The Qur'an · Pickthall Translation

38. Sad

Pickthall translation · 88 verses

Surah Sad (38) of the Holy Qur'an, in the respected public domain Pickthall translation. It opens: “Sad. By the renowned Qur'an” — the complete text of all 88 verses is below, free to read online, no account needed.

1Sad. By the renowned Qur'an

2Nay, but those who disbelieve are in false pride and schism

3How many a generation We destroyed before them, and they cried out when it was no longer the time for escape

4And they marvel that a warner from among themselves hath come unto them, and the disbelievers say: This is a wizard, a charlatan

5Maketh he the gods One Allah? Lo! that is an astounding thing

6The chiefs among them go about, exhorting: Go and be staunch to your gods! Lo! this is a thing designed

7We have not heard of this in later religion. This is naught but an invention

8Hath the reminder been unto him (alone) among us? Nay, but they are in doubt concerning My reminder; nay but they have not yet tasted My doom

9Or are theirs the treasures of the mercy of thy Lord, the Mighty, the Bestower

10Or is the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them theirs? Then let them ascend by ropes

11A defeated host are (all) the factions that are there

12The folk of Noah before them denied (their messenger) and (so did the tribe of) A'ad, and Pharaoh firmly planted

13And (the tribe of) Thamud, and the folk of Lot, and the dwellers in the wood: these were the factions

14Not one of them but did deny the messengers, therefor My doom was justified

15These wait for but one Shout, there will be no second thereto

16They say: Our Lord! Hasten on for us our fate before the Day of Reckoning

17Bear with what they say, and remember Our bondman David, lord of might, Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah)

18Lo! We subdued the hills to hymn the praises (of their Lord) with him at nightfall and sunrise

19And the birds assembled; all were turning unto Him

20We made his kingdom strong and gave him wisdom and decisive speech

21And hath the story of the litigants come unto thee? How they climbed the wall into the royal chamber

22How they burst in upon David, and he was afraid of them. They said: Be not afraid! (We are) two litigants, one of whom hath wronged the other, therefor judge aright between us; be not unjust; and show us the fair way

23Lo! this my brother hath ninety and nine ewes while I had one ewe; and he said: Entrust it to me, and he conquered me in speech

24(David) said: He hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe in addition to his ewes, and lo! many partners oppress one another, save such as believe and do good works, and they are few. And David guessed that We had tried him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented

25So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey's end

26(And it was said unto him): O David! Lo! We have set thee as a viceroy in the earth; therefor judge aright between mankind, and follow not desire that it beguile thee from the way of Allah. Lo! those who wander from the way of Allah have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning

27And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in vain. That is the opinion of those who disbelieve. And woe unto those who disbelieve, from the Fire

28Shall We treat those who believe and do good works as those who spread corruption in the earth; or shall We treat the pious as the wicked

29(This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto thee, full of blessing, that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding may reflect

30And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah)

31When there were shown to him at eventide lightfooted coursers

32And he said: Lo! I have preferred the good things (of the world) to the remembrance of my Lord; till they were taken out of sight behind the curtain

33(Then he said): Bring them back to me, and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks

34And verily We tried Solomon, and set upon his throne a (mere) body. Then did he repent

35He said: My Lord! Forgive me and bestow on me sovereignty such as shall not belong to any after me. Lo! Thou art the Bestower

36So We made the wind subservient unto him, setting fair by his command whithersoever he intended

37And the unruly, every builder and diver (made We subservient)

38And others linked together in chains

39(Saying): This is Our gift, so bestow thou, or withhold, without reckoning

40And lo! he hath favour with Us, and a happy journey's end

41And make mention (O Muhammad) of Our bondman Job, when he cried unto his Lord (saying): Lo! the devil doth afflict me with distress and torment

42(And it was said unto him): Strike the ground with thy foot. This (spring) is a cool bath and a refreshing drink

43And We bestowed on him (again) his household and therewith the like thereof, a mercy from Us, and a memorial for men of understanding

44And (it was said unto him): Take in thine hand a branch and smite therewith, and break not thine oath. Lo! We found him steadfast, how excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (to his Lord)

45And make mention of Our bondmen, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, men of parts and vision

46Lo! We purified them with a pure thought, remembrance of the Home (of the Hereafter)

47Lo! in Our sight they are verily of the elect, the excellent

48And make mention of Ishmael and Elisha and Dhu'l-Kifl. All are of the chosen

49This is a reminder. And lo! for those who ward off (evil) is a happy journey's end

50Gardens of Eden, whereof the gates are opened for them

51Wherein, reclining, they call for plenteous fruit and cool drink (that is) therein

52And with them are those of modest gaze, companions

53This it is that ye are promised for the Day of Reckoning

54Lo! this in truth is Our provision, which will never waste away

55This (is for the righteous). And lo! for the transgressors there with be an evil journey's end

56Hell, where they will burn, an evil resting-place

57Here is a boiling and an ice-cold draught, so let them taste it

58And other (torment) of the kind in pairs (the two extremes)

59Here is an army rushing blindly with you. (Those who are already in the Fire say): No word of welcome for them. Lo! they will roast at the Fire

60They say: Nay, but you (misleaders), for you there is no word of welcome. Ye prepared this for us (by your misleading). Now hapless is the plight

61They say: Our Lord! Whoever did prepare this for us, oh, give him double portion of the Fire

62And they say: What aileth us that we behold not men whom we were wont to count among the wicked

63Did we take them (wrongly) for a laughing-stock, or have our eyes missed them

64Lo! that is very truth: the wrangling of the dwellers in the Fire

65Say (unto them, O Muhammad): I am only a warner, and there is no Allah save Allah, the One, the Absolute

66Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, the Mighty, the Pardoning

67Say: It is tremendous tidings

68Whence ye turn away

69I had no knowledge of the Highest Chiefs when they disputed

70It is revealed unto me only that I may be a plain warner

71When thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to create a mortal out of mire

72And when I have fashioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down before him prostrate

73The angels fell down prostrate, every one

74Saving Iblis; he was scornful and became one of the disbelievers

75He said: O Iblis! What hindereth thee from falling prostrate before that which I have created with both My hands? Art thou too proud or art thou of the high exalted

76He said: I am better than him. Thou createdst me of fire, whilst him Thou didst create of clay

77He said: Go forth from hence, for lo! thou art outcast

78And lo! My curse is on thee till the Day of Judgment

79He said: My Lord! Reprieve me till the day when they are raised

80He said: Lo! thou art of those reprieved

81Until the day of the time appointed

82He said: Then, by Thy might, I surely will beguile them every one

83Save Thy single-minded slaves among them

84He said: The Truth is, and the Truth I speak

85That I shall fill hell with thee and with such of them as follow thee, together

86Say (O Muhammad, unto mankind): I ask of you no fee for this, and I am no simulating

87Lo! it is naught else than a reminder for all peoples

88And ye will come in time to know the truth thereof

88 verses · Pickthall translation (public domain)

‹ As-Saffat (37)Az-Zumar (39) ›

Read, search & bookmark — free

This text opens instantly in the FourFaiths reader, with full-text search across every book, bookmarks saved in your browser, reading plans and a verse of the day. No account, no tracking — everything runs locally in your browser.

Open in the Qur'an reader →