The Night (Al-Layl)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
I CALL THE night to witness when it covers over, 1 And the day when it shines in all its glory, 2 And Him Who hath created male and female, 3 Lo! your effort is dispersed (toward divers ends). 4 As for one who gives [to others] and fears [God], 5 and believes in the finest, 6 observe piety, and believe in receiving rewards from God. 7 But as for him who hoardeth and deemeth himself independent, 8 and denied the Truth of goodness: 9 We will make smooth for him the path for evil; 10 And what will his wealth benefit him when he goes down (in destruction). 11 Verily We take upon Ourselves to guide, 12 And indeed the Hereafter and this world both belong to Us. 13 I therefore warn you of the fire that is ablaze. 14 No one will burn in it but the most wretched, 15 who rejected the Truth, calling it falsehood and turned his back on it. 16 and from which the most godfearing shall be removed, 17 He who spends his wealth for increase in self-purification, 18 and confers no favour on any man for recompense, 19 but only out of a longing for the countenance of his Sustainer, the All-Highest: 20 and such, indeed, shall in time be well-pleased. 21