Gems from the Holy Qur’an
From the translation by Muhammad Asad (Leopold Weiss)
About the translator:
Muhammad Asad, Leopold Weiss, was born of Jewish parents in Livow, Austria (later Poland) in 1900, and at the age of 22 made his first visit to the Middle East. He later became an outstanding foreign correspondent for the Franfurter Zeitung, and after years of devoted study became one of the leading Muslim scholars of our age. His translation of the Holy Qur'an is one of the most lucid and well-referenced works in this category, dedicated to “li-qawmin yatafakkaroon” (people who think). Forwarded by Dr Ismat Kamal.
Chapter 92, Al-Lail (The Night), Verses 1-21 (Complete Surah)
Consider the night as it veils [the earth] in darkness, and the day as it rises bright!
Consider the creation of the male and the female!
Verily, [O men!] you aim at most divergent ends!
Thus, as for him who gives [to others] and is conscious of God, and believes in the truth of the ultimate good – for him shall We make easy the path towards [ultimate] ease.
But, as for him who is niggardly, and thinks that he is self-sufficient, and calls the ultimate good a lie – for him shall We make easy the path towards hardship: and what will his wealth avail him when he goes down [to his grave]?
Behold, it is indeed for Us to grace [you with guidance;] and, behold, Ours is [the dominion over] the life to come as well as [over] this earlier part [of your life]:
And so I warn you of the raging fire – [the fire] which none shall have to endure but that most hapless wretch who gives the lie to the truth and turns away [from it].
For distant from it shall remain he who is truly conscious of God: he that spends his possessions [on others] so that he might grow in purity – not as payment for favors received, but only out of a longing for the countenance of his Sustainer, the All-Highest: and such, indeed shall in time be well pleased.
