Surah Ya-Sin · Quran Study Guide

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The Surah · Ya-Sin

﴾١﴿ يسٓ

Ya Sin

Ya Sin.

﴾٢﴿ وَٱلْقُرْءَانِ ٱلْحَكِيمِ

Wal-Qur'ani al-hakim

By the wise Quran.

﴾٣﴿ إِنَّكَ لَمِنَ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

Innaka lamina al-mursalin

You are among the messengers,

﴾٤﴿ عَلَىٰ صِرَٰطٍۢ مُّسْتَقِيمٍۢ

'Ala siratin mustaqim

on a straight path.

﴾٥﴿ تَنزِيلَ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Tanzila al-'Azizi ar-Rahim

A revelation sent down by the Exalted in Might, the Merciful,

﴾٦﴿ لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًۭا مَّآ أُنذِرَ ءَابَآؤُهُمْ فَهُمْ غَٰفِلُونَ

Litundhira qawman ma undhira aba'uhum fahum ghafilun

to warn a people whose fathers were not warned, so they are unaware.

﴾٧﴿ لَقَدْ حَقَّ ٱلْقَوْلُ عَلَىٰٓ أَكْثَرِهِمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

Laqad haqqa al-qawlu 'ala aktharihim fahum la yu'minun

The word has come due against most of them, so they do not believe.

﴾٨﴿ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَا فِىٓ أَعْنَٰقِهِمْ أَغْلَٰلًۭا فَهِىَ إِلَى ٱلْأَذْقَانِ فَهُم مُّقْمَحُونَ

Inna ja'alna fi a'naqihim aghlalan fahiya ila al-adhqani fahum muqmahun

We have placed collars on their necks reaching the chins, so their heads are forced up.

﴾٩﴿ وَجَعَلْنَا مِنۢ بَيْنِ أَيْدِيهِمْ سَدًّۭا وَمِنْ خَلْفِهِمْ سَدًّۭا فَأَغْشَيْنَٰهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يُبْصِرُونَ

Wa ja'alna min bayni aydihim saddan wa min khalfihim saddan fa-aghshaynahum fahum la yubsirun

We have put a barrier before them and a barrier behind them and covered them, so they do not see.

﴾١٠﴿ وَسَوَآءٌ عَلَيْهِمْ ءَأَنذَرْتَهُمْ أَمْ لَمْ تُنذِرْهُمْ لَا يُؤْمِنُونَ

Wa sawa'un 'alayhim a-andhartahum am lam tundhirhum la yu'minun

It is the same for them whether you warn them or do not warn them. They will not believe.

﴾١١﴿ إِنَّمَا تُنذِرُ مَنِ ٱتَّبَعَ ٱلذِّكْرَ وَخَشِىَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنَ بِٱلْغَيْبِ ۖ فَبَشِّرْهُ بِمَغْفِرَةٍۢ وَأَجْرٍۢ كَرِيمٍ

Innama tundhiru mani ittaba'a adh-dhikra wa khashiya ar-Rahmana bil-ghayb, fabashshirhu bimaghfiratin wa ajrin karim

You only warn the one who follows the reminder and fears the Most Merciful unseen. Give him news of forgiveness and a generous reward.

﴾١٢﴿ إِنَّا نَحْنُ نُحْىِ ٱلْمَوْتَىٰ وَنَكْتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُوا۟ وَءَاثَٰرَهُمْ ۚ وَكُلَّ شَىْءٍ أَحْصَيْنَٰهُ فِىٓ إِمَامٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ

Inna nahnu nuhyi al-mawta wa naktubu ma qaddamu wa atharahum, wa kulla shay'in ahsaynahu fi imamin mubin

We give life to the dead, and We record what they sent ahead and their traces. We have enumerated everything in a clear register.

﴾١٣﴿ وَٱضْرِبْ لَهُم مَّثَلًا أَصْحَٰبَ ٱلْقَرْيَةِ إِذْ جَآءَهَا ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ

Wadrib lahum mathalan ashaba al-qaryati idh ja'aha al-mursalun

Present to them the example of the people of the town, when the messengers came to it.

﴾١٤﴿ إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَآ إِلَيْهِمُ ٱثْنَيْنِ فَكَذَّبُوهُمَا فَعَزَّزْنَا بِثَالِثٍۢ فَقَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّآ إِلَيْكُم مُّرْسَلُونَ

Idh arsalna ilayhimu ithnayni fakadhdhabuhuma fa'azzazna bithalithin faqalu inna ilaykum mursalun

We sent two to them and they denied both, so We reinforced them with a third, and they said: we have been sent to you.

﴾١٥﴿ قَالُوا۟ مَآ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا بَشَرٌۭ مِّثْلُنَا وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ مِن شَىْءٍ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا تَكْذِبُونَ

Qalu ma antum illa basharun mithluna wa ma anzala ar-Rahmanu min shay'in in antum illa takdhibun

They said: you are only men like us, and the Most Merciful has sent nothing down. You are only lying.

﴾١٦﴿ قَالُوا۟ رَبُّنَا يَعْلَمُ إِنَّآ إِلَيْكُمْ لَمُرْسَلُونَ

Qalu Rabbuna ya'lamu inna ilaykum lamursalun

They said: our Lord knows that we have been sent to you.

﴾١٧﴿ وَمَا عَلَيْنَآ إِلَّا ٱلْبَلَٰغُ ٱلْمُبِينُ

Wa ma 'alayna illa al-balaghu al-mubin

Our duty is only clear delivery of the message.

﴾١٨﴿ قَالُوٓا۟ إِنَّا تَطَيَّرْنَا بِكُمْ ۖ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهُوا۟ لَنَرْجُمَنَّكُمْ وَلَيَمَسَّنَّكُم مِّنَّا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ

Qalu inna tatayyarna bikum, la'in lam tantahu lanarjumannakum wa layamassannakum minna 'adhabun alim

They said: we see you as an omen. If you do not stop we will stone you, and a painful punishment from us will touch you.

﴾١٩﴿ قَالُوا۟ طَٰٓئِرُكُم مَّعَكُمْ ۚ أَئِن ذُكِّرْتُم ۚ بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌۭ مُّسْرِفُونَ

Qalu ta'irukum ma'akum, a'in dhukkirtum, bal antum qawmun musrifun

They said: your omen is with yourselves. Is it because you were reminded? You are a people who exceed all bounds.

﴾٢٠﴿ وَجَآءَ مِنْ أَقْصَا ٱلْمَدِينَةِ رَجُلٌۭ يَسْعَىٰ قَالَ يَٰقَوْمِ ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ ٱلْمُرْسَلِينَ

Wa ja'a min aqsa al-madinati rajulun yas'a qala ya qawmi ittabi'u al-mursalin

A man came running from the farthest part of the city. He said: my people, follow the messengers.

﴾٢١﴿ ٱتَّبِعُوا۟ مَن لَّا يَسْـَٔلُكُمْ أَجْرًۭا وَهُم مُّهْتَدُونَ

Ittabi'u man la yas'alukum ajran wa hum muhtadun

Follow those who ask you no payment, and who are guided.

﴾٢٢﴿ وَمَا لِىَ لَآ أَعْبُدُ ٱلَّذِى فَطَرَنِى وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

Wa ma liya la a'budu alladhi fatarani wa ilayhi turja'un

Why should I not worship the One who created me, and to whom you will be returned?

﴾٢٣﴿ ءَأَتَّخِذُ مِن دُونِهِۦٓ ءَالِهَةً إِن يُرِدْنِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ بِضُرٍّۢ لَّا تُغْنِ عَنِّى شَفَٰعَتُهُمْ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا يُنقِذُونِ

A-attakhidhu min dunihi alihatan in yuridni ar-Rahmanu bidurrin la tughni 'anni shafa'atuhum shay'an wa la yunqidhun

Shall I take gods besides Him? If the Most Merciful intends harm for me, their intercession will avail me nothing, and they cannot rescue me.

﴾٢٤﴿ إِنِّىٓ إِذًۭا لَّفِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍ

Inni idhan lafi dalalin mubin

I would then be in clear error.

﴾٢٥﴿ إِنِّىٓ ءَامَنتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ فَٱسْمَعُونِ

Inni amantu bi-Rabbikum fasma'un

I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me.

﴾٢٦﴿ قِيلَ ٱدْخُلِ ٱلْجَنَّةَ ۖ قَالَ يَٰلَيْتَ قَوْمِى يَعْلَمُونَ

Qila udkhuli al-jannah, qala ya layta qawmi ya'lamun

It was said: enter the Garden. He said: I wish my people knew

﴾٢٧﴿ بِمَا غَفَرَ لِى رَبِّى وَجَعَلَنِى مِنَ ٱلْمُكْرَمِينَ

Bima ghafara li Rabbi wa ja'alani mina al-mukramin

how my Lord has forgiven me and placed me among the honored.

﴾٢٨﴿ ۞ وَمَآ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَىٰ قَوْمِهِۦ مِنۢ بَعْدِهِۦ مِن جُندٍۢ مِّنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا كُنَّا مُنزِلِينَ

Wa ma anzalna 'ala qawmihi min ba'dihi min jundin mina as-sama'i wa ma kunna munzilin

We sent down no army against his people from the heaven after him, and We were not going to send one.

﴾٢٩﴿ إِن كَانَتْ إِلَّا صَيْحَةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ فَإِذَا هُمْ خَٰمِدُونَ

In kanat illa sayhatan wahidatan fa-idha hum khamidun

It was only one blast, and at once they were extinguished.

﴾٣٠﴿ يَٰحَسْرَةً عَلَى ٱلْعِبَادِ ۚ مَا يَأْتِيهِم مِّن رَّسُولٍ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ بِهِۦ يَسْتَهْزِءُونَ

Ya hasratan 'ala al-'ibad, ma ya'tihim min rasulin illa kanu bihi yastahzi'un

What regret upon the servants. No messenger came to them but they mocked him.

﴾٣١﴿ أَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُم مِّنَ ٱلْقُرُونِ أَنَّهُمْ إِلَيْهِمْ لَا يَرْجِعُونَ

Alam yaraw kam ahlakna qablahum mina al-quruni annahum ilayhim la yarji'un

Have they not seen how many generations We destroyed before them, and that they do not return to them?

﴾٣٢﴿ وَإِن كُلٌّۭ لَّمَّا جَمِيعٌۭ لَّدَيْنَا مُحْضَرُونَ

Wa in kullun lamma jami'un ladayna muhdarun

Every one of them will be brought before Us together.

﴾٣٣﴿ وَءَايَةٌۭ لَّهُمُ ٱلْأَرْضُ ٱلْمَيْتَةُ أَحْيَيْنَٰهَا وَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهَا حَبًّۭا فَمِنْهُ يَأْكُلُونَ

Wa ayatun lahumu al-ardu al-maytatu ahyaynaha wa akhrajna minha habban faminhu ya'kulun

A sign for them is the dead earth. We gave it life and brought forth grain from it, so from it they eat.

﴾٣٤﴿ وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا جَنَّٰتٍۢ مِّن نَّخِيلٍۢ وَأَعْنَٰبٍۢ وَفَجَّرْنَا فِيهَا مِنَ ٱلْعُيُونِ

Wa ja'alna fiha jannatin min nakhilin wa a'nabin wa fajjarna fiha mina al-'uyun

We placed in it gardens of palms and vines, and We caused springs to gush in it,

﴾٣٥﴿ لِيَأْكُلُوا۟ مِن ثَمَرِهِۦ وَمَا عَمِلَتْهُ أَيْدِيهِمْ ۖ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ

Liya'kulu min thamarihi wa ma 'amilat-hu aydihim, afala yashkurun

so they may eat of its fruit, though their hands did not make it. Will they not be grateful?

﴾٣٦﴿ سُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلْأَزْوَٰجَ كُلَّهَا مِمَّا تُنۢبِتُ ٱلْأَرْضُ وَمِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَمِمَّا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ

Subhana alladhi khalaqa al-azwaja kullaha mimma tunbitu al-ardu wa min anfusihim wa mimma la ya'lamun

Glory to the One who created all the pairs, from what the earth grows, from themselves, and from what they do not know.

﴾٣٧﴿ وَءَايَةٌۭ لَّهُمُ ٱلَّيْلُ نَسْلَخُ مِنْهُ ٱلنَّهَارَ فَإِذَا هُم مُّظْلِمُونَ

Wa ayatun lahumu al-laylu naslakhu minhu an-nahara fa-idha hum muzlimun

A sign for them is the night. We strip the day from it, and at once they are in darkness.

﴾٣٨﴿ وَٱلشَّمْسُ تَجْرِى لِمُسْتَقَرٍّۢ لَّهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ

Wash-shamsu tajri limustaqarrin laha, dhalika taqdiru al-'Azizi al-'Alim

The sun runs to a resting place appointed for it. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.

﴾٣٩﴿ وَٱلْقَمَرَ قَدَّرْنَٰهُ مَنَازِلَ حَتَّىٰ عَادَ كَٱلْعُرْجُونِ ٱلْقَدِيمِ

Wal-qamara qaddarnahu manazila hatta 'ada kal-'urjuni al-qadim

For the moon We have decreed phases, until it returns like an old date stalk.

﴾٤٠﴿ لَا ٱلشَّمْسُ يَنۢبَغِى لَهَآ أَن تُدْرِكَ ٱلْقَمَرَ وَلَا ٱلَّيْلُ سَابِقُ ٱلنَّهَارِ ۚ وَكُلٌّۭ فِى فَلَكٍۢ يَسْبَحُونَ

La ash-shamsu yanbaghi laha an tudrika al-qamara wa la al-laylu sabiqu an-nahar, wa kullun fi falakin yasbahun

The sun cannot overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. Each swims in an orbit.

﴾٤١﴿ وَءَايَةٌۭ لَّهُمْ أَنَّا حَمَلْنَا ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ فِى ٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلْمَشْحُونِ

Wa ayatun lahum anna hamalna dhurriyyatahum fi al-fulki al-mashhun

A sign for them is that We carried their offspring in the laden ship,

﴾٤٢﴿ وَخَلَقْنَا لَهُم مِّن مِّثْلِهِۦ مَا يَرْكَبُونَ

Wa khalaqna lahum min mithlihi ma yarkabun

and We created for them the like of it, in which they ride.

﴾٤٣﴿ وَإِن نَّشَأْ نُغْرِقْهُمْ فَلَا صَرِيخَ لَهُمْ وَلَا هُمْ يُنقَذُونَ

Wa in nasha' nughriqhum fala sarikha lahum wa la hum yunqadhun

If We willed We could drown them, with no one to answer their cry, and they would not be rescued,

﴾٤٤﴿ إِلَّا رَحْمَةًۭ مِّنَّا وَمَتَٰعًا إِلَىٰ حِينٍۢ

Illa rahmatan minna wa mata'an ila hin

except as a mercy from Us and enjoyment for a time.

﴾٤٥﴿ وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمُ ٱتَّقُوا۟ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَمَا خَلْفَكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ

Wa idha qila lahumu ittaqu ma bayna aydikum wa ma khalfakum la'allakum turhamun

When they are told, be conscious of what is before you and what is behind you, so you may receive mercy, they turn away.

﴾٤٦﴿ وَمَا تَأْتِيهِم مِّنْ ءَايَةٍۢ مِّنْ ءَايَٰتِ رَبِّهِمْ إِلَّا كَانُوا۟ عَنْهَا مُعْرِضِينَ

Wa ma ta'tihim min ayatin min ayati Rabbihim illa kanu 'anha mu'ridin

No sign of the signs of their Lord comes to them but they turn away from it.

﴾٤٧﴿ وَإِذَا قِيلَ لَهُمْ أَنفِقُوا۟ مِمَّا رَزَقَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ قَالَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ أَنُطْعِمُ مَن لَّوْ يَشَآءُ ٱللَّهُ أَطْعَمَهُۥٓ إِنْ أَنتُمْ إِلَّا فِى ضَلَٰلٍۢ مُّبِينٍۢ

Wa idha qila lahum anfiqu mimma razaqakumu Allahu qala alladhina kafaru lilladhina amanu anut'imu man law yasha'u Allahu at'amah, in antum illa fi dalalin mubin

When they are told, spend from what Allah has provided you, those who disbelieve say to those who believe: shall we feed one whom Allah would have fed if He willed? You are in nothing but clear error.

﴾٤٨﴿ وَيَقُولُونَ مَتَىٰ هَٰذَا ٱلْوَعْدُ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ

Wa yaquluna mata hadha al-wa'du in kuntum sadiqin

They say: when is this promise, if you are truthful?

﴾٤٩﴿ مَا يَنظُرُونَ إِلَّا صَيْحَةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ تَأْخُذُهُمْ وَهُمْ يَخِصِّمُونَ

Ma yanzuruna illa sayhatan wahidatan ta'khudhuhum wa hum yakhissimun

They await only one blast that will seize them while they are disputing.

﴾٥٠﴿ فَلَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ تَوْصِيَةًۭ وَلَآ إِلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهِمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

Fala yastati'una tawsiyatan wa la ila ahlihim yarji'un

They will not be able to make a bequest, nor return to their families.

﴾٥١﴿ وَنُفِخَ فِى ٱلصُّورِ فَإِذَا هُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَجْدَاثِ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَنسِلُونَ

Wa nufikha fi as-suri fa-idha hum mina al-ajdathi ila Rabbihim yansilun

The Trumpet is blown, and at once they are rushing from the graves to their Lord.

﴾٥٢﴿ قَالُوا۟ يَٰوَيْلَنَا مَنۢ بَعَثَنَا مِن مَّرْقَدِنَا ۜ ۗ هَٰذَا مَا وَعَدَ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنُ وَصَدَقَ ٱلْمُرْسَلُونَ

Qalu ya waylana man ba'athana min marqadina, hadha ma wa'ada ar-Rahmanu wa sadaqa al-mursalun

They say: woe to us, who has raised us from our sleeping place? This is what the Most Merciful promised, and the messengers told the truth.

﴾٥٣﴿ إِن كَانَتْ إِلَّا صَيْحَةًۭ وَٰحِدَةًۭ فَإِذَا هُمْ جَمِيعٌۭ لَّدَيْنَا مُحْضَرُونَ

In kanat illa sayhatan wahidatan fa-idha hum jami'un ladayna muhdarun

It is only one blast, and at once they are all brought before Us.

﴾٥٤﴿ فَٱلْيَوْمَ لَا تُظْلَمُ نَفْسٌۭ شَيْـًۭٔا وَلَا تُجْزَوْنَ إِلَّا مَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

Fal-yawma la tuzlamu nafsun shay'an wa la tujzawna illa ma kuntum ta'malun

Today no soul is wronged in anything, and you are repaid only for what you were doing.

﴾٥٥﴿ إِنَّ أَصْحَٰبَ ٱلْجَنَّةِ ٱلْيَوْمَ فِى شُغُلٍۢ فَٰكِهُونَ

Inna ashaba al-jannati al-yawma fi shughulin fakihun

The companions of the Garden today are occupied in enjoyment.

﴾٥٦﴿ هُمْ وَأَزْوَٰجُهُمْ فِى ظِلَٰلٍ عَلَى ٱلْأَرَآئِكِ مُتَّكِـُٔونَ

Hum wa azwajuhum fi zilalin 'ala al-ara'iki muttaki'un

They and their spouses are in shade, reclining on couches.

﴾٥٧﴿ لَهُمْ فِيهَا فَٰكِهَةٌۭ وَلَهُم مَّا يَدَّعُونَ

Lahum fiha fakihatun wa lahum ma yadda'un

They have fruit there, and they have whatever they call for.

﴾٥٨﴿ سَلَٰمٌۭ قَوْلًۭا مِّن رَّبٍّۢ رَّحِيمٍۢ

Salamun qawlan min Rabbin rahim

Peace. A word from a Merciful Lord.

﴾٥٩﴿ وَٱمْتَٰزُوا۟ ٱلْيَوْمَ أَيُّهَا ٱلْمُجْرِمُونَ

Wamtazu al-yawma ayyuha al-mujrimun

Stand apart today, you criminals.

﴾٦٠﴿ ۞ أَلَمْ أَعْهَدْ إِلَيْكُمْ يَٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ أَن لَّا تَعْبُدُوا۟ ٱلشَّيْطَٰنَ ۖ إِنَّهُۥ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّۭ مُّبِينٌۭ

Alam a'had ilaykum ya bani Adama alla ta'budu ash-shaytan, innahu lakum 'aduwwun mubin

Did I not enjoin upon you, children of Adam, that you not worship Shaytan, who is a clear enemy to you,

﴾٦١﴿ وَأَنِ ٱعْبُدُونِى ۚ هَٰذَا صِرَٰطٌۭ مُّسْتَقِيمٌۭ

Wa ani u'buduni, hadha siratun mustaqim

and that you worship Me? This is a straight path.

﴾٦٢﴿ وَلَقَدْ أَضَلَّ مِنكُمْ جِبِلًّۭا كَثِيرًا ۖ أَفَلَمْ تَكُونُوا۟ تَعْقِلُونَ

Wa laqad adalla minkum jibillan kathira, afalam takunu ta'qilun

He led astray a great multitude of you. Did you not use reason?

﴾٦٣﴿ هَٰذِهِۦ جَهَنَّمُ ٱلَّتِى كُنتُمْ تُوعَدُونَ

Hadhihi jahannamu allati kuntum tu'adun

This is Hell, which you were promised.

﴾٦٤﴿ ٱصْلَوْهَا ٱلْيَوْمَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَكْفُرُونَ

Islawha al-yawma bima kuntum takfurun

Burn in it today, for what you disbelieved.

﴾٦٥﴿ ٱلْيَوْمَ نَخْتِمُ عَلَىٰٓ أَفْوَٰهِهِمْ وَتُكَلِّمُنَآ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَتَشْهَدُ أَرْجُلُهُم بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَكْسِبُونَ

Al-yawma nakhtimu 'ala afwahihim wa tukallimuna aydihim wa tashhadu arjuluhum bima kanu yaksibun

Today We seal their mouths, their hands speak to Us, and their feet testify to what they were earning.

﴾٦٦﴿ وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَطَمَسْنَا عَلَىٰٓ أَعْيُنِهِمْ فَٱسْتَبَقُوا۟ ٱلصِّرَٰطَ فَأَنَّىٰ يُبْصِرُونَ

Wa law nasha'u latamasna 'ala a'yunihim fastabaqu as-sirata fa-anna yubsirun

If We willed We could obliterate their eyes, and they would race to the path, but how would they see?

﴾٦٧﴿ وَلَوْ نَشَآءُ لَمَسَخْنَٰهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَكَانَتِهِمْ فَمَا ٱسْتَطَٰعُوا۟ مُضِيًّۭا وَلَا يَرْجِعُونَ

Wa law nasha'u lamasakhnahum 'ala makanatihim fama istata'u mudiyyan wa la yarji'un

If We willed We could transform them in their places, and they could not go forward or return.

﴾٦٨﴿ وَمَن نُّعَمِّرْهُ نُنَكِّسْهُ فِى ٱلْخَلْقِ ۖ أَفَلَا يَعْقِلُونَ

Wa man nu'ammirhu nunakkishu fi al-khalq, afala ya'qilun

Whoever We grant long life, We reverse him in creation. Will they not use reason?

﴾٦٩﴿ وَمَا عَلَّمْنَٰهُ ٱلشِّعْرَ وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لَهُۥٓ ۚ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌۭ وَقُرْءَانٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ

Wa ma 'allamnahu ash-shi'ra wa ma yanbaghi lah, in huwa illa dhikrun wa Qur'anun mubin

We did not teach him poetry, nor is it fitting for him. It is only a reminder and a clear Quran,

﴾٧٠﴿ لِّيُنذِرَ مَن كَانَ حَيًّۭا وَيَحِقَّ ٱلْقَوْلُ عَلَى ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ

Liyundhira man kana hayyan wa yahiqqa al-qawlu 'ala al-kafirin

to warn whoever is alive, and so the word comes due against the disbelievers.

﴾٧١﴿ أَوَلَمْ يَرَوْا۟ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَا لَهُم مِّمَّا عَمِلَتْ أَيْدِينَآ أَنْعَٰمًۭا فَهُمْ لَهَا مَٰلِكُونَ

Awalam yaraw anna khalaqna lahum mimma 'amilat aydina an'aman fahum laha malikun

Have they not seen that We created for them, from what Our hands made, livestock which they own?

﴾٧٢﴿ وَذَلَّلْنَٰهَا لَهُمْ فَمِنْهَا رَكُوبُهُمْ وَمِنْهَا يَأْكُلُونَ

Wa dhallalnaha lahum faminha rakubuhum wa minha ya'kulun

We subdued them for them, so some they ride and some they eat.

﴾٧٣﴿ وَلَهُمْ فِيهَا مَنَٰفِعُ وَمَشَارِبُ ۖ أَفَلَا يَشْكُرُونَ

Wa lahum fiha manafi'u wa masharib, afala yashkurun

They have benefits in them, and drinks. Will they not be grateful?

﴾٧٤﴿ وَٱتَّخَذُوا۟ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ ءَالِهَةًۭ لَّعَلَّهُمْ يُنصَرُونَ

Wattakhadhu min duni Allahi alihatan la'allahum yunsarun

They have taken gods besides Allah, hoping to be helped.

﴾٧٥﴿ لَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ نَصْرَهُمْ وَهُمْ لَهُمْ جُندٌۭ مُّحْضَرُونَ

La yastati'una nasrahum wa hum lahum jundun muhdarun

They cannot help them, though they are an army brought forward for them.

﴾٧٦﴿ فَلَا يَحْزُنكَ قَوْلُهُمْ ۘ إِنَّا نَعْلَمُ مَا يُسِرُّونَ وَمَا يُعْلِنُونَ

Fala yahzunka qawluhum, inna na'lamu ma yusirruna wa ma yu'linun

So do not let their speech grieve you. We know what they conceal and what they declare.

﴾٧٧﴿ أَوَلَمْ يَرَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ أَنَّا خَلَقْنَٰهُ مِن نُّطْفَةٍۢ فَإِذَا هُوَ خَصِيمٌۭ مُّبِينٌۭ

Awalam yara al-insanu anna khalaqnahu min nutfatin fa-idha huwa khasimun mubin

Has man not seen that We created him from a drop, and then he is a clear adversary?

﴾٧٨﴿ وَضَرَبَ لَنَا مَثَلًۭا وَنَسِىَ خَلْقَهُۥ ۖ قَالَ مَن يُحْىِ ٱلْعِظَٰمَ وَهِىَ رَمِيمٌۭ

Wa daraba lana mathalan wa nasiya khalqah, qala man yuhyi al-'izama wa hiya ramim

He presented an argument to Us and forgot his own creation. He said: who will give life to bones when they are decayed?

﴾٧٩﴿ قُلْ يُحْيِيهَا ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنشَأَهَآ أَوَّلَ مَرَّةٍۢ ۖ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ خَلْقٍ عَلِيمٌ

Qul yuhyiha alladhi ansha'aha awwala marrah, wa huwa bikulli khalqin 'alim

Say: the One who produced them the first time will give them life, and He knows every creation.

﴾٨٠﴿ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ ٱلشَّجَرِ ٱلْأَخْضَرِ نَارًۭا فَإِذَآ أَنتُم مِّنْهُ تُوقِدُونَ

Alladhi ja'ala lakum mina ash-shajari al-akhdari naran fa-idha antum minhu tuqidun

The One who made fire for you from the green tree, so you kindle from it.

﴾٨١﴿ أَوَلَيْسَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ بِقَٰدِرٍ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَخْلُقَ مِثْلَهُم ۚ بَلَىٰ وَهُوَ ٱلْخَلَّٰقُ ٱلْعَلِيمُ

Awalaysa alladhi khalaqa as-samawati wal-arda biqadirin 'ala an yakhluqa mithlahum, bala wa huwa al-khallaqu al-'alim

Is the One who created the heavens and the earth not able to create the like of them? Yes, and He is the Supreme Creator, the Knowing.

﴾٨٢﴿ إِنَّمَآ أَمْرُهُۥٓ إِذَآ أَرَادَ شَيْـًٔا أَن يَقُولَ لَهُۥ كُن فَيَكُونُ

Innama amruhu idha arada shay'an an yaqula lahu kun fayakun

His command, when He intends a thing, is to say to it: be, and it is.

﴾٨٣﴿ فَسُبْحَٰنَ ٱلَّذِى بِيَدِهِۦ مَلَكُوتُ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ وَإِلَيْهِ تُرْجَعُونَ

Fasubhana alladhi biyadihi malakutu kulli shay'in wa ilayhi turja'un

Glory to the One in whose hand is the dominion of all things, and to Him you will be returned.

The Tafsir · The Breakdown

What The Surah Means

Overview

Surah Ya-Sin is eighty-three verses, chapter 36, Makki. It is the most widely recited surah in the Muslim world after Al-Fatiha, and it is recited most often over the dying and the dead. Ibn Kathir gathers the narrations on its merit and notes that several of them are weak, which is worth stating plainly rather than repeating claims that cannot be supported.

What the surah actually contains is an argument delivered in three movements. A town that received three messengers and one man who ran to defend them. A survey of ordinary signs, the dead earth, the night, the sun, the moon, the ships. And a resurrection sequence that ends by answering an objection someone made while holding a bone in his hand.

He said: I wish my people knew. He said it after they had killed him.

Verses 12–27 · The Man Who Came Running

We record what they have sent ahead and their traces, and everything We have enumerated in a clear register.

Wa naktubu ma qaddamu wa atharahum: We write what they sent forward and their traces. Athar is the mark left behind that keeps working after the man stops. Muslim records the account of the Banu Salimah who wanted to move nearer the mosque and were told to stay, because their footsteps to it were being written.

The account of the town follows. Two messengers sent, denied, reinforced with a third, and the townspeople answer with the two arguments that never change. You are only men like us, and we see you as an omen.

Wa ja'a min aqsa al-madinati rajulun yas'a qala ya qawmi ittabi'u al-mursalin: a man came from the farthest part of the city, running. He is not a leader and he is not named. His distance from the center is stated, and so is the fact that he ran.

Ittabi'u man la yas'alukum ajran wa hum muhtadun: follow those who ask you no payment and who are guided. His argument for their credibility is that they are not charging.

Inni amantu bi-Rabbikum fasma'un: I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me. He states it publicly at the moment it is most expensive.

Qila udkhuli al-jannah, qala ya layta qawmi ya'lamun, bima ghafara li Rabbi wa ja'alani mina al-mukramin: it was said, enter the Garden. He said, I wish my people knew what my Lord has forgiven me and that He has placed me among the honored. He is killed and his first recorded thought is that he wants the people who killed him to know what he found.

He ran toward them, spoke when it cost everything, and wished his killers could see what he had been given.

Verses 33–44 · The Ordinary Signs

A sign for them is the dead earth. We gave it life and brought forth grain from it, so from it they eat.

Wa ayatun lahumu al-ardu al-maytatu ahyaynaha: the first evidence offered for resurrection is agriculture, which they were eating from that week.

Wa ma 'amilat-hu aydihim, afala yashkurun: and what their hands did not make. The verse pauses to note how much of the food was not produced by the people eating it.

Subhana alladhi khalaqa al-azwaja kullaha mimma tunbitu al-ardu wa min anfusihim wa mimma la ya'lamun: pairs in what the earth grows, in themselves, and in what they do not know. The third category is left open.

Wa ayatun lahumu al-laylu naslakhu minhu an-nahar: a sign is the night, from which We strip away the day. The image is of the day being pulled off the night like a skin.

Wash-shamsu tajri limustaqarrin laha: the sun runs to a resting place appointed for it. Al-Bukhari records the exchange between the Prophet ﷺ and Abu Dharr about the sun and where it goes.

La ash-shamsu yanbaghi laha an tudrika al-qamara wa la al-laylu sabiqu an-nahar, wa kullun fi falakin yasbahun: the sun cannot overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. Each swims in an orbit. Yasbahun is the verb for swimming.

Wa ayatun lahum anna hamalna dhurriyyatahum fi al-fulki al-mashhun: We carried their offspring in the laden ship. The ships they use are described as a sign in the same list as the sun.

The field, the night, the sun, the ship. Every item on the list was in front of them that day.

Verses 51–68 · The Two Groups, and the Sealing

Peace. A word from a Merciful Lord.

The Trumpet is blown and they come out of the graves hastening to their Lord, saying, who has raised us from our sleeping place. Hadha ma wa'ada ar-Rahman wa sadaqa al-mursalun.

Inna ashaba al-jannati al-yawma fi shughulin fakihun: the companions of the Garden that Day are occupied in enjoyment. Occupied, which is the opposite of idle.

Salamun qawlan min Rabbin rahim: peace, a word from a Merciful Lord. Four words. Ibn Kathir notes that this is the greeting delivered directly, without intermediary.

Alam a'had ilaykum ya bani Adama alla ta'budu ash-shaytan: did I not enjoin upon you, children of Adam, that you not worship Shaytan. Wa ani u'buduni hadha siratun mustaqim. And that you worship Me. This is a straight path. The covenant is quoted back to them as something already agreed.

Wa laqad adalla minkum jibillan kathira, afalam takunu ta'qilun: he led astray a great multitude of you. Did you not use reason. The faculty named is reason, not faith.

Al-yawma nakhtimu 'ala afwahihim wa tukallimuna aydihim wa tashhadu arjuluhum bima kanu yaksibun: today We seal their mouths, their hands speak to Us, and their feet testify. The same testimony as Fussilat, arriving from a different angle.

Wa man nu'ammirhu nunakkishu fi al-khalq, afala ya'qilun: whoever We grant long life, We reverse him in creation. Aging is described as the argument, and the question that follows it is again about reasoning.

Peace, said directly, with no one in between. And the mouths sealed while the hands take over.

Verses 77–83 · The Man With the Bone

Has man not seen that We created him from a drop, and then he is a clear adversary?

Awalam yara al-insanu anna khalaqnahu min nutfatin fa idha huwa khasimun mubin: he was made from a drop and became an open opponent. The trajectory is given in one line.

Wa daraba lana mathalan wa nasiya khalqahu, qala man yuhyi al-'izama wa hiya ramim: he presented an argument to Us and forgot his own creation, saying, who will give life to bones when they are decayed. The classical accounts identify the man and the crumbled bone he brought as his evidence.

Qul yuhyiha alladhi ansha'aha awwala marrah, wa huwa bikulli khalqin 'alim: say, the One who produced it the first time will give it life, and He is Knowing of every creation. The answer does not add information. It points at what he already had and forgot.

Alladhi ja'ala lakum mina ash-shajari al-akhdari naran fa idha antum minhu tuqidun: the One who made fire for you from the green tree, so you kindle from it. Fire produced out of something wet and living, offered as the answer to a man holding something dry and dead.

Awalaysa alladhi khalaqa as-samawati wal-arda biqadirin 'ala an yakhluqa mithlahum: is the One who created the heavens and the earth not able to create the like of them. Bala wa huwa al-khallaqu al-'alim.

Innama amruhu idha arada shay'an an yaqula lahu kun fayakun: His command, when He intends a thing, is to say to it be, and it is. Fasubhana alladhi biyadihi malakutu kulli shay'in wa ilayhi turja'un. The surah ends with the dominion of everything in His hand, which is where Al-Mulk began.

He brought a crumbled bone as his argument. The answer was the fire he lights from a green tree.

Structural Summary

Eighty-Three Verses. I Wish My People Knew.

Verses 1–12The SendingAn oath by the wise Quran, a warner sent to a people whose fathers were not warned, and traces recorded along with deeds.

Verses 13–29The TownThree messengers denied, and one man who came running from the farthest part of the city.

Verses 30–32The RegretWhat regret upon the servants. No messenger came to them but they mocked him.

Verses 33–44The SignsThe dead earth revived, pairs in everything, the night stripped from the day, the sun running to its place, and the laden ship.

Verses 45–58The Two GroupsThe refusal to spend from what He provided, the Trumpet, and peace said directly by a Merciful Lord.

Verses 59–68The CovenantDid I not enjoin upon you. The mouths sealed, the hands speaking, and the feet testifying.

Verses 69–83The BoneA man arguing with a crumbled bone, answered with the green tree, and a command that is only be, and it is.

Why This Surah Is For You

Verse 12 records the traces, not only the deeds. Athar is what keeps operating after you stop. Everything you build that continues to work when you are not in the room is being written on a separate line from what you did that day.

The man in verse 20 came from the farthest part of the city, running, and had no rank. He argued for the messengers by pointing out that they charged nothing. His entire qualification was that he moved when nobody else did.

Verse 27 is the line to carry. After they killed him, what he wanted was for them to know what he had been given. Not vindication. Not justice. He wished his enemies could see it. That is a standard for how a man holds a grievance.

Verse 58 is four words long. Salamun qawlan min Rabbin rahim. Peace, a word from a Merciful Lord, delivered with nobody in between. In a surah full of argument and evidence, the highest thing described is a greeting.

The Practice · Daily Integration

Eighty-Three Verses. Leave a Trace.

Build one thing this year that keeps working when you are not there. Verse 12 records the traces separately.

Recite Ya-Sin for what it says rather than for a merit that cannot be verified. Ibn Kathir is honest about the weakness of several of those narrations, and the content does not need them.

Read verses 33 to 40 outdoors, in front of the things they name.

When you are wronged, aim at verse 27. What he wanted was for them to know what he had found.

He ran when nobody else did, spoke when it cost him everything, and wished his people could see what he was given.

آمِين

Prepared with discipline · Ameen

Verse-By-Verse · Test Yourself

The Quiz

Two questions per verse. Translation and a key Arabic word. Walk through it slow. The goal is comprehension, not speed.

Verse 11 / 166

The Verse

يسٓ

Ya Sin

What does verse 1 say?