Revealed during the middle Makkan period, Surah Al-Furqan (The Criterion) defends the authenticity of the Quran and the prophethood of Muhammad (ﷺ) against the skeptics' persistent doubts and mockery. It takes its name from the Quran itself, referred to as the 'Criterion' that distinguishes truth from falsehood. The chapter addresses the disbelievers' complaints that the Prophet was a mortal who ate food and walked in the marketplaces, reminding them that all past messengers were human. It contains vivid descriptions of the Day of Judgment, illustrating the regret of those who chose bad companions and turned away from the message. The latter part of the Surah beautifully details the characteristics of the sincere servants of the Merciful (Ibad-ur-Rahman)—those who walk the earth with humility, spend their nights in prayer, avoid false witness, and respond to ignorance with peace, showcasing the practical manifestation of faith.
Transliteration
Tabaraka allathee nazzala alfurqana AAala AAabdihi liyakoona lilAAalameena natheeran
Translation
Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His servant, to be a warning to humanity
Transliteration
Allathee lahu mulku alssamawati waalardi walam yattakhith waladan walam yakun lahu shareekun fee almulki wakhalaqa kulla shayin faqaddarahu taqdeeran
Translation
He to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, who took to Himself no son, who never had a partner in His kingship; who created everything and determined its measure
Transliteration
Waittakhathoo min doonihi alihatan la yakhluqoona shayan wahum yukhlaqoona wala yamlikoona lianfusihim darran wala nafAAan wala yamlikoona mawtan wala hayatan wala nushooran
Translation
And yet, instead of Him, they produce for themselves gods that create nothing, but are themselves created; that have no power to harm or benefit themselves; and no power over life, death, or resurrection
Transliteration
Waqala allatheena kafaroo in hatha illa ifkun iftarahu waaAAanahu AAalayhi qawmun akharoona faqad jaoo thulman wazooran
Translation
Those who disbelieve say, “This is nothing but a lie that he made up, and others have helped him at it.” They have committed an injustice and a perjury
Transliteration
Waqaloo asateeru alawwaleena iktatabaha fahiya tumla AAalayhi bukratan waaseelan
Translation
And they say, “Tales of the ancients; he wrote them down; they are dictated to him morning and evening.”
Transliteration
Qul anzalahu allathee yaAAlamu alssirra fee alssamawati waalardi innahu kana ghafooran raheeman
Translation
Say, “It was revealed by He who knows the Secret in the heavens and the earth. He is always Forgiving and Merciful.”
Transliteration
Waqaloo mali hatha alrrasooli yakulu alttaAAama wayamshee fee alaswaqi lawla onzila ilayhi malakun fayakoona maAAahu natheeran
Translation
And they say, “What sort of messenger is this, who eats food, and walks in the marketplaces? If only an angel was sent down with him, to be alongside him a warner.”
Transliteration
Aw yulqa ilayhi kanzun aw takoonu lahu jannatun yakulu minha waqala alththalimoona in tattabiAAoona illa rajulan mashooran
Translation
Or, “If only a treasure was dropped on him.” Or, “If only he had a garden from which he eats.” The evildoers also say, “You are following but a man under spell.”
Transliteration
Onthur kayfa daraboo laka alamthala fadalloo fala yastateeAAoona sabeelan
Translation
Look how they invent examples for you. They have gone astray, and cannot find a way
Transliteration
Tabaraka allathee in shaa jaAAala laka khayran min thalika jannatin tajree min tahtiha alanharu wayajAAal laka qusooran
Translation
Blessed is He who, if He wills, can provide you with better than that—gardens beneath which rivers flow—and He will give you palaces
Transliteration
Bal kaththaboo bialssaAAati waaAAtadna liman kaththaba bialssaAAati saAAeeran
Translation
In fact, they have denied the Hour, and We have prepared for those who deny the Hour a Blaze
Transliteration
Itha raathum min makanin baAAeedin samiAAoo laha taghayyuthan wazafeeran
Translation
When it sees them from a distant place, they will hear it raging and roaring
Transliteration
Waitha olqoo minha makanan dayyiqan muqarraneena daAAaw hunalika thubooran
Translation
And when they are thrown into it, into a tight place, shackled, they will plead there for death
Transliteration
La tadAAoo alyawma thubooran wahidan waodAAoo thubooran katheeran
Translation
“Do not plead for one death today, but plead for a great many deaths.”
Transliteration
Qul athalika khayrun am jannatu alkhuldi allatee wuAAida almuttaqoona kanat lahum jazaan wamaseeran
Translation
Say, “Is this better, or the Garden of Eternity promised to the righteous? It is for them a reward and a destination
Transliteration
Lahum feeha ma yashaoona khalideena kana AAala rabbika waAAdan masoolan
Translation
They will have therein whatever they desire, forever. That is upon your Lord a binding promise
Transliteration
Wayawma yahshuruhum wama yaAAbudoona min dooni Allahi fayaqoolu aantum adlaltum AAibadee haolai am hum dalloo alssabeela
Translation
On the Day when He gathers them, and what they worshiped besides God, He will say, “Was it you who misled these servants of Mine, or was it they who lost the way?”
Transliteration
Qaloo subhanaka ma kana yanbaghee lana an nattakhitha min doonika min awliyaa walakin mattaAAtahum waabaahum hatta nasoo alththikra wakanoo qawman booran
Translation
They will say, “Glory be to You. It was not for us to take any lords besides You. But you gave them enjoyments, and their ancestors, until they forgot the Message, and became ruined people.”
Transliteration
Faqad kaththabookum bima taqooloona fama tastateeAAoona sarfan wala nasran waman yathlim minkum nuthiqhu AAathaban kabeeran
Translation
They have denied you because of what you say; so you can neither avert, nor help. Whoever among you commits injustice, We will make him taste a grievous punishment
Transliteration
Wama arsalna qablaka mina almursaleena illa innahum layakuloona alttaAAama wayamshoona fee alaswaqi wajaAAalna baAAdakum libaAAdin fitnatan atasbiroona wakana rabbuka baseeran
Translation
We never sent any messengers before you, but they ate food and walked in the marketplaces. And We made some of you tempters for one another—will you be patient? Your Lord is always Observing