Surah Ash-Shu'ara, Ayah 201-220 — Word by Word
الشعراء
The Poets
Explanations are simplified from tafsirs by Ibn Kathir, Mufti Muhammad Shafi, and Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Spot an inaccuracy? Let us know.
lā yu'minūna bihi ḥattā yarawū l-ʿadhāba l-alīma
They will not believe in it until they see the painful punishment.
fayatiyahum baghtatan wahum lā yashʿurūna
And it will come to them suddenly while they perceive [it] not.
fayaqūlū hal naḥnu munẓarūna
And they will say, "May we be reprieved?"
afabiʿadhābinā yastaʿjilūna
So for Our punishment are they impatient?
afara-ayta in mattaʿnāhum sinīna
Then have you considered if We gave them enjoyment for years
thumma jāahum mā kānū yūʿadūna
And then there came to them that which they were promised?
mā aghnā ʿanhum mā kānū yumattaʿūna
They would not be availed by the enjoyment with which they were provided.
wamā ahlaknā min qaryatin illā lahā mundhirūna
And We did not destroy any city except that it had warners
dhik'rā wamā kunnā ẓālimīna
As a reminder; and never have We been unjust.
wamā tanazzalat bihi l-shayāṭīnu
And the devils have not brought it [i.e., the revelation] down.
wamā yanbaghī lahum wamā yastaṭīʿūna
It is not allowable for them, nor would they be able.
innahum ʿani l-samʿi lamaʿzūlūna
Indeed they, from [its] hearing, are removed.
falā tadʿu maʿa l-lahi ilāhan ākhara fatakūna mina l-muʿadhabīna
So do not invoke with Allāh another deity and [thus] be among the punished.
wa-andhir ʿashīrataka l-aqrabīna
And warn, [O Muḥammad], your closest kindred.
wa-ikh'fiḍ janāḥaka limani ittabaʿaka mina l-mu'minīna
And lower your wing [i.e., show kindness] to those who follow you of the believers.
fa-in ʿaṣawka faqul innī barīon mimmā taʿmalūna
And if they disobey you, then say, "Indeed, I am disassociated from what you are doing."
watawakkal ʿalā l-ʿazīzi l-raḥīmi
And rely upon the Exalted in Might, the Merciful,
alladhī yarāka ḥīna taqūmu
Who sees you when you arise
wataqallubaka fī l-sājidīna
And your movement among those who prostrate.
innahu huwa l-samīʿu l-ʿalīmu
Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.