092 - Sūrat al-Lail

In the name of Allah (who is) Rahmān (and) Rahīm.

[For explanation, see Sūrat al-Fātiha: 1]

1

By the night as it enshrouds, with its darkness all that is between the heaven and the earth,

2

and [by] the day as it unveils, [as] it is revealed and becomes manifest (idhā, 'as', in both instances is an absolute adverbial, operated by the verbal action of the oath),

3

and [by] the One Who (mā either functions as man, 'the One Who', or it is related to a verbal action) created the male and the female, Adam and Eve, or every male and female - the hermaphrodite, although problematic for us, is [in fact] either male or female according to Allahu ta’ālā, and therefore a person [actually] commits perjury if he speaks with one [thinking that] because he has sworn not to speak with a male or a female; [he may do so with a hermaphrodite].

4

Assuredly your efforts, your deeds, are dissimilar, with some working towards Paradise by means of obedience, while others [in effect] are working towards the Fire through [acts of] disobedience.

5

As for him who gives, what is due to Allahu ta’ālā, and is fearful, of Allahu ta’ālā,

6

and affirms the truth of the best [word], that is, [the truth] of 'there is no god but Allahu ta’ālā' (in both places [here and below, verse 9]),

7

We shall surely ease his way to [the abode of] ease, to Paradise.

8

But as for him who is niggardly, with what is due to Allahu ta’ālā, and deems himself self-sufficient, without need for His reward,

9

and denies the best [word],

10

We shall surely ease his way, We shall pave for him the way, to hardship, to the Fire;

11

And his wealth shall not (mā is or negation) avail him when he perishes, in the Fire.

12

Truly with Us lies [all] guidance, the pointing out of the path of guidance from that of error, so that Our command may be followed by adhering to the former [manner of conduct] and that Our prohibition [may also be heeded] by refraining from falling into the latter [manner of conduct].

13

And truly to Us belong the Hereafter and the first [life], that is to say, [that of] this world, and so whoever seeks either of the two from anyone other than Us has erred.

14

So I have warned you of, I have threatened you, O people of Mecca, [with], a raging fire (talazzā, 'raging': one of the two original tā' letters [of tatalazzā] has been omitted; a variant reading retains it, tatalazzā, that is, 'one that is flaming'),

15

which none shall enter but the wretched one (al-ashqā means al-shaqī),

16

he who denies, the Prophet, and turns away, from faith - this delimiting [of those who deserve to enter this fire] constitutes an interpretation of His saying, But He forgives other than that to whomever He will [Q. 4:48], which in turn suggests that what is meant is that entry [into the Fire] which will be everlasting.

17

The Allahu ta’ālā-fearing one (al-atqā means al-taqī) shall be spared it, he will be removed far away from it,

18

he who gives his wealth to purify himself, offering it as a [means of self] purification before Allahu ta’ālā, exalted be He, by making this payment for the sake of Allahu ta’ālā, exalted be He, and not for show or the sake of reputation, so that he [or the offering] stands purified in the sight of Allahu ta’ālā. This [verse] was revealed regarding the truthful one (al-siddīq) [Abū Bakr], may Allahu ta’ālā be pleased with him, when he purchased Bilāl [the Ethiopian], who was being tortured on account of his faith, and then freed him, whereat the disbelievers said, 'He only did this in return for a favour which he [must have] owed him', and so the following was revealed:

19

and no one has any favour [outstanding] with him that must be requited;

20

but, he did this, only seeking the pleasure of his Rabb the Most High, that is to say, only seeking [to secure] Allah’s reward;

21

and verily [soon] he shall [himself] be pleased, with the reward he will be given in Paradise. The verse applies [equally] to anyone who may do as he [Abū Bakr] did, may Allahu ta’ālā be pleased with him, and such [a person] will thereby be removed far from the Fire and rewarded.