فَٱلْمُورِيَـٰتِ قَدْحًا 2
Translations
And the producers of sparks [when] striking
Transliteration
Fal-mūriyāti qadḥan
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the horses that strike sparks from the ground with their hooves as they gallop swiftly at night, producing fire-like flashes. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah swearing by these swift coursers and their striking of sparks, emphasizing their power and speed as signs of Allah's creation. The image serves as an introduction to the surah's theme of human ingratitude and the Day of Judgment, contrasting the obedience of creation with human negligence.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-'Adiyat is a Meccan surah that opens with a series of oaths (qasam) about horses and warfare, establishing an atmosphere of urgency and divine emphasis. This particular ayah continues the oath structure, creating a vivid picture of the rapid, forceful movement of war horses—setting the stage for the surah's message about human accountability and denial of divine blessings on the Day of Resurrection.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly comments on this specific image, the broader theme of animal obedience is reflected in various hadiths about horses being blessed creatures. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 'The greatest blessing after women is horses' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). Additionally, hadiths about the Day of Judgment relate to the surah's overarching theme.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us to observe and reflect upon Allah's creation as signs of His power and wisdom, encouraging us to be equally obedient and responsive to divine guidance rather than neglecting our responsibilities. Just as horses faithfully serve their purpose with vigor and speed, we too should fulfill our duties to Allah with dedication and consciousness.