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 by the moon when she follows him, 2 and by the day as it reveals its glory 3 By the night when it envelopeth it, 4 By the heaven and That which built it 5 and the earth and all its expanse! 6 By the soul, and That which shaped it 7 and imbued it with (the consciousness of) its evil and its piety: 8 prosperous is he who purified it, 9 and failed is he who buried it! 10 Thamood cried lies in their insolence 11 When among them the great wretch arose, 12 But the Messenger of Allah said to them: "It is a She-camel of Allah! And (bar her not from) having her drink!" 13 In response they belied him, and hamstrung the she camel – so Allah put ruin over them because of their sins and flattened their dwellings. 14 He does not fear the consequence. 15