Revealed in the early Makkan period, Surah Qaf focuses intensely on the certainty of death, the reality of resurrection, and the ultimate accountability of the soul, addressing the disbelievers' skepticism about rising from the dust. It urges humanity to look at the sky above them—flawless, decorated with stars—and the green earth as proof of the Creator's power to bring life from death. The chapter paints a vivid, terrifying picture of death's stupor and the blowing of the trumpet. It warns that every individual has a recording angel and will be driven to judgment with a driver and a witness, commanding the Prophet to remain patient and remind people using the Quran.
Transliteration
Qaf waalqurani almajeedi
Translation
Qaf. By the Glorious Quran
Transliteration
Bal AAajiboo an jaahum munthirun minhum faqala alkafiroona hatha shayon AAajeebun
Translation
They marveled that a warner has come to them from among them. The disbelievers say, “This is something strange
Transliteration
Aitha mitna wakunna turaban thalika rajAAun baAAeedun
Translation
When we have died and become dust? This is a farfetched return.”
Transliteration
Qad AAalimna ma tanqusu alardu minhum waAAindana kitabun hafeethun
Translation
We know what the earth consumes of them, and with Us is a comprehensive book
Transliteration
Bal kaththaboo bialhaqqi lamma jaahum fahum fee amrin mareejin
Translation
But they denied the truth when it has come to them, so they are in a confused state
Transliteration
Afalam yanthuroo ila alssamai fawqahum kayfa banaynaha wazayyannaha wama laha min furoojin
Translation
Have they not observed the sky above them, how We constructed it, and decorated it, and it has no cracks
Transliteration
Waalarda madadnaha waalqayna feeha rawasiya waanbatna feeha min kulli zawjin baheejin
Translation
And the earth, how We spread it out, and set on it mountains, and grew in it all kinds of delightful pairs
Transliteration
Tabsiratan wathikra likulli AAabdin muneebin
Translation
A lesson and a reminder for every penitent worshiper
Transliteration
Wanazzalna mina alssamai maan mubarakan faanbatna bihi jannatin wahabba alhaseedi
Translation
And We brought down from the sky blessed water, and produced with it gardens and grain to harvest
Transliteration
Waalnnakhla basiqatin laha talAAun nadeedun
Translation
And the soaring palm trees, with clustered dates
Transliteration
Rizqan lilAAibadi waahyayna bihi baldatan maytan kathalika alkhurooju
Translation
As sustenance for the servants. And We revive thereby a dead town. Likewise is the resurrection
Transliteration
Kaththabat qablahum qawmu noohin waashabu alrrassi wathamoodu
Translation
Before them the people of Noah denied the truth, and so did the dwellers of Russ, and Thamood
Transliteration
WaAAadun wafirAAawnu waikhwanu lootin
Translation
And Aad, and Pharaoh, and the brethren of Lot
Transliteration
Waashabu alaykati waqawmu tubbaAAin kullun kaththaba alrrusula fahaqqa waAAeedi
Translation
And the Dwellers of the Woods, and the people of Tubba. They all rejected the messengers, so My threat came true
Transliteration
AfaAAayeena bialkhalqi alawwali bal hum fee labsin min khalqin jadeedin
Translation
Were We fatigued by the first creation? But they are in doubt of a new creation
Transliteration
Walaqad khalaqna alinsana wanaAAlamu ma tuwaswisu bihi nafsuhu wanahnu aqrabu ilayhi min habli alwareedi
Translation
We created the human being, and We know what his soul whispers to him. We are nearer to him than his jugular vein
Transliteration
Ith yatalaqqa almutalaqqiyani AAani alyameeni waAAani alshshimali qaAAeedun
Translation
As the two receivers receive, seated to the right and to the left
Transliteration
Ma yalfithu min qawlin illa ladayhi raqeebun AAateedun
Translation
Not a word does he utter, but there is a watcher by him, ready
Transliteration
Wajaat sakratu almawti bialhaqqi thalika ma kunta minhu taheedu
Translation
The daze of death has come in truth: “This is what you tried to evade.”
Transliteration
Wanufikha fee alssoori thalika yawmu alwaAAeedi
Translation
And the Trumpet is blown: “This is the Promised Day.”