(I swear by) the dawn
The ten nights (of the month of ´Hajj´)
Even and odd (numbers)
And the night as it passes
Is there a (more solemn) vow for the sensible ones
Are you not aware of what your Lord did to the (people of) ´Aads´
Those well known for the high pillars (of their architecture)
Such that the likes of them had never been raised in other cities
And (how He dealt) with the people of ´Samood´, who hollowed out huge rocks (and built palaces) in the valley
And with the pharaoh wielding the kingdom
Those who transgressed and crossed all bounds in the lands
And vastly increased mischief and corruption in the land
So your Lord unleashed upon them the scourge of suffering
Indeed, your Lord is ever so vigilant
Such is man! When his Lord puts him through a test by granting him honor and a life of ease, he says, "My Lord has honored me!"
And when He tests him by restricting his means of livelihood, he says, "My Lord has disgraced me!"
Not at all! In fact, you do not treat the orphans kindly
Nor do you encourage each other to feed the poor
Greedily, you (misappropriate and) devour the inheritance (of the weak, the widows and the orphans)
You love wealth with all your heart
No, of course not! (On the day) when the earth is pounded repeatedly and crushed
And your Lord (Himself) comes down, along with His angels ranked in rows
And (the day) the hell is brought (in view), is the day when man shall remember clearly. But rememberance then will be of no avail
Man will say, "Alas! If only I had sent ahead of me (the good deeds) for this life of mine!"
No one can punish (as severely) as He will, that day
No one can tie up and bind as (securely as) He will (that day)
(The righteous would be told), "Oh you, the tranquil peaceful soul!"
"Return to your Lord contented and happy, having won His pleasure!"
"Join My (honored) servants!"
"And enter My (idyllic blissful) paradise!"