The Qur'an (Oxford World's Classics)

(424)
92. THE NIGHT
A Meccan sura showing the consequences of the paths people choose and
emphasizing God’s guidance and warning.
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1 By the enshrouding night, 2 by the radiant day, 3 by His creation a of
male and female! 4 The ways you take differ greatly. 5 There is the one
who gives, who is mindful of God, 6 who testifies to goodness––7 We
shall smooth his way towards ease. 8 There is the one who is miserly,
who is self-satisfied, 9 who denies goodness––10 We shall smooth his
way towards hardship 11 and his wealth will not help him as he falls. b
12 Our part is to provide guidance––13 this world and the next
belong to Us––14 so I warn you about the raging Fire, 15 in which
none but the most wicked one will burn, 16 who denied [the truth],
and turned away. 17 The most pious one will be spared this––18 who
gives his wealth away as self-purification, 19 not to return a favour to
anyone 20 but for the sake of his Lord the Most High c –– 21 and he will
be well pleased.
a Or ‘by Him who created . . .’.
b Or ‘what use will his wealth be to him when he falls?’.
c Literally ‘for the sake of the Face of his Lord’.