Surah At-Tariq is one of the magnificent chapters of the Quran that emphasizes the oneness of Allah and His mercy towards His servants. It invites reflection upon Allah’s creation and prepares individuals for the Day of Resurrection. In this article, we will explain the reasons for the revelation of this Surah and provide an overview of its general context, as well as explore the interpretation and key themes of Surah At-Tariq.
History and Reasons for the Revelation of Surah At-Tariq
Surah At-Tariq was revealed after Surah Al-Balad and it is categorized as a Makki Surah, meaning it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in Makkah before his migration to Madinah. There are two main reasons mentioned for the revelation of Surah At-Tariq:
The First Reason: The initial verses of the Surah (“By the sky and the night-comer, and what can make you know what is the night-comer? It is the piercing star”) were revealed regarding Abu Talib, the uncle of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). On one occasion, Abu Talib came to the Prophet and honored him with bread and milk.
While the Prophet was eating, a shooting star appeared and turned into water and then fire. Abu Talib became frightened and asked the Prophet about it. The Prophet explained that it was a sign from Allah and a miraculous sign of His verses. This incident astonished Abu Talib, and as a result, Allah revealed these verses.
The Second Reason: The verse of Allah Almighty (“Then let mankind look at his food”) was revealed regarding Abu Al-Ashadd bin Qais Al-Jumahi,
who was a disbeliever sitting on animal skin and challenging the people, saying, “O people of Quraish, whoever can remove me from this position will have such and such reward, and Muhammad claims that Hellfire has nineteen keepers. I will do the job of ten keepers; you all do the job of the remaining nine.” As a response to his challenge, Allah revealed this verse.
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah Al-Alaq
Themes of Surah At-Tariq
Surah At-Tariq addresses various themes, including:
- Belief in Allah: The Surah emphasizes the oneness of Allah and His role as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
- Resurrection and the Day of Judgment: The Surah discusses the concept of resurrection and the certainty of its occurrence.
- Accountability for Deeds: The Surah highlights that every individual will be held accountable for their actions in this worldly life.
Virtues of Surah At-Tariq
Some narrations have mentioned the virtues of Surah At-Tariq, although there is disagreement among scholars regarding their authenticity. These include:
Abu bin Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever recites Surah At-Tariq, Allah will grant him rewards equal to the number of stars in the sky, multiplied by ten good deeds.”
Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet said, “O Ali, whoever recites Surah At-Tariq, it is as if he has recited two-thirds of the Quran. For every verse he recites, he will receive the reward of the one who enjoins good and forbids evil.”
Despite the weakness of these narrations according to a significant number of scholars and Hadith experts, the recitation of Surah At-Tariq holds great virtue. It is a Surah that invites contemplation upon the creation of Allah and prepares individuals for the Day of Resurrection. It emphasizes the oneness of Allah and His mercy towards His servants.
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah At-Tin
The following are some benefits that Muslims can gain from reciting Surah At-Tariq:
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Strengthening of Faith
The Surah emphasizes the oneness of Allah and His role as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, which strengthens the faith in the hearts of Muslims.
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Reflection upon Allah’s Creation
The Surah encourages contemplation upon the creation of Allah, opening new horizons for reflecting upon His greatness.
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Preparation for the Day of Resurrection
The Surah affirms the reality of resurrection and the Day of Judgment without any doubt, motivating Muslims to prepare for this significant day.
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Feeling of Security and Tranquility
The Surah emphasizes Allah’s mercy towards His servants, instilling a sense of security and tranquility in the hearts of Muslims.
You can also see: Stories of the Quran
Tafsir of Surah At-Tariq
Surat Al-Tariq is a Meccan surah, the number of its verses is 17 verses, located in the thirtieth part of the Holy Qur’an, the surah begins with the oath of heaven and Al-Tariq, then you ask about Al-Tariq, which is the piercing star that splits the darkness and illuminates the earth, then the surah moves to talk about the ability of Allah Almighty to resurrect and proselytize, and that nothing is incapacitated by him,
and that every person will be held accountable for his deeds in the world, and the surah concludes by talking about the mercy of God Almighty with his servants, and that he only wants them good, and the following is an explanation Verses of Surat Al-Tariq:
By the sky and the night comer –
And what can make you know what is the night comer?
It is the piercing star –
There is no soul but that it has over it a protector.
So let man observe from what he was created.
He was created from a fluid, ejected,
Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.
Indeed, Allah, to return him [to life], is Able.
The Day when secrets will be put on trial,
Then man will have no power or any helper.
By the sky which returns [rain]
And [by] the earth which cracks open,
Indeed, the Qur’an is a decisive statement,
And it is not amusement.
Indeed, they are planning a plan,
But I am planning a plan.
So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.
وَٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلطَّارِقِ (1) وَمَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلطَّارِقُ (2) ٱلنَّجۡمُ ٱلثَّاقِبُ (3) إِن كُلُّ نَفۡسٖ لَّمَّا عَلَيۡهَا حَافِظٞ (4) فَلۡيَنظُرِ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ مِمَّ خُلِقَ (5) خُلِقَ مِن مَّآءٖ دَافِقٖ (6) يَخۡرُجُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِ ٱلصُّلۡبِ وَٱلتَّرَآئِبِ (7) إِنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ رَجۡعِهِۦ لَقَادِرٞ (8) يَوۡمَ تُبۡلَى ٱلسَّرَآئِرُ (9) فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن قُوَّةٖ وَلَا نَاصِرٖ (10) وَٱلسَّمَآءِ ذَاتِ ٱلرَّجۡعِ (11) وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ ذَاتِ ٱلصَّدۡعِ (12) إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوۡلٞ فَصۡلٞ (13) وَمَا هُوَ بِٱلۡهَزۡلِ (14) إِنَّهُمۡ يَكِيدُونَ كَيۡدٗا (15) وَأَكِيدُ كَيۡدٗا (16) فَمَهِّلِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ أَمۡهِلۡهُمۡ رُوَيۡدَۢا (17)
“And by the heaven and the piercing star (Tariq), By the sky and the star that pierces the darkness and illuminates the earth.
And what can make you know what is the piercing star? Allah, the Most High, asks about the piercing star to emphasize its greatness and Allah’s ability to create it.
It is the piercing star, intense in brightness. The piercing star refers to a star that shines brightly.
Indeed, every soul is pledged to its keeper. Every individual has a guardian appointed by Allah to protect them from harm.
So let man observe from what he was created. Allah invites human beings to reflect upon their creation and that they were created from humble fluid (semen).
He was created from a fluid, ejected, Meaning that humans are created from humble fluid, which is semen that comes forth from between the backbone and the ribs.
Indeed, He is able to return him [to life]. Allah is capable of resurrecting human beings after death.
On the Day when secrets will be put on trial, On the Day of Judgment, all secrets will be exposed and every hidden thing will be made known.
Then man will have no power or any helper. On the Day of Judgment, humans will have no power to escape from Allah’s punishment, nor will they find any helper.
By the sky containing pathways, Referring to the sky from which rain descends and returns.
And by the earth with its cracks, Referring to the earth that is cracked by the flowing rivers and from which plants emerge.
Indeed, the Qur’an is a decisive statement, The Qur’an is the speech of Allah, and it is a clear and decisive statement that distinguishes between truth and falsehood.
And it is not amusement. The Qur’an is not a form of amusement; rather, it is the true speech of Allah, the Most High.
Indeed, they are planning a plan, The disbelievers are plotting against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), but Allah, the Most High, will plot against them.
But I am planning a plan. Allah, the Most High, will also plot against the disbelievers, and He will support His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
So allow time for the disbelievers. Leave them awhile.” Allah, the Most High, grants respite to the disbelievers, but He will eventually punish them on the Day of Judgment.
You can also see: Tafsir of Surah Al-Nas
After perusing Tafsir of Surah At-Tariq, You can also view the interpretation of the entire surahs of the Qur’an through Wahion Youha Academy, which specializes in Quranic sciences and Islamic studies, where its teachers offer many courses and educational and training programs from memorizing the Qur’an to studying the sciences of Sharia and creed, and you can book a trial class to lay the foundation stone in the hearts of your children.