The Sun (Al-Shams)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
I CALL TO witness the sun and his early morning splendour, 1 And the moon when it follows the sun, 2 and by the day as it displays the sun's glory, 3 The night when it covers him over, 4 And the heaven and Him Who made it, 5 And by oath of the earth and by oath of Him Who spread it. 6 By the soul, and That which shaped it 7 And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness, 8 He is indeed successful who causeth it to grow, 9 And indeed failed is the one who covered it in sin. 10 In their presumptuous insolence the Thamud called the Truth a lie 11 when the most wicked of them broke forth, 12 Then the apostle of Allah said unto them: beware of the she-camel of Allah and her drink. 13 Then they denied him and they killed it. So their Lord destroyed them because of their sin, and made them equal in destruction (i.e. all grades of people, rich and poor, strong and weak, etc.)! 14 He does not fear the consequence. 15