Dawn (Al-Fajr)
In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace
By the dawn 1 and the ten nights! 2 by the even and the odd, 3 and by the night when it departs. 4 Is there in this an oath for one endowed with understanding? 5 Bethinkest thou not in what wise thy Lord did with the 'A'ad: 6 of the columned (city) of Iram, 7 whose like has never been created in any other land. 8 And how did He deal with Thamud who hewed out rocks in the valley? 9 And (with) Fir'aun (Pharaoh), who had pegs (who used to torture men by binding them to pegs)? 10 Who terrorised the region, 11 and brought about great corruption therein: 12 So your Lord poured on them different kinds of severe torment. 13 for, verily, thy Sustainer is ever on the watch! 14 So man, whenever his Lord tests him by giving him honour and favours – thereupon he says, “My Lord has honoured me.” 15 But when He tests him by straitening his sustenance, he says: “My Lord has humiliated me.” 16 (Since wealth does not necessarily guarantee everlasting happiness) then why do you not show kindness to the orphans, 17 And urge not on the feeding of AlMiskin (the poor)! 18 And you readily devour the inheritance with greed. 19 And ye love riches with exceeding love. 20 Surely when We pound the earth to powder grounded, pounded to dust, 21 And comes your Lord, and angels row on row, 22 And Hell is brought near, that day will man remember, but of what avail will then remembering be? 23 He shall say: O! would that I had sent before for (this) my life! 24 Upon that day none shall chastise as He chastises, 25 nor will any bind as He binds. 26 O soul that art at rest! 27 Return towards your Lord – you being pleased with Him, and He pleased with you! 28 Join My worshipers and 29 yea, enter thou My paradise!" 30