Chapter 38 of the Qur'an · “The Letter "Saad"” · 88 verses · revealed in Makkah
38:1 صٓ ۚ وَٱلْقُرْءَانِ ذِى ٱلذِّكْرِSad. By the Qur'an, full of reminder.
38:2بَلِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فِى عِزَّةٍ وَشِقَاقٍYet those who deny are caught up in arrogance and discord.
38:3كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا مِن قَبْلِهِم مِّن قَرْنٍ فَنَادَوا۟ وَّلَاتَ حِينَ مَنَاصٍHow many a generation we destroyed before them — they cried out, but the time for escape was past.
38:4وَعَجِبُوٓا۟ أَن جَآءَهُم مُّنذِرٌ مِّنْهُمْ ۖ وَقَالَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ هَـٰذَا سَـٰحِرٌ كَذَّابٌThey are amazed that a warner has come to them from among themselves, and those who deny say, "This is a sorcerer, a liar.
38:5أَجَعَلَ ٱلْـَٔالِهَةَ إِلَـٰهًا وَٰحِدًا ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَىْءٌ عُجَابٌHas he made all the gods into one God? This is truly an astonishing thing.
38:6وَٱنطَلَقَ ٱلْمَلَأُ مِنْهُمْ أَنِ ٱمْشُوا۟ وَٱصْبِرُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ ءَالِهَتِكُمْ ۖ إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَىْءٌ يُرَادُAnd the leaders among them went off, saying, "Walk on, and hold fast to your gods. This is something deliberately willed against us.
38:7مَا سَمِعْنَا بِهَـٰذَا فِى ٱلْمِلَّةِ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ إِنْ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا ٱخْتِلَـٰقٌWe have heard nothing of this in the latest creed — this is nothing but a fabrication.
38:8أَءُنزِلَ عَلَيْهِ ٱلذِّكْرُ مِنۢ بَيْنِنَا ۚ بَلْ هُمْ فِى شَكٍّ مِّن ذِكْرِى ۖ بَل لَّمَّا يَذُوقُوا۟ عَذَابِHas the reminder been sent down to him alone among us?" No — they are in doubt about my reminder; no — they have not yet tasted my punishment.
38:9أَمْ عِندَهُمْ خَزَآئِنُ رَحْمَةِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْوَهَّابِOr do they hold the treasures of your Lord's mercy — the Mighty, the Bestower?
38:10أَمْ لَهُم مُّلْكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ۖ فَلْيَرْتَقُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَسْبَـٰبِOr do they own the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that lies between? Then let them climb up by any means.
38:11جُندٌ مَّا هُنَالِكَ مَهْزُومٌ مِّنَ ٱلْأَحْزَابِA mere host of the confederates, defeated there.
38:12كَذَّبَتْ قَبْلَهُمْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ وَعَادٌ وَفِرْعَوْنُ ذُو ٱلْأَوْتَادِBefore them, the people of Nuh denied the truth, and so did 'Ad, and Pharaoh of the stakes,
38:13وَثَمُودُ وَقَوْمُ لُوطٍ وَأَصْحَـٰبُ لْـَٔيْكَةِ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ ٱلْأَحْزَابُand Thamud, and the people of Lut, and the dwellers of the thicket — these were the factions.
38:14إِن كُلٌّ إِلَّا كَذَّبَ ٱلرُّسُلَ فَحَقَّ عِقَابِEvery one of them denied the messengers, so my punishment was deserved.
38:15وَمَا يَنظُرُ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ إِلَّا صَيْحَةً وَٰحِدَةً مَّا لَهَا مِن فَوَاقٍThese people are waiting for nothing but a single blast — one that cannot be delayed.
38:16وَقَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا عَجِّل لَّنَا قِطَّنَا قَبْلَ يَوْمِ ٱلْحِسَابِAnd they say, "Our Lord, hasten our share to us before the day of reckoning."
38:17ٱصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ وَٱذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَا دَاوُۥدَ ذَا ٱلْأَيْدِ ۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌBe patient with what they say, and remember our servant Dawud, possessor of strength — he was ever turning back to God.
38:18إِنَّا سَخَّرْنَا ٱلْجِبَالَ مَعَهُۥ يُسَبِّحْنَ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ وَٱلْإِشْرَاقِIndeed, we made the mountains join him in glorifying us at evening and at sunrise,
38:19وَٱلطَّيْرَ مَحْشُورَةً ۖ كُلٌّ لَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌAnd the birds gathered in flocks, all turning back to him with him.
38:20وَشَدَدْنَا مُلْكَهُۥ وَءَاتَيْنَـٰهُ ٱلْحِكْمَةَ وَفَصْلَ ٱلْخِطَابِAnd we strengthened his kingdom and gave him wisdom and decisive speech.
38:21۞ وَهَلْ أَتَىٰكَ نَبَؤُا۟ ٱلْخَصْمِ إِذْ تَسَوَّرُوا۟ ٱلْمِحْرَابَHas the story of the disputants reached you — when they climbed over the wall into the prayer chamber?
38:22إِذْ دَخَلُوا۟ عَلَىٰ دَاوُۥدَ فَفَزِعَ مِنْهُمْ ۖ قَالُوا۟ لَا تَخَفْ ۖ خَصْمَانِ بَغَىٰ بَعْضُنَا عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَنَا بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا تُشْطِطْ وَٱهْدِنَآ إِلَىٰ سَوَآءِ ٱلصِّرَٰطِWhen they came in upon Dawud, he was startled by them. They said, "Do not be afraid. We are two disputants — one of us has wronged the other. So judge between us with truth, do not be unjust, and guide us to the even path."
38:23إِنَّ هَـٰذَآ أَخِى لَهُۥ تِسْعٌ وَتِسْعُونَ نَعْجَةً وَلِىَ نَعْجَةٌ وَٰحِدَةٌ فَقَالَ أَكْفِلْنِيهَا وَعَزَّنِى فِى ٱلْخِطَابِThis brother of mine has ninety-nine ewes, and I have one. He said, 'Hand her over to me,' and he overpowered me in argument.
38:24قَالَ لَقَدْ ظَلَمَكَ بِسُؤَالِ نَعْجَتِكَ إِلَىٰ نِعَاجِهِۦ ۖ وَإِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلْخُلَطَآءِ لَيَبْغِى بَعْضُهُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ إِلَّا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ وَقَلِيلٌ مَّا هُمْ ۗ وَظَنَّ دَاوُۥدُ أَنَّمَا فَتَنَّـٰهُ فَٱسْتَغْفَرَ رَبَّهُۥ وَخَرَّ رَاكِعًا وَأَنَابَ ۩Dawud said, "He has wronged you by asking for your ewe to add to his own. Many who share interests do indeed wrong one another — except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and they are few." Then Dawud realized that we had tested him, so he sought forgiveness from his Lord, fell down prostrate, and turned to him in repentance.
38:25فَغَفَرْنَا لَهُۥ ذَٰلِكَ ۖ وَإِنَّ لَهُۥ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَـَٔابٍSo we forgave him that, and indeed, with us he has nearness and a beautiful return.
38:26يَـٰدَاوُۥدُ إِنَّا جَعَلْنَـٰكَ خَلِيفَةً فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَٱحْكُم بَيْنَ ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَقِّ وَلَا تَتَّبِعِ ٱلْهَوَىٰ فَيُضِلَّكَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَضِلُّونَ عَن سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ شَدِيدٌۢ بِمَا نَسُوا۟ يَوْمَ ٱلْحِسَابِDawud, we have made you a successor on the earth, so judge between people with truth and do not follow desire, for it will lead you astray from the path of God. Those who stray from the path of God — for them is a severe punishment, because they forgot the day of reckoning.
38:27وَمَا خَلَقْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ وَٱلْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَـٰطِلًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ظَنُّ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلنَّارِWe did not create the heaven and the earth and what is between them in vain. That is the assumption of those who deny — so woe to those who deny, from the fire.
38:28أَمْ نَجْعَلُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّـٰلِحَـٰتِ كَٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ أَمْ نَجْعَلُ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ كَٱلْفُجَّارِOr shall we treat those who believe and do righteous deeds like those who spread corruption in the land? Or shall we treat the God-conscious like the wicked?
38:29كِتَـٰبٌ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ إِلَيْكَ مُبَـٰرَكٌ لِّيَدَّبَّرُوٓا۟ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ وَلِيَتَذَكَّرَ أُو۟لُوا۟ ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِA blessed book we have sent down to you, that they may reflect on its verses and that those with insight may take heed.
38:30وَوَهَبْنَا لِدَاوُۥدَ سُلَيْمَـٰنَ ۚ نِعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌAnd we granted Dawud his son Sulayman — an excellent servant, ever turning back to God.
38:31إِذْ عُرِضَ عَلَيْهِ بِٱلْعَشِىِّ ٱلصَّـٰفِنَـٰتُ ٱلْجِيَادُWhen, in the late afternoon, the noble, swift-footed horses were paraded before him,
38:32فَقَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَحْبَبْتُ حُبَّ ٱلْخَيْرِ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّى حَتَّىٰ تَوَارَتْ بِٱلْحِجَابِAnd he said, "My love of fine things has turned me from the remembrance of my Lord — until the sun vanished behind the veil."
38:33رُدُّوهَا عَلَىَّ ۖ فَطَفِقَ مَسْحًۢا بِٱلسُّوقِ وَٱلْأَعْنَاقِ"Bring them back to me" — and he began to stroke their legs and necks.
38:34وَلَقَدْ فَتَنَّا سُلَيْمَـٰنَ وَأَلْقَيْنَا عَلَىٰ كُرْسِيِّهِۦ جَسَدًا ثُمَّ أَنَابَAnd we tested Sulayman, and cast upon his throne a mere body; then he turned back to us.
38:35قَالَ رَبِّ ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَهَبْ لِى مُلْكًا لَّا يَنۢبَغِى لِأَحَدٍ مِّنۢ بَعْدِىٓ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُHe said, "My Lord, forgive me, and grant me a kingdom such as will belong to no one after me. Indeed, you are the Bestower."
38:36فَسَخَّرْنَا لَهُ ٱلرِّيحَ تَجْرِى بِأَمْرِهِۦ رُخَآءً حَيْثُ أَصَابَSo we made the wind subservient to him, flowing gently at his command wherever he directed,
38:37وَٱلشَّيَـٰطِينَ كُلَّ بَنَّآءٍ وَغَوَّاصٍand the devils — every builder and diver,
38:38وَءَاخَرِينَ مُقَرَّنِينَ فِى ٱلْأَصْفَادِand others bound together in chains.
38:39هَـٰذَا عَطَآؤُنَا فَٱمْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ"This is our gift — so give freely or withhold, without reckoning."
38:40وَإِنَّ لَهُۥ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَـَٔابٍAnd indeed, with us he has nearness and a beautiful place of return.
38:41وَٱذْكُرْ عَبْدَنَآ أَيُّوبَ إِذْ نَادَىٰ رَبَّهُۥٓ أَنِّى مَسَّنِىَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنُ بِنُصْبٍ وَعَذَابٍAnd remember our servant Ayyub, when he called out to his Lord: "Satan has touched me with affliction and torment."
38:42ٱرْكُضْ بِرِجْلِكَ ۖ هَـٰذَا مُغْتَسَلٌۢ بَارِدٌ وَشَرَابٌ"Strike the ground with your foot — here is cool water to wash in and to drink."
38:43وَوَهَبْنَا لَهُۥٓ أَهْلَهُۥ وَمِثْلَهُم مَّعَهُمْ رَحْمَةً مِّنَّا وَذِكْرَىٰ لِأُو۟لِى ٱلْأَلْبَـٰبِAnd we restored his family to him, and the like of them with them — a mercy from us, and a reminder for those of understanding.
38:44وَخُذْ بِيَدِكَ ضِغْثًا فَٱضْرِب بِّهِۦ وَلَا تَحْنَثْ ۗ إِنَّا وَجَدْنَـٰهُ صَابِرًا ۚ نِّعْمَ ٱلْعَبْدُ ۖ إِنَّهُۥٓ أَوَّابٌ"And take a bundle of grass in your hand and strike with it, and do not break your oath." Indeed, we found him steadfast — an excellent servant, ever turning back to us.
38:45وَٱذْكُرْ عِبَـٰدَنَآ إِبْرَٰهِيمَ وَإِسْحَـٰقَ وَيَعْقُوبَ أُو۟لِى ٱلْأَيْدِى وَٱلْأَبْصَـٰرِAnd remember our servants Ibrahim, Ishaq, and Yaqub — men of strength and vision.
38:46إِنَّآ أَخْلَصْنَـٰهُم بِخَالِصَةٍ ذِكْرَى ٱلدَّارِIndeed, we set them apart with a quality purely their own: the remembrance of the final home.
38:47وَإِنَّهُمْ عِندَنَا لَمِنَ ٱلْمُصْطَفَيْنَ ٱلْأَخْيَارِAnd with us they are among the chosen, the truly excellent.
38:48وَٱذْكُرْ إِسْمَـٰعِيلَ وَٱلْيَسَعَ وَذَا ٱلْكِفْلِ ۖ وَكُلٌّ مِّنَ ٱلْأَخْيَارِAnd remember Isma'il, al-Yasa', and Dhu al-Kifl — each one among the truly excellent.
38:49هَـٰذَا ذِكْرٌ ۚ وَإِنَّ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ لَحُسْنَ مَـَٔابٍThis is a reminder. And for those who are mindful of God, there is a beautiful place of return —
38:50جَنَّـٰتِ عَدْنٍ مُّفَتَّحَةً لَّهُمُ ٱلْأَبْوَٰبُgardens of perpetual dwelling, their gates flung open for them,
38:51مُتَّكِـِٔينَ فِيهَا يَدْعُونَ فِيهَا بِفَـٰكِهَةٍ كَثِيرَةٍ وَشَرَابٍReclining there, calling for abundant fruit and drink.
38:52۞ وَعِندَهُمْ قَـٰصِرَٰتُ ٱلطَّرْفِ أَتْرَابٌAnd with them are companions of modest gaze, well-matched in age.
38:53هَـٰذَا مَا تُوعَدُونَ لِيَوْمِ ٱلْحِسَابِThis is what you are promised for the day of reckoning.
38:54إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَرِزْقُنَا مَا لَهُۥ مِن نَّفَادٍIndeed, this is our provision — it will never run out.
38:55هَـٰذَا ۚ وَإِنَّ لِلطَّـٰغِينَ لَشَرَّ مَـَٔابٍSo it is. But for the transgressors, an evil place of return awaits —
38:56جَهَنَّمَ يَصْلَوْنَهَا فَبِئْسَ ٱلْمِهَادُIndeed, jahannam, where they will burn — a wretched resting place.
38:57هَـٰذَا فَلْيَذُوقُوهُ حَمِيمٌ وَغَسَّاقٌThis — let them taste it — scalding water and dark, foul discharge,
38:58وَءَاخَرُ مِن شَكْلِهِۦٓ أَزْوَٰجٌand other torments of its kind, in pairs.
38:59هَـٰذَا فَوْجٌ مُّقْتَحِمٌ مَّعَكُمْ ۖ لَا مَرْحَبًۢا بِهِمْ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ صَالُوا۟ ٱلنَّارِ"Here is a crowd plunging in with you — no welcome for them; they will burn in the fire."
38:60قَالُوا۟ بَلْ أَنتُمْ لَا مَرْحَبًۢا بِكُمْ ۖ أَنتُمْ قَدَّمْتُمُوهُ لَنَا ۖ فَبِئْسَ ٱلْقَرَارُThey will say, "No — it is you who are unwelcome. You brought this upon us. What a wretched place to settle."
38:61قَالُوا۟ رَبَّنَا مَن قَدَّمَ لَنَا هَـٰذَا فَزِدْهُ عَذَابًا ضِعْفًا فِى ٱلنَّارِThey will say, "Our Lord, whoever brought this upon us — double his punishment in the fire."
38:62وَقَالُوا۟ مَا لَنَا لَا نَرَىٰ رِجَالًا كُنَّا نَعُدُّهُم مِّنَ ٱلْأَشْرَارِAnd they will say, "Why do we not see men we used to count among the wicked?
38:63أَتَّخَذْنَـٰهُمْ سِخْرِيًّا أَمْ زَاغَتْ عَنْهُمُ ٱلْأَبْصَـٰرُDid we take them in mockery, or have our eyes missed them?
38:64إِنَّ ذَٰلِكَ لَحَقٌّ تَخَاصُمُ أَهْلِ ٱلنَّارِIndeed, this is the truth — the quarreling of the people of the fire.
38:65قُلْ إِنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ مُنذِرٌ ۖ وَمَا مِنْ إِلَـٰهٍ إِلَّا ٱللَّهُ ٱلْوَٰحِدُ ٱلْقَهَّارُSay, "I am only a warner. There is no god but God, the One, the Subduer,
38:66رَبُّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْغَفَّـٰرُLord of the heavens and the earth and all that lies between them, the Mighty, the All-Forgiving.
38:67قُلْ هُوَ نَبَؤٌا۟ عَظِيمٌSay, "This is tremendous news,
38:68أَنتُمْ عَنْهُ مُعْرِضُونَfrom which you turn away.
38:69مَا كَانَ لِىَ مِنْ عِلْمٍۭ بِٱلْمَلَإِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰٓ إِذْ يَخْتَصِمُونَI had no knowledge of the highest assembly when they were disputing.
38:70إِن يُوحَىٰٓ إِلَىَّ إِلَّآ أَنَّمَآ أَنَا۠ نَذِيرٌ مُّبِينٌIt is only revealed to me that I am a clear warner.
38:71إِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةِ إِنِّى خَـٰلِقٌۢ بَشَرًا مِّن طِينٍWhen your Lord said to the angels, "I am creating a human being from clay.
38:72فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُۥ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُوا۟ لَهُۥ سَـٰجِدِينَSo when I have shaped him and breathed into him of my spirit, fall down before him in prostration.
38:73فَسَجَدَ ٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ كُلُّهُمْ أَجْمَعُونَSo the angels prostrated, all of them together,
38:74إِلَّآ إِبْلِيسَ ٱسْتَكْبَرَ وَكَانَ مِنَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرِينَexcept Iblis — he grew arrogant and was among those who deny.
38:75قَالَ يَـٰٓإِبْلِيسُ مَا مَنَعَكَ أَن تَسْجُدَ لِمَا خَلَقْتُ بِيَدَىَّ ۖ أَسْتَكْبَرْتَ أَمْ كُنتَ مِنَ ٱلْعَالِينَGod said, "Iblis, what kept you from prostrating to what I created with my own hands? Were you too proud, or were you among the exalted?"
38:76قَالَ أَنَا۠ خَيْرٌ مِّنْهُ ۖ خَلَقْتَنِى مِن نَّارٍ وَخَلَقْتَهُۥ مِن طِينٍHe said, "I am better than him. You created me from fire, and you created him from clay."
38:77قَالَ فَٱخْرُجْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّكَ رَجِيمٌGod said, "Then get out of here, for you are cast out,
38:78وَإِنَّ عَلَيْكَ لَعْنَتِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلدِّينِAnd my curse will be upon you until the day of reckoning.
38:79قَالَ رَبِّ فَأَنظِرْنِىٓ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَHe said, "My Lord, then grant me respite until the day they are raised."
38:80قَالَ فَإِنَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْمُنظَرِينَGod said, "Then you are among those granted respite,
38:81إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ ٱلْوَقْتِ ٱلْمَعْلُومِuntil the day of the appointed time.
38:82قَالَ فَبِعِزَّتِكَ لَأُغْوِيَنَّهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَHe said, "By your might, I will surely lead them all astray,
38:83إِلَّا عِبَادَكَ مِنْهُمُ ٱلْمُخْلَصِينَexcept your servants among them, the sincere ones.
38:84قَالَ فَٱلْحَقُّ وَٱلْحَقَّ أَقُولُGod said, "The truth it is, and the truth I speak —
38:85لَأَمْلَأَنَّ جَهَنَّمَ مِنكَ وَمِمَّن تَبِعَكَ مِنْهُمْ أَجْمَعِينَI will surely fill jahannam with you and with all of them who follow you.
38:86قُلْ مَآ أَسْـَٔلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ وَمَآ أَنَا۠ مِنَ ٱلْمُتَكَلِّفِينَSay, "I ask no reward from you for this, nor am I one to pretend."
38:87إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَـٰلَمِينَThis is nothing but a reminder for all the worlds.
38:88وَلَتَعْلَمُنَّ نَبَأَهُۥ بَعْدَ حِينٍۭAnd in time you will surely know its truth.