Al-Lail

Wallaili izaa yaghshaa

CONSIDER the night as it veils [the earth] in darkness,

Wannahaari izaa tajalla

and the day as it rises bright!

Wa maa khalaqaz zakara wal unthaa

Consider the creation of the male and the female!

Inna sa'yakum lashattaa

Verily, [O men,] you aim at most divergent ends!

Fa ammaa man a'taa wattaqaa

Thus, as for him who gives [to others] and is conscious of God,

Wa saddaqa bil husnaa

and believes in the truth of the ultimate good

Fasanu yassiruhoo lilyusraa

for him shall We make easy the path towards [ultimate] ease.

Wa ammaa mam bakhila wastaghnaa

But as for him who is niggardly, and thinks that he is self-sufficient,

Wa kazzaba bil husnaa

and calls the ultimate good a lie –

Fasanu yassiruhoo lil'usraa

for him shall We make easy the path towards hardship:

Wa maa yughnee 'anhu maaluhooo izaa taraddaa

and what will his wealth avail him when he goes down [to his grave]?

Inna 'alainaa lal hudaa

BEHOLD, it is indeed for Us to grace [you] with guidance;

Wa inna lanaa lal Aakhirata wal oolaa

and, behold, Ours is [the dominion over] the life to come as well as [over] this earlier part [of your life]:

Fa anzartukum naaran talazzaa

and so I warn you of the raging fire -

Laa yaslaahaaa illal ashqaa

[the fire] which none shall have to endure but that most hapless wretch

Allazee kazzaba wa tawallaa

who gives the lie to the truth and turns away [from it].

Wa sa yujannnabuhal atqaa

For, distant from it shall remain he who is truly conscious of God:

Allazee yu'tee maalahoo yatazakkaa

he that spends his possessions [on others] so that he might grow in purity –

Wa maa li ahadin 'indahoo min ni'matin tujzaaa

not as payment for favours received,

Illab tighaaa'a wajhi rabbihil a 'laa

but only out of a longing for the countenance of his Sustainer, the All-Highest:

Wa lasawfa yardaa

and such, indeed, shall in time be well-pleased.