Surah 92. Al-Lail

By the night when it covers,

  - Mustafa Khattab

By the Night as it conceals (the light); ⁶¹⁵⁹

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

The evidence of three things is invoked, viz., Night, Day, and Sex, and the conclusion is stated in verse 4, that men's aims are diverse. But similarly there are contrasts in nature. What contrast can be greater than between Night and Day? When the Night spreads her veil, the sun's light is hidden, but not lost. The sun is in his place all the time, and will come forth in all his glory again in his own good time. Cf. xci. 3, 4, and n. 6149. Man pursuing diverse aims may find, owing to his own position, Allah's light obscured from him for a time, but he must strive hard to put himself in a position to reach it in all its glory.

and the day when it shines!

  - Mustafa Khattab

By the Day as it appears in glory;

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

And by 'the One' Who created male and female!

  - Mustafa Khattab

By (the mystery of) the creation of male and female ^{6160 6161}

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

Ma masdariya as in xci. 5-7; see there n. 6151.

The wonder of the sexes runs through all life. There is attraction between opposite; each performs its own functions, having special characters, primary and secondary, within limited spheres, and yet both have common characteristics in many other spheres. Each is indispensable to the other. Love in its noblest sense is the type of heavenly love and the highest good; in its debasement it leads to the lowest sins and the worst crimes. Here, then, striving is necessary for the highest good.

Surely the ends you strive for are diverse.

  - Mustafa Khattab

Verily (the ends) ye strive for are diverse. ⁶¹⁶²

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali

There are wide contrasts in the nature and aims of men. These may be broadly divided into two classes, good and evil. As night replaces day on account of certain relative position, but does not annihilate it, so evil may for a time obscure good but cannot blot it out. Again, night in certain circumstances (e.g. for rest) is a blessing; so certain things, which may seem evils to us, may be really blessings in disguise. Whatever our aims or positions, we must seek the highest truth from the light of Allah. Considering these contrasts, do not be surprised or depressed. Men's immediate aims may be different. The duty of all is to seek the one true light.

As for the one who is charitable, mindful 'of Allah',

  - Mustafa Khattab

So he who gives (in charity) and fears (Allah)

  - Abdullah Yusuf Ali