Surah At-Takwir

Arabic with an established translation

1. 1

   إِذَا ٱلشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ

   When the sun is wrapped up in darkness,

   English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center

2. 2

   وَإِذَا ٱلنُّجُومُ ٱنكَدَرَتْ

   and when the stars fall down,

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3. 3

   وَإِذَا ٱلْجِبَالُ سُيِّرَتْ

   and when the mountains are set in motion,

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4. 4

   وَإِذَا ٱلْعِشَارُ عُطِّلَتْ

   and when pregnant camels[1] are left unattended,

   English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center

   Translation footnote [1]

   [1] Which are near delivery. It alludes to the distraction of people from their most valuable possessions, such as ten-month pregnant camels for nomadic Arabs.

5. 5

   وَإِذَا ٱلْوُحُوشُ حُشِرَتْ

   and when wild beasts are gathered,

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6. 6

   وَإِذَا ٱلْبِحَارُ سُجِّرَتْ

   and when the seas are set on fire,

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7. 7

   وَإِذَا ٱلنُّفُوسُ زُوِّجَتْ

   and when the souls are sorted[2],

   English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center

   Translation footnote [2]

   [2] i.e., "joined" with their groups or sects, wicked with the wicked souls, righteous with the righteous.

8. 8

   وَإِذَا ٱلْمَوْءُۥدَةُ سُئِلَتْ

   and when the baby girl buried alive[3] is asked,

   English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center

   Translation footnote [3]

   [3] As the pagan Arabs used to do for fear of shame or poverty. The Qur’an condemned this practice. See 16:58-59.

9. 9

   بِأَىِّ ذَنۢبٍ قُتِلَتْ

   for what crime she was killed,

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10. 10

    وَإِذَا ٱلصُّحُفُ نُشِرَتْ

    and when records of deeds are spread open,

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11. 11

    وَإِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ كُشِطَتْ

    and when the sky is stripped away[4],

    English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center

    Translation footnote [4]

    [4] As the skin of sheep is stripped away.

12. 12

    وَإِذَا ٱلْجَحِيمُ سُعِّرَتْ

    and when the Blazing Fire is flared up,

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13. 13

    وَإِذَا ٱلْجَنَّةُ أُزْلِفَتْ

    and when Paradise is brought near –

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14. 14

    عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أَحْضَرَتْ

    then every soul will know what it has brought about[5].

    English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center

    Translation footnote [5]

    [5] Of faith or disbelief, good or bad deeds for that Day.

15. 15

    فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِٱلْخُنَّسِ

    I swear by the receding stars,

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16. 16

    ٱلْجَوَارِ ٱلْكُنَّسِ

    that rise and hide[6],

    English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center

    Translation footnote [6]

    [6] This probably refers to black holes in the sky. "Kanasa" means sweeping or hiding.

17. 17

    وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا عَسْعَسَ

    and by the night as it departs,

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18. 18

    وَٱلصُّبْحِ إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ

    and by the day as it breaks –

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19. 19

    إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ

    Indeed, this [Qur’an] is a word conveyed by a noble angel-messenger.

    English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center

20. 20

    ذِى قُوَّةٍ عِندَ ذِى ٱلْعَرْشِ مَكِينٍ

    extremely powerful, highly revered by the Lord of the Throne,

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21. 21

    مُّطَاعٍ ثَمَّ أَمِينٍ

    obeyed there [by other angels] and trustworthy.

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22. 22

    وَمَا صَاحِبُكُم بِمَجْنُونٍ

    Your fellow [i.e., the Prophet] is not a madman.

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23. 23

    وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْمُبِينِ

    He indeed saw him [i.e., Gabriel] on the clear horizon[7].

    English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center

    Translation footnote [7]

    [7] i.e., the eastern horizon, where the sun rises. See footnote 53:6

24. 24

    وَمَا هُوَ عَلَى ٱلْغَيْبِ بِضَنِينٍ

    He does not withhold [knowledge of] the unseen[8].

    English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center

    Translation footnote [8]

    [8] He (ﷺ) did not withhold the unseen which Allah had revealed to him in the Qur’an.

25. 25

    وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَيْطَـٰنٍ رَّجِيمٍ

    This [Qur’an] is not the word of an accursed devil.

    English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center

26. 26

    فَأَيْنَ تَذْهَبُونَ

    So which way are you going[9]?

    English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center

    Translation footnote [9]

    [9] In your denial of the Qur’an for being the revelation from Allah.

27. 27

    إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

    It is but a reminder to the worlds,

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28. 28

    لِمَن شَآءَ مِنكُمْ أَن يَسْتَقِيمَ

    for those among you who wish to take the straight path.

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29. 29

    وَمَا تَشَآءُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَـٰلَمِينَ

    But you cannot wish except by the Will of Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

    English Translation - Rowwad Translation Center