Al-Layl, "The Night," is the ninety-second surah — 21 verses revealed in Mecca.1 The Prophet ﷺ named it among the surahs suitable for leading a congregation that includes "the old, the weak and the needy."4
What it is about
After oaths by the night, the day "and [by] He who created the male and female," the surah declares: "Indeed, your efforts are diverse." It then divides people by how they use what they have. "As for he who gives and fears Allah and believes in the best [reward], We will ease him toward ease. But as for he who withholds and considers himself free of need and denies the best [reward], We will ease him toward difficulty. And what will his wealth avail him when he falls?"2
The second half warns of "a Fire which is blazing," which "the most wretched one who had denied and turned away" will enter, and describes the one who will be kept from it: "[He] who gives [from] his wealth to purify himself and not [giving] for anyone who has [done him] a favor to be rewarded but only seeking the face [i.e., acceptance] of his Lord, Most High. And he is going to be satisfied."3
Why it matters
Al-Layl teaches that giving shapes the path of a life: generosity opens the way to ease, while hoarding leads, step by step, to hardship. Its portrait of the giver who expects nothing back from anyone — not even thanks for a past kindness — makes sincerity the measure of charity. Many commentators link its closing verses to Abu Bakr, who freed persecuted Muslims such as Bilal with his own wealth. To read Al-Layl in Arabic with translations and recitation, open it on Quran.com.