SURAH AT-TARIQ Chapter: 86

This blog is part of a series of blogs based on my research and compilation of all the Surahs of Holy Quran. An effort to make each of these Surahs understandable in an easy way. Today's effort is SURAH AT-TARIQ Chapter: 86, hope going through it will be a learning experience for each one of you. May Allah forgive any mistake, omission, or error on my part in its compilation (Aameen Summa Aameen).

English Translation:

1.By the heaven and the nightly star! 2. And what will make you realize what the nightly star is? 3. It is˺ the star of piercing brightness. 4. There is no soul without a vigilant angel ˹recording everything˺. 5. Let people then consider what they were created from! 6. They were˺ created from a spurting fluid, 7. Stemming from between the backbone and the ribcage. 8. Surely He is fully capable of bringing them back ˹to life˺ 9. On the Day all secrets will be disclosed. 10. Then one will have neither power nor ˹any˺ helper. 11. By the sky with its recurring cycles, 12. And the earth with its sprouting plants! 13. Surely this ˹Quran˺ is a decisive word, 14. And is not to be taken lightly. 15. They are certainly devising ˹evil˺ plans, 16. But I too am planning. 17. So bear with the disbelievers ˹O Prophet˺. Let them be for ˹just˺ a little while.

Introduction:

Surah Al-Tariq is the 86th Surah of the Quran which consists of 17 Verses (Ayats) with 61 words, out of which 53 are unique words without repetition and have 254 letters and is placed in the 30th Juzz’ in the Quran. "Tariq" means "star" or “The Night Comer”. This surah is named "al-Tariq" because at the beginning of the surah, there is a swear by "the star". Surah al-Tariq speaks about the hereafter and mentions that God can resurrect human being after death. It also speaks about the importance of the Qur'an and introduces it as a decisive word. It focuses on the concept of the power of Allah SWT that He can revive humanity and hold us accountable on the Day of Judgment. And calming the believers down that Allah is by their side, even if some tyrannies torture them (As mentioned in the previous Surah), Judgment Day will come and they will be revived and asked about their actions towards them. Surah Al-Tariq is regarded as one of the Al-Quran Surahs which is distinguished by the shortness of its verses and its speech about the limitless power of Allah SWT.

Background of Surah at Tariq:

This is one of the earliest Surahs revealed at Makkah. It was sent down at a stage when the disbelievers of Makkah were employing all sorts of devices and plans to defeat and frustrate the message of Islam. Allah has appointed a guardian angel over each soul. Surah At-Tariq was revealed after Surah Al-Balad and it is categorized as a Makki Surah with its revelation period between 618-620 AD., 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.

Significance of Surah Al-Tariq:

Surah Al-Tariq is a Meccan Surah that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH in Mecca. It is one of the Al- Quran Surahs that gives warning to the disbelievers of Judgment Day and what will happen to them in it. It was revealed by Allah to firm the hearts of the believers in their first phase of Islam and to warn the disbelievers that they will be accountable for their doings and their denying of the truth as well.

Major Issues of Surah At- Tariq:

Ø  Allah has appointed a guardian angel over each soul.

Ø  The Qur'an is the decisive word of Allah.

Key themes in Surah Al-Tariq:

The basic theme of the Surah is Allah's guidance through His prophets. The purpose of this guidance is to take the people from darkness to light. Many people in the past had doubts about their prophets. There are three major themes of Surah Al-Tariq;

Ø  Every human being’s deeds are recorded by the guarding angels. “There is no soul without a vigilant angel ˹recording everything˺.”

Ø  Allah SWT is Capable of reviving all the creatures once again after their death to appear before Him on Judgment Day. “Surely He is fully capable of bringing them back ˹to life˺.”

Ø  The Holy Quran which is guarded by Allah is a conclusive Word of Him and It adjudges between truth and false. “Surely this ˹Quran˺ is a decisive word,”

There are two other deep themes of Surah Al-Tariq that resulted from deep reflection on the verses of the Surah;

Journeying.

This theme is stated in the first three verses that talk about the stars and how they guide the night travelers in their journeys by mapping the locations of the bright stars to reach their destination. Similarly, just like the stars, the Quran can lead them to their right destination in their lives and the afterlife if they follow It. Since the two of them are the creations of God. Also, this theme was stated in the journey of the male fluid that comes out of the father’s body along the path to impregnate the mother’s body through the gushing water. Allah explains the process of human creation that can be regarded as a journey saying, “And indeed, we created humankind1 from an extract of clay,” “then placed each ˹human˺ as a sperm-drop1 in a secure place,” “then We developed the drop into a clinging clot ˹of blood˺, then developed the clot into a lump ˹of flesh˺, then developed the lump into bones, then clothed the bones with flesh, then We brought it into being as a new creation.1 So Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators.” Surah Al-Mu’minun

Secrecy:

In the previous Surah, Al-Buruj, the disbelievers were causing torture to the believers and were bearing witness to their murders. However, when nations commit such crimes, they tend to hide and protect the evidence of their actions. Nonetheless, Allah says, “On the Day all secrets will be disclosed.” So, even these closely guarded secrets (saraa’ir) will be exposed and revealed to the public on Judgment Day. Also, the Arabic word ‘kayd’, which means secret evil planning, matches the theme of secrecy of the Surah.

Importance of reciting Surah Al-Tariq and its Benefits

·         Reciting Surah Al-Tariq is a good deed that strengthens our relation to Allah and he will reward you because of it as the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a ten-fold reward.

Reciting Surah Al-Tariq in prayer while reflecting on its deep meanings helps us continuously remember Judgment Day on which we will be asked about our recorded deeds so we will always be aware of It and choose to always make good choices preferring the afterlife and its rewards.

·         Surah Al-Tariq is a reminder to everyone that his deeds, whether it is good or bad, are recorded.

·         It also reminds us that the hidden evil planned by the disbelievers is visible to Allah SWT and He is planning also to punish them.

·         In addition, it causes awakening and fear from Allah SWT as the one will certainly die one day and will meet Allah asking him about his deeds.

·         This encourages the one to do their best and repent to Allah to forgive them before Judgment Day so that no one can help him or even himself.

Benefits:

1.      Closer Connection to God: Reciting Surah Tariq is considered a means of drawing nearer to God in Islamic tradition. The Surah contains verses that emphasize God’s attributes, power, and creative abilities in the universe

2.      Enhanced Spiritual Awareness: Surah Tariq discusses the mysteries and wonders of the heavens and the earth. Contemplating these verses can lead to a heightened sense of spirituality and awe at the magnificence of God’s creation.

3.      Protection Against Evil Forces: Traditional belief holds that reciting Surah Tariq can offer protection against negative influences and evil forces. This protection can extend to spiritual evil, such as harmful thoughts or negative energies, as well as external negative influences

4.      Induction of Mental Peace: The rhythmic and melodious tone of Surah Tariq, when recited with devotion, can have a calming effect on the mind. The profound spiritual messages in the Surah can help individuals find inner peace and tranquility.

5.      Increased Focus and Mindfulness: Regular recitation of Surah Tariq involves concentration on the verses, fostering mindfulness. This practice can enhance one’s ability to focus on the present moment and be more mindful of their actions and surroundings.

6.      Emotional Balance: Reciting Surah Tariq can provide an emotional outlet for individuals, allowing them to express their feelings and thoughts. The act of recitation, combined with the spiritual content of the Surah, can reduce stress and anxiety levels.

7.      Improved Interpersonal Relationships: The teachings of Surah Tariq emphasize principles such as justice, kindness, and equality. When individuals internalize these principles through regular recitation and reflection, they are more likely to apply them in their interactions with others.

8.      Moral Upliftment: Surah Tariq encourages ethical behavior and integrity by emphasizing the consequences of one’s actions and the accountability before God. Regular recitation and contemplation of the Surah can lead to moral upliftment, inspiring individuals to make better ethical choices in their daily lives.

9.      Enhanced Cognitive Skills: Engaging with the Surah through recitation and understanding stimulates cognitive processes. The act of contemplation and critical thinking about the Surah’s content can enhance one’s ability to think critically, analyze complex concepts, and solve problems.

Conclusion:

To conclude, 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, understanding the themes of Surah Al-Tariq and reflecting on It can remind us that we are not alone if we face any harm by the disbelievers, and reciting it calms us down and encourages us to do our best and let go of the thinking of the evil acts done by the truth deniers knowing that the plan of Allah made for them will take over all their plans.

Overall, incorporating the recitation and contemplation of Surah Tariq in daily life can lead to a profound transformation. It offers a holistic approach to well-being, strengthening faith, enhancing mental well-being, and fostering spiritual growth. Embrace the teachings of Surah Tariq and embark on a journey towards a more fulfilling and harmonious existence.

 

Researched & Compiled by:

OVAIS ASAD KHAN