The Night (Al-Layl)
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
I CALL THE night to witness when it covers over, 1 and by the day when it unveils. 2 And Him Who hath created male and female, 3 Lo! your effort is dispersed (toward divers ends). 4 As for him who gives (in charity) and keeps his duty to Allah and fears Him, 5 and believes in the truth of what is right, 6 observe piety, and believe in receiving rewards from God. 7 But he who is greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient. 8 And rejects the best, 9 So We will very soon provide him hardship. 10 nor will his wealth profit him when he falls [into the pit]. 11 Surely, in Our hands is guidance, 12 and to Us belong the Next Life and the present. 13 I have now warned you of a Blazing Fire, 14 [the fire] which none shall have to endure but that most hapless wretch 15 even he who cried lies, and turned away; 16 Far removed from it will be the righteous 17 he that spends his possessions [on others] so that he might grow in purity 18 and confers no favour on any man for recompense, 19 seeking only the Face of his Lord, the Most High, 20 and before long he will be well satisfied. 21