Revealed in the late Makkan period, Surah Ad-Dukhan (The Smoke) opens by commemorating the Blessed Night (Laylat-ul-Qadr) in which the Quran was revealed as a mercy from God. It warns the disbelievers of Makkah who mock the message that a day will come when the sky will bring a visible, suffocating smoke as a painful torment. The chapter recounts the drowning of Pharaoh and the downfall of his empire to show that worldly strength cannot avert divine justice. It vividly contrasts the torment of the tree of Zaqqum in Hell with the security and peace of the righteous in Paradise.
Transliteration
Hameem
Translation
Ha, Meem
Transliteration
Waalkitabi almubeeni
Translation
By the Enlightening Scripture
Transliteration
Inna anzalnahu fee laylatin mubarakatin inna kunna munthireena
Translation
We have revealed it on a Blessed Night—We have warned
Transliteration
Feeha yufraqu kullu amrin hakeemin
Translation
In it is distinguished every wise command
Transliteration
Amran min AAindina inna kunna mursileena
Translation
A decree from Us. We have been sending messages
Transliteration
Rahmatan min rabbika innahu huwa alssameeAAu alAAaleemu
Translation
As mercy from your Lord. He is the Hearer, the Knower
Transliteration
Rabbi alssamawati waalardi wama baynahuma in kuntum mooqineena
Translation
Lord of the heavens and the earth and what is between them, if you know for sure
Transliteration
La ilaha illa huwa yuhyee wayumeetu rabbukum warabbu abaikumu alawwaleena
Translation
There is no god but He. He gives life and causes death—your Lord and Lord of your ancestors of old
Transliteration
Bal hum fee shakkin yalAAaboona
Translation
Yet they play around in doubt
Transliteration
Fairtaqib yawma tatee alssamao bidukhanin mubeenin
Translation
So watch out for the Day when the sky produces a visible smoke
Transliteration
Yaghsha alnnasa hatha AAathabun aleemun
Translation
Enveloping mankind; this is a painful punishment
Transliteration
Rabbana ikshif AAanna alAAathaba inna muminoona
Translation
“Our Lord, lift the torment from us, we are believers.”
Transliteration
Anna lahumu alththikra waqad jaahum rasoolun mubeenun
Translation
But how can they be reminded? An enlightening messenger has already come to them
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Thumma tawallaw AAanhu waqaloo muAAallamun majnoonun
Translation
But they turned away from him, and said, “Educated, but crazy!”
Transliteration
Inna kashifoo alAAathabi qaleelan innakum AAaidoona
Translation
We will ease the punishment a little, but you will revert
Transliteration
Yawma nabtishu albatshata alkubra inna muntaqimoona
Translation
The Day when We launch the Great Assault—We will avenge
Transliteration
Walaqad fatanna qablahum qawma firAAawna wajaahum rasoolun kareemun
Translation
Before them We tested the people of Pharaoh; a noble messenger came to them
Transliteration
An addoo ilayya AAibada Allahi innee lakum rasoolun ameenun
Translation
Saying, “Hand over God’s servants to me. I am an honest messenger to you.”
Transliteration
Waan la taAAloo AAala Allahi innee ateekum bisultanin mubeenin
Translation
And, “Do not exalt yourselves above God. I come to you with clear authority
Transliteration
Wainnee AAuthtu birabbee warabbikum an tarjumooni
Translation
I have taken refuge in my Lord and your Lord, lest you stone me