Skip to main content
VerseSurah

Surah 17 · Meccan · 111 Verses

الإسراء

SURAH AL-ISRA

The Night Journey

You can save this surah to this device for offline reading.

Offline reading is currently limited to popular surahs. Audio files aren't saved offline.

Verses 1–50Page 1 of 3

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

1

سُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَسْرَىٰ بِعَبْدِهِۦ لَيْلًۭا مِّنَ ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلْمَسْجِدِ ٱلْأَقْصَا ٱلَّذِى بَٰرَكْنَا حَوْلَهُۥ لِنُرِيَهُۥ مِنْ ءَايَٰتِنَآ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلْبَصِيرُ

Exalted722 is He who took His Servant [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ)] by night from al-Masjid al-Ḥarām to al-Masjid al-Aqṣā,723 whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the Hearing,724 the Seeing.725

  1. [722] Above any imperfection or failure to do as He wills.
  2. [723] In Jerusalem.
  3. [724] Who hears every sound, distinguishes every voice, understands every word, and accepts and responds to supplications.
  4. [725] Who sees and understands all things apparent and unapparent, visible and invisible.

Word by Word
سُبْحَٰنَExaltedsub'ḥāna
ٱلَّذِىٓ(is) the One Whoalladhī
أَسْرَىٰtookasrā
بِعَبْدِهِۦHis servantbiʿabdihi
لَيْلًۭا(by) nightlaylan
مِّنَfrommina
ٱلْمَسْجِدِAl-Masjid Al-Haraaml-masjidi
ٱلْحَرَامِAl-Masjid Al-Haraaml-ḥarāmi
إِلَىtoilā
ٱلْمَسْجِدِAl-Masjid Al-Aqsal-masjidi
ٱلْأَقْصَاAl-Masjid Al-Aqsal-aqṣā
ٱلَّذِىwhichalladhī
بَٰرَكْنَاWe blessedbāraknā
حَوْلَهُۥits surroundingsḥawlahu
لِنُرِيَهُۥthat We may show himlinuriyahu
مِنْofmin
ءَايَٰتِنَآOur Signsāyātinā
إِنَّهُۥIndeed Heinnahu
هُوَHehuwa
ٱلسَّمِيعُ(is) the All-Hearerl-samīʿu
ٱلْبَصِيرُthe All-Seerl-baṣīru
2

وَءَاتَيْنَا مُوسَى ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَجَعَلْنَٰهُ هُدًۭى لِّبَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ أَلَّا تَتَّخِذُوا۟ مِن دُونِى وَكِيلًۭا

And We gave Moses the Scripture and made it a guidance for the Children of Israel that you not take other than Me as Disposer of affairs,726

  1. [726] i.e., trust in Allāh, knowing that He (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) is responsible for every occurrence.

Word by Word
وَءَاتَيْنَاAnd We gavewaātaynā
مُوسَىMusamūsā
ٱلْكِتَٰبَthe Bookl-kitāba
وَجَعَلْنَٰهُand made itwajaʿalnāhu
هُدًۭىa guidancehudan
لِّبَنِىٓfor the Childrenlibanī
إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ(of) Israelis'rāīla
أَلَّاThat notallā
تَتَّخِذُوا۟you taketattakhidhū
مِنother than Memin
دُونِىother than Medūnī
وَكِيلًۭا(as) a Disposer of affairswakīlan
3

ذُرِّيَّةَ مَنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَبْدًۭا شَكُورًۭا

O descendants of those We carried [in the ship] with Noah. Indeed, he was a grateful servant.

Word by Word
ذُرِّيَّةَOffspringsdhurriyyata
مَنْ(of one) whoman
حَمَلْنَاWe carriedḥamalnā
مَعَwithmaʿa
نُوحٍNuhnūḥin
إِنَّهُۥIndeed, heinnahu
كَانَwaskāna
عَبْدًۭاa servantʿabdan
شَكُورًۭاgratefulshakūran
4

وَقَضَيْنَآ إِلَىٰ بَنِىٓ إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ لَتُفْسِدُنَّ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَلَتَعْلُنَّ عُلُوًّۭا كَبِيرًۭا

And We conveyed727 to the Children of Israel in the Scripture that, "You will surely cause corruption on the earth twice, and you will surely reach [a degree of] great haughtiness."

  1. [727] Foretold out of divine knowledge of what they would do.

Word by Word
وَقَضَيْنَآAnd We decreedwaqaḍaynā
إِلَىٰforilā
بَنِىٓ(the) Childrenbanī
إِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ(of) Israelis'rāīla
فِىin
ٱلْكِتَٰبِthe Bookl-kitābi
لَتُفْسِدُنَّSurely you will cause corruptionlatuf'sidunna
فِىin
ٱلْأَرْضِthe earthl-arḍi
مَرَّتَيْنِtwicemarratayni
وَلَتَعْلُنَّand surely you will reachwalataʿlunna
عُلُوًّۭاhaughtinessʿuluwwan
كَبِيرًۭاgreatkabīran
5

فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ أُولَىٰهُمَا بَعَثْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ عِبَادًۭا لَّنَآ أُو۟لِى بَأْسٍۢ شَدِيدٍۢ فَجَاسُوا۟ خِلَٰلَ ٱلدِّيَارِ ۚ وَكَانَ وَعْدًۭا مَّفْعُولًۭا

So when the [time of] promise came for the first of them,728 We sent against you servants of Ours - those of great military might, and they probed [even] into the homes,729 and it was a promise fulfilled.

  1. [728] i.e., the promised punishment for the first of their two transgressions.
  2. [729] Violating their sanctity, to kill and plunder.

Word by Word
فَإِذَاSo whenfa-idhā
جَآءَcamejāa
وَعْدُ(the) promisewaʿdu
أُولَىٰهُمَا(for) the first of the twoūlāhumā
بَعَثْنَاWe raisedbaʿathnā
عَلَيْكُمْagainst youʿalaykum
عِبَادًۭاservantsʿibādan
لَّنَآof Ourslanā
أُو۟لِىthose of great military mightulī
بَأْسٍۢthose of great military mightbasin
شَدِيدٍۢthose of great military mightshadīdin
فَجَاسُوا۟and they enteredfajāsū
خِلَٰلَthe inner most partkhilāla
ٱلدِّيَارِ(of) the homesl-diyāri
وَكَانَand (it) waswakāna
وَعْدًۭاa promisewaʿdan
مَّفْعُولًۭاfulfilledmafʿūlan
6

ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَا لَكُمُ ٱلْكَرَّةَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَأَمْدَدْنَٰكُم بِأَمْوَٰلٍۢ وَبَنِينَ وَجَعَلْنَٰكُمْ أَكْثَرَ نَفِيرًا

Then We gave back to you a return victory over them. And We reinforced you with wealth and sons and made you more numerous in manpower.

Word by Word
ثُمَّThenthumma
رَدَدْنَاWe gave backradadnā
لَكُمُto youlakumu
ٱلْكَرَّةَthe return victoryl-karata
عَلَيْهِمْover themʿalayhim
وَأَمْدَدْنَٰكُمAnd We reinforced youwa-amdadnākum
بِأَمْوَٰلٍۢwith the wealthbi-amwālin
وَبَنِينَand sonswabanīna
وَجَعَلْنَٰكُمْand made youwajaʿalnākum
أَكْثَرَmoreakthara
نَفِيرًاnumerousnafīran
7

إِنْ أَحْسَنتُمْ أَحْسَنتُمْ لِأَنفُسِكُمْ ۖ وَإِنْ أَسَأْتُمْ فَلَهَا ۚ فَإِذَا جَآءَ وَعْدُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ لِيَسُۥٓـُٔوا۟ وُجُوهَكُمْ وَلِيَدْخُلُوا۟ ٱلْمَسْجِدَ كَمَا دَخَلُوهُ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۢ وَلِيُتَبِّرُوا۟ مَا عَلَوْا۟ تَتْبِيرًا

[And said], "If you do good, you do good for yourselves; and if you do evil, [you do it] to them [i.e., yourselves]." Then when the final [i.e., second] promise came, [We sent your enemies] to sadden your faces and to enter the masjid [i.e., the temple in Jerusalem], as they entered it the first time, and to destroy what they had taken over with [total] destruction.

Word by Word
إِنْIfin
أَحْسَنتُمْyou do goodaḥsantum
أَحْسَنتُمْyou do goodaḥsantum
لِأَنفُسِكُمْfor yourselvesli-anfusikum
وَإِنْand ifwa-in
أَسَأْتُمْyou do evilasatum
فَلَهَاthen it is for itfalahā
فَإِذَاSo whenfa-idhā
جَآءَcamejāa
وَعْدُpromisewaʿdu
ٱلْءَاخِرَةِthe lastl-ākhirati
لِيَسُۥٓـُٔوا۟to saddenliyasūū
وُجُوهَكُمْyour faceswujūhakum
وَلِيَدْخُلُوا۟and to enterwaliyadkhulū
ٱلْمَسْجِدَthe Masjidl-masjida
كَمَاjust askamā
دَخَلُوهُthey (had) entered itdakhalūhu
أَوَّلَfirstawwala
مَرَّةٍۢtimemarratin
وَلِيُتَبِّرُوا۟and to destroywaliyutabbirū
مَاwhat
عَلَوْا۟they had conqueredʿalaw
تَتْبِيرًا(with) destructiontatbīran
8

عَسَىٰ رَبُّكُمْ أَن يَرْحَمَكُمْ ۚ وَإِنْ عُدتُّمْ عُدْنَا ۘ وَجَعَلْنَا جَهَنَّمَ لِلْكَٰفِرِينَ حَصِيرًا

[Then Allāh said], "It is expected, [if you repent], that your Lord will have mercy upon you. But if you return [to sin], We will return [to punishment]. And We have made Hell, for the disbelievers, a prison-bed."

Word by Word
عَسَىٰ(It) may beʿasā
رَبُّكُمْthat your Lordrabbukum
أَنthat your Lordan
يَرْحَمَكُمْ(may) have mercy upon youyarḥamakum
وَإِنْBut ifwa-in
عُدتُّمْyou returnʿudttum
عُدْنَاWe will returnʿud'nā
وَجَعَلْنَاAnd We have madewajaʿalnā
جَهَنَّمَHelljahannama
لِلْكَٰفِرِينَfor the disbelieverslil'kāfirīna
حَصِيرًاa prison-bedḥaṣīran
9

إِنَّ هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ يَهْدِى لِلَّتِى هِىَ أَقْوَمُ وَيُبَشِّرُ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَعْمَلُونَ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ أَنَّ لَهُمْ أَجْرًۭا كَبِيرًۭا

Indeed, this Qur’ān guides to that which is most suitable and gives good tidings to the believers who do righteous deeds that they will have a great reward

Word by Word
إِنَّIndeedinna
هَٰذَاthishādhā
ٱلْقُرْءَانَthe Quranl-qur'āna
يَهْدِىguidesyahdī
لِلَّتِىto thatlillatī
هِىَwhichhiya
أَقْوَمُ(is) most straightaqwamu
وَيُبَشِّرُand gives glad tidingswayubashiru
ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَto the believersl-mu'minīna
ٱلَّذِينَthose whoalladhīna
يَعْمَلُونَdoyaʿmalūna
ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِthe righteous deedsl-ṣāliḥāti
أَنَّthatanna
لَهُمْfor themlahum
أَجْرًۭا(is) a rewardajran
كَبِيرًۭاgreatkabīran
10

وَأَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ أَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابًا أَلِيمًۭا

And that those who do not believe in the Hereafter - We have prepared for them a painful punishment.

Word by Word
وَأَنَّAnd thatwa-anna
ٱلَّذِينَthose whoalladhīna
لَا(do) not
يُؤْمِنُونَbelieveyu'minūna
بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِin the Hereafterbil-ākhirati
أَعْتَدْنَاWe have preparedaʿtadnā
لَهُمْfor themlahum
عَذَابًاa punishmentʿadhāban
أَلِيمًۭاpainfulalīman
11

وَيَدْعُ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ بِٱلشَّرِّ دُعَآءَهُۥ بِٱلْخَيْرِ ۖ وَكَانَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ عَجُولًۭا

And man supplicates for evil [when angry] as he supplicates for good, and man is ever hasty.730

  1. [730] i.e., impatient, emotional, and acting without forethought.

Word by Word
وَيَدْعُAnd prayswayadʿu
ٱلْإِنسَٰنُthe manl-insānu
بِٱلشَّرِّfor evilbil-shari
دُعَآءَهُۥ(as) he praysduʿāahu
بِٱلْخَيْرِfor the goodbil-khayri
وَكَانَAnd iswakāna
ٱلْإِنسَٰنُthe manl-insānu
عَجُولًۭاever hastyʿajūlan
12

وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ ءَايَتَيْنِ ۖ فَمَحَوْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلَّيْلِ وَجَعَلْنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلنَّهَارِ مُبْصِرَةًۭ لِّتَبْتَغُوا۟ فَضْلًۭا مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَلِتَعْلَمُوا۟ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلْحِسَابَ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍۢ فَصَّلْنَٰهُ تَفْصِيلًۭا

And We have made the night and day two signs, and We erased the sign of the night and made the sign of the day visible731 that you may seek bounty from your Lord and may know the number of years and the account [of time]. And everything We have set out in detail.

  1. [731] Or "giving sight."

Word by Word
وَجَعَلْنَاAnd We have madewajaʿalnā
ٱلَّيْلَthe nightal-layla
وَٱلنَّهَارَand the daywal-nahāra
ءَايَتَيْنِ(as) two signsāyatayni
فَمَحَوْنَآThen We erasedfamaḥawnā
ءَايَةَ(the) signāyata
ٱلَّيْلِ(of) the nightal-layli
وَجَعَلْنَآand We madewajaʿalnā
ءَايَةَ(the) signāyata
ٱلنَّهَارِ(of) the dayl-nahāri
مُبْصِرَةًۭvisiblemub'ṣiratan
لِّتَبْتَغُوا۟that you may seeklitabtaghū
فَضْلًۭاbountyfaḍlan
مِّنfrommin
رَّبِّكُمْyour Lordrabbikum
وَلِتَعْلَمُوا۟and that you may knowwalitaʿlamū
عَدَدَ(the) numberʿadada
ٱلسِّنِينَ(of) the yearsl-sinīna
وَٱلْحِسَابَand the accountwal-ḥisāba
وَكُلَّAnd everywakulla
شَىْءٍۢthingshayin
فَصَّلْنَٰهُWe have explained itfaṣṣalnāhu
تَفْصِيلًۭا(in) detailtafṣīlan
13

وَكُلَّ إِنسَٰنٍ أَلْزَمْنَٰهُ طَٰٓئِرَهُۥ فِى عُنُقِهِۦ ۖ وَنُخْرِجُ لَهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ كِتَٰبًۭا يَلْقَىٰهُ مَنشُورًا

And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck,732 and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open.

  1. [732] i.e., after having instructed him, We have made him responsible for his own destiny.

Word by Word
وَكُلَّAnd (for) everywakulla
إِنسَٰنٍmaninsānin
أَلْزَمْنَٰهُWe have fastened to himalzamnāhu
طَٰٓئِرَهُۥhis fateṭāirahu
فِىin
عُنُقِهِۦhis neckʿunuqihi
وَنُخْرِجُand We will bring forthwanukh'riju
لَهُۥfor himlahu
يَوْمَ(on the) Dayyawma
ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ(of) the Resurrectionl-qiyāmati
كِتَٰبًۭاa recordkitāban
يَلْقَىٰهُwhich he will findyalqāhu
مَنشُورًاwide openmanshūran
14

ٱقْرَأْ كِتَٰبَكَ كَفَىٰ بِنَفْسِكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ عَلَيْكَ حَسِيبًۭا

[It will be said], "Read your record. Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant."

Word by Word
ٱقْرَأْReadiq'ra
كِتَٰبَكَyour recordkitābaka
كَفَىٰSufficientkafā
بِنَفْسِكَ(is) yourselfbinafsika
ٱلْيَوْمَtodayl-yawma
عَلَيْكَagainst youʿalayka
حَسِيبًۭا(as) accountantḥasīban
15

مَّنِ ٱهْتَدَىٰ فَإِنَّمَا يَهْتَدِى لِنَفْسِهِۦ ۖ وَمَن ضَلَّ فَإِنَّمَا يَضِلُّ عَلَيْهَا ۚ وَلَا تَزِرُ وَازِرَةٌۭ وِزْرَ أُخْرَىٰ ۗ وَمَا كُنَّا مُعَذِّبِينَ حَتَّىٰ نَبْعَثَ رَسُولًۭا

Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger.

Word by Word
مَّنِWhoevermani
ٱهْتَدَىٰ(is) guidedih'tadā
فَإِنَّمَاthen onlyfa-innamā
يَهْتَدِىhe is guidedyahtadī
لِنَفْسِهِۦfor his soullinafsihi
وَمَنAnd whoeverwaman
ضَلَّgoes astrayḍalla
فَإِنَّمَاthen onlyfa-innamā
يَضِلُّhe goes astrayyaḍillu
عَلَيْهَاagainst itʿalayhā
وَلَاAnd notwalā
تَزِرُwill beartaziru
وَازِرَةٌۭa bearer of burdenwāziratun
وِزْرَburdenwiz'ra
أُخْرَىٰ(of) anotherukh'rā
وَمَاAnd notwamā
كُنَّاWekunnā
مُعَذِّبِينَare to punishmuʿadhibīna
حَتَّىٰuntilḥattā
نَبْعَثَWe have sentnabʿatha
رَسُولًۭاa Messengerrasūlan
16

وَإِذَآ أَرَدْنَآ أَن نُّهْلِكَ قَرْيَةً أَمَرْنَا مُتْرَفِيهَا فَفَسَقُوا۟ فِيهَا فَحَقَّ عَلَيْهَا ٱلْقَوْلُ فَدَمَّرْنَٰهَا تَدْمِيرًۭا

And when We intend to destroy a city, We command its affluent733 but they defiantly disobey therein; so the word [i.e., deserved decree] comes into effect upon it, and We destroy it with [complete] destruction.

  1. [733] To obey Allāh.

Word by Word
وَإِذَآAnd whenwa-idhā
أَرَدْنَآWe intendaradnā
أَنthatan
نُّهْلِكَWe destroynuh'lika
قَرْيَةًa townqaryatan
أَمَرْنَاWe orderamarnā
مُتْرَفِيهَاits wealthy peoplemut'rafīhā
فَفَسَقُوا۟but they defiantly disobeyfafasaqū
فِيهَاthereinfīhā
فَحَقَّso (is) proved truefaḥaqqa
عَلَيْهَاagainst itʿalayhā
ٱلْقَوْلُthe wordl-qawlu
فَدَمَّرْنَٰهَاand We destroy itfadammarnāhā
تَدْمِيرًۭا(with) destructiontadmīran
17

وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ مِنۢ بَعْدِ نُوحٍۢ ۗ وَكَفَىٰ بِرَبِّكَ بِذُنُوبِ عِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًۢا بَصِيرًۭا

And how many have We destroyed from the generations after Noah. And sufficient is your Lord, concerning the sins of His servants, as Aware and Seeing.

Word by Word
وَكَمْAnd how manywakam
أَهْلَكْنَاWe destroyedahlaknā
مِنَfrommina
ٱلْقُرُونِthe generationsl-qurūni
مِنۢaftermin
بَعْدِafterbaʿdi
نُوحٍۢNuhnūḥin
وَكَفَىٰAnd sufficientwakafā
بِرَبِّكَ(is) your Lordbirabbika
بِذُنُوبِconcerning the sinsbidhunūbi
عِبَادِهِۦ(of) His servantsʿibādihi
خَبِيرًۢاAll-Awarekhabīran
بَصِيرًۭاAll-Seerbaṣīran
18

مَّن كَانَ يُرِيدُ ٱلْعَاجِلَةَ عَجَّلْنَا لَهُۥ فِيهَا مَا نَشَآءُ لِمَن نُّرِيدُ ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَا لَهُۥ جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَىٰهَا مَذْمُومًۭا مَّدْحُورًۭا

Whoever should desire the immediate734 - We hasten for him from it what We will to whom We intend. Then We have made for him Hell, which he will [enter to] burn, censured and banished.

  1. [734] i.e., worldly gratifications.

Word by Word
مَّنWhoeverman
كَانَshouldkāna
يُرِيدُdesireyurīdu
ٱلْعَاجِلَةَthe immediatel-ʿājilata
عَجَّلْنَاWe hastenʿajjalnā
لَهُۥfor himlahu
فِيهَاin itfīhā
مَاwhat
نَشَآءُWe willnashāu
لِمَنto whomliman
نُّرِيدُWe intendnurīdu
ثُمَّThenthumma
جَعَلْنَاWe have madejaʿalnā
لَهُۥfor himlahu
جَهَنَّمَHelljahannama
يَصْلَىٰهَاhe will burnyaṣlāhā
مَذْمُومًۭاdisgracedmadhmūman
مَّدْحُورًۭاrejectedmadḥūran
19

وَمَنْ أَرَادَ ٱلْءَاخِرَةَ وَسَعَىٰ لَهَا سَعْيَهَا وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌۭ فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ كَانَ سَعْيُهُم مَّشْكُورًۭا

But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer - it is those whose effort is ever appreciated [by Allāh].

Word by Word
وَمَنْAnd whoeverwaman
أَرَادَdesiresarāda
ٱلْءَاخِرَةَthe Hereafterl-ākhirata
وَسَعَىٰand exertswasaʿā
لَهَاfor itlahā
سَعْيَهَاthe effortsaʿyahā
وَهُوَwhile hewahuwa
مُؤْمِنٌۭ(is) a believermu'minun
فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَthen thosefa-ulāika
كَانَ[are]kāna
سَعْيُهُمtheir effortsaʿyuhum
مَّشْكُورًۭا(is) appreciatedmashkūran
20

كُلًّۭا نُّمِدُّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ وَهَٰٓؤُلَآءِ مِنْ عَطَآءِ رَبِّكَ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ عَطَآءُ رَبِّكَ مَحْظُورًا

To each [category] We extend - to these and to those - from the gift of your Lord. And never has the gift of your Lord been restricted.

Word by Word
كُلًّۭا(To) eachkullan
نُّمِدُّWe extendnumiddu
هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ(to) thesehāulāi
وَهَٰٓؤُلَآءِand (to) thesewahāulāi
مِنْfrommin
عَطَآءِ(the) giftʿaṭāi
رَبِّكَ(of) your Lordrabbika
وَمَاAnd notwamā
كَانَiskāna
عَطَآءُ(the) giftʿaṭāu
رَبِّكَ(of) your Lordrabbika
مَحْظُورًاrestrictedmaḥẓūran
21

ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ فَضَّلْنَا بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍۢ ۚ وَلَلْءَاخِرَةُ أَكْبَرُ دَرَجَٰتٍۢ وَأَكْبَرُ تَفْضِيلًۭا

Look how We have favored [in provision] some of them over others. But the Hereafter is greater in degrees [of difference] and greater in distinction.

Word by Word
ٱنظُرْSeeunẓur
كَيْفَhowkayfa
فَضَّلْنَاWe preferredfaḍḍalnā
بَعْضَهُمْsome of thembaʿḍahum
عَلَىٰoverʿalā
بَعْضٍۢothersbaʿḍin
وَلَلْءَاخِرَةُAnd surely the Hereafterwalalākhiratu
أَكْبَرُ(is) greaterakbaru
دَرَجَٰتٍۢ(in) degreesdarajātin
وَأَكْبَرُand greaterwa-akbaru
تَفْضِيلًۭا(in) excellencetafḍīlan
22

لَّا تَجْعَلْ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتَقْعُدَ مَذْمُومًۭا مَّخْذُولًۭا

Do not make [as equal] with Allāh another deity and [thereby] become censured and forsaken.

Word by Word
لَّا(Do) not
تَجْعَلْmaketajʿal
مَعَwithmaʿa
ٱللَّهِAllahl-lahi
إِلَٰهًاgodilāhan
ءَاخَرَanotherākhara
فَتَقْعُدَlest you will sitfataqʿuda
مَذْمُومًۭاdisgracedmadhmūman
مَّخْذُولًۭاforsakenmakhdhūlan
23

۞ وَقَضَىٰ رَبُّكَ أَلَّا تَعْبُدُوٓا۟ إِلَّآ إِيَّاهُ وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِ إِحْسَٰنًا ۚ إِمَّا يَبْلُغَنَّ عِندَكَ ٱلْكِبَرَ أَحَدُهُمَآ أَوْ كِلَاهُمَا فَلَا تَقُل لَّهُمَآ أُفٍّۢ وَلَا تَنْهَرْهُمَا وَقُل لَّهُمَا قَوْلًۭا كَرِيمًۭا

And your Lord has decreed that you worship not except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "uff,"735 and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.

  1. [735] An expression of disapproval or irritation.

Word by Word
وَقَضَىٰAnd has decreedwaqaḍā
رَبُّكَyour Lordrabbuka
أَلَّاthat (do) notallā
تَعْبُدُوٓا۟worshiptaʿbudū
إِلَّآexceptillā
إِيَّاهُHim Aloneiyyāhu
وَبِٱلْوَٰلِدَيْنِand to the parentswabil-wālidayni
إِحْسَٰنًا(be) goodiḥ'sānan
إِمَّاWhetherimmā
يَبْلُغَنَّreachyablughanna
عِندَكَwith youʿindaka
ٱلْكِبَرَthe old agel-kibara
أَحَدُهُمَآone of themaḥaduhumā
أَوْoraw
كِلَاهُمَاboth of themkilāhumā
فَلَاthen (do) notfalā
تَقُلsaytaqul
لَّهُمَآto both of themlahumā
أُفٍّۢa word of disrespectuffin
وَلَاand (do) notwalā
تَنْهَرْهُمَاrepel themtanharhumā
وَقُلbut speakwaqul
لَّهُمَاto themlahumā
قَوْلًۭاa wordqawlan
كَرِيمًۭاnoblekarīman
24

وَٱخْفِضْ لَهُمَا جَنَاحَ ٱلذُّلِّ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَةِ وَقُل رَّبِّ ٱرْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا رَبَّيَانِى صَغِيرًۭا

And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small."

Word by Word
وَٱخْفِضْAnd lowerwa-ikh'fiḍ
لَهُمَاto themlahumā
جَنَاحَ(the) wingjanāḥa
ٱلذُّلِّ(of) humilityl-dhuli
مِنَ(out) ofmina
ٱلرَّحْمَةِ[the] mercyl-raḥmati
وَقُلand saywaqul
رَّبِّMy Lordrabbi
ٱرْحَمْهُمَاHave mercy on both of themir'ḥamhumā
كَمَاaskamā
رَبَّيَانِىthey brought me uprabbayānī
صَغِيرًۭا(when I was) smallṣaghīran
25

رَّبُّكُمْ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا فِى نُفُوسِكُمْ ۚ إِن تَكُونُوا۟ صَٰلِحِينَ فَإِنَّهُۥ كَانَ لِلْأَوَّٰبِينَ غَفُورًۭا

Your Lord is most knowing of what is within yourselves. If you should be righteous [in intention] - then indeed He is ever, to the often returning [to Him], Forgiving.736

  1. [736] For those who intend righteousness, hastening to repent from sins and errors committed through human weakness, Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) promises forgiveness.

Word by Word
رَّبُّكُمْYour Lordrabbukum
أَعْلَمُ(is) most knowingaʿlamu
بِمَاof whatbimā
فِى(is) in
نُفُوسِكُمْyourselvesnufūsikum
إِنIfin
تَكُونُوا۟you aretakūnū
صَٰلِحِينَrighteousṣāliḥīna
فَإِنَّهُۥthen indeed, Hefa-innahu
كَانَiskāna
لِلْأَوَّٰبِينَto those who often turn (to Him)lil'awwābīna
غَفُورًۭاMost Forgivingghafūran
26

وَءَاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا

And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully.737

  1. [737] i.e., on that which is unlawful or in disobedience to Allāh.

Word by Word
وَءَاتِAnd givewaāti
ذَاthe relativesdhā
ٱلْقُرْبَىٰthe relativesl-qur'bā
حَقَّهُۥhis rightḥaqqahu
وَٱلْمِسْكِينَand the needywal-mis'kīna
وَٱبْنَand the wayfarerwa-ib'na
ٱلسَّبِيلِand the wayfarerl-sabīli
وَلَاand (do) notwalā
تُبَذِّرْspendtubadhir
تَبْذِيرًاwastefullytabdhīran
27

إِنَّ ٱلْمُبَذِّرِينَ كَانُوٓا۟ إِخْوَٰنَ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِ ۖ وَكَانَ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُ لِرَبِّهِۦ كَفُورًۭا

Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.

Word by Word
إِنَّIndeedinna
ٱلْمُبَذِّرِينَthe spendthriftsl-mubadhirīna
كَانُوٓا۟arekānū
إِخْوَٰنَbrothersikh'wāna
ٱلشَّيَٰطِينِ(of) the devilsl-shayāṭīni
وَكَانَAnd iswakāna
ٱلشَّيْطَٰنُthe Shaitaanl-shayṭānu
لِرَبِّهِۦto his Lordlirabbihi
كَفُورًۭاungratefulkafūran
28

وَإِمَّا تُعْرِضَنَّ عَنْهُمُ ٱبْتِغَآءَ رَحْمَةٍۢ مِّن رَّبِّكَ تَرْجُوهَا فَقُل لَّهُمْ قَوْلًۭا مَّيْسُورًۭا

And if you [must] turn away from them [i.e., the needy] awaiting mercy from your Lord which you expect,738 then speak to them a gentle word.

  1. [738] i.e., if you have not the means to give them at present.

Word by Word
وَإِمَّاAnd ifwa-immā
تُعْرِضَنَّyou turn awaytuʿ'riḍanna
عَنْهُمُfrom themʿanhumu
ٱبْتِغَآءَseekingib'tighāa
رَحْمَةٍۢmercyraḥmatin
مِّنfrommin
رَّبِّكَyour Lordrabbika
تَرْجُوهَاwhich you expecttarjūhā
فَقُلthen sayfaqul
لَّهُمْto themlahum
قَوْلًۭاa wordqawlan
مَّيْسُورًۭاgentlemaysūran
29

وَلَا تَجْعَلْ يَدَكَ مَغْلُولَةً إِلَىٰ عُنُقِكَ وَلَا تَبْسُطْهَا كُلَّ ٱلْبَسْطِ فَتَقْعُدَ مَلُومًۭا مَّحْسُورًا

And do not make your hand [as] chained to your neck739 or extend it completely740 and [thereby] become blamed and insolvent.

  1. [739] i.e., refusing to spend.
  2. [740] i.e., being extravagant.

Word by Word
وَلَاAnd (do) notwalā
تَجْعَلْmaketajʿal
يَدَكَyour handyadaka
مَغْلُولَةًchainedmaghlūlatan
إِلَىٰtoilā
عُنُقِكَyour neckʿunuqika
وَلَاand notwalā
تَبْسُطْهَاextend ittabsuṭ'hā
كُلَّ(to its) utmostkulla
ٱلْبَسْطِreachl-basṭi
فَتَقْعُدَso that you sitfataqʿuda
مَلُومًۭاblameworthymalūman
مَّحْسُورًاinsolventmaḥsūran
30

إِنَّ رَبَّكَ يَبْسُطُ ٱلرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِعِبَادِهِۦ خَبِيرًۢا بَصِيرًۭا

Indeed, your Lord extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]. Indeed He is ever, concerning His servants, Aware and Seeing.

Word by Word
إِنَّIndeedinna
رَبَّكَyour Lordrabbaka
يَبْسُطُextendsyabsuṭu
ٱلرِّزْقَthe provisionl-riz'qa
لِمَنfor whomliman
يَشَآءُHe willsyashāu
وَيَقْدِرُand straitenswayaqdiru
إِنَّهُۥIndeed, Heinnahu
كَانَiskāna
بِعِبَادِهِۦof His slavesbiʿibādihi
خَبِيرًۢاAll-Awarekhabīran
بَصِيرًۭاAll-Seerbaṣīran
31

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوٓا۟ أَوْلَٰدَكُمْ خَشْيَةَ إِمْلَٰقٍۢ ۖ نَّحْنُ نَرْزُقُهُمْ وَإِيَّاكُمْ ۚ إِنَّ قَتْلَهُمْ كَانَ خِطْـًۭٔا كَبِيرًۭا

And do not kill your children for fear of poverty. We provide for them and for you. Indeed, their killing is ever a great sin.

Word by Word
وَلَاAnd (do) notwalā
تَقْتُلُوٓا۟killtaqtulū
أَوْلَٰدَكُمْyour childrenawlādakum
خَشْيَةَ(for) fearkhashyata
إِمْلَٰقٍۢ(of) povertyim'lāqin
نَّحْنُWenaḥnu
نَرْزُقُهُمْ(We) provide for themnarzuquhum
وَإِيَّاكُمْand for youwa-iyyākum
إِنَّIndeedinna
قَتْلَهُمْtheir killingqatlahum
كَانَiskāna
خِطْـًۭٔاa sinkhiṭ'an
كَبِيرًۭاgreatkabīran
32

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ ٱلزِّنَىٰٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ فَٰحِشَةًۭ وَسَآءَ سَبِيلًۭا

And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse.741 Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.

  1. [741] i.e., avoid all situations that might possibly lead to it.

Word by Word
وَلَاAnd (do) notwalā
تَقْرَبُوا۟go neartaqrabū
ٱلزِّنَىٰٓadulteryl-zinā
إِنَّهُۥIndeed, itinnahu
كَانَiskāna
فَٰحِشَةًۭan immoralityfāḥishatan
وَسَآءَand (an) evilwasāa
سَبِيلًۭاwaysabīlan
33

وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا۟ ٱلنَّفْسَ ٱلَّتِى حَرَّمَ ٱللَّهُ إِلَّا بِٱلْحَقِّ ۗ وَمَن قُتِلَ مَظْلُومًۭا فَقَدْ جَعَلْنَا لِوَلِيِّهِۦ سُلْطَٰنًۭا فَلَا يُسْرِف فِّى ٱلْقَتْلِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مَنصُورًۭا

And do not kill the soul [i.e., person] which Allāh has forbidden, except by right.742 And whoever is killed unjustly - We have given his heir authority,743 but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].

  1. [742] i.e., through legal justice or during jihād.
  2. [743] Grounds for legal action.

Word by Word
وَلَاAnd (do) notwalā
تَقْتُلُوا۟killtaqtulū
ٱلنَّفْسَthe soull-nafsa
ٱلَّتِىwhichallatī
حَرَّمَAllah has forbiddenḥarrama
ٱللَّهُAllah has forbiddenl-lahu
إِلَّاexceptillā
بِٱلْحَقِّby rightbil-ḥaqi
وَمَنAnd whoeverwaman
قُتِلَ(is) killedqutila
مَظْلُومًۭاwrongfullymaẓlūman
فَقَدْverilyfaqad
جَعَلْنَاWe have madejaʿalnā
لِوَلِيِّهِۦfor his heirliwaliyyihi
سُلْطَٰنًۭاan authoritysul'ṭānan
فَلَاbut notfalā
يُسْرِفhe should exceedyus'rif
فِّىin
ٱلْقَتْلِthe killingl-qatli
إِنَّهُۥIndeed, heinnahu
كَانَiskāna
مَنصُورًۭاhelpedmanṣūran
34

وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا۟ مَالَ ٱلْيَتِيمِ إِلَّا بِٱلَّتِى هِىَ أَحْسَنُ حَتَّىٰ يَبْلُغَ أَشُدَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَوْفُوا۟ بِٱلْعَهْدِ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلْعَهْدَ كَانَ مَسْـُٔولًۭا

And do not approach the property of an orphan, except in the way that is best,744 until he reaches maturity. And fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.

  1. [744] i.e., to improve or increase it.

Word by Word
وَلَاAnd (do) notwalā
تَقْرَبُوا۟come neartaqrabū
مَالَ(the) wealthmāla
ٱلْيَتِيمِ(of) the orphanl-yatīmi
إِلَّاexceptillā
بِٱلَّتِىwith whatbi-allatī
هِىَ[it] ishiya
أَحْسَنُbestaḥsanu
حَتَّىٰuntilḥattā
يَبْلُغَhe reachesyablugha
أَشُدَّهُۥhis maturityashuddahu
وَأَوْفُوا۟And fulfilwa-awfū
بِٱلْعَهْدِthe covenantbil-ʿahdi
إِنَّIndeedinna
ٱلْعَهْدَthe covenantl-ʿahda
كَانَwill bekāna
مَسْـُٔولًۭاquestionedmasūlan
35

وَأَوْفُوا۟ ٱلْكَيْلَ إِذَا كِلْتُمْ وَزِنُوا۟ بِٱلْقِسْطَاسِ ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًۭا

And give full measure when you measure, and weigh with an even [i.e., honest] balance. That is the best [way] and best in result.

Word by Word
وَأَوْفُوا۟And give fullwa-awfū
ٱلْكَيْلَ[the] measurel-kayla
إِذَاwhenidhā
كِلْتُمْyou measurekil'tum
وَزِنُوا۟and weighwazinū
بِٱلْقِسْطَاسِwith the balancebil-qis'ṭāsi
ٱلْمُسْتَقِيمِthe straightl-mus'taqīmi
ذَٰلِكَThatdhālika
خَيْرٌۭ(is) goodkhayrun
وَأَحْسَنُand bestwa-aḥsanu
تَأْوِيلًۭا(in) resulttawīlan
36

وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْبَصَرَ وَٱلْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْـُٔولًۭا

And do not pursue745 that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be questioned.

  1. [745] i.e., do not assume and do not say.

Word by Word
وَلَاAnd (do) notwalā
تَقْفُpursuetaqfu
مَاwhat
لَيْسَnotlaysa
لَكَyou havelaka
بِهِۦof itbihi
عِلْمٌany knowledgeʿil'mun
إِنَّIndeedinna
ٱلسَّمْعَthe hearingl-samʿa
وَٱلْبَصَرَand the sightwal-baṣara
وَٱلْفُؤَادَand the heartwal-fuāda
كُلُّallkullu
أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَthoseulāika
كَانَwill bekāna
عَنْهُ[about it]ʿanhu
مَسْـُٔولًۭاquestionedmasūlan
37

وَلَا تَمْشِ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّكَ لَن تَخْرِقَ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَلَن تَبْلُغَ ٱلْجِبَالَ طُولًۭا

And do not walk upon the earth exultantly. Indeed, you will never tear the earth [apart], and you will never reach the mountains in height.746

  1. [746] Man, for all his arrogance, is yet a weak and small creature.

Word by Word
وَلَاAnd (do) notwalā
تَمْشِwalktamshi
فِىin
ٱلْأَرْضِthe earthl-arḍi
مَرَحًا(with) insolencemaraḥan
إِنَّكَIndeed, youinnaka
لَنwill neverlan
تَخْرِقَteartakhriqa
ٱلْأَرْضَthe earthl-arḍa
وَلَنand will neverwalan
تَبْلُغَreachtablugha
ٱلْجِبَالَthe mountainsl-jibāla
طُولًۭا(in) heightṭūlan
38

كُلُّ ذَٰلِكَ كَانَ سَيِّئُهُۥ عِندَ رَبِّكَ مَكْرُوهًۭا

All that [i.e., the aforementioned] - its evil is ever, in the sight of your Lord, detested.

Word by Word
كُلُّAllkullu
ذَٰلِكَthatdhālika
كَانَiskāna
سَيِّئُهُۥ[its] evilsayyi-uhu
عِندَnearʿinda
رَبِّكَyour Lordrabbika
مَكْرُوهًۭاhatefulmakrūhan
39

ذَٰلِكَ مِمَّآ أَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَيْكَ رَبُّكَ مِنَ ٱلْحِكْمَةِ ۗ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ مَعَ ٱللَّهِ إِلَٰهًا ءَاخَرَ فَتُلْقَىٰ فِى جَهَنَّمَ مَلُومًۭا مَّدْحُورًا

That is from what your Lord has revealed to you, [O Muḥammad], of wisdom. And, [O mankind], do not make [as equal] with Allāh another deity, lest you be thrown into Hell, blamed and banished.

Word by Word
ذَٰلِكَThatdhālika
مِمَّآ(is) from whatmimmā
أَوْحَىٰٓ(was) revealedawḥā
إِلَيْكَto youilayka
رَبُّكَ(from) your Lordrabbuka
مِنَofmina
ٱلْحِكْمَةِthe wisdoml-ḥik'mati
وَلَاAnd (do) notwalā
تَجْعَلْmaketajʿal
مَعَwithmaʿa
ٱللَّهِAllahl-lahi
إِلَٰهًاgodilāhan
ءَاخَرَotherākhara
فَتُلْقَىٰlest you should be thrownfatul'qā
فِىin
جَهَنَّمَHelljahannama
مَلُومًۭاblameworthymalūman
مَّدْحُورًاabandonedmadḥūran
40

أَفَأَصْفَىٰكُمْ رَبُّكُم بِٱلْبَنِينَ وَٱتَّخَذَ مِنَ ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِ إِنَٰثًا ۚ إِنَّكُمْ لَتَقُولُونَ قَوْلًا عَظِيمًۭا

Then, has your Lord chosen you for [having] sons and taken [i.e., adopted] from among the angels daughters? Indeed, you say a grave saying.

Word by Word
أَفَأَصْفَىٰكُمْThen has your Lord chosen (for) youafa-aṣfākum
رَبُّكُمThen has your Lord chosen (for) yourabbukum
بِٱلْبَنِينَsonsbil-banīna
وَٱتَّخَذَand He has takenwa-ittakhadha
مِنَfrommina
ٱلْمَلَٰٓئِكَةِthe Angelsl-malāikati
إِنَٰثًاdaughtersināthan
إِنَّكُمْIndeed, youinnakum
لَتَقُولُونَsurely saylataqūlūna
قَوْلًاa wordqawlan
عَظِيمًۭاgraveʿaẓīman
41

وَلَقَدْ صَرَّفْنَا فِى هَٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ لِيَذَّكَّرُوا۟ وَمَا يَزِيدُهُمْ إِلَّا نُفُورًۭا

And We have certainly diversified [the contents] in this Qur’ān that they [i.e., mankind] may be reminded, but it does not increase them [i.e., the disbelievers] except in aversion.

Word by Word
وَلَقَدْAnd verilywalaqad
صَرَّفْنَاWe have explainedṣarrafnā
فِىin
هَٰذَاthishādhā
ٱلْقُرْءَانِthe Quranl-qur'āni
لِيَذَّكَّرُوا۟that they may take heedliyadhakkarū
وَمَاbut notwamā
يَزِيدُهُمْit increases themyazīduhum
إِلَّاexceptillā
نُفُورًۭا(in) aversionnufūran
42

قُل لَّوْ كَانَ مَعَهُۥٓ ءَالِهَةٌۭ كَمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذًۭا لَّٱبْتَغَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِى ٱلْعَرْشِ سَبِيلًۭا

Say, [O Muḥammad], "If there had been with Him [other] gods, as they say, then they [each] would have sought to the Owner of the Throne a way."747

  1. [747] To please Him, recognizing His superiority. Another interpretation is "...they would seek a way" to depose Him (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) and take over His Throne.

Word by Word
قُلSayqul
لَّوْIflaw
كَانَ(there) werekāna
مَعَهُۥٓwith Himmaʿahu
ءَالِهَةٌۭgodsālihatun
كَمَاaskamā
يَقُولُونَthey sayyaqūlūna
إِذًۭاthenidhan
لَّٱبْتَغَوْا۟surely they (would) have soughtla-ib'taghaw
إِلَىٰtoilā
ذِى(the) Ownerdhī
ٱلْعَرْشِ(of) the Thronel-ʿarshi
سَبِيلًۭاa waysabīlan
43

سُبْحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يَقُولُونَ عُلُوًّۭا كَبِيرًۭا

Exalted is He and high above what they say by great sublimity.

Word by Word
سُبْحَٰنَهُۥGlorified is Hesub'ḥānahu
وَتَعَٰلَىٰand Exalted is Hewataʿālā
عَمَّاabove whatʿammā
يَقُولُونَthey sayyaqūlūna
عُلُوًّۭا(by) heightʿuluwwan
كَبِيرًۭاgreatkabīran
44

تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ ٱلسَّبْعُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن مِّن شَىْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِۦ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًۭا

The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts [Allāh] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing748 and Forgiving.

  1. [748] Refer to footnote in 2:225.

Word by Word
تُسَبِّحُGlorifytusabbiḥu
لَهُ[to] Himlahu
ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُthe seven heavensl-samāwātu
ٱلسَّبْعُthe seven heavensl-sabʿu
وَٱلْأَرْضُand the earthwal-arḍu
وَمَنand whateverwaman
فِيهِنَّ(is) in themfīhinna
وَإِنAnd (there is) notwa-in
مِّنanymin
شَىْءٍthingshayin
إِلَّاexceptillā
يُسَبِّحُglorifiesyusabbiḥu
بِحَمْدِهِۦHis Praisebiḥamdihi
وَلَٰكِنbutwalākin
لَّاnot
تَفْقَهُونَyou understandtafqahūna
تَسْبِيحَهُمْtheir glorificationtasbīḥahum
إِنَّهُۥIndeed, Heinnahu
كَانَiskāna
حَلِيمًاEver-Forbearingḥalīman
غَفُورًۭاOft-Forgivingghafūran
45

وَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ جَعَلْنَا بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَ ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِ حِجَابًۭا مَّسْتُورًۭا

And when you recite the Qur’ān, We put between you and those who do not believe in the Hereafter a concealed partition.749

  1. [749] Preventing guidance from reaching them.

Word by Word
وَإِذَاAnd whenwa-idhā
قَرَأْتَyou reciteqarata
ٱلْقُرْءَانَthe Quranl-qur'āna
جَعَلْنَاWe placejaʿalnā
بَيْنَكَbetween youbaynaka
وَبَيْنَand betweenwabayna
ٱلَّذِينَthose whoalladhīna
لَا(do) not
يُؤْمِنُونَbelieveyu'minūna
بِٱلْءَاخِرَةِin the Hereafterbil-ākhirati
حِجَابًۭاa barrierḥijāban
مَّسْتُورًۭاhiddenmastūran
46

وَجَعَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِهِمْ أَكِنَّةً أَن يَفْقَهُوهُ وَفِىٓ ءَاذَانِهِمْ وَقْرًۭا ۚ وَإِذَا ذَكَرْتَ رَبَّكَ فِى ٱلْقُرْءَانِ وَحْدَهُۥ وَلَّوْا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَدْبَٰرِهِمْ نُفُورًۭا

And We have placed over their hearts coverings, lest they understand it, and in their ears deafness. And when you mention your Lord alone in the Qur’ān, they turn back in aversion.

Word by Word
وَجَعَلْنَاAnd We have placedwajaʿalnā
عَلَىٰoverʿalā
قُلُوبِهِمْtheir heartsqulūbihim
أَكِنَّةًcoveringsakinnatan
أَنlestan
يَفْقَهُوهُthey understand ityafqahūhu
وَفِىٓand inwafī
ءَاذَانِهِمْtheir earsādhānihim
وَقْرًۭاdeafnesswaqran
وَإِذَاAnd whenwa-idhā
ذَكَرْتَyou mentiondhakarta
رَبَّكَyour Lordrabbaka
فِىin
ٱلْقُرْءَانِthe Quranl-qur'āni
وَحْدَهُۥAlonewaḥdahu
وَلَّوْا۟they turnwallaw
عَلَىٰٓonʿalā
أَدْبَٰرِهِمْtheir backsadbārihim
نُفُورًۭا(in) aversionnufūran
47

نَّحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَسْتَمِعُونَ بِهِۦٓ إِذْ يَسْتَمِعُونَ إِلَيْكَ وَإِذْ هُمْ نَجْوَىٰٓ إِذْ يَقُولُ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ إِن تَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا رَجُلًۭا مَّسْحُورًا

We are most knowing of how they listen to it when they listen to you and [of] when they are in private conversation, when the wrongdoers say, "You follow not but a man affected by magic."

Word by Word
نَّحْنُWenaḥnu
أَعْلَمُknow bestaʿlamu
بِمَا[of] whatbimā
يَسْتَمِعُونَthey listenyastamiʿūna
بِهِۦٓto [it]bihi
إِذْwhenidh
يَسْتَمِعُونَthey listenyastamiʿūna
إِلَيْكَto youilayka
وَإِذْand whenwa-idh
هُمْtheyhum
نَجْوَىٰٓ(are) in private conversationnajwā
إِذْwhenidh
يَقُولُsayyaqūlu
ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَthe wrongdoersl-ẓālimūna
إِنNotin
تَتَّبِعُونَyou followtattabiʿūna
إِلَّاbutillā
رَجُلًۭاa manrajulan
مَّسْحُورًاbewitchedmasḥūran
48

ٱنظُرْ كَيْفَ ضَرَبُوا۟ لَكَ ٱلْأَمْثَالَ فَضَلُّوا۟ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ سَبِيلًۭا

Look how they strike for you comparisons;750 but they have strayed, so they cannot [find] a way.

  1. [750] Describing the Prophet (ﷺ) as a poet, a madman or one under the influence of sorcery.

Word by Word
ٱنظُرْSeeunẓur
كَيْفَhowkayfa
ضَرَبُوا۟they put forthḍarabū
لَكَfor youlaka
ٱلْأَمْثَالَthe examplesl-amthāla
فَضَلُّوا۟but they have gone astrayfaḍallū
فَلَاso notfalā
يَسْتَطِيعُونَthey canyastaṭīʿūna
سَبِيلًۭا(find) a waysabīlan
49

وَقَالُوٓا۟ أَءِذَا كُنَّا عِظَٰمًۭا وَرُفَٰتًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ خَلْقًۭا جَدِيدًۭا

And they say, "When we are bones and crumbled particles, will we [truly] be resurrected as a new creation?"

Word by Word
وَقَالُوٓا۟And they saywaqālū
أَءِذَاIs it whena-idhā
كُنَّاwe arekunnā
عِظَٰمًۭاbonesʿiẓāman
وَرُفَٰتًاand crumbled particleswarufātan
أَءِنَّاwill wea-innā
لَمَبْعُوثُونَsurely (be) resurrectedlamabʿūthūna
خَلْقًۭا(as) a creationkhalqan
جَدِيدًۭاnewjadīdan
50

۞ قُلْ كُونُوا۟ حِجَارَةً أَوْ حَدِيدًا

Say, "Be you stones or iron751

  1. [751] i.e., even if you should be stones or iron.

Word by Word
قُلْSayqul
كُونُوا۟Bekūnū
حِجَارَةًstonesḥijāratan
أَوْoraw
حَدِيدًاironḥadīdan

About This Surah

Surah Al-Isra connects the Night Journey with revelation, moral responsibility, family and social ethics, the dignity of human beings, and the limits of human knowledge. It recounts warnings to the Children of Israel, gives a compact ethical charter, challenges demands for spectacle, and presents the Quran as guidance and healing. Its commands require context and cannot be turned into private punishment, medical guarantees, or hostility toward whole communities.

Al-Isra opens with the Night Journey from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest mosque as a divine sign. This page states the Quranic account without filling disputed historical or unseen details with certainty that the verse itself does not supply. The narrative then turns to Moses’ scripture and two periods of corruption and consequence among the Children of Israel. These passages address conduct and historical warning; they cannot justify hatred or collective guilt toward Jewish people today.

The Quran is described as guiding toward what is most upright while every person bears responsibility for his or her own deeds. The surah’s ethical charter prohibits worship of other than God, commands excellence toward parents, care for relatives and people in need, measured spending, protection of children, sexual responsibility, respect for life, honest handling of orphan property, fulfillment of commitments, fair measure, and refusal to follow what one does not know.

The account of Adam and Iblis returns to arrogance and temptation. Satan’s threats do not erase human agency. The surah also honors the children of Adam, a statement that should guide the handling of disagreement and prevent dehumanization.

The Quran is called healing and mercy for believers. In context, the wording concerns revelation’s guidance and inward effect; it must not be marketed as a guaranteed cure for physical or psychiatric illness or as a reason to abandon treatment. Human knowledge of the spirit is explicitly limited.

The closing passages answer demands for spectacular signs and accusations against the Messenger. Revelation is recited gradually, and knowledgeable hearers respond with humility. The final prayers and divine names return the reader from spectacle to worship, moral evidence, and disciplined knowledge.

Core Themes

  • The Night Journey as a divine sign
  • Individual moral responsibility and upright guidance
  • A social charter protecting life, family, and property
  • Human dignity resisting dehumanization
  • Healing language bounded by revelation’s purpose
  • Knowledge limits and humble response to the Quran

Structure

Verses 1–22: journey, history, and personal accountability1-22

The Night Journey leads into Moses’ scripture, warnings concerning corruption, the Quran’s guidance, and the rule that each person’s choices and record belong to that person.

Verses 23–39: the ethical charter23-39

Parents, relatives, the poor, spending, children, sexuality, life, orphan property, commitments, measurement, knowledge, and humility form an integrated program rather than isolated slogans.

Verses 40–60: monotheism, resurrection, and disputed signs40-60

The surah rejects false divine attributions, argues for resurrection, records resistance to revelation, and warns against treating reported signs or visions as material for uncontrolled speculation.

Verses 61–84: Iblis, human dignity, and the Quran’s healing61-84

Iblis’s threat, human vulnerability at sea, the honor given to Adam’s children, judgment, prayer, and healing language are joined to responsibility and the limits of worldly security.

Verses 85–111: limited knowledge and the demand for spectacle85-111

Questions about the spirit, the Quran’s inimitability, demands for miracles, Moses’ confrontation, gradual recitation, humble prostration, and the divine names close the chapter.

Reading Guide

Do not fill the Night Journey with invented certainty

State what verse 1 states and distinguish it from later interpretive discussions. Avoid presenting disputed route, chronology, or unseen details as though every element appears in the verse.

Read the ethical commands as one charter

Follow verses 23–39 sequentially. Worship, family care, spending, life, sexuality, property, commitments, measurement, knowledge, and humility mutually constrain one another.

Place healing beside knowledge limits

Read verses 82 and 85 together. Revelation offers guidance and mercy while the chapter also teaches humility about unseen realities; neither supports guaranteed clinical claims.

Use human dignity as an interpretive boundary

Verse 70 honors the children of Adam. Conflict, theological disagreement, and historical criticism must therefore not become collective hatred, racial contempt, or dehumanization.

Key Passages

The Night Journey 1

The opening presents a journey between sacred places so the servant may be shown divine signs. Editorial explanation should distinguish the verse’s concise claim from later reports and disputed details that require separate sourcing. Read the cited verses as a unit; their immediate argument does not become a stand-alone ruling, diagnosis, prediction, or guaranteed result.

A compact Quranic ethical charter 23-39

The sequence moves from worship and parents to economic balance, protection of children and life, sexual ethics, orphan property, commitments, honest measure, epistemic restraint, and humility. No single command should be detached from this network.

Speaking in the best manner 53

Believers are instructed to use the best speech because destructive suggestion can provoke conflict. The verse makes communication an ethical practice and resists the claim that religious truth excuses humiliation or reckless provocation. Read the cited verses as a unit; their immediate argument does not become a stand-alone ruling, diagnosis, prediction, or guaranteed result.

The dignity of Adam’s children 70

Human beings are honored and given means of travel and provision. The statement provides a strong boundary against dehumanization, collective contempt, and readings that treat present-day opponents as less than human. Read the cited verses as a unit; their immediate argument does not become a stand-alone ruling, diagnosis, prediction, or guaranteed result.

Healing, mercy, and limited knowledge 82-85

The Quran’s healing and mercy are followed by human variability and the admission that knowledge of the spirit is limited. The passage supports spiritual reflection without guaranteeing medical outcomes or replacing professional care. Read the cited verses as a unit; their immediate argument does not become a stand-alone ruling, diagnosis, prediction, or guaranteed result.

Recitation Note

No exclusive time, fixed repetition count, or guaranteed worldly outcome is asserted here for reciting Surah Al-Isra. It may be read as Quran for worship, reflection, and study. Any separate claim about protection, healing, provision, marriage, pregnancy, or a prescribed number requires its own verified evidence and carefully limited wording.

Interpretation Limits

  • The Children of Israel passages concern conduct and warning; they do not justify antisemitism or collective guilt.
  • The ethical charter does not authorize private enforcement of criminal punishment.
  • Quranic healing language must not be advertised as a guaranteed physical or psychiatric cure.
  • Details about the Night Journey, the spirit, and other unseen matters require explicit sourcing and honest uncertainty.

Quick Links

Sources