وَٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلطَّارِقِ 1
Translations
By the sky and the night comer
Transliteration
Wa-al-sama'i wa-al-tariq
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah contains an oath by Allah upon the heavens and Al-Tariq (the Nightcomer), which scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret as either the star Sirius, the morning star, or the piercing star in general. The oath structure emphasizes the magnitude of what follows—the affirmation of Divine power and the certainty of the Day of Judgment—establishing that just as the heavens and this celestial body are constant and magnificent signs, so too is Allah's promise absolutely true.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Tariq is a Meccan surah revealed during a period of intense opposition to the Prophet Muhammad. This opening oath serves as a rhetorical device common in the Quran to capture attention and establish the gravity of the message about resurrection and accountability that follows, particularly relevant to the Meccan context where disbelievers doubted the possibility of bodily resurrection.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 'The best of you are those of the best character' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi 1162), relating to how one should respond to such divine oaths with humility and moral excellence. Additionally, various hadiths discuss the signs in the heavens as evidence of Allah's power, reinforcing the theme of this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah teaches us that the universe itself testifies to Allah's majesty and the truth of His promises, encouraging believers to contemplate the heavens as constant reminders of Divine power and the inevitable reality of the Day of Judgment. Such reflection should inspire accountability in our actions and unwavering faith in Allah's judgment.