Qaf
Closer Than the Jugular Vein
In the name of God, the All-Benevolent, the Benevolent. Qaf.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم قBy the glorious Recitation! They marveled instead that a warner, one of their own, had come to them. Those who disown said: "This is a strange thing. When we are dead and become earth...? That return is far-fetched."
والقرءان المجيد بل عجبوا ان جاءهم منذر منهم فقال الكفرون هذا شىء عجيب اءذا متنا وكنا ترابا ذلك رجع بعيدWe know what the earth diminishes of them, and We have a record that preserves everything.
قد علمنا ما تنقص الارض منهم وعندنا كتب حفيظThey rather denied the truth when it came to them; so they are in a confused state.
بل كذبوا بالحق لما جاءهم فهم في امر مريجHave they not looked at the sky above them: how We built it and adorned it, without a single crack in it?
افلم ينظروا الى السماء فوقهم كيف بنينها وزينها وما لها من فروجAnd the earth, We spread it out, placed firm anchors in it, and caused every splendid pair to grow in it — a means of insight and a reminder for every obedient one ever turning back [to God].
والارض مددنها والقينا فيها روسي وانبتنا فيها من كل زوج بهيج تبصرة وذكرى لكل عبد منيبAnd We sent down from the sky a blessed water, by which We caused gardens to grow, and the grain of harvest, and the tall palm trees with layered clusters, as provision for the obedient ones.
ونزلنا من السماء ماء مبركا فانبتنا به جنت وحب الحصيد والنخل باسقت لها طلع نضيد رزقا للعبادAnd by it We gave life to a dead land.
واحيينا به بلدة ميتاSuch will be the coming forth [from the earth].
كذلك الخروجBefore them, the people of Nuh denied, as did the companions of the Well, the Depleters [Thamud], the Recidivists [Aad], Fir'awn, the brothers of Lut, the companions of the Thicket, and the people of Tubba'.
كذبت قبلهم قوم نوح واصحب الرس وثمود وعاد وفرعون واخون لوط واصحب الايكة وقوم تبعAll of them denied the messengers, and My threat proved true.
كل كذب الرسل فحق وعيدWere We then exhausted by the first creation?
افعيينا بالخلق الاولThey are rather in confusion about a new creation.
بل هم في لبس من خلق جديدWe have indeed created the human being, and We know what his [own] Self whispers to him; and We are closer to him than the jugular vein.
ولقد خلقنا الانسن ونعلم ما توسوس به نفسه ونحن اقرب اليه من حبل الوريدWhen the two receivers receive, one on the right, one on the left, seated.
اذ يتلقى المتلقيان عن اليمين وعن الشمال قعيدHe does not utter a saying without an observer, ready [to record], being at his side.
ما يلفظ من قول الا لديه رقيب عتيدAnd the intoxication of death has come with the truth:
وجاءت سكرة الموت بالحقThis is what you used to turn away from.
ذلك ما كنت منه تحيدAnd the Horn will be blown:
ونفخ في الصورthis is the Day of the Threat.
ذلك يوم الوعيدAnd every Self will come, accompanied by a driver and a witness.
وجاءت كل نفس معها سايق وشهيدYou were indeed heedless of this; so We removed your veil, and your sight today is piercing.
لقد كنت في غفلة من هذا فكشفنا عنك غطاءك فبصرك اليوم حديدAnd his companion will say: 'Here is what I have, ready [to present].'
وقال قرينه هذا ما لدى عتيدCast into Jahannam, both of you, every [being] who persistently disowns, obstructive of good, an aggressor, a sower of doubt, who set up, alongside God, another deity — cast him then into the severe punishment.
القيا في جهنم كل كفار عنيد مناع للخير معتد مريب الذي جعل مع الله الها ءاخر فالقياه في العذاب الشديدHis companion will say: 'Our Guardian, I did not make him exceed all measure, but he was in deep error.'
قال قرينه ربنا ما اطغيته ولكن كان في ضلل بعيدHe will say: 'Do not quarrel before Me, for I had already warned you with the threat.'
قال لا تختصموا لدى وقد قدمت اليكم بالوعيدThe saying does not change with Me, and I am not unjust to the constrained [under compulsion] at all.
ما يبدل القول لدى وما انا بظلم للعبيدThe day We will say to Jahannam: 'Are you full?' and it will say: 'Is there more?'
يوم نقول لجهنم هل امتلات وتقول هل من مزيدAnd the Garden will be brought near to those who guard themselves, not far off.
وازلفت الجنة للمتقين غير بعيدThis is what you are promised, for every [being] ever turning back [to God], preserving [the pact].
هذا ما توعدون لكل اواب حفيظWhoever dreaded the All-Benevolent without seeing Him and came with a core ever turning back [to God]: "Enter it in peace."
من خشي الرحمن بالغيب وجاء بقلب منيب ادخلوها بسلمThis is the Day of eternity.
ذلك يوم الخلودThey will have therein whatever they wish,
لهم ما يشاءون فيهاand with Us there is even more.
ولدينا مزيدHow many generations have We annihilated before them, mightier than them in strike, who had scoured the land [in every direction]!
وكم اهلكنا قبلهم من قرن هم اشد منهم بطشا فنقبوا في البلدWas there any escape?
هل من محيصThere is surely a reminder in that for whoever has a core, or lends an ear while being present [of mind].
ان في ذلك لذكرى لمن كان له قلب او القى السمع وهو شهيدWe have indeed created the heavens and the earth, and what is between them, in six days, without any fatigue touching Us.
ولقد خلقنا السموت والارض وما بينهما في ستة ايام وما مسنا من لغوبSo be patient over what they say,
فاصبر على ما يقولونand glorify, with praise, your Guardian, before the rising of the sun and before its setting,
وسبح بحمد ربك قبل طلوع الشمس وقبل الغروبand glorify Him during part of the night, and after the prostrations.
ومن اليل فسبحه وادبر السجودAnd listen, the day the Caller will call from a near place, the day they will hear the Cry in all truth —
واستمع يوم يناد المناد من مكان قريب يوم يسمعون الصيحة بالحقthis is the Day of the emergence.
ذلك يوم الخروجIt is We, indeed, who give life and cause death, and to Us is the destination.
انا نحن نحي ونميت والينا المصيرThe day the earth will split open from them, in haste —
يوم تشقق الارض عنهم سراعاthat is a gathering easy for Us.
ذلك حشر علينا يسيرWe know best what they say,
نحن اعلم بما يقولونand you are not a tyrant over them.
وما انت عليهم بجبارSo remind, by the Recitation, whoever fears My threat.
فذكر بالقرءان من يخاف وعيد