I swear by (or call to witness) the dawn
And by the nights twice five (of pilgrimage)!
And the even and the odd!
And the night when it passes on!
Is there not in these a lesson (evidence or admonition) for a man of understanding?
Have you not seen how your Lord did with the people of A´ad?
With the city of Iram of the lofty pillars?
The like of which has not been created in all the land?
And with the people of Thamud when they hewed the great stones in the valley?
And with Pharaoh, Lord of the stakes?
All these were outrageous in the land,
And did multiply wickedness therein,
Therefore, your Lord poured out upon them the scourge of diverse torments.
Verily, your Lord is ever watchful!
Now as for man, whenever his Lord tries him and honours him and grants him favour, then he says, "My Lord has honoured me";
But whenever he tries him and restricts his subsistence, then he says, "My Lord despises me!"
Nay, nay! But you do not honour the orphan,
Nor do you urge each other to feed the poor,
And you devour the inheritance (of the weak) with greed,
And you love wealth with an abounding love!
Nay, when the earth is crushed to pieces,
And your Lord comes with the angels, rank on rank,
And Hell is brought near on that Day, on that Day shall man remember! But how shall the remembrance profit him?
He will say, "Would that I had sent something forward for my life!"
But on that Day none shall punish as He punishes,
And none shall be bound with bonds like his!
But O, you soul in peace and fulfilment!
Return unto your Lord, well pleased and well pleasing unto Him!
Enter you amongst My servants,
Enter you My Garden (Paradise)!