Al-Mukhtasar · Tafsir · in English
الدخان
Ad-Dukhan
The Smoke · Meccan · 59 ayahs
Ḥā Mīm. The discussion on similar letters has already passed in Sūrah Al-Baqarah.
Allah takes an oath on the Qur’ān which clearly explains the path of guidance towards the truth.
44:3Page 496
إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ فِي لَيۡلَةٖ مُّبَٰرَكَةٍۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ ٣
Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night.1 Indeed, We were to warn [mankind].
Indeed, I revealed the Qur’ān on the Night of Decree; it is a night of much goodness. Indeed, I warn through this Qur’ān.
44:4Page 496
فِيهَا يُفۡرَقُ كُلُّ أَمۡرٍ حَكِيمٍ ٤
Therein [i.e., on that night] is made distinct1 every precise matter -
On this night every precise matter related to provisions, lifespans etc. are decided which Allah is to make happen that year.
44:5Page 496
أَمۡرٗا مِّنۡ عِندِنَآۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرۡسِلِينَ ٥
[Every] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger]
I decide every precise matter of Mine; indeed, I am the one who sends the messengers.
44:6Page 496
رَحۡمَةٗ مِّن رَّبِّكَۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ ٦
As mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing,
O Messenger! I send the messengers through My mercy for those whom they are sent towards. Indeed, may I be glorified I am the Hearer of the statements of My servants, the Knower of their intentions; none of them are hidden from Me.
44:7Page 496
رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَآۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ ٧
Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them, if you would be certain.
He is the Lord of the heavens, the earth and whatever lies between them. If you are convinced of that, then bring faith upon my Messenger.
44:8Page 496
لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحۡيِۦ وَيُمِيتُۖ رَبُّكُمۡ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآئِكُمُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ ٨
There is no deity except Him; He gives life and causes death. [He is] your Lord and the Lord of your first forefathers.
There is no true deity except him. He gives life and causes death; there is no one that does that except Him. He is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers before you.
These idolaters are not convinced of that, rather, they are in doubt about it and distract themselves from it with the falsehood they are in.
44:10Page 496
فَٱرۡتَقِبۡ يَوۡمَ تَأۡتِي ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٖ مُّبِينٖ ١٠
Then watch for the Day when the sky will bring a visible smoke
So O Messenger! Wait for their punishment that will come soon: a day when the sky is clearly filled with smoke.
44:11Page 496
يَغۡشَى ٱلنَّاسَۖ هَٰذَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٞ ١١
Covering the people; this is a painful torment.
It will cover the people, and will be said to them, “This punishment that has afflicted you is a painful punishment.”
44:12Page 496
رَّبَّنَا ٱكۡشِفۡ عَنَّا ٱلۡعَذَابَ إِنَّا مُؤۡمِنُونَ ١٢
[They will say], "Our Lord, remove from us the torment; indeed, we are believers."
They will then beg their Lord, asking him, “O our Lord! Turn the punishment that you sent upon us, away from us. If you turn it away from us, we will believe in You and in Your Messenger.”
44:13Page 496
أَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ وَقَدۡ جَآءَهُمۡ رَسُولٞ مُّبِينٞ ١٣
How will there be for them a reminder [at that time]? And there had come to them a clear Messenger.
How can they take heed and repent to their Lord now, when a clear Messenger came to them before, and they knew of his truthfulness and honesty?
44:14Page 496
ثُمَّ تَوَلَّوۡاْ عَنۡهُ وَقَالُواْ مُعَلَّمٞ مَّجۡنُونٌ ١٤
Then they turned away from him and said, "[He was] taught [and is] a madman."
They turned away from believing in him, and said about him, “He was taught. Other people taught him; he is not a messenger.” They also said, “He is a madman.”
44:15Page 496
إِنَّا كَاشِفُواْ ٱلۡعَذَابِ قَلِيلًاۚ إِنَّكُمۡ عَآئِدُونَ ١٥
Indeed, We will remove the torment for a little. Indeed, you [disbelievers] will return [to disbelief].
Indeed, when I turn the punishment away from them for a short while, they will return to their disbelief and rejection.
44:16Page 496
يَوۡمَ نَبۡطِشُ ٱلۡبَطۡشَةَ ٱلۡكُبۡرَىٰٓ إِنَّا مُنتَقِمُونَ ١٦
The Day We will strike with the greatest assault, indeed, We will take retribution.
O Messenger! Wait for the day when I will seize the disbelievers with the greatest seizing, by entering them into the hellfire on the Day of Judgement wherein they will live forever. I will take retribution from them for their disbelief in Allah and rejecting His messengers.
44:17Page 496
۞ وَلَقَدۡ فَتَنَّا قَبۡلَهُمۡ قَوۡمَ فِرۡعَوۡنَ وَجَآءَهُمۡ رَسُولٞ كَرِيمٌ ١٧
And We had already tried before them the people of Pharaoh, and there came to them a noble messenger [i.e., Moses],
And verily I tested the people of Pharaoh before them, and their noble messenger came to them from Allah calling them towards His oneness and worship. He was Moses (peace be upon him).
44:18Page 496
أَنۡ أَدُّوٓاْ إِلَيَّ عِبَادَ ٱللَّهِۖ إِنِّي لَكُمۡ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٞ ١٨
[Saying], "Render to me the servants of Allāh.1 Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger,"
Moses said to Pharaoh and his people, “Leave the Israelites to me, because they are the servants of Allah; you have no right to take them as slaves. Indeed, I am a messenger to you from Allah, I am trustworthy in conveying what He has commanded me to convey. I will not take anything away from it nor add anything to it.”
44:19Page 497
وَأَن لَّا تَعۡلُواْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِۖ إِنِّيٓ ءَاتِيكُم بِسُلۡطَٰنٖ مُّبِينٖ ١٩
And [saying], "Be not haughty with Allāh. Indeed, I have come to you with clear evidence.
“And do not show arrogance to Allah by leaving His worship and assuming superiority over His servants. Indeed, I will bring to you a clear proof.”
44:20Page 497
وَإِنِّي عُذۡتُ بِرَبِّي وَرَبِّكُمۡ أَن تَرۡجُمُونِ ٢٠
And indeed, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord, lest you stone me.1
“And I have sought protection in my Lord and your Lord from you killing me by stoning.”
44:21Page 497
وَإِن لَّمۡ تُؤۡمِنُواْ لِي فَٱعۡتَزِلُونِ ٢١
But if you do not believe me, then leave me alone."
“If you do not believe in whatever I have brought, then leave me alone; do not approach me intending harm.”
44:22Page 497
فَدَعَا رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنَّ هَٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٞ مُّجۡرِمُونَ ٢٢
And [finally] he called to his Lord that these were a criminal people.
Then Moses supplicated to his Lord: “This nation i.e. Pharaoh and his people, are a criminal nation who deserve a swift punishment.”
44:23Page 497
فَأَسۡرِ بِعِبَادِي لَيۡلًا إِنَّكُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ ٢٣
[Allāh said], "Then set out with My servants by night. Indeed, you are to be pursued.
So Allah commanded Moses to take his people away at night, and informed him that Pharaoh and his people will pursue them.
44:24Page 497
وَٱتۡرُكِ ٱلۡبَحۡرَ رَهۡوًاۖ إِنَّهُمۡ جُندٞ مُّغۡرَقُونَ ٢٤
And leave the sea in stillness.1 Indeed, they are an army to be drowned."
He also commanded him that when they all cross the sea, to leave it standing as it was, because Pharaoh and his people were to be destroyed by drowning in it.
44:25Page 497
كَمۡ تَرَكُواْ مِن جَنَّٰتٖ وَعُيُونٖ ٢٥
How much they left behind of gardens and springs
How many gardens and flowing springs did Pharaoh and his people leave behind!
And how many farms and beautiful places did they leave behind!
And how many lives of luxuries they used to live, did they leave behind!
44:28Page 497
كَذَٰلِكَۖ وَأَوۡرَثۡنَٰهَا قَوۡمًا ءَاخَرِينَ ٢٨
Thus. And We caused to inherit it another people.
Whatever has been described to you happened to them, and we made another nation i.e. the Israelites inherit their gardens, springs, farms and structures.
44:29Page 497
فَمَا بَكَتۡ عَلَيۡهِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُنظَرِينَ ٢٩
And the heaven and earth wept not for them, nor were they reprieved.
Neither the heavens nor the earth cried over Pharaoh and his people when they drowned, nor were they given respite to repent.
44:30Page 497
وَلَقَدۡ نَجَّيۡنَا بَنِيٓ إِسۡرَٰٓءِيلَ مِنَ ٱلۡعَذَابِ ٱلۡمُهِينِ ٣٠
And We certainly saved the Children of Israel from the humiliating torment -
And verily I saved the Israelites from the humiliating punishment, because Pharaoh and his people would kill their children and keep their women alive.
44:31Page 497
مِن فِرۡعَوۡنَۚ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ عَالِيٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡمُسۡرِفِينَ ٣١
From Pharaoh. Indeed, he was a haughty one among the transgressors.
I saved them from the punishment of Pharaoh. Indeed, he was an arrogant one from those who transgressed the command and religion of Allah.
44:32Page 497
وَلَقَدِ ٱخۡتَرۡنَٰهُمۡ عَلَىٰ عِلۡمٍ عَلَى ٱلۡعَٰلَمِينَ ٣٢
And We certainly chose them by knowledge over [all] the worlds.
And verily I selected the Israelites knowingly over the people of their time, because of their many Prophets.
44:33Page 497
وَءَاتَيۡنَٰهُم مِّنَ ٱلۡأٓيَٰتِ مَا فِيهِ بَلَٰٓؤٞاْ مُّبِينٌ ٣٣
And We gave them of signs that in which there was a clear trial.
And I granted them miracles through which I gave strength to Moses, and in which there was an obvious blessing for them, like the Mann and Salwā and other than them.
Indeed, these rejecting idolaters will say, denying the resurrection:
44:35Page 497
إِنۡ هِيَ إِلَّا مَوۡتَتُنَا ٱلۡأُولَىٰ وَمَا نَحۡنُ بِمُنشَرِينَ ٣٥
"There is not but our first death, and we will not be resurrected.
“It is only our first death that we will die; there is no life after that, and we are not going to be resurrected after this death.”
44:36Page 497
فَأۡتُواْ بِـَٔابَآئِنَآ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَٰدِقِينَ ٣٦
Then bring [back] our forefathers, if you should be truthful."
“O Muhammad! If you are truthful in your claim that Allah will resurrect the dead alive for requital and accountability, then bring back to life our forefathers who have died.”
44:37Page 497
أَهُمۡ خَيۡرٌ أَمۡ قَوۡمُ تُبَّعٖ وَٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِهِمۡ أَهۡلَكۡنَٰهُمۡۚ إِنَّهُمۡ كَانُواْ مُجۡرِمِينَ ٣٧
Are they better or the people of Tubbaʿ1 and those before them? We destroyed them, [for] indeed, they were criminals.
O Messenger! Are these denying idolaters stronger and more resistant, or the people of Tubba‘ and those after them like the ‘Ād and Thamūd? I destroyed them all. Indeed, they were criminals.
44:38Page 497
وَمَا خَلَقۡنَا ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَا لَٰعِبِينَ ٣٨
And We did not create the heavens and earth and that between them in play.
And I did not create the heavens, the earth and everything between it in jest and amusement.
44:39Page 497
مَا خَلَقۡنَٰهُمَآ إِلَّا بِٱلۡحَقِّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَهُمۡ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ٣٩
We did not create them except in truth, but most of them do not know.
I only created it due to a profound wisdom, but the majority of idolaters do not know that.
44:40Page 498
إِنَّ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡفَصۡلِ مِيقَٰتُهُمۡ أَجۡمَعِينَ ٤٠
Indeed, the Day of Judgement is the appointed time for them all -
The day of judgment in which Allah will decide between the servants is the appointed time for all of the creation in which Allah will gather them.
44:41Page 498
يَوۡمَ لَا يُغۡنِي مَوۡلًى عَن مَّوۡلٗى شَيۡـٔٗا وَلَا هُمۡ يُنصَرُونَ ٤١
The Day when no relation1 will avail a relation at all, nor will they be helped -
The day when no relative will benefit his relative or friend benefit his friend nor will they be saved from Allah’s punishment, because authority on that day will be for Allah. Nobody will be able to claim it.
44:42Page 498
إِلَّا مَن رَّحِمَ ٱللَّهُۚ إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ٤٢
Except those [believers] on whom Allāh has mercy. Indeed, He is the Exalted in Might, the Merciful.
Except the person Allah has mercy on, for he will benefit from the good action he has sent forward. Allah is the Mighty whom nobody can overpower, Wise in His creation, decree and plan.
The tree of zaqqum which Allah has grown at the bottom of the fire
Is the food of the extremely sinful who will eat of its horrible fruit!
Like black oil, boiling in their stomachs due to its intense heat.
Like the boiling of extremely hot water.
44:47Page 498
خُذُوهُ فَٱعۡتِلُوهُ إِلَىٰ سَوَآءِ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ ٤٧
[It will be commanded], "Seize him and drag him into the midst of the Hellfire,
It will be said to the keepers of hell: “Grab him, drag him violently and harshly towards the middle of the fire”.
44:48Page 498
ثُمَّ صُبُّواْ فَوۡقَ رَأۡسِهِۦ مِنۡ عَذَابِ ٱلۡحَمِيمِ ٤٨
Then pour over his head from the torment of scalding water."
Then pour hot water over the head of this person being punished, so that the punishment does not separate from him.
44:49Page 498
ذُقۡ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡكَرِيمُ ٤٩
[It will be said], "Taste! Indeed, you are the honored, the noble!1
It will be said to him, mockingly: “Taste this painful punishment. You are the mighty who is not treated unjustly, noble amongst your people.
This is the punishment you used to doubt will occur on the Day of Judgment, but now your doubt has been removed from you by seeing it”.
44:51Page 498
إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِي مَقَامٍ أَمِينٖ ٥١
Indeed, the righteous will be in a secure place:
Those who are mindful of their Lord through carrying out His commands and refraining from His prohibitions will be in a place of residence, safe from every misfortune that could afflict them.
In gardens and flowing springs.
44:53Page 498
يَلۡبَسُونَ مِن سُندُسٖ وَإِسۡتَبۡرَقٖ مُّتَقَٰبِلِينَ ٥٣
Wearing [garments of] fine silk and brocade, facing each other.
They will wear in Paradise fine and thick silk. They will be facing one another and not see each other’s nape.
44:54Page 498
كَذَٰلِكَ وَزَوَّجۡنَٰهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٖ ٥٤
Thus. And We will marry them to fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes.
Just as I will honour with that which is mentioned, I will marry them in Paradise to beautiful women with beautiful wide eyes.
44:55Page 498
يَدۡعُونَ فِيهَا بِكُلِّ فَٰكِهَةٍ ءَامِنِينَ ٥٥
They will call therein for every [kind of] fruit - safe and secure.
They will call their attendants therein to bring them every fruit they wish, safe from their being cut off and from their harms.
44:56Page 498
لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا ٱلۡمَوۡتَ إِلَّا ٱلۡمَوۡتَةَ ٱلۡأُولَىٰۖ وَوَقَىٰهُمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ ٥٦
They will not taste death therein except the first death, and He will have protected them from the punishment of Hellfire
Living therein forever. They will not taste death therein except the first death in the worldly life, and their Lord will save them from the punishment of the fire.
44:57Page 498
فَضۡلٗا مِّن رَّبِّكَۚ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ ٥٧
As bounty from your Lord. That is what is the great attainment.
As a grace and kindness from your Lord to them, O Messenger. That which is mentioned, namely entering them into Paradise and saving them from the fire is the great success which no success can compare with.
44:58Page 498
فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرۡنَٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَكَّرُونَ ٥٨
And indeed, We have eased it [i.e., the Qur’ān] in your tongue that they might be reminded.
I have made this Qur’ān easy and facilitated it for you by revealing it in your language of Arabic, O Messenger, so that they take heed.
44:59Page 498
فَٱرۡتَقِبۡ إِنَّهُم مُّرۡتَقِبُونَ ٥٩
So watch, [O Muḥammad]; indeed, they are watching [for your end].
So await your help and their destruction; they are awaiting your destruction.
Text: Quranic Universal Library (Tarteel), via spa5k/tafsir_api (MIT), at a fixed version. The ayahs: Quran Foundation. Sources and licences