The Human (Al-Insan)
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
HAS THERE [not] been an endless span of time before man [appeared - a time] when he was not yet a thing to be thought of? 1 Lo! We create man from a drop of thickened fluid to test him; so We make him hearing, knowing. 2 We surely showed him the way that he may either be grateful or deny. 3 [Now,] behold, for those who deny the truth We have readied chains and shackles, and a blazing flame 4 Verily the pious shall drink of a cup whereof the admixture is like unto camphor. 5 This will be a gushing spring wherefrom Allah's servants shall drink wine, a spring from which they will take out channels wherever they wish. 6 They keep their vows and fear a day the woe of which will spread far and wide; 7 they give food, for the love of Him, to the needy, the orphan, the captive: 8 [Saying], "We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude. 9 for we fear from our Lord a stern, frownful Day' 10 But Allah will deliver them from the evil of that Day, and will shed over them a Light of Beauty and (blissful) Joy. 11 And reward them, because they were patient, with garden and silk, 12 Reclining there upon couches, they shall see neither the sun nor the moon. 13 since its [blissful] shades will come down low over them, and low will hang down its clusters of fruit, most easy to reach. 14 and there shall be passed around them vessels of silver and goblets of crystal, 15 crystal-like, [but] of silver - the measure whereof they alone will determine. 16 And therein they shall be given to drink of a cup whereof the admixture will be ginger. 17 From a fountain therein, named Salsabil. 18 ۞ There boys of everlasting youth shall go about attending them: when you see them, you would think that they are scattered pearls. 19 when thou seest them then thou seest bliss and a great kingdom. 20 In it they adorn clothes of fine green silk and gold embroidery; and they are given silver bracelets to wear; and their Lord gave them pure wine to drink. 21 "Verily this is a Reward for you, and your Endeavour is accepted and recognised." 22