Surah Al-Lail Transliteration, the 92nd chapter of the Qur’an, holds deep lessons. Simple in language yet profound in meaning, it depicts contrasting paths of life and their results. It brings our attention to human efforts and accountability. Through its 21 verses, this Surah invites reflection on righteousness and warns against misguidance.
Translated as “The Night,” Surah Al-Lail is concise and rhythmic. It is one of the early revelations delivered to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Mecca. This Surah reflects both the beauty of divine wisdom and the stark reality of human choice.
| Aspect | Details |
| Chapter Name | Surah Al-Lail (The Night) |
| Chapter Number | 92 |
| Number of Verses | 21 |
| Revelation Period | Early Meccan period |
| Key Themes | – Contrasting paths of life (righteousness vs. misguidance) |
| – Human efforts and accountability | |
| – Rewards for righteousness and consequences of misguidance | |
| Language Style | Simple, concise, and rhythmic |
| Purpose | – To invite reflection on righteousness |
| – To warn against misguidance | |
| Divine Wisdom | Highlights the beauty of divine wisdom and the reality of human choice |
Surah Al-Lail Transliteration, Meaning, and Significance
Surah Al-Lail begins with oaths. It swears by the night as it covers and by the day as it brightens. These oaths highlight opposing yet interdependent forces in creation. The Surah addresses two types of people. Those who do good and purify themselves will find life easier. Those who refuse to give and hoard wealth will face hardship.
This chapter’s primary message is commitment. It emphasizes striving for good. Wealth, when spent wisely, purifies. But when hoarded selfishly, it brings ruin. This stark contrast forces self-accountability in believers. The Surah explains that Allah alone determines guidance. He owns both this world and the Hereafter. Life here is an examination. Success depends on effort, faith, and trust in divine reward.
Surah Al-Lail Transliteration, Theme, and Lessons
1. Duality in Life
Like night and day, humans follow diverse paths. Two paths are visible. One leads to righteousness. People on this path give generously and acknowledge good. The other leads to destruction. These individuals ignore faith, hoard wealth, and deny the truth.
Allah creates both opportunities and tests. Understanding this duality allows for better choices. Each effort contributes to a destiny determined by these choices.
2. Wealth and Responsibility
Wealth isn’t described negatively. It is the attachment to wealth without purpose that is condemned. Giving opens the path of purity. Hoarding wealth leads to misery. Those who give selflessly strive for purification. Their wealth becomes a means of salvation, not a source of pride.
3. Guidance and Divine Will
Human efforts yield results. But guidance rests with Allah. He is the source of help and strength. People may strive for material gains or spiritual contentment. But success comes when efforts align with divine principles.
4. Accountability in Actions
Surah Al-Lail stresses deliberate actions. Whether someone follows truth or misguidance is clear. Righteous actions bring ease. Neglect leads to almost inevitable regret. This message resonates with every believer seeking clarity in life.
Surah Al-Lail Transliteration Context of Revelation
Surah Al-Lail was revealed during the Meccan phase of Islam. At this time, Muslims faced persecution and social opposition. This Surah reminded them of their higher purpose. It reassured them that material wealth could never outweigh divine pleasure. It addressed inequalities, urging believers to prioritize purity over possessions.
A specific event connects to this chapter. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) freed a slave suffering persecution. This act of selfless generosity exemplified the values taught in the Surah. It was a reminder to attribute wealth and blessings to Allah.
Rewards for Righteousness and Consequences of Neglect
The Surah divides humanity into two groups. One group dedicates wealth to good causes, fearing accountability. These individuals purify themselves through charity and obedience. Allah promises ease for them. Their righteous efforts lead them to paradise.
The second group denies good. These individuals hoard wealth and live selfishly. They feel falsely independent and reject guidance. Their lives spiral into hardship. The ease they sought ultimately becomes their downfall. Surah Al-Lail calls attention to how choices shape outcomes. Actions aligned with faith lead to divine reward. Denial of good leads to ruin.
Surah Al-Lail Transliteration, Spiritual Insights from Surah Al-Lail
The Power of Giving
Giving has more than an economic impact. It cleanses the heart. When people spend selflessly, they draw nearer to Allah. Their wealth becomes a tool for goodness and relief for others. This fosters contentment and inner peace.
Guidance from Allah
Guidance cannot be claimed or earned independently. It is Allah’s blessing. Submission to Him and internal humility unlock divine help. Recognizing this truth restructures life. It teaches reliance on Allah.
Ultimate Accountability
This Surah reminds us of life’s temporary nature. Wealth or status has no value in the grave. Life’s worth lies in our deeds and intentions. This realization encourages believers to prioritize lasting rewards over fleeting pleasures.
Benefits of Reciting Surah Al-Lail
Encouragement for Reflection
This Surah makes one ponder life choices. It fosters alignment with Islamic teachings while encouraging transparency in intentions.
Motivation for Generosity
The emphasis on charity urges believers to extend kindness wherever possible. Generosity is seen as a means of purification and salvation.
Protection Against Greed
Regular recitation serves as a reminder against arrogance and selfishness, encouraging balance and humility.
Realignment of Life Goals
It inspires believers to constantly reassess and realign their life aims, ensuring everything points toward eternal success.
Surah Al-Lail: Transliteration, Urdu & English Translation
بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Bismillah hir rahman nir raheem
ترجمہ: شروع اﷲ کے نام سے جو بڑا مہربان نہایت رحم والا (ہے)
In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
1-وَٱلَّيۡلِ إِذَا يَغۡشَىٰ
Wallaili izaa yaghshaa
By the night when it covers
2-وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذَا تَجَلَّىٰ
Wannahaari izaa tajalla
And [by] the day when it appears
3-وَمَا خَلَقَ ٱلذَّكَرَ وَٱلۡأُنثَىٰٓ
Wa maa khalaqaz zakara wal unthaa
And [by] He who created the male and female,
4-إِنَّ سَعۡيَكُمۡ لَشَتَّىٰ
Inna sa’yakum lashattaa
Indeed, your efforts are diverse.
5-فَأَمَّا مَنۡ أَعۡطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ
Fa ammaa man a’taa wattaqaa
As for he who gives and fears Allah
6-وَصَدَّقَ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ
Wa saddaqa bil husnaa
And believes in the best [reward],
فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلۡيُسۡرَىٰ
Fasanu yassiruhoo lilyusraa
We will ease him toward ease.
وَأَمَّا مَنۢ بَخِلَ وَٱسۡتَغۡنَىٰ
Wa ammaa man bakhila wastaghnaa
But as for he who withholds and considers himself free of need
وَكَذَّبَ بِٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ
Wa kazzaba bil husnaa
And denies the best [reward],
فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلۡعُسۡرَىٰ
Fasanu yassiruhoo lil’usraa
We will ease him toward difficulty.
وَمَا يُغۡنِي عَنۡهُ مَالُهُۥٓ إِذَا تَرَدَّىٰٓ
Wa maa yughnee ‘anhu maaluhooo izaa taraddaa
And what will his wealth avail him when he falls?
7-إِنَّ عَلَيۡنَا لَلۡهُدَىٰ
Inna ‘alainaa lal hudaa
Indeed, [incumbent] upon Us is guidance.
8-وَإِنَّ لَنَا لَلۡأٓخِرَةَ وَٱلۡأُولَىٰ
Wa inna lanaa lal Aakhirata wal oolaa
And indeed, to Us belongs the Hereafter and the first [life].
9-فَأَنذَرۡتُكُمۡ نَارٗا تَلَظَّىٰ
Fa anzartukum naaran talazzaa
So I have warned you of a Fire which is blazing.
10-لَا يَصۡلَىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلۡأَشۡقَى
Laa yaslaahaaa illal ashqaa
None will [enter to] burn therein except the most wretched one.
11-ٱلَّذِي كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ
Allazee kazzaba wa tawallaa
Who had denied and turned away.
12-وَسَيُجَنَّبُهَا ٱلۡأَتۡقَى
Wa sa yujannnabuhal atqaa
But the righteous one will avoid it –
13-ٱلَّذِي يُؤۡتِي مَالَهُۥ يَتَزَكَّىٰ
Allazee yu’tee maalahoo yatazakkaa
[He] who gives [from] his wealth to purify himself’
14-وَمَا لِأَحَدٍ عِندَهُۥ مِن نِّعۡمَةٖ تُجۡزَىٰٓ
Wa maa li ahadin ‘indahoo min ni’matin tujzaaa
And not [giving] for anyone who has [done him] a favor to be rewarded
15-إِلَّا ٱبۡتِغَآءَ وَجۡهِ رَبِّهِ ٱلۡأَعۡلَىٰ
Illab tighaaa’a wajhi rabbihil a ‘laa
But only seeking the countenance of his Lord, Most High.
16-وَلَسَوۡفَ يَرۡضَىٰ
Wa lasawfa yardaa
And he is going to be satisfied.
Tafseer of Surah Al-Lail
Verses 1-5
Allah begins by swearing upon night and day. These natural cycles symbolize how life consists of dualities. Humans also walk contrasting paths in life. Those who strive for good and share generously take the righteous road.
Verses 6-10
The consequences of human actions become clear. Generosity and faith lead to life’s ease. Greed and denial bring about hardship. The parallel between outer actions and inner results is undeniable.
Verses 11-15
Allah asserts control over both this life and the Hereafter. He warns of Hellfire for those rejecting the truth and indulging in selfishness. He also declares rewards for those who seek His pleasure faithfully.
Verses 16-21
The Surah concludes by drawing comparisons. The righteous are far removed from Hellfire’s torment. Their sincere intentions and love for Allah elevate them to permanent joy in the Hereafter.
Practical Applications of Surah Al-Lail
- Reassess Priorities
Evaluate how wealth is earned and used. Strive to use it for righteous purposes. - Develop a Giving Mindset
Practice acts of charity, big or small. Focus not on quantity but on the sincerity of intentions. - Strengthen Faith
Reflect on Allah’s control over guidance and outcomes. Strengthen reliance through daily prayers and supplications. Seek forgiveness and a purified heart. - Support Community Initiatives
Engage in activities supporting those less fortunate. Giving spreads mercy in society, creating balance. - Strive for Self-Purification
Focus on removing greed, pride, and selfishness. Actions aimed at purification foster lasting happiness. - Learn to Detach
Avoid excessive attachment to temporary possessions. Understand that wealth without purpose is a test, not a reward.
Conclusion
Surah Al-Lail leaves every reader with clarity about life. It divides choices into stark contrasts. Goodness versus rejection. Charity versus hoarding. Ease versus hardship. It sheds light on universal human struggles.
This Surah teaches profound simplicity. Build a life where intentions and actions align with divine guidance. Seek Allah’s pleasure over worldly ambitions. Detach from arrogance and greed.
When wealth becomes a tool for goodness and faith takes center stage, life harmonizes. The Surah grants peace to those seeking clarity, directing them toward lasting success. Choose wisely, act deliberately, and never doubt Allah’s mercy.
