The Night (Al-Layl)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
CONSIDER the night as it veils [the earth] in darkness, 1 And the day when it shines in brightness, 2 and by the creation of the male and the female. 3 O men, you truly strive towards the most diverse ends! 4 Yet he who gives to others and has fear, 5 And (in all sincerity) testifies to the best,- 6 We shall surely ease him to the Easing. 7 But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient, 8 and calls the ultimate good a lie 9 So We will very soon provide him hardship. 10 Nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong (into the Pit). 11 It is indeed for Us to show the way, 12 and, behold, Ours is [the dominion over] the life to come as well as [over] this earlier part [of your life]: 13 Therefore I warn you of the fire that flames: 14 Which only the most wretched must endure, 15 who rejected the Truth, calling it falsehood and turned his back on it. 16 and from which the cautious shall be distanced. 17 Who gives away his wealth, purifying himself 18 not as payment for any favours that he received, 19 Except only the desire to seek the Countenance of his Lord, the Most High; 20 and such, indeed, shall in time be well-pleased. 21