بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ وَالسَّمَاءِ وَالطَّارِقِ

By the Sky and the Night-Visitant (therein);-

وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الطَّارِقُ

And what will explain to thee what the Night-Visitant is?-

النَّجْمُ الثَّاقِبُ

(It is) the Star of piercing brightness;-

إِنْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ لَمَّا عَلَيْهَا حَافِظٌ

There is no soul but has a protector over it.

فَلْيَنْظُرِ الْإِنْسَانُ مِمَّ خُلِقَ

Now let man but think from what he is created!

خُلِقَ مِنْ مَاءٍ دَافِقٍ

He is created from a drop emitted-

يَخْرُجُ مِنْ بَيْنِ الصُّلْبِ وَالتَّرَائِبِ

Proceeding from between the backbone and the ribs:

إِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَجْعِهِ لَقَادِرٌ

Surely (Allah) is able to bring him back (to life)!

يَوْمَ تُبْلَى السَّرَائِرُ

The Day that (all) things secret will be tested,

فَمَا لَهُ مِنْ قُوَّةٍ وَلَا نَاصِرٍ

(Man) will have no power, and no helper.

وَالسَّمَاءِ ذَاتِ الرَّجْعِ

By the Firmament which returns (in its round),

وَالْأَرْضِ ذَاتِ الصَّدْعِ

And by the Earth which opens out (for the gushing of springs or the sprouting of vegetation),-

إِنَّهُ لَقَوْلٌ فَصْلٌ

Behold this is the Word that distinguishes (Good from Evil):

وَمَا هُوَ بِالْهَزْلِ

It is not a thing for amusement.

إِنَّهُمْ يَكِيدُونَ كَيْدًا

As for them, they are but plotting a scheme,

وَأَكِيدُ كَيْدًا

And I am planning a scheme.

فَمَهِّلِ الْكَافِرِينَ أَمْهِلْهُمْ رُوَيْدًا

Therefore grant a delay to the Unbelievers: Give respite to them gently (for awhile).