وَٱلضُّحَىٰ 1
Translations
By the morning brightness
Transliteration
Wa-ad-duhaa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah opens Surah Ad-Duhaa with an oath by 'the morning hours' (the forenoon daylight), which classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain as Allah swearing by the brightness and clarity of the morning to emphasize the importance of what follows. The oath serves as a rhetorical device to draw attention to the divine message and the Prophet's station, establishing that just as the morning follows the night, Allah's mercy and support continue for His messenger. This introduction sets the thematic foundation for the surah's message of divine comfort and assurance to the Prophet during a difficult period.
Revelation Context
Surah Ad-Duhaa was revealed during the Meccan period when the Prophet experienced a temporary decrease in revelations (known as a period of silence or tarh). The surah was revealed to comfort the Prophet and assure him of Allah's continued support and favor. The oath by 'the morning hours' reflects the context of darkness (metaphorical and literal struggle) giving way to divine light and reassurance.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly explains this single word, Surah Ad-Duhaa is contextually linked to reports about the Prophet's concern during the period of decreased revelation. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated the circumstances of the surah's revelation in relation to the Prophet's worry—recorded in various hadith collections including Sahih Bukhari.
Themes
Key Lesson
The opening oath reminds believers that Allah uses His creation to affirm His promises, encouraging us to recognize divine signs in the natural world and to trust in Allah's unwavering support during times of difficulty and uncertainty.