Translation: Indeed, those who have persecuted the believing men and believing women and then have not repented will have the punishment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the Burning Fire
Translation: But those who disbelieve are in denial
Ayah 20
Arabic: وَاللَّهُ مِن وَرَائِهِم مُّحِيطٌ
Transliteration: Wallaahu min waraaa’ihim muheet
Translation: While Allah encompasses them from behind
Ayah 21
Arabic: بَلْ هُوَ قُرْآنٌ مَّجِيدٌ
Transliteration: Bal huwa Qur’aanum majeed
Translation: But this is an honored Qur’an
Ayah 22
Arabic: فِي لَوْحٍ مَّحْفُوظٍ
Transliteration: Fee lawhim mahfooz
Translation: In a Preserved Tablet
English Transliteration (Ayah 1–22)
1. Was-samaaa’i zaatil burooj
2. Wal-yawmil maw’ood
3. Wa shaahidin wa mashhood
4. Qutila as-haabul ukhdoood
5. An-naarizaati al-waqood
6. Iz hum ‘alaihaa qu‘ood
7. Wa hum ‘alaa maa yaf‘aloona bil-mu’mineena shuhood
8. Wa maa naqamoo minhum illaaa an yu’minoo billaahil ‘Azeezil Hameed
9. Allazee lahoo mulkus samaawaati wal-ard; wallaahu ‘alaa kulli shai’in shaheed
10. Innal lazeena fatanul mu’mineena wal mu’minaati summa lam yatooboo falahum ‘azaabu jahannama walahum ‘azaabul hareeq
11. Innal lazeena aamanoo wa ‘amilus saalihaati lahum jannaatun tajree min tahtihaal anhaar; zaalikal fawzul kabeer
12. Inna batsha rabbika lashadeed
13. Innahoo huwa yubdi’u wa yu’eed
14. Wa huwal ghafoorul wadood
15. Zul ‘arshil majeed
16. Fa‘aalul limaa yureed
17. Hal ataaka hadeesul junood
18. Fir‘awna wa thamood
19. Balil lazeena kafaroo fee takzeeb
20. Wallaahu min waraaa’ihim muheet
21. Bal huwa Qur’aanum majeed
22. Fee lawhim mahfooz
English Translation (Saheeh International)
1. By the sky containing great stars
2. And by the promised Day
3. And by the witness and what is witnessed
4. Cursed were the companions of the trench
5. Containing the fire full of fuel
6. When they were sitting near it
7. And they, to what they were doing against the believers, were witnesses
8. And they resented them not except because they believed in Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy
9. To whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, over all things, is Witness
10. Indeed, those who have persecuted the believing men and believing women and then have not repented will have the punishment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the Burning Fire
11. Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great attainment
12. Indeed, the vengeance of your Lord is severe
13. Indeed, it is He who originates creation and repeats
14. And He is the Forgiving, the Most Loving
15. Owner of the Throne, the Glorious
16. Doer of whatever He intends
17. Has there reached you the story of the soldiers
18. Of Pharaoh and Thamud?
19. But they who disbelieve are in denial
20. While Allah encompasses them from behind
21. But this is an honored Qur’an
22. In a Preserved Tablet
Tafseer (Ibn Kathir Summary – English)
Surah Al-Buruj begins with oaths by the sky filled with constellations and the promised Day of Judgment. Allah then mentions the story of the People of the Trench (Ashab al-Ukhdud), who persecuted believers by throwing them into a burning trench of fire simply because they believed in Allah.
The tyrants watched as believers were punished, showing extreme cruelty. However, Allah reminds humanity that He is the Owner of the heavens and the earth and that nothing escapes His knowledge.
The surah warns that those who persecute believers and do not repent will face severe punishment in Hell. In contrast, believers who remain steadfast in faith will be rewarded with Paradise where rivers flow beneath.
Allah emphasizes His power by stating that He is the One who begins creation and will repeat it on the Day of Resurrection. He is also Forgiving and Loving toward His believers.
The surah then reminds people of earlier arrogant nations such as Pharaoh and Thamud, who rejected truth and were destroyed. Finally, Allah concludes that the Qur’an is a glorious and preserved revelation, safeguarded in the Lawh Mahfuz (Preserved Tablet).
Lessons & Benefits
True believers may face trials and persecution for their faith.
Oppression against believers is a grave sin that Allah will punish.
Patience and steadfastness lead to eternal reward in Paradise.
Allah is both Most Forgiving and Most Powerful in punishment.
The Qur’an is protected and preserved by Allah.
History shows that arrogant tyrants eventually face Allah’s justice.
FAQs
How many ayahs are in Surah Al-Buruj?
Surah Al-Buruj contains 22 ayahs.
Where was Surah Al-Buruj revealed?
It was revealed in Makkah, making it a Makki Surah.
What is the meaning of “Al-Buruj”?
Al-Buruj means “The Constellations” or “Great Stars in the Sky.”
What is the main theme of Surah Al-Buruj?
The surah discusses the persecution of believers, Allah’s justice, and the reward for patience and faith.