Dawn (Al-Fajr)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
I CALL TO witness the dawn 1 And by oath of ten nights. 2 by the even and the odd, 3 and by the passing night, 4 Is there (not) in these an adjuration (or evidence) for those who understand? 5 Bethinkest thou not in what wise thy Lord did with the 'A'ad: 6 With many-columned Iram, 7 Like whom no one else was born in the cities. 8 And with Thamud who hewed out rocks in the vale, 9 and with Pharaoh of the [many] tent-poles? 10 Who all waxed exorbitant in the cities, 11 and worked much corruption therein? 12 So your Lord poured on them different kinds of severe torment. 13 surely thy Lord is ever on the watch. 14 As for man, when his Lord tests him by exalting him and bestowing His bounties upon him, he says: “My Lord has exalted me.” 15 And if He tests him and restricts his livelihood – thereupon he says, “My Lord has degraded me!” 16 But nay, nay, [O men, consider all that you do and fail to do:] you are not generous towards the orphan, 17 Nor do you urge one another to feed the poor, 18 Why do you take away the inheritance of others indiscriminately 19 And you harbour intense love for wealth. 20 Surely when We pound the earth to powder grounded, pounded to dust, 21 and [the majesty of] thy Sustainer stands revealed, as well as [the true nature of] the angels; rank upon rank? 22 and when Hell is brought near that Day. On that Day will man understand, but of what avail will that understanding be? 23 He will say: "Oh, would that I had provided beforehand for my life [to come]!" 24 On that day the punishment of God and His detention will be unparalleled. 25 And none will bind as He will bind. 26 But ah! thou soul at peace! 27 Return unto thine Lord well pleased and well-pleasing. 28 "Enter thou, then, among My devotees! 29 "And enter you My Paradise!" 30