أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَـَٔاوَىٰ 6
Translations
Did He not find you an orphan and give [you] refuge?
Transliteration
Alam yajidka yatiman fa-awaa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah reminds Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that Allah found him as an orphan and provided him shelter and care. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari explain this as a reference to the Prophet's loss of his father Abdullah before birth and his mother Aminah in early childhood, yet Allah granted him protection through his grandfather Abdul Muttalib and uncle Abu Talib. This divine favor is the first of several blessings enumerated in Surah Ad-Duhaa, establishing the foundation for gratitude and recognizing Allah's continuous mercy throughout the Prophet's life.
Revelation Context
Surah Ad-Duhaa was revealed during a period when the Prophet experienced a temporary pause in revelation (fatrah), causing him distress. This surah was revealed to console him by reminding him of Allah's past favors and continuous care. The ayah specifically addresses the Prophet's orphaned state as the first evidence of Allah's protective guidance from the earliest moments of his life.
Related Hadiths
The life of the Prophet as an orphan is mentioned in various biographical accounts (Seerah). Related is the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet said: 'I am the best of the orphans,' emphasizing his unique position and Allah's special care for him as an orphan.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that vulnerability and loss are not signs of abandonment but opportunities for Allah's mercy to manifest; we should recognize and be grateful for the unseen ways Allah protects and provides for us during our most difficult moments.