21. Sura al-Ambiyā’ with Urdu Translation

Sura 21. al-Ambiyā’ (the Prophets):

In the Name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Ever-Merciful.

1. The time of reckoning of people has drawn near but, rapt in heedlessness, they are disinclined (to obedience).

2. Whenever some fresh admonition comes to them from their Lord, they listen to it (with such carelessness) as if they are engaged in sport.

3. Their hearts have become neglectful and (these) wrongdoers whisper (against you) inaudibly: ‘He is but a human being like you. Do you (even then) submit to (his) magic while you can see?’

4. (The Esteemed Prophet) said: ‘My Lord knows (every) word uttered in the heavens and the earth and He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing.’

5. But (the wrongdoers go so far as to) say: ‘This (Qur’an) comprises (things seen in) confused dreams. Nay! He has invented it (himself). Nay, he is (in fact) a poet. (If he is a true Prophet,) let him (also) bring us some Sign as were former (Prophets) sent (with Signs).’

6. Every community whom We destroyed before them disbelieved (these signs). So, will these people believe?

7. And, (O Esteemed Beloved,) We sent only men (as Prophets) before you (also). We used to send them Revelations. So, (O people,) if you do not know (yourselves), ask the people of remembrance.

8. And We did not create them (the Prophets) with such bodies as would not eat food, nor were they to live (their visible life in the world) forever.

9. Then We fulfilled Our promise to them. So We delivered them and those whom We liked and We destroyed the transgressors.

10. Verily, We have revealed to you the Book which contains (means and substance for) your admonition. So do you not have sense?

11. And how many communities which were unjust did We destroy and We raised up other communities after them!

12. Then, when they sensed Our punishment (approaching), they started fleeing fast from there.

13. (It was said to them:) ‘Do not flee in haste and return to the same place where you were given comforts, and (go back) to your (luxurious) dwellings. It is likely that you are interrogated.’

14. They said: ‘Woe to us! Surely, we were wrongdoers.’

15. So this is what they always bewailed till We made them like a reaped field (and a heap) of extinguished fire.

16. And We have not created the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them (useless) as a sport.

17. If We intended to take up some sport, We would adopt it on Our own if at all We were to do (so).

18. Nay, We strike at falsehood with the Truth with full force. So, the Truth crushes it and it (i.e. falsehood) gets destroyed. And you are bound to ruin yourselves owing to what you utter.

19. And whatever is in the heavens and in the earth (serves and) belongs to Him alone. And those (angels) who (remain) in His Presence are not arrogant towards His worship, nor do they become weary (of carrying out His obedience).

20. They glorify (Him) night and day ceaselessly, and do not observe even a momentary pause.

21. Have they (the disbelievers) taken from (the contents of) the earth gods that can raise (the dead) alive?

22. Had there been in these two (i.e. the heaven and the earth) other gods (as well) apart from Allah, then both would have been destroyed. So, Holy is Allah, the Lord of the Throne, Transcendent of all (the things) that these (polytheists) utter.

23. He cannot be questioned for what He does and they will be questioned (for every action).

24. Have they (the disbelievers) taken gods other than Him? Say: ‘Bring your proof. This (Qur’an) is the reminder of those who are with me and (also) the reminder of those who had been before me.’ But most of them do not know the Truth, so they have adopted aversion to it.

25. And We did not send any Messenger before you but We frequented the same revelation to him: ‘There is no God but I, so worship Me (alone).’

26. And they say: ‘The Most Kind (Lord) has taken (angels as His) children.’ Holy is He. Nay, (the angels whom they consider His children) are but (Allah’s) esteemed servants.

27. They do not precede Him in (uttering) any word and they remain engaged in carrying out only His Command.

28. He (Allah) knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they do not intercede (before His Presence) but for him with whom He is pleased. And they remain fearful of His Awe and Magnificence.

29. And who is it among them to say: ‘I am a god besides (Allah)’? So, him We shall award Hell as punishment. This is the way We punish the wrongdoers.

30. And have the disbelievers not seen that the whole heavenly universe and the earth were (all) joined together as one unit and then We split them apart? And We originated (the life of) living organism (on earth) from water. So do they not accept faith (even after learning these facts brought forth by the Qur’an)?

31. And We set up firm mountains in the earth lest it should shake with them while rotating (in its orbit). And We made in this (earth) broad highways so that people might find routes (to reach different destinations).

32. And We made the heavens (i.e. upper spheres of the earth) a secure roof (in order to save the inhabitants of the earth from adverse effects of fatal forces and aggressive waves shooting towards the earth from space) and they turn away from these Signs (of upper spheres).

33. And (Allah) is He Who created the night and the day, and (also) the sun and the moon. All (heavenly bodies) are continually floating fast in their respective orbits.

34. And We have not granted eternity to any human being before you (in the physical life of the world). So, if you pass away (from here) will they live forever?

35. Every soul has to taste death, and We make you undergo foul and fair for trial, and towards Us will you be returned.

36. And when the disbelievers see you, they just start mocking you (and say:) ‘Is this the one who talks about your gods (with rejection and denial)?’ And yet it is they themselves who reject the mention of the Most Kind (Lord).

37. Man has been created (instinctually) from haste. I shall soon show you My Signs, so do not seek hurry.

38. And they say: ‘When will this promise (of torment) be (fulfilled) if you are truthful?’

39. If the disbelievers knew the time when they will not be able to keep off the Fire (of Hell) from their faces and their backs and nor will they be helped, (then they would not call out to hasten the torment).

40. In fact, it (i.e. the Last Day) will come upon them all of a sudden and stun them. So neither will they have the power to avert it, nor will they be granted respite.

41. And of course the Messengers were mocked before you too. Then those who ridiculed were beset by the same (torment) which they used to make fun of.

42. Say: ‘Who can guard and save you from (the punishment of) the Most Kind (Lord) by night and by day?’ In fact they keep away from the remembrance of the (same) Lord.

43. Have they any gods apart from Us who can save them (from the torment)? They do not have any power even to help themselves. Nor will they get any support and alliance from Us.

44. Nay, We provided for them and their fathers (generous luxuries) so much so that their life spans also gradually prolonged. So do they not perceive that (through Islamic conquests) We are gradually reducing the land (under their control) from all borders? So, will they dominate (now)?

45. Say: ‘I warn you only through Revelation.’ But the deaf do not hear the call whenever they are warned.

46. If (even) a minor calamity from your Lord is to really touch them, they will surely say: ‘Woe to us. Certainly we were the unjust.’

47. And on the Day of Resurrection We shall set up balances of fairness and justice. So no soul will be wronged in the least. And if there is (someone’s deed) equal to the weight of a mustard seed, We shall bring forth that (as well). And We are Sufficient to take account.

48. And indeed We granted Musa (Moses) and Harun ((Aaron) the Book, the Torah,) the criterion distinguishing (between right and wrong) and (the embodiment of) light and admonition for the Godfearing.

49. (They are) those who fear their Lord unseen and who dread (the calamities of) the Hour (of Rising).

50. This (Qur’an) is the Most Blessed Admonition which We have revealed. Do you deny it?

51. And surely We had awarded Ibrahim (Abraham) understanding and guidance (commensurate with his rank) well before, and We knew full well his (competence and capability).

52. When he said to his father (i.e. uncle) and his people: ‘What idols are these (whose worship) you are stuck to, squatting?’

53. They said: ‘We found our fathers worshipping them.’

54. Ibrahim (Abraham) said: ‘Surely you and your fathers (all) were in manifest error.’

55. They said: ‘Have you (alone) brought the truth, or are you (just) one of the entertainers?’

56. Ibrahim (Abraham) said: ‘The truth is that your Lord Who created them (all) is the Lord of the heavens and the earth, and I am of those who bear witness to this (truth).

57. And I swear by Allah, I shall certainly implement a plan against your idols after you turn back and go away.’

58. Then Ibrahim (Abraham) broke those (idols) into pieces except the biggest (idol) so that they might turn to it.

59. They said: ‘Who has done this to our gods? Surely he is of the wrongdoers.’

60. (Some of the) people said: ‘We have heard of a young man who speaks of them (with denial and disgust). He is known as Ibrahim (Abraham).’

61. They said: ‘Bring him before the people so that they may see (him).’

62. (When Ibrahim (Abraham) came) they said: ‘O Ibrahim (Abraham), is it you who have done this to our gods?’

63. He said: ‘Nay, this biggest (idol) of them would have done this. So ask these very (idols) if they can speak.’

64. Then they turned to their own (reflections) and said: ‘Surely you yourselves have become the wrongdoers (by worshipping these helpless idols incapable of doing anything).’

65. Then they were turned upside down upon their heads (i.e. their thinking reverted and they said: ‘Ibrahim (Abraham)), surely you yourself know that they do not speak.’

66. (Ibrahim (Abraham)) said: ‘Then do you worship apart from Allah these (idols) which can neither bring you any benefit nor do you any harm?

67. Fie on you and (also) on these (idols) that you worship apart from Allah. Do you not then have sense?’

68. They said: ‘Burn him and help your (ruined) gods if you have to do (something).’

69. We said: ‘Fire, be cool and become absolute safety for Ibrahim (Abraham).’

70. And they had intended an evil plot against Ibrahim (Abraham) but We failed them badly.

71. And (from Iraq) We rescued Ibrahim (Abraham) and Lut (Lot, his nephew, the son of his brother Haran,) towards (Syria), the land in which We have placed blessings for the people of the world.

72. And We blessed him with (a son) Ishaq (Isaac) and (by his prayer a grandson) Ya‘qub (Jacob) in addition, and We made all of them pious.

73. And We made them the leaders (of mankind) who guided (people) by Our Command and We sent to them Revelation (giving commands) to do good deeds, establish Prayer and pay Zakat (the Alms-due). And All of them were Our devoted worshippers.

74. And We (also) bestowed upon Lut (Lot) wisdom and knowledge and We delivered him from the town whose people practised filthy deeds. They were indeed a people with extremely evil (and) immoral character.

75. And We admitted Lut (Lot) to the fold of Our Mercy. Truly he was of the pious.

76. (And recall) Nuh (Noah as well) when he called (on Us) before these (Prophets). So We granted his prayer. Then We delivered him and his family from great distress and grief.

77. And We helped him against (most torturous circumstances of) the people who rejected Our Revelations. Surely they (too) were a very evil people, so We drowned them all.

78. And (also call to mind the account of) Dawud (David) and Sulaiman (Solomon) when both of them were to decide (the dispute) of a crop when the goats of a tribe unattended by the shepherd entered the field at night (and destroyed it). And We were witnessing their judgment.

79. So We alone taught Sulaiman ((Solomon) the way to make that judgment) and blessed them all with reason and knowledge. And We made (even) the mountains and the birds subservient to (the command of) Dawud (David). They all celebrated (Our) Praise (with him jointly). And it was We Who were doing (all this).

80. And We taught Dawud (David) the art of making the coats of mail for you to protect you from injury in your battle. Are you then grateful?

81. And to Sulaiman ((Solomon) We subjected) the violent wind which used to blow by his command (from all sides and directions) towards (Syria), the land in which We have placed Blessings. And We know everything (full) well.

82. And (We) also made (subservient to Sulaiman (Solomon)) some of Satans (devils and jinn) who dived for him (in the seas) and besides that accomplished other services also (under his command). And We alone kept watch over them (devils).

83. And (call to mind the account of) Ayyub (Job) when he called out to his Lord: ‘Misery has laid a hand on me, and You are the Most Merciful of all the merciful.’

84. So We granted his prayer and We removed the misery that was afflicting him. And We (also) gave him back his family and (bestowed upon him) the like of them along with them. This is an Exceptional Mercy from Us and an Advice for those who are devoted to Our worship (that is how Allah rewards patience and gratitude).

85. And (also recall) Isma‘il (Ishmael), and Idris and Dhu’l-Kifl. They were all steadfast men of patience.

86. And We admitted them to (the Embrace of) Our Mercy. Surely they were of the pious.

87. And (also remember) Dhu’n-Nun (the Prophet whom fish swallowed) when he went away enraged (at his people). So he thought that We would not cause him any distress (during that journey). Then he cried out (entangled) in (the layers of) the darkness (of night, under the river and in the fish belly): ‘There is no God except You. Glory be to You. Surely I was of those who wrong (their souls).’

88. So We granted his prayer and We delivered him from grief. And likewise We always deliver the believers.

89. And (remember) Zakariyya ((Zacharias) as well) when he called out to his Lord: ‘O my Lord, leave me not single and You are the Best of all inheritors.’

90. So We granted his prayer and We blessed him with Yahya (John) and for his sake made his wife healthy (fertile). Surely they (all) used to hasten in (doing) pious deeds and used to call on Us (feeling) eager, fond, fearful and frightened, and used to humble before Our Presence in tearful submissions.

91. (And call to mind) that (embodiment of purity) Maryam ((Mary) as well) who guarded her chastity. Then We breathed into her of Our Spirit and We made her and her son (‘Isa (Jesus)) a Sign (of Our Power) for the people of the world.

92. Surely these (people) are your Umma ((Community) and all) are one Umma. And I am your Lord, so worship Me (alone).

93. And these (people of the Book) split up their Din (Religion) into pieces among themselves. To Us they all will return.

94. So whoever does good deeds and is a believer as well (the reward of) his effort will not be refused, and surely We are writing down (all) his deeds.

95. And it is not possible that the people of the town whom We destroyed will not return to Us (after death),

96. Until when Gog and Magog are let loose and they will come down running from every high place,

97. And the true promise (of the Day of Resurrection) will draw near, then the eyes of the disbelievers will suddenly fix staring (and they will cry out:) ‘Woe to us! We were indeed oblivious of (the arrival of) this (Day); in fact we were unjust.’

98. Surely you and the (idols) you worship besides Allah (all) are the fuel of Hell. You are going to enter it.

99. Had they been (true) gods, they would not have entered Hell. And all of them will stay in it forever.

100. There will be their (sighing and wailing, a) roar of screaming in it and they will not be able to hear in it anything (else).

101. Surely those for whom good has already been decreed from Us will be kept away from (Hell).

102. They shall not hear even its slightest hissing sound and they shall live forever in those (bounties) which their hearts will long for.

103. (Even) the Greatest Horror (of the Day of Rising) will not grieve them and the angels will welcome them, (saying:) ‘This is (but) your Day which you were promised.’

104. On that Day, We shall roll up the (whole) heavenly universe as the written papers are rolled up. The way We created (the universe) the first time, We shall repeat the same process of creation (after its extinction). We have made it binding upon Us to fulfil this promise. We will do (repeat it).

105. And surely We wrote in the az-Zabur (the Psalms) after (stating the) admonition that the inheritors of the earth (in the Hereafter) will be My pious servants.

106. Surely there is for the devoted worshippers a guarantee and sufficient provision in this (Qur’an, of achieving the objective).

107. And, (O Esteemed Messenger,) We have not sent you but as a Mercy for all the worlds.

108. Say: ‘This is what is revealed to me that your God is One God (only). Do you then accept Islam?’

109. Then, if they turn away, say: ‘I have conveyed to you all alike, and I do not know (on my own) whether that (torment) which you are promised is near or far.

110. He surely knows what you utter loudly and also knows (all) that you keep secret.

111. And I do not know (on my own) that this (delaying of the torment and the respite given to you) may perhaps be a trial for you and the intention may be to provide (you) a benefit till a fixed time.’

112. (Our Beloved) submitted: ‘My Lord, judge (between us) with truth and Our Lord is Ever-Merciful and He is the One Whose help is sought against the (heart-rending) words which, (O disbelievers,) you utter.’