الطارق
Surah At-Tariq
The Nightcommer · Surah 86 · Meccan · 17 verses
1وَٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلطَّارِقِ ١By the heaven and the Morning Star.InsightElmalılı says “sama’” is used for the known sky and also for every height, physical or spiritual. “At-tariq” means one who comes by night, who knocks at the door.2وَمَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلطَّارِقُ ٢Ah, what will tell thee what the Morning Star is.3ٱلنَّجۡمُ ٱلثَّاقِبُ ٣The piercing Star.InsightElmalılı explains “an-najm ath-thaqib” as every bright star that seems to pierce the darkness with the strength of its light.4إِن كُلُّ نَفۡسࣲ لَّمَّا عَلَيۡهَا حَافِظࣱ ٤No human soul but hath a guardian over it.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, over every soul there is a guardian who sees and watches it in every state, its whole being and all its deeds and movements.5فَلۡيَنظُرِ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ مِمَّ خُلِقَ ٥So let man consider from what he is created.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, as man looks at the star piercing the dark, he should look at his own soul and see under what lofty protection and watch he is, inside and out.6خُلِقَ مِن مَّآءࣲ دَافِقࣲ ٦He is created from a gushing fluid.InsightElmalılı notes that the fluid is given an active adjective where a passive one would be expected, which is remarkable, and relates three explanations.7يَخۡرُجُ مِنۢ بَيۡنِ ٱلصُّلۡبِ وَٱلتَّرَآئِبِ ٧That issued from between the loins and ribs.InsightElmalılı says “sulb” is the spine running from the neck to the tailbone, and draws attention to the nervous system descending from the brain.8إِنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ رَجۡعِهِۦ لَقَادِرࣱ ٨Lo! He verily is Able to return him (unto life).InsightAccording to Elmalılı, whoever looks at this creation understands that the One who first created it is able to raise it after death and bring it before Him.9يَوۡمَ تُبۡلَى ٱلسَّرَآئِرُ ٩On the day when hidden thoughts shall be searched out.InsightElmalılı explains “sara’ir” as the beliefs, intentions, loves, grudges and aims hidden in hearts. That day all of them will be tested and brought out.10فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن قُوَّةࣲ وَلَا نَاصِرࣲ ١٠Then will he have no might nor any helper.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, that day man will have neither strength in himself nor any helper from outside to defend himself against Allah or keep his secrets hidden.11وَٱلسَّمَآءِ ذَاتِ ٱلرَّجۡعِ ١١By the heaven which giveth the returning rain.InsightElmalılı explains “dhat ar-raj‘” as the sky that returns, the first thought being clouds returning with rain. And the earth splits open with plants.12وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ ذَاتِ ٱلصَّدۡعِ ١٢And the earth which splitteth (with the growth of trees and plants).13إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوۡلࣱ فَصۡلࣱ ١٣Lo! this (Qur’an) is a conclusive word.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the Qur’an, which tells of the beginning and the return, is a definite word, a sharp judgement separating truth from falsehood.14وَمَا هُوَ بِٱلۡهَزۡلِ ١٤It is no pleasantry.InsightAccording to Elmalılı, this word, speaking of the star, the soul, its guardian, the Creator’s power and the day of secrets, is never amusement but a serious truth.15إِنَّهُمۡ يَكِيدُونَ كَيۡدࣰا ١٥Lo! they plot a plot (against thee, O Muhammad).InsightAccording to Elmalılı, the Meccan disbelievers were scheming to invalidate the Qur’an and extinguish its light.16وَأَكِيدُ كَيۡدࣰا ١٦And I plot a plot (against them).InsightAccording to Elmalılı, Allah’s “planning” is turning their schemes back on themselves.17فَمَهِّلِ ٱلۡكَٰفِرِينَ أَمۡهِلۡهُمۡ رُوَيۡدَۢا ١٧So give a respite to the disbelievers. Deal thou gently with them for a while.InsightElmalılı says “ruwayda” carries a diminutive sense: “give them just a little respite.” For the Hour is not far.