INTRODUCTION:
This Surah contains 50 verses, 180 sentences, 816 letters and 2 Ruku's.
The Sura takes its name from the word wal-mursalat in the first verse.
Its subject matter bears full evidence that it was revealed in the earliest period at Makkah. If this Surah is read together with the two Surahs preceding it, namely Al-Qiyamah and Ad-Dahr, and the two Surahs following it, namely An-Naba and An-Naziat, it becomes obvious that all these Surahs are the Revelations of the same period, and they deal with one and the same theme, which has been impressed on the people of Makkah in different ways.
Its theme is to affirm the Resurrection and Hereafter and to warn the people of the consequences which will ultimately follow the denial and the affirmation of these truths.
In the first seven verses, the system of winds has been presented as an evidence of the truth that the Resurrection which is being foretold by the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace and blessings) must come to pass. The reasoning is that the power of All-Mighty Allah Who established this wonderful system on the earth, cannot be helpless in bringing about the Resurrection, and the express wisdom which underlies this system bears full evidence that the Hereafter must appear, for no act of an All-Wise Creator can be vain and purposeless, and if there was no Hereafter, it would mean that the whole of one's life was useless and absurd.
The people of Makkah repeatedly asked, "Bring about the Resurrection with which you threaten us; only then shall we believe in it." In vv. 8-15, their demand has been answered, saying: "Resurrection is no sport or fun so that whenever a jester should ask for it, it should be brought forth immediately. It is indeed the Day of Judgement to settle the account of all mankind and of all its individuals. For it Allah has fixed a specific time it will take place at its own time, and when it takes place with all its dreads and horrors, it will confound those who are demanding it for fun today. Then their cases will be decided only on the evidence of those Messengers whom these deniers of the truth are repudiating with impunity. Then they will themselves realize how they themselves are responsible for their dooms."
In vv. 16-28 arguments have been given continuously for the occurrence and necessity of the Resurrection and Hereafter. In these it has been stated that man's own history, his own birth, and the structure of the earth on which he lives, bear the testimony that the coming of Resurrection and the establishment of the Hereafter are possible as well as the demand of Allah Almighty's wisdom. History tells us that the nations which denied the Hereafter ultlimately became corrupted and met with destruction. This means that the Hereafter is a truth which if denied and contradicted by a nation by its conduct and attitude, will cause it to meet the same doom, which is met by a blind man who rushes headlong into an approaching train. And it also means that in the kingdom of the universe only physical laws are not at work but a moral law also is working in it, under which in this very world the process of retribution is operating. But since in the present life of the world retribution is not taking place in its complete and perfect form, the moral law of the universe necessarily demands that there should come a time when it should take its full course and all those good works and evil deeds, which could not be rewarded here, or which escaped their due punishment should be fully rewarded and punished. For this it is inevitable that there should be a second life after death. If man only considers how he takes his birth in the world, his intellect, provided it is sound intellect, cannot deny that for the God Who began his creation from an insignificant sperm drop and developed him into a perfect man, it certainly possible to create the same man once again. After death the particles of man's body do not disappear but continue to exist on the same earth on which he lived his whole life. It is from the resources and treasures of this very earth that he is made and nourished and then into the same treasures of the earth he is deposited. The God who caused him to emerge from the treasures of the earth, in the first instance, can also cause him to re-emerge from the same treasures after he has been restored to them at death. If one only considers the powers of Allah, one cannot deny that He can do this; and if one considers the wisdom of Allah, one also cannot deny that it is certainly the very demand of His wisdom to call man to account for the right and wrong use of the powers that He has granted him on the earth; it would rather be against wisdom to let him off without rendering an account.
Then, in vv. 28-40, the fate of the deniers of the Hereafter has been depicted, and in vv. 41-45 of those who affirming faith in it in their worldly life, endeavoured to improve their Hereafter, and abstained from the evils of disbelief and thought, morality and deed, conduct and character which might be helpful in man's worldly life, but are certainly ruinous for his life hereafter.
In the end, the deniers ot the Hereafter and those who turn away from God-worship, have been warned as if to say: "Enjoy your short-lived worldly pleasure as you may, but your end will ultimately be disasterous." The discourse concludes with the assertion that the one who fails to obtain guidance from a Book like the Quran, can have no ether source in the world to afford him Guidance.
Maududi
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
Section 1
77 : 1
1. Waalmursalati AAurfan
By the emissary winds that are sent in rapid succession (for the good of mankind), -
77 : 2
2. FaalAAasifati AAasfan
By those that raise storms, -
77 : 3
3. Waalnnashirati nashran
By those that revive the (dead) earth, -
77 : 4
4. Faalfariqati farqan
By those that sift and sort, -
77 : 5
5. Faalmulqiyati thikran
By those that bring down the Reminder, -
77 : 6
6. AAuthran aw nuthran
Either to exculpate or to exhort –
77 : 7
7. Innama tooAAadoona lawaqiAAun
Verily that which you have been promised will surely come to pass!
77 : 8
8. Fa-itha alnnujoomu tumisat
Then, when the stars are obscured, -
77 : 9
9. Wa-itha alssamao furijat
And cracks emerge in the sky,
77 : 10
10. Wa-itha aljibalu nusifat
And when the mountains are crumbled into dust and blown away,
77 : 11
11. Wa-itha alrrusulu oqqitat
And when the messengers are brought together on the appointed Day-
77 : 12
12. Li-ayyi yawmin ojjilat
For what Day is the time appointed?
77 : 13
13. Liyawmi alfasli
For the Day of Judgement!
77 : 14
14. Wama adraka ma yawmu alfasli
And what will convey to you what the Day of Judgement is!
77 : 15
15. Waylun yawma-ithin lilmukaththibeena
Damned on that Day are all those who repudiate!
77 : 16
16. Alam nuhliki al-awwaleena
Did We not annihilate communities in the past?
77 : 17
17. Thumma nutbiAAuhumu al-akhireena
And cause others to follow them?
77 : 18
18. Kathalika nafAAalu bialmujrimeena
Thus have We always dispensed with the sinful.
77 : 19
19. Waylun yawma-ithin lilmukaththibeena
Damned on that Day are all those who repudiate!
77 : 20
20. Alam nakhluqkum min ma-in maheenin
Did We not create you from a sordid fluid -
77 : 21
21. FajaAAalnahu fee qararin makeenin
By storing it in a safe repository -
77 : 22
22. Ila qadarin maAAloomin
For a predetermined duration?
77 : 23
23. Faqadarna faniAAma alqadiroona
Thus did We arrange the sequence! How flawless is Our arrangement!
77 : 24
24. Waylun yawma-ithin lilmukaththibeena
Damned on that Day are all those who repudiate!
77 : 25
25. Alam najAAali al-arda kifatan
Did We not make the earth a wide enough platform -
77 : 26
26. Ahyaan waamwatan
For the living as well as for the dead, -
77 : 27
27. WajaAAalna feeha rawasiya shamikhatin waasqaynakum maan furatan
And placed upon it lofty mountains and provided for you sweet water to drink?
77 : 28
28. Waylun yawma-ithin lilmukaththibeena
Damned on that Day are all those who repudiate!
77 : 29
29. Intaliqoo ila ma kuntum bihi tukaththiboona
(It will be said to them) : 'Now proceed towards that which you used to deny!
77 : 30
30. Intaliqoo ila thillin thee thalathi shuAAabin
Proceed towards the oblivion that comprises three layers -
77 : 31
31. La thaleelin wala yughnee mina allahabi
Yet provides not relief nor affords respite from the burning!
77 : 32
32. Innaha tarmee bishararin kaalqasri
Verily it sends up contours of sparks like lofty towers -
77 : 33
33. Kaannahu jimalatun sufrun
Or like camels of tawny hue!
77 : 34
34. Waylun yawma-ithin lilmukaththibeena
Damned on that Day are all those who repudiate!
77 : 35
35. Hatha yawmu la yantiqoona
This is a Day when they will neither be allowed to speak, -
77 : 36
36. Wala yu/thanu lahum fayaAAtathiroona
Nor will they be permitted to avail mitigation.
77 : 37
37. Waylun yawma-ithin lilmukaththibeena
Damned on that Day are all those who repudiate!
77 : 38
38. Hatha yawmu alfasli jamaAAnakum waal-awwaleena
This is the Day of Judgement when We have brought you and your predecessors together!
77 : 39
39. Fa-in kana lakum kaydun fakeedooni
Now if you have any ruses up your sleeves, then try them all on Me!
77 : 40
40. Waylun yawma-ithin lilmukaththibeena
Damned on that Day are all those who repudiate! (R)
Section 2.
77 : 41
41. Inna almuttaqeena fee thilalin waAAuyoonin
Verily those who discharged their dues are amidst shades and springs, -
77 : 42
42. Wafawakiha mimma yashtahoona
And fruits to suit their fancy!
77 : 43
43. Kuloo waishraboo hanee-an bima kuntum taAAmaloona
(It will be said to them) : 'Eat and drink of the best - a befitting reward for all your toils!
77 : 44
44. Inna kathalika najzee almuhsineena
Thus do We reward the righteous!
77 : 45
45. Waylun yawma-ithin lilmukaththibeena
Damned on that Day are all those who repudiate!
77 : 46
46. Kuloo watamattaAAoo qaleelan innakum mujrimoona
Eat and enjoy your short-lived comforts on earth for a while. Verily you are a guilty folk!
77 : 47
47. Waylun yawma-ithin lilmukaththibeena
Damned on that Day are all those who repudiate!
77 : 48
48. Wa-itha qeela lahumu irkaAAoo la yarkaAAoona
When it is said to them : 'Prostrate in worship!' they prostrate not!
77 : 49
49. Waylun yawma-ithin lilmukaththibeena
Damned on that Day are all those who repudiate!
77 : 50
50. Fabi-ayyi hadeethin baAAdahu yu/minoona
In what other asseveration, if not this, will they ever believe! (R)
MUHSIN
1. By the winds (or angels or the Messengers of Allâh) sent forth one after another.
2. And by the winds that blow violently,
3. And by the winds that scatter clouds and rain;
4. And by the Verses (of the Qur'ân) that separate the right from the wrong.
5. And by the angels that bring the revelations to the Messengers,
6. To cut off all excuses or to warn;
7. Surely, what you are promised must come to pass.
8. Then when the stars lose their lights;
9. And when the heaven is cleft asunder;
10. And when the mountains are blown away;
11. And when the Messengers are gathered to their time appointed;
12. For what Day are these signs postponed?
13. For the Day of sorting out (the men of Paradise from the men destined for Hell).
14. And what will explain to you what is the Day of sorting out?
15. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
16. Did We not destroy the ancients?
17. So shall We make later generations to follow them.
18. Thus do We deal with the Mujrimûn (polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, criminals, etc.)!
19. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
20. Did We not create you from a worthless water (semen, etc.)?
21. Then We placed it in a place of safety (womb),
22. For a known period (determined by gestation)?
23. So We did measure, and We are the Best to measure (the things).
24. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
25. Have We not made the earth a receptacle?
26. For the living and the dead.
27. And have placed therein firm, and tall mountains; and have given you to drink sweet water?
28. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
29. (It will be said to the disbelievers): "Depart you to that which you used to deny!
30. "Depart you to a shadow (of Hell-fire smoke ascending) in three columns,
31. "Neither shading, nor of any use against the fierce flame of the Fire."
32. Verily! It (Hell) throws sparks (huge) as Al-Qasr [a fort or a Qasr (huge log of wood)],
33. As if they were Jimâlatun Sufr (yellow camels or bundles of ropes)."
34. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
35. That will be a Day when they shall not speak (during some part of it),
36. And they will not be permitted to put forth any excuse.
37. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
38. That will be a Day of Decision! We have brought you and the men of old together!
39. So if you have a plot, use it against Me (Allâh Ìá ÌáÇáå )!
40. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
41. Verily, the Muttaqûn (pious - see V.2:2) shall be amidst shades and springs.
42. And fruits, such as they desire.
43. "Eat and drink comfortably for that which you used to do.
44. Verily, thus We reward the Muhsinûn (good-doers).
45. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
46. (O you disbelievers)! Eat and enjoy yourselves (in this worldly life) for a little while. Verily, you are the Mujrimûn (polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, criminals, etc.).
47. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
48. And when it is said to them: "Bow down yourself (in prayer)!" They bow not down (offer not their prayers)[] .
49. Woe that Day to the deniers (of the Day of Resurrection)!
50. Then in what statement after this (the Qur'ân) will they believe?
077.001
YUSUFALI: By the
(Winds) sent forth one after another (to man's profit);
PICKTHAL: By the
emissary winds, (sent) one after another
SHAKIR: I swear by the
emissary winds, sent one after another (for men's benefit),
077.002
YUSUFALI: Which then
blow violently in tempestuous Gusts,
PICKTHAL: By the
raging hurricanes,
SHAKIR: By the raging
hurricanes,
077.003
YUSUFALI: And scatter
(things) far and wide;
PICKTHAL: By those
which cause earth's vegetation to revive;
SHAKIR: Which scatter
clouds to their destined places,
077.004
YUSUFALI: Then
separate them, one from another,
PICKTHAL: By those who
winnow with a winnowing,
SHAKIR: Then separate
them one from another,
077.005
YUSUFALI: Then spread
abroad a Message,
PICKTHAL: By those who
bring down the Reminder,
SHAKIR: Then I swear
by the angels who bring down the revelation,
077.006
YUSUFALI: Whether of
Justification or of Warning;-
PICKTHAL: To excuse or
to warn,
SHAKIR: To clear or to
warn.
077.007
YUSUFALI: Assuredly,
what ye are promised must come to pass.
PICKTHAL: Surely that
which ye are promised will befall.
SHAKIR: Most surely
what you are threatened with must come to pass.
077.008
YUSUFALI: Then when
the stars become dim;
PICKTHAL: So when the
stars are put out,
SHAKIR: So when the
stars are made to lose their light,
077.009
YUSUFALI: When the
heaven is cleft asunder;
PICKTHAL: And when the
sky is riven asunder,
SHAKIR: And when the
heaven is rent asunder,
077.010
YUSUFALI: When the
mountains are scattered (to the winds) as dust;
PICKTHAL: And when the
mountains are blown away,
SHAKIR: And when the
mountains are carried away as dust,
077.011
YUSUFALI: And when the
messengers are (all) appointed a time (to collect);-
PICKTHAL: And when the
messengers are brought unto their time appointed -
SHAKIR: And when the
messengers are gathered at their appointed time
077.012
YUSUFALI: For what Day
are these (portents) deferred?
PICKTHAL: For what day
is the time appointed?
SHAKIR: To what day is
the doom fixed?
077.013
YUSUFALI: For the Day
of Sorting out.
PICKTHAL: For the Day
of Decision.
SHAKIR: To the day of
decision.
077.014
YUSUFALI: And what
will explain to thee what is the Day of Sorting out?
PICKTHAL: And what
will convey unto thee what the Day of Decision is! -
SHAKIR: And what will
make you comprehend what the day of decision is?
077.015
YUSUFALI: Ah woe, that
Day, to the Rejecters of Truth!
PICKTHAL: Woe unto the
repudiators on that day!
SHAKIR: Woe on that
day to the rejecters.
077.016
YUSUFALI: Did We not
destroy the men of old (for their evil)?
PICKTHAL: Destroyed We
not the former folk,
SHAKIR: Did We not
destroy the former generations?
077.017
YUSUFALI: So shall We
make later (generations) follow them.
PICKTHAL: Then caused
the latter folk to follow after?
SHAKIR: Then did We
follow them up with later ones.
077.018
YUSUFALI: Thus do We
deal with men of sin.
PICKTHAL: Thus deal We
ever with the guilty.
SHAKIR: Even thus
shall We deal with the guilty.
077.019
YUSUFALI: Ah woe, that
Day, to the Rejecters of Truth!
PICKTHAL: Woe unto the
repudiators on that day!
SHAKIR: Woe on that
day to the rejecters.
077.020
YUSUFALI: Have We not
created you from a fluid (held) despicable?-
PICKTHAL: Did We not
create you from a base fluid
SHAKIR: Did We not
create you from contemptible water?
077.021
YUSUFALI: The which We
placed in a place of rest, firmly fixed,
PICKTHAL: Which We
laid up in a safe abode
SHAKIR: Then We placed
it in a secure resting-place,
077.022
YUSUFALI: For a period
(of gestation), determined (according to need)?
PICKTHAL: For a known
term?
SHAKIR: Till an
appointed term,
077.023
YUSUFALI: For We do
determine (according to need); for We are the best to determine (things).
PICKTHAL: Thus We
arranged. How excellent is Our arranging!
SHAKIR: So We
proportion it-- how well are We at proportioning (things).
077.024
YUSUFALI: Ah woe, that
Day! to the Rejecters of Truth!
PICKTHAL: Woe unto the
repudiators on that day!
SHAKIR: Woe on that
day to the rejecters.
077.025
YUSUFALI: Have We not
made the earth (as a place) to draw together.
PICKTHAL: Have We not
made the earth a receptacle
SHAKIR: Have We not
made the earth to draw together to itself,
077.026
YUSUFALI: The living
and the dead,
PICKTHAL: Both for the
living and the dead,
SHAKIR: The living and
the dead,
077.027
YUSUFALI: And made
therein mountains standing firm, lofty (in stature); and provided for you water
sweet (and wholesome)?
PICKTHAL: And placed
therein high mountains and given you to drink sweet water therein?
SHAKIR: And made
therein lofty mountains, and given you to drink of sweet water?
077.028
YUSUFALI: Ah woe, that
Day, to the Rejecters of Truth!
PICKTHAL: Woe unto the
repudiators on that day!
SHAKIR: Woe on that
day to the rejecters.
077.029
YUSUFALI: (It will be
said:) "Depart ye to that which ye used to reject as false!
PICKTHAL: (It will be
said unto them:) Depart unto that (doom) which ye used to deny;
SHAKIR: Walk on to
that which you called a lie.
077.030
YUSUFALI: "Depart ye
to a Shadow (of smoke ascending) in three columns,
PICKTHAL: Depart unto
the shadow falling threefold,
SHAKIR: Walk on to the
covering having three branches,
077.031
YUSUFALI: "(Which
yields) no shade of coolness, and is of no use against the fierce Blaze.
PICKTHAL: (Which yet
is) no relief nor shelter from the flame.
SHAKIR: Neither having
the coolness of the shade nor availing against the flame.
077.032
YUSUFALI: "Indeed it
throws about sparks (huge) as Forts,
PICKTHAL: Lo! it
throweth up sparks like the castles,
SHAKIR: Surely it
sends up sparks like palaces,
077.033
YUSUFALI: "As if there
were (a string of) yellow camels (marching swiftly)."
PICKTHAL: (Or) as it
might be camels of bright yellow hue.
SHAKIR: As if they
were tawny camels.
077.034
YUSUFALI: Ah woe, that
Day, to the Rejecters of Truth!
PICKTHAL: Woe unto the
repudiators on that day!
SHAKIR: Woe on that
day to the rejecters.
077.035
YUSUFALI: That will be
a Day when they shall not be able to speak.
PICKTHAL: This is a
day wherein they speak not,
SHAKIR: This is the
day on which they shall not speak,
077.036
YUSUFALI: Nor will it
be open to them to put forth pleas.
PICKTHAL: Nor are they
suffered to put forth excuses.
SHAKIR: And permission
shall not be given to them so that they should offer excuses.
077.037
YUSUFALI: Ah woe, that
Day, to the Rejecters of Truth!
PICKTHAL: Woe unto the
repudiators on that day!
SHAKIR: Woe on that
day to the rejecters.
077.038
YUSUFALI: That will be
a Day of Sorting out! We shall gather you together and those before (you)!
PICKTHAL: This is the
Day of Decision, We have brought you and the men of old together.
SHAKIR: This is the
day of decision: We have gathered you and those of yore.
077.039
YUSUFALI: Now, if ye
have a trick (or plot), use it against Me!
PICKTHAL: If now ye
have any wit, outwit Me.
SHAKIR: So if you have
a plan, plan against Me (now).
077.040
YUSUFALI: Ah woe, that
Day, to the Rejecters of Truth!
PICKTHAL: Woe unto the
repudiators on that day!
SHAKIR: Woe on that
day to the rejecters.
077.041
YUSUFALI: As to the
Righteous, they shall be amidst (cool) shades and springs (of water).
PICKTHAL: Lo! those
who kept their duty are amid shade and fountains,
SHAKIR: Surely those
who guard (against evil) shall be amid shades and fountains,
077.042
YUSUFALI: And (they
shall have) fruits,- all they desire.
PICKTHAL: And fruits
such as they desire.
SHAKIR: And fruits
such as they desire.
077.043
YUSUFALI: "Eat ye and
drink ye to your heart's content: for that ye worked (Righteousness).
PICKTHAL: (Unto them
it is said:) Eat, drink and welcome, O ye blessed, in return for what ye did.
SHAKIR: Eat and drink
pleasantly because of what you did.
077.044
YUSUFALI: Thus do We
certainly reward the Doers of Good.
PICKTHAL: Thus do We
reward the good.
SHAKIR: Surely thus do
We reward the doers of good.
077.045
YUSUFALI: Ah woe, that
Day, to the Rejecters of Truth!
PICKTHAL: Woe unto the
repudiators on that day!
SHAKIR: Woe on that
day to the rejecters.
077.046
YUSUFALI: (O ye
unjust!) Eat ye and enjoy yourselves (but) a little while, for that ye are
Sinners.
PICKTHAL: Eat and take
your ease (on earth) a little. Lo! ye are guilty.
SHAKIR: Eat and enjoy
yourselves for a little; surely you are guilty.
077.047
YUSUFALI: Ah woe, that
Day, to the Rejecters of Truth!
PICKTHAL: Woe unto the
repudiators on that day!
SHAKIR: Woe on that
day to the rejecters.
077.048
YUSUFALI: And when it
is said to them, "Prostrate yourselves!" they do not so.
PICKTHAL: When it is
said unto them: Bow down, they bow not down!
SHAKIR: And where it
is said to them: Bow down, they do not bow down.
077.049
YUSUFALI: Ah woe, that
Day, to the Rejecters of Truth!
PICKTHAL: Woe unto the
repudiators on that day!
SHAKIR: Woe on that
day to the rejecters.
077.050
YUSUFALI: Then what
Message, after that, will they believe in?
PICKTHAL: In what
statement, after this, will they believe?
SHAKIR: In what
announcement, then, after it, will they believe?