Sūrat al-Tīn
سورۃ التین
Sūrat al-Tīn was revealed in Makkah and it contains eight (8) āyāt.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
وَالتِّينِ وَالزَّيْتُونِ
wa-l-tīni wa-l-zaytūn.
"By the fig and the olive." (al-Tīn 95:1)
Wa-l-tīni — and by the fig. Al-tīn — the fig tree; the fig — in Damascus it is found — where the tomb-shrine of Ḥaḍrat Yaḥyā (upon him be peace) is located — and where the companions' and some Ahl al-Bayt graves also are — but the French stopped people from visiting this tomb-shrine. Wa-l-zaytūn — and by the olive; al-zaytūn — the olive — testimony is being given also by the olive.
Translation: — The fig and the olive are also bearing witness.
وَطُورِ سِينِينَ
wa-ṭūri sīnīn.
"And by Mount Sinai." (al-Tīn 95:2)
Wa — and. Ṭūr — Mount Ṭūr; sīnīn — Sinai — the mountain of Sinai where Ḥaḍrat Mūsā (upon him be peace) was granted the honor of divine speech.
Translation: And by Mount Sinai (the mountain where Mūsā alayhis-salām was honored with divine speech).
وَهَٰذَا الْبَلَدِ الْأَمِينِ
wa-hādhā l-baladi l-amīn.
"And by this city of security." (al-Tīn 95:3)
Wa — and. Hādhā — this. Al-balad — the city, the town. Al-amīn — the trustworthy, the secure, the one of safety and peace.
Translation: "And by this city (Makkah al-Mukarramah) which is a city of security, peace, and trust — it too is bearing witness."
These are the homelands of all the Prophets, the abodes of all the messengers — they who with their own tongues are proclaiming the teachings of their respective religions. For Allah says:
لَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الْإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ
la-qad khalaqnā l-insāna fī aḥsani taqwīm.
"Indeed, We created the human being in the finest form." (al-Tīn 95:4)
La-qad — indeed, certainly. Khalaqnā — We created. Al-insān — the human being — who is he? Fī — in. Aḥsani — the best, the finest. Taqwīm — proportion, balance, uprightness, harmony.
Translation: "Indeed, We have created the human being in the finest and most balanced form."
What does "finest form" mean? An erect stature, wide shoulders, a waist that narrows and a back that straightens — hands that can grasp and release, that can lift burdens and lower them — a neck that can turn in every direction, limbs that move well. Allah gave the human being a heart, a mind, the faculty of hearing, sight, the power of memory, the capacity of imagination and desire — and bestowed upon him the highest degree of perception. Yet despite all this, the ungrateful human being occupies himself in vain — and what was the consequence of his ingratitude and rebellion against God and His Messenger?
ثُمَّ رَدَدْنَاهُ أَسْفَلَ سَافِلِينَ
thumma radadnāhu asfala sāfilīn.
"Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low." (al-Tīn 95:5)
Thumma — then. Radadnāhu — We returned him, cast him back. Asfala sāfilīn — to the lowest state, the most abject condition — cast down in degradation and humiliation, thrown into utter disgrace.
Translation: "Then We cast him back to the most abject of conditions."
إِلَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَلَهُمْ أَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُونٍ
illā l-ladhīna āmanū wa-ʿamilū l-ṣāliḥāti fa-lahum ajrun ghayru mamnūn.
"Except those who believe and do righteous deeds — for them is a reward unending." (al-Tīn 95:6)
Illā — except. Al-ladhīna — those who. Āmanū — believed, held firm faith in God and the Messenger. Wa-ʿamilū — and performed, carried out. Al-ṣāliḥāt — righteous deeds, good and appropriate works. Fa-lahum — for them. Ajr — reward, recompense, in return. Ghayru mamnūn — boundless, without limit, without interruption, without reproach — a favour that is never withdrawn.
Translation: "Except those people who bring faith and perform good and appropriate works — for them is a boundless, limitless reward."
After presenting such clear and manifest proofs:
فَمَا يُكَذِّبُكَ بَعْدُ بِالدِّينِ
fa-mā yukadhdhibuka baʿdu bi-l-dīn.
"So what is it that makes you, after this, deny the Judgement?" (al-Tīn 95:7)
Fa — then, so. Mā — what thing. Yukadhdhibuk — makes you prone to denial. Baʿd — after. Bi-l-dīn — regarding the Judgement and recompense, and the denial of the Day of Resurrection, of religion and creed.
Translation: "So then what is it that inclines you (O heedless one) to deny the Judgement and the recompense, to reject the Day of Resurrection and refuse to accept religion?"
أَلَيْسَ اللَّهُ بِأَحْكَمِ الْحَاكِمِينَ
a-laysa llāhu bi-aḥkami l-ḥākimīn.
"Is Allah not the most just of judges?" (al-Tīn 95:8)
A — is. Laysa — is not. A-laysa llāhu — is Allah not the most authoritative and perfect? Bā — the emphasis here is strong. Aḥkami l-ḥākimīn — the most just and most firm of all those who give judgement — the one who rules with the greatest precision and firmest authority.
Translation: "Is Allah not the most just of judges?"
Note: When completing this Sūra, one should recite: a-laysa llāhu bi-aḥkami l-ḥākimīn — and then respond: balā wa-anā ʿalā dhālika min al-shāhidīn — "Yes, and I too am among the witnesses of this."