Dawn (Al-Fajr)
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
By the dawn 1 and ten nights (of pilgrimage or the last ten days of Ramadan), 2 and 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 There is indeed in them (the above oaths) sufficient proofs for men of understanding (and that, they should avoid all kinds of sins and disbeliefs, etc.)! 5 Did you not see how did your Lord deal with (the tribe of) Aad? 6 Of Eram with lofty pillars (erected as signposts in the desert), 7 the like of whom no nation was ever created in the lands of the world? 8 And Thamood, who hewed out the rocks of the valley? 9 (Also consider the people of) the Pharaoh who victimized people by placing them on the stake, 10 All of them committed excesses in their lands, 11 and worked much corruption therein? 12 Therefore did thy Lord pour on them a scourge of diverse chastisements: 13 for, verily, thy Sustainer is ever on the watch! 14 Now, as for man, when his Lord trieth him, giving him honour and gifts, then saith he, (puffed up), "My Lord hath honoured me." 15 And if He tests him and restricts his livelihood – thereupon he says, “My Lord has degraded me!” 16 No. In fact you are not generous to the orphans, 17 Nor urge upon each other the feeding of the poor, 18 and you devour the inheritance greedily, 19 And you love wealth with much love! 20 Nay! When the earth is pounded to powder, 21 and (when you find yourself) in the presence of your Lord and the rows and rows of angels, your greed for riches will certainly be of no avail to you. 22 And Hell, that Day, is brought (face to face),- on that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance profit him? 23 He will say: "Alas! Would that I had sent forth (good deeds) for (this) my life!" 24 Then on that Day Allah will chastise as none other can chastise; 25 And none will bind as He will bind. 26 O satisfied soul, 27 Return unto thy Lord, content in His good pleasure! 28 Enter thou among My righteous bondmen! 29 And enter into My garden. 30