The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

73. ENFOLDED
A sura that is part very early Meccan, part Medinan (verse 20). This verse
describes how God relaxed the early regime of devotion first imposed on the
Prophet (in verses 1–9) to prepare him for the weighty message. The Prophet is
urged to be patient (verses 10–11), told of the punishment that awaits the
Meccan disbelievers in Hell (verses 12–14), and reminded of the punishment
that befell Pharaoh in this life (verses 15–16).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1 You [Prophet], enfolded in your cloak! 2 Stay up throughout the
night, all but a small part of it, 3 half, or a little less, 4 or a little more;
recite the Quran slowly and distinctly: 5 We shall send a momentous
message down to you. 6 Night prayer a makes a deeper impression and
sharpens words––7 you are kept busy for long periods of the day––
8 so celebrate the name of your Lord and devote yourself wholeheartedly
to Him. 9 He is Lord of the east and west, there is no god but
Him, so take Him as your Protector, 10 patiently endure what they
say, ignore them politely, 11 and leave to Me those who deny the truth
and live in luxury. Bear with them for a little while; 12 We have
fetters, a blazing fire, 13 food that chokes, and agonizing torment in
store for them 14 on the Day when the earth and the mountains will
shake. The mountains will become a heap of loose sand.
15 We have sent a messenger to you [people] to be your witness, just
as We sent a messenger to Pharaoh, 16 but Pharaoh disobeyed the
messenger and so We inflicted a heavy punishment on him. 17 So if
you disbelieve, how can you guard yourselves against a Day that will
turn children’s hair grey, 18 a Day when the sky will be torn apart?
God’s promise will certainly be fulfilled. 19 This is a reminder. Let
whoever wishes take the way to his Lord.
20 [Prophet], your Lord is well aware that you sometimes spend
nearly two-thirds of the night at prayer––sometimes half, sometimes
a third––as do some of your followers. God determines the division
of night and day. He knows that you will not be able to keep a
a Or ‘the hours of night’/‘getting up at night’.