Dawn (Al-Fajr)
In the Name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate
I CALL TO witness the dawn 1 and ten nights (of pilgrimage or the last ten days of Ramadan), 2 And by the even and the odd, 3 and by the night when it moves on towards daybreak (reward and retribution in the next life is an absolute reality). 4 Truly in that there is an oath for those who possess understanding. 5 ART THOU NOT aware of how thy Sustainer has dealt with [the tribe of] 'Ad, 6 of Iram, known for their lofty columns, 7 the like of which was never created in the land, 8 And with the Thamud (people), who cut out (huge) rocks in the valley?- 9 and Pharaoh, he of the tent-pegs, 10 Who terrorised the region, 11 And made therein much mischief. 12 Therefore your Lord struck them hard with the means of punishment. 13 Verily thy Lord is in an ambuscade, 14 As for the human being, when his Lord tests him, honors him, and grants him bounty, he says, "God has honored me". 15 But whenever He trieth him by straitening his means of life, he saith: My Lord despiseth me. 16 But nay, nay, [O men, consider all that you do and fail to do:] you are not generous towards the orphan, 17 And you do not encourage one another to feed the poor. 18 And ye devour inheritance - all with greed, 19 And you love wealth with much love! 20 Nay! when the earth is made to crumble to pieces, 21 And comes your Lord, and angels row on row, 22 And Hell will be brought near that Day. On that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance (then) avail him? 23 He shall say: O! would that I had sent before for (this) my life! 24 On that Day no one will punish as He punishes, 25 And His bonds will be such as none other can bind. 26 O thou peaceful soul! 27 Return to your Lord, well-pleased and well-pleasing Him. 28 Join My servants. 29 Enter thou My Paradise!' 30