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Read the surah · Surah 85

Al-Buroojالبروج

The Constellations · 22 verses · Meccan

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In plain wordsEditorial

An editorial summary of the translations. Not a translation or tafsir.

Twenty-two verses containing the people of the ditch, who sat by a fire they had made and watched what they were doing to the believers — named and left there, without the story that would explain them. Around it, Pharaoh and Thamud, and a Qur'an described as glorious, in a preserved tablet.

AALAMIN Editor · signed 29 August 2026

not a scholar — what this signature means

I am not a scholar, and nothing here asks you to treat me as one. The plain words on this site are my restatement of what the five translations shown above say, together with counts derived from the text itself — nothing more. I sign them so that a named person is accountable for every sentence, not so you'll take my word for anything. The authority on this page is the text and its translators. If my words don't match theirs, mine are the ones that are wrong.

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Easy-read · not authoritative

Talal Itani · published 2012

We open with the most modern, plain-English rendering to make reading easier. Every translation is shown equally - switch any time, or compare them on any verse.

Verse 1 of 22

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85:1

وَٱلسَّمَآءِ ذَاتِ ٱلْبُرُوجِ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)was-samaa'i dhaati l-burooj

DIN 31635was-samāʾi ḏāti l-burūǧi

The translators word this verse differently

By the sky with the constellations.

Compare translations (4)

By the heaven, holding mansions of the stars

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

By the heaven with its zodiacal signs

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

BY the star-bespangled Heaven

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

By the heaven adorned with signs

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:2

وَٱلْيَوْمِ ٱلْمَوْعُودِ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)wal-yawmi l-maw'ood

DIN 31635wal-yawmi l-mawʿūdi

And by the Promised Day.

Compare translations (4)

And by the Promised Day

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

And the promised day

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

By the promised Day

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

by the promised day of judgment

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:3

وَشَاهِدٍ وَمَشْهُودٍ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)washaahidin wamashhood

DIN 31635wašāhidin wamašhūdin

And by the witness and the witnessed.

Compare translations (4)

And by the witness and that whereunto he beareth testimony

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

And the witness and the witnessed

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

By the witness and the witnessed

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

by the witness, and the witnessed

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:4

قُتِلَ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْأُخْدُودِ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)qutila ashaabu l-'ukhdood

DIN 31635qutila ʾaṣḥābu l-ʾuḫdūdi

The translators word this verse differently

Destroyed were the People of the Trench.

Compare translations (4)

(Self-)destroyed were the owners of the ditch

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

The fellows of the pit were slain

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Cursed the masters of the trench

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

cursed were the contrivers of the pit

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:5

ٱلنَّارِ ذَاتِ ٱلْوَقُودِ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)an-naari dhaati l-waqood

DIN 31635an-nāri ḏāti l-waqūdi

The fire supplied with fuel.

Compare translations (4)

Of the fuel-fed fire

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

And the fire with its kindling

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Of the fuel-fed fire

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

of fire supplied with fuel

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:6

إِذْ هُمْ عَلَيْهَا قُعُودٌ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)idh hum 'alayhaa qu'ood

DIN 31635ʾiḏ hum ʿalayhā quʿūdun

While they sat around it.

Compare translations (4)

When they sat by it

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

When they sat over it

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

When they sat around it

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

when they sat round the same

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:7

وَهُمْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَفْعَلُونَ بِٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ شُهُودٌ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)wahum 'alaa maa yaf'aloona bil-mu'mineena shuhood

DIN 31635wahum ʿalā mā yafʿalūna bil-muʾminīna šuhūdun

And were witnessing what they did to the believers.

Compare translations (4)

And were themselves the witnesses of what they did to the believers

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

And witnessed the while what they were doing with those who believed

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Witnesses of what they inflicted on the believers

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

and were witnesses of what they did against the true believers

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:8

وَمَا نَقَمُوا۟ مِنْهُمْ إِلَّآ أَن يُؤْمِنُوا۟ بِٱللَّهِ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْحَمِيدِ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)wamaa naqamoo minhum illaa an yu'minoo billaahi l-'azeezi l-hameed

DIN 31635wamā naqamū minhum ʾillā ʾan yuʾminū billāhi l-ʿazīzi l-ḥamīdi

The translators word this verse differently

They begrudged them only because they believed in God the Almighty, the Praiseworthy.

Compare translations (4)

They had naught against them save that they believed in Allah, the Mighty, the Owner of Praise

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

And they took not vengeance on them save for their belief in God, The mighty, the praiseworthy

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Nor did they torment them but for their faith in God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

And they afflicted them for no other reason, but because they believed in the mighty, the glorious God

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:9

ٱلَّذِى لَهُۥ مُلْكُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ شَهِيدٌ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)alladhee lahu mulku s-samaawaati wal-'ardi wallaahu 'alaa kulli shay'in shaheed

DIN 31635allaḏī lahu mulku s-samāwāti wal-ʾarḍi wallāhu ʿalā kulli šayʾin šahīdun

To Whom belongs the sovereignty of the heavens and the earth. God is witness over everything.

Compare translations (4)

Him unto Whom belongeth the Sovereignty of the heavens and the earth; and Allah is of all things the Witness

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Whose is the kingdoms of the heavens and the earth; For God is witness over all

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

His the kingdom of the Heavens and of the Earth; and God is the witness of everything

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

unto whom belongeth the kingdom of heaven and earth: And God is witness of all things

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:10

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَتَنُوا۟ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَتُوبُوا۟ فَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ جَهَنَّمَ وَلَهُمْ عَذَابُ ٱلْحَرِيقِ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)inna lladheena fatanoo l-mu'mineena wal-mu'minaati thumma lam yatooboo falahum 'adhaabu jahannama walahum 'adhaabu l-hareeq

DIN 31635ʾinna llaḏīna fatanū l-muʾminīna wal-muʾmināti ṯumma lam yatūbū falahum ʿaḏābu ǧahannama walahum ʿaḏābu l-ḥarīqi

Those who tempt the believers, men and women, then do not repent; for them is the punishment of Hell; for them is the punishment of Burning.

Compare translations (4)

Lo! they who persecute believing men and believing women and repent not, theirs verily will be the doom of hell, and theirs the doom of burning

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Verily, those who make trial of the believers, men and women, and then do not repent, for them is the torment of hell, and for them is the torment of the burning

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Verily, those who vexed the believers, men and women, and repented not, doth the torment of Hell, and the torment of the burning, await

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Verily for those who persecute the true believers of either sex, and afterwards repent not, is prepared the torment of hell; and they shall suffer the pain of burning

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:11

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ وَعَمِلُوا۟ ٱلصَّٰلِحَٰتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّٰتٌ تَجْرِى مِن تَحْتِهَا ٱلْأَنْهَٰرُ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْفَوْزُ ٱلْكَبِيرُ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)inna lladheena aamanoo wa'amiloo s-saalihaati lahum jannaatun tajree min tahtihaa l-'anhaaru dhaalika l-fawzu l-kabeer

DIN 31635ʾinna llaḏīna ʾāmanū waʿamilū ṣ-ṣāliḥāti lahum ǧannātun taǧrī min taḥtihā l-ʾanhāru ḏālika l-fawzu l-kabīru

Those who believe and do righteous deeds will have Gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great triumph.

Compare translations (4)

Lo! those who believe and do good works, theirs will be Gardens underneath which rivers flow. That is the Great Success

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Verily, those who believe and act aright, for them are gardens beneath which rivers flow,- that is the great bliss

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

But for those who shall have believed and done the things that be right, are the Gardens beneath whose shades the rivers flow. This the immense bliss

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

But for those who believe, and do that which is right, are destined gardens beneath which rivers flow: This shall be great felicity

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:12

إِنَّ بَطْشَ رَبِّكَ لَشَدِيدٌ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)inna batsha rabbika lashadeed

DIN 31635ʾinna baṭša rabbika lašadīdun

The translators word this verse differently

The onslaught of your Lord is severe.

Compare translations (4)

Lo! the punishment of thy Lord is stern

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Verily, the violence of thy Lord is keen

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Verily, right terrible will be thy Lord's vengeance

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Verily the vengeance of thy Lord is severe

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:13

إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ يُبْدِئُ وَيُعِيدُ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)innahu huwa yubdi'u wayu'eed

DIN 31635ʾinnahu huwa yubdiʾu wayuʿīdu

The translators word this verse differently

It is He who begins and repeats.

Compare translations (4)

Lo! He it is Who produceth, then reproduceth

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Verily, He produces and returns

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

He it is who produceth all things, and causeth them to return

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

He createth, and He restoreth to life

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:14

وَهُوَ ٱلْغَفُورُ ٱلْوَدُودُ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)wahuwa l-ghafooru l-wadood

DIN 31635wahuwa l-ġafūru l-wadūdu

And He is the Forgiving, the Loving.

Compare translations (4)

And He is the Forgiving, the Loving

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

and He is the forgiving, the loving

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

And is He the Indulgent, the Loving

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

He is inclined to forgive, and gracious

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:15

ذُو ٱلْعَرْشِ ٱلْمَجِيدُ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)dhoo l-'arshi l-majeed

DIN 31635ḏū l-ʿarši l-maǧīdu

Possessor of the Glorious Throne.

Compare translations (4)

Lord of the Throne of Glory

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

the Lord of the glorious throne

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Possessor of the Glorious throne

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

The possessor of the glorious throne

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:16

فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)fa''aalun limaa yureed

DIN 31635faʿʿālun limā yurīdu

The translators word this verse differently

Doer of whatever He wills.

Compare translations (4)

Doer of what He will

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

the doer of what He will

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Worker of that he willeth

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

who effecteth that which He pleaseth

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:17

هَلْ أَتَىٰكَ حَدِيثُ ٱلْجُنُودِ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)hal ataaka hadeethu l-junood

DIN 31635hal ʾatāka ḥadīṯu l-ǧunūdi

Has there come to you the story of the legions?

Compare translations (4)

Hath there come unto thee the story of the hosts

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Has there come to thee the story of the hosts

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Hath not the story reached thee of the hosts

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Hath not the story of the hosts

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:18

فِرْعَوْنَ وَثَمُودَ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)fir'awna wathamood

DIN 31635firʿawna waṯamūda

Of Pharaoh and Thamood?

Compare translations (4)

Of Pharaoh and (the tribe of) Thamud

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

of Pharaoh and Thamud

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Of Pharaoh and Themoud

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

of Pharaoh, and of Thamud, reached thee

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:19

بَلِ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ فِى تَكْذِيبٍ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)bali lladheena kafaroo fee takdheeb

DIN 31635bali llaḏīna kafarū fī takḏībin

The translators word this verse differently

In fact, those who disbelieve are in denial.

Compare translations (4)

Nay, but those who disbelieve live in denial

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Nay, those who misbelieve do say it is a lie

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Nay! the infields are all for denial

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Yet the unbelievers cease not to accuse the divine revelations of falsehood

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:20

وَٱللَّهُ مِن وَرَآئِهِم مُّحِيطٌۢ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)wallaahu min waraa'ihim muheet

DIN 31635wallāhu min warāʾihim muḥīṭun

The translators word this verse differently

And God encloses them from beyond.

Compare translations (4)

And Allah, all unseen, surroundeth them

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

but God is behind them - encompassing

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

But God surroundeth them from behind

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

But God encompasseth them behind, that they cannot escape

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:21

بَلْ هُوَ قُرْءَانٌ مَّجِيدٌ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)bal huwa qur'aanun majeed

DIN 31635bal huwa qurʾānun maǧīdun

In fact, it is a Glorious Quran.

Compare translations (4)

Nay, but it is a glorious Qur'an

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

Nay, it is a glorious Koran

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Yet it is a glorious Koran

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

Verily that which they reject is a glorious Koran

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

85:22

فِى لَوْحٍ مَّحْفُوظٍۭ

Easy-read · not authoritative

Easy-read (simplified)fee lawhin mahfooz

DIN 31635fī lawḥin maḥfūẓin

The translators word this verse differently

In a Preserved Tablet.

Compare translations (4)

On a guarded tablet

Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · published 1930

in a preserved tablet

Edward Henry Palmer · published 1880

Written on the preserved Table

John Medows Rodwell · published 1861

the original whereof is written in a table kept in heaven

George Sale · published 1734

Sources

In-depth analysis →

  • Talal Itani · 2012
  • Mohammed Marmaduke William Pickthall · 1930
  • Edward Henry Palmer · 1880
  • John Medows Rodwell · 1861
  • George Sale · 1734

in a signed study →

Arabic textTanzil Qur'an text (Uthmani) ·Uthmani, Version 1.1·Tanzil Project ·Creative Commons Attribution 3.0·retrieved 24 Aug 2026

Qur'anic text from the Tanzil Project. Copyright (C) 2007-2026 Tanzil Project License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Source: tanzil.net · Updates: tanzil.net/updates/ https://tanzil.net/updates/

Translations Edward Henry Palmer, English translation of the Qur'an·Public domain — copyright term expired

Edward Henry Palmer, English translation of the Qur'an ·1880 translation, digital edition of unverified printing·None — public domain work ·Public domain — copyright term expired·retrieved 24 Aug 2026

Translations George Sale, English translation of the Qur'an·Public domain — copyright term expired

George Sale, English translation of the Qur'an ·1734 translation, digital edition of unverified printing·None — public domain work ·Public domain — copyright term expired·retrieved 24 Aug 2026

Translations John Medows Rodwell, English translation of the Qur'an·Public domain — copyright term expired

John Medows Rodwell, English translation of the Qur'an ·1861 translation, digital edition of unverified printing·None — public domain work ·Public domain — copyright term expired·retrieved 24 Aug 2026

Translations Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran·Public domain — copyright term expired

Pickthall, The Meaning of the Glorious Koran ·1930 translation, digital edition of unverified printing·None — public domain work ·Public domain — copyright term expired·retrieved 24 Aug 2026

Translations Talal Itani, ClearQuran·Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Talal Itani, ClearQuran ·ClearQuran, "God" edition, EPUB·Talal Itani / ClearQuran.com ·Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International·retrieved 7 Sep 2026

Translation by Talal Itani, ClearQuran.com https://clearquran.com