattered in the air — blown and scattered like dust.
Translation: "And when the mountains are broken into fragments and scattered (blown away)."
وَإِذَا الرُّسُلُ أُقِّتَتْ
wa-idhā l-rusulu uqqitat.
"And when the messengers are gathered at an appointed time." (al-Mursalāt 77:11)
Wa-idhā l-rusulu — and when the messengers. Uqqitat — are assembled, gathered together at a fixed time — (originally in the text the wāw becomes hamza). Their appointed time — that time had been deferred to them, and the disbelievers and messengers had been given a respite — every matter is fixed at a precise time.
Translation: "And when the messengers are gathered at a fixed appointed time."
لِأَيِّ يَوْمٍ أُجِّلَتْ
li-ayyi yawmin ujjilat.
"For which Day were they deferred?" (al-Mursalāt 77:12)
Li-ayyi yawmin — for which day — why were the appointed time and respite given? Why was the punishment to the disbelievers deferred, and why was the matter of the messengers dealt with so slowly? Every matter is at its proper appointed time.
Translation: "For which day was the deferral given (in the matter of dealings with them)?"
لِيَوْمِ الْفَصْلِ
li-yawmi l-faṣl.
"For the Day of Separation." (al-Mursalāt 77:13)
Translation: "For the Day of Decision."
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا يَوْمُ الْفَصْلِ
wa-mā adrāka mā yawmu l-faṣl.
"And what will make you know what the Day of Separation is?" (al-Mursalāt 77:14)
Wa-mā adrāka — and what has made you understand, what could tell you? Mā yawmu l-faṣl — what is the Day of Separation — the Day of Decision — it is Resurrection Day. What is it? Has anyone told you?
Translation: "And you know not (has anyone told you) what the Day of Decision is and what it will be like?"
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
waylun yawmaʾidhin li-l-mukadhdhibīn.
"Woe on that Day to the deniers." (al-Mursalāt 77:15)
Waylun — woe, destruction and ruination. Yawmaʾidhin — on that day. Li-l-mukadhdhibīna — for the deniers, those who rejected the truth — those who did not believe (on that day the fate of the deniers will be disastrous).
Translation: "On that day there will be great ruin and destruction for those who denied (and rejected the truth)."
أَلَمْ نُهْلِكِ الْأَوَّلِينَ
a-lam nuhlik l-awwalīn.
"Did We not destroy the former peoples?" (al-Mursalāt 77:16)
Can one have any doubt about the coming of Resurrection Day? It is like waking from sleep after it has come — those that sleep also wake. Allah says: a-lam nuhlik — did We not destroy? Al-awwalīna — the former peoples, the first generations.
Translation: "Did We not destroy the earlier peoples?"
ثُمَّ نُتْبِعُهُمُ الْآخِرِينَ
thumma nutbiʿuhumu l-ākhirīn.
"Then We will send the later ones after them." (al-Mursalāt 77:17)
Thumma nutbiʿuhum — then We will cause them to follow, We will send running behind them — We will deal with them in the same way. Al-ākhirīna — the later ones, the ones who come after.
Translation: "Then We will send the later generations (those who came after them) the same way — We will destroy them likewise."
كَذَٰلِكَ نَفْعَلُ بِالْمُجْرِمِينَ
kadhālika nafʿalu bi-l-mujrimīn.
"Thus We deal with the guilty." (al-Mursalāt 77:18)
Kadhālika — in this very same way. Nafʿalu — We act, We work. Bi-l-mujrimīna — with the criminals, the wrongdoers.
Translation: "We deal with the criminals in this very same way."
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
waylun yawmaʾidhin li-l-mukadhdhibīn.
"Woe on that Day to the deniers." (al-Mursalāt 77:19)
Translation: "Woe on that day to the deniers."
أَلَمْ نَخْلُقكُّم مِّن مَّاءٍ مَّهِينٍ
a-lam nakhluqkum min māʾin mahīn.
"Did We not create you from a lowly fluid?" (al-Mursalāt 77:20)
He creates from nothingness and He can do that as well. A-lam nakhluqkum — did We not create you? Min māʾin mahīn — from lowly, despised water — mean, base water, water that is looked down upon.
Translation: "Did We not create you from a single drop of base and vile water?"
فَجَعَلْنَاهُ فِي قَرَارٍ مَّكِينٍ
fa-jaʿalnāhu fī qarārin makīn.
"And We placed it in a secure place of rest." (al-Mursalāt 77:21)
Fa-jaʿalnāhu — then We made this fluid, placed it. Fī qarārin — in a resting place. Makīnin — a secure and protected station — meaning in the womb of the mother.
Translation: "Then We placed it in a secure protected station."
For how long?
إِلَىٰ قَدَرٍ مَّعْلُومٍ
ilā qadarin maʿlūm.
"To a known measure." (al-Mursalāt 77:22)
Translation: "For a known fixed period (an appointed time, a fixed promise)."
فَقَدَرْنَا فَنِعْمَ الْقَادِرُونَ
fa-qadarnā fa-niʿma l-qādirūn.
"And We measured — and how excellent are We as Measurers." (al-Mursalāt 77:23)
Fa-qadarnā — and We measured everything, set everything in its proper appointed time — We ordained everything, arranged everything. Fa-niʿma l-qādirūna — and how excellent is Our power — how perfectly We measure! How excellent is Our power!
Translation: "We have made a measure (an appointed time) for everything — how excellent are We as those who measure! (How excellent is Our power!)"
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
waylun yawmaʾidhin li-l-mukadhdhibīn.
"Woe on that Day to the deniers." (al-Mursalāt 77:24)
Translation: "On that day there will be woe upon the deniers."
أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ الْأَرْضَ كِفَاتًا
a-lam najʿali l-arḍa kifātā.
"Did We not make the earth a gathering place?" (al-Mursalāt 77:25)
A-lam najʿali l-arḍa — did We not make the earth? Kifātan — a gathering place, a place that collects, gathers, brings together and holds.
Translation: "Did We not make the earth a gathering place (for both of them)?" — for both whom?
أَحْيَاءً وَأَمْوَاتًا
aḥyāʾan wa-amwātā.
"The living and the dead." (al-Mursalāt 77:26)
Aḥyāʾan — the living. Wa-amwātā — and the dead.
Translation: "Whether alive or dead (meaning: when one is living one walks upon the earth, and when one dies one is buried inside the earth)."
وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ شَامِخَاتٍ وَأَسْقَيْنَاكُم مَّاءً فُرَاتًا
wa-jaʿalnā fīhā rawāsiya shāmikhātin wa-asqaynākum māʾan furātā.
"And We placed therein high firm mountains and gave you sweet water to drink." (al-Mursalāt 77:27)
Wa-jaʿalnā fīhā — and We placed therein, in the earth. Rawāsiya — anchored, firm — mountains. Shāmikhātin — tall, high, lofty. Wa-asqaynākum — and We gave you to drink. Māʾan — water. Furātā — sweet, clean, quenching thirst, sweet as honey — fresh and sweet water.
People say that the moist winds are caught and held back by the mountains — the mountain is a retaining barrier for the water. Moist winds travel and, it seems, flow from the mountains in the form of streams and springs. Indeed it is written in the Qurʾān: wa-zayyanā l-samāʾa l-dunyā bi-maṣābīḥ — and We adorned the lowest heaven with lamps. And We have drawn the sky close with garlands of stars — what are stars? Stars are those planets that remain in the sky, going around the first sky, staying at the edges of the earth — these are the very stars and planets that bring out of the earth everything that lies below them — the water below the mountains, and from the first sky (lowest heaven) onward they go outside the world. The atoms of the coming world are visible here — the atoms of the first sky are superior to the next world and superior to this world by many degrees. The matter is this: from its own station each keeps its place at its own centre, which is itself in its own sky. The real point is this: that the real thing which the sky indicates is itself one particular thing according to Allah's arrangement which He has indicated; to understand it with certainty is a theoretical matter.
Translation: "We have built for you in the earth high lofty mountains and given you sweet and clean water to drink."
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
waylun yawmaʾidhin li-l-mukadhdhibīn.
"Woe on that Day to the deniers." (al-Mursalāt 77:28)
Translation: "On that day woe and destruction for the deniers (and those who will not believe)."
انطَلِقُوا إِلَىٰ مَا كُنتُم بِهِ تُكَذِّبُونَ
inṭaliqū ilā mā kuntum bihi tukadhdhibūn.
"Proceed toward what you were used to denying." (al-Mursalāt 77:29)
Inṭaliqū — proceed, go, come — look, see. Ilā mā kuntum bihi — toward what you used to deny, toward that thing. Tukadhdhibūna — that you used to reject and belie.
Translation: "Head toward (witness) that which you used to deny — (look at) what you used to refuse to believe."
انطَلِقُوا إِلَىٰ ظِلٍّ ذِي ثَلَاثِ شُعَبٍ
inṭaliqū ilā ẓillin dhī thalāthi shuʿab.
"Proceed to a shadow of three branches." (al-Mursalāt 77:30)
Inṭaliqū — go, proceed. Ilā ẓillin — toward a shade — a shadow — as though it were some shade. Dhī thalāthi shuʿabin — that has three branches — which has three diverging prongs.
Translation: "Go toward such a shade that has three branches."
لَّا ظَلِيلٍ وَلَا يُغْنِي مِنَ اللَّهَبِ
lā ẓalīlin wa-lā yughnī mina l-lahab.
"That is neither cooling nor guards against the flame." (al-Mursalāt 77:31)
Lā ẓalīlun — that shade is not at all cooling — it produces no shade, no coolness whatsoever. Wa-lā yughnī — and it is of no use at all — it gives no benefit. Mina l-lahabin — from the flame — it does not save from the flames of Hell.
Translation: "That is no cooling shade — and it saves no one from the flames."
إِنَّهَا تَرْمِي بِشَرَرٍ كَالْقَصْرِ
innahā tarmī bi-shararin ka-l-qaṣr.
"Indeed it throws sparks like castles." (al-Mursalāt 77:32)
Innahā tarmī — that fire throws, shoots out. Bi-shararin — sparks, embers — sparks, what are they? Sparks! The little embers that fly off from a fire — how big (not little) are these sparks? Ka-l-qaṣri — like a castle, like a palace. What are these sparks? They are like great mansions — great and large.
Translation: "(The fire of Hell) throws out sparks like great mansions."
كَأَنَّهُ جِمَالَتٌ صُفْرٌ
ka-annahū jimālatun ṣufr.
"As if they were yellow camels." (al-Mursalāt 77:33)
Ka-annahū — as though this fire and spark. Jimālatun — camels — the plural of jamal. Ṣufrun — yellow — the plural of aṣfar; the Arabs used to think yellow camels the finest — young camels too should also be fine. It is as if this fire, with its sparks, will remain in Hell burning — even if we could be indifferent to that, they should still be impressive.
Translation: "As though they were yellow she-camels (as though they were young yellow camels beloved of the heart)."
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
waylun yawmaʾidhin li-l-mukadhdhibīn.
"Woe on that Day to the deniers." (al-Mursalāt 77:34)
Translation: "On that day there will be great ruin and perdition for the deniers (they will be woe-stricken)."
هَٰذَا يَوْمُ لَا يَنطِقُونَ
hādhā yawmu lā yanṭiqūn.
"This is a Day they will not speak." (al-Mursalāt 77:35)
Hādhā yawmun — this is that day. Lā yanṭiqūna — they will not be able to speak — the disbelievers will not be able to say a single word — not a single word will come out of their mouths.
Translation: "This is that day when these people (from themselves) will not be able to say a word."
وَلَا يُؤْذَنُ لَهُمْ فَيَعْتَذِرُونَ
wa-lā yuʾdhanu lahum fa-yaʿtadhirūn.
"And they will not be given permission so that they can make excuses." (al-Mursalāt 77:36)
Wa-lā yuʾdhanu lahum — and they will not be given permission — not given leave to speak. Fa-yaʿtadhirūna — so that they might make excuses, seek forgiveness, confess their errors, beg for pardon.
Translation: "And they will not be given permission and leave to offer an apology (or repentance)."
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
waylun yawmaʾidhin li-l-mukadhdhibīn.
"Woe on that Day to the deniers." (al-Mursalāt 77:37)
Translation: "On that day there will be great ruin and perdition for the deniers."
هَٰذَا يَوْمُ الْفَصْلِ جَمَعْنَاكُمْ وَالْأَوَّلِينَ
hādhā yawmu l-faṣli jamaʿnākum wa-l-awwalīn.
"This is the Day of Separation — We have gathered you and the former peoples." (al-Mursalāt 77:38)
Hādhā yawmu l-faṣl — this is the Day of Separation, the Day of Decision — this is the Day that distinguishes the good from the wicked. Jamaʿnākum — We have gathered you. Wa-l-awwalīna — and the former peoples — both you and the earlier generations are all assembled here.
Translation: "Today is the Day of Decision — We have gathered both you and the former peoples — now present and past are all assembled."
فَإِن كَانَ لَكُمْ كَيْدٌ فَكِيدُونِ
fa-in kāna lakum kaydun fa-kīdūn.
"So if you have a plan then plan against Me." (al-Mursalāt 77:39)
Fa-in kāna lakum — so if you have. Kaydun — a plot, a scheme, a stratagem. Fa-kīdūn — then execute it against Me, bring it forward — (you were great schemers, great schemers and plotters — now execute your schemes before Me). If you have any plot then bring it out — (originally kīdūnī but the yāʾ has been dropped).
Translation: "If you have any plot then bring it against Me."
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
waylun yawmaʾidhin li-l-mukadhdhibīn.
"Woe on that Day to the deniers." (al-Mursalāt 77:39)
Translation: "On that day those who denied (did not believe) will be in great ruin."
إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي ظِلَالٍ وَعُيُونٍ
inna l-muttaqīna fī ẓilālin wa-ʿuyūn.
"Indeed the God-fearing will be in shades and springs." (al-Mursalāt 77:41)
And what of the God-fearing believers contrasted with these deniers?
Inna l-muttaqīna — indeed the God-fearing, righteous, pious. Fī ẓilālin — in shades, cool shade — in shades and springs. Wa-ʿuyūnin — and springs — ʿuyūn is the plural of ʿayn — springs. The shade and springs together.
Translation: "Indeed the God-fearing will be in cool shades and springs."
وَفَوَاكِهَ مِمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ
wa-fawākiha mimmā yashtahūn.
"And fruits of what they desire." (al-Mursalāt 77:42)
Wa-fawākiha — and fruits and delicious things, including seasonal fruits. Mimmā yashtahūna — of whatever they desire — whatever they wish. (Among what they desire are all the noble, fresh, grape and other fruits — all are there.)
Translation: "And there will be such fruits as they desire."
كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا هَنِيئًا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ
kulū wa-shrabū hanīʾan bimā kuntum taʿmalūn.
"Eat and drink with pleasure for what you used to do." (al-Mursalāt 77:43)
Kulū wa-shrabū — eat and drink. Hanīʾan — with pleasure, joyously. Bimā kuntum taʿmalūna — in exchange for what you used to do — as recompense for those acts you used to perform.
Translation: "Eat and drink with pleasure — (this is your) reward for your righteous deeds."
إِنَّا كَذَٰلِكَ نَجْزِي الْمُحْسِينَ
innā kadhālika najzī l-muḥsinīn.
"Indeed thus do We reward the doers of good." (al-Mursalāt 77:44)
Innā kadhālika — indeed in this same way. Najzī — We give reward. Al-muḥsinīna — those who do good, those who are charitable and beneficent.
Translation: "We give this same recompense to the doers of good (the reward of good deeds)."
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
waylun yawmaʾidhin li-l-mukadhdhibīn.
"Woe on that Day to the deniers." (al-Mursalāt 77:45)
Translation: "On that day there will be immense ruin for the deniers."
And what of the ungrateful deniers compared to the believers?
كُلُوا وَتَمَتَّعُوا قَلِيلًا إِنَّكُمْ مُّجْرِمُونَ
kulū wa-tamattaʿū qalīlan innakum mujrimūn.
"Eat and enjoy a little — indeed you are criminals." (al-Mursalāt 77:46)
Kulū wa-tamattaʿū — eat and enjoy, indulge. Qalīlān — for a short time, a few days. Innakum mujrimūna — you are certainly criminals — without doubt you are sinners and wrongdoers.
Translation: "Eat and enjoy yourselves for a few days of life (eat and indulge) — but you are certainly criminals (ungrateful sinners)."
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
waylun yawmaʾidhin li-l-mukadhdhibīn.
"Woe on that Day to the deniers." (al-Mursalāt 77:47)
Translation: "Those who (chose not to admit their being) sinners will suffer great ruin and perdition on that day — (the kindness of God's gracious giving and the denial) on that day it will be greatly ruinous for them."
وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ارْكَعُوا لَا يَرْكَعُونَ
wa-idhā qīla lahumu rkaʿū lā yarkaʿūn.
"And when they are told to bow down, they do not bow." (al-Mursalāt 77:48)
Wa-idhā qīla lahum — and when it is said to them. Irkaʿū — bow down, prostrate to God — when they are told to bow their necks before God. Lā yarkaʿūna — they do not bow — they do not prostrate, no prayer, no worship.
Translation: "And when they are told to bow their necks before God — they never bow their necks (take no notice, do not prostrate)."
وَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ
waylun yawmaʾidhin li-l-mukadhdhibīn.
"Woe on that Day to the deniers." (al-Mursalāt 77:49)
Translation: "On that day those who do not acknowledge (the obedience owed to God) will be in great disgrace and ruin."
فَبِأَيِّ حَدِيثٍ بَعْدَهُ يُؤْمِنُونَ
fa-bi-ayyi ḥadīthin baʿdahu yuʾminūn.
"Then in what discourse after this will they believe?" (al-Mursalāt 77:50)
Fa-bi-ayyi ḥadīthin — then in what speech, what word. Baʿdahu — after this, after listening to this — after believing. Yuʾminūna — will they believe, maintain certainty?
Translation: "Now after this (having heard it) in what word will they believe (and keep certainty)?"
Title page of Juzʾ 30 of Tafsīr Ṣiddīqī, published by Ḥasrat Ābādī Publications, Bhadurpura, Hyderabad. The Juzʾ begins with Sūrat al-Nabaʾ (78). The epigraph reads: Bismillāhi l-Raḥmāni l-Raḥīm — "kadhālika nufaṣṣilu l-āyāti li-qawmin yatafakkarūn" — "Thus do We set out the signs distinctly for a people who reflect." (al-Rūm 30:28 / al-Aʿrāf 7:32)