The Tafsīr of Sūrat At-Takwīr (Chapter - 81)

Which was revealed in Makkah

What has been narrated about This Sūrah Imām Aḥmad recorded from Ibn 'Umar that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

«مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَنْظُرَ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَامَةِ كَأَنَّهُ رَأْيُ عَيْنٍ فَلْيَقْرَأْ:

Qur’an 81:1إِذَا ٱلشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ

Qur’an 82:1إِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ ٱنفَطَرَتْ

و

Qur’an 84:1إِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ ٱنشَقَّتْ

»

«Whoever wishes to look at the Day of Judgement as if he is seeing it with his own eyes, then let him read, «When the sun is wound round.» (81:1) and; «When the heaven is cleft asunder.» (82:1) and; «When the heaven is split asunder.» (84:1)»^{1Aḥmad 2:27.}

Likewise, At-Tirmidhi has also recorded this Ḥadīth.^{2Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9 :252.}

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Qur’an 81:1–14إِذَا ٱلشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلنُّجُومُ ٱنكَدَرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْجِبَالُ سُيِّرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْعِشَارُ عُطِّلَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْوُحُوشُ حُشِرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْبِحَارُ سُجِّرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلنُّفُوسُ زُوِّجَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْمَوْءُۥدَةُ سُئِلَتْ بِأَىِّ ذَنۢبٍ قُتِلَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلصُّحُفُ نُشِرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ كُشِطَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْجَحِيمُ سُعِّرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْجَنَّةُ أُزْلِفَتْ عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أَحْضَرَتْ

«1. When the sun is Kuwwirat.» «2. And when the stars Inkadarat.» «3. And when the mountains are made to pass away;» «4. And when the pregnant she-camels are neglected;» «5. And when the wild beasts are gathered together.»

«6. And when the seas become as blazing fire.»

«7. And when the souls are joined with their mates.»

«8. And when the female infant (Al-Maw'ūdah) buried alive is questioned (Su'ilat):»

«9. For what sin was she killed?»

«10. And when the pages are laid open.»

«11. And when the heaven is Kushiṭat;»

«12. And when Hell is Su'irat.»

«13. And when Paradise is brought near.»

«14. Every person will know what he has brought.»

What will happen on the Day of Judgement, and that is the rolling up of the Sun

'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported from Ibn 'Abbās:

Qur’an 81:1إِذَا ٱلشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ

«When the sun is Kuwwirat.» "This means it will be darkened."^{1Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:237.} Al-'Awfi reported from Ibn 'Abbās; "It will go away." Qatādah said, "Its light will go away."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:238.} Ṣa'īd bin Jubayr said, "Kuwwirat means it will sink in."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:238.} Abu Ṣāliḥ said, "Kuwwirat means it will be thrown down." At-Takwīr means to gather one part of something with another part of it (i.e., folding). From it comes the folding of the turban ('Imāmah) and the folding of clothes together. Thus, the meaning of Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 81:1كُوِّرَتْ

«Kuwwirat» is that part of it will be folded up into another part of it. Then it will be rolled up and thrown away. When this is done to it, its light will go away.

Al-Bukhāri recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthالشَّمْسُ وَالْقَمَرُ يُكَوَّرَانِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ

«The sun and the moon will be rolled up on the Day of Judgement.»^{4Fatḥ Al-Bāri 6:343.}

Al-Bukhāri was alone in recording this Ḥadīth and this is his wording of it.

Dispersing the Stars

Qur’an 81:2وَإِذَا ٱلنُّجُومُ ٱنكَدَرَتْ

«And when the stars Inkadarat.» meaning, when they are scattered. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 82:2وَإِذَا ٱلْكَوَاكِبُ ٱنتَثَرَتْ

«And when the stars have fallen and scattered.» (82:2)

The basis of the word Inkidār is Inṣibāb, which means to be poured out.

Ar-Rabī' bin Anas reported from Abu Al-'Āliyah, who reported from Ubayy bin Ka'b that he said, "Six signs will take place before the Day of Judgement. The people will be in their marketplaces when the sun's light will go away. When they are in that situation, the stars will be scattered. When they are in that situation, the mountains will fall down upon the face of the earth, and the earth will move, quake and be in a state of mixed up confusion. So the Jinns will then flee in fright to the humans and the humans will flee to the Jinns. The domestic beasts, birds and wild animals will mix together, and they will surge together in a wave (of chaos).

Qur’an 81:5وَإِذَا ٱلْوُحُوشُ حُشِرَتْ

«And when the wild beasts are gathered together.» This means they will be mixed.

Qur’an 81:4وَإِذَا ٱلْعِشَارُ عُطِّلَتْ

«And when the pregnant she camels are neglected;» This means their owners will neglect them.

Qur’an 81:6وَإِذَا ٱلْبِحَارُ سُجِّرَتْ

«And when the seas become as blazing fire»"

Then he (Ubayy) went on to say, "The Jinns will say, 'We come to you with news.' So they will all go to the sea, and it will be a blazing fire. While they are in that state, the earth will be split with one huge crack that will extend from the lowest, seventh earth to the highest, seventh heaven. So while they are in that state, a wind will come that will kill all of them." Ibn Jarīr recorded this narration with this wording.^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :237.}

Moving of the Mountains, abandoning of the Pregnant She-Camels, and the gathering of the Wild Beasts

Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 81:3وَإِذَا ٱلْجِبَالُ سُيِّرَتْ

«And when the mountains are made to pass away;» meaning, they will not remain in their places and they will be destroyed. Then the earth will be left as a flat, level plain. Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 81:4وَإِذَا ٱلْعِشَارُ عُطِّلَتْ

«And when the pregnant she-camels ('Ishār) are neglected ('Uṭṭilat);»

'Ikrimah and Mujāhid said, "'Ishār are (pregnant she-) camels."^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :240.} Mujāhid said, "'Uṭṭilat means abandoned and left."^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :240.} Ubayy bin Ka'b and Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk both said, "Their owners will neglect them."^{8Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :240.} Ar-Rabī' bin Khuthaym said, "They will not be milked or tied up. Their masters will leave them abandoned."^{9Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :240.} Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said, "They will be left with no one to tend to them."^{10Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :240.} And the meaning of all of these statements is similar.

What is intended is that the 'Ishār is a type of camel. It is actually the best type of camel, and particularly the pregnant females of them when they have reached the tenth month of their pregnancies. One of them is singularly referred to as 'Usharā', and she keeps that name until she gives birth. So the people will be too busy to tend to her, take care of her or benefit from her, after she used to be the most important thing to them. This will be due to what will suddenly overtake them of the great, terrifying and horrible situation. This is the matter of the Day of Judgement, the coming together of its causes, and the occurrence of those things that will happen before it.

Qur’an 81:5وَإِذَا ٱلْوُحُوشُ حُشِرَتْ

«And when the wild beasts are gathered together.»

meaning, gathered. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 6:38وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَلَا طَٰٓئِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلَّآ أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِى ٱلْكِتَٰبِ مِن شَىْءٍ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ

«There is not a moving creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book, then unto their Lord they shall be gathered.» (6:38)

Ibn 'Abbās said, "Everything will be gathered, even the flies." This statement was recorded by Ibn Abi Ḥātim.^{11Al-Qurṭubi 19:229.} Allāh also says,

Qur’an 38:19وَٱلطَّيْرَ مَحْشُورَةً

«And (so did) the birds assembled.» [38:19] meaning, gathered.

The Blazing of the Seas

Allāh says,

Qur’an 81:6وَإِذَا ٱلْبِحَارُ سُجِّرَتْ

«And when the seas become as blazing fire.» Ibn Jarīr recorded from Sa'īd bin Al-Musayyib that 'Ali said to a Jewish man, "Where is the Hell?" The man said, "The sea." 'Ali then said, "I think he is truthful, as Allāh says

Qur’an 52:6وَٱلْبَحْرِ ٱلْمَسْجُورِ

«And by the seas kindled (Masjūr).» (52:6)

and;

Qur’an 81:6وَإِذَا ٱلْبِحَارُ سُجِّرَتْ

«And when the seas become as blazing fire.»"^{12Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:242.}

This has already been discussed previously with the explanation of Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 52:6وَٱلْبَحْرِ ٱلْمَسْجُورِ

«And by the seas kindled (Masjūr).» (52:6)^{13See volume nine, the Tafsīr of Sūrat Aṭ-Ṭūr (52:6).}

Joining the Souls

Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 81:7وَإِذَا ٱلنُّفُوسُ زُوِّجَتْ

«And when the souls are joined with their mates.» meaning, every type (of soul) will be gathered with its peer (or mate). This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 37:22ٱحْشُرُوا۟ ٱلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ وَأَزْوَٰجَهُمْ

«It will be said to the angels): "Assemble those who did wrong, together with their companions (from the devils).» (37:22)

Ibn Abi Ḥātim recorded from An-Nu'mān bin Bashīr that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

«

Qur’an 81:7وَإِذَا ٱلنُّفُوسُ زُوِّجَتْ

الضُّرَبَاءُ: كُلُّ رَجُلٍ مَعَ كُلِّ قَوْمٍ كَانُوا يَعْمَلُونَ عَمَلَهُ وَذَلِكَ بِأَنَّ الله عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَقُولُ:

Qur’an 56:7–10وَكُنتُمْ أَزْوَٰجًا ثَلَٰثَةً فَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَيْمَنَةِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَيْمَنَةِ وَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ وَٱلسَّٰبِقُونَ ٱلسَّٰبِقُونَ

هُمُ الضُّرَبَاءُ»

««And When the souls are joined with their mates.» Those who are alike. Every man will be with every group of people who performed the same deeds that he did. This is because Allāh says, «And you (all) will be in three groups. So those on the Right Hand - how (fortunate) will be those on Right Hand! And those on the Left Hand - how (unfortunate) will be those on the Left Hand!» (56:7-10) They are those who are alike.»^{14Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:245. The chain for this narration is not authentic. Prior to this narration, Aṭ-Ṭabari recorded an authentic chain with much the same wording from 'Umar, may Allāh be pleased with him.}

Questioning the Female Infant Who was buried Alive

Allāh says,

Qur’an 81:8–9وَإِذَا ٱلْمَوْءُۥدَةُ سُئِلَتْ بِأَىِّ ذَنۢبٍ قُتِلَتْ

«And when the female infant (Al-Maw'ūdah) buried alive is questioned: For what sin was she killed?»

The majority have recited it as Su'ilat (she is questioned), as it is here. Al-Maw'ūdah is the female infant that the people of the pre-Islāmic time of ignorance would bury in the dirt due to their hatred of girls. Therefore, on the Day of Judgement, the female infant will be asked what sin she committed that caused here to be murdered. This will be a means of frightening her murderer. For verily, if the one who was wronged is questioned, what does the wrongdoer (the one who is guilty of the oppression) think then? 'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah reported that Ibn 'Abbās said,

Qur’an 81:8وَإِذَا ٱلْمَوْءُۥدَةُ سُئِلَتْ

«And when the female infant (Al-Maw'ūdah) buried alive Su'ilat:»

"This means that she will ask." Abu Aḍ-Ḍuḥā made a similar statement when he said, "She will ask, meaning she will demand restitution for her blood."^{15Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:246.} The same has been reported from As-Suddi and Qatādah.

Ḥadīths have been reported concerning the Maw'ūdah. Imām Aḥmad recorded from 'Ā'ishah, who reported from Judāmah bint Wahb, the sister of 'Ukkāshah, that she said, "I was in the presence of the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ when he was with some people, and he said,

Ḥadīthلَقَدْ هَمَمْتُ أَنْ أَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْغِيلَةِ فَنَظَرْتُ فِي الرُّومِ وَفَارِسَ، فَإِذَا هُمْ يُغِيلُونَ أَوْلَادَهُمْ، وَلَا يَضُرُّ أَوْلَادَهُمْ ذَٰلِكَ شَيْئًا

«I was about to prohibit sexual relations with breast feeding women, but then I saw that the Romans and the Persians have sexual relations with their women who breast feed their children and it does not harm the children at all.»

Then they asked him about interruption of sexual intercourse to prevent the male discharge from entering the womb of the woman, and he said,

Ḥadīthذَلِكَ الْوَأْدُ الْخَفِيُّ، وَهُوَ الْمَوْءُودَةُ سُئِلَتْ

«That is the minor infanticide and it is the female infant buried alive (Maw'ūdah) that will be questioned.»"^{16Aḥmad 6:434.}

Muslim, Ibn Mājah, Abu Dāwud, At-Tirmidhi and An-Nasā'ī, all recorded this Ḥadīth as well.^{17Muslim 2:1066, 1067, Ibn Mājah 1:648, Abu Dāwud 3:211, Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 6:249, and An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 6:106.}

The Atonement for burying Infant Girls Alive

'Abdur-Razzāq said that Isrā'īl informed them from Simāk bin Ḥarb, from An-Nu'mān bin Bashīr, who reported from 'Umar bin Al-Khaṭṭāb that he said concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 81:8وَإِذَا ٱلْمَوْءُۥدَةُ سُئِلَتْ

«And when the female infant buried alive is questioned.»

"Qays bin 'Āṣim came to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ and said, 'O Messenger of Allāh! Verily, I buried some daughters of mine alive in the period of pre-Islāmic ignorance.' The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthأَعْتِقْ عَنْ كُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُنَّ رَقَبَةً

«Free a slave for each one of them.»

Then Qays said, 'O Messenger of Allāh! Verily, I am an owner of camels.' The Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthفَانْحَرْ عَنْ كُلِّ وَاحِدَةٍ مِنْهُنَّ بَدَنَةً

«Then sacrifice a camel for each one of them.»"^{18'Abdur-Razzāq 3:351.}

The Distribution of the Pages

Allāh says,

Qur’an 81:10وَإِذَا ٱلصُّحُفُ نُشِرَتْ

«And when the pages are laid open.» Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said, "Every person will be given his paper in his right hand or in his left hand." Qatādah said, "O Son of Ādam ! It (your paper) is written in, then it is rolled up, then it will be distributed to you on the Day of Judgement. So let each man look at what he himself dictated to be written in his paper."^{19Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:249.}

Removing the Heavens, kindling Hellfire, and Paradise being brought near

Allāh says,

Qur’an 81:11وَإِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ كُشِطَتْ

«And when the heaven is Kushiṭat;» Mujāhid said, "It drawns away."^{20Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:249.} As-Suddi said, "Stripped off." Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 81:12وَإِذَا ٱلْجَحِيمُ سُعِّرَتْ

«And when Hell is Su'irat.» As-Suddi said, "It is heated." In reference to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 81:13وَإِذَا ٱلْجَنَّةُ أُزْلِفَتْ

«And when Paradise is brought near.» Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, Abu Mālik, Qatādah, and Ar-Rabī' bin Khuthaym, all said, "This means it will be brought near to its inhabitants."

Everyone will know what He has brought on the Day of Judgement

Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 81:14عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أَحْضَرَتْ

«Every person will know what he has brought.»

This is the conclusive response of the previous statements,

Qur’an 81:1–29إِذَا ٱلشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلنُّجُومُ ٱنكَدَرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْجِبَالُ سُيِّرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْعِشَارُ عُطِّلَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْوُحُوشُ حُشِرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْبِحَارُ سُجِّرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلنُّفُوسُ زُوِّجَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْمَوْءُۥدَةُ سُئِلَتْ بِأَىِّ ذَنۢبٍ قُتِلَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلصُّحُفُ نُشِرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلسَّمَآءُ كُشِطَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْجَحِيمُ سُعِّرَتْ وَإِذَا ٱلْجَنَّةُ أُزْلِفَتْ عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَّآ أَحْضَرَتْ فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِٱلْخُنَّسِ ٱلْجَوَارِ ٱلْكُنَّسِ وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا عَسْعَسَ وَٱلصُّبْحِ إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ ذِى قُوَّةٍ عِندَ ذِى ٱلْعَرْشِ مَكِينٍ مُّطَاعٍ ثَمَّ أَمِينٍ وَمَا صَاحِبُكُم بِمَجْنُونٍ وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْمُبِينِ وَمَا هُوَ عَلَى ٱلْغَيْبِ بِضَنِينٍ وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَيْطَٰنٍ رَّجِيمٍ فَأَيْنَ تَذْهَبُونَ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ لِمَن شَآءَ مِنكُمْ أَن يَسْتَقِيمَ وَمَا تَشَآءُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

meaning at the time these matters occur, every soul will know what it has done, and that will be brought forth for it, as Allāh says,

Qur’an 3:30يَوْمَ تَجِدُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ مُّحْضَرًا وَمَا عَمِلَتْ مِن سُوٓءٍ تَوَدُّ لَوْ أَنَّ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَهُۥٓ أَمَدًۢا بَعِيدًا

«On the Day when every person will be confronted with all the good he has done, and all the evil he has done, he will wish that there were a great distance between him and his evil.» (3:30)

Allāh also says,

Qur’an 75:13يُنَبَّؤُا۟ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ يَوْمَئِذٍۭ بِمَا قَدَّمَ وَأَخَّرَ

«On that Day man will be informed of what he sent forward, and what he left behind.» (75:13)

Qur’an 81:15–29فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِٱلْخُنَّسِ ٱلْجَوَارِ ٱلْكُنَّسِ وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا عَسْعَسَ وَٱلصُّبْحِ إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ ذِى قُوَّةٍ عِندَ ذِى ٱلْعَرْشِ مَكِينٍ مُّطَاعٍ ثَمَّ أَمِينٍ وَمَا صَاحِبُكُم بِمَجْنُونٍ وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْمُبِينِ وَمَا هُوَ عَلَى ٱلْغَيْبِ بِضَنِينٍ وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَيْطَٰنٍ رَّجِيمٍ فَأَيْنَ تَذْهَبُونَ إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ لِمَن شَآءَ مِنكُمْ أَن يَسْتَقِيمَ وَمَا تَشَآءُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«15. But nay! I swear by Al-Khunnas.» «16. Al-Jawār Al-Kunnas.» «17. And by the night when it 'As'as.» «18. And by the day when it Tanaffas.»

«19. Verily, this is the Word a most honorable messenger.»

«20. Dhi Quwwah, with the Lord of the Throne - Makīn,»

«21. Obeyed there, trustworthy.»

«22. And your companion is not a madman.»

«23. And indeed he saw him in the clear horizon.»

«24. And he withholds not a knowledge of the Unseen.»

«25. And it is not the word of the outcast Shayṭān.»

«26. Then where are you going?»

«27. Verily, this is no less than a Reminder for the creatures.»

«28. To whomsoever among you who wills to walk straight.»

«29. And you cannot will unless that Allāh wills - the Lord of all that exists.»

The Explanation of the Words Al-Khunnas and Al-Kunnas

Muslim recorded in his Ṣaḥīḥ, and An-Nasā'ī in his Book of Tafsīr, in explaining this Āyah, from 'Amr bin Ḥurayth that he said, "I prayed the Morning prayer behind the Prophet ﷺ, and I heard him reciting,

Qur’an 81:15–18فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِٱلْخُنَّسِ ٱلْجَوَارِ ٱلْكُنَّسِ وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا عَسْعَسَ وَٱلصُّبْحِ إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ

«But nay! I swear by Al-Khunnas, Al-Jawār Al-Kunnas, and by the night when it 'As'as, and by the day when it Tanaffas.»"^{1Muslim 1:336, and An-Nasā'ī in Al-Kubrā 6:507.}

Ibn Jarīr recorded from Khālid bin 'Ar'arah that he heard 'Ali being asked about the Āyah;

(لَا أُقْسِمُ بِالْخُنَّسِ. الْجَوَارِ الْكُنَّسِ)

(Nay! I swear by Al-Khunnas, Al-Jawār Al-Kunnas.)

and he said, "These are the stars that withdraw (disappear) during the day and sweep across the sky (appear) at night."^{2Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:251.}

Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 81:17وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا عَسْعَسَ

«And by the night when it 'As'as.» There are two opinions about this statement. One of them is that this refers to its advancing with its darkness. Mujāhid said, "It means its darkening." Sa'īd bin Jubayr said, "When it begins." Al-Ḥasan Al-Baṣri said, "When it covers the people."^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:256.} This was also said by 'Āṭiyah Al-'Awfi.^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:256.} 'Ali bin Abi Ṭalḥah and Al-'Awfi both reported from Ibn 'Abbās:

Qur’an 81:17إِذَا عَسْعَسَ

«when it 'As'as» "This means when it goes away."^{5Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:255.} Mujāhid, Qatādah and Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, all said the same.^{6Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:256.} Zayd bin Aslam and his son 'Abdur-Raḥmān also made a similar statement, when they said,

Qur’an 81:17إِذَا عَسْعَسَ

«when it 'As'as» "This means when it leaves, and thus it turns away."^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:256.}

I believe that the intent in Allāh's saying,

Qur’an 81:17إِذَا عَسْعَسَ

«when it 'As'as» is when it approaches, even though it is correct to use this word for departing also. However, approachment is a more suitable usage here. It is as if Allāh is swearing by the night and its darkness when it approaches, and by the morning and its light when it shines from the east. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 92:1–2وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَىٰ وَٱلنَّهَارِ إِذَا تَجَلَّىٰ

«By the night as it envelops. By the day as it appears in brightness» (92:1-2)

and He also says,

Qur’an 93:1–2وَٱلضُّحَىٰ وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ

«By the forenoon. By the night when it darkens.» (93:1-2)

Allāh also says,

Qur’an 6:96فَالِقُ ٱلْإِصْبَاحِ وَجَعَلَ ٱلَّيْلَ سَكَنًا

«Cleaver of the daybreak. He has appointed night for resting.» (6:96)

And there are other similar Āyāt that mention this. Many of the scholars of the fundamentals of language have said that the word 'As'as is used to mean advancing and retreating, with both meanings sharing the same word.

Therefore, it is correct that the intent could be both of them, and Allāh knows best.

Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 81:18وَٱلصُّبْحِ إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ

«And by the day when it Tanaffas.»

Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk said, "When it rises." Qatādah said, "When it brightens and advances."^{8Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:258.}

Jibrīl descended with the Qur'ān and it is not the Result of Insanity

Concerning Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 81:19إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوْلُ رَسُولٍ كَرِيمٍ

«Verily, this is the Word of a most honorable messenger.»

meaning, indeed this Qur'ān is being conveyed by a noble messenger, which is referring to an honorable angel, who has good character and a radiant appearance, and he is Jibrīl.

Ibn 'Abbās, Ash-Sha'bi, Maymūn bin Mihrān, Al-Ḥasan, Qatādah, Ar-Rabī' bin Anas, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk and others have said this.^{9Al-Qurṭubi 19:240 Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 8:433.}

Qur’an 81:20ذِى قُوَّةٍ

«Dhi Quwwah» This is similar to Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 53:5–6عَلَّمَهُۥ شَدِيدُ ٱلْقُوَىٰ ذُو مِرَّةٍ

«He has been taught by one mighty in power, Dhu Mirrah.» (53:5-6) meaning, mighty in creation, mighty in strength and mighty in actions.

Qur’an 81:20عِندَ ذِى ٱلْعَرْشِ مَكِينٍ

«with the Lord of the Throne - Makīn,» meaning, he has high status and lofty rank with Allāh.

Qur’an 81:21مُّطَاعٍ ثَمَّ

«Obeyed there,» meaning, he has prestige, his word is listened to, and he is obeyed among the most high gathering (of angels). Qatādah said,

Qur’an 81:21مُّطَاعٍ ثَمَّ

«Obeyed there» "This means in the heavens. He is not one of the lower ranking (ordinary) angels. Rather he is from the high ranking, prestigious angels. He is respected and has been chosen for (the delivery of) this magnificent Message." Allāh then says,

Qur’an 81:21أَمِينٍ

«trustworthy.» This is a description of Jibrīl as being trustworthy. This is something very great, that the Almighty Lord has commended His servant and angelic Messenger, Jibrīl, just as He has commended His servant and human Messenger, Muḥammad ﷺ by His statement,

Qur’an 81:22وَمَا صَاحِبُكُم بِمَجْنُونٍ

«And your companion is not a madman.» Ash-Sha'bi, Maymūn bin Mihrān, Abu Ṣāliḥ and others who have been previously mentioned, all said, "This refers to Muḥammad ﷺ."^{10Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:259, and Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 8:434.} Allāh said,

Qur’an 81:23وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْمُبِينِ

«And indeed he saw him in the clear horizon.» meaning, indeed Muḥammad ﷺ saw Jibrīl, who brought him the Message from Allāh, in the form that Allāh created him in (i.e., his true form), and he had six hundred wings.

Qur’an 81:23بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْمُبِينِ

«in the clear horizon.» meaning, clear. This refers to the first sighting which occurred at Al-Baṭḥā' (Makkah). This incident is mentioned in Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 53:5–10عَلَّمَهُۥ شَدِيدُ ٱلْقُوَىٰ ذُو مِرَّةٍ فَٱسْتَوَىٰ وَهُوَ بِٱلْأُفُقِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ ثُمَّ دَنَا فَتَدَلَّىٰ فَكَانَ قَابَ قَوْسَيْنِ أَوْ أَدْنَىٰ فَأَوْحَىٰٓ إِلَىٰ عَبْدِهِۦ مَآ أَوْحَىٰ

«He has been taught by one mighty in power (Jibrīl). Dhu Mirrah, then he rose. While he was in the highest part of the horizon. Then he approached and came closer. And was at a distance of two bows' length or less. So (Allāh) revealed to His servant what He revealed.» (53:5-10)

The explanation of this and its confirmation has already preceded, as well as the evidence that proves that it is referring to Jibrīl. It seems apparent – and Allāh knows best – that this Sūrah (At-Takwīr) was revealed before the Night Journey (Al-Isrā'), because nothing has been mentioned in it except this sighting (of Jibrīl), and it is the first sighting. The second sighting has been mentioned in Allāh's statement,

Qur’an 53:13–16وَلَقَدْ رَءَاهُ نَزْلَةً أُخْرَىٰ عِندَ سِدْرَةِ ٱلْمُنتَهَىٰ عِندَهَا جَنَّةُ ٱلْمَأْوَىٰٓ إِذْ يَغْشَى ٱلسِّدْرَةَ مَا يَغْشَىٰ

«And indeed he saw him (Jibrīl) at a second descent. Near Sidrah Al-Muntahā. Near it is the Paradise of Abode. When that covered the lote tree which did cover it!» (53:13-16)

And these Āyāt have only been mentioned in Sūrat An-Najm, which was revealed after Sūrat Al-Isrā' (The Night Journey).

The Prophet ﷺ is not Stingy in conveying the Revelation

(وَمَا هُوَ عَلَى الْغَيْبِ بِظَنِينٍ)

(He is not Ẓanīn over the Unseen)^{11Ibn Kathīr presents this recitation of the Āyah, and refers to the version of Ḥafṣ; "Some recite it..."} meaning Muḥammad ﷺ is not following false conjecture about what Allāh revealed. Others have recited this Āyah with the 'Ḍād' in the word Ḍanīn, which means that he is not stingy, but rather he conveys it to everyone. Sufyān bin 'Uyaynah said, "Ẓanīn and Ḍanīn both have the same meaning. They mean that he is not a liar, nor is he a wicked, sinful person. The Ẓanīn is one who follows false supposition, and the Ḍanīn is one who is stingy."^{12Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :261.} Qatādah said, "The Qur'ān was unseen and Allāh revealed it to Muḥammad ﷺ, and he did not withhold it from the people. Rather he announced it, conveyed it, and offered it to everyone who wanted it."^{13Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :261.} 'Ikrimah, Ibn Zayd and others have made similar statements. Ibn Jarīr preferred the recitation Ḍanīn.^{14Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :260, 261, and Ad-Durr Al-Manthūr 8 :435.} I say that both of recitations have been confirmed by numerous routes of transmission, and its meaning is correct either way, as we have mentioned earlier.

The Qur'ān is a Reminder for all the Worlds and It is not the Inspiration of Shayṭān

Allāh says,

Qur’an 81:25وَمَا هُوَ بِقَوْلِ شَيْطَٰنٍ رَّجِيمٍ

«And it is not the word of the outcast Shayṭān.» meaning, this Qur'ān is not the statement of an outcast Shayṭān. This means that he is not able to produce it, nor is it befitting of him to do so. This is as Allāh says,

Qur’an 26:210–212وَمَا تَنَزَّلَتْ بِهِ ٱلشَّيَٰطِينُ وَمَا يَنۢبَغِى لَهُمْ وَمَا يَسْتَطِيعُونَ إِنَّهُمْ عَنِ ٱلسَّمْعِ لَمَعْزُولُونَ

«And it is not the Shayāṭīn who have brought it down. Neither would it suit them nor they can. Verily, they have been removed far from hearing it.» (26:210-212) Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 81:26فَأَيْنَ تَذْهَبُونَ

«Then where are you going?» meaning, where has your reason gone, in rejecting this Qur'ān, while it is manifest, clear, and evident that it is the truth from Allāh. This is as Abu Bakr Aṣ-Ṣiddīq said to the delegation of Bani Ḥanīfah when they came to him as Muslims and he commanded them to recite (something from the Qur'ān). So they recited something to him from the so called Qur'ān of Mūsaylimah the Liar, that was total gibberish and terribly poor in style. Thus, Abu Bakr said, "Woe unto you! Where have your senses gone? By Allāh, this speech did not come from a god." Qatādah said,

Qur’an 81:26فَأَيْنَ تَذْهَبُونَ

«Then where are you going?» meaning, from the Book of Allāh and His obedience. Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 81:27إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«Verily, this is no less than a Reminder to the creatures.» meaning, this Qur'ān is a reminder for all of mankind. They are reminded by it and receive admonition from it.

Qur’an 81:28لِمَن شَآءَ مِنكُمْ أَن يَسْتَقِيمَ

«To whomsoever among you who wills to walk straight.» meaning, whoever seeks guidance, then he must adhere to this Qur'ān, for verily it is his salvation and guidance. There is no guidance in other than it.

Qur’an 81:29وَمَا تَشَآءُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«And you cannot will unless (it be) that Allāh wills - the Lord of all that exists.» This means that the will is not left to you all, so that whoever wishes to be guided, then he is guided, and whoever wishes to be astray, then he goes astray, rather, all of this is according to the will of Allāh the Exalted, and He is the Lord of all that exists. It is reported from Sulaymān bin Mūsā that when this Āyah was revealed,

Qur’an 81:28لِمَن شَآءَ مِنكُمْ أَن يَسْتَقِيمَ

«To whomsoever among you who wills to walk straight.» Abu Jahl said, "The matter is up to us. If we wish, we will stand straight, and we do not wish, we will not stand straight." So Allāh revealed,

Qur’an 81:29وَمَا تَشَآءُونَ إِلَّآ أَن يَشَآءَ ٱللَّهُ رَبُّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ

«And you cannot will unless (it be) that Allāh wills - the Lord of the all that exists.»^{15Aṭ-Ṭabari 24 :264. This is a Mursal narration.}

This is the end of the Tafsīr of Sūrat At-Takwīr, and all praise and thanks are due to Allāh.