Dawn (Al-Fajr)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
By the dawn 1 By the ten nights (i.e. the first ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah). 2 And by the even and the odd (of all the creations of Allah). 3 and by the night when it moves on towards daybreak (reward and retribution in the next life is an absolute reality). 4 Is this not a sufficient oath for intelligent people? 5 Hast thou not seen how thy Lord did with Ad, 6 With many-columned Iram, 7 The likes of whom had never been created in the land? 8 And with the Thamud (people), who cut out (huge) rocks in the valley?- 9 And with Firaun, who used to crucify. 10 Those who rebelled in the cities, 11 And multiplied iniquity therein? 12 So your Lord poured a scourge of punishment over them. 13 Truly your Lord is ever watchful. 14 As for man, when his Lord tests him, through honour and blessings, he says, "My Lord has honoured me," 15 But when He tries him, by straitening his means of life, he says: "My Lord has humiliated me!" 16 No. In fact you are not generous to the orphans, 17 and you urge not the feeding of the needy, 18 And ye devour heritages with devouring greed. 19 and you love wealth with boundless love! 20 Nay, but [how will you fare on Judgment Day,] when the earth is crushed with crushing upon crushing, 21 and [the majesty of] thy Sustainer stands revealed, as well as [the true nature of] the angels; rank upon rank? 22 On that day, hell will be brought closer and the human being will come to his senses, but this will be of no avail to him. 23 He will say, “Alas – if only I had sent some good deeds ahead, during my lifetime!” 24 On that day the punishment of God and His detention will be unparalleled. 25 And no one binds like He does! 26 O satisfied soul, 27 Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him], 28 So enter among My servants, 29 into My Paradise. 30