Dawn (Al-Fajr)
In the name of Allah, most benevolent, ever-merciful
By the Dawn, 1 and ten nights (of pilgrimage or the last ten days of Ramadan), 2 And by the even and the odd (of all the creations of Allah). 3 And by the night when it departs. 4 Is there in this an oath for one endowed with understanding? 5 Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the 'Ad (people),- 6 Of Eram with lofty pillars (erected as signposts in the desert), 7 The likes of whom had never been created in the land? 8 (Also consider how He dealt with) the Thamud, who carved their houses out of the rocks in the valley. 9 (Also consider the people of) the Pharaoh who victimized people by placing them on the stake, 10 Who all waxed exorbitant in the cities, 11 And made therein much mischief. 12 so your Lord unleashed on them the scourge of punishment: 13 surely thy Lord is ever on the watch. 14 As for man, whenever his Lord tries him, and honours him, and blesses him, then he says, 'My Lord has honoured me.' 15 But when He tries him by restraining his means, he says: "My Lord despises me." 16 (Since wealth does not necessarily guarantee everlasting happiness) then why do you not show kindness to the orphans, 17 or urge one another to feed the destitute? 18 and greedily devour the entire inheritance, 19 and you have a love of wealth which can never be satisfied. 20 But no; when the earth is ground to powder, 21 and your Lord comes with the angels, rank upon rank, 22 And the Hell on that Day shall be brought nigh. On that Day man shall remember, but how will remembrance avail him? 23 He shall say: O! would that I had sent before for (this) my life! 24 None can punish as He will punish on that day, 25 And no one binds like He does! 26 O the contented soul! 27 Return towards your Lord – you being pleased with Him, and He pleased with you! 28 Join My servants. 29 Enter then My garden." 30