Complete English Translation (Saheeh International) Ayah by Ayah
Ayah
English (Saheeh International)
1
By the night when it covers.
2
And by the day when it appears.
3
And [by] He who created the male and female,
4
Indeed, your efforts are diverse.
5
So as for he who gives and fears Allah
6
And believes in the best [reward],
7
We will ease him toward ease.
8
But as for he who is stingy and thinks himself self-sufficient,
9
And denies [the best],
10
We will ease him toward difficulty.
11
And his wealth will not avail him when he falls.
12
Indeed, [incumbent] upon Us is guidance.
13
And indeed, to Us belongs the Hereafter and the first [life].
14
So I have warned you of a Fire which is blazing.
15
None will [enter to] burn therein except the most wretched one.
16
Who had denied and turned away,
17
And prevented [others] and turned away,
18
And [then] he gave little and refused [to give].
19
Indeed, he has succeeded who purifies himself
20
And mentions the name of his Lord and prays.
21
But you prefer the worldly life,
Complete Transliteration Ayah by Ayah
Ayah
Transliteration
1
wa-al-layli iḏā yaghshā
2
wa-an-nahāri iḏā tajallā
3
wamā khalaqa al-dhakara wal-unthā
4
inna sa‘yākum la-shattā
5
fa-ammā man aʿṭā wa-ittaqqā
6
wa-ṣaddaqa bil-ḥusnā
7
fa-sanuyassiruhu lil-yusrá
8
wa-ammā man bakhila wa-istaghna
9
wa-kadhdhdhaba bil-ḥusnā
10
fa-sanuyassiruhu lil-ʿusrá
11
wamā yughnī ʿanhu māluhu iḏā taradda
12
inna ʿalaynā lal-hudā
13
wa-inna lanā lal-ākhirata wal-ūlā
14
fa-innā andharnāhum nāran talazā
15
lā yaṣlāhā illā al-ashqā
16
alladhī kadhdhabā wa-tawallā
17
wa-sayujannabuhā al-atqā
18
alladhī yuʾtī mālahu yatazakkā
19
wa lam yuqarrib lahu fatḥā
20
fa-sanuyassiruhu lil-yusrá
21
bal tuḥibbūna l-ḥayāta al-dunyā
Tafseer Ibn Kathir (Summary)
Overview: Ibn Kathir explains that Sūrah al-Layl opens with solemn oaths to draw attention to the contrasting outcomes people face because of their choices. The surah contrasts the generous, God-fearing believer and the miserly, self-sufficient denier.
Verses 1–4 (Oaths & diversity): The oaths by night and day indicate God’s manifest signs. \”Your efforts are diverse\” means people strive for different ends some for this world, others for the Hereafter.
Verses 5–7 (Generous believer): The one who gives, fears Allah, and believes in the best will find ease by Allah’s facilitation both inwardly and outwardly.
Verses 8–13 (Miserly denier): Those who hoard wealth and deny the best are warned: wealth will be useless at death; guidance and the final outcome belong to Allah.
Verses 14–16 (Warning of the Fire): The Prophet was warned about a blazing Fire for the denier. \”The most wretched\” are those who deny and turn away from what they were commanded.
Verses 17–21 (Rewards for the righteous): The righteous will avoid the Fire; they purify themselves by giving, believe in the best, remember their Lord, and pray. Success (falāḥ) is tied to purification, dhikr, and ṣalāh.
Notes: Linguistic and juristic nuances discussed by Ibn Kathir emphasize how the surah’s rhetoric adds solemnity and encourages reflection and action.
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Benefits & Lessons
Generosity + taqwa lead to ease while stinginess + arrogance lead to hardship.
Material wealth cannot save one at death; spiritual readiness matters most.
Giving purifies (tazkiyah) and facilitates Divine help.
Belief in the best (al-husnā) develops hope and righteous action.
Remembrance of Allah and prayer are markers of true success.
Rely on God’s guidance rather than wealth or self-sufficiency.
Reflect on motives: act for the Hereafter, not only for the world.
The oaths (night/day) remind us to observe natural signs and reflect on God’s power.
FAQs 10 Questions & Answers
What is the main theme of Surah Al Lail?
The main theme is the contrast between the generous believer (ease) and the miserly denier (hardship). It emphasizes that deeds and inner states determine outcomes.
How many ayahs are in Surah Al Lail?
There are 21 ayahs. It is part of Juz’ 30 and is Meccan.
Why begin with oaths by night and day?
Oaths in Arabic rhetoric draw attention. Night and day are signs of God’s power and set up the moral contrasts that follow.
Who is \”the one who gives\”?
The one who gives refers to a believer who spends in charity, combines action with taqwa, and trusts in the best reward from Allah.
What does \”al-husnā\” mean here?
\”Al-husnā\” generally means the best — often understood as the ultimate good, such as Paradise and God’s pleasure.
How does Ibn Kathir explain ease vs. difficulty?
Ibn Kathir says \”ease\” is God making the path of success straightforward for the believer (in life and the Hereafter); \”difficulty\” denotes punishment and hardship for the denier.
Is this surah suitable for daily recitation?
Yes it is concise and suitable for daily recitation, incorporation in prayers, and reflection.
What practical lessons apply today?
Prioritize generosity, avoid arrogance about wealth, remember Allah regularly, and act with sincerity for the Hereafter.
Are translations different?
Differences are minor (wording choices). The overall meaning remains consistent across reliable translations.
How should teachers teach this surah?
Use the vivid contrasts to teach sharing, humility, and remembrance. Pair recitation with simple examples of charity and sincerity.
