21:1  For all humankind, their reckoning has drawn closer; while through disregard, they are dismissive.

21:2  Not any new reminder comes to them from their Rabb, except they listen to it while they pursue their distractions.

21:3  Their hearts are inattentive. And they had confided in their private talk, the ones who were unjust, “Is this anything but a mortal like you? Will you then succumb to this sorcery, while you clearly see?”

21:4  He [i.e., every Prophet] has said, “My Rabb knows every word [declared or secret] in the heavens and the earth. HE is all-hearing, ever knowing.

21:5  Yet they said, “Medley of dreams. Nay, he fabricated it. Nay, he is a poet. So let him bring a miracle, like what was sent with the earlier ones.”

21:6  Of the settlements which WE destroyed before them, not one believed. So then, will they believe?

21:7  WE did not send before you other than men, toward whom WE directed inspiration. So [you idolaters], ask the holders of the [divine] Remembrance, if you do not know.”

21:8  WE made them not bodies which ate not the [life-sustaining] food, and neither were they immortal.

21:9  Further to that, WE proved true the promise to them—WE delivered them and whoever WE willed and destroyed the prodigal ones.

21:10  WE have now sent down a timeless book unto you [all], wherein is your [divine] Remembrance. So then, will you not use your reason?

21:11  How many a settlement which was persistently unjust did WE shatter, while WE brought into being another people after them?

21:12  [Too late were they], for when they sensed OUR might— is just when they set off fleeing from it.

21:13  “Do not flee and return to all that opulence you were given to indulge in, and to your habitations, so you may be questioned.”

21:14  They said, “Ah, woe unto us! For a fact, we were unjust.”

21:15  And that pleading cry of theirs did not cease, until WE rendered them as a reaped [field], still and silent.

21:16  WE did not create the heaven and the earth and whatever is in between purposelessly.

21:17  Had WE intended that WE take to random creativity, WE would take it up from our divine domain— were WE doing so.

21:18  Nay, WE hurl the truth upon falsehood, to expose falsehood’s hollow rationale, whereupon it withers away. And woe to you from what you depict.

21:19  To HIM belongs whatever is in the heavens and the earth. Those who realize HIS omnipresence—they are never too proud to worship HIM, nor do they grow weary.

21:20  They contemplate HIS limitless glory by night and day, and they do not slacken.

21:21  Or have they adopted gods from the earth who resurrect the dead?

21:22  If there were gods between the two, other than Allah, both realms would have fallen into rot. So [by evidence of the immaculately reliable Universe], limitless is Allah’s glory, Rabb of the [supreme] Throne, far exalted above anything they depict.

21:23  HE is not to be questioned about what HE does, whereas they are ones to be questioned.

21:24  Or have they taken gods lesser than HIM? Say, “Put forth your proof. This is a reminder for those with me and a reminder for those before me.” But nay, most of them do not know the Truth, so they are averse.

21:25  WE did not send any messenger before you, without revealing to him: There is no god save I, so serve ME

21:26  They say that Al Raḥmān has taken unto HIMSELF a son. Limitless is HIS glory. Nay! [God takes] honored votaries.

21:27  They [honored votaries] do not precede HIM with the Word, and they act by HIS command.

21:28  HE knows what is before them and known, and what is beyond them and hidden. And they cannot intercede except for whom HE has approved. And from awe of HIM they are ever in deference.

21:29  Whoever from among [God’s honored votaries] were to say, “I am god besides HIM,” such a one WE shall requite with Jahannam. Thus, are WE to requite [all] the wrongdoers.

21:30  Do the ones who have disbelieved not see that the heavens and the earth—the two were a stitched entity, WE then tore the two apart. And WE made every living thing from water. Will they still not believe?

21:31  WE have arranged anchored mountains on the earth lest it wobbles with them, and WE have placed between the mountains, pathways to enable them to find their way,

21:32  and WE have made the sky a protected roof. And they are dismissive of its signs!

21:33  HE is the One WHO has created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each floating in a heavenly vault.

21:34  And WE did not grant immortality to any mortal before you. So then when you do die, [does it mean] they are the ones to live forever?

21:35  Every soul is a taster of death. WE try you with the bad and the good—[each] a test, and unto US you are being returned.

21:36  When those who disbelieve see you, they take you as nothing but an object of jest [saying], “Is this the one who makes mention of your gods?” While upon the mention of Al Raḥmān, they are truth-coverers!

21:37  Man has been given to exist from one moment to the next. Soon to be— I will show you all MY signs. So do not ask ME to hasten.

21:38  They ask, “When is this promise, if you are truthful?”

21:39  If the ones who disbelieve were to know a time to come when they will not be able to ward off the fire from their faces, nor from the backs, nor will they be getting help

21:40  Nay it will come upon them unexpectedly and then stupefy them. Thereupon, they will not be able to ward if off, nor will they be given respite.

21:41  And Messengers before you did get belittled, but those of them who scoffed were overwhelmed by the very thing they had sought to belittle.

21:42  Say, “Who guards you by night and by day from the Al Raḥmān?” Nay! They are simply ever turned away from the remembrance of their Rabb!

21:43  Or are there gods for them, short of US, guarding them? They lack the capacity to help themselves. And they will not be attended to by US.

21:44  Nay! WE have continually provided for these here and their forefathers, right until the span of life extended to them grew long. Do they then not [in this span] observe that WE claim the land, diminishing it from its sides. Are they then the ones to prevail?

21:45  Say, “I warn you only through divine inspiration.” Whereas the deaf [of heart] do not hear the call, whenever they are warned.

21:46  And if and when a whiff of your Rabb’s chastisement grazes them, they will most certainly say, “Oh, woe unto us. Surely, we were unjust.”

21:47  And WE shall set in place the most equitable scales, for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul may be wronged in the least. If there be the weight of a grain from a mustard seed, WE shall bring it forth to bear. WE suffice as reckoner.

21:48  And WE did give Moses and Aaron the Criterion [differentiating right from wrong], a light-source, and a reminder for the God-conscious—

21:49  The ones who are in awe of their Rabb, in all that is hidden from them yet fully manifest to HIM, and who are ever in deference to the Hour.

21:50  And this is a blessed reminder. WE have sent it down. So will you be its disavowers?

21:51  And WE did bestow on Abraham his sound judgment from the outset, and WE have been the keepers and disseminators of the knowledge to do with him:

21:52  When he said to his father and his people, “What are these effigies which you attend to?”

21:53  They said, “We found our forefathers worshippers unto them.”

21:54  He said, “You all— you and your forefathers, have been in brazen error.”

21:55  They said, “Have you come to us with the Truth or are you one of the entertainers?”

21:56  He said, “Nay! Your Rabb is the Rabb of the heavens and the earth, HE WHO brought them into being, and I am of the ones bearing witness to that.”

21:57  “And by Allah, I most certainly will devise a plan for your idols, after you turn away, leaving them behind.”

21:58  So [after they left], he broke them into parts, except the biggest of them, to allow them to return to it:

21:59  They said, “Who did this to our gods? He is categorically of the wrongdoers.”

21:60  [Some others] said, “We heard a young man allude to them, he is called Abraham.”

21:61  They said, “Then bring him before the people’s eyes, to enable them to witness:”

21:62  They asked, “Is it you who did this to our gods, O Abraham?”

21:63  He said, “Rather [as per what you see], this one, the biggest of them did it. So then, do ask them, if they were to speak meaningfully.”

21:64  Thereupon they turned inwards [introspectively], and said, “In truth, you yourselves are the ones in the wrong.”

21:65  And then, compelled to a mental somersault [they said]: “[Abraham] you surely know these cannot articulate.”

21:66  He said, “Are you then going to continue to worship, short of Allah, what can neither benefit you one bit nor harm you?

21:67  Phew, at you and at what you worship besides Allah. Will you still not apply reason?”

21:68  They said, “Incinerate him and support your gods, if you are to take action.”

21:69  WE said, “O fire, be coolness and safety unto Abraham.”

21:70  While they had a plan to deal with him, WE turned them into the ultimate losers.

21:71  WE delivered him and Lot to the land, the one in which WE have filled blessings for all realms.

21:72  And WE gifted him Isaac and Jacob beyond [Ishmael]. And WE made each of them righteous.

21:73  WE made them leaders, providing guidance with OUR command. WE revealed unto them the doing of virtuous deeds, the constancy of Prayer and the giving of Zakat. And they were ever devoted unto US.

21:74  And unto Lot WE gave judgment and knowledge and delivered him from the town which was practicing the malignantly foul practices. Surely, they were an iniquitous people of depravity.

21:75  And WE admitted him into OUR mercy. Verily, he was of the righteous.

21:76  And Noah [remember him], when he had called [unto US] in a time past. So, WE responded to him and delivered him and his household from the great inescapable distress.

21:77  WE came to his aid against the people who denied OUR signs. Verily, they were a people of depravity. Consequently, WE drowned them all.

21:78  And David and Solomon [remember them], when they both judged regarding the cultivated field— when the sheep of some people strayed and pastured therein by night. And WE were witness to their respective judgments.

21:79  And so, WE made Solomon comprehend [all aspects of] it, while unto either of them WE had given judgment and knowledge. And WE made the mountain, and the birds comply with David, extolling the limitless glory [of their Rabb]. WE are the timeless doer.

21:80  And WE taught him the craft of making protective garments for you, to shield you from your own ferocity. Are you grateful then?

21:81  And to Solomon, the wind [was made compliant] as a tempestuous force, flowing by his command toward the land in which WE poured blessings. And WE are ever the keepers and disseminators of knowledge of everything.

21:82  And amongst the satanic entities were such who would dive for him and do other works besides. And WE were their custodian.

21:83  And Job, [remember him] when he cried unto his Rabb, “This hardship [of mine] has beset me, and YOU are the most merciful of the merciful.”

21:84  Thereupon, WE responded to him and removed whatever of any hardship was upon him, and gave him his family and their likeness alongside, as a mercy directly from US and as a reminder [of hope] for the devotees [of God].

21:85  And Ishmael and Idris and Dhul-Kifl – each of them was of the patient and persevering.

21:86  And WE admitted them into the fold of OUR mercy. Surely, they were amongst the righteous.

21:87  And Jonah, [remember him] when he took off in anger—having assumed that WE would never decree against him. Then [proven wrong], he called from under the layers of darkness: “There is no god except YOU: YOURS is all glory and might! Verily, I was of the wrongdoers.”

21:88  WE then answered his call and delivered him from his distress. Thus, do WE deliver the believers.

21:89  And Zachariah [remember him] when he called unto his Rabb, “My Rabb, do not leave me heirless, whereas YOU are the best of the inheritors.”

21:90  So, WE responded to his call and gave him the gift of Yahya and made his wife whole for him. They all were racing in doing virtuous works, and they called unto US, in hope and fear, and were ever humbly submitted to US.

21:91  And [remember her]— she who had guarded her chastity, whereupon WE breathed into her of OUR Spirit and made her and her son a sign for all realms.

21:92  Surely, this spiritual legacy of yours is one legacy, and I am your Rabb. So, serve ME.

21:93  Whereas they [i.e., the respective followers] have cut up into disjointed pieces their [common] mission between themselves. All are returning unto US.

21:94  Yet, whoever is doing of the right deeds, and is a believer—no ungratefulness for his effort. And indeed, WE are recorders of it.

21:95  While a prohibition stands on any community which WE have destroyed: Its people are not returning,

21:96  until, when Yajuj and Majuj are let loose, and they ravel out from every mound.

21:97  The rightful promise [of accountability] has drawn nearer. So, when [it is upon them], the eyes of the ones who had disbelieved, will be staring [at their fate]: “Woe is ours. We were neglectful of this. Rather, we were unjust.”

21:98  Surely, you and what you worship besides Allah, are the stony hearth of Jahannam. You are destined comers to it.

21:99  [Then you will know and say], “If these were gods, they would not have come to it.” And all are abiders therein.

21:100  For them therein is moaning, and not will they hear [the moaning of another].

21:101  Surely, the ones for whom the best from US has preceded them—they are far removed from it all.

21:102  They will not hear its faintest sound, and they will abide in all that which their souls had desired.

21:103  The great terror [of Resurrection Day] will not grieve them, and the angels will receive them: “This is your day, which you were promised.”

21:104  On that day WE will roll up the skies, like the rolling-up of the scroll, for the committed writing. Just as WE brought into being the first creation, so shall WE bring it into being again—a promise binding upon US. Verily, WE are the timeless doer.

21:105  WE did inscribe in the Zabūr after the prior Reminder: “MY righteous devotees shall inherit the land.”

21:106  Indeed, in this there is a definite message for a devoted people.

21:107  WE have not sent you, except as a mercy for all realms

21:108  Say, “It has been revealed to me, explicitly, that your God is One God. So then, will you be in submission to HIM?”

21:109  Thereupon, if they turn away, say, “I have notified you [all], on an equal basis, and I am not to ascertain, whether what you have been forewarned of is near or far.

21:110  Surely, HE knows the declared via the spoken word, and HE knows what you conceal.

21:111  And I am not to ascertain: It may be a trial for you and an indulgence for a while.”

21:112  [Say, just as every other Prophet] had said, “My Rabb, judge YOU by the Truth. OUR Rabb, Al Raḥmān, is the Ultimate Resort against what you depict.”