85al-BurūjThe Towering Constellationsسُورَةُ البروج

By the sky featuring structural constellations,

And by the promised Day,

And by he who witnesses1 and that which is witnessed!2

Death-stricken are the attendants of the trench3

Of fire stoked [for incineration — intended for the committed muslims].4

As they are [blithely] in sitting positions [around that fire],

They are witnesses to what they are doing to the committed muslims:

And the only reason for their retaliation [against the committed muslims] is that they [the committed muslims] are dedicated to Allah the Invulnerable, the Applaudable,

To whom the dominion of the heavens and the earth belongs — and Allah is an attestant to everything.

Indeed, those who put committed muslim men and committed muslim women to trials and tribulations and then do not repent deserve the torment of Hell, and the torment of the fire.

Indeed, those who commit themselves [to Allah’s power and authority] and do what is right deserve gardens of bliss with waters flowing beneath — and that is the great success.

Assuredly, the confrontation coming from your Sustainer is truly vehement.

He, in truth, initiates [any and all actions and things] and reinitiates [any and all actions and things].

And He [alone] is the Ever-Forgiving, the One who reciprocates love,

To whom belongs the glorious throne,

Who does [without interruption] whatever He decides.

Has the account of the military troops been relayed to you?

[The troops] of Pharaoh and Thamūd?

Still, the deniers [of Our power and authority] will persist in [their] attribution of lies [to Our word]:

But Allah — behind the scenes — encompasses them.

Rather, this [that they lie about] is an illustrious Qur’an —

Inscribed, engraved, and retained.