Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)
We sent before thee (to mankind), and thou wilt not find for Our method aught of power to change.
78. Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of night, and (the recital of) the Qur’ân at dawn. Lo! (the recital of) the Qur’ân at dawn is ever witnessed.
79. And some part of the night awake for it, a largess for thee. It may be that thy Lord will raise thee to a praised estate.
80. And say: My Lord! Cause me to come in with a firm incoming and to go out with a firm outgoing. And give me from Thy presence a sustaining Power.
81. And say: Truth hath come and falsehood hath vanished away. Lo! falsehood is ever bound to vanish.1
82. And We reveal of the Qur’ân that which is a healing and a mercy for believers though it increase the evil-doers in naught save ruin.
83. And when We make life pleasant unto man, he turneth away and is averse; and when ill toucheth him he is in despair.
84. Say: Each one doth according to his rule of conduct, and thy Lord is best aware of him whose way is right.
85. They will ask thee concerning the Spirit. Say: The Spirit is by command of my Lord, and of knowledge ye have been vouchsafed but little.
86. And if We willed We could withdraw that which We have revealed unto thee, then wouldst thou find no guardian for thee against Us in respect thereof.
87. (It is naught) save mercy from thy Lord. Lo! His kindness unto thee was ever great.2
1 These words were recited by the Prophet when he witnessed the destruction of the idols round the Ka‘bah after the conquest of Mecca.
2 Vv. 85, 86 and 87 are said to have been revealed in answer to the third question which some Jewish rabbis prompted the idolaters to ask, the first two questions being answered in the following Sûrah.
