Sūrat al-Dukhān
سورۃ الدخان
Sūrat al-Dukhān was revealed in Mecca. It contains 59 verses and 3 sections (rukūʿ).
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
Bismillāhi l-Raḥmāni l-Raḥīm.
In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate.
Verse 1 — The Muqaṭṭaʿāt
حم
Ḥā Mīm.
This is a complete verse. One scholar writes that these letters (ḥurūf muqaṭṭaʿāt) are for the protection of the beloved — and Allah knows best.
Verse 2
وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ
Wa-l-kitābi al-mubīn.
"By the clear Book." (al-Dukhān 44:2)
Wa-l-kitāb — and an oath by the Qur'an — al-mubīn — which is the clear Book — whose injunctions are manifest and plain.
Translation: — And an oath by the Qur'an — which is the clear Book.
Verse 3
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ
Innā anzalnāhu fī laylatin mubārakatin innā kunnā mundhirīn.
"Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night — indeed, We have been warners." (al-Dukhān 44:3)
Innā anzalnāhu — indeed without doubt We sent the Qur'an down — fī laylatin mubārakatin — in a blessed night — the Night of Power (Shab-e-Qadr) — innā kunnā mundhirīn — indeed Our intention was to warn — to make people aware and to convey.
Translation: — Indeed, We certainly sent it (the Qur'an) down on the blessed night (of Qadr) — Our intention was to warn and make people aware.
Verse 4
فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ
Fīhā yufraqu kullu amrin ḥakīm.
"In it every wise matter is decided." (al-Dukhān 44:4)
Fīhā yufraqu — on this night decisions are made and distinguished — kullu amrin ḥakīm — every firm and wise matter — of things that are firmly established and full of wisdom.
Translation: — On this night every firm and wise matter is decided.
Verse 5
أَمْرًا مِّنْ عِندِنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ
Amran min ʿindinā innā kunnā mursilīn.
"A command from Us — indeed, We have been sending." (al-Dukhān 44:5)
Amran min ʿindinā — this is a command from Our side — innā kunnā mursilīn — because We were the senders — We dispatched a Prophet to convey the commands.
Translation: — This command is from Our side — because We were the senders (of the Prophets).
Verse 6
رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
Raḥmatan min rabbika innahu huwa al-samīʿu al-ʿalīm.
"A mercy from your Lord — indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing." (al-Dukhān 44:6)
Raḥmatan min rabbika — this sending of the Prophet, the sending down of the Qur'an, is by reason of your Lord's mercy — it is all on account of Allah's mercy — innahu huwa al-samīʿ al-ʿalīm — indeed without doubt He is the All-Hearing and All-Knowing — He hears all things — He is fully aware of all states and conditions.
Translation: — This is the mercy of your Lord — and He is All-Hearing and All-Knowing.
Verse 7
رَبِّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ
Rabbi al-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi wa-mā baynahumā in kuntum mūqinīn.
"The Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them — if you would be certain." (al-Dukhān 44:7)
Rabbi al-samāwāt wa-l-arḍ — He is not only your Lord — wa-mā baynahumā — and the Lord of everything between the two — in kuntum mūqinīn — if you have the capacity for faith — belief is its prerequisite.
Translation: — He is the Lord of the heavens, the earth, and all that is between them — if only you would be certain (believers).
Verse 8
لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحْيِي وَيُمِيتُ رَبُّكُمْ وَرَبُّ آبَائِكُمُ الْأَوَّلِينَ
Lā ilāha illā huwa yuḥyī wa-yumītu rabbukum wa-rabbu ābāʾikumu al-awwalīn.
"There is no god but He — He gives life and causes death — your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers." (al-Dukhān 44:8)
Lā ilāha illā huwa — there is no god worthy of worship save Him — yuḥyī wa-yumīt — He gives life and causes death — He brings to life and then takes life back — this is His eternal attribute — rabbukum wa-rabbu ābāʾikumu al-awwalīn — He is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers and your ancestors and the ancestors of old.
Translation: — There is none worthy of worship save He — He gives life and causes death — He is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers and ancestors of old.
Verse 9
بَلْ هُمْ فِي شَكٍّ يَلْعَبُونَ
Bal hum fī shakkin yalʿabūn.
"But they are in doubt, amusing themselves." (al-Dukhān 44:9)
Bal hum fī shak — rather, they are entrenched in doubt — uncertainty can never come near them — this is their doubt that they lie immersed in — yalʿabūn — frivolous and occupied in play, engrossed in amusement.
Translation: — Rather, they are lying immersed in doubt and engaged in play.
Verse 10
فَارْتَقِبْ يَوْمَ تَأْتِي السَّمَاءُ بِدُخَانٍ مُبِينٍ
Fa-rtaqib yawma ta'tī al-samāʾu bi-dukhānin mubīn.
"Then watch for the day when the sky brings a manifest smoke." (al-Dukhān 44:10)
Fa-rtaqib — then remain watchful — keep watch — yawma ta'tī al-samāʾ — for the day when the sky will come — bi-dukhānin mubīn — with a manifest smoke — clearly visible smoke — raqaba al-shayʾa — to guard something — to watch it closely — murāqaba — close vigilance and guardianship. That Day will come when the sky will be filled with visible thick smoke.
Translation: — Then remain watchful for that day when the sky will be visible to you covered in smoke.
Continuation of the Commentary on the Smoke (al-Dukhān)
The commentator explains: what does "the coming of smoke" signify? It means the coming of the Resurrection — when earth will be swept away and swept from here and there. Some scholars say that the commentators in Mecca state this refers to a time when there was severe famine such that the smoke of drought and starvation appeared over the people. Other scholars say it refers to a smoke that will come at the Resurrection that will engulf people from all sides.
Verse 11
يَغْشَى النَّاسَ هَذَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ
Yaghshā al-nāsa hādhā ʿadhābun alīm.
"Enveloping the people — this is a painful torment." (al-Dukhān 44:11)
Yaghshā al-nās — the smoke will envelop all people and cover them — hādhā ʿadhābun alīm — this is a severe and painful torment.
Translation: — This smoke will cover people and it is a great, painful, and severe torment.
Verse 12
رَبَّنَا اكْشِفْ عَنَّا الْعَذَابَ إِنَّا مُؤْمِنُونَ
Rabbanā ikshif ʿannā al-ʿadhāba innā muʾminūn.
"Our Lord, remove the torment from us — indeed, we are believers." (al-Dukhān 44:12)
Rabbanā — O our Lord! ikshif ʿannā al-ʿadhāb — remove the torment from us — innā muʾminūn — indeed we are bringing faith — we will bring faith.
Translation: — O Allah! Remove this torment from us — we are bringing faith.
Verse 13
أَنَّى لَهُمُ الذِّكْرَى وَقَدْ جَاءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ مُبِينٌ
Annā lahumu al-dhikrā wa-qad jāʾahum rasūlun mubīn.
"How can the reminder profit them, when a clear Messenger had already come to them?" (al-Dukhān 44:13)
Annā lahumu al-dhikrā — how is it their capacity to accept admonition? — wa-qad jāʾahum rasūlun mubīn — when a clear and manifest Messenger had already come to them.
Translation: — How is it their capacity to accept admonition, when a Messenger came to them making things manifestly clear?
Verse 14
ثُمَّ تَوَلَّوْا عَنْهُ وَقَالُوا مُعَلَّمٌ مَّجْنُونٌ
Thumma tawallaw ʿanhu wa-qālū muʿallamun majnūn.
"But they turned away from him and said: 'He is taught, a madman!'" (al-Dukhān 44:14)
Thumma tawallaw ʿanhu — then those people turned away from the Prophet ﷺ — they rejected him — they did not accept him — wa-qālū muʿallamun majnūn — and they said: he is one who has been taught, who has received learning — he is a madman. They said he has learned and memorised these things and then recites them — he is a madman.
Translation: — Then those people turned away from him and said he was trained and taught and is a madman.
Bahrul Uloom Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadeer Siddiqui Rahmatullah Alaih then comments: O scholars! The disbelievers and deniers have always called the Prophets madmen, and even today the deniers continue to call them madmen. One of them attacked me in a cutting manner: I was told that I should belong to the field of secular religious studies — by which he meant the subject of religious studies. I was the head of the department of religious studies at that time — the title that the elders gave me was that we who are the inheritors of the Prophets — this is what is said in the hadith.
The ancestors (elders) would call us by this title — meaning it was the ancestors (of the noble lineage) who called us by this lofty title. This is a noble title.
Verse 15
إِنَّا كَاشِفُو الْعَذَابِ قَلِيلًا إِنَّكُمْ عَائِدُونَ
Innā kāshifū al-ʿadhābi qalīlan innakum ʿāʾidūn.
"Indeed, We will remove the torment for a little — but indeed you will return (to disbelief)." (al-Dukhān 44:15)
Innā kāshifū al-ʿadhāb qalīlā — indeed We will lift the torment for a little while — We will ease its intensity for a few days — innakum ʿāʾidūn — but you will return to the same state — you will revert to what you were before.
Translation: — We will lift the torment for a few days but you will revert to the same state you were in before.
Verse 16
يَوْمَ نَبْطِشُ الْبَطْشَةَ الْكُبْرَى إِنَّا مُنتَقِمُونَ
Yawma nabṭishu al-baṭshata al-kubrā innā muntaqimūn.
"On the Day when We will seize with the greatest seizure — indeed, We will exact retribution." (al-Dukhān 44:16)
Yawma nabṭishu al-baṭshata al-kubrā — remind yourself of that Day — this Day is to be remembered — on that Day We will seize with the greatest seizure — innā muntaqimūn — indeed, We are certainly the ones who will exact retribution.
Translation: — Remember that Day when We will seize with the greatest seizure — We are indeed the ones who exact retribution.
Verse 17
وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَجَاءَهُمْ رَسُولٌ كَرِيمٌ
Wa-laqad fatannā qablahum qawma firʿawna wa-jāʾahum rasūlun karīm.
"And We certainly tried before them the people of Pharaoh — and there came to them a noble Messenger." (al-Dukhān 44:17)
Wa-laqad fatannā — and certainly without doubt We put to trial and test — it was an affliction and tribulation — qablahum — before them — qawma firʿawn — the people of Pharaoh — the very strong and powerful people — in general those of Banī Ismāʿīl — and We destroyed those who came before them — wa-jāʾahum rasūlun karīm — and a noble and honoured Messenger came to them.
Translation: — And certainly We tested before them the people of Pharaoh, and a noble Messenger (i.e. Sayyidunā Mūsā, upon him be peace) came to them.
Verse 18
أَنْ أَدُّوا إِلَيَّ عِبَادَ اللَّهِ إِنِّي لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ
An addū ilayya ʿibāda Allāhi innī lakum rasūlun amīn.
"Saying: 'Deliver to me the servants of Allah — indeed, I am to you a trustworthy Messenger.'" (al-Dukhān 44:18)
An addū ilayya ʿibāda Allāh — hand over to me Allah's servants, i.e. Banī Isrāʾīl — innī lakum rasūlun amīn — indeed I am a trustworthy Messenger for you — I am sent to convey the commands of Allah — and without doubt I am a trusted Messenger for you.
Translation: — That he said: Hand over Allah's servants to my care — I am a trustworthy Messenger for you.
Verse 19
وَأَن لَّا تَعْلُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ إِنِّي آتِيكُم بِسُلْطَانٍ مُّبِينٍ
Wa-an lā taʿlū ʿalā Allāhi innī ātīkum bi-sulṭānin mubīn.
"And do not exalt yourselves above Allah — I come to you with clear authority." (al-Dukhān 44:19)
Wa-an lā taʿlū ʿalā Allāh — and do not try to become greater than and superior to Allah — do not be arrogant towards Allah — innī — I have come to you — bi-sulṭānin mubīn — with clear authority — manifest proof and miracles.
Translation: — And do not exalt yourselves over Allah — I have come to you with clear proof and manifest miracles.
Verse 20
وَإِنِّي عُذْتُ بِرَبِّي وَرَبِّكُمْ أَن تَرْجُمُونَ
Wa-innī ʿudtu bi-rabbī wa-rabbikum an tarjumūn.
"And indeed, I have sought refuge with my Lord and your Lord, lest you stone me." (al-Dukhān 44:20)
Wa-innī ʿudtu bi-rabbī wa-rabbikum — and I have taken refuge with my own Lord and your Lord — an tarjumūn — lest you stone me and punish me — take refuge in Allah and do not commit slander and sins.
Translation: — And I have taken refuge in my own Lord and your Lord's protection from your persecution (from stoning).
Verse 21
وَإِن لَّمْ تُؤْمِنُوا لِي فَاعْتَزِلُونِ
Wa-in lam tuʾminū lī fa-ʿtazilūn.
"And if you do not believe me, then withdraw from me." (al-Dukhān 44:21)
Wa-in lam tuʾminū lī — and if you do not accept my message, my communication, you do not accept — fa-ʿtazilūn — then withdraw from my presence — stay away — move away from me — depart.
Translation: — And if you do not bring faith in my message, then withdraw from my presence — move away from me.
Verse 22
فَدَعَا رَبَّهُ أَنَّ هَؤُلَاءِ قَوْمٌ مُجْرِمُونَ
Fa-daʿā rabbahu anna hāʾulāʾi qawmun mujrimūn.
"Then he called upon his Lord: 'Indeed, these are a criminal people.'" (al-Dukhān 44:22)
Fa-daʿā rabbah — then Mūsā (upon him be peace) supplicated to his Lord — anna hāʾulāʾi qawmun mujrimūn — these people are indeed criminals — they are perpetrators of wickedness — evildoers.
Translation: — Then he supplicated to his Lord (saying): that these people are indeed criminals and evildoers.
Verse 23
فَأَسْرِ بِعِبَادِي لَيْلًا إِنَّكُمْ مُتَّبَعُونَ
Fa-asri bi-ʿibādī laylan innakum muttabaʿūn.
"So travel by night with My servants — indeed, you are being followed." (al-Dukhān 44:23)
Fa-asri bi-ʿibādī laylā — then Allah the Exalted gave the command: travel with My servants at night — take them out at night — innakum muttabaʿūn — indeed Pharaoh's people will pursue you and follow behind you.
Translation: — Then travel out at night with My servants — Pharaoh's people will pursue you.
Verse 24
وَاتْرُكِ الْبَحْرَ رَهْوًا إِنَّهُمْ جُندٌ مُّغْرَقُونَ
Wa-truki al-baḥra rahwan innahum junduun mughraqūn.
"And leave the sea parted — indeed, they are an army that will be drowned." (al-Dukhān 44:24)
Wa-truki al-baḥra rahwā — and leave the sea parted, remaining still and calm — innahum junduun mughraqūn — indeed the entire army of Pharaoh will drown.
Translation: — And leave the sea calm and still — indeed the entire army will certainly drown.
Verses 25–28 — What Pharaoh's People Left Behind
كَمْ تَرَكُوا مِن جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ
Kam tarakū min jannātin wa-ʿuyūn.
"How much they left behind of gardens and springs!" (al-Dukhān 44:25)
Kam tarakū — how many things they left behind — min jannātin wa-ʿuyūn — of gardens and springs — orchards and fountains.
Translation: — How many gardens and fountains they abandoned.
وَزُرُوعٍ وَمَقَامٍ كَرِيمٍ
Wa-zurūʿin wa-maqāmin karīm.
"And crops and a noble station!" (al-Dukhān 44:26)
Wa-zurūʿ — and farms and agricultural land — wa-maqāmin karīm — and a goodly and honourable place of residence.
Translation: — And farms and an honourable place of residence.
وَنَعْمَةٍ كَانُوا فِيهَا فَاكِهِينَ
Wa-niʿmatin kānū fīhā fākihīn.
"And comfort in which they used to take delight!" (al-Dukhān 44:27)
Wa-niʿma — and comfort and ease — kānū fīhā fākihīn — they used to take delight in them — the produce and fruits — they were enjoying themselves. Such situations used to arise — they enjoyed them.
Translation: — And all that comfort and enjoyment (they abandoned).
كَذَلِكَ وَأَوْرَثْنَاهَا قَوْمًا آخَرِينَ
Kadhālika wa-awrathnāhā qawman ākharīn.
"Thus it was, and We made another people inherit them." (al-Dukhān 44:28)
Kadhālika — thus it was — wa-awrathnāhā qawman ākharīn — and We made another people the heirs and owners of all of this.
Translation: — Thus it was, and We made other peoples the heirs and owners of all of this.
Verse 29
فَمَا بَكَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّمَاءُ وَالْأَرْضُ وَمَا كَانُوا مُنظَرِينَ
Fa-mā bakat ʿalayhimu al-samāʾu wa-l-arḍu wa-mā kānū munẓarīn.
"And neither heaven nor earth wept for them, nor were they given any respite." (al-Dukhān 44:29)
Fa-mā bakat ʿalayhimu al-samāʾ — then neither the sky wept for them — nor did the earth — nor did any person come to them — nor did any angel — wa-mā kānū munẓarīn — and when the time came they were not even given a moment's delay — no respite was granted to them — and no further delay was required of them.
Translation: — Then neither the sky nor the earth wept for them, nor was any further delay granted to them.
Verse 30
وَلَقَدْ نَجَّيْنَا بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ مِنَ الْعَذَابِ الْمُهِينِ
Wa-laqad najjaynā banī isrāʾīla min al-ʿadhābi al-muhīn.
"And We certainly saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment." (al-Dukhān 44:30)
Wa-laqad najjaynā — and We indeed certainly gave salvation — banī isrāʾīl — to the Children of Israel — min al-ʿadhābi al-muhīn — from the torment of humiliation and degradation —
and We saved them from the punishment that carried humiliation and degradation.
Translation: — And We certainly rescued the Children of Israel from the humiliating and degrading torment.
Verse 31
مِن فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُ كَانَ عَالِيًا مِّنَ الْمُسْرِفِينَ
Min firʿawna innahu kāna ʿāliyān mina al-musrifīn.
"From Pharaoh — indeed, he was a lofty one among the transgressors." (al-Dukhān 44:31)
Min firʿawn — from Pharaoh — he was indeed the one who was giving humiliating torment to Banī Isrāʾīl and the people of Pharaoh — innahu kāna ʿāliyan — indeed, he was very arrogant, excessively so — mina al-musrifīn — from those who exceed all limits and go beyond all bounds — the transgressors.
Translation: — From Pharaoh — indeed he was extremely arrogant and among those who exceed all limits.
Verse 32
وَلَقَدِ اخْتَرْنَاهُمْ عَلَى عِلْمٍ عَلَى الْعَالَمِينَ
Wa-laqadi ikhtarnāhum ʿalā ʿilmin ʿalā al-ʿālamīn.
"And We chose them, out of knowledge, above all the worlds (of their time)." (al-Dukhān 44:32)
Wa-laqadi ikhtarnāhum — and We certainly chose the Children of Israel — We gave them preference — ʿalā ʿilm — on account of knowledge — ʿalā al-ʿālamīn — above all people — this refers to the people of that particular age who were outside the fold — that is, this word is used for the people of that specific era. When Banī Isrāʾīl accepted the Sharīʿa of Mūsā and had not yet abandoned their nobility.
Translation: — And We certainly preferred them on account of knowledge above all the people of their age.
Verse 33
وَآتَيْنَاهُم مِّنَ الْآيَاتِ مَا فِيهِ بَلَاءٌ مُّبِينٌ
Wa-ātaynāhum mina al-āyāti mā fīhi balāʾun mubīn.
"And We gave them of the signs that in which there is a clear trial." (al-Dukhān 44:33)
Wa-ātaynāhum — and We gave them — mina al-āyāt — from signs and tokens — mā fīhi balāʾun mubīn — that which carries a manifest test and trial — one in which test and trial is evident.
Translation: — And We gave them signs and tokens in which there was a manifest test and trial.
Verse 34
إِنَّ هَؤُلَاءِ لَيَقُولُونَ
Inna hāʾulāʾi la-yaqūlūn.
"Indeed, these people are certainly saying —" (al-Dukhān 44:34)
Inna hāʾulāʾi la-yaqūlūn — indeed these people are certainly saying — they are certainly speaking.
Translation: — Indeed, these people are certainly saying —
Verse 35
إِنْ هِيَ إِلَّا مَوْتَتُنَا الْأُولَى وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمُنشَرِينَ
In hiya illā mawtatunā al-ūlā wa-mā naḥnu bi-munshirīn.
"There is nothing but our first death, and we will not be resurrected." (al-Dukhān 44:35)
In hiya illā mawtatunā al-ūlā — there is nothing but the first death — we die and are born again — death is only the one death — wa-mā naḥnu bi-munshirīn — and we will never be resurrected again — we will never be anything.
Translation: — Death is only this first death — and we will never be resurrected again.
Verse 36
فَأْتُوا بِآبَائِنَا إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ
Fa'tū bi-ābāʾinā in kuntum ṣādiqīn.
"Then bring back our forefathers, if you are truthful." (al-Dukhān 44:36)
Fa'tū bi-ābāʾinā — it is their pretext: bring back our forefathers — bring back our ancestors — in kuntum ṣādiqīn — if you are truthful — a false argument.
Translation: — If you are truthful, bring back our forefathers and ancestors.
Verse 37
أَهُمْ خَيْرٌ أَمْ قَوْمُ تُبَّعٍ وَالَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ أَهْلَكْنَاهُمْ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا مُجْرِمِينَ
A-hum khayrun am qawmu tubbaʿin wa-lladhīna min qablihim ahlaknāhum innahum kānū mujrimīn.
"Are they better, or the people of Tubbaʿ and those before them whom We destroyed — indeed, they were criminals." (al-Dukhān 44:37)
A-hum khayrun — are these people better — am qawmu tubbaʿ — or the people of Tubbaʿ — a very powerful nation — Tubbaʿ was a very powerful Yemeni king — and generally those were the people of Banī Ismāʿīl — and those people who came before them — ahlaknāhum — We destroyed them — innahum kānū mujrimīn — because they were great criminals, evildoers.
Translation: — Are these people better than the people of Tubbaʿ and the nations that came before them? We destroyed them all because they were criminals.
Verse 38
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَاعِبِينَ
Wa-mā khalaqnā al-samāwāti wa-l-arḍa wa-mā baynahumā lāʿibīn.
"And We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them in play." (al-Dukhān 44:38)
Wa-mā khalaqnā al-samāwāt wa-l-arḍ — and We did not create the heavens and the earth — wa-mā baynahumā — and whatever is between them — lāʿibīn — in play, as a game — frivolously and in vain — it is not vain.
Translation: — And We did not create the heavens, the earth, and all between them as a game (it is not without purpose or vain).
Verse 39
مَا خَلَقْنَاهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
Mā khalaqnāhumā illā bi-l-ḥaqqi wa-lākinna aktharahum lā yaʿlamūn.
"We created them both only for a rightful purpose — but most of them do not know." (al-Dukhān 44:39)
Mā khalaqnāhumā illā bi-l-ḥaqq — We created the heavens and the earth only for a purpose — with a rightful end — in the most perfectly proper way — wa-lākinna aktharahum lā yaʿlamūn — but most people are ignorant of this — they are unaware — they do not know anything.
Translation: — We created both of them for a rightful purpose and with rightness — but most people (having no knowledge) know nothing of it.
Verse 40
إِنَّ يَوْمَ الْفَصْلِ مِيقَاتُهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَ
Inna yawma al-faṣli mīqātuhum ajmaʿīn.
"Indeed, the Day of Decision is the appointed time for all of them." (al-Dukhān 44:40)
Inna yawma al-faṣl — indeed, certainly, without doubt — the Day of Decision is the Day of Resurrection — mīqātuhum ajmaʿīn — it is the gathering place, the appointed time for all of them — the Day of Resurrection is the appointed time for all —
and on that Day of Resurrection will be the decision for all of them.
Translation: — Indeed, the Day of Resurrection is certainly the appointed time for them all.
Verse 41
يَوْمَ لَا يُغْنِي مَوْلًى عَن مَّوْلًى شَيْئًا وَلَا هُمْ يُنصَرُونَ
Yawma lā yughnī mawlā ʿan mawlā shay'an wa-lā hum yunṣarūn.
"The Day when no close friend will avail a friend at all, nor will they be helped." (al-Dukhān 44:41)
Yawma lā yughnī — that Day on which nothing will avail — mawlā ʿan mawlā shay'ā — no close friend, no patron, no companion will be of any use — wa-lā hum yunṣarūn — and no victory or help of any kind will come to them — no rescue and no aid.
Translation: — That Day on which no friend will be of any use, nor will any help come.
Verse 42
إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ اللَّهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الرَّحِيمُ
Illā man raḥima Allāhu innahu huwa al-ʿazīzu al-raḥīm.
"Except those whom Allah shows mercy — indeed, He is the Mighty, the Merciful." (al-Dukhān 44:42)
Illā man raḥima Allāh — except the one upon whom Allah has mercy — innahu huwa al-ʿazīz al-raḥīm — without doubt He is extremely powerful and merciful — He is the All-Mighty, the All-Merciful.
Translation: — Except the one upon whom Allah certainly bestows mercy — for He is certainly the All-Mighty and All-Merciful.
Verses 43–50 — The Tree of Zaqqūm
إِنَّ شَجَرَتَ الزَّقُّومِ
Inna shajarata al-zaqqūm.
"Indeed, the tree of Zaqqūm —" (al-Dukhān 44:43)
Inna shajarata — certainly, without doubt — the tree — al-zaqqūm — the Zaqqūm tree — like a thorny prickle — a serpentine thorny plant.
Translation: — Indeed, without doubt, the Zaqqūm tree —
طَعَامُ الْأَثِيمِ
Ṭaʿāmu al-athīm.
"Is the food of the sinful one." (al-Dukhān 44:44)
Ṭaʿām — food — al-athīm — the deeply sinful one — the criminal, the disbeliever.
Translation: — Is the food of the sinful and criminal.
كَالْمُهْلِ يَغْلِي فِي الْبُطُونِ
Ka-l-muhli yaghly fī al-buṭūn.
"Like molten metal — seething in the bellies." (al-Dukhān 44:45)
Ka-l-muhl — like molten lava — yaghly fī al-buṭūn — seething in the bellies, boiling within — erupting.
Translation: — Like molten lava that will boil and seethe in the bellies (erupting).
كَغَلْيِ الْحَمِيمِ
Ka-ghalyi al-ḥamīm.
"Like the boiling of scalding water." (al-Dukhān 44:46)
Kaghaly — to drink and eat — to boil — al-ḥamīm — scalding water — very hot water.
Translation: — Like the boiling of scalding hot water.
خُذُوهُ فَاعْتِلُوهُ إِلَى سَوَاءِ الْجَحِيمِ
Khudhūhu fa-ʿtilūhu ilā sawāʾi al-jaḥīm.
"Seize him and drag him into the midst of Hellfire." (al-Dukhān 44:47)
Khudhūhu — Allah the Exalted will command the angels: seize this sinner — fa-ʿtilūhu — then drag him along — ilā sawāʾi al-jaḥīm — into the very middle of the Fire of Hell.
Translation: — Seize him and drag him away — lead him right into the middle of Hell.
ثُمَّ صُبُّوا فَوْقَ رَأْسِهِ مِنْ عَذَابِ الْحَمِيمِ
Thumma ṣubbū fawqa ra'sihi min ʿadhābi al-ḥamīm.
"Then pour over his head from the torment of boiling water." (al-Dukhān 44:48)
Thumma ṣubbū — then pour — fawqa ra'sihi — over his head — min ʿadhābi al-ḥamīm — from the torment of scalding water.
Translation: — Then pour the scalding water over his head as torment.
ذُقْ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْكَرِيمُ
Dhuq innaka anta al-ʿazīzu al-karīm.
"Taste — indeed, you are the mighty, the noble one!" (al-Dukhān 44:49)
Dhuq — now taste, try some — innaka anta al-ʿazīz al-karīm — indeed you are the one of great power and dignity and pride — you regarded yourself as very powerful and dignified and noble in the world.
Translation: — Taste — you considered yourself very powerful and dignified and noble.
إِنَّ هَذَا مَا كُنتُم بِهِ تَمْتَرُونَ
Inna hādhā mā kuntum bihi tamtarūn.
"Indeed, this is what you used to doubt." (al-Dukhān 44:50)
Inna hādhā — indeed without doubt this — mā kuntum bihi tamtarūn — is what you used to doubt — you were in doubt about it.
Translation: — Indeed, this is certainly what you used to doubt.
Verses 51–57 — The Reward of the God-Fearing
إِنَّ الْمُتَّقِينَ فِي مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍ
Inna al-muttaqīna fī maqāmin amīn.
"Indeed, the God-fearing will be in a secure place." (al-Dukhān 44:51)
Inna al-muttaqīn — indeed, certainly, the God-fearing and righteous — fī maqāmin amīn — in a secure and peaceful place — a place of peace and security.
Translation: — Indeed, the God-fearing will certainly be in a peaceful and secure place.
فِي جَنَّاتٍ وَعُيُونٍ
Fī jannātin wa-ʿuyūn.
"In gardens and springs." (al-Dukhān 44:52)
Fī jannāt — in gardens — wa-ʿuyūn — and springs.
Translation: — In gardens and springs.
يَلْبَسُونَ مِن سُندُسٍ وَإِسْتَبْرَقٍ مُتَقَابِلِينَ
Yalbasūna min sundusin wa-istabraqin mutaqābilīn.
"Dressed in fine silk and heavy brocade, facing one another." (al-Dukhān 44:53)
Yalbasūna — they will be dressed — their garments will be — min sundus — fine light silk — wa-istabraq — and thick heavy brocade — fine silk garments and thick brocade garments — mutaqābilīn — facing one another — they will be seated opposite each other, face to face.
Translation: — They will be dressed in fine silk and thick brocade garments, seated facing one another.
كَذَلِكَ وَزَوَّجْنَاهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍ
Kadhālika wa-zawwajnāhum bi-ḥūrin ʿīn.
"Thus — and We will wed them to wide-eyed maidens." (al-Dukhān 44:54)
Kadhālika — thus — wa-zawwajnāhum — and We have betrothed and married them — bi-ḥūrin ʿīn — to the ḥūr al-ʿīn — wide-eyed maidens of Paradise — ḥūr — being the plural of ḥawrāʾ — a woman with bright large eyes — a woman whose wide large eyes are very beautiful — ʿīn — the singular being ʿaynāʾ — a beautiful woman — ḥūr in Urdu is used as a singular noun (for one maiden).
Translation: — And We will wed them to the ḥūr al-ʿīn — the beautiful wide-eyed maidens.
يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِكُلِّ فَاكِهَةٍ آمِنِينَ
Yadʿūna fīhā bi-kulli fākihatin āminīn.
"They will call therein for every fruit, in security." (al-Dukhān 44:55)
Yadʿūna fīhā — they will call, ordering in Paradise — bi-kulli fākihatin — all kinds of fruit — āminīn — in peace and security — in complete freedom from anxiety and worry.
Translation: — In it (Paradise) they will order every kind of fruit in complete security and freedom from worry.
لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا الْمَوْتَ إِلَّا الْمَوْتَةَ الْأُولَى وَوَقَاهُمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيمِ
Lā yadhūqūna fīhā al-mawta illā al-mawwata al-ūlā wa-waqāhum ʿadhāba al-jaḥīm.
"They will not taste death therein except the first death, and He will protect them from the torment of Hellfire." (al-Dukhān 44:56)
Lā yadhūqūna fīhā al-mawt — in Paradise there is no death — no flavour of death — illā al-mawwata al-ūlā — but the first death of the world — we die in this world and only once — then again they will come to Paradise — then they will no longer be brought back — no second death will come — wa-waqāhum — and Allah has protected them — ʿadhāba al-jaḥīm — from the torment of Hell.
Translation: — In Paradise there is no death save only this first death of the world — and Allah has protected them from the torment of Hellfire.
فَضْلًا مِّن رَّبِّكَ ذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
Faḍlan min rabbika dhālika huwa al-fawzu al-ʿaẓīm.
"As a bounty from your Lord — that is the supreme achievement." (al-Dukhān 44:57)
Faḍlan min rabbika — all this is the grace and bounty of your Lord — dhālika huwa al-fawzu al-ʿaẓīm — this is the great achievement and the supreme attainment — this is indeed the great success.
Translation: — This is all the grace and bounty of your Lord — and this is indeed the supreme achievement and great success.
Verse 58 — The Qur'an Made Easy
فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَاهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ
Fa-innamā yassarnāhu bi-lisānika laʿallahum yatadhakkarūn.
"Indeed, We have made it easy in your tongue so that they may take heed." (al-Dukhān 44:58)
Fa-innamā yassarnāhu — then indeed We have made this (the Qur'an) easy — by the tongue of the Prophet ﷺ — We have made it easy in your tongue, in your language — so that people accept it — laʿallahum yatadhakkarūn — so that they take advice — so they accept it — may they accept our admonition.
Translation: — Then indeed We made it (the Qur'an) easy in your language so that they accept some admonition.
Verse 59 — Closing Verse of Sūrat al-Dukhān
فَارْتَقِبْ إِنَّهُمْ مُرْتَقِبُونَ
Fa-rtaqib innahum murtaqibūn.
"So wait — indeed, they too are waiting." (al-Dukhān 44:59)
Fa-rtaqib — then you wait — innahum murtaqibūn — they too are watching and waiting — death is coming — the Resurrection is coming — we are also waiting for them — they wait too.
Translation: — Then you also wait — they too are waiting.