1. By the night when it conceals what is between heaven and earth with its darkness,

2. …and the day when it reveals things and manifests them,

3. …and the creation of male and female – Adam and Hawwa’, and every male and female since. Anyone whom we consider a hermaphrodite is either male or female in the sight of Allah. If someone swears that he will not speak to a male or female and then speaks to a hermaphrodite, he has broken his oath –

4. …truly there is a vast difference in your striving in your actions! Some act in ways that lead to the Garden by obedience and some act in ways that lead to the Fire by disobedience.

5. As for him who gives what is due to Allah and is godfearing,

6. …and confirms the Good, meaning the statement: “There is no god but Allah,”

7. We will pave his way to Ease (the Garden).

8. But as for him who is stingy about what is due to Allah and selfsatisfied, feeling he has no need of Allah’s reward,

9. …and denies the Good – see ayat 6 above,

10. We will ease his way to Difficulty (the Fire).

11. His wealth will not help him when he plummets to the depths of the Fire.

12. Assuredly guidance is up to Us – Allah makes the Path of Guidance clear from the Path of Misguidance, so that He is obeyed when the former is followed; and He forbids people to engage in the latter,

13. …and both the Last and First belong to Us. The First is this world. “Whoever seeks them from anyone other than Us errs.”

14. I have warned you, people of Makka, of a Fire that rages and burns,

15. …in which only the most wretched will enter and roast:

16. …those who denied the Prophet and turned away from faith. This extenuation is the explanation of His words, “He forgives whom ever He wills for anything apart from that.” (4:48) What is meant here is eternal roasting.

17. Those who are the most godfearing will be far removed from it:

18. …those who give their wealth to purify themselves – they purify their wealth in the sight of Allah Almighty by giving Allah the due on it without showing off or seeking a good reputation in return. Then it becomes pure in the sight of Allah. This was revealed about Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him. when he bought Bilal, who was being tortured for his faith, and set him free. The unbelievers said, “He did that for a favour he owed him,” and then this was revealed,

19. …not to repay someone else for a favour done –

20. …desiring only the Face of their Lord Most High – in other words, seeking the reward of Allah.

21. They will certainly be satisfied with the reward that they are given in Paradise. The ayat includes all those who perform actions which please Allah and who will therefore be far from the Fire and rewarded.