When the sun is wrapped up [in darkness]

And when the stars fall, dispersing,

And when the mountains are removed

And when full-term she-camels[1865] are neglected [1865] Those ten months pregnant and nearing delivery. This verse alludes to distraction from the most valued of possessions.

And when the wild beasts are gathered

And when the seas are filled with flame[1866] [1866] Or "when the seas have overflowed [into each other]."

And when the souls are paired[1867] [1867] With another like soul. It can also mean "joined" (with their groups or sects) .

And when the girl [who was] buried alive is asked

For what sin she was killed

And when the pages[1868] are spread [i.e., made public] [1868] On which are recorded the deeds of all people.

And when the sky is stripped away

And when Hellfire is set ablaze

And when Paradise is brought near,

A soul will [then] know what it has brought [with it].[1869] [1869] i.e., all of one's deeds from worldly life, which have accompanied the soul to the Hereafter.

So I swear by the retreating stars -

Those that run [their courses] and disappear [i.e., set]

And by the night as it closes in[1870] [1870] An alternative meaning is "as it departs."

And by the dawn when it breathes [i.e., stirs]

[That] indeed, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is a word [conveyed by] a noble messenger [i.e., Gabriel]

[Who is] possessed of power and with the Owner of the Throne, secure [in position],

Obeyed there [in the heavens] and trustworthy.

And your companion [i.e., Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) ] is not [at all] mad.[1871] [1871] Literally, "possessed by jinn."

And he has already seen him [i.e., Gabriel] in the clear horizon.[1872] [1872] i.e., the eastern horizon, where the sun rises. See footnote to 53:6.

And he [i.e., Muḥammad (ﷺ)] is not a withholder of [knowledge of] the unseen.[1873] [1873] Prophet Muḥammad (ﷺ) did not withhold that knowledge of the unseen which Allāh had revealed to him in the Qur’ān.

And it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is not the word of a devil, expelled [from the heavens].

So where are you going?[1874] [1874] In your denial of the Qur’ān and in your accusations against the Prophet (ﷺ) . The meaning is essentially "Surely, you have strayed far from Allāh's path."

It is not except a reminder to the worlds

For whoever wills among you to take a right course.

And you do not will except that Allāh wills - Lord of the worlds.