89. The Daybreak

By the break of Day

By the Nights twice five;

By the even and odd (contrasted);

And by the Night when it passeth away;-

Is there (not) in these an adjuration(or evidence) for those who understand?

Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt withthe ‘Ad (people),-

Of the (city of) Iram, with loftypillars,

The like of which were not produced in(all) the land?

And with the Thamud (people), who cutout (huge) rocks in the valley?-

And with Pharaoh, lord of stakes?

(All) these transgressed beyond boundsin the lands,

And heaped therein mischief (onmischief).

Therefore did thy Lord pour on them ascourge of diverse chastisements:

For thy Lord is (as a Guardian) on awatch-tower.

Now, as for man, when his Lord triethhim, giving him honour and gifts, then saith he, (puffed up), “My Lord hathhonoured me.”

But when He trieth him, restricting hissubsistence for him, then saith he (in despair), “My Lord hath humiliatedme!”

Nay, nay! but ye honour not the orphans!

Nor do ye encourage one another to feedthe poor!-

And ye devour inheritance – all withgreed,

And ye love wealth with inordinate love!

Nay! When the earth is pounded topowder,

And thy Lord cometh, and His angels,rank upon rank,

And Hell, that Day, is brought (face toface),- on that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance profithim?

He will say: “Ah! Would that I had sentforth (good deeds) for (this) my (Future) Life!”

For, that Day, His Chastisement will besuch as none (else) can inflict,

And His bonds will be such as none(other) can bind.

(To the righteous soul will be said:) “O(thou) soul, in (complete) rest and satisfaction!