سورة الزُّمَر
Surah Al-Zumar 39:42
The Multitudes · Verse 42 of 75
اللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى الْأَنْفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَالَّتِي لَمْ تَمُتْ فِي مَنَامِهَا ۖ فَيُمْسِكُ الَّتِي قَضَىٰ عَلَيْهَا الْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ الْأُخْرَىٰ إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ
Abdul Mannan Omar
Allâh takes away the souls (of human being) at the time of their death and (also) of those who are not (yet) dead during their sleep. He detains (the souls of) those against whom He passes the verdict of death and sends (back those of) others till a fixed period of time. There are signs in this for a people who would reflect.
Abdullah Yusuf Ali
It is Allah that takes the souls (of men) at death; and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed verily in this are Signs for those who reflect.
Ahmed Ali
God gathers up the souls of those who die, and of those who do not die, in their sleep; then He keeps back those ordained for death, and sends the others back for an appointed term. Surely there are signs in this for those who reflect.
12 more translations
Ali Unal
God takes the spirits at the time of the death of (the souls), and in their sleep those (of the ones) that have not died. He withholds (the spirits of) those for whom He has decreed death, and the rest He sends back (to their bodies to live on) for a term appointed by Him. Surely in that are signs (important lessons) for people who reflect and are mindful.
Daryabadi
Allah it is who taketh away souls at the time of their death, and those which die not in their sleep: then He withhold those on which He hath decreed death, and sendeth back the rest for an appointed term. Verily herein are signs for a people who ponder.
Faridul Haque
It is Allah Who gives death * to living beings at the time of their demise, and to those who do not die, during their sleep; so He restrains the soul on which the decree of death has been passed, and leaves the other till the appointed term; indeed in this are signs for people who reflect. (*Death is of 2 types – passing to the next world, and sleeping.)
Maulana Muhammad Ali
Allah takes (menís) souls at the time of their death, and those that die not, during their sleep. Then He withholds those on whom He has passed the decree of death and sends the others back till an appointed term. Surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.
Maulvi Sher Ali
ALLAH takes away the souls of men at the time of their death; and of those also that are not yet dead, during their sleep. Then HE withholds those against which HE has decreed death, and sends back the others till an appointed term. In that, surely, are Signs for a people who reflect.
Muhammad Asad
It is God [alone that has this power - He] who causes all human beings to die at the time of their [bodily] death, and [causes to be as dead], during their sleep, those that have not yet died thus, He withholds [from life] those upon whom He has decreed death, and lets the others go free for a term set [by Him).
Muhammad Musin Khan
It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply.
Muhammad Pickthall
Allah receiveth (men's) souls at the time of their death, and that (soul) which dieth not (yet) in its sleep. He keepeth that (soul) for which He hath ordained death and dismisseth the rest till an appointed term. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who take thought.
Muhammad Sarwar
God will receive their souls when they die. Their souls do not die when they are sleeping. During people's sleep He withholds those souls which He has decreed to die and releases the others for an appointed time. In this there is evidence (of the Truth) for the thoughtful people.
Muhammed ali Shakir
Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep; then He withholds those on whom He has passed the decree of death and sends the others back till an appointed term; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect.
Rashad Khalifa
GOD puts the souls to death when the end of their life comes, and also at the time of sleep. Thus, He takes some back during their sleep, while others are allowed to continue living until the end of their predetermined interim. This should provide lessons for people who reflect.
Shabbir Ahmed
(Only the living of the mind and heart can make choices in this world.) It is God Who takes their consciousness upon death, and of the living during their sleep. He withholds it for those upon whom He has passed the decree of death, and restores the others until an appointed time (according to His laws). Herein are signs for people who think.
Commentary 39:42 “To take away souls” يَتَوَفَّى الْأَنفُسَ is meant in the sense that the power of choice, self-recognition, and decision is no longer at human disposal…
اللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى الْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا وَالَّتِي لَمْ تَمُتْ فِي مَنَامِهَا
39:42 “To take away souls” يَتَوَفَّى الْأَنفُسَ is meant in the sense that the power of choice, self-recognition, and decision is no longer at human disposal at the time of death or when a person is sleeping. Just like the soul does not perish in sleep, neither does it do so after death. In both cases, the soul is under Divine control. When the sleeper awakens, it is as if Allâh, by His leave, gives back the body its soul. The body regains its power of choice, self-recognition and decision. For those who die, the soul remains under the Power of their Lord “till a fixed period”. At the end of this fixed period, that is the Day of Judgment, all souls will be raised to life again and judgment will be passed. This judgment is passed soon after death for those with whom Allâh is pleased, whereas the guilty ones remain in a state that is neither death nor life (cf. 20:70-76). The verse confirms life after death in a beautiful way that appeals to our reflecting thoughts.