فَلا أُقسِمُ بِمَواقِعِ النُّجومِ

Then I swear by the setting of the stars,

وَإِنَّهُ لَقَسَمٌ لَو تَعلَمونَ عَظيمٌ

And indeed, it is an oath - if you could know - [most] great.

إِنَّهُ لَقُرآنٌ كَريمٌ

Indeed, it is a noble Qur'an

في كِتابٍ مَكنونٍ

In a Register well-protected;

لا يَمَسُّهُ إِلَّا المُطَهَّرونَ

None touch it except the purified.

أَفَبِهـٰذَا الحَديثِ أَنتُم مُدهِنونَ

Then is it to this statement that you are indifferent

وَتَجعَلونَ رِزقَكُم أَنَّكُم تُكَذِّبونَ

And make [the thanks for] your provision that you deny [the Provider]?

فَلَولا إِذا بَلَغَتِ الحُلقومَ

Then why, when the soul at death reaches the throat

وَأَنتُم حينَئِذٍ تَنظُرونَ

And you are at that time looking on -

وَنَحنُ أَقرَبُ إِلَيهِ مِنكُم وَلـٰكِن لا تُبصِرونَ

And Our angels are nearer to him than you, but you do not see -