Sourate Ta-Ha (20) unvowelled

In the name of God, the All-Benevolent, the Benevolent. Ta-Ha.i 1

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم طه

We did not send down upon you the Recitation for you to toil, 2

ما انزلنا عليك القرءان لتشقى

but as a reminder for whoever holds Him in awe, 3

الا تذكرة لمن يخشى

a descent from the One who created the earth and the lofty heavens, 4

تنزيلا ممن خلق الارض والسموت العلى

the All-Benevolent, who established Himself upon the Edifice. 5

الرحمن على العرش استوى

To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens, whatever is on the earth, whatever is between them, and whatever is beneath the moist soil. 6

له ما في السموت وما في الارض وما بينهما وما تحت الثرى

Whether you speak aloud or not, He knows the secret, and what is even more hidden. 7

وان تجهر بالقول فانه يعلم السر واخفى

God — no divinity but Him. 8

الله لا اله الا هو

To Him belong the most beautiful attributes. 8

له الاسماء الحسنى

Has the account of Moussa reached you?i 9

وهل اتىك حديث موسى

When he saw a fire, he said to his household: «Stay here, I have perceived a fire; perhaps I will bring you a torch from it, or find at the fire some direction.» 10

اذ رءا نارا فقال لاهله امكثوا اني ءانست نارا لعلي ءاتيكم منها بقبس او اجد على النار هدى

When he reached it, he was called: «Moussa! In truth, it is I, your Guardian. Take off your sandals, for you are in the sanctified valley of Touwa.»i 12

فلما اتىها نودي يموسى اني انا ربك فاخلع نعليك انك بالواد المقدس طوى

And I have chosen you: so listen to what is inspired. Truly it is I, God — no divinity but Me. Obey Me, then, and maintain the Contact in Remembrance of Me. 14

وانا اخترتك فاستمع لما يوحى انني انا الله لا اله الا انا فاعبدني واقم الصلوة لذكري

The Hour is coming — I keep it almost hidden — so that every Self may be repaid for what it has striven toward. 15

ان الساعة ءاتية اكاد اخفيها لتجزى كل نفس بما تسعى

Let not him who does not believe in it and follows his emotion turn you away from it, lest you perish. 16

فلا يصدنك عنها من لا يومن بها واتبع هوىه فتردى

And what is that in your right hand, Moussa?i 17

وما تلك بيمينك يموسى

He said: «It is my staff; I lean on it, I beat down leaves with it for my flock, and I have other uses for it.» 18

قال هي عصاي اتوكوا عليها واهش بها على غنمي ولي فيها مارب اخرى

He said: «Throw it down, Moussa.»i 19

قال القها يموسى

He threw it down, and behold, it became a serpent, moving swiftly.i 20

فالقىها فاذا هي حية تسعى

He said: «Take it, and do not fear: We shall restore it to its former state.» 21

قال خذها ولا تخف سنعيدها سيرتها الاولى

And press your hand to your side: it will come out white, without harm — another sign, that We may show you some of Our greatest signs. 23

واضمم يدك الى جناحك تخرج بيضاء من غير سوء ءاية اخرى لنريك من ءايتنا الكبرى

Go to Fir'awn: he has transgressed all bounds.i 24

اذهب الى فرعون انه طغى

He said: «Guardian, open up my chest for me, ease my task for me, undo a knot from my tongue so that they may understand my speech, and appoint for me an assistant from my own, Harun, my brother.i 30

قال رب اشرح لي صدري ويسر لي امري واحلل عقدة من لساني يفقهوا قولي واجعل لي وزيرا من اهلي هرون اخي

Strengthen through him my resolve, and associate him with my task, so that we may glorify You abundantly and remember You abundantly; You are, over us, All-Seeing.» 35

اشدد به ازري واشركه في امري كى نسبحك كثيرا ونذكرك كثيرا انك كنت بنا بصيرا

He said: «Your request is granted, Moussa.i 36

قال قد اوتيت سولك يموسى

We had already favoured you once before, when We inspired your mother with what was inspired: «Place him in the chest, then cast him into the river; 39

ولقد مننا عليك مرة اخرى اذ اوحينا الى امك ما يوحى ان اقذفيه في التابوت فاقذفيه في اليم

let the river cast him onto the shore; an enemy to Me and an enemy to him will take him up.» 39

فليلقه اليم بالساحل ياخذه عدو لي وعدو له

I cast upon you a love from Me, so that you might be formed under My watch — when your sister walked along and said: «Shall I point you to one who can take charge of him?» 40

والقيت عليك محبة مني ولتصنع على عيني اذ تمشي اختك فتقول هل ادلكم على من يكفله

So We returned you to your mother, that her gaze might find repose and she not grieve. 40

فرجعنك الى امك كى تقر عينها ولا تحزن

And you killed a Self, and We delivered you from distress; and We tried you with a hard trial. 40

وقتلت نفسا فنجينك من الغم وفتنك فتونا

You stayed years among the people of Madyan, then you came at the appointed measure, Moussa.i 40

فلبثت سنين في اهل مدين ثم جيت على قدر يموسى

And I formed you for Myself. 41

واصطنعتك لنفسي

Go, you and your brother, with My signs, and do not weaken in My remembrance. 42

اذهب انت واخوك بايتي ولا تنيا في ذكري

Go, both of you, to Fir'awn: he has transgressed all bounds. Speak to him gently; perhaps he will be reminded, or feel awe.i 44

اذهبا الى فرعون انه طغى فقولا له قولا لينا لعله يتذكر او يخشى

They said: «Guardian, we fear that he will rush against us or that he will act as a tyrant toward us.» 45

قالا ربنا اننا نخاف ان يفرط علينا او ان يطغى

He said: «Do not fear: I am with you both, I hear and I see.» 46

قال لا تخافا انني معكما اسمع وارى

So go to him and say: «We are two envoys of your Guardian; send with us the Children of Israel, and do not torment them; we have brought you a sign from your Guardian.» 47

فاتياه فقولا انا رسولا ربك فارسل معنا بني اسرءيل ولا تعذبهم قد جينك باية من ربك

Peace be upon whoever follows the guidance. 47

والسلم على من اتبع الهدى

It has been inspired to us that the torment falls upon whoever denies and turns away. 48

انا قد اوحي الينا ان العذاب على من كذب وتولى

He said: «And who is your Guardian, Moussa?»i 49

قال فمن ربكما يموسى

He said: «Our Guardian is the One who gave to each thing its own form, then guided it.» 50

قال ربنا الذي اعطى كل شىء خلقه ثم هدى

He said: «And what of the former generations?» 51

قال فما بال القرون الاولى

He said: «Knowledge of them rests with my Guardian, in a record.i 52

قال علمها عند ربي في كتب

My Guardian neither strays nor forgets.» 52

لا يضل ربي ولا ينسى

He who made the earth for you a spread, and traced for you paths within it, and sent down water from the sky, 53

الذي جعل لكم الارض مهدا وسلك لكم فيها سبلا وانزل من السماء ماء

by which We brought forth pairs of plants of every kind. 53

فاخرجنا به ازوجا من نبات شتى

Eat, and graze your livestock. 54

كلوا وارعوا انعمكم

In that are signs for those endowed with reason. 54

ان في ذلك لءايت لاولي النهى

From it We created you, into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you out yet another time. 55

منها خلقنكم وفيها نعيدكم ومنها نخرجكم تارة اخرى

We showed him all Our signs, but he denied and refused. 56

ولقد ارينه ءايتنا كلها فكذب وابى

He said: "Have you come to us to drive us out of our land with your illusion, Moussa? We shall surely bring you illusion to match it.i 58

قال اجيتنا لتخرجنا من ارضنا بسحرك يموسى فلناتينك بسحر مثله

So set between us and you an appointment, which neither we nor you shall fail, at a fair place.» 58

فاجعل بيننا وبينك موعدا لا نخلفه نحن ولا انت مكانا سوى

He said: «Your appointment shall be the day of adornment, and that the people be gathered in broad morning.»i 59

قال موعدكم يوم الزينة وان يحشر الناس ضحى

Fir'awn turned away, gathered his scheme, then came.i 60

فتولى فرعون فجمع كيده ثم اتى

Moussa said to them: "Woe to you! Do not fabricate a lie against God, lest He make you suffer with a punishment."i 61

قال لهم موسى ويلكم لا تفتروا على الله كذبا فيسحتكم بعذاب

And whoever fabricates has already failed. 61

وقد خاب من افترى

So they disputed their matter among themselves and kept their counsel secret. 62

فتنزعوا امرهم بينهم واسروا النجوى

They said: "These two are indeed two workers of illusion who wish to drive you out of your land with their illusion and to carry off your exemplary way. 63

قالوا ان هذن لسحرن يريدان ان يخرجاكم من ارضكم بسحرهما ويذهبا بطريقتكم المثلى

So gather your scheme, then come in a single rank. 64

فاجمعوا كيدكم ثم ايتوا صفا

And whoever rises above shall prosper today.» 64

وقد افلح اليوم من استعلى

They said: «Moussa, either you throw, or we shall be the first to throw.»i 65

قالوا يموسى اما ان تلقي واما ان نكون اول من القى

He said: «Rather, you throw.» 66

قال بل القوا

And behold, their ropes and their staffs, through their illusion, appeared to him to be moving swiftly. 66

فاذا حبالهم وعصيهم يخيل اليه من سحرهم انها تسعى

Moussa felt within himself a certain apprehension.i 67

فاوجس في نفسه خيفة موسى

We said: «Do not fear, it is you who are the uppermost.»i 68

قلنا لا تخف انك انت الاعلى

Throw what is in your right hand: it will swallow up what they have contrived. 69

والق ما في يمينك تلقف ما صنعوا

What they have contrived is but a worker of illusion's scheme, 69

انما صنعوا كيد سحر

and the worker of illusion does not prosper, wherever he goes." 69

ولا يفلح الساحر حيث اتى

So the workers of illusion were cast down, prostrate. 70

فالقي السحرة سجدا

They said: «We believe in the Guardian of Harun and Moussa.»i 70

قالوا ءامنا برب هرون وموسى

He said: "You believed in him before I gave you permission! He is indeed your chief, who taught you illusion. 71

قال ءامنتم له قبل ان ءاذن لكم انه لكبيركم الذي علمكم السحر

I shall surely cut off your hands and your feet on opposite sides, and I shall surely crucify you on trunks of palm trees; and you shall know which of us is harsher in punishment and more lasting.»i 71

فلاقطعن ايديكم وارجلكم من خلف ولاصلبنكم في جذوع النخل ولتعلمن اينا اشد عذابا وابقى

They said: «We shall never prefer you over the clear proofs that have come to us, nor over the One who originated us. 72

قالوا لن نوثرك على ما جاءنا من البينت والذي فطرنا

So decide whatever you are to decide: 72

فاقض ما انت قاض

you decide only over the present life. 72

انما تقضي هذه الحيوة الدنيا

We believe in our Guardian, that He may forgive us our faults and the illusion to which you compelled us. 73

انا ءامنا بربنا ليغفر لنا خطينا وما اكرهتنا عليه من السحر

And God is better, and more lasting.» 73

والله خير وابقى

Whoever comes to his Guardian in a state of severance, for him is Jahannam, wherein he neither dies nor lives. 74

انه من يات ربه مجرما فان له جهنم لا يموت فيها ولا يحيى

And whoever comes to Him believing, having done righteous deeds — for those, the highest ranks: 75

ومن ياته مومنا قد عمل الصلحت فاوليك لهم الدرجت العلى

gardens of Eden, beneath which rivers flow, wherein they remain. 76

جنت عدن تجري من تحتها الانهر خلدين فيها

Such is the reward of whoever purifies himself. 76

وذلك جزاء من تزكى

And We had inspired Moussa: «Travel by night with My obedient ones, and strike out for them a dry path through the sea; fear neither being overtaken, nor anything else.»i 77

ولقد اوحينا الى موسى ان اسر بعبادي فاضرب لهم طريقا في البحر يبسا لا تخف دركا ولا تخشى

So Fir'awn pursued them with his forces, and there covered them, from the flood, that which covered them.i 78

فاتبعهم فرعون بجنوده فغشيهم من اليم ما غشيهم

And Fir'awn led his people astray; he did not guide them.i 79

واضل فرعون قومه وما هدى

Children of Israel, We delivered you from your enemy, and We made an appointment with you on the right side of the Mount, and We sent down upon you the manna and the quail. 80

يبني اسرءيل قد انجينكم من عدوكم ووعدنكم جانب الطور الايمن ونزلنا عليكم المن والسلوى

Eat of the good things We have provided you, and do not transgress therein, lest My anger fall upon you; 81

كلوا من طيبت ما رزقنكم ولا تطغوا فيه فيحل عليكم غضبي

and whoever is struck by My anger has indeed fallen. 81

ومن يحلل عليه غضبي فقد هوى

And I am indeed ever-forgiving toward whoever repents, believes, does righteousness, then lets himself be guided. 82

واني لغفار لمن تاب وءامن وعمل صلحا ثم اهتدى

And what made you hasten away from your people, Moussa?i 83

وما اعجلك عن قومك يموسى

He said: «There they are, close upon my tracks; and I hastened to You, Guardian, that You might be pleased.» 84

قال هم اولاء على اثري وعجلت اليك رب لترضى

He said: «We have indeed tried your people after you, and as-Samiri has led them astray.»i 85

قال فانا قد فتنا قومك من بعدك واضلهم السامري

So Moussa returned to his people, angry and grieved.i 86

فرجع موسى الى قومه غضبن اسفا

He said: «O my people, did your Guardian not make you a fair promise? 86

قال يقوم الم يعدكم ربكم وعدا حسنا

Did the time appointed seem too long to you, or did you wish that a wrath from your Guardian should fall upon you, that you thus broke your appointment with me?» 86

افطال عليكم العهد ام اردتم ان يحل عليكم غضب من ربكم فاخلفتم موعدي

They said: «We did not break your appointment of our own will; but we were burdened with loads of the people's ornaments, and we cast them away, and thus did as-Samiri also throw.»i 87

قالوا ما اخلفنا موعدك بملكنا ولكنا حملنا اوزارا من زينة القوم فقذفنها فكذلك القى السامري

So he brought forth for them a calf, a lowing body, and they said: «This is your divinity, and the divinity of Moussa» — but he had forgotten.i 88

فاخرج لهم عجلا جسدا له خوار فقالوا هذا الهكم واله موسى فنسي

Do they not see that it returns them no word, and holds for them neither harm nor benefit? 89

افلا يرون الا يرجع اليهم قولا ولا يملك لهم ضرا ولا نفعا

And Harun had indeed told them before: «O my people, you are only being tried by it;i 90

ولقد قال لهم هرون من قبل يقوم انما فتنتم به

and truly your Guardian is the All-Benevolent: so follow me, and obey my command.» 90

وان ربكم الرحمن فاتبعوني واطيعوا امري

They said: "We shall not cease to remain posted by it until Moussa returns to us."i 91

قالوا لن نبرح عليه عكفين حتى يرجع الينا موسى

He said: «Harun, what kept you, when you saw them straying, from following me? Did you then disobey my order?»i 93

قال يهرون ما منعك اذ رايتهم ضلوا الا تتبعن افعصيت امري

He said: «Son of my mother, do not seize me by the beard nor by the head; I feared you would say: «You have divided the Children of Israel», and that you did not heed my word.» 94

قال يبنوم لا تاخذ بلحيتي ولا براسي اني خشيت ان تقول فرقت بين بني اسرءيل ولم ترقب قولي

He said: «And what is your affair, Samiri?»i 95

قال فما خطبك يسمري

He said: «I perceived what they did not perceive; so I seized a handful from the track of the envoy, then I cast it away — thus did my Self prompt me.» 96

قال بصرت بما لم يبصروا به فقبضت قبضة من اثر الرسول فنبذتها وكذلك سولت لي نفسي

He said: «Go away then: your lot in this life shall be to say «Touch me not», 97

قال فاذهب فان لك في الحيوة ان تقول لا مساس

and there is set for you an appointment you shall not fail. 97

وان لك موعدا لن تخلفه

And look at your divinity, by which you remained posted: we shall surely burn it, then we shall surely scatter it into the flood, utterly scattered." 97

وانظر الى الهك الذي ظلت عليه عاكفا لنحرقنه ثم لننسفنه في اليم نسفا

Your only divinity is God, besides whom there is no divinity, 98

انما الهكم الله الذي لا اله الا هو

whose knowledge embraces all things. 98

وسع كل شىء علما

Thus do We relate to you certain accounts of what has already passed, 99

كذلك نقص عليك من انباء ما قد سبق

and We have given you, from Our own presence, a reminder. 99

وقد ءاتينك من لدنا ذكرا

Whoever turns away from it shall bear, on the Day of Appearance, a burden, abiding therein,i 101

من اعرض عنه فانه يحمل يوم القيمة وزرا خلدين فيه

and evil will be that burden for them on the Day of Appearance!i 101

وساء لهم يوم القيمة حملا

The day the Trumpet is blown, We shall gather the severed, that day, livid, whispering among themselves: «You stayed no more than ten.» 103

يوم ينفخ في الصور ونحشر المجرمين يوميذ زرقا يتخفتون بينهم ان لبثتم الا عشرا

We know best what they will say, when the most discerning of them in conduct will say: «You stayed no more than a day.» 104

نحن اعلم بما يقولون اذ يقول امثلهم طريقة ان لبثتم الا يوما

And they ask you about the mountains; say: «My Guardian will scatter them utterly, leaving them a level plain, wherein you will see neither hollow nor rise.» 107

ويسلونك عن الجبال فقل ينسفها ربي نسفا فيذرها قاعا صفصفا لا ترى فيها عوجا ولا امتا

That day, they will follow the caller, with no deviation possible, 108

يوميذ يتبعون الداعي لا عوج له

and all voices will hush before the All-Benevolent; you will hear nothing but a murmur. 108

وخشعت الاصوات للرحمن فلا تسمع الا همسا

That day, intercession will not avail, except for him whom the All-Benevolent permits, and whose word He is pleased to accept. 109

يوميذ لا تنفع الشفعة الا من اذن له الرحمن ورضي له قولا

He knows what is before them and what is behind them, while they do not encompass Him in their knowledge. 110

يعلم ما بين ايديهم وما خلفهم ولا يحيطون به علما

And all faces will humble themselves before the Living, the Sustainer, 111

وعنت الوجوه للحى القيوم

and whoever bears an injustice will indeed have failed. 111

وقد خاب من حمل ظلما

And whoever does righteous deeds, being a believer, shall fear neither injustice nor deprivation. 112

ومن يعمل من الصلحت وهو مومن فلا يخاف ظلما ولا هضما

Thus have We sent it down, a flawless Recitation, and We have set out therein warnings of every kind, that they may guard themselves, or that it may awaken in them a remembrance. 113

وكذلك انزلنه قرءانا عربيا وصرفنا فيه من الوعيد لعلهم يتقون او يحدث لهم ذكرا

So exalted be God, the Sovereign, the True! 114

فتعلى الله الملك الحق

And do not hasten with the Recitation before its inspiration is completed for you, 114

ولا تعجل بالقرءان من قبل ان يقضى اليك وحيه

and say: «Guardian, increase me in knowledge.» 114

وقل رب زدني علما

And We had already made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We found in him no firm resolve.i 115

ولقد عهدنا الى ءادم من قبل فنسي ولم نجد له عزما

And when We said to the Agents: «Prostrate before Adam», they prostrated,i 116

واذ قلنا للمليكة اسجدوا لءادم فسجدوا

save Iblis, who refused.i 116

الا ابليس ابى

So We said: «Adam, this is indeed an enemy to you and to your spouse; let him not drive you both out of the garden, or you would toil.i 117

فقلنا يادم ان هذا عدو لك ولزوجك فلا يخرجنكما من الجنة فتشقى

You have therein the assurance that you will not go hungry nor be unclothed, 118

ان لك الا تجوع فيها ولا تعرى

nor that you will thirst therein, nor be exposed to the sun.» 119

وانك لا تظموا فيها ولا تضحى

Then the Diverter whispered a suggestion to him,i 120

فوسوس اليه الشيطن

he said: «Adam, shall I point you to the tree of everlastingness and a dominion that does not decay?»i 120

قال يادم هل ادلك على شجرة الخلد وملك لا يبلى

So they both ate from it, and their shameful parts became visible to them, and they began to sew over themselves leaves from the garden. 121

فاكلا منها فبدت لهما سوءتهما وطفقا يخصفان عليهما من ورق الجنة

And Adam disobeyed his Guardian, and went astray.i 121

وعصى ءادم ربه فغوى

Then his Guardian chose him, turned toward him, and guided him. 122

ثم اجتبه ربه فتاب عليه وهدى

He said: «Go down from it, both of you, together, 123

قال اهبطا منها جميعا

some of you enemies to others.i 123

بعضكم لبعض عدو

And should guidance come to you from Me, then whoever follows My guidance shall neither stray nor toil; 123

فاما ياتينكم مني هدى فمن اتبع هداي فلا يضل ولا يشقى

and whoever turns away from My remembrance shall have a straitened existence, and We shall gather him blind on the Day of Appearance.»i 124

ومن اعرض عن ذكري فان له معيشة ضنكا ونحشره يوم القيمة اعمى

He will say: «Guardian, why have You gathered me blind, when I used to see?»i 125

قال رب لم حشرتني اعمى وقد كنت بصيرا

He will say: «Thus it is: Our signs came to you, and you forgot them; 126

قال كذلك اتتك ءايتنا فنسيتها

and thus, today, you are forgotten.» 126

وكذلك اليوم تنسى

Thus do We requite whoever exceeds all bounds and does not believe in the signs of his Guardian; 127

وكذلك نجزي من اسرف ولم يومن بايت ربه

and the torment of the Hereafter is harsher and more lasting. 127

ولعذاب الءاخرة اشد وابقى

Has it not become clear to them how many generations We destroyed before them, in whose dwellings they now walk? 128

افلم يهد لهم كم اهلكنا قبلهم من القرون يمشون في مسكنهم

In that are signs for those endowed with reason. 128

ان في ذلك لءايت لاولي النهى

And had it not been for a word already given by your Guardian, it would have been inevitable, and a term already set. 129

ولولا كلمة سبقت من ربك لكان لزاما واجل مسمى

So be patient over what they say, 130

فاصبر على ما يقولون

and glorify your Guardian with praise before the rising of the sun and before its setting; 130

وسبح بحمد ربك قبل طلوع الشمس وقبل غروبها

and glorify Him during some hours of the night, and at the edges of the day, that you may be well-pleased. 130

ومن ءاناي اليل فسبح واطراف النهار لعلك ترضى

And do not stretch your eyes toward what We have granted some of them to enjoy — the flower of the present life — that We may try them therein; 131

ولا تمدن عينيك الى ما متعنا به ازوجا منهم زهرة الحيوة الدنيا لنفتنهم فيه

and the provision of your Guardian is better, and more lasting. 131

ورزق ربك خير وابقى

Order your household to the Contact, and be steadfast in it: 132

وامر اهلك بالصلوة واصطبر عليها

We ask no provision of you, 132

لا نسلك رزقا

it is We who provide for you; 132

نحن نرزقك

and the outcome belongs to guardedness. 132

والعقبة للتقوى

And they said: «Why does he not bring us a sign from his Guardian?» 133

وقالوا لولا ياتينا باية من ربه

Has there not come to them the clear proof of what is in the former pages? 133

اولم تاتهم بينة ما في الصحف الاولى

And had We destroyed them with a punishment before this, they would have said: «Our Guardian, why did You not send to us an envoy, that we might have followed Your signs before we were humbled and disgraced?» 134

ولو انا اهلكنهم بعذاب من قبله لقالوا ربنا لولا ارسلت الينا رسولا فنتبع ءايتك من قبل ان نذل ونخزى

Say: «Each one waits in expectation; so wait, then: 135

قل كل متربص فتربصوا

you shall soon know who are the companions of the even path, and who has let himself be guided.» 135

فستعلمون من اصحب الصرط السوي ومن اهتدى