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— O you, enfolded [in a mantle]!
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Stand up [in prayer] at night, but not all night —
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half of it, or a little less,
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or more, and recite the Koran in measured recitation.
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Soon We will send you a mighty Word!
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Verily, the watches of the night fortify the feelings and sharpen the words.
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Truly, you are busy all day!
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Glorify the Name of your Lord and with full devotion strive to Him,
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the Lord of the East and the West! There is no god but Him, so take Him as your Protector.
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Endure their contentions with fortitude, and leave them with dignity.
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Let Me deal with the disbelievers who enjoy their life, and you, bear with them a little longer!
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Verily, We have chains and Hellfire,
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and food that chokes, and a painful punishment
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for the Day when the earth and the mountains start shaking, and the mountains collapse to loose hills!
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We have sent to you a Messenger to witness against you, as We had sent before a Messenger to Pharaoh.
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Pharaoh disobeyed the Messenger, and We grabbed him a mighty grab.
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If you do not believe, then how will you save yourselves on the Day when your children’s hair turns white,
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the sky is rent asunder, and the promise comes true!
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Verily, this is a Reminder. Let anyone who wishes seek a way to his Lord!
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Verily, your Lord knows that you stand up [in prayer] almost two-thirds of the night, or one half, or one-third of it, and some of your followers do the same. God has measured out the night and the day [for prayer]. He knows how difficult it is for you to keep this count, and He is ready to forgive you! So recite from the Koran what is easier [for you]! He knows who of you is sick, who travels in the land in search of God’s bounty, and who fights in the cause of God. So recite what is easier [for you], stand up in prayer, pay the zakat, and extend to God a generous loan! All the good deeds you have prepared for your soul, you shall find with God as a better and greater reward. So ask for God’s forgiveness! Verily, God is forgiving and merciful!