QURAN · SURAH 19 · MARYAM
Introduction
Maryam, “Mary”, is the nineteenth surah of the Quran. This edition presents its complete 98-verse numbering. Traditionally classified as Meccan, it takes its name from Mary, whose solitude, motherhood, and vindication occupy the heart of its narrative.
The surah begins with a quiet prayer: Zechariah turns to his LORD in old age, and the promise of John opens a sequence of gifts beyond ordinary expectation. Mary then receives the announcement of Jesus, bears the pain of childbirth, and returns to her people with a child whose testimony directs worship to GOD. Mercy meets human vulnerability, but never removes the call to faithfulness.
Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Ishmael, and Idris extend the account beyond a single family. Their stories lead to an image of prophets falling in prostration and weeping when revelation is recited. The later passages confront neglected prayer, pride in possessions, denial of resurrection, and the attribution of offspring to GOD.
For ASH, Maryam offers a demanding meeting place for interfaith study: Mary and Jesus are honoured, while the Quran’s teaching about Jesus remains distinct from Christian doctrine. The shared figures invite careful listening; their differences require honesty. Across the surah, the name the Most Merciful binds together tenderness, warning, repentance, and the final return.
Structure of the surah
This thematic outline follows every verse in order. It is an editorial reading guide, distinct from the traditional divisions used in recitation.
- Verses 1–15 · Zechariah and John: mercy heard in secretThe opening letters, a quiet prayer, the gift of a son, and a life of tenderness and devotion.
- Verses 16–26 · Mary: annunciation, solitude, and provisionThe messenger, the promise of a son, childbirth, and comfort beneath the palm tree.
- Verses 27–40 · Jesus: testimony, worship, and the truthMary returns to her people; Jesus speaks, and the surah addresses disagreement and judgement.
- Verses 41–50 · Abraham: truthfulness and a peaceful farewellA son’s appeal to his father, the rejection of idols, and the gift of prophetic descendants.
- Verses 51–58 · A fellowship of prophetsMoses, Aaron, Ishmael, and Idris; revelation met with humility, prostration, and tears.
- Verses 59–65 · Prayer, repentance, and the promised GardenNeglect and desire are answered by repentance; worship requires patient perseverance.
- Verses 66–72 · Resurrection and accountabilityThe first creation answers doubt about new life; judgement distinguishes reverence from wrongdoing.
- Verses 73–82 · The illusion of status and securityWealth, social standing, and false objects of worship cannot secure the final outcome.
- Verses 83–95 · Before the Most MercifulThe gathering, intercession, rejection of divine offspring, and the solitude of every servant.
- Verses 96–98 · Love, good news, and warningFaith and righteous deeds, the purpose of revelation, and the silence of vanished generations.
Audio of the entire surah
Listen to Maryam and follow the reading in the text below.
Complete interlinear table
Quran 19, 1–98. Each row contains a complete verse in Arabic, transliteration, Maulana Muhammad Ali’s English translation, and an ASH English study rendering. The alignment is verse by verse, rather than word by word.
Reading approach. The ASH column is an editorial study rendering, distinct from Ali’s translation; important differences are explained outside the table. Transliteration uses ā, ī, and ū for long vowels, ʿ for ʿayn, ʾ for hamza, and diacritics for emphatic consonants. It is a reading aid, not a complete notation of tajwīd. The opening basmala is separate from the 98 numbered verses. Some sentences continue across verse boundaries.
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Bismi Allāhi ar-Raḥmāni ar-Raḥīm.
In the name of GOD, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Verses 1–15 · Zechariah and John: mercy heard in secret
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | كٓهيعٓصٓ | Kāf Hā Yā ʿAyn Ṣād. | Sufficient, Guide, Blessed, Knowing, Truthful GOD. | Kāf Hā Yā ʿAyn Ṣād. |
| 2 | ذِكْرُ رَحْمَتِ رَبِّكَ عَبْدَهُۥ زَكَرِيَّآ | Dhikru raḥmati rabbika ʿabdahu zakariyyā. | A mention of the mercy of thy LORD to His servant Zacharias — | A remembrance of your LORD’s mercy towards His servant Zechariah, |
| 3 | إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥ نِدَآءً خَفِيًّۭا | Idh nādā rabbahu nidāʾan khafiyyā. | When he called upon his LORD, crying in secret. | when he called upon his LORD with a quiet plea. |
| 4 | قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّى وَهَنَ ٱلْعَظْمُ مِنِّى وَٱشْتَعَلَ ٱلرَّأْسُ شَيْبًۭا وَلَمْ أَكُنۢ بِدُعَآئِكَ رَبِّ شَقِيًّۭا | Qāla rabbi innī wahana alʿaẓmu minnī washtaʿala arraʾsu shayban walam akun biduʿāʾika rabbi shaqiyyā. | He said: My LORD, my bones are weakened, and my head flares with hoariness, and I have never been unsuccessful in my prayer to Thee, my LORD. | He said: “My LORD, my bones have grown weak and my head has blazed with grey hair, yet I have never been disappointed in calling upon You, my LORD. |
| 5 | وَإِنِّى خِفْتُ ٱلْمَوَٰلِىَ مِن وَرَآءِى وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًۭا فَهَبْ لِى مِن لَّدُنكَ وَلِيًّۭا | Wainnī khiftu almawāliya min warāʾī wakānati imraʾatī ʿāqiran fahab lī min ladunka waliyyā. | And I fear my kinsfolk after me, and my wife is barren, so grant me from Thyself an heir. | I fear for my kinsfolk after me, and my wife is barren. Grant me, then, from Yourself an heir, |
| 6 | يَرِثُنِى وَيَرِثُ مِنْ ءَالِ يَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَٱجْعَلْهُ رَبِّ رَضِيًّۭا | Yarithunī wayarithu min āli yaʿqūba wajʿalhu rabbi raḍiyyā. | Who should inherit me and inherit of the Children of Jacob, and make him, my LORD, acceptable (to Thee). | who will inherit from me and from the house of Jacob; and make him, my LORD, pleasing to You.” |
| 7 | يَٰزَكَرِيَّآ إِنَّا نُبَشِّرُكَ بِغُلَٰمٍ ٱسْمُهُۥ يَحْيَىٰ لَمْ نَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مِن قَبْلُ سَمِيًّۭا | Yā zakariyyā innā nubashshiruka bighulāmin ismuhu yaḥyā lam najʿal lahu min qablu samiyyā. | O Zacharias, We give thee good news of a boy, whose name is John: We have not made before anyone his equal. | “O Zechariah, We bring you good news of a boy whose name is John. We have not given that name to anyone before him.” |
| 8 | قَالَ رَبِّ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَٰمٌۭ وَكَانَتِ ٱمْرَأَتِى عَاقِرًۭا وَقَدْ بَلَغْتُ مِنَ ٱلْكِبَرِ عِتِيًّۭا | Qāla rabbi annā yakūnu lī ghulāmun wakānati imraʾatī ʿāqiran waqad balaghtu mina alkibari ʿitiyyā. | He said: My LORD, how shall I have a son, and my wife is barren, and I have reached extreme old age? | He said: “My LORD, how shall I have a boy when my wife is barren and I have reached extreme old age?” |
| 9 | قَالَ كَذَٰلِكَ قَالَ رَبُّكَ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌۭ وَقَدْ خَلَقْتُكَ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ تَكُ شَيْـًۭٔا | Qāla kadhālika qāla rabbuka huwa ʿalayya hayyinun waqad khalaqtuka min qablu walam taku shayʾā. | He said: So (it will be). Thy LORD says: It is easy to Me, and indeed I created thee before, when thou wast nothing. | He said: “So it shall be. Your LORD says: ‘It is easy for Me. I created you before, when you were nothing.’” |
| 10 | قَالَ رَبِّ ٱجْعَل لِّىٓ ءَايَةًۭ ۚ قَالَ ءَايَتُكَ أَلَّا تُكَلِّمَ ٱلنَّاسَ ثَلَٰثَ لَيَالٍۢ سَوِيًّۭا | Qāla rabbi ijʿal lī āyatan qāla āyatuka allā tukallima annāsa thalātha layālin sawiyyā. | He said: My LORD, give me a sign. He said: Thy sign is that thou speak not to people three nights, being in sound health. | He said: “My LORD, appoint a sign for me.” He said: “Your sign is that you will not speak to people for three nights, although you are sound in health.” |
| 11 | فَخَرَجَ عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلْمِحْرَابِ فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَيْهِمْ أَن سَبِّحُوا۟ بُكْرَةًۭ وَعَشِيًّۭا | Fakharaja ʿalā qawmihi mina almiḥrābi faʾawḥā ilayhim an sabbiḥū bukratan waʿashiyyā. | So he went forth to his people from the sanctuary and proclaimed to them: Glorify (GOD) morning and evening. | He came out to his people from the sanctuary and signalled to them to glorify GOD morning and evening. |
| 12 | يَٰيَحْيَىٰ خُذِ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ بِقُوَّةٍۢ ۖ وَءَاتَيْنَٰهُ ٱلْحُكْمَ صَبِيًّۭا | Yā yaḥyā khudhi alkitāba biquwwatin waātaynāhu alḥukma ṣabiyyā. | O John, take hold of the Book with strength. And We granted him wisdom when a child, | “O John, hold firmly to the Book.” And We gave him judgement while he was still a child, |
| 13 | وَحَنَانًۭا مِّن لَّدُنَّا وَزَكَوٰةًۭ ۖ وَكَانَ تَقِيًّۭا | Waḥanānan min ladunnā wazakātan wakāna taqiyyā. | And kind-heartedness from Us and purity. And he was dutiful, | and tenderness from Us, and purity; and he was mindful of GOD, |
| 14 | وَبَرًّۢا بِوَٰلِدَيْهِ وَلَمْ يَكُن جَبَّارًا عَصِيًّۭا | Wabarran biwālidayhi walam yakun jabbāran ʿaṣiyyā. | And kindly to his parents, and he was not insolent, disobedient. | and dutiful towards his parents. He was neither overbearing nor disobedient. |
| 15 | وَسَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْهِ يَوْمَ وُلِدَ وَيَوْمَ يَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ يُبْعَثُ حَيًّۭا | Wasalāmun ʿalayhi yawma wulida wayawma yamūtu wayawma yubʿathu ḥayyā. | And peace on him the day he was born and the day he died, and the day he is raised to life. | Peace be upon him on the day he was born, on the day he dies, and on the day he is raised alive. |
Letters and names. The ASH column retains the five opening letters in 19, 1 without assigning them a definitive meaning. Maulana Muhammad Ali expands them into divine attributes; this is his interpretative reading, not five ordinary Arabic words in the verse. In 19, 7, ASH follows “no previous bearer of the name”, while Ali has “no one his equal”: the word samiyy allows a discussion of naming and likeness. John is the English name used here for Yaḥyā.
Verses 16–26 · Mary: annunciation, solitude, and provision
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مَرْيَمَ إِذِ ٱنتَبَذَتْ مِنْ أَهْلِهَا مَكَانًۭا شَرْقِيًّۭا | Wadhkur fī alkitābi maryama idhi intabadhat min ahlihā makānan sharqiyyā. | And mention Mary in the Book. When she drew aside from her family to an eastern place; | And remember Mary in the Book, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the east. |
| 17 | فَٱتَّخَذَتْ مِن دُونِهِمْ حِجَابًۭا فَأَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهَا رُوحَنَا فَتَمَثَّلَ لَهَا بَشَرًۭا سَوِيًّۭا | Fattakhadhat min dūnihim ḥijāban faʾarsalnā ilayhā rūḥanā fatamaththala lahā basharan sawiyyā. | So she screened herself from them. Then We sent to her Our spirit and it appeared to her as a well made man. | She placed a screen between herself and them. Then We sent Our Spirit to her, and he appeared before her as a man of perfect form. |
| 18 | قَالَتْ إِنِّىٓ أَعُوذُ بِٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ مِنكَ إِن كُنتَ تَقِيًّۭا | Qālat innī aʿūdhu birraḥmāni minka in kunta taqiyyā. | She said: I flee for refuge from thee to the Beneficent, if thou art one guarding against evil. | She said: “I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, if you are mindful of GOD.” |
| 19 | قَالَ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ رَسُولُ رَبِّكِ لِأَهَبَ لَكِ غُلَٰمًۭا زَكِيًّۭا | Qāla innamā anā rasūlu rabbiki liʾahaba laki ghulāman zakiyyā. | He said: I am only bearer of a message of thy LORD: That I will give thee a pure boy. | He said: “I am only a messenger of your LORD, to grant you a pure son.” |
| 20 | قَالَتْ أَنَّىٰ يَكُونُ لِى غُلَٰمٌۭ وَلَمْ يَمْسَسْنِى بَشَرٌۭ وَلَمْ أَكُ بَغِيًّۭا | Qālat annā yakūnu lī ghulāmun walam yamsasnī basharun walam aku baghiyyā. | She said: How can I have a son and no mortal has yet touched me, nor have I been unchaste? | She said: “How shall I have a son when no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?” |
| 21 | قَالَ كَذَٰلِكِ قَالَ رَبُّكِ هُوَ عَلَىَّ هَيِّنٌۭ ۖ وَلِنَجْعَلَهُۥٓ ءَايَةًۭ لِّلنَّاسِ وَرَحْمَةًۭ مِّنَّا ۚ وَكَانَ أَمْرًۭا مَّقْضِيًّۭا | Qāla kadhāliki qāla rabbuki huwa ʿalayya hayyinun walinajʿalahu āyatan linnāsi waraḥmatan minnā wakāna amran maqḍiyyā. | He said: So (it will be). Thy LORD says: It is easy to Me; and that We may make him a sign to men and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter decreed. | He said: “So it shall be. Your LORD says: ‘It is easy for Me; and We shall make him a sign for humankind and a mercy from Us.’ It is a matter already decreed.” |
| 22 | ۞ فَحَمَلَتْهُ فَٱنتَبَذَتْ بِهِۦ مَكَانًۭا قَصِيًّۭا | Faḥamalathu fantabadhat bihi makānan qaṣiyyā. | Then she conceived him; and withdrew with him to a remote place. | So she conceived him and withdrew with him to a distant place. |
| 23 | فَأَجَآءَهَا ٱلْمَخَاضُ إِلَىٰ جِذْعِ ٱلنَّخْلَةِ قَالَتْ يَٰلَيْتَنِى مِتُّ قَبْلَ هَٰذَا وَكُنتُ نَسْيًۭا مَّنسِيًّۭا | Faʾajāʾahā almakhāḍu ilā jidhʿi annakhlati qālat yā laytanī mittu qabla hādhā wakuntu nasyan mansiyyā. | And the throes of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: Oh, would that I had died before this, and had been a thing quite forgotten! | The pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm tree. She said: “If only I had died before this and become something utterly forgotten!” |
| 24 | فَنَادَىٰهَا مِن تَحْتِهَآ أَلَّا تَحْزَنِى قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّۭا | Fanādāhā min taḥtihā allā taḥzanī qad jaʿala rabbuki taḥtaki sariyyā. | So a voice came to her from beneath her: Grieve not, surely thy LORD has provided a stream beneath thee. | Then he called to her from below her: “Do not grieve. Your LORD has placed a stream beneath you. |
| 25 | وَهُزِّىٓ إِلَيْكِ بِجِذْعِ ٱلنَّخْلَةِ تُسَٰقِطْ عَلَيْكِ رُطَبًۭا جَنِيًّۭا | Wahuzzī ilayki bijidhʿi annakhlati tusāqiṭ ʿalayki ruṭaban janiyyā. | And shake towards thee the trunk of the palm-tree, it will drop on thee fresh ripe dates. | Shake the trunk of the palm tree towards you, and it will drop fresh, ripe dates upon you. |
| 26 | فَكُلِى وَٱشْرَبِى وَقَرِّى عَيْنًۭا ۖ فَإِمَّا تَرَيِنَّ مِنَ ٱلْبَشَرِ أَحَدًۭا فَقُولِىٓ إِنِّى نَذَرْتُ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ صَوْمًۭا فَلَنْ أُكَلِّمَ ٱلْيَوْمَ إِنسِيًّۭا | Fakulī washrabī waqarrī ʿaynan faʾimmā tarayinna mina albashari aḥadan faqūlī innī nadhartu lirraḥmāni ṣawman falan ukallima alyawma insiyyā. | So eat and drink and cool the eye. Then if thou seest any mortal, say: Surely I have vowed a fast to the Beneficent, so I will not speak to any man to-day. | Eat, drink, and be comforted. If you see any human being, say: ‘I have vowed a fast to the Most Merciful, so today I shall speak to no human being.’” |
The voice beneath Mary. In 19, 24, the ASH rendering keeps the unnamed “he”. Ibn Kathīr records interpretations identifying the speaker as Gabriel or as Jesus; the verse itself does not supply a name. The rendering “stream” follows one established understanding of sariyy. Mary’s distress in 19, 23 is preserved without softening it: the narrative answers her anguish with reassurance and provision.
Verses 27–40 · Jesus: testimony, worship, and the truth
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | فَأَتَتْ بِهِۦ قَوْمَهَا تَحْمِلُهُۥ ۖ قَالُوا۟ يَٰمَرْيَمُ لَقَدْ جِئْتِ شَيْـًۭٔا فَرِيًّۭا | Faʾatat bihi qawmahā taḥmiluhu qālū yā maryamu laqad jiʾti shayʾan fariyyā. | Then she came to her people with him, carrying him. They said: O Mary, thou hast indeed brought a strange thing! | Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said: “O Mary, you have done something astonishing! |
| 28 | يَٰٓأُخْتَ هَٰرُونَ مَا كَانَ أَبُوكِ ٱمْرَأَ سَوْءٍۢ وَمَا كَانَتْ أُمُّكِ بَغِيًّۭا | Yā ukhta hārūna mā kāna abūki imraʾa sawʾin wamā kānat ummuki baghiyyā. | O sister of Aaron, thy father was not a wicked man, nor was thy mother an unchaste woman! | O sister of Aaron, your father was not an evil man, nor was your mother unchaste.” |
| 29 | فَأَشَارَتْ إِلَيْهِ ۖ قَالُوا۟ كَيْفَ نُكَلِّمُ مَن كَانَ فِى ٱلْمَهْدِ صَبِيًّۭا | Faʾashārat ilayhi qālū kayfa nukallimu man kāna fī almahdi ṣabiyyā. | But she pointed to him. They said: How should we speak to one who is a child in the cradle? | She pointed to him. They said: “How can we speak to one who is a child in the cradle?” |
| 30 | قَالَ إِنِّى عَبْدُ ٱللَّهِ ءَاتَىٰنِىَ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ وَجَعَلَنِى نَبِيًّۭا | Qāla innī ʿabdu Allāhi ātāniya alkitāba wajaʿalanī nabiyyā. | He said: I am indeed a servant of GOD. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet: | He said: “I am the servant of GOD. He has given me the Book and made me a prophet. |
| 31 | وَجَعَلَنِى مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَٰنِى بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّۭا | Wajaʿalanī mubārakan ayna mā kuntu waʾawṣānī biṣṣalāti wazzakāti mā dumtu ḥayyā. | And He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and He has enjoined on me prayer and poor-rate so long as I live. | He has made me blessed wherever I may be, and has enjoined upon me prayer and almsgiving for as long as I live, |
| 32 | وَبَرًّۢا بِوَٰلِدَتِى وَلَمْ يَجْعَلْنِى جَبَّارًۭا شَقِيًّۭا | Wabarran biwālidatī walam yajʿalnī jabbāran shaqiyyā. | And to be kind to my mother; and He has not made me insolent, unblessed. | and kindness towards my mother. He has not made me overbearing or wretched. |
| 33 | وَٱلسَّلَٰمُ عَلَىَّ يَوْمَ وُلِدتُّ وَيَوْمَ أَمُوتُ وَيَوْمَ أُبْعَثُ حَيًّۭا | Wassalāmu ʿalayya yawma wulidtu wayawma amūtu wayawma ubʿathu ḥayyā. | And peace on me the day I was born, and the day I die, and the day I am raised to life. | Peace is upon me on the day I was born, on the day I die, and on the day I am raised alive.” |
| 34 | ذَٰلِكَ عِيسَى ٱبْنُ مَرْيَمَ ۚ قَوْلَ ٱلْحَقِّ ٱلَّذِى فِيهِ يَمْتَرُونَ | Dhālika ʿīsā ibnu maryama qawla alḥaqqi alladhī fīhi yamtarūn. | Such is Jesus son of Mary a statement of truth about which they dispute. | That is Jesus, son of Mary: a statement of the truth concerning which they dispute. |
| 35 | مَا كَانَ لِلَّهِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ مِن وَلَدٍۢ ۖ سُبْحَٰنَهُۥٓ ۚ إِذَا قَضَىٰٓ أَمْرًۭا فَإِنَّمَا يَقُولُ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ | Mā kāna lillāhi an yattakhidha min waladin subḥānahu idhā qaḍā amran faʾinnamā yaqūlu lahu kun fayakūn. | It beseems not GOD that He should take to Himself a son. Glory be to Him! when He decrees a matter He only says to it, Be, and it is. | It is not for GOD to take a son. Glory be to Him! When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, “Be,” and it is. |
| 36 | وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُوهُ ۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌۭ مُّسْتَقِيمٌۭ | Wainna Allāha rabbī warabbukum faʿbudūhu hādhā ṣirāṭun mustaqīm. | And surely GOD is my LORD and your LORD, so serve Him. This is the right path. | “GOD is indeed my LORD and your LORD, so worship Him. This is a straight path.” |
| 37 | فَٱخْتَلَفَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُ مِنۢ بَيْنِهِمْ ۖ فَوَيْلٌۭ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِن مَّشْهَدِ يَوْمٍ عَظِيمٍ | Fakhtalafa alaḥzābu min baynihim fawaylun lilladhīna kafarū min mashhadi yawmin ʿaẓīm. | But parties from among them differed; so woe to those who disbelieve, because of their presence on a grievous day! | But the factions differed among themselves. Woe, then, to those who disbelieve when they witness a tremendous Day! |
| 38 | أَسْمِعْ بِهِمْ وَأَبْصِرْ يَوْمَ يَأْتُونَنَا ۖ لَٰكِنِ ٱلظَّٰلِمُونَ ٱلْيَوْمَ فِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ | Asmiʿ bihim waʾabṣir yawma yaʾtūnanā lākini aẓẓālimūna alyawma fī ḍalālin mubīn. | How clearly will they hear and see on the day when they come to Us but the wrongdoers are to-day in manifest error. | How clearly they will hear and see on the day they come to Us! Yet today the wrongdoers are plainly astray. |
| 39 | وَأَنذِرْهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلْحَسْرَةِ إِذْ قُضِىَ ٱلْأَمْرُ وَهُمْ فِى غَفْلَةٍۢ وَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ | Waʾandhirhum yawma alḥasrati idh quḍiya alamru wahum fī ghaflatin wahum lā yuʾminūn. | And warn them of the day of Regret, when the matter is decided. And they are (now) in negligence and they believe not. | Warn them of the Day of Regret, when the matter will be decided, while they remain heedless and do not believe. |
| 40 | إِنَّا نَحْنُ نَرِثُ ٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَنْ عَلَيْهَا وَإِلَيْنَا يُرْجَعُونَ | Innā naḥnu narithu alarḍa waman ʿalayhā wailaynā yurjaʿūn. | Surely We inherit the earth and those thereon, and to Us they are returned. | It is We who shall inherit the earth and everyone upon it, and to Us they will be returned. |
Mary and Jesus in context. “Sister of Aaron” in 19, 28 should not simply be equated with identifying Mary as Moses’ contemporary. Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, hadith 2135, preserves a response explaining the practice of naming people after earlier prophets and righteous persons. In 19, 30–36, Jesus speaks as GOD’s servant and prophet. The rejection of divine sonship is a real doctrinal difference: Christian teaching on the Son does not mean biological procreation. For comparison with Christian scriptural traditions, see the ASH guide to the Christian canon. The death and resurrection mentioned in 19, 33 do not, by themselves, settle their chronology.
Verses 41–50 · Abraham: truthfulness and a peaceful farewell
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقًۭا نَّبِيًّا | Wadhkur fī alkitābi ibrāhīma innahu kāna ṣiddīqan nabiyyā. | And mention Abraham in the Book. Surely he was a truthful man, a prophet. | And remember Abraham in the Book. He was a man of truth, a prophet. |
| 42 | إِذْ قَالَ لِأَبِيهِ يَٰٓأَبَتِ لِمَ تَعْبُدُ مَا لَا يَسْمَعُ وَلَا يُبْصِرُ وَلَا يُغْنِى عَنكَ شَيْـًۭٔا | Idh qāla liabīhi yā abati lima taʿbudu mā lā yasmaʿu walā yubṣiru walā yughnī ʿanka shayʾā. | When he said to his sire O my sire, why worshippest thou that which hears not, nor sees, nor can it avail thee aught? | When he said to his father: “My father, why do you worship what neither hears nor sees and can be of no help to you? |
| 43 | يَٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّى قَدْ جَآءَنِى مِنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ مَا لَمْ يَأْتِكَ فَٱتَّبِعْنِىٓ أَهْدِكَ صِرَٰطًۭا سَوِيًّۭا | Yā abati innī qad jāʾanī mina alʿilmi mā lam yaʾtika fattabiʿnī ahdika ṣirāṭan sawiyyā. | O my sire, to me indeed has come the knowledge which has not come to thee; so follow me, I will guide thee on a right path. | My father, knowledge has come to me that has not come to you. Follow me, and I shall guide you along an even path. |
| 44 | يَٰٓأَبَتِ لَا تَعْبُدِ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ ۖ إِنَّ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ كَانَ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَصِيًّۭا | Yā abati lā taʿbudi ashshayṭāna inna ashshayṭāna kāna lirraḥmāni ʿaṣiyyā. | O my sire, serve not the devil. Surely the devil is disobedient to the Beneficent. | My father, do not worship Satan. Satan has been disobedient to the Most Merciful. |
| 45 | يَٰٓأَبَتِ إِنِّىٓ أَخَافُ أَن يَمَسَّكَ عَذَابٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ فَتَكُونَ لِلشَّيْطَٰنِ وَلِيًّۭا | Yā abati innī akhāfu an yamassaka ʿadhābun mina arraḥmāni fatakūna lishshayṭāni waliyyā. | O my sire, surely I fear lest a punishment from the Beneficent should afflict thee, so that thou become a friend of the devil. | My father, I fear that a punishment from the Most Merciful may touch you, and that you may become an ally of Satan.” |
| 46 | قَالَ أَرَاغِبٌ أَنتَ عَنْ ءَالِهَتِى يَٰٓإِبْرَٰهِيمُ ۖ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهِ لَأَرْجُمَنَّكَ ۖ وَٱهْجُرْنِى مَلِيًّۭا | Qāla arāghibun anta ʿan ālihatī yā ibrāhīmu laʾin lam tantahi laʾarjumannaka wahjurnī maliyyā. | He said: Dislikest thou my gods, O Abraham? If thou desist not, I will certainly drive thee away. And leave me for a time. | He said: “Do you turn away from my gods, Abraham? If you do not desist, I shall certainly stone you. Leave me for a long time.” |
| 47 | قَالَ سَلَٰمٌ عَلَيْكَ ۖ سَأَسْتَغْفِرُ لَكَ رَبِّىٓ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ بِى حَفِيًّۭا | Qāla salāmun ʿalayka saʾastaghfiru laka rabbī innahu kāna bī ḥafiyyā. | He said: Peace be to thee! I shall pray my LORD to forgive thee. Surely He is ever Kind to me. | He said: “Peace be upon you. I shall ask my LORD to forgive you. He has always been gracious towards me. |
| 48 | وَأَعْتَزِلُكُمْ وَمَا تَدْعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَأَدْعُوا۟ رَبِّى عَسَىٰٓ أَلَّآ أَكُونَ بِدُعَآءِ رَبِّى شَقِيًّۭا | Waʾaʿtazilukum wamā tadʿūna min dūni Allāhi waʾadʿū rabbī ʿasā allā akūna biduʿāʾi rabbī shaqiyyā. | And I withdraw from you and that which you call on beside GOD and I call upon my LORD. Maybe I shall not remain unblessed in calling upon my LORD. | I shall withdraw from you and from what you invoke besides GOD, and I shall call upon my LORD. I hope not to be disappointed in calling upon my LORD.” |
| 49 | فَلَمَّا ٱعْتَزَلَهُمْ وَمَا يَعْبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ إِسْحَٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ ۖ وَكُلًّۭا جَعَلْنَا نَبِيًّۭا | Falammā iʿtazalahum wamā yaʿbudūna min dūni Allāhi wahabnā lahu isḥāqa wayaʿqūba wakullan jaʿalnā nabiyyā. | So, when he withdrew from them and that which they worshipped besides GOD, We gave him Isaac and Jacob. And each (of them) We made a prophet. | When he withdrew from them and from what they worshipped besides GOD, We granted him Isaac and Jacob, and made each of them a prophet. |
| 50 | وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِنَا وَجَعَلْنَا لَهُمْ لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ عَلِيًّۭا | Wawahabnā lahum min raḥmatinā wajaʿalnā lahum lisāna ṣidqin ʿaliyyā. | And We gave them of Our mercy, and We granted them a truthful mention of eminence. | We bestowed upon them Our mercy and granted them an honoured, truthful remembrance. |
Disagreement without retaliation. In 19, 46, ASH renders laʾarjumannaka as “I shall certainly stone you”; Ali retains “drive thee away”. The contrast is left visible. Abraham’s answer in the following verses combines a greeting of peace, prayer, and withdrawal. In an ASH reading, fidelity to truth does not require imitating another person’s hostility.
Verses 51–58 · A fellowship of prophets
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مُوسَىٰٓ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ مُخْلَصًۭا وَكَانَ رَسُولًۭا نَّبِيًّۭا | Wadhkur fī alkitābi mūsā innahu kāna mukhlaṣan wakāna rasūlan nabiyyā. | And mention Moses in the Book. Surely he was one purified, and was a messenger, a prophet. | And remember Moses in the Book. He was chosen and purified, and was a messenger, a prophet. |
| 52 | وَنَٰدَيْنَٰهُ مِن جَانِبِ ٱلطُّورِ ٱلْأَيْمَنِ وَقَرَّبْنَٰهُ نَجِيًّۭا | Wanādaynāhu min jānibi aṭṭūri alaymani waqarrabnāhu najiyyā. | And We called to him from the blessed side of the mountain, and We made him draw nigh in communion. | We called to him from the right side of the mountain and brought him near in intimate communion. |
| 53 | وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥ مِن رَّحْمَتِنَآ أَخَاهُ هَٰرُونَ نَبِيًّۭا | Wawahabnā lahu min raḥmatinā akhāhu hārūna nabiyyā. | And We gave him out of Our mercy his brother Aaron, a prophet. | Out of Our mercy, We granted him his brother Aaron as a prophet. |
| 54 | وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِسْمَٰعِيلَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صَادِقَ ٱلْوَعْدِ وَكَانَ رَسُولًۭا نَّبِيًّۭا | Wadhkur fī alkitābi ismāʿīla innahu kāna ṣādiqa alwaʿdi wakāna rasūlan nabiyyā. | And mention Ishmael in the Book. Surely he was truthful in promise, and he was a messenger, a prophet. | And remember Ishmael in the Book. He was true to his promise and was a messenger, a prophet. |
| 55 | وَكَانَ يَأْمُرُ أَهْلَهُۥ بِٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَٱلزَّكَوٰةِ وَكَانَ عِندَ رَبِّهِۦ مَرْضِيًّۭا | Wakāna yaʾmuru ahlahu biṣṣalāti wazzakāti wakāna ʿinda rabbihi marḍiyyā. | And he enjoined on his people prayer and almsgiving, and was one in whom his LORD was well pleased. | He used to enjoin prayer and almsgiving upon his household, and he was pleasing to his LORD. |
| 56 | وَٱذْكُرْ فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ إِدْرِيسَ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ صِدِّيقًۭا نَّبِيًّۭا | Wadhkur fī alkitābi idrīsa innahu kāna ṣiddīqan nabiyyā. | And mention Idris in the Book. Surely he was a truthful man, a prophet, | And remember Idris in the Book. He was a man of truth, a prophet. |
| 57 | وَرَفَعْنَٰهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا | Warafaʿnāhu makānan ʿaliyyā. | And We raised him to an elevated state. | We raised him to a lofty station. |
| 58 | أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلَّذِينَ أَنْعَمَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِم مِّنَ ٱلنَّبِيِّۦنَ مِن ذُرِّيَّةِ ءَادَمَ وَمِمَّنْ حَمَلْنَا مَعَ نُوحٍۢ وَمِن ذُرِّيَّةِ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْرَٰٓءِيلَ وَمِمَّنْ هَدَيْنَا وَٱجْتَبَيْنَآ ۚ إِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ خَرُّوا۟ سُجَّدًۭا وَبُكِيًّۭا ۩ | Ūlāʾika alladhīna anʿama Allāhu ʿalayhim mina annabiyyīna min dhurriyyati ādama wamimman ḥamalnā maʿa nūḥin wamin dhurriyyati ibrāhīma waIsrāʾīla wamimman hadaynā wajtabaynā idhā tutlā ʿalayhim āyātu arraḥmāni kharrū sujjadan wabukiyyā. | These are they on whom GOD bestowed favours, from among the prophets, of the seed of Adam, and of those whom We carried with Noah, and of the seed of Abraham and Israel, and of those whom We guided and chose. When the messages of the Beneficent were recited to them, they fell down in submission, weeping. | These are those upon whom GOD bestowed His favour among the prophets, from the descendants of Adam, from those We carried with Noah, from the descendants of Abraham and Israel, and from those We guided and chose. When the signs of the Most Merciful were recited to them, they fell down in prostration and wept. |
Prophetic humility. The series of messengers culminates in prostration and tears, rather than self-exaltation. The sign at the end of the Arabic text of 19, 58 marks a passage associated with the prostration of recitation; it is not an additional word or verse. Idris is retained by his Quranic name in 19, 56; identifying him with Enoch belongs to interpretative tradition, not to an explicit identification in this passage.
Verses 59–65 · Prayer, repentance, and the promised Garden
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | ۞ فَخَلَفَ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا۟ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَٱتَّبَعُوا۟ ٱلشَّهَوَٰتِ ۖ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّا | Fakhalafa min baʿdihim khalfun aḍāʿū aṣṣalāta wattabaʿū ashshahawāti fasawfa yalqawna ghayyā. | But there came after them an evil generation, who wasted prayers and followed lusts, so they will meet perdition, | Then successors came after them who neglected prayer and followed their desires. They will meet the consequences of their waywardness, |
| 60 | إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ صَٰلِحًۭا فَأُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ يَدْخُلُونَ ٱلْجَنَّةَ وَلَا يُظْلَمُونَ شَيْـًۭٔا | Illā man tāba waāmana waʿamila ṣāliḥan faulāʾika yadkhulūna aljannata walā yuẓlamūna shayʾā. | Except those who repent and believe and do good such will enter the Garden, and they will not be wronged in aught: | except those who repent, believe, and act righteously. They will enter the Garden and will not be wronged in anything: |
| 61 | جَنَّٰتِ عَدْنٍ ٱلَّتِى وَعَدَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ عِبَادَهُۥ بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ وَعْدُهُۥ مَأْتِيًّۭا | Jannāti ʿadnin allatī waʿada arraḥmānu ʿibādahu bilghaybi innahu kāna waʿduhu maʾtiyyā. | Gardens of perpetuity which the Beneficent has promised to His servants in the Unseen. Surely His promise ever comes to pass. | gardens of lasting abode, which the Most Merciful has promised His servants in the unseen. His promise will surely be fulfilled. |
| 62 | لَّا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًا إِلَّا سَلَٰمًۭا ۖ وَلَهُمْ رِزْقُهُمْ فِيهَا بُكْرَةًۭ وَعَشِيًّۭا | Lā yasmaʿūna fīhā laghwan illā salāman walahum rizquhum fīhā bukratan waʿashiyyā. | They will hear therein no vain discourse, but only, Peace! And they have their sustenance therein, morning and evening. | They will hear no idle talk there, but only peace; and there they will receive their provision morning and evening. |
| 63 | تِلْكَ ٱلْجَنَّةُ ٱلَّتِى نُورِثُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا مَن كَانَ تَقِيًّۭا | Tilka aljannatu allatī nūrithu min ʿibādinā man kāna taqiyyā. | This is the Garden which We cause those of Our servants to inherit who keep their duty. | That is the Garden which We give as an inheritance to those of Our servants who are mindful of GOD. |
| 64 | وَمَا نَتَنَزَّلُ إِلَّا بِأَمْرِ رَبِّكَ ۖ لَهُۥ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِينَا وَمَا خَلْفَنَا وَمَا بَيْنَ ذَٰلِكَ ۚ وَمَا كَانَ رَبُّكَ نَسِيًّۭا | Wamā natanazzalu illā biamri rabbika lahu mā bayna aydīnā wamā khalfanā wamā bayna dhālika wamā kāna rabbuka nasiyyā. | And we descend not but by the command of thy LORD. To Him belongs what is before us and what is behind us and what is between these, and thy LORD is never forgetful. | “We descend only by the command of your LORD. To Him belongs what is before us, what is behind us, and what lies between. Your LORD is never forgetful.” |
| 65 | رَّبُّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فَٱعْبُدْهُ وَٱصْطَبِرْ لِعِبَٰدَتِهِۦ ۚ هَلْ تَعْلَمُ لَهُۥ سَمِيًّۭا | Rabbu assamāwāti walarḍi wamā baynahumā faʿbudhu waṣṭabir liʿibādatihi hal taʿlamu lahu samiyyā. | LORD of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, so serve Him and be patient in His service. Knowest thou any one equal to Him? | LORD of the heavens, the earth, and all that is between them: worship Him and persevere in His worship. Do you know of anyone comparable to Him? |
Repentance and perseverance. The warning against neglecting prayer is immediately followed by an opening for repentance in 19, 60. In 19, 64, the plural “we” belongs to the speech about descending at the LORD’s command, conventionally understood as angelic speech; it is not a claim that GOD descends under another’s authority. The following verse joins worship to patient endurance.
Verses 66–72 · Resurrection and accountability
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | وَيَقُولُ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ أَءِذَا مَا مِتُّ لَسَوْفَ أُخْرَجُ حَيًّا | Wayaqūlu alinsānu aidhā mā mittu lasawfa ukhraju ḥayyā. | And says man: When I am dead, shall I truly be brought forth alive? | The human being says: “When I am dead, shall I really be brought forth alive?” |
| 67 | أَوَلَا يَذْكُرُ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَٰهُ مِن قَبْلُ وَلَمْ يَكُ شَيْـًۭٔا | Awalā yadhkuru alinsānu annā khalaqnāhu min qablu walam yaku shayʾā. | Does not man remember that We created him before, when he was nothing? | Does the human being not remember that We created him before, when he was nothing? |
| 68 | فَوَرَبِّكَ لَنَحْشُرَنَّهُمْ وَٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ ثُمَّ لَنُحْضِرَنَّهُمْ حَوْلَ جَهَنَّمَ جِثِيًّۭا | Fawarabbika lanaḥshurannahum washshayʾāṭīna thumma lanuḥḍirannahum ḥawla jahannama jithiyyā. | So by thy LORD! We shall certainly gather them together and the devils, then shall We bring them around hell on their knees. | By your LORD, We shall certainly gather them and the devils, then bring them around Hell on their knees. |
| 69 | ثُمَّ لَنَنزِعَنَّ مِن كُلِّ شِيعَةٍ أَيُّهُمْ أَشَدُّ عَلَى ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عِتِيًّۭا | Thumma lananziʿanna min kulli shīʿatin ayyuhum ashaddu ʿalā arraḥmāni ʿitiyyā. | Then We shall draw forth from every sect those most rebellious against the Beneficent. | Then from every group We shall draw out those most defiant towards the Most Merciful. |
| 70 | ثُمَّ لَنَحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلَّذِينَ هُمْ أَوْلَىٰ بِهَا صِلِيًّۭا | Thumma lanaḥnu aʿlamu billadhīna hum awlā bihā ṣiliyyā. | Again, We certainly know best those who deserve most to be burned therein. | We certainly know best those who most deserve to burn in it. |
| 71 | وَإِن مِّنكُمْ إِلَّا وَارِدُهَا ۚ كَانَ عَلَىٰ رَبِّكَ حَتْمًۭا مَّقْضِيًّۭا | Wain minkum illā wāriduhā kāna ʿalā rabbika ḥatman maqḍiyyā. | And there is not one of you but shall come to it. This is an unavoidable decree of thy LORD. | There is not one of you who will not come to it. This is a decree your LORD has made binding. |
| 72 | ثُمَّ نُنَجِّى ٱلَّذِينَ ٱتَّقَوا۟ وَّنَذَرُ ٱلظَّٰلِمِينَ فِيهَا جِثِيًّۭا | Thumma nunajjī alladhīna ittaqaw wanadharu aẓẓālimīna fīhā jithiyyā. | And We shall deliver those who guard against evil, and leave the wrongdoers therein on their knees. | Then We shall rescue those who were mindful of GOD and leave the wrongdoers there on their knees. |
Coming to the Fire. In 19, 71, ASH retains “come to it” for wāriduhā, rather than resolving the phrase into one detailed account of the hereafter. Exegetical discussion includes passing over the Fire; Ibn Kathīr relates this to the bridge and the rescue described in 19, 72. The two verses should be read together: approaching the judgement is not equated with everyone suffering the same final fate.
Verses 73–82 · The illusion of status and security
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | وَإِذَا تُتْلَىٰ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَايَٰتُنَا بَيِّنَٰتٍۢ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَىُّ ٱلْفَرِيقَيْنِ خَيْرٌۭ مَّقَامًۭا وَأَحْسَنُ نَدِيًّۭا | Waidhā tutlā ʿalayhim āyātunā bayyinātin qāla alladhīna kafarū lilladhīna āmanū ayyu alfarīqayni khayrun maqāman waʾaḥsanu nadiyyā. | And when Our clear messages are recited to them, those who disbelieve say to those who believe: Which of the two parties is better in position and better in assembly? | When Our clear signs are recited to them, those who disbelieve say to those who believe: “Which of the two groups has the better position and the finer assembly?” |
| 74 | وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هُمْ أَحْسَنُ أَثَٰثًۭا وَرِءْيًۭا | Wakam ahlaknā qablahum min qarnin hum aḥsanu athāthan wariʾyā. | And how many a generation have We destroyed before them, who had better possessions and appearance! | How many generations We destroyed before them who possessed finer furnishings and a more impressive appearance! |
| 75 | قُلْ مَن كَانَ فِى ٱلضَّلَٰلَةِ فَلْيَمْدُدْ لَهُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ مَدًّا ۚ حَتَّىٰٓ إِذَا رَأَوْا۟ مَا يُوعَدُونَ إِمَّا ٱلْعَذَابَ وَإِمَّا ٱلسَّاعَةَ فَسَيَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ هُوَ شَرٌّۭ مَّكَانًۭا وَأَضْعَفُ جُندًۭا | Qul man kāna fī aḍḍalālati falyamdud lahu arraḥmānu maddan ḥattā idhā raʾaw mā yūʿadūna immā alʿadhāba waimmā assāʿata fasayaʿlamūna man huwa sharrun makānan waʾaḍʿafu jundā. | Say: As for him who is in error, the Beneficent will prolong his length of days; until they see what they were threatened with, either the punishment or the Hour. Then they will know who is worse in position and weaker in forces. | Say: “Whoever is astray, let the Most Merciful grant him a further respite, until they see what they have been promised, either the punishment or the Hour. Then they will know who has the worse position and the weaker forces.” |
| 76 | وَيَزِيدُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ٱهْتَدَوْا۟ هُدًۭى ۗ وَٱلْبَٰقِيَٰتُ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتُ خَيْرٌ عِندَ رَبِّكَ ثَوَابًۭا وَخَيْرٌۭ مَّرَدًّا | Wayazīdu Allāhu alladhīna ihtadaw hudan walbāqiyātu aṣṣāliḥātu khayrun ʿinda rabbika thawāban wakhayrun maraddā. | And GOD increases in guidance those who go aright. And deeds that endure, the good deeds, are, with thy LORD, better in recompense and yield better return. | GOD increases in guidance those who are guided. The good deeds that endure are better in reward with your LORD and better in their outcome. |
| 77 | أَفَرَءَيْتَ ٱلَّذِى كَفَرَ بِـَٔايَٰتِنَا وَقَالَ لَأُوتَيَنَّ مَالًۭا وَوَلَدًا | Afaraʾayta alladhī kafara biāyātinā waqāla laʾūtayanna mālan wawaladā. | Hast thou seen him who disbelieves in Our messages and says: I shall certainly be given wealth and children? | Have you seen the one who rejects Our signs and says: “I shall certainly be given wealth and children”? |
| 78 | أَطَّلَعَ ٱلْغَيْبَ أَمِ ٱتَّخَذَ عِندَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَهْدًۭا | Aṭṭalaʿa alghayba ami ittakhadha ʿinda arraḥmāni ʿahdā. | Has he gained knowledge of the unseen, or made a covenant with the Beneficent? | Has he looked into the unseen, or taken a covenant with the Most Merciful? |
| 79 | كَلَّا ۚ سَنَكْتُبُ مَا يَقُولُ وَنَمُدُّ لَهُۥ مِنَ ٱلْعَذَابِ مَدًّۭا | Kallā sanaktubu mā yaqūlu wanamuddu lahu mina alʿadhābi maddā. | By no means! We write down what he says, and We shall lengthen to him the length of the chastisement. | By no means! We shall record what he says and prolong the punishment for him. |
| 80 | وَنَرِثُهُۥ مَا يَقُولُ وَيَأْتِينَا فَرْدًۭا | Wanarithuhu mā yaqūlu wayaʾtīnā fardā. | And We shall inherit from him what he says, and he will come to Us alone. | We shall inherit from him what he speaks of, and he will come to Us alone. |
| 81 | وَٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةًۭ لِّيَكُونُوا۟ لَهُمْ عِزًّۭا | Wattakhadhū min dūni Allāhi ālihatan liyakūnū lahum ʿizzā. | And they have taken gods besides GOD, that they should be to them a source of strength — | They have taken deities besides GOD, hoping that these will be a source of strength for them. |
| 82 | كَلَّا ۚ سَيَكْفُرُونَ بِعِبَادَتِهِمْ وَيَكُونُونَ عَلَيْهِمْ ضِدًّا | Kallā sayakfurūna biʿibādatihim wayakūnūna ʿalayhim ḍiddā. | By no means! They will soon deny their worshipping them, and be their adversaries. | By no means! They will reject their worship and become their adversaries. |
What endures. The challenge about position and assembly in 19, 73 is answered by the fate of earlier generations and by the enduring good deeds of 19, 76. ASH reads this contrast as a warning against treating wealth or prestige as proof of divine approval. The covenant in 19, 78 cannot be replaced by a person’s confident claim about their future.
Verses 83–95 · Before the Most Merciful
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83 | أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّآ أَرْسَلْنَا ٱلشَّيَٰطِينَ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ تَؤُزُّهُمْ أَزًّۭا | Alam tara annā arsalnā ashshayʾāṭīna ʿalā alkāfirīna taʾuzzuhum azzā. | Seest thou not that We send the devils against the disbelievers, inciting them incitingly? | Have you not seen that We have sent the devils against those who disbelieve, inciting them relentlessly? |
| 84 | فَلَا تَعْجَلْ عَلَيْهِمْ ۖ إِنَّمَا نَعُدُّ لَهُمْ عَدًّۭا | Falā taʿjal ʿalayhim innamā naʿuddu lahum ʿaddā. | So make no haste against them. We only number out to them a number (of days). | So do not hasten against them. We are only counting out their allotted time. |
| 85 | يَوْمَ نَحْشُرُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ إِلَى ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَفْدًۭا | Yawma naḥshuru almuttaqīna ilā arraḥmāni wafdā. | The day when We gather the dutiful to the Beneficent to receive honours, | On the Day We gather those mindful of GOD before the Most Merciful as an honoured delegation, |
| 86 | وَنَسُوقُ ٱلْمُجْرِمِينَ إِلَىٰ جَهَنَّمَ وِرْدًۭا | Wanasūqu almujrimīna ilā jahannama wirdā. | And drive the guilty to hell, as thirsty beasts. | and drive the guilty to Hell in thirst, |
| 87 | لَّا يَمْلِكُونَ ٱلشَّفَٰعَةَ إِلَّا مَنِ ٱتَّخَذَ عِندَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَهْدًۭا | Lā yamlikūna ashshafāʿata illā mani ittakhadha ʿinda arraḥmāni ʿahdā. | They have no power of intercession, save him who has made a covenant with the Beneficent. | none will possess the power of intercession except one who has taken a covenant with the Most Merciful. |
| 88 | وَقَالُوا۟ ٱتَّخَذَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وَلَدًۭا | Waqālū ittakhadha arraḥmānu waladā. | And they say: The Beneficent has taken to Himself a son. | They say: “The Most Merciful has taken a son.” |
| 89 | لَّقَدْ جِئْتُمْ شَيْـًٔا إِدًّۭا | Laqad jiʾtum shayʾan iddā. | Certainly you make an abominable assertion! | You have indeed made a monstrous assertion! |
| 90 | تَكَادُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ يَتَفَطَّرْنَ مِنْهُ وَتَنشَقُّ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَتَخِرُّ ٱلْجِبَالُ هَدًّا | Takādu assamāwātu yatafaṭṭarna minhu watanshaqqu alarḍu watakhirru aljibālu haddā. | The heavens may almost be rent thereat, and the earth cleave asunder, and the mountains fall down in pieces, | The heavens almost split apart at it, the earth cleaves open, and the mountains collapse in ruins, |
| 91 | أَن دَعَوْا۟ لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ وَلَدًۭا | An daʿaw lirraḥmāni waladā. | That they ascribe a son to the Beneficent! | because they attribute a son to the Most Merciful. |
| 92 | وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لِلرَّحْمَٰنِ أَن يَتَّخِذَ وَلَدًا | Wamā yanbaghī lirraḥmāni an yattakhidha waladā. | And it is not worthy of the Beneficent that He should take to Himself a son. | It is not fitting for the Most Merciful to take a son. |
| 93 | إِن كُلُّ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ إِلَّآ ءَاتِى ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ عَبْدًۭا | In kullu man fī assamāwāti walarḍi illā ātī arraḥmāni ʿabdā. | There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes to the Beneficent as a servant. | There is no one in the heavens or on earth who will not come to the Most Merciful as a servant. |
| 94 | لَّقَدْ أَحْصَىٰهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّۭا | Laqad aḥṣāhum waʿaddahum ʿaddā. | Certainly He comprehends them, and has numbered them all. | He has fully encompassed them and counted them all. |
| 95 | وَكُلُّهُمْ ءَاتِيهِ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَٰمَةِ فَرْدًا | Wakulluhum ātīhi yawma alqiyāmati fardā. | And every one of them will come to Him on the day of Resurrection, alone. | Every one of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection. |
The Most Merciful and His servants. The repeated divine name al-Raḥmān is rendered “the Most Merciful” in the ASH column and “the Beneficent” by Ali. Verses 88–95 reject attributing offspring to GOD and describe every creature as a servant before Him. Respectful comparison must preserve this Quranic affirmation while accurately distinguishing it from the way Christians understand divine sonship.
Verses 96–98 · Love, good news, and warning
| V. | Arabic | Transliteration | Maulana Muhammad Ali | ASH English rendering |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ سَيَجْعَلُ لَهُمُ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وُدًّۭا | Inna alladhīna āmanū waʿamilū aṣṣāliḥāti sayajʿalu lahumu arraḥmānu wuddā. | Those who believe and do good deeds, for them the Beneficent will surely bring about love. | For those who believe and do righteous deeds, the Most Merciful will bring about love. |
| 97 | فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرْنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لِتُبَشِّرَ بِهِ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ وَتُنذِرَ بِهِۦ قَوْمًۭا لُّدًّۭا | Fainnamā yassarnāhu bilisānika litubashshira bihi almuttaqīna watundhira bihi qawman luddā. | So We have made it easy in thy tongue only that thou shouldst give good news thereby to those who guard against evil, and shouldst warn thereby a contentious people. | We have made it easy in your tongue so that you may bring good news through it to those mindful of GOD, and warn through it a contentious people. |
| 98 | وَكَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّن قَرْنٍ هَلْ تُحِسُّ مِنْهُم مِّنْ أَحَدٍ أَوْ تَسْمَعُ لَهُمْ رِكْزًۢا | Wakam ahlaknā qablahum min qarnin hal tuḥissu minhum min aḥadin aw tasmaʿu lahum rikzā. | And how many a generation before them have We destroyed! Canst thou see any one of them or hear a sound of them? | How many generations We destroyed before them! Do you perceive a single one of them, or hear even a whisper from them? |
An ASH reflection. The closing promise connects love with faith and righteous action. It does not promise immunity from suffering or universal social approval. Maryam invites the reader to join tenderness with obedience, hope with accountability, and conviction with humility before GOD.
