Surah Al-Lail (سُورَةُ اللَّيۡلِ) — Translation, Meaning & Tafsir
Read Surah Al-Lail — the 92nd chapter of the Quran with 21 verses. The Night. English translation and commentary.
Overview
Al-Lail (سُورَةُ اللَّيۡلِ) — "The Night" is the 92nd chapter of the Holy Quran. It contains 21 verses and is a Meccan (Makki) surah.
Selected Verses
Verse 1
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَىٰ
CONSIDER the night as it veils [the earth] in darkness,
Verse 2
وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذَا تَجَلَّىٰ
and the day as it rises bright!
Verse 3
وَمَا خَلَقَ ٱلذَّكَرَ وَٱلْأُنثَىٰٓ
Consider the creation of the male and the female!
Verse 4
إِنَّ سَعْيَكُمْ لَشَتَّىٰ
Verily, [O men,] you aim at most divergent ends!
Verse 5
فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَىٰ وَٱتَّقَىٰ
Thus, as for him who gives [to others] and is conscious of God,
Verse 6
وَصَدَّقَ بِٱلْحُسْنَىٰ
and believes in the truth of the ultimate good
Verse 7
فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلْيُسْرَىٰ
for him shall We make easy the path towards [ultimate] ease.
Verse 8
وَأَمَّا مَنۢ بَخِلَ وَٱسْتَغْنَىٰ
But as for him who is niggardly, and thinks that he is self-sufficient,
Verse 9
وَكَذَّبَ بِٱلْحُسْنَىٰ
and calls the ultimate good a lie –
Verse 10
فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُۥ لِلْعُسْرَىٰ
for him shall We make easy the path towards hardship:
...and 11 more verses. Read the full surah in your Quran or via a trusted Islamic app.
Key Themes
The surah of Al-Lail (The Night) covers important Islamic themes including faith, guidance, and the relationship between humanity and Allah. As a Meccan (Makki) surah, it reflects the spiritual and theological context of that period of revelation.
Virtues of Reading This Surah
Regular recitation of the Quran is highly encouraged. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
"The best of you is the one who learns the Quran and teaches it." — Sahih Al-Bukhari
Reading any portion of the Quran brings immense rewards. Make a habit of reciting Surah Al-Lail as part of your daily Quran reading.
How to Recite
- Make wudu (ritual purification) before touching the Mushaf
- Begin with "A'udhu billahi minash-shaytanir-rajim" (I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed devil)
- Begin with Bismillah (except in Surah At-Tawbah)
- Recite with tarteel (measured, deliberate pace)
- Reflect on the meaning as you recite
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When was Surah Al-Lail revealed? It was revealed during the Meccan (Makki) period of the Prophet's ﷺ mission.
Q: How many verses does Surah Al-Lail have? It contains 21 ayaat (verses).
Q: What does "The Night" mean? The name "Al-Lail" translates to "The Night" in English.