وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذْ أَدْبَرَ 33
Translations
And [by] the night when it departs.
Transliteration
Wa-al-layli idh adbara
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of Allah's oath by the night as it departs or passes away (when darkness recedes and dawn approaches). Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah swearing by the alternation of night and day as signs of His power and the inevitable approach of the Day of Judgment. The mention of the night departing emphasizes the transient nature of worldly life and serves as a reminder of the certainty of the resurrection.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah Al-Muddaththir, a Meccan chapter revealed in the early period of prophethood. It is part of a series of oaths (verses 33-34) in which Allah swears by natural phenomena—the night and the day—to emphasize the certainty of the message being conveyed and the reality of the Hereafter.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly comments on this specific verse, the theme of night and day as signs of Allah's creation is referenced in Sahih Bukhari (Kitab Bad' al-Khalq) where the Prophet (ﷺ) discussed the alternation of day and night as evidence of Allah's perfect creation and power.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the natural cycles of night and day are not mere coincidences but powerful signs of Allah's sovereignty, prompting us to reflect on the temporary nature of this world and prepare for the eternal life to come.