Tazkirul Quran · Tafsir · in English
الليل
Al-Layl
The Night · Meccan · 21 ayahs
92:1–3Page 595
وَٱلَّيۡلِ إِذَا يَغۡشَىٰ ١
By the night when it covers1
وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذَا تَجَلَّىٰ ٢
And [by] the day when it appears
وَمَا خَلَقَ ٱلذَّكَرَ وَٱلۡأُنثَىٰٓ ٣
And [by] He who created the male and female,
All things in this world are in pairs—male and female; night and day; positive and negative particles, matter and anti-matter. Everything in this world joins its pair and fulfils its purpose. This is a clear proof of the fact that this universe is purposeful. In such a purposeful universe it is impossible for both the good deeds and the bad deeds performed in it to have the same final consequences. This would not be consistent with the image of the Creator presented by the universe.
92:4–16Page 595
إِنَّ سَعۡيَكُمۡ لَشَتَّىٰ ٤
Indeed, your efforts are diverse.
فَأَمَّا مَنۡ أَعۡطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ ٥
As for he who gives and fears Allāh
وَصَدَّقَ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ ٦
And believes in the best [reward].
فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلۡيُسۡرَىٰ ٧
We will ease him toward ease.
وَأَمَّا مَنۢ بَخِلَ وَٱسۡتَغۡنَىٰ ٨
But as for he who withholds and considers himself free of need
وَكَذَّبَ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ ٩
And denies the best [reward],
فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلۡعُسۡرَىٰ ١٠
We will ease him toward difficulty.
وَمَا يُغۡنِي عَنۡهُ مَالُهُۥٓ إِذَا تَرَدَّىٰٓ ١١
And what will his wealth avail him when he falls?1
إِنَّ عَلَيۡنَا لَلۡهُدَىٰ ١٢
Indeed, [incumbent] upon Us is guidance.
وَإِنَّ لَنَا لَلۡأٓخِرَةَ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰ ١٣
And indeed, to us belongs the Hereafter and the first [life].
فَأَنذَرۡتُكُمۡ نَارٗا تَلَظَّىٰ ١٤
So I have warned you of a Fire which is blazing.
لَا يَصۡلَىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى ١٥
None will [enter to] burn therein except the most wretched one
ٱلَّذِي كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ ١٦
Who had denied and turned away.
The relationship of God with His subjects is not only that of a ruler but also that of a supporter. He smooths the path of those of His subjects who want to draw near to Him. Conversely, He lets those who adopt the way of arrogance to carry on in that way.
92:17–21Page 596
وَسَيُجَنَّبُهَا ٱلۡأَتۡقَى ١٧
But the righteous one will avoid it –
ٱلَّذِي يُؤۡتِي مَالَهُۥ يَتَزَكَّىٰ ١٨
[He] who gives [from] his wealth to purify himself
وَمَا لِأَحَدٍ عِندَهُۥ مِن نِّعۡمَةٖ تُجۡزَىٰٓ ١٩
And not [giving] for anyone who has [done him] a favor to be rewarded1 –
إِلَّا ٱبۡتِغَآءَ وَجۡهِ رَبِّهِ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ ٢٠
But only seeking the face [i.e., acceptance] of his Lord, Most High.
وَلَسَوۡفَ يَرۡضَىٰ ٢١
And he is going to be satisfied.
The system of this world has been so formulated that here the day dawns and night also falls. Only with the occurrence of both is the system perfect. Similarly, for the proper development of a man, it is necessary that he should have hardship as well as easy circumstances. In this world, hardship befalls the servant of God in order to activate his latent capabilities. Impediments are put in his way so that he may strive to make his future brighter than his present.
Text: through the Quran Foundation. The ayahs: Quran Foundation. Sources and licences