Sūrat al-Ṭūr

سورۃ الطور

(Continuing the closing verse of Sūrat al-Dhāriyāt from page 105)

Translation: "Indeed for the wrongdoers their measure of punishment is like that of their companions — they should not seek to hasten it — punishment is near (and close at hand)."

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Bismi llāhi l-raḥmāni l-raḥīm — In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Sūrat al-Ṭūr was revealed in Makkah. It has thirty-nine (39) verses and two (2) rukūʿs.

وَالطُّورِ ﴿١﴾ وَكِتَابٍ مَّسْطُورٍ ﴿٢﴾ فِي رَقٍّ مَّنشُورٍ ﴿٣﴾ وَالْبَيْتِ الْمَعْمُورِ ﴿٤﴾ وَالسَّقْفِ الْمَرْفُوعِ ﴿٥﴾ وَالْبَحْرِ الْمَسْجُورِ

wa-l-ṭūri wa-kitābin masṭūrin fī raqqin manshūrin wa-l-bayti l-maʿmūri wa-l-saqfi l-marfūʿi wa-l-baḥri l-masjūr.

"By the Ṭūr, and a Book inscribed, in a parchment unrolled, and the Frequented House, and the elevated ceiling (sky), and the sea set ablaze." (al-Ṭūr 52:1–6)

Wa-l-ṭūru — by Mount Ṭūr — it is a sworn testimony that the Ṭūr will bear witness to this when the time comes — so that the mountain, which the deniers tried to crumble into pieces, will itself give testimony. Wa-kitābin masṭūrun — and a written, inscribed Book — that written book is also a witness — what book is written in. Fī raqqin manshūrin — in parchment — on paper — a scroll — open, unrolled — and according to some, in accordance with the Qurʾān Sharīf, the intended meaning is that the book of Mūsā (upon him be peace) is meant — and according to others the meaning is the Book of Protected Tablet (Lawḥ Maḥfūẓ), open and unrolled before the eyes of everything past and future all written in it. Wa-l-bayti l-maʿmūri — and the Frequented House — the Kaʿba — it will be a witness at the time of the Day of Judgement coming — and according to some it is the House in the sky which is in the seventh heaven — that House of the angels which is directly above the Kaʿba — seventy thousand angels visit it every day and will not return until the Day of Judgement. Wa-l-saqfi l-marfūʿi — and the elevated roof — elevated, high — this refers to the Throne or the sky — the Throne which is above the uppermost sky. Wa-l-baḥri l-masjūri — and the sea — the great ocean — ablaze — ignited — burning — it will come close to the earth — the sea will come out from inside the earth with fire — outside and the sea will catch fire everywhere.

Translation: "By the Ṭūr — and the written Book in a parchment spread open — and the Frequented House (Kaʿba) — and the elevated ceiling (sky) — and the sea ablaze."

(Continuing the commentary on Sūrat al-Ṭūr's opening verses)

…and blazing with the waves of the sea.

إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ لَوَاقِعٌ

inna ʿadhāba rabbika la-wāqiʿ.

"Indeed the punishment of your Lord is surely coming." (al-Ṭūr 52:7)

Inna ʿadhāba rabbika — indeed Your Lord's punishment. La-wāqiʿun — will certainly fall — it is coming — it will happen. One day it will be in this earthly world with nothing to keep it in place — Allah Most High's Throne and the Frequented House, the Elevated Ceiling — there will be nothing to withhold it from you. Min dāfiʿin — it has nothing to prevent it — a repeller, one who removes it — one who stops it.

Translation: "Your Lord's punishment is surely coming — no one can stop it."

يَوْمَ تَمُورُ السَّمَاءُ مَوْرًا

yawma tamūru l-samāʾu mawrā.

"On the Day the sky will sway with a swaying." (al-Ṭūr 52:9)

Yawma — the Day — it will move, it will tremble — it will shake. Tamūru — it will stir — it will tremble — it will lurch. Al-samāʾu — the sky or cloud. Mawran — a fine movement — swaying well, trembling, shuddering.

Translation: "On that Day the sky will tremble and sway greatly (like billowing clouds)."

Some people say that the sun will become cold due to constant heat — its resistance will be gone. — The universe will fall into disorder — the stars will collide with one another and the sky's parts will wave like the ocean. — Some say that sound will come out of the earth in this matter — and the ground will begin to open. — Some say there is a possibility that a large stone star will come and crash into the earth and break it into pieces. — Some say there are dark holes in space wandering around — it is possible that they will never let go. — There are some people who say there are black holes wandering in space.

وَتَسِيرُ الْجِبَالُ سَيْرًا

wa-tasīru l-jibālu sayrā.

"And the mountains will move, moving along." (al-Ṭūr 52:10)

Wa-tasīru — and they will go, walk. Al-jibālu — the mountains. Sayrā — moving well, moving along.

Translation: "And the mountains will move from their place — they will fly about."

This day is what will be.

فَوَيْلٌ يَوْمَئِذٍ لِّلْمُكَذِّبِينَ

fa-waylun yawmaʾidhin li-l-mukadhdhibīn.

"So woe on that Day to those who deny!" (al-Ṭūr 52:11)

Fa-waylun — then there is great ruin — alas — destruction. Yawmaʾidhin — on that Day — it will be the Day of Judgement. Li-l-mukadhdhibīna — for the deniers — those who deny.

Translation: "This is the Day of great ruin for the deniers — on them it is a great alas."

Translation: "This Day — great ruin and alas — it is a great alas for the deniers."

الَّذِينَ هُمْ فِي خَوْضٍ يَلْعَبُونَ

alladhīna hum fī khawḍin yalʿabūn.

"Those who are wading in vain talk, playing." (al-Ṭūr 52:12)

Alladhīna hum — those people. Fī khawḍin — in shallow water — in foolishness — in vain talk — making up idle words. Yalʿabūna — playing — they feel as though it is entertainment.

Translation: "Those who waste their lives in vain and idle talk."

يَوْمَ يُدَعُّونَ إِلَى نَارِ جَهَنَّمَ دَعًّا

yawma yudaʿʿūna ilā nāri jahannama daʿʿā.

"The Day they will be thrust into the Fire of Jahannam with a mighty thrusting." (al-Ṭūr 52:13)

Yawma — the Day. Yudaʿʿūna — they will be thrust with a push — they will be flung. Ilā nāri jahannama — towards the Fire of Hell. Daʿʿā — a good thrusting — a strong push, a shove.

Translation: "That Day these (deniers) will be flung towards the fire of Hell with a great thrust."

It will be said to them:

هَذِهِ النَّارُ الَّتِي كُنتُم بِهَا تُكَذِّبُونَ

hādhihi l-nāru llatī kuntum bihā tukadhdhibūn.

"This is the Fire which you used to deny!" (al-Ṭūr 52:14)

Hādhihi l-nāru — this is the fire — Hell. Allatī — which. Kuntum bihā tukadhdhibūna — you used to deny it — you did not accept it — you did not believe. — You used to call the prophets sorcerers, then.

Translation: "This is the very Hell you used to deny — you did not accept it in the world — you used to call the prophets sorcerers and madmen."

أَفَسِحْرٌ هَذَا أَمْ أَنتُمْ لَا تُبْصِرُونَ

a-fa-siḥrun hādhā am antum lā tubṣirūn.

"Is this then sorcery — or do you not see?" (al-Ṭūr 52:15)

A-fa-siḥrun hādhā — is this magic, some sorcery — it makes no secret of it. Am antum lā tubṣirūna — or are you blind — you cannot see — you cannot make anything out.

Translation: "Is this magic — or is it that you are blind — that nothing can be seen by you."

اصْلَوْهَا فَاصْبِرُوا أَوْ لَا تَصْبِرُوا سَوَاءٌ عَلَيْكُمْ إِنَّمَا تُجْزَوْنَ مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

iṣlawhā fa-ṣbirū aw lā taṣbirū sawāʾun ʿalaykum innamā tujzawna mā kuntum taʿmalūn.

"Enter it — then be patient or do not be patient — it is all the same for you. You are only being recompensed for what you used to do." (al-Ṭūr 52:16)

Iṣlawhā — enter it — go into it. Fa-ṣbirū — then be patient or endure. Aw lā taṣbirū — or do not be patient or endure. Sawāʾun ʿalaykum — both are equal for you — it makes no difference to you. Innamā tujzawna — you are only being recompensed. Mā kuntum taʿmalūna — for what you used to do — the recompense of your deeds is going.

Translation: "Enter Hell — whether you are patient or not — both are equal — this is the recompense of your deeds."

إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَنَعِيمٍ

inna l-muttaqīna fī jannātin wa-naʿīm.

"Indeed the God-fearing will be in gardens and delight." (al-Ṭūr 52:17)

Inna l-muttaqīna — indeed the God-fearing — those who are pious. Fī jannātin wa-naʿīmin — in gardens and delights — they will be in gardens and pleasures — and the pleasures and comforts of the home will be there.

Translation: "Indeed the God-fearing people will certainly be in the gardens and pleasures."

فَاكِهِينَ بِمَا آتَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ وَقَاهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ

fākihīna bi-mā ātāhum rabbuhum wa-qāhum rabbuhum ʿadhāba l-jaḥīm.

"Rejoicing in what their Lord has given them — and their Lord has saved them from the punishment of the Blazing Fire." (al-Ṭūr 52:18)

Fākihatun — fruit — fākihīna — rejoicing, delighting in conversation — chatting happily — enjoying fruits. Bi-mā ātāhum rabbuhum — with what their Lord has given them — the thing their Lord has provided them. Wa-qāhum — and He saved them. Rabbuhum — their Lord has. ʿAdhāba l-jaḥīmi — from the punishment of the blazing fire of Hell.

Translation: "They will be expressing their deeds with happiness — (that is, they will make a reckoning of their deeds) — because their Lord saved them from the punishment of Hell."

كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا هَنِيئًا بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

kulū wa-shrabū hanīʾan bi-mā kuntum taʿmalūn.

"Eat and drink with relish — for what you used to do." (al-Ṭūr 52:19)

Allah Most High will say to them: Kulū — eat. Wa-shrabū — and drink. Hanīʾan — with pleasure — with enjoyment, with relish. Bi-mā kuntum taʿmalūna — in exchange for what you used to do — as a result of your own deeds.

Translation: "Eat and drink — with relish — as the reward of your own deeds."

مُتَّكِئِينَ عَلَى سُرُرٍ مَّصْفُوفَةٍ وَزَوَّجْنَاهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍ

muttakiʾīna ʿalā sururin maṣfūfatin wa-zawwajnāhum bi-ḥūrin ʿīn.

"Reclining upon arranged thrones — and We shall wed them to wide-eyed maidens." (al-Ṭūr 52:20)

And what will be the reward? Muttakiʾīna — they will be reclining — resting, leaning back. ʿAlā sururin — on thrones. Maṣfūfatin — arranged in rows, arranged alongside one another, placed side by side. Wa-zawwajnāhum — and We will give them in marriage. Bi-ḥūrin ʿīnin — with ḥūr — with white and fair beautiful women — with large, wide beautiful eyes — ʿīnun — large and wide-eyed women — in Urdu the word for ḥūr is a single feminine word.

Translation: "(Jannī) will be seated reclining on arranged thrones — and We shall wed them to white and large-eyed Ḥūr."

Translation: "(Jannī) they will be seated with thrones arranged — and We will wed them to fair, large wide-eyed women."

وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَاتَّبَعَتْهُمْ ذُرِّيَّتُهُم بِإِيمَانٍ أَلْحَقْنَا بِهِمْ ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ وَمَا أَلَتْنَاهُم مِّنْ عَمَلِهِم مِّن شَيْءٍ كُلُّ امْرِئٍ بِمَا كَسَبَ رَهِينٌ

wa-lladhīna āmanū wa-ttabaʿathum dhurriyyatuhum bi-īmānin alḥaqnā bihim dhurriyyatahum wa-mā alatnahum min ʿamalihim min shayʾin kullu mriʾin bi-mā kasaba rahīn.

"And those who believed — and their descendants followed them in faith — We shall join their descendants to them, and We shall not deprive them of anything of their deeds. Every person is a pledge for what he has earned." (al-Ṭūr 52:21)

Wa-lladhīna āmanū — and those people who have faith — and they keep their faith. Wa-ttabaʿathum dhurriyyatuhum — and their children followed them. Bi-īmānin — in faith — following faith — coming behind. Dhurriyyatahum — their children. Al-ḥaqnā bihim — We will join them — next to them — before, behind — later, earlier — with faith's inclusion. Wa-mā alatnahum — and We will not diminish them — not reduce. Min ʿamalihim — of their deeds — from the work of elders — that is, if elders did something and those of lower rank than them — some small act is present too. Wa-mā alatnahum min shayʾin — and We will not diminish them anything. Kullu mriʾin — every person — every individual. Bi-mā kasaba rahīnun — is a pledge for what he has earned — responsible — answerable for it.

Translation: "Those who are believers — and their descendants follow their path — We will join their descendants to them — We will give them the same degree — and We will not diminish anything from the elders' deeds — every person is a pledge for his own deeds — he is responsible."

وَأَمْدَدْنَاهُم بِفَاكِهَةٍ وَلَحْمٍ مِّمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ

wa-amdadnāhum bi-fākihatin wa-laḥmin mimmā yashtahūn.

"And We shall extend to them fruits and meat of what they desire." (al-Ṭūr 52:22)

Wa-amdadnāhum — and We will keep giving them provisions — We will give them continuously. Bi-fākihatin — with fruit — fruits. Wa-laḥmin — and meat. Mimmā yashtahūna — of what they desire — whatever the heart desires.

Translation: "And We will keep giving them fruits and meat continuously."

يَتَنَازَعُونَ فِيهَا كَأْسًا لَّا لَغْوَ فِيهَا وَلَا تَأْثِيمٌ

yatanāzaʿūna fīhā kaʾsan lā laghwa fīhā wa-lā taʾthīm.

"They shall pass among themselves a cup — in which there is no vain talk and no sin." (al-Ṭūr 52:23)

Yatanāzaʿūna fīhā — they will reach to one another — from their hearts they will pass things with great joy — they will take from one another. Kaʾsan — a cup — a goblet — they will pass drinks in the gardens of Janna with each other. Lā laghwa fīhā — no vain talk in the drinking of this — no foolishness will come. Wa-lā taʾthīmun — and no sin — no impurity — sin.

Translation: "(Jannī) will pass cups of drink among one another in Janna — in the drinking of this there will be no vain talk and no sin."

وَيَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ غِلْمَانٌ لَّهُمْ كَأَنَّهُمْ لُؤْلُؤٌ مَّكْنُونٌ

wa-yaṭūfu ʿalayhim ghilmānun lahum ka-annahum luʾluʾun maknūn.

"And there shall circulate among them boys belonging to them — as though they were carefully preserved pearls." (al-Ṭūr 52:24)

Wa-yaṭūfu ʿalayhim — and they will circulate around them — coming and going — going past them for the sake of service. Ghilmānun — boys — servants — youths. Lahum — belonging to them — servants — ghilmānun — Jannī servants — boys. Ka-annahum luʾluʾun maknūnun — as though they were pearls — luʾluʾu — pearl — maknūnun — protected — carefully contained in a box — pearl — like protected pearl.

Translation: "And for their service boys will circulate around them — they are so beautiful (like beautifully protected and pure pearls)."

وَأَقْبَلَ بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ يَتَسَاءَلُونَ

wa-aqbala baʿḍuhum ʿalā baʿḍin yatasāʾalūn.

"And they will turn towards one another, asking each other." (al-Ṭūr 52:25)

Wa-aqbala — and they will turn, be attentive. Baʿḍuhum ʿalā baʿḍin — some towards others — some in others' direction. Yatasāʾalūna — asking questions — chatting with each other.

Translation: "They will turn towards one another — conversing with one another — asking questions."

قَالُوا إِنَّا كُنَّا قَبْلُ فِي أَهْلِنَا مُشْفِقِينَ

qālū innā kunnā qablu fī ahlināi mushfiqīn.

"They will say: 'Indeed we were before, among our family, fearful.'" (al-Ṭūr 52:26)

Qālū — they will say. Innā kunnā — we were. Qablu — before — in the world. Fī ahlinā — in our families — in our own home — our near ones. Mushfiqīna — fearing — in the world in our own homes and families — we were fearful.

Translation: "They will say: We were previously fearing (of death) in our homes."

فَمَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَيْنَا وَوَقَانَا عَذَابَ السَّمُومِ

fa-manna llāhu ʿalaynā wa-waqānā ʿadhāba l-samūm.

"Then Allah bestowed His favour upon us and saved us from the punishment of the scorching wind." (al-Ṭūr 52:27)

Fa-manna llāhu ʿalaynā — then Allah bestowed great favour on us — favour — blessing — being indebted. Wa-waqānā — and He saved us, protected us. ʿAdhāba l-samūmi — from the punishment of the scorching wind — the one who saves from bad words — the protector — the guardian. Al-samūmi — scorching hot — scorching hot, poisonous.

Translation: "Then Allah did us a favour and saved us from the scorching hot wind."

Translation: "Then Allah did us great favour and He saved us from the scorching hot and poisonous heat."

إِنَّا كُنَّا مِن قَبْلُ نَدْعُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْبَرُّ الرَّحِيمُ

innā kunnā min qablu nadʿūhu innahū huwa l-barru l-raḥīm.

"Indeed we used to call upon Him before — indeed He is the Most Good, the Most Merciful." (al-Ṭūr 52:28)

Innā kunnā — we were. Min qablu — from before — in this world. Nadʿūhu — we called upon Him — we would call upon Him — we listen to His calls. Innahū — because He is. Huwa l-barru — He is the One of good conduct — the One who is always good. Wa-l-raḥīmu — and the Most Merciful — the One who is merciful.

Translation: "Indeed we used to call upon Him from before (in the world) — He is the Muhsin (the One of good conduct) because He is the Merciful."

فَذَكِّرْ فَأَنتَ بِنِعْمَتِ رَبِّكَ بِكَاهِنٍ وَلَا مَجْنُونٍ

fa-dhakkir fa-anta bi-niʿmati rabbika bi-kāhinin wa-lā majnūn.

"So keep reminding — for by the grace of your Lord you are neither a soothsayer nor a madman." (al-Ṭūr 52:29)

Fa-dhakkir — then keep giving reminders — keep giving admonitions — go on giving them counsel. Fa-anta bi-niʿmati rabbika — then you by the grace and favour of your Lord. Bi-kāhinin — you are not a kāhin — one who can only be done by a soothsayer or a person who, by means of the inspirations of starry spirits or by filling his own will with power, hears the words. Wa-lā majnūnun — and you are not a madman — not a lunatic and not an insane person.

Translation: "So keep giving reminders — because by the grace and favour of Allah you are neither a kāhin nor a madman."

أَمْ يَقُولُونَ شَاعِرٌ نَّتَرَبَّصُ بِهِ رَيْبَ الْمَنُونِ

am yaqūlūna shāʿirun natarabbaṣu bihi rayba l-manūn.

"Or do they say: 'He is a poet — we await for him the vicissitudes of fate.'" (al-Ṭūr 52:30)

Am yaqūlūna — are these people saying. Shāʿirun — he is a poet — even the prophet is a poet. Natarabbaṣu bihi — we keep watching him. Rayba l-manūnun — the calamity of the times — death — doubt — death. Rayba l-manūni — vicissitudes of fate — death — when some calamity of fate comes, when some accident happens, when some dispute arises, the whole thing will end.

Translation: "Are these people saying that (the Prophet) is a poet and we are waiting to see when he dies."

قُلْ تَرَبَّصُوا فَإِنِّي مَعَكُم مِّنَ الْمُتَرَبِّصِينَ

qul tarabbaṣū fa-innī maʿakum mina l-mutarabbiṣīn.

"Say: 'Wait then — indeed I too am with you among the waiters.'" (al-Ṭūr 52:31)

Qul tarabbaṣū — tell them to wait — keep hoping for my death. Fa-innī maʿakum — I too am with you. Mina l-mutarabbiṣīna — I too am waiting for the coming of punishment for you.

Translation: "Good — keep waiting — I too am waiting with you — I too am waiting for your punishment to come."

أَمْ تَأْمُرُهُمْ أَحْلَامُهُم بِهَذَا أَمْ هُمْ قَوْمٌ طَاغُونَ

am taʾmuruhum aḥlāmuhum bi-hādhā am hum qawmun ṭāghūn.

"Or do their intellects command them to this — or are they a transgressing people?" (al-Ṭūr 52:32)

Am taʾmuruhum — is it telling them — instructing them. Aḥlāmuhum — their intellects — aḥlāmun — intellects — wit — wisdom — patience — tolerance — ḥilmun — clemency — integrity. — Their intellects — this is from them — the command of Ṭāghūt is — is this a naturally rebellious people and one who has exceeded all bounds?

Translation: "Is it (from the wisdom of their intellects) instructing them this thing — or are these people naturally wicked and rebellious?"

أَمْ يَقُولُونَ تَقَوَّلَهُ بَلْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

am yaqūlūna taqawwalahu bal lā yuʾminūn.

"Or do they say he has fabricated it? Nay — they simply do not want to believe." (al-Ṭūr 52:33)

Am yaqūlūna — or are those people saying. Taqawwalahu — the prophet has fabricated it on his own — he has invented things from his own heart — all of this is from them. Bal lā yuʾminūna — no — the matter is not this — they do not want to bring faith at all.

Translation: "Are these people saying that all this (of the Qurʾān) is the prophet's own fabricated talk? No — these people simply do not want to bring faith."

فَلْيَأْتُوا بِحَدِيثٍ مِّثْلِهِ إِن كَانُوا صَادِقِينَ

fa-l-yaʾtū bi-ḥadīthin mithlihi in kānū ṣādiqīn.

"Then let them bring a discourse like it — if they are truthful." (al-Ṭūr 52:34)

Fa-l-yaʾtū bi-ḥadīthin mithlihi — then let them bring discourse like the Qurʾān — if the prophet is composing it from his own — then they too should bring something like the Qurʾān. In kānū ṣādiqīna — if they are truthful.

Translation: "Good — then let them bring (a work like the Qurʾān) and a discourse like it — if they have any truthfulness in them."

أَمْ خُلِقُوا مِنْ غَيْرِ شَيْءٍ أَمْ هُمُ الْخَالِقُونَ

am khuliqū min ghayri shayʾin am humu l-khāliqūn.

"Or were they created from nothing — or are they themselves the creators?" (al-Ṭūr 52:35)

Am khuliqū min ghayri shayʾin — is it so that they came into existence by themselves — they were created by none — is it possible that they were created without any God. Am humu l-khāliqūna — or are they themselves the creators.

Translation: "Were these people (accidentally) created without any God — or are they themselves the creators?"

Esteemed readers! If their existence is to be created — then God must be needed — therefore they always have existence, before they were not — and after they will not be — therefore this is obviously a matter that a being without time and place cannot be in existence. The human — how foolish he is! Why has he inflated himself? — Why has he forgotten God? — The slave ought always to keep in the refuge of servitude — why does he always flee from God's presence? — In the end the servant who flees will be caught — get up, humble yourself before God — mawlāhum llāh. fa-firrū ilā llāhi.

أَمْ خَلَقُوا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بَلْ لَا يُوقِنُونَ

am khalaqū l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍa bal lā yūqinūn.

"Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay — they have no certainty at all." (al-Ṭūr 52:36)

Am khalaqū l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍa — is it that these people created the heavens and the earth — how weak this statement is — they cannot create anything at all. Lā kallā wa-llāhi mā khalaqa shayʾan — no, Allah has not created a thing — bal lā yūqinūna — no, they have no certainty — they do not have certainty in themselves — they will not believe.

Translation: "Did they create the heavens and the earth — no — they are not certain — they have not the slightest certainty (of God's existence)."

أَمْ عِندَهُمْ خَزَائِنُ رَبِّكَ أَمْ هُمُ الْمُصَيْطِرُونَ

am ʿindahum khazāʾinu rabbika am humu l-muṣayṭirūn.

"Or are with them the treasuries of your Lord — or are they themselves the controllers?" (al-Ṭūr 52:37)

Am ʿindahum — is it that with them. Khazāʾinu rabbika — your Lord's treasuries — the stores of your Lord. Am humu l-muṣayṭirūna — or are they themselves the controllers — the independent masters — the authority — the master.

Translation: "Is it that with them are your Lord's treasuries — or are they the masters (independently)?"

أَمْ لَهُمْ سُلَّمٌ يَسْتَمِعُونَ فِيهِ فَلْيَأْتِ مُسْتَمِعُهُم بِسُلْطَانٍ مُّبِينٍ

am lahum sullamun yastamiʿūna fīhi fa-l-yaʾti mustamiʿuhum bi-sulṭānin mubīn.

"Or do they have a ladder by which they listen — then let their listener bring a clear authority." (al-Ṭūr 52:38)

Am lahum sullamun — is it that they have some ladder — a staircase. Yastamiʿūna fīhi — by which they listen — going up on the unseen and listening to hidden matters. Fa-l-yaʾti mustamiʿuhum — then their listener should come. Bi-sulṭānin mubīnin — with clear authority and proof — bring it forth and bring a proof.

Translation: "Is it that they have some ladder by which they come climbing up to listen — then their listeners should bring a clear authority (proof)."

أَمْ لَهُ الْبَنَاتُ وَلَكُمُ الْبَنُونَ

am lahu l-banātu wa-lakumu l-banūn.

"Or does He have daughters and you have sons?" (al-Ṭūr 52:39)

Am lahu l-banātu — is it that God has daughters — and you have sons.

It is a known fact that in the pre-Islamic era (jāhiliyya), they believed the angels to be God's daughters — and so they became occupied with the worship of those angels — and they were so occupied with thinking about them that they said the angels bring divine nourishment when occupied with divine remembrance — the point of the angels is this — that they said: the angels give them spiritual nourishment — therefore the servants of those deities also exist — they too keep receiving. In any case, this is a bad thing — why are people so occupied with it and fleeing from God?

أَمْ تَسْأَلُهُمْ أَجْرًا فَهُمْ مِّن مَّغْرَمٍ مُّثْقَلُونَ

am tasʾaluhum ajran fa-hum min maghramim muthqalūn.

"Or do you ask of them a reward — so that they are burdened by a fine?" (al-Ṭūr 52:40)

Am tasʾaluhum ajran — or do you ask them for a fee — you keep asking them for a reward. Fa-hum min maghramim — so they are from a fine — from a loss, from a burden. Muthqalūna — burdened — heavy — they are burdened by it — they cannot bear this burden.

Translation: "Do you ask them for a reward — so that they are burdened by its penalty — they cannot bear this burden."

أَمْ عِندَهُمُ الْغَيْبُ فَهُمْ يَكْتُبُونَ

am ʿindahumu l-ghaybu fa-hum yaktubūn.

"Or do they have knowledge of the Unseen — and are they writing it down?" (al-Ṭūr 52:41)

Am ʿindahumu l-ghaybu — or is it that they have knowledge of the Unseen — the hidden, the divine Unseen. Fa-hum yaktubūna — so they are writing it down — they have written it down.

Translation: "Is it that they have knowledge of the Unseen and they are writing it down."

أَمْ يُرِيدُونَ كَيْدًا فَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا هُمُ الْمَكِيدُونَ

am yurīdūna kaydan fa-lladhīna kafarū humu l-makīdūn.

"Or do they intend a plot — then the disbelievers — they are the ones plotted against." (al-Ṭūr 52:42)

Am yurīdūna — or are they intending. Kaydan — a plot — a trick — deceit and fraud. Fa-lladhīna kafarū — then those who are disbelievers. Humu l-makīdūna — they are the ones being plotted against — the scheme falls back on themselves — their plot will fall back on their own head.

Translation: "Or do these people want to plot — then the disbelievers themselves are being plotted against — their scheme falls back on them."

أَمْ لَهُمْ إِلَهٌ غَيْرُ اللَّهِ سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ

am lahum ilāhun ghayru llāhi subḥāna llāhi ʿammā yushrikūn.

"Or do they have a deity other than Allah? Glory be to Allah above what they associate!" (al-Ṭūr 52:43)

Am lahum ilāhun — is it that they have some deity — something worthy of worship, the most worthy of it. Ghayru llāhi — other than Allah. Subḥāna llāhi — Allah is pure. ʿAmmā yushrikūna — from the shirk they are committing.

Translation: "Or do they have some deity other than Allah — Allah is far pure from the shirk they commit."

وَإِن يَرَوْا كِسْفًا مِّنَ السَّمَاءِ سَاقِطًا يَقُولُوا سَحَابٌ مَّرْكُومٌ

wa-in yaraw kisfa mina l-samāʾi sāqiṭan yaqūlū saḥābun markūm.

"And if they see a fragment of the sky falling, they would say: 'It is heaped clouds.'" (al-Ṭūr 52:44)

Wa-in yaraw — and if these people see. Kisfa — a fragment — a piece. Mina l-samāʾi — from the sky — an object falling. Sāqiṭan — falling — if a fragment falls from the sky. Yaqūlū — they will say. Saḥābun — cloud — it is a cloud. Markūmun — heaped — heavy — piled-up cloud — thick cloud.

Translation: "These people — if they see a fragment of sky falling they will say it is a thick, heaped cloud (it is hardening)."

فَذَرْهُمْ حَتَّى يُلَاقُوا يَوْمَهُمُ الَّذِي فِيهِ يُصْعَقُونَ

fa-dharhum ḥattā yulāqū yawmahumu lladhī fīhi yuṣʿaqūn.

"So leave them until they meet their Day in which they will be struck senseless." (al-Ṭūr 52:45)

Fa-dharhum — so leave them — do not stop them — leave them alone. Ḥattā yulāqū — until they meet. Yawmahum — their Day — the Day to encounter them. Alladhī fīhi — in which. Yuṣʿaqūna — they will be struck senseless — people will be terrorised — they will faint — ṣāʿiqa — lightning — lightning bolt — a huge crack.

Translation: "Leave them — until that Day when they will faint (fall senseless in terror)."

يَوْمَ لَا يُغْنِي عَنْهُمْ كَيْدُهُمْ شَيْئًا وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ

yawma lā yughnī ʿanhum kayduhum shayʾan wa-lā hum yunṣarūn.

"The Day their plotting will not avail them at all — and they will not be helped." (al-Ṭūr 52:46)

Yawma lā yughnī ʿanhum — that Day their — nothing will be of use to them — their plot. Kayduhum — their plotting — their tricks — nothing will benefit them. Wa-lā hum yunṣarūna — and no one will give them help — no one will come to their aid.

Translation: "That Day their plotting will avail them nothing — and no one will give them any kind of help."

وَإِنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا عَذَابًا دُونَ ذَلِكَ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

wa-inna lilladhīna ẓalamū ʿadhāban dūna dhālika wa-lākinna akthrahum lā yaʿlamūn.

"And indeed for those who have wronged there is punishment before that — but most of them do not know." (al-Ṭūr 52:47)

Wa-inna lilladhīna ẓalamū — and for those wrongdoers there is punishment. ʿAdhāban dūna dhālika — a punishment before that — before the Day of Judgement — already here in this world before the Hereafter. Wa-lākinna akthrahum lā yaʿlamūna — but most of them do not know — they are unaware.

Translation: "And for those wrongdoers there is already (in this world) punishment before the Day of Judgement — but most of them do not know."

وَاصْبِرْ لِحُكْمِ رَبِّكَ فَإِنَّكَ بِأَعْيُنِنَا وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ حِينَ تَقُومُ

wa-ṣbir li-ḥukmi rabbika fa-innaka bi-aʿyuninā wa-sabbiḥ bi-ḥamdi rabbika ḥīna taqūm.

"And be patient for the judgment of your Lord — for indeed you are before Our eyes — and glorify the praise of your Lord when you rise." (al-Ṭūr 52:48)

Wa-ṣbir — and be patient, wait — endure. Li-ḥukmi rabbika — for the command of your Lord — await your Lord's command. Fa-innaka bi-aʿyuninā — because you are before Our eyes — you are under Our eyes — We guard you — We are your guardians. Wa-sabbiḥ bi-ḥamdi rabbika — and glorify with the praise of your Lord — describe the purity of God's essence beautifully. Ḥīna taqūmu — whenever you arise — whenever you stand.

Translation: "(O Prophet!) Be patient for the command of your Lord — because you are before Our eyes — and glorify the praise of your Lord when you arise."

Taḥmīd biyān karo — go on making His glorification and praise.

وَمِنَ اللَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْهُ وَإِدْبَارَ النُّجُومِ

wa-mina l-layli fa-sabbiḥhu wa-idbāra l-nujūm.

"And in the night glorify Him — and at the setting of the stars." (al-Ṭūr 52:49)

Wa-mina l-layli fa-sabbiḥhu — and in the night too glorify Allah. Wa-idbāra l-nujūmi — and after the stars' setting — after the stars set.

Translation: "And glorify Him in the night too — and after the stars set."