نَحۡنُ خَلَقۡنَٰكُمۡ فَلَوۡلَا تُصَدِّقُونَ
We have created you, so why do you not believe?
أَفَرَءَيۡتُم مَّا تُمۡنُونَ
Have you seen that which you emit?[1]
1- i.e., semen, which contains the potential for human life.
ءَأَنتُمۡ تَخۡلُقُونَهُۥٓ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡخَٰلِقُونَ
Is it you who creates it, or are We the Creator?
نَحۡنُ قَدَّرۡنَا بَيۡنَكُمُ ٱلۡمَوۡتَ وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمَسۡبُوقِينَ
We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone
عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمۡثَٰلَكُمۡ وَنُنشِئَكُمۡ فِي مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know.[1]
1- An alternative meaning has also been given: "...in that We will replace the likes of you [with others upon the earth] and create you [in the Hereafter] in that which you do not know."
وَلَقَدۡ عَلِمۡتُمُ ٱلنَّشۡأَةَ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ فَلَوۡلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember?
أَفَرَءَيۡتُم مَّا تَحۡرُثُونَ
And have you seen that [seed] which you sow?
ءَأَنتُمۡ تَزۡرَعُونَهُۥٓ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلزَّـٰرِعُونَ
Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower?
لَوۡ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلۡنَٰهُ حُطَٰمٗا فَظَلۡتُمۡ تَفَكَّهُونَ
If We willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder,[1]
1- At what had happened or remain in a state of shock. Another meaning is "in regret".
إِنَّا لَمُغۡرَمُونَ
[Saying], "Indeed, we are [now] in debt;
بَلۡ نَحۡنُ مَحۡرُومُونَ
Rather, we have been deprived."
أَفَرَءَيۡتُمُ ٱلۡمَآءَ ٱلَّذِي تَشۡرَبُونَ
And have you seen the water that you drink?
ءَأَنتُمۡ أَنزَلۡتُمُوهُ مِنَ ٱلۡمُزۡنِ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡمُنزِلُونَ
Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?
لَوۡ نَشَآءُ جَعَلۡنَٰهُ أُجَاجٗا فَلَوۡلَا تَشۡكُرُونَ
If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful?
أَفَرَءَيۡتُمُ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِي تُورُونَ
And have you seen the fire that you ignite?
ءَأَنتُمۡ أَنشَأۡتُمۡ شَجَرَتَهَآ أَمۡ نَحۡنُ ٱلۡمُنشِـُٔونَ
Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer?
نَحۡنُ جَعَلۡنَٰهَا تَذۡكِرَةٗ وَمَتَٰعٗا لِّلۡمُقۡوِينَ
We have made it a reminder[1] and provision for the travelers,[2]
1- Of the great fire of Hell.
2- In the form of flints or other means by which to ignite fire. Travelers are mentioned because of the special convenience to them, although it is a provision for all people in general.
فَسَبِّحۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
۞فَلَآ أُقۡسِمُ بِمَوَٰقِعِ ٱلنُّجُومِ
Then I swear by the setting of the stars,[1]
1- AllŒh (subúŒnahu wa taÔŒlŒ) confirms absolutely by oath.
وَإِنَّهُۥ لَقَسَمٞ لَّوۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ عَظِيمٌ
And indeed, it is an oath – if you could know – [most] great.
إِنَّهُۥ لَقُرۡءَانٞ كَرِيمٞ
Indeed, it is a noble QurÕŒn.
فِي كِتَٰبٖ مَّكۡنُونٖ
In a Register well-protected;[1].
1- The Preserved Slate (al-Lawú al-Maúf´th), which is with AllŒh (subúŒnahu wa taÔŒlŒ).
لَّا يَمَسُّهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلۡمُطَهَّرُونَ
None touch it except the purified [i.e., the angels].
تَنزِيلٞ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ
[It is] a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.
أَفَبِهَٰذَا ٱلۡحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدۡهِنُونَ
Then is it to this statement that you are indifferent
وَتَجۡعَلُونَ رِزۡقَكُمۡ أَنَّكُمۡ تُكَذِّبُونَ
And make [the thanks for] your provision that you deny [the Provider]?
فَلَوۡلَآ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ ٱلۡحُلۡقُومَ
Then why, when it [i.e., the soul at death] reaches the throat
وَأَنتُمۡ حِينَئِذٖ تَنظُرُونَ
And you are at that time looking on –
وَنَحۡنُ أَقۡرَبُ إِلَيۡهِ مِنكُمۡ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُبۡصِرُونَ
And We [i.e., Our angels] are nearer to him than you, but you do not see –
فَلَوۡلَآ إِن كُنتُمۡ غَيۡرَ مَدِينِينَ
Then why do you not, if you are not to be recompensed,