الصافات
Those who set the Ranks
Explanations are simplified from tafsirs by Ibn Kathir, Mufti Muhammad Shafi, and Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Spot an inaccuracy? Let us know.
limith'li hādhā falyaʿmali l-ʿāmilūna
For the like of this let the workers [on earth] work.
adhālika khayrun nuzulan am shajaratu l-zaqūmi
Is that [i.e., Paradise] a better accommodation or the tree of zaqqūm?
innā jaʿalnāhā fit'natan lilẓẓālimīna
Indeed, We have made it a torment for the wrongdoers.
innahā shajaratun takhruju fī aṣli l-jaḥīmi
Indeed, it is a tree issuing from the bottom of the Hellfire,
ṭalʿuhā ka-annahu ruūsu l-shayāṭīni
Its emerging fruit as if it was heads of the devils.
fa-innahum laākilūna min'hā famāliūna min'hā l-buṭūna
And indeed, they will eat from it and fill with it their bellies.
thumma inna lahum ʿalayhā lashawban min ḥamīmin
Then indeed, they will have after it a mixture of scalding water.
thumma inna marjiʿahum la-ilā l-jaḥīmi
Then indeed, their return will be to the Hellfire.
innahum alfaw ābāahum ḍāllīna
Indeed they found their fathers astray.
fahum ʿalā āthārihim yuh'raʿūna
So they hastened [to follow] in their footsteps.
walaqad ḍalla qablahum aktharu l-awalīna
And there had already strayed before them most of the former peoples,
walaqad arsalnā fīhim mundhirīna
And We had already sent among them warners.
fa-unẓur kayfa kāna ʿāqibatu l-mundharīna
Then look how was the end of those who were warned -
illā ʿibāda l-lahi l-mukh'laṣīna
But not the chosen servants of Allāh.
walaqad nādānā nūḥun falaniʿ'ma l-mujībūna
And Noah had certainly called Us, and [We are] the best of responders.
wanajjaynāhu wa-ahlahu mina l-karbi l-ʿaẓīmi
And We saved him and his family from the great affliction.
wajaʿalnā dhurriyyatahu humu l-bāqīna
And We made his descendants those remaining [on the earth]
wataraknā ʿalayhi fī l-ākhirīna
And left for him [favorable mention] among later generations:
salāmun ʿalā nūḥin fī l-ʿālamīna
"Peace upon Noah among the worlds."
innā kadhālika najzī l-muḥ'sinīna
Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good.