CONSIDER the sun and its radiant brightness,
and the moon as it reflects the sun! 1
Consider the day as it reveals the world, 2
and the night as it veils it darkly!
Consider the sky and its wondrous make, 3
and the earth and all its expanse!
Consider the human self, 4 and how it is formed in accordance with what it is meant to be, 5
and how it is imbued with moral failings as well as with consciousness of God! 6
To a happy state shall indeed attain he who causes this [self] to grow in purity,
and truly lost is he who buries it [in darkness].
TO [THIS] TRUTH gave the lie, in their overweening arrogance, [the tribe of] Thamud, 7
when that most hapless wretch from among them rushed forward [to commit his evil deed],
although God's apostle had told them, "It is a she-camel belonging to God, so let her drink [and do her no harm]!" 8
But they gave him the lie, and cruelly slaughtered her 9 - whereupon their Sustainer visited them with utter destruction for this their sin, destroying them all alike:
for none [of them] had any fear of what might befall them. 10