وَٱلسَّمَآءِوَٱلطَّارِقِ١

By the sky and the night comer

And what can make you know what is the night comer?

It is the piercing star¹

There is no soul but that it has over it a protector.

So let man observe from what he was created.

He was created from a fluid, ejected,

Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.

Indeed, He [i.e., Allāh], to return him [to life], is Able.

The Day when secrets will be put on trial,¹

Then he [i.e., man] will have no power or any helper.

By the sky which sends back¹

And [by] the earth which splits,¹

Indeed, it [i.e., the Qur’ān] is a decisive statement,

And it is not amusement.

Indeed, they are planning a plan,

But I am planning a plan.

So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.¹

Exalt the name of your Lord, the Most High,

Who created and proportioned

And who destined and [then] guided

And who brings out the pasture

And [then] makes it black stubble.

We will make you recite, [O Muḥammad], and you will not forget,

Except what Allāh should will. Indeed, He knows what is declared and what is hidden.

And We will ease you toward ease.¹

So remind, if the reminder should benefit;¹

He who fears [Allāh] will be reminded.

But the wretched one will avoid it

[He] who will [enter and] burn in the greatest Fire,

Neither dying therein nor living.

He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself

And mentions the name of his Lord and prays.