هَلْ فِى ذَٰلِكَ قَسَمٌ لِّذِى حِجْرٍ 5
Translations
Is there [not] in [all] that an oath [sufficient] for one of perception?
Transliteration
Hal fee dhaalika qasamun li-dhee hijr
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah poses a rhetorical question asking whether there is not in the previously mentioned signs (the horse, the dawn, the night) a sufficient oath for one who possesses intellect and understanding. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that "dhee hijr" (one who possesses hijr - intellect, reason, or sound judgment) refers to one capable of reflection and contemplation. The ayah emphasizes that for a person of sound mind, these natural phenomena serve as clear evidence of Allah's power and wisdom, making them adequate grounds for conviction without requiring additional proofs.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Fajr is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Islam in Mecca. This ayah appears in the context of powerful oaths sworn by Allah regarding the dawn, the night, and other celestial phenomena. The surah's purpose is to awaken the consciousness of the Meccan polytheists and call them to reflection on the signs of Allah's creation, encouraging them to use their rational faculties to recognize divine truth.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly comments on this specific ayah, the concept relates to the hadith in Sahih Muslim where the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'Whoever reflects upon the creation of the heavens and earth will find signs of Allah's greatness.' The theme of using intellect to recognize divine signs is reinforced throughout Islamic teachings.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds us that Allah has provided clear signs in creation accessible to human reason, and that genuine faith is strengthened through intellectual contemplation rather than blind following. For modern readers, it emphasizes that Islam invites rational thought and encourages believers to use their God-given intellect to recognize divine truth in the natural world around them.