21. [al-Anbiya, Mecca 73]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَوْمَ نَطْوِي السَّمَاء كَطَيِّ السِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ...  

21:104. The Day that we roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books (completed) --

...كَمَا بَدَأْنَا أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُّعِيدُهُ...

even as We produced the first Creation, so shall We produce a new one:

...وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا فَاعِلِينَ ﴿١٠٤﴾

a promise We have undertaken:

truly shall We fulfil it.

Other Versions:

21:104

Arabic Source and Roman Transliteration Arabic   يَوْمَ نَطْوِي السَّمَاءَ كَطَيِّ السِّجِلِّ لِلْكُتُبِ ۚ كَمَا بَدَأْنَا أَوَّلَ خَلْقٍ نُّعِيدُهُ ۚ وَعْدًا عَلَيْنَا ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا فَاعِلِينَ &#x21E8 Transliteration   Yawma natwee alssamaa katayyi alssijlli lilkutubi kama bada/na awwala khalqin nuAAeeduhu waAAdan AAalayna inna kunna faAAileena &#x21E8

Generally Accepted Translations of the Meaning Muhammad Asad   On that Day We shall roll up the skies as written scrolls are rolled up; [and] as We brought into being the first creation, so We shall bring it forth anew a promise which We have willed upon Ourselves: for, behold, We are able to do [all things]! &#x21E8 M. M. Pickthall   The Day when We shall roll up the heavens as a recorder rolleth up a written scroll. As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it. (It is) a promise (binding) upon Us. Lo! We are to perform it. &#x21E8 Shakir   On the day when We will roll up heaven like the rolling up of the scroll for writings, as We originated the first creation, (so) We shall reproduce it; a promise (binding on Us); surely We will bring it about. &#x21E8 Yusuf Ali   The Day that We roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books (completed),- even as We produced the first creation, so shall We produce a new one: a promise We have undertaken: truly shall We fulfil it. &#x21E8 Wahiduddin Khan   On that Day We shall roll up the heavens like a scroll of parchment. As We originated the first creation, so shall We repeat it. This is a promise binding on Us. Truly, We shall fulfill it. &#x21E8 [Al-Muntakhab]   This is the Day when We fold the heavens the way the scribe rolls together the scrolls that are ready for the publishing of books, so that as We effected the first creation so will We effect recreation* a promise that We are Omnipotent enough to fulfill and bring to an end. &#x21E8 [Progressive Muslims]   On the Day when We roll up the heavens like the scroll of a scripture is rolled up. As We initiated the first creation, so shall We return it. It is a promise of Ours that We will do this

[[ Ali’s note - C2758. The world-the universe-as we know it, will be folded up like a scroll of parchment, for it will have done its work.

If Allah created all this world out of nothing, He can create an entirely new heaven and a new earth, on a plane of which we can form no conception in our present life.

And He will do so, for that is His promise.

Some Commentators understand Sijill to be the name of the Recording Angel who closes the Book of a man Deeds after the man's death.]]