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O thou folded in garments!
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Stand (to prayer) by night, but not allnight,-
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Half of it,- or a little less,
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Or a little more; and recite the Qur’anin slow, measured rhythmic tones.
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Soon shall We send down to thee aweighty Message.
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Truly the rising by night is most potentfor governing (the soul), and most suitable for (framing) the Word (ofPrayer and Praise).
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True, there is for thee by day prolongedoccupation with ordinary duties:
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But keep in remembrance the name of thyLord and devote thyself to Him whole-heartedly.
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(He is) Lord of the East and the West:there is no god but He: take Him therefore for (thy) Disposer of Affairs.
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And have patience with what they say,and leave them with noble (dignity).
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And leave Me (alone to deal with) thosein possession of the good things of life, who (yet) deny the Truth; and bearwith them for a little while.
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With Us are Fetters (to bind them), anda Fire (to burn them),
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And a Food that chokes, and a PenaltyGrievous.
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One Day the earth and the mountains willbe in violent commotion. And the mountains will be as a heap of sand pouredout and flowing down.
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We have sent to you, (O men!) anapostle, to be a witness concerning you, even as We sent an apostle toPharaoh.
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But Pharaoh disobeyed the apostle; so Weseized him with a heavy Punishment.
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Then how shall ye, if ye deny ((Allah)),guard yourselves against a Day that will make children hoary-headed?-
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Whereon the sky will be cleft asunder?His Promise needs must be accomplished.
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Verily this is an Admonition: therefore,whoso will, let him take a (straight) path to his Lord!
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Thy Lord doth know that thou standestforth (to prayer) nigh two-thirds of the night, or half the night, or athird of the night, and so doth a party of those with thee. But Allah dothappoint night and day in due measure He knoweth that ye are unable to keepcount thereof. So He hath turned to you (in mercy): read ye, therefore, ofthe 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, seekingof 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 Prayerand give regular Charity; and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan. And whatevergood 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 Allahis Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.
