# The Holy Qur'an (Maulana Muhammad Ali)/37. Those Ranging in Ranks
#### 37. Those Ranging in Ranks (Al-Saffat)

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
$^1$ By those ranging in ranks,
$^2$ And those who restrain holding in restraint,
$^3$ And those who recite the Reminder,
$^4$ Surely your God is One.
$^5$ The Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, and the Lord of the eastern lands.
$^6$ Surely We have adorned the lower heaven with an adornment, the stars,
$^7$ And (there is) a safeguard against every rebellious devil.
$^8$ They cannot listen to the exalted assembly and they are reproached from every side,
$^9$ Driven off; and for them is a perpetual chastisement,
$^{10}$ Except him who snatches away but once, then there follows him a brightly shining flame.
$^{11}$ So ask them whether they are stronger in creation or those (others) whom We have created. Surely We created them of firm clay.
$^{12}$ Nay, thou wonderest, while they mock,
$^{13}$ And when they are reminded, they mind not,
$^{14}$ And when they see a sign, they seek to scoff,
$^{15}$ And say: This is nothing but clear enchantment.
$^{16}$ When we are dead and have become dust and bones; shall we then be raised,
$^{17}$ Or our fathers of yore?
$^{18}$ Say: Yea, and you will be humiliated.
$^{19}$ So it will be but one cry, when lo! they will see.
$^{20}$ And they will say: O woe to us! This is the day of Requital.
$^{21}$ This is the day of Judgment, which you called a lie.
$^{22}$ Gather together those who did wrong and their associates, and what they worshipped
$^{23}$ Besides Allah, then lead them to the way to hell.
$^{24}$ And stop them, for they shall be questioned:
$^{25}$ What is the matter with you that you help not one another?
$^{26}$ Nay, on that day they will be submissive.
$^{27}$ And some of them will turn to others mutually questioning --
$^{28}$ Saying: Surely you used to come to us from the right side.
$^{29}$ They will say: Nay, you (yourselves) were not believers.
$^{30}$ And we had no authority over you, but you were an inordinate people.
$^{31}$ So the word of our Lord has proved true against us: we shall surely taste.
$^{32}$ We led you astray, for we ourselves were erring.
$^{33}$ So, that day they will be sharers in the chastisement.
$^{34}$ Thus do We deal with the guilty.
$^{35}$ They indeed were arrogant, when it was said to them: There is no god but Allah;
$^{36}$ And said: Shall we give up our gods for a mad poet?
$^{37}$ Nay, he has brought the Truth and verifies the messengers.
$^{38}$ Surely you will taste the painful chastisement.
$^{39}$ And you are requited naught but for what you did --
$^{40}$ Save the servants of Allah, the purified ones.
$^{41}$ For them is a known sustenance:
$^{42}$ Fruits. And they are honoured,
$^{43}$ In Gardens of delight,
$^{44}$ On thrones, facing each other.
$^{45}$ A bowl of running water will be made to go round them,
$^{46}$ White, delicious to those who drink.
$^{47}$ It deprives not of reason, nor are they exhausted therewith.
$^{48}$ And with them are those modest in gaze, having beautiful eyes,
$^{49}$ As if they were eggs, carefully protected.
$^{50}$ Then some of them will turn to others, questioning mutually.
$^{51}$ A speaker of them will say: Surely I had a comrade,
$^{52}$ Who said: Art thou indeed of those who accept?
$^{53}$ When we are dead and have become dust and bones, shall we then be requited?
$^{54}$ He will say: Will you look?
$^{55}$ Then he looked down and saw him in the midst of hell.
$^{56}$ He will say: By Allah! thou hadst almost caused me to perish
$^{57}$ And had it not been for favour of my Lord, I should have been among those brought up.
$^{58}$ Are we not to die,
$^{59}$ Except our previous death? And are we not to be chastised?
$^{60}$ Surely this is the mighty achievement.
$^{61}$ For the like of this, then, let the workers work.
$^{62}$ Is this the better entertainment or the tree of Zaqqum?
$^{63}$ Surely We have made it a trial for the wrongdoers.
$^{64}$ It is a tree that grows in the bottom of hell --
$^{65}$ Its produce is as it were the heads of serpents.
$^{66}$ Then truly they will eat of it and fill (their) bellies with it.
$^{67}$ Then surely they shall have after it a drink of boiling water.
$^{68}$ Then their return is surety to the flaming Fire.
$^{69}$ They indeed found their fathers astray,
$^{70}$ So in their footsteps they are hastening on.
$^{71}$ And most of the ancients surely went astray before them,
$^{72}$ And indeed We sent among them warners.
$^{73}$ Then see what was the end of those warned --
$^{74}$ Except the servants of Allah, the purified ones.
$^{75}$ And Noah certainly called upon Us, and excellent Answerer of prayers are We!
$^{76}$ And We delivered him and his people from the great distress;
$^{77}$ And made his offspring the survivors,
$^{78}$ And left for him (praise) among the later generations,
$^{79}$ Peace be to Noah among the nations!
$^{80}$ Thus indeed do We reward the doers of good.
$^{81}$ Surely he was of Our believing servants.
$^{82}$ Then We drowned the others.
$^{83}$ And surely of his party was Abraham.
$^{84}$ When he came to his Lord with a secure heart.
$^{85}$ When he said to his sire and his people: What is it that you worship?
$^{86}$ A lie -- gods besides Allah do you desire?
$^{87}$ What is then your idea about the Lord of the worlds?
$^{88}$ Then he glanced a glance at the stars,
$^{89}$ And said: Surely I am sick (of your deities).
$^{90}$ So they turned their backs on him, going away.
$^{91}$ Then he turned to their gods and said: Do you not eat?
$^{92}$ What is the matter with you that you speak not?
$^{93}$ So he turned upon them, smiting with the right hand.
$^{94}$ Then they came to him, hastening.
$^{95}$ He said: Do you worship that which you hew out?
$^{96}$ And Allah has created you and what you make.
$^{97}$ They said: Build for him a building, then cast him into the flaming fire.
$^{98}$ And they designed a plan against him, but We brought them low.
$^{99}$ And he said: Surely I flee to my Lord -- He will guide me.
$^{100}$ My Lord, grant me a doer of good deeds.
$^{101}$ So We gave him the good news of a forbearing son.
$^{102}$ But when he became of (age to) work with him, he said: O my son, I have seen in a dream that I should sacrifice thee: so consider what thou seest. He said: O my father, do as thou art commanded; if Allah please, thou wilt find me patient.
$^{103}$ So when they both submitted and he had thrown him down upon his forehead,
$^{104}$ And We called out to him saying, O Abraham,
$^{105}$ Thou hast indeed fulfilled the vision. Thus do We reward the doers of good.
$^{106}$ Surely this is a manifest trial.
$^{107}$ And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.
$^{108}$ And We granted him among the later generations (the salutation),
$^{109}$ Peace be to Abraham!
$^{110}$ Thus do We reward the doers of good.
$^{111}$ Surely he was one of Our believing servants.
$^{112}$ And We gave him the good news of Isaac, a prophet, a righteous one.
$^{113}$ And We blessed him and Isaac. And of their offspring some are doers of good, but some are clearly unjust to themselves.
$^{114}$ And certainly We conferred a favour on Moses and Aaron.
$^{115}$ And We delivered them, and their people from the mighty distress.
$^{116}$ And We helped them, so they were the vanquishers.
$^{117}$ And We gave them both the clear Book.
$^{118}$ And We guided them on the right way.
$^{119}$ And We granted them among the later generations (the salutation),
$^{120}$ Peace be to Moses and Aaron!
$^{121}$ Thus do We reward the doers of good.
$^{122}$ Surely they were both of Our believing servants.
$^{123}$ And Elias was surely of those sent.
$^{124}$ When he said to his people: Will you not guard against evil?
$^{125}$ Do you call upon Ba'l and forsake the Best of the creators,
$^{126}$ Allah, your Lord and the Lord of your fathers of yore?
$^{127}$ But they rejected him, so they shall be brought up,
$^{128}$ But not the servants of Allah, the purified ones.
$^{129}$ And We granted him among the later generations (the salutation),
$^{130}$ Peace be to Elias!
$^{131}$ Even thus We reward the doers of good.
$^{132}$ Surely he was one of Our believing servants.
$^{133}$ And Lot was surely of those sent.
$^{134}$ When We delivered him and his people, all --
$^{135}$ Except an old woman among those who remained behind.
$^{136}$ Then We destroyed the others.
$^{137}$ And surely you pass by them in the morning,
$^{138}$ And at night. Do you not then understand?
$^{139}$ And Jonah was surely of those sent.
$^{140}$ When he fled to the laden ship,
$^{141}$ So he shared with others but was of those cast away.
$^{142}$ So the fish took him into its mouth while he was blamable.
$^{143}$ But had he not been of those who glorify (Us),
$^{144}$ He would have tarried in its belly till the day when they are raised.
$^{145}$ Then We cast him on the naked shore, while he was sick.
$^{146}$ And We caused a gourd to grow up for him.
$^{147}$ And We sent him to a hundred thousand or more.
$^{148}$ And they believed, so We gave them provision till a time.
$^{149}$ Now ask them whether thy Lord has daughters and they have sons?
$^{150}$ Or did We create the angels females, while they witnessed?
$^{151}$ Now surely it is of their own lie that they say:
$^{152}$ Allah has begotten. And truly they are liars.
$^{153}$ Has He preferred daughters to sons?
$^{154}$ What is the matter with you? How you judge!
$^{155}$ Will you not then mind?
$^{156}$ Or have you a clear authority?
$^{157}$ Then bring your Book, if you are truthful.
$^{158}$ And they assert a relationship between Him and the jinn. And certainly the jinn know that they will be brought up (for judgment) --
$^{159}$ Glory be to Allah from what they describe! --
$^{160}$ But not so the servants of Allah, the purified ones.
$^{161}$ So surely you and that which you serve,
$^{162}$ Not against Him can you cause (any) to fall into trial,
$^{163}$ Save him who will burn in the flaming Fire.
$^{164}$ And there is none of us but has an assigned place,
$^{165}$ And verily we are ranged in ranks,
$^{166}$ And we truly glorify (Him).
$^{167}$ And surely they used to say:
$^{168}$ Had we a reminder from those of yore,
$^{169}$ We would have been sincere servants of Allah.
$^{170}$ But (now) they disbelieve in it, so they will come to know.
$^{171}$ And certainly Our word has already gone forth to Our servants, to those sent,
$^{172}$ That they, surely they, will be helped,
$^{173}$ And Our hosts, surely they, will be triumphant.
$^{174}$ So turn away from them till a time,
$^{175}$ And watch them, they too will see.
$^{176}$ Would they hasten on Our chastisement?
$^{177}$ So when it descends in their court, evil will be the morning of the warned ones.
$^{178}$ And turn away from them till a time,
$^{179}$ And watch, for they too will see.
$^{180}$ Glory be to thy Lord, the Lord of Might, above what they describe
$^{181}$ And peace be to those sent
$^{182}$ And praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds!