Tafseer of The Night · Al-Lail · 92:20
But only seeking the countenance of his Lord, Most High.
Important: The Arabic source text is always authoritative. This translation is a study aid and has not been verified by scholars — do not use it as a basis for religious proof or for deriving rulings (ahkam). When in doubt, always consult the Arabic text and a qualified scholar.
And according to this interpretation which we have related from these [authorities], His word إِلا ابْتِغَاءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِ الأعْلَى ("except the seeking of the face of his Lord, the Most High") ought to stand in the accusative (naṣb) as an exception to the meaning of His word وَمَا لأحَدٍ عِنْدَهُ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ تُجْزَى ("and no one has with him a favor that must be repaid"), for the meaning of the word is: and the one who gives, gives of his wealth not while desiring from anyone the reward for it, except [that he gives] in seeking the face of his Lord. And it is permissible that the accusative stand in it on the basis of the difference between what comes after "illā" and what stands before it, as Nābigha said:
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. .... and there is at the dwelling-place no one [no person]
except the remnants of tent-pegs — with difficulty can I distinguish them ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... (3)
