Surah Fajr

Bismi Allahi arrahmani arraheem

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful

This Surah, like many other Meccan Suras, contains short, meaningful, awakening verses with abundant warnings.

There are several oaths mentioned in the first part of the Surah that have no precedent and are primarily for warning the transgressors about the divine punishment.

Another part of this Surah points to some of the ancient rebellious nations, such as the 'Ad and Thamood people; and also to Pharaoh. The transgressor, and the divine punishment that destroyed them, which is a lesson for all arrogant powers so that they may take careful account of their situation.

In the next part of the Surah, which relates to the previous parts, Man's trial is mentioned and his neglect, in doing good deeds, is very sharply criticized.

In the last part of the Surah the discussion is about the Hereafter and the fate of the sinners and unbelievers, and presents a contrast in regard to the great rewards that the believers will receive; those whose souls are at rest.

The Virtue of Studying Surah Fajr

Regarding the virtue of studying this Surah, a tradition from the Prophet (S) says:

"Allah forgives the mistakes of whoever recites, Surah Fajr, on the

'Ten Nights',

(i.e., the first ten nights of Zul-Hajj), and it will become a light on Dooms Day for the one who recites it at other times ((of the year)”.1

Also, a tradition from Imam Sadiq (as) says:

"Recite Surah Fajr, which is Husain-ibn-Ali's Surah, in your prayers, whether they be obligatory or optional. He who recites it will be with him (Husain ibn Ali) at the same place in Heaven on the Day of Judgement".2

Introducing this Surah as Husain-ibn-Ali's Surah may be for the reason that the clear example of the

'serene soul'

as mentioned at the end of the Surah, is Husain-ibn-Ali (as), as the idea has also been cited from Imam Sadiq (as) about the same verses.

Or, perhaps, it is for the same reason that one of the commentaries about the 'Ten Nights' means the first ten nights of Muharram, (the first month of the Muslim new year), which is closely relevant to Husain-ibn-Ali (as).

At any rate, these great rewards and outstanding merits are for the ones who recite the Surah as a preparation for their own self-improvement and self-perfection.

Surah Fajr

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

1. Wal-Fajr
2. Wa layaalin 'ashr
3. Wash shaf'i wal watr
4. Wallaili izaa yasr
5. Hal fee zaalika qasamul lizee hijr
6. Alam tara kaifa fa'ala rabbuka bi'aad
7. Iramaa zaatil 'imaad
8. Allatee lam yukhlaq misluhaa fil bilaad
9. Wa samoodal lazeena jaabus sakhra bil waad
10. Wa fir'awna zil awtaad
11. Allazeena taghaw fil bilaad
12. Fa aksaroo feehal fasaad
13. Fasabba 'alaihim Rabbuka sawta 'azaab
14. Inna Rabbaka labil mirsaad
15. Fa ammal insaanu izaa mab talaahu Rabbuhoo fa akramahoo wa na' 'amahoo fa yaqoolu Rabbeee akraman
16. Wa ammaaa izaa mabtalaahu faqadara 'alaihi rizqahoo fa yaqoolu Rabbeee ahaanan
17. Kalla bal laa tukrimooo nal yateem
18. Wa laa tahaaaddoona 'alaata'aamil miskeen
19. Wa taakuloonat turaasa aklal lammaa
20. Wa tuhibboonal maala hubban jammaa
21. Kallaaa izaaa dukkatil ardu dakkan dakka
22. Wa jaaa'a Rabbuka wal malaku saffan saffaa
23. Wa jeee'a yawma'izim bi jahannnam; Yawma 'iziny yatazakkarul insaanu wa annaa lahuz zikraa
24. Yaqoolu yaa laitanee qaddamtu lihayaatee
25. Fa Yawma izil laa yu'azzibu 'azaabahooo ahad
26. Wa laa yoosiqu wasaaqa hooo ahad
27. Yaaa ayyatuhan nafsul mutma 'innah
28. Irji'eee ilaa Rabbiki raadiyatam mardiyyah
29. Fadkhulee fee 'ibaadee
30. Wadkhulee jannatee

ENGLISH -

1. By the break of Day
2. By the Nights twice five;
3. By the even and odd (contrasted);
4. And by the Night when it passeth away;
5. Is there (not) in these an adjuration (or evidence) for those who understand?
6. Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the 'Ad (people),
7. Of the (city of) Iram, with lofty pillars,
8. The like of which were not produced in (all) the land?
9. And with the Thamud (people), who cut out (huge) rocks in the valley?
10. And with Pharaoh, lord of stakes?
11. (All) these transgressed beyond bounds in the lands,
12. And heaped therein mischief (on mischief).
13. Therefore did thy Lord pour on them a scourge of diverse chastisements:
14. For thy Lord is (as a Guardian) on a watch-tower.
15. Now, as for man, when his Lord trieth him, giving him honour and gifts, then saith he, (puffed up), "My Lord hath honoured me."
16. But when He trieth him, restricting his subsistence for him, then saith he (in despair), "My Lord hath humiliated me!"
17. Nay, nay! but ye honour not the orphans!
18. Nor do ye encourage one another to feed the poor!
19. And ye devour inheritance - all with greed,
20. And ye love wealth with inordinate love!
21. Nay! When the earth is pounded to powder,
22. And thy Lord cometh, and His angels, rank upon rank,
23. And Hell, that Day, is brought (face to face),- on that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance profit him?
24. He will say: "Ah! Would that I had sent forth (good deeds) for (this) my (Future) Life!"
25. For, that Day, His Chastisement will be such as none (else) can inflict,
26. And His bonds will be such as none (other) can bind.
27. (To the righteous soul will be said:) "O (thou) soul, in (complete) rest and satisfaction!
28. "Come back thou to thy Lord,- well pleased (thyself), and well-pleasing unto Him!
29. "Enter thou, then, among My devotees!
30. "Yea, enter thou My Heaven!