Surah Al-Qiyāmah (The Resurrection) in English

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

1. لا أقسم بيوم القيامة

   1

   I swear by the Day of Resurrection!

   lā ʾuqsimu bi-yawmi l-qiyāmati

2. ولا أقسم بالنفس اللوامة

   2

   And I swear by the self-critical soul!

   wa-lā ʾuqsimu bi-n-nafsi l-lawwāmati

3. أيحسب الإنسان ألن نجمع عظامه

   3

   Does man suppose that We will not put together his bones [at resurrection]?

   ʾa-yaḥsabu l-ʾinsānu ʾal-lan najmaʿa ʿiẓāmahū

4. بلى قادرين على أن نسوي بنانه

   4

   Yes indeed, We are able to [re]shape [even] his fingertips!

   balā qādirīna ʿalā ʾan nusawwiya banānahū

5. بل يريد الإنسان ليفجر أمامه

   5

   Indeed, man desires to go on living viciously.

   bal yurīdu l-ʾinsānu li-yafjura ʾamāmahū

6. يسأل أيان يوم القيامة

   6

   He asks, ‘When will be this “day of resurrection”?!’

   yasʾalu ʾayyāna yawmu l-qiyāmati

7. فإذا برق البصر

   7

   But when the eyes are dazzled,

   fa-ʾidhā bariqa l-baṣaru

8. وخسف القمر

   8

   the moon is eclipsed,

   wa-khasafa l-qamaru

9. وجمع الشمس والقمر

   9

   and the sun and the moon are brought together,

   wa-jumiʿa sh-shamsu wa-l-qamaru

10. يقول الإنسان يومئذ أين المفر

    10

    that day man will say, ‘Where is the escape [from this day]?’

    yaqūlu l-ʾinsānu yawmaʾidhin ʾayna l-mafarru

11. كلا لا وزر

    11

    No indeed! There will be no refuge!

    kallā lā wazara

12. إلى ربك يومئذ المستقر

    12

    That day the [final] goal will be toward your Lord.

    ʾilā rabbika yawmaʾidhin-i l-mustaqarru

13. ينبأ الإنسان يومئذ بما قدم وأخر

    13

    That day man will be informed about what [works] he had sent ahead [to the scene of judgement] and [the legacy that he had] left behind.

    yunabbaʾu l-ʾinsānu yawmaʾidhin bi-mā qaddama wa-ʾakhkhara

14. بل الإنسان على نفسه بصيرة

    14

    Indeed, man is a witness to himself,

    bali l-ʾinsānu ʿalā nafsihī baṣīratun

15. ولو ألقى معاذيره

    15

    though he should offer excuses [to justify his failings].

    wa-law ʾalqā maʿādhīrahū

16. لا تحرك به لسانك لتعجل به

    16

    Do not move your tongue with it to hasten it.

    lā tuḥarrik bihī lisānaka li-taʿjala bihī

17. إن علينا جمعه وقرآنه

    17

    Indeed it is up to Us to put it together and to recite it.

    ʾinna ʿalaynā jamʿahū wa-qurʾānahū

18. فإذا قرأناه فاتبع قرآنه

    18

    And when We have recited it, follow its recitation.

    fa-ʾidhā qaraʾnāhu fa-ttabiʿ qurʾānahū

19. ثم إن علينا بيانه

    19

    Then, its exposition [also] lies with Us.

    thumma ʾinna ʿalaynā bayānahū