Surah Al-Layl: Chapter: 92 Juzz: 30

This blog is part of a series of blogs based on my research and compilation of surahs of the Quran, in an effort to understand these surahs in an easy way. Today's effort is on Surah AL -LAYL Chapter: 92, hope going through it will be a learning journey for all of you. May Allah forgive any mistake, omission, or error on my part in its compilation (Aameen Summa Aameen).

English Translation:

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

1. By the Night as it conceals (the light); 2. By the Day as it appears in glory; 3. By (the mystery of) the creation of male and female; - 4. Verily, (the ends) ye strive for are diverse. 5. So he who gives (in charity) and fears (Allah), 6. And (in all sincerity) testifies to the best, - 7. We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss. 8. But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient, 9. And gives the lie to the best, - 10. We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Misery; 11. Nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong (into the Pit). 12. Verily We take upon Ourselves to guide, 13. And verily unto Us (belong) the End and the Beginning. 1. Therefore do I warn you of a Fire blazing fiercely; 15. None shall reach it but those most unfortunate ones 16. Who give the lie to Truth and turn their backs. 17. But those most devoted to Allah shall be removed far from it, - 18. Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification, 19. And have in their minds no favor from anyone for which a reward is expected in return, 20. But only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their Lord Most High; 21. And soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction.

Introduction:

Surat Al-Layl (Arabic: الليل al-Layl the Night) is the 92nd surah (chapter) of the Qur'an, containing 21 (twenty-one) Ayats (verses), 314 letters, 71 words with 59 unique words without repetition. This surah is one of the first ten to be revealed in Mecca. It contrasts two types of people, the charitable and the miserly, and describes each of their characteristics. The majority of Islamic scholars agreed that the first part forms the first revelation to be sent down to Muhammad between 613- 617 AD. This Surah has the same qualities that other Meccan Surahs have; short verses. Their contents are expressive and awakening and they are generally about the Hereafter and Divine chastisement.

Message & Theme of the Surah:

The mufassirūn (Quranic commentators) note a similarity that in all of the aforementioned three surahs the wonder and contrast between night and day are appealed to for the consolation of man in his spiritual yearning. According to an interpretation expounded on in the tafsīr (commentary) written by Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi (d. 1979) entitled Tafhim al-Qur'an, the primary theme of Surat al-Layl is distinguishing between two different ways of life and explaining the contrast between their ultimate ends and results. Sayyid Qutb (d. 1966), who was an Egyptian author, Islamist, and leading intellectual of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood, surmised the overall theme of Surat Al-Layl in the introduction to his extensive Quranic commentary, Fi Zilal al-Qur'an (In the shades of the Qur'an) by saying: “Within a framework of scenes taken from the universe and the realm of human nature, this surah states emphatically the basic facts of action and reward. This issue had diverse aspects… The end in the hereafter is also varied, according to the type of action and the direction taken in this life… The subject matter of the surah, i.e., action and reward, is by nature double directional, so the framework chosen for it at the beginning of the surah is of dual coloring. It is based on contrasting aspects in the creation of man and the universe.

Reasons for the revelation of Surah Al Layl:

1-      The scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah went on to say that Surah Al Layl was revealed in Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) and what he spent on Muslims in freeing the necks from his own money to support the people of Islam, and this came in several narrations, including: Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) bought Bilal bin Rabah (may Allah be pleased with him) and was a slave owned by Umayyah bin Khalaf with ten ounces of gold and a barda, so the verses were revealed from the beginning of the surah until the Almighty said: “Your quest is different” and the word “saa’i” refers to the pursuit of Abu Bakr and Umayyah bin Khalaf and a difference between them.

2-      ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned in the hadeeth that explains the reason for the revelation of verses from Surah Al Layl: “We were sitting with the Prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) with a stick in his hand, and he joked on the ground, and then he raised his head, and he said, “There is no one among you except when he wrote his seat from Paradise and his seat from Hell.” It was said, O Messenger of Allah, should we not rely on him? He said, “Do not work and do not eat, for every facilitator of what was created for him and then read: {As for the one who gave and pious * and believed in the good * we will facilitate it to the left * but the one who is stingy and dispensed * and lied with the good * we will facilitate it to the left}.

Lessons to learn from Surah Al-Layl

As explained in the previous element, Surah Al-Layl emphasizes the importance of being good and charitable. Here are the most important lessons to learn from this Surah:

Ø  The key to an easy comfortable life is compassion and giving charity.

Ø  Being miserly and arrogant can only lead to misfortune.

Ø  Whatever exists in this life and the next belongs to Allah (SWT).

Ø  Giving donations purifies the soul.

Ø  When doing good, do it for the sake of Allah for He (SWT) will reward you more for your pure intention.

Benefits of Surat Al-Layl:

Ø  Many ahadith have been related concerning the spiritual benefits associated with Surat Al-Layl. The Prophet is reported to have said that the reward of reciting this surah is so much that the one who recites it will be pleased when he sees it in his Book of Deeds. His inspiration of good deeds (tawfiq) will also increase. If recited 15 times before sleeping, one will dream about what pleases him most. Reciting it in the I’sha salāt, carries the reward of completing a quarter of the Qur’ān and is guaranteed that the prayers are accepted. The sixth Shia Imām, Ja’far as-Sādiq (d. 748) has said that the person who recites Surah Ash-Shams, Al-Layl, Ad-Dhuha and Al-Inshirah will, on the Day of Judgement, find all creatures of the earth testifying on his behalf and Allah will accept their testimony and give him a place in Jannah (Paradise). Recitation of this surah also leads to an increase in sustenance, courage and popularity amongst the people.

Ø  And Surah Al Layl, like the rest of the surahs of the Qur’an, the Muslim receives the reward by reading it at anytime and anywhere, the letter with ten good deeds, and this great virtue applies to all Surat Al-Qur’an and all its verses.

Ø  Reading Surah Al Layl and Surat Al-Shams seven times in seven consecutive nights, then after daily reading, supplication with the following: “Oh God, make me a relief and a way out.”

Ø  Benefits of Surah Al- Layl

Ø  The holy Prophet (PBUH) is said to have explained the virtue of this Surah as follows: “He who recites it (Surah Layl) Allah awards him so much so that he is satisfied, and He protects him from toil, and makes (the path of his life) smooth for him.”

Ø  According to hadiths, if one recites Surah al-Layl, God will supply him so that he gets satisfied, will save him from troubles and will smooth the way of life for him.

Ø  Recite Surah Al-Layl 11 times (Durood Sharif thrice in the beginning and end) on pure almond/coconut/olive oil and apply on your scalp, it will help in prevention of falling hairs.

Ø  Muhammad is reported to have said that the reward of reciting this surah is so much that the one who recites it will be pleased when he sees it in his Book of Deeds. His inspiration of good deeds (tawfiq) will also increase. If recited 15 times before sleeping, one will dream about what pleases him most.

Ø  Reminder of Accountability: Surah Al Layl reminds Muslims of their accountability to Allah. It highlights the concept of the Day of Judgment and the need to be conscious of their actions and intentions.

Ø  Encouragement to Seek Knowledge: The surah begins with an oath by the night and what it covers, signifying the importance of seeking knowledge, both religious and worldly.

Ø  Strengthening Faith in the Unseen: Surah Al Layl reinforces the concept of belief in the unseen, which is a fundamental aspect of the Islamic faith. It encourages believers to have conviction in Allah and the Hereafter.

Ø  Promotion of Thankfulness: The surah like Surah Fil mentions the rewards for gratitude and thankfulness, urging Muslims to be grateful for the blessings they receive and to express gratitude to Allah.

Conclusion:

There is no doubt that being a good Muslim encompasses many good qualities such as being charitable. Surah Layl not only stresses the importance of giving charity but also the pure intention of doing so as Almighty says: “who donate ‘some of’ their wealth only to purify themselves, not in return for someone’s favors, but seeking the pleasure of their Lord, the Most High. They will certainly be pleased.” (Surah Al-Layl 92:18-21). This is why, we should all strive to be good people and help each other since it not only builds a better community but also grants us Allah’s mercy and benediction. In short he central idea of Surah Layl, It says: "Verily the (ends) you strive for are diverse.” People have different or diverse aims in life for which they strive. One might be talking of the pleasures of this world while another may be mindful of the life in the Hereafter.

The chapter begins with a few oaths, namely on the day and night with specific attributes as well as on God who created the male and female. It then delves into different actions and their different effects. The good actions discussed in this chapter are giving charity for God’s pleasure and its source which is belief in unity of God’s Lordship and Divinity and the Hereafter, as well as in prophet-hood and the prophetic messages. On the other hand, bad actions like stinginess and miserliness in giving in the way of Allah rises from the denial in the Hereafter and disbelief in God’s prophet. The chapter ends with describing the reward of the charitable God-wary and punishment of the miserly disbelievers.

Researched & compiled by:  

OVAIS ASAD KHAN