A Meccan sura reassuring the Prophet that God will help him and urging him to continue with his mission. The temporary nature of this world is highlighted through mention of the short life of green pasture (cf. 10: 24; 18: 45).
In the name of God, the Lord of Mercy, the Giver of Mercy
1[Prophet], glorify the name of your Lord the Most High, 2who created [all things] in due proportion; 3who determined their destinies and guided them; 4who brought out the green pasture 5then made it dark debris. 6[Prophet], We shall teach you [the Qur’an] and you will not forget— 7unless God wishes; He knows both what is open and what is hidden— 8We shall show you the easy way.a 9So remind, if reminding will help.b 10Those who stand in awe of God will heed the reminder, 11but it will be ignored by the most wicked, 12who will enter the Great Fire, 13where they will neither die nor live.c 14Prosperous are those who purify themselves, 15remember the name of their Lord, and pray. 16Yet you [people] prefer the life of this world, 17even though the Hereafter is better and more lasting. 18All this is in the earlier scriptures, 19the scriptures of Abraham and Moses.