Sūrat al-Burūj

سورۃ البروج

Sūrat al-Burūj — revealed in Makka — it has twenty-two (22) verses.

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

وَالسَّمَاءِ ذَاتِ الْبُرُوجِ

wa-l-samāʾi dhāti l-burūj.

"By the heaven holding the great constellations." (al-Burūj 85:1)

Wa-l-samāʾi — by the sky, by the heaven — I bear witness by the sky, I shall testify by giving the sky as evidence. Samāʾ has the meaning of loftiness — also sometimes called the sky. Dhāt — the possessor of — the feminine possessive pronoun. Al-burūj — the constellations — burj — the mount — dhāti l-burūj — the one that has constellations; the possessor of constellations — the sky in which there are twelve (12) constellations:

(1) Ḥamal (2) Thawr (3) Jawzāʾ (4) Saraṭān (5) Asad (6) Sunbula (7) Mīzān (8) ʿAqrab (9) Qaws (10) Jadī (11) Dalw (12) Ḥūt.

Translation: "And by that sky in which there are constellations (those settled with stars)."

It shall testify with its own tongue that dying in this world is right — the sky is undergoing revolutions — every day the sun rises and its fight with the stars is going on — and the stars who are companions of the sun daily become weary — it is not known what will happen to all these countless stars in the end — Ākhir tū ākhir — ākhir tū ākhir!

وَالْيَوْمِ الْمَوْعُودِ

wa-l-yawmi l-mawʿūd.

"And by the Promised Day." (al-Burūj 85:2)

Wa — and. Al-yawma — the day, the occasion. Al-mawʿūdi — the Promised — the day for which a promise was made — that is Qiyāma — the Day of Judgement shall certainly come.

Translation: "And by the day that was promised (that is, Qiyāma shall certainly come)."

In Qiyāma — what will happen? All shall be present — some will be spectators.

وَشَاهِدٍ وَمَشْهُودٍ

wa-shāhidin wa-mashhūd.

"And by the witness and the witnessed." (al-Burūj 85:3)

Shāhid — the one giving testimony, the observer — witnessing and giving testimony is going on in this world — he is a ruler too and a subject too — the witness of all those things whose testimony is given — and those also that are witnessed — God is also a witness and present — and the Almighty watchful presence of God is present over every good and bad person too.

قُتِلَ أَصْحَابُ الْأُخْدُودِ

qutila aṣḥābu l-ukhdūd.

"Accursed were the makers of the trench." (al-Burūj 85:4)

Qutila — were killed, were destroyed — māra ḍāle gaye — they were eliminated. Al-ukhdūd — a trench — laṃbī khaī — a long pit — taking the ukhdūd, the collecting of Aṣḥābu l-Ukhdūd, the trench-makers. Fa-aṣḥābu l-ukhdūd — the trench-makers — those who dig the trench. There was a wicked king who would throw the believers into a fire in a trench.

Translation: "Accursed were the trench-makers — (they were executed by God)."

النَّارِ ذَاتِ الْوَقُودِ

al-nāri dhāti l-waqūd.

"The fire of abundant fuel." (al-Burūj 85:5)

Al-nāri — the fire — light is apparent in fire and the fire is also lit from it — he would keep the trench filled with fire. Dhāti l-waqūdi — having fuel and becoming ignited and blazing — waqada — yaqida — waqūd — the thing by which fire burns — awqada — yūqidu — to make a fire burn, to ignite — that which is set alight — dhū māl is the possessive form — and dhāt māl is the feminine form for a man of wealth and beauty.

Translation: "The trench-makers (those who used to put people into the fire) filled it with the fuel of fire (of the flame-zoned people)."

Friends! In times past the Muslims were thrown into fire — but they would not return from Islam. In our era the (temporal) difficulties are a little different — but we are fleeing from Islam — just one day of dying is there — to die is just one time — the world passes in a little difficulty — it is a little painful — just wait until you are dying, no complete difficulty shall come — no one shall die more than once — there are those beneath us who are dying — and also above us. We are easy victims of dying. Death — God is present and Allah and His Messenger are the source of increase for him who has died for them.

Utar kar maut kī gahtī jā ko e jānān tak ÷ taqāẓā rāt din hay mujh se meray shauq be ḥadd kā (Ḥasrat)

The story of Aṣḥāb al-Ukhdūd is a fine example of the witness and the witnessed — God is watching and seeing what is going on — and also presenting the matter before us. Meaning: we have described that He will recompense the good and chastise the wicked. So what is the thing of fear? Phir kyā chīz kā khauf hay — then what is there to fear?

إِذْ هُمْ عَلَيْهَا قُعُودٌ

idh hum ʿalayhā quʿūd.

"When they sat beside it." (al-Burūj 85:6)

Idh hum — when those people. ʿAlayhā — upon those trenches. Quʿūd — seated — the gathering is of the group — qāʿid — those who are seated. They would be seated by these pits of fire and push the Muslims into the fire — yet these believing Muslims would not turn from Islam.

Translation: "When they (the trench-makers) were seated beside them (the pits of fire)."

وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَفْعَلُونَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ شُهُودٌ

wa-hum ʿalā mā yafʿalūna bi-l-muʾminīna shuhūd.

"And they were witnesses to what they were doing to the believers." (al-Burūj 85:7)

Wa-hum — and they. ʿAlā mā yafʿalūna bi-l-muʾminīna — upon the difficulties they were giving to the Muslim believers, upon those hardships passing by the Muslims — they were watching. Shuhūd — witnesses, observers — who are the witnesses? The believers were being pushed into the fire while faithful Muslims were pushing other faithful Muslims into the fire — yet they would not return from Islam.

Translation: "And they are watching (the kuffār) what they are doing alongside them (the believers)."

وَمَا نَقَمُوا مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا أَن يُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَمِيدِ

wa-mā naqamū minhum illā an yuʾminū bi-llāhi l-ʿazīzi l-ḥamīd.

"And they took revenge upon them for naught but that they believed in Allah, the Almighty, the All-Praiseworthy." (al-Burūj 85:8)

Wa-mā naqamū — and they took no fault — no fault was found with them. Minhum — in them — among them. Illā — except. An yuʾminū bi-llāhi — but that they believed in God — bilLāh — in God. Al-ʿazīzu — the Mighty God; the Almighty — powerful, dominant. Al-ḥamīd — the Praiseworthy — worthy of praise, deserving of commendation, the Praiseworthy.

Translation: "And in these Muslims no fault was found — except that they have faith in God (who is) the Almighty, the Praiseworthy."

الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ

alladhī lahu mulku l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi wa-llāhu ʿalā kulli shayʾin shahīd.

"He to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Witness over all things." (al-Burūj 85:9)

Ayya llāhi — that God — alladhī — who. Lahu l-mulku l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — to Him belongs the sovereignty — the sovereignty of the heavens and earth is His. Wa-llāhu — and Allah. ʿAlā kulli shayʾin — upon every thing, upon every object, upon every thing. Shahīd — a witness, an observer — God is aware — of every thing God is fully present — every thing is before Him — and He is present and aware of everything everywhere.

Translation: "That God whose sovereignty it is of the heavens and earth — and Allah is a witness over every thing."

To this the continuation of the series was going on — what is the answer to this kind of question? Some say: Qatala Aṣḥābu l-Ukhdūdi dhāla l-akhura — meaning the last (punishment) is there — and Qatala fa-inna l-ladhīna fatanū ilā l-ākhira — and a partial example is here — and shāhid and mashhūd — this verse — both are interconnected and shāhid here is a testimony — and the testimony is with regard to one another.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَتَنُوا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَتُوبُوا فَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ الْحَرِيقِ

inna l-ladhīna fatanū l-muʾminīna wa-l-muʾmināti thumma lam yatūbū fa-lahum ʿadhābu jahannama wa-lahum ʿadhābu l-ḥarīq.

"Indeed those who persecuted the believing men and believing women and then did not repent — for them is the chastisement of Hell, and for them is the chastisement of burning." (al-Burūj 85:10)

Inna l-ladhīna fatanū — without doubt those people who inflicted trials and persecution — fatanū — fitan — to afflict, to send affliction — fakun — al-muʾminīna wa-l-muʾmināti — the believing men and the believing Muslim women — to them they gave afflictions, they sent persecution. Thumma lam yatūbū — then they did not repent — fa-tawba was not even given to them — and no one repented. Fa-lahum ʿadhābu jahannama — so for them is the punishment of Hell, the punishment of Fire — Hellfire. Wa-lahum ʿadhābu l-ḥarīq — and for them is the punishment of burning fire, burning suffering.

Translation: "Those people who inflicted trials upon believing men and women (and tortured them) — then they did not even repent — so for them is the punishment of Hell and the punishment of the burning fire."

Well! This is the end of the disbelievers and the wicked — what was the end of the unbelievers and the wicked?

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْكَبِيرُ

inna l-ladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti lahum jannātun tajrī min taḥtihā l-anhāru dhālika l-fawzu l-kabīr.

"Indeed those who believed and did righteous deeds — for them are Gardens beneath which rivers flow — that is the great triumph." (al-Burūj 85:11)

Inna l-ladhīna āmanū — without doubt those people who bring faith — believers, Muslims. Wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti — and what righteous deed did they do? Lahum jannātun — then for them are Gardens, Gardens. Tajrī min taḥtihā l-anhāru — beneath which rivers flow — in that Garden whose rivers flow below — the water shall be plentiful, shall flow. Dhālik — and this — what is it? Al-fawzu — success — the attaining of the goal. Al-kabīr — great — dhālika l-fawzu l-kabīr — this indeed is the great success.

Translation: "Without doubt those people who bring faith and do righteous deeds — for them are such Gardens beneath which rivers are flowing — this is the great success."

إِنَّ بَطْشَ رَبِّكَ لَشَدِيدٌ

inna baṭsha rabbika la-shadīd.

"Indeed the grip of your Lord is most severe." (al-Burūj 85:12)

Inna baṭsha rabbika — without doubt the grip of your Lord. Baṭsha — baṭsha, baṭash — to seize, to grab — yabṭishu — baṭshā — gripping, seizing, grabbing. La-shadīdun — the al-bayt al-takht is severe, intense.

Translation: "Without doubt your Lord's grip is very severe."

God has no delay but does give some respite — but finally when He seizes, then the situation becomes utterly helpless.

إِنَّهُ هُوَ يُبْدِئُ وَيُعِيدُ

innahu huwa yubdiʾu wa-yuʿīd.

"Indeed He it is Who originates and repeats." (al-Burūj 85:13)

Innahu hūwa — without doubt He — Himself. Yubdiʾu — originator — ibtidāʾ — to create, to bring into being. Wa-yuʿīdu — and He shall bring back — and He shall also create again — aʿāda, yuʿīdu — iʿādāt — aʿāda — to bring back, to re-create. And where shall it go from God — one day to die and then to be born again — to die again and God gives the answer.

Translation: "He Himself originates creation and shall originate it again (at the time of Qiyāma)."

وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الْوَدُودُ

wa-huwa l-ghafūru l-wadūd.

"And He is the All-Forgiving, the All-Loving." (al-Burūj 85:14)

Wa-huwa l-ghafūru — and He is the one who covers over sins, the Concealer — He pardons and covers. Al-wadūdu — the Loving — the one who loves. Wadd, wudd — love — love, affection — wadada — meaning love, to love.

Translation: "And He is the One who grants forgiveness and He is also the One who loves."

People! Alas — to turn away from such a God who loves us and is also a forgiver? Just look at the power of this Almighty!

ذُو الْعَرْشِ الْمَجِيدُ

dhū l-ʿarshi l-majīd.

"Lord of the Glorious Throne." (al-Burūj 85:15)

Dhū l-ʿarshi — the possessor of the Throne — al-Majīd — the Glorious; great — al-Majīd — mabgha-e taʿrīf ke qābil — worthy of high praise; greatness.

Translation: "(He is) the possessor of the Great Throne (the possessor of the grandeur of the Almighty authority) and the most Great."

فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ

faʿʿālun li-mā yurīd.

"The Doer of whatever He wills." (al-Burūj 85:16)

Faʿʿāl — the great doer, the one who accomplishes many things — limā yurīdu — whatever He wishes. Arāda — yurīdu — irādat — wishing, will, desiring, intending.

Translation: "He is the one who does whatever He wishes."

هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ الْجُنُودِ

hal atāka ḥadīthu l-junūd.

"Has the account of the hosts reached you?" (al-Burūj 85:17)

Hal atāka — has it reached you, is it known to you? Ḥadīthu l-junūdi — the accounts of the armies — the state and condition of the armies — ḥadīth — account, information, narrative. Junūd — armies — a new, large gathering of troops — jund.

Translation: "Has the account of the armies reached you?"

The reply is:

فِرْعَوْنَ وَثَمُودَ

Firʿawna wa-Thamūd.

"Of Pharaoh and of Thamūd." (al-Burūj 85:18)

Translation: "That is, the account of Pharaoh and Thamūd."

بَلِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي تَكْذِيبٍ

bal al-ladhīna kafarū fī takdhīb.

"But those who disbelieve are in (persistent) denial." (al-Burūj 85:19)

Bal al-ladhīna — rather those people who. Kafarū — are disbelievers, are deniers — they do not accept, they deny — they are in denial — what do they think? Fī takdhībi — in denial and in accusation — what is it they accept? The disbelievers (the Qurʾān and the Prophet's) denial and their accusation of him — what do they think from this? The disbelievers shall face their consequence — God's hand shall never let them go wherever they flee.

Translation: "Rather these disbelievers (the infidels) are active in denial and accusation of him (the Prophet)."

وَاللَّهُ مِن وَرَائِهِم مُّحِيطٌ

wa-llāhu min warāʾihim muḥīṭ.

"And Allah encompasses them from behind." (al-Burūj 85:20)

Wa-llāhu — and Allah. Min warāʾihim — from behind them — from this side and from that side. Muḥīṭun — One who encompasses — He has surrounded them, He has encircled them.

Translation: "And Allah has encompassed them from every side."

بَلْ هُوَ قُرْآنٌ مَّجِيدٌ

bal huwa qurʾānun majīd.

"Rather, it is a Glorious Qurʾān." (al-Burūj 85:21)

Bal hūwa qurʾān — rather it is the Qurʾān — it is the soul of faith — it is worthy and deserving of faith. Majīdun — the Glorious — great and worthy of utmost reverence — full of majesty and grandeur, with great dignity and glory.

Translation: "Rather it (the Qurʾān) is glorious — (full of dignity and glory)."

فِي لَوْحٍ مَّحْفُوظٍ

fī lawḥin maḥfūẓ.

"In a Preserved Tablet." (al-Burūj 85:22)

Fī lawḥin — in the tablet — this is the umm al-alwāḥ. Maḥfūẓun — it is preserved — preservation has been effected — protection from any interference, from any tampering. Someone who manages it — a certain type of person writes what they wish — and that person calls this the Qurʾān — and fī lawḥin maḥfūẓ — it is in the Preserved Tablet. The Preserved Tablet — lawḥ maḥfūẓ kiyā hay — this is the beginning of divine knowledge — then the ʿāwālam-e ʿulwī (higher worlds) — then the memory of our friends — some friends who saw the full world as an example, and looked and saw the colours of the thrones inscribed — and as if written with the gold pen — and it is written here.

Translation: "(The Glorious Qurʾān) is in the Preserved Tablet."

This is the Preserved Tablet — lawḥ maḥfūẓ kiyā hay — this is the beginning of divine knowledge — lawḥ maḥfūẓ is beginning from the divine origin — then the ʿawālam-e ʿulwī — then in the memories of our friends (ḥāfiẓ) — it is settled in their hearts.

They sit beside the pits of fire and compel the believers to enter them. They drag the believers to the fire and watch — but however much they look, they do not turn away from Islām.

Translation: When they sit on the edge of those very pits.

وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَفْعَلُونَ بِالْمُؤْمِنِينَ شُهُودٌ

wa-hum ʿalā mā yafʿalūna bi-l-muʾminīna shuhūd.

"And they were witnesses over what they did to the believers." (al-Burūj 85:7)

Wa-hum — and they. ʿAlā mā yafʿalūna — over what they were doing; the torments they were inflicting on the Muslim men and women. Bi-l-muʾminīn — upon the believers, the Muslims. Shuhūd — witnesses, observers; who were looking on. They were watching — who was looking? Muslims were passing before them — and the disbelievers were watching and deriving pleasure from inflicting torments on the Muslims.

Translation: And they were the ones who were watching as they inflicted these torments — together with the believers.

وَمَا نَقَمُوا مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا أَن يُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَمِيدِ

wa-mā naqamū minhum illā an yuʾminū bi-llāhi l-ʿazīzi l-ḥamīd.

"And they did not resent them except because they believed in Allah, the All-Mighty, the Praiseworthy." (al-Burūj 85:8)

Wa-mā naqamū — and they found no fault with them; they had no genuine grievance against them. Minhum — from them. Illā — except. An yuʾminū bi-llāh — that they believed in Allah. And what is Allah? Al-ʿazīz — the Possessor of honour and might, the Overwhelming, the Dominant. Al-ḥamīd — worthy of praise and laudation.

Translation: And those people found no fault with the Muslims whatsoever — except that they believed in Allah (who is the Lord of honour and might, the Praiseworthy).

الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ

alladhī lahu mulku l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi wa-llāhu ʿalā kulli shayʾin shahīd.

"To whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Witness over all things." (al-Burūj 85:9)

Alladhī — He who. Lahu — to Him belongs. Mulku l-samāwāti wa-l-arḍ — the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth; it is His dominion and His kingship. Wa-llāhu — and Allah. ʿAlā kulli shayʾin — over every thing, each and every thing. Shahīd — the Witness, the Overseer; nothing is hidden from Him — He is present everywhere, and His presence encompasses all things, all places.

Translation: He is the one to whom belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, and Allah is Witness over every thing.

Now this is a continuation of the earlier sequence — what is its answer? Some say: Fa-ʿala aḍ-ḍaḥbu dhī l-awārijā — and better still: inna lladhīna āmanu fa-tattaqū fa-aḍḥabu l-awārijā — a single example, and the shuhūd and the witnesses are all associated with one another as mutual testimony.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَتَنُوا الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَتُوبُوا فَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ الْحَرِيقِ

inna lladhīna fatanū l-muʾminīna wa-l-muʾminati thumma lam yatūbū fa-lahum ʿadhābu jahannama wa-lahum ʿadhābu l-ḥarīq.

"Indeed, those who persecuted the believing men and believing women and then did not repent — for them is the punishment of Hell, and for them is the punishment of the Burning Fire." (al-Burūj 85:10)

Inna lladhīna fatanū — beyond doubt those people who put the believers to trial and torment. Al-muʾminīna wa-l-muʾminati — the believing men and the believing Muslim women. Thumma lam yatūbū — and then did not repent; they did not cease from their torments even after this. Fa-lahum ʿadhābu jahannama — so for them is the punishment of Hell, the torment of Jahannam. Wa-lahum ʿadhābu l-ḥarīq — and for them is the punishment of burning fire.

Translation: Those people who put the believing men and women to torment and suffering (inflicting these torments upon them) and then did not repent — for them is the punishment of Hell and the punishment of burning.

Truly! Such is the end of the disbelievers and the evildoers — what an end!

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْكَبِيرُ

inna lladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti lahum jannātun tajrī min taḥtihā l-anhār dhālika l-fawzu l-kabīr.

"Indeed, those who believed and did righteous deeds — for them are Gardens beneath which rivers flow; that is the great triumph." (al-Burūj 85:11)

Inna lladhīna āmanū — beyond doubt those people who brought faith; the believers, the Muslims. Wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāt — and also performed righteous deeds. Lahum jannāt — for them are Gardens, the paradises. Tajrī min taḥtihā l-anhār — beneath which rivers flow; gardens in which streams run with abundant water. Dhālik — that. Al-fawz — success, triumph; fāza, yafūzu, fawzan — to attain the goal. Al-kabīr — great, magnificent.

Translation: Beyond doubt, those who brought faith and performed righteous deeds — for them are Gardens beneath which rivers run, and this is the great triumph.

إِنَّ بَطْشَ رَبِّكَ لَشَدِيدٌ

inna baṭsha rabbika la-shadīd.

"Indeed, the seizure of your Lord is severe." (al-Burūj 85:12)

Inna baṭsha rabbika — beyond doubt, the grip of your Lord. Baṭsh — yaṭbishu, baṭshan — to seize, to grab, to apprehend. La-shadīd — is indeed most severe.

Translation: Indeed, the grip of your Lord is very severe.

Allah does not defer at all — He gives some respite, but at the end when He seizes, then there is no escape.

إِنَّهُ هُوَ يُبْدِئُ وَيُعِيدُ

innahu huwa yubdiʾu wa-yuʿīd.

"Indeed, it is He who originates and restores." (al-Burūj 85:13)

Innahu huwa — indeed He is. Yubdiʾu — He creates, He initiates. Wa-yuʿīd — and He will restore, bring back once more; aʿāda, yuʿīdu — to bring back. Where is there to flee from Him? It is a continuous cycle of dying and being brought back to life — and Allah must be answered to.

Translation: It is He who creates from the beginning and who will recreate (on the Day of Resurrection).

وَهُوَ الْغَفُورُ الْوَدُودُ

wa-huwa l-ghafūru l-wadūd.

"And He is the All-Forgiving, the Loving." (al-Burūj 85:14)

Wa-huwa l-ghafūr — and He is the one who forgives sins, He overlooks them. Al-wadūd — the Loving, the one who shows love and affection. Wadda, yawaddu, wuddā — to love, to feel affection.

Translation: And He is the one who forgives and the one who shows love.

People! Think how it is — a God who shows love and affection, yet turns away from wrongdoers and forgives them? Just look at this power of His.

ذُو الْعَرْشِ الْمَجِيدُ

dhū l-ʿarshi l-majīd.

"Owner of the Throne, the Most Glorious." (al-Burūj 85:15)

Dhū l-ʿarsh — the Owner of the Throne. Al-majīd — the Glorious, the Great; majd — greatness, glory.

Translation: He is the (Lord of supreme governance and authority,) the Owner of the Throne and the Most Glorious.

فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ

faʿʿālun li-mā yurīd.

"Doer of whatever He wills." (al-Burūj 85:16)

Faʿʿāl — the one who does very much. Li-mā yurīd — whatever He wishes. Arāda, yurīdu, irādatan — to wish, to intend, to will.

Translation: He does whatever He wills.

هَلْ أَتَاكَ حَدِيثُ الْجُنُودِ

hal atāka ḥadīthu l-junūd.

"Has there come to you the account of the troops?" (al-Burūj 85:17)

Hal atāka — has it come to you? And did it reach you? Mā l-junūd — the account of the troops; the story of the armies. Ḥadīth — a report, a story, an account. Junūd — armies, troops; plural of jund — a soldier, a troop.

Translation: Has the account of the (heavenly) armies reached you?

The answer follows:

فِرْعَوْنَ وَثَمُودَ

firʿawna wa-thamūd.

"That of Pharaoh and Thamūd?" (al-Burūj 85:18)

Translation: That is, of Pharaoh and Thamūd.

بَلِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي تَكْذِيبٍ

bali lladhīna kafarū fī takdhīb.

"But those who disbelieve are in denial." (al-Burūj 85:19)

Bal — rather. Alladhīna kafarū — these disbelievers. Fī takdhīb — they are immersed in denial and rejection. What do they think? They are occupied in the denial of the Qurʾān and the Prophet ﷺ.

Translation: Rather, these disbelievers are engaged in the denial and rejection (of the Qurʾān and the Prophet ﷺ).

The disbelievers will see the consequence — they will flee where from God's hands.

وَاللَّهُ مِن وَرَائِهِم مُّحِيطٌ

wa-llāhu min warāʾihim muḥīṭ.

"But Allah encompasses them from behind." (al-Burūj 85:20)

Wa-llāhu — and Allah. Min warāʾihim — from behind them, from all sides. Muḥīṭ — encompassing, surrounding, encircling.

Translation: And Allah has surrounded them from all directions.

بَلْ هُوَ قُرْآنٌ مَّجِيدٌ

bal huwa qurʾānun majīd.

"Rather, it is a glorious Qurʾān." (al-Burūj 85:21)

Bal huwa qurʾān — rather it is the Qurʾān; it is worthy of complete faith. Majīd — glorious, majestic, worthy of the highest veneration; filled with great magnificence and splendour.

Translation: Rather, it is the glorious Qurʾān — (filled with honour and magnificence).

فِي لَوْحٍ مَّحْفُوظٍ

fī lawḥin maḥfūẓ.

"In a Preserved Tablet." (al-Burūj 85:22)

Fī lawḥ — in a Tablet; this is the great Tablet. Maḥfūẓ — preserved, protected from any interference, from any distortion, from anyone who plans against it. It is written by such a Person as wills what He wishes — and this Qurʾān is called the Preserved Tablet by Him.

It is preserved from all sides — this is where Divine knowledge begins; from there it passes to the hearts of the noble ḥuffāẓ. Some of our friends have drawn a full analogy for the world — seeing that the lines of the colours of thrones are inscribed there and recorded in gold and silver.

Translation: (It, the glorious Qurʾān, is preserved) in the Preserved Tablet.