Surah 81
Shrouded in Darkness
Al-Takwir 🌑
This apocalyptic chapter describes the unraveling of the physical universe, from the sun losing its light to the mountains crumbling into dust. The title is taken from the opening verse, which warns about the terrifying day when the sun is completely shrouded in darkness.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
1When the sun is shrouded in darkness,
2When the stars are dimmed,
3When the mountains are set in motion,
4When pregnant camels are abandoned,
5When wild beasts are herded together,
6When the seas boil over,
7When souls are sorted into classes,
8When the baby girl buried alive is asked
9For what sin she was killed,
10When the records of deeds are spread open,
11When the sky is stripped away,
12When Hell is made to blaze
13And Paradise brought near:
14Then every soul will know what it has brought about.
15I swear by the planets
16That recede, move, and hide,
17By the night that descends,
18By the dawn that softly breathes:
19This is the speech of a noble messenger,
20Who possesses great strength and is held in honour by the Lord of the Throne —
21He is obeyed there and worthy of trust.
22Your companion is not mad:
23He did see him on the clear horizon.
24He does not withhold what is revealed to him from beyond.
25This is not the word of an outcast devil.
26So where are you [people] going?
27This is a message for all people —
28For those who wish to take the straight path.
29But you will only wish to do so by the will of God, the Lord of all people.