وَٱلصَّـٰٓفَّـٰتِصَفًّۭا١

By those [angels] lined up in rows

And those who drive [the clouds]

And those who recite the message,¹

Indeed, your God is One,

Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them and Lord of the sunrises.¹

Indeed, We have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment of stars

And as protection against every rebellious devil

[So] they may not listen to the exalted assembly [of angels] and are pelted from every side,¹

Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment,

Except one who snatches [some words] by theft, but they are pursued by a burning flame, piercing [in brightness].

Then inquire of them, [O Muḥammad], "Are they a stronger [or more difficult] creation or those [others] We have created?" Indeed, We created them [i.e., men] from sticky clay.

But you wonder, while they mock,

And when they are reminded, they remember not.

And when they see a sign, they ridicule.

And say, "This is not but obvious magic.

When we have died and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?

And our forefathers [as well]?"

Say, "Yes, and you will be [rendered] contemptible."

It will be only one shout, and at once they will be observing.

They will say, "O woe to us! This is the Day of Recompense."

[They will be told], "This is the Day of Judgement which you used to deny."

[The angels will be ordered], "Gather those who committed wrong, their kinds,¹ and what they used to worship

Other than Allāh, and guide them to the path of Hellfire

And stop them; indeed, they are to be questioned."