But they charged him with imposture; and they slew her. Wherefore their LORD destroyed them, for their crime, and made their punishment equal unto them all: and he feareth not the issue thereof.

CHAPTER XCII.

ENt.i.tLED, THE NIGHT; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL G.o.d.

BY the night, when it covereth all things with darkness; by the day, when it shineth forth; by his who hath created the male, and the female: verily your endeavour is different.

Now whoso is obedient, and feareth G.o.d, and professeth the truth of that faith which is most excellent; unto him will we facilitate the way to happiness: but whoso shall be covetous, and shall be wholly taken up with this world, and shall deny the truth of that which is most excellent; 10 unto him will we facilitate the way to misery; and his riches shall not profit him, when he shall fall headlong into h.e.l.l.

Verily unto us appertaineth the direction of mankind: and ours is the life to come, and the present life.

Wherefore I threaten you with fire which burneth fiercely, which none shall enter to be burned except the most wretched; who shall have disbelieved, and turned back.

But he who strictly bewareth idolatry and rebellion shall be removed far from the same; who giveth his substance in alms, and by whom no benefit is bestowed on any, that it may be recompensed, 20 but who bestoweth the same for the sake of his LORD, the most High, and hereafter he shall be well satisfied with his reward.

CHAPTER XCIII.

ENt.i.tLED, THE BRIGHTNESS; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL G.o.d.

BY the brightness of the morning; and by the night, when it groweth dark: thy LORD hath not forsaken thee, neither doth he hate thee.

Verily the life to come shall be better for thee than this present life: and thy LORD shall give thee a reward wherewith thou shalt be well pleased.

Did he not find thee an orphan, and hath he not taken care of thee?

And did he not find thee wandering in error, and hath he not guided thee into the truth?

And did he not find thee needy, and hath he not enriched thee?

Wherefore oppress not the orphan: 10 neither repulse the beggar: but declare the goodness of thy LORD.

CHAPTER XCIV.

ENt.i.tLED, HAVE WE NOT OPENED; REVEALED AT MECCA

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL G.o.d.

HAVE we not opened thy breast; and eased thee of thy burden, which galled thy back; and raise thy reputation for thee?

Verily a difficulty shall be attended with ease.

Verily a difficulty shall be attended with ease.

When thou shalt have ended thy preaching; labor to serve G.o.d in return for his favours; and make thy supplication unto thy LORD.

CHAPTER XCV.

ENt.i.tLED, THE FIG; WHERE IT WAS REVEALED IS DISPUTED.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL G.o.d.

BY the fig, and the olive; and by mount Sinai, and this territory of security; verily we created man of a most excellent fabric; afterwards we rendered him the vilest of the vile: except those who believe, and work righteousness; for they shall receive an endless reward.

What, therefore, shall cause thee to deny the day of judgment after this?

Is not G.o.d the most wise judge?

CHAPTER XCVI.

ENt.i.tLED, CONGEALED BLOOD; REVEALED AT MECCA.

IN THE NAME OF THE MOST MERCIFUL G.o.d.

READ, in the name of thy LORD, who hath created all things; who hath created man of congealed blood.

Read, by thy most beneficent LORD; who taught the use of the pen; who teacheth man that which he knoweth not.

a.s.suredly. Verily man becometh insolent, because he seeth himself abound in riches.

Verily unto thy LORD shall be the return of all.

What thinkest thou as to him who forbiddeth 10 our servant, when he prayeth?

What thinkest thou; if he follow the right direction; or command piety?

What thinkest thou; if he accuse the divine revelations of falsehood, and turn his back?

Doth he not know that G.o.d seeth?

a.s.suredly. Verily, if he forbear not, we will drag him by the forelock, the lying, sinful forelock.

And let him call his council to his a.s.sistance: we also will call the infernal guards to cast him into h.e.l.l.

a.s.suredly. Obey him not: but continue to adore G.o.d; and draw nigh unto him.

CHAPTER XCVII.

ENt.i.tLED, AL KADR; WHERE IT WAS REVEALED IS DISPUTED.