The Human (Al-Insan)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
Has there come on man a while of time when he was a thing unremembered? 1 Surely We have created man from a small life-germ uniting (itself): We mean to try him, so We have made him hearing, seeing. 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 [whereas,] behold, the truly virtuous shall drink from a cup flavoured with the calyx of sweet-smelling flowers: 5 From a fountain whence the bondmen of Allah will drink, causing it to gush abundantly. 6 These will be the ones who fulfil their vows and dread the Day whose woe shall be spread far and wide; 7 They feed the destitute, orphans, and captives for the love of God, saying, 8 (Saying),"We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks. 9 Lo! we fear from our Lord a day of frowning and of fate. 10 And so, God will preserve them from the woes of that Day, and will bestow on them brightness and joy, 11 And hath awarded them for all that they endured, a Garden and silk attire; 12 Reclining in it, upon thrones; they will not see the hot sunshine in it, nor the bitter cold. 13 And the shade thereof is close upon them, and the bunches of fruit thereof will hang low within their reach. 14 Vessels of silver and goblets of pure crystal will be passed round among them 15 Godblets of silver, they shall have filled them to exact measure. 16 And they will be given to drink a cup [of wine] whose mixture is of ginger 17 therein a fountain whose name is called Salsabil. 18 ۞ And there shall go round unto them youths ever-young. When thou seest them thou wouldst deem them pearls unstrung. 19 If you were to see it, you would find it to be a great kingdom with great bounty. 20 They [i.e., the virtuous] shall be attired in garments of fine green silk and rich brocade and will be adorned with bracelets of silver. Their Lord will give them a pure wine to drink. 21 This will be their reward and their efforts will be appreciated. 22