Juz 30 · Quarter 3

By the dawn

And [by] ten nights1

And [by] the even [number] and the odd

And [by] the night when it passes,

Is there [not] in [all] that an oath [sufficient] for one of perception?1

Have you not considered how your Lord dealt with ʿAad -

[With] Iram1 - who had lofty pillars,2

The likes of whom had never been created in the land?

And [with] Thamūd, who carved out the rocks in the valley?

And [with] Pharaoh, owner of the stakes?1

[All of] whom oppressed within the lands

And increased therein the corruption.

So your Lord poured upon them a scourge of punishment.

Indeed, your Lord is in observation.

And as for man, when his Lord tries him and [thus] is generous to him and favors him, he says, "My Lord has honored me."1

But when He tries him and restricts his provision, he says, "My Lord has humiliated me."

No!1 But you do not honor the orphan

And you do not encourage one another to feed the poor.

And you consume inheritance, devouring [it] altogether,1

And you love wealth with immense love.

No! When the earth has been leveled - pounded and crushed

And your Lord has come1 and the angels, rank upon rank,

And brought [within view], that Day, is Hell - that Day, man will remember, but how [i.e., what good] to him will be the remembrance?

He will say, "Oh, I wish I had sent ahead [some good] for my life."1

So on that Day, none will punish [as severely] as His punishment,

And none will bind [as severely] as His binding [of the evildoers].

[To the righteous it will be said], "O reassured soul,

Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him],

And enter among My [righteous] servants

And enter My Paradise."

I swear by this city [i.e., Makkah] –

And you, [O Muḥammad], are free of restriction in this city –

And [by] the father1 and that which was born [of him],

We have certainly created man into hardship.

Does he think that never will anyone overcome him?

He says, "I have spent wealth in abundance."

Does he think that no one has seen him?

Have We not made for him two eyes?

And a tongue and two lips?

And have shown him the two ways?1

But he has not broken through the difficult pass.1

And what can make you know what is [breaking through] the difficult pass?

It is the freeing of a slave

Or feeding on a day of severe hunger

An orphan of near relationship

Or a needy person in misery

And then being among those who believed and advised one another to patience and advised one another to compassion.

Those are the companions of the right.1

But they who disbelieved in Our signs - those are the companions of the left.1

Over them will be fire closed in.1

By the sun and its brightness

And [by] the moon when it follows it

And [by] the day when it displays it1

And [by] the night when it covers [i.e., conceals] it

And [by] the sky and He who constructed it

And [by] the earth and He who spread it

And [by] the soul and He who proportioned it1

And inspired it [with discernment of] its wickedness and its righteousness,

He has succeeded who purifies it,

And he has failed who instills it [with corruption].

Thamūd denied [their prophet] by reason of their transgression,

When the most wretched of them was sent forth.1

And the messenger of Allāh [i.e., Ṣāliḥ] said to them, "[Do not harm] the she-camel of Allāh or [prevent her from] her drink."

But they denied him and hamstrung1 her. So their Lord brought down upon them destruction for their sin and made it equal [upon all of them].

And He does not fear the consequence thereof.1

By the night when it covers1

And [by] the day when it appears

And [by] He who created the male and female,

Indeed, your efforts are diverse.

As for he who gives and fears Allāh

And believes in the best [reward].

We will ease him toward ease.

But as for he who withholds and considers himself free of need

And denies the best [reward],

We will ease him toward difficulty.

And what will his wealth avail him when he falls?1

Indeed, [incumbent] upon Us is guidance.

And indeed, to us belongs the Hereafter and the first [life].

So I have warned you of a Fire which is blazing.

None will [enter to] burn therein except the most wretched one

Who had denied and turned away.

But the righteous one will avoid it –

[He] who gives [from] his wealth to purify himself

And not [giving] for anyone who has [done him] a favor to be rewarded1 –

But only seeking the face [i.e., acceptance] of his Lord, Most High.

And he is going to be satisfied.

By the morning brightness

And [by] the night when it covers with darkness,1

Your Lord has not taken leave of you, [O Muḥammad], nor has He detested [you].

And the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life].

And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied.

Did He not find you an orphan and give [you] refuge?

And He found you lost and guided [you],

And He found you poor and made [you] self-sufficient.

So as for the orphan, do not oppress [him].

And as for the petitioner,1 do not repel [him].

But as for the favor of your Lord, report [it].

Did We not expand for you, [O Muḥammad], your breast?1

And We removed from you your burden1

Which had weighed upon your back

And raised high for you your repute.

For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease [i.e., relief].

Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.

So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship].

And to your Lord direct [your] longing.

By the fig and the olive1

And [by] Mount Sinai

And [by] this secure city [i.e., Makkah],

We have certainly created man in the best of stature;1

Then We return him to the lowest of the low,1

Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted.

So what yet causes you to deny the Recompense?1

Is not Allāh the most just of judges?

Recite in the name of your Lord who created –

Created man from a clinging substance.

Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous -

Who taught by the pen –

Taught man that which he knew not.

No! [But] indeed, man transgresses

Because he sees himself self-sufficient.

Indeed, to your Lord is the return.

Have you seen the one who forbids

A servant when he prays?

Have you seen if he is upon guidance

Or enjoins righteousness?

Have you seen if he denies and turns away -

Does he not know that Allāh sees?

No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock1 –

A lying, sinning forelock.

Then let him call his associates;

We will call the angels of Hell.1

No! Do not obey him. But prostrate and draw near [to Allāh].

Indeed, We sent it [i.e., the Qur’ān] down during the Night of Decree.

And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?

The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.

The angels and the Spirit [i.e., Gabriel] descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter.1

Peace it is1 until the emergence of dawn.