الـمـزّمّـل

1 O you who wraps himself [in clothing],

1 O thou folded in garments!

2 Arise [to pray] the night, except for a little -

2 Stand (to prayer) by night, but not all night, -

3 Half of it - or subtract from it a little

3 Half of it, - or a little less,

4 Or add to it, and recite the Qur'an with measured recitation.

4 Or a little more; and recite the Qur'an in slow, measured rhythmic tones.

5 Indeed, We will cast upon you a heavy word.

5 Soon shall We send down to thee a weighty Message.

6 Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for concurrence [of heart and tongue] and more suitable for words.

6 Truly the rising by night is most potent for governing (the soul), and most suitable for (framing) the Word (of Prayer and Praise).

7 Indeed, for you by day is prolonged occupation.

7 True, there is for thee by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties:

8 And remember the name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with [complete] devotion.

8 But keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him whole - heartedly.

9 [He is] the Lord of the East and the West; there is no deity except Him, so take Him as Disposer of [your] affairs.

9 (He is) Lord of the East and the West: there is no god but He: take Him therefore for (thy) Disposer of Affairs.

10 And be patient over what they say and avoid them with gracious avoidance.

10 And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble (dignity).

11 And leave Me with [the matter of] the deniers, those of ease [in life], and allow them respite a little.

11 And leave Me (alone to deal with) those in possession of the good things of life, who (yet) deny the Truth; and bear with them for a little while.

12 Indeed, with Us [for them] are shackles and burning fire

12 With Us are Fetters (to bind them), and a Fire (to burn them),

13 And food that chokes and a painful punishment -

13 And a Food that chokes, and a Penalty Grievous.

14 On the Day the earth and the mountains will convulse and the mountains will become a heap of sand pouring down.

14 One Day the earth and the mountains will be in violent commotion. And the mountains will be as a heap of sand poured out and flowing down.

15 Indeed, We have sent to you a Messenger as a witness upon you just as We sent to Pharaoh a messenger.

15 We have sent to you, (O men!) a messenger, to be a witness concerning you, even as We sent a messenger to Pharaoh.

16 But Pharaoh disobeyed the messenger, so We seized him with a ruinous seizure.

16 But Pharaoh disobeyed the messenger; so We seized him with a heavy Punishment.

17 Then how can you fear, if you disbelieve, a Day that will make the children white - haired?

17 Then how shall ye, if ye deny (Allah), guard yourselves against a Day that will make children hoary - headed? -

18 The heaven will break apart therefrom; ever is His promise fulfilled.

18 Whereon the sky will be cleft asunder? His Promise needs must be accomplished.

19 Indeed, this is a reminder, so whoever wills may take to his Lord a way.

19 Verily this is an Admonition: therefore, whoso will, let him take a (straight) path to his Lord!

20 Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

20 Thy Lord doth know that thou standest forth (to prayer) nigh two - thirds of the night, or half the night, or a third of the night, and so doth a party of those with thee. But Allah doth appoint night and day in due measure He knoweth that ye are unable to keep count thereof. So He hath turned to you (in mercy): read ye, therefore, of the Qur'an as much as may be easy for you. He knoweth that there may be (some) among you in ill - health; others travelling through the land, seeking of Allah's bounty; yet others fighting in Allah's Cause, read ye, therefore, as much of the Qur'an as may be easy (for you); and establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan. And whatever good ye send forth for your souls ye shall find it in Allah's Presence, - yea, better and greater, in Reward and seek ye the Grace of Allah: for Allah is Oft - Forgiving, Most Merciful.