Sūrah 85
Sūrah al-Burūj
Introduction to this pair
Both these sūrahs form a pair with regard to their topics. In the first sūrah, the bases of the argument are the signs and manifestations in the world around human beings and in irrefutable historical facts. In the second one, besides the signs and manifestations in the world around human beings, the signs of the Almighty’s power and wisdom in his creation are presented as evidence.
Both sūrahs are directed at the leadership of the Quraysh, and it is evident from their topics that, like the previous sūrahs, they were also revealed in Makkah in the phase of open warning (indhār-i ‘ām) of Prophet Muḥammad’s (sws) preaching mission.
The theme of both sūrahs is to refute the doubts of the Quraysh regarding the Day of Judgement and to warn them that their oppression of the believers and their evil schemes against the Prophet (sws) are about to meet their fate. They have been ensnared by the respite given to them. They will not be able to escape it. Their time is now at hand.
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Ever-Merciful.
This sky with forts and the day also which [you are] being promised, and everyone [in this world] who sees [if he has insight], and whatever he is seeing – all of these bear witness that the Day of Judgement is bound to come. [Hence,] doomed are the companions of the fuel-filled ditch of fire when they sat on it [in Hell] and are seeing the consequences of what they used to do with the believers [in this world].
They became their enemies merely because they believed in God, the Mighty, the Praiseworthy, to whom belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth, and in reality God is watching everything.
Those who harassed believing men and women and then did not repent, for them is the punishment of Hell, and for them is the torment of burning. On the other hand, those who remained steadfast on their faith and did righteous deeds, for them are the gardens of Paradise below which rivers flow. This, in fact, is supreme success.
Severe surely is the grip of your Lord. [They must not be under any misconception.] Undoubtedly, He alone begins and He alone will
bring back. He is Forgiving if they repent, All-Loving, Lord of the throne, the Exalted, the absolute Doer of what He intends.
Has the story of those forces reached you [who became rebellious in a similar manner]? Of the forces of the Pharaoh and the Thamūd? [Then, is this something to be denied.] Certainly not! In fact, these disbelievers have decided that they will continue to deny, and in reality God has surrounded them from the front and the back. No, this is not something to be denied. In fact, this is the exalted Qur’ān [secure from the tampering of every devil]. It is in the preserved tablet.