94. Ash-Sharh

Did We not expand for you, [O Muḥammad], your breast?1

Have We not lifted up your heart

Did We not expand your chest? (Endowed you with resilience, understanding and a heart and mind to accomplish the impossible)

And We removed from you your burden1

and removed your burden

And thus lightened your burden. (Made the journey through life easy by bestowing upon you the perceptual and intellectual faculties)

Which had weighed upon your back

that weighed so heavily on your back, and

Which would weigh on your back so heavily

And raised high for you your repute.

have We not given you high renown

And exalted your renown (O Prophet!). (And gave eminence to you, O Mankind)

For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease [i.e., relief].

So, surely with every hardship there is ease

And behold, with every hardship comes ease

Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.

surely, with every hardship there is ease

Indeed, with every hardship comes ease

So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship].

So, when you are free, strive hard

Hence, whenever you are free from the immediate task, embark upon the next strife

And to your Lord direct [your] longing.

and to your Lord turn [all] your attention

And turn all your attention to your Lord. (Remain focused on the Mission entrusted upon you by your Lord)