وَٱلذَّٰرِيَـٰتِ ذَرْوًا 1
Translations
By the [winds] scattering [dust], dispersing [it]
Transliteration
Wa-adh-dhariyati dharwan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah Adh-Dhariyat swears by the winds that scatter and disperse dust and seeds across the earth (adh-dhariyat). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as an oath by Allah regarding His power and creative wisdom, with the winds serving as a sign of divine strength and providence. The oath introduces the themes of resurrection and Allah's judgment that follow in the surah, emphasizing how just as winds are instruments of dispersal and distribution in the natural world, so too will Allah's judgment reach and affect all creation.
Revelation Context
This surah was revealed in Mecca during the early period of the Prophet's mission (around the 5th or 6th year of revelation). It addresses the Meccan polytheists who denied resurrection and judgment, and the opening oaths by natural phenomena (winds, clouds, ships, angels) serve to draw attention to the signs of Allah's power visible in creation, leading to the affirmation that resurrection is inevitable.
Related Hadiths
The Quran itself in Surah Al-Jathiyah (45:5) mentions winds as signs of Allah's power: 'And in the variation of the winds and the clouds that are subjected between the heaven and the earth are signs for a people who use reason.' Additionally, Sahih Bukhari contains numerous hadiths where the Prophet (peace be upon him) directed attention to natural phenomena as evidence of Allah's existence and power.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us to recognize the divine signs present in everyday natural phenomena around us—the winds, weather, and cycles of nature all testify to Allah's infinite power and wisdom. By reflecting on these signs, we strengthen our faith and prepare our hearts to accept the greater truths of accountability and resurrection.
Related Ayahs
هُوَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلْخَـٰلِقُ ٱلْبَارِئُ ٱلْمُصَوِّرُ ۖ لَهُ ٱلْأَسْمَآءُ ٱلْحُسْنَىٰ ۚ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ ۖ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَزِيزُ ٱلْحَكِيمُ
He is Allāh, the Creator, the Producer, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and earth is exalting Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
وَمَا قَدَرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِۦ وَٱلْأَرْضُ جَمِيعًا قَبْضَتُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ وَٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ مَطْوِيَّـٰتٌۢ بِيَمِينِهِۦ ۚ سُبْحَـٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ
They have not appraised Allāh with true appraisal, while the earth entirely will be [within] His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.
قُلْ مَن يَكْلَؤُكُم بِٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ مِنَ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ۗ بَلْ هُمْ عَن ذِكْرِ رَبِّهِم مُّعْرِضُونَ
Say, "Who can protect you at night or by day from the Most Merciful?" But they are, from the remembrance of their Lord, turning away.
وَٱلسَّمَآءِ وَمَا بَنَىٰهَا
And [by] the sky and He who constructed it