The Tafsīr of Sūrat Aḍ-Ḍuḥā (Chapter - 93)

Which was revealed in Makkah

Arabic quotation as printed; not matched to Tanzil, so not shown as the Qur’anلَا يَصْلَىٰهَآ إِلَّا ٱلْأَشْقَى ٱلَّذِى كَذَّبَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ وَسَيُجَنَّبُهَا ٱلْأَتْقَى ٱلَّذِى يُؤْتِى مَالَهُۥ يَتَزَكَّىٰ وَمَا لِأَحَدٍ عِندَهُۥ مِن نِّعْمَةٍ تُجْزَىٰٓ إِلَّا ٱبْتِغَآءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِ ٱلْأَعْلَىٰ وَلَسَوْفَ يَرْضَىٰ وَٱلضُّحَىٰ وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ وَلَلْـَٔاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰٓ أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَـَٔاوَىٰ وَوَجَدَكَ ضَآلًّا فَهَدَىٰ وَوَجَدَكَ عَآئِلًا فَأَغْنَىٰ فَأَمَّا ٱلْيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقْهَرْ وَأَمَّا ٱلسَّآئِلَ فَلَا تَنْهَرْ وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ وَوَضَعْنَا عَنكَ وِزْرَكَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنقَضَ ظَهْرَكَ وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَٱنصَبْ وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَٱرْغَب

Qur’anبِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

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

Qur’an 93:1–11وَٱلضُّحَىٰ وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ وَلَلْـَٔاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰٓ أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَـَٔاوَىٰ وَوَجَدَكَ ضَآلًّا فَهَدَىٰ وَوَجَدَكَ عَآئِلًا فَأَغْنَىٰ فَأَمَّا ٱلْيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقْهَرْ وَأَمَّا ٱلسَّآئِلَ فَلَا تَنْهَرْ وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ

«1. By the forenoon.» «2. By the night when it darkens.» «3. Your Lord has neither forsaken you nor hates you.» «4. And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present.» «5. And verily, your Lord will give you so that you shall be well-pleased.» «6. Did He not find you an orphan and gave you a refuge?» «7. And He found you unaware and guided you?» «8. And He found you poor and made you rich?» «9. Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression.» «10. And repulse not the one who asks.» «11. And proclaim the grace of your Lord.»

The Reason for the Revelation of Sūrat Aḍ-Ḍuḥā

Imām Aḥmad recorded from Jundub that he said, “The Prophet ﷺ became ill, so he did not stand for prayer for a night or two. Then a woman came and said, 'O Muḥammad! I think that your devil has finally left you.' So Allāh revealed,

Qur’an 93:1–3وَٱلضُّحَىٰ وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ

«By the forenoon. By the night when it darkens. Your Lord has neither forsaken you nor hates you.»”^{1Aḥmad 4:312.}

Al-Bukhāri, Muslim, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasā’ī, Ibn Abi Ḥātim and Ibn Jarīr, all recorded this Ḥadīth.^{2Fatḥ Al-Bāri 3:11, and 8:580, 581, 619, and Muslim 3:1421, 1422, Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 9:272, An-Nasā’ī in Al-Kubrā 6:517, and Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:485, 486.} This Jundub (who narrated it) is Ibn ‘Abdullāh Al-Bajali Al-‘Alaqi. In a narration from Al-Aswad bin Qays, he said that he heard Jundub say that Jibrīl was slow in coming to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ. So the idolators said, “Muḥammad's Lord has abandoned him.” So Allāh revealed,

Qur’an 93:1–3وَٱلضُّحَىٰ وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ

«By the forenoon. By the night when it darkens. Your Lord has neither forsaken you nor hates you.»^{3Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:486.}

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

«By the forenoon. By the night when it darkens.»

Al-‘Awfi reported from Ibn ‘Abbās, “When the Qur’ān was revealed to the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ, Jibrīl was delayed from coming to him for a number of days (on one occasion). Therefore, the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was affected by this. Then the idolators began to say, ‘His Lord has abandoned him and hates him.’ So Allāh revealed,

Qur’an 93:3مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ

«Your Lord has neither forsaken you nor hates you.»”^{4Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:484, and Al-Qurṭubi 20:91. See the beginning of this book regarding narrations from Al-‘Awfi.}

In this, Allāh is swearing by the forenoon and the light that He has placed in it.

Qur’an 93:2وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ

«By the night when it darkens (Sajā).»

meaning, it settles, darkens and overcomes them. This was said by Mujāhid, Qatādah, Aḍ-Ḍaḥḥāk, Ibn Zayd and others. This is a clear proof of the power of the Creator of this (light) and that (darkness). 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.» (92:1-2)

Allāh also says,

Qur’an 6:96فَالِقُ ٱلْإِصْبَاحِ وَجَعَلَ ٱلَّيْلَ سَكَنًا وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ حُسْبَانًا ذَٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ

«(He is the) Cleaver of the daybreak. He has appointed the night for resting, and the sun and the moon for reckoning. Such is the measuring of the Almighty, the All-Knowing.» (6:96)

Allāh then says,

Qur’an 93:3مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ

«Your Lord has neither forsaken you» meaning, ‘He has not abandoned you.’

Qur’an 93:3وَمَا قَلَىٰ

«nor hates (Qalā) you.» meaning, ‘He does not hate you.’ The Hereafter is Better Than This First Life

Qur’an 93:4وَلَلْـَٔاخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ

«And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present.»

meaning, the abode of the Hereafter is better for you than this current abode. For this reason the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ used to be the most abstinent of the people concerning the worldly things, and he was the greatest of them in his disregard for worldly matters. This is well known by necessity from his biography. When the Prophet ﷺ was given the choice at the end of his life between remaining in this life forever and then going to Paradise, or moving on to the company of Allāh, he chose that which is with Allāh over this lowly world.

Imām Aḥmad recorded that ‘Abdullāh bin Mas‘ūd said, “The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was lying down on a straw mat and it left marks on his side. Then when he woke up he began to rub his side. So I said, ‘O Messenger of Allāh! Will you allow us to spread something soft over this straw mat?’ He replied,

Ḥadīthمَالِي وَلِلدُّنْيَا، إِنَّمَا مَثَلِي وَمَثَلُ الدُّنْيَا كَرَاكِبٍ ظَلَّ تَحْتَ شَجَرَةٍ ثُمَّ رَاحَ وَتَرَكَهَا

«I have nothing to do with this world. The parable of me and this world is like a rider who rests in the shade of a tree, then he passes on and leaves it.»”^{5Aḥmad 1:391.}

At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Mājah both recorded this Ḥadīth by way of Al-Mas‘ūdi. At-Tirmidhi said, “Ḥasan Ṣaḥīḥ.”^{6Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 7:48, and Ibn Mājah 2:1376.}

The Numerous Bounties of the Hereafter are waiting for the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 93:5وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰٓ

«And verily, your Lord will give you so that you shall be well-pleased.»

meaning, in the final abode Allāh will give him until He pleases him concerning his followers, and in that which He has prepared for him from His generosity. From this will be the River of Al-Kawthar, which will have domes of hollowed pearls on its banks, and the mud on its banks will be the strongest frangrance of musk, as will be mentioned.

Imām Abu ‘Amr Al-Awzā‘ī recorded that Ibn ‘Abbās said, “The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ was shown that which his Ummah would be blessed with after him, treasure upon treasure. So he was pleased with that. Then Allāh revealed,

Qur’an 93:5وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰٓ

«And verily, your Lord will give you so that you shall be well-pleased.»

So, Allāh will give him in Paradise one million palaces, and each palace will contain whatever he wishes of wives and servants.”

This was recorded by Ibn Jarīr and Ibn Abi Ḥātim from his route of transmission.^{7Aṭ-Ṭabari 24:487.} This chain of narration is authentic to Ibn ‘Abbās, and statements like this can only be said from that which is Tawqīf.^{8Meaning information that the Prophet ﷺ informed him of.}

A Mention of some of Allāh’s Favors upon the Messenger ﷺ

Enumerating His favors upon His Messenger, Muḥammad ﷺ, Allāh says;

Qur’an 93:6أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَـَٔاوَىٰ

«Did He not find you an orphan and gave you a refuge?»

This refers to the fact that his father died while his mother was still pregnant with him, and his mother, Āminah bint Wahb died when he was only six years old. After this he was under the guardianship of his grandfather, ‘Abdul-Muṭṭalib, until he died when Muḥammad ﷺ was eight years old.

Then his uncle, Abu Ṭālib took responsibility for him and continued to protect him, assist him, elavate his status, honor him, and even restrain his people from harming him when he was forty years of age and Allāh commissioned him with the prophethood. Even with this, Abu Ṭālib continued to follow the religion of his people, worshipping idols. All of this took place by the divine decree of Allāh and His decree is most excellent. Until Abu Ṭālib died a short time before the Hijrah. After this (Abu Ṭālib’s death) the foolish and ignorant people of the Quraysh began to attack him, so Allāh chose for him to migrate away from them to the city of Al-Aws and Al-Khazraj among those who helped him (in Al-Madīnah). Allāh caused his Sunnah to be spread in the most perfect and complete manner. Then, when he arrived at their city, they gave him shelter, supported him, defended him and fought before him (against the enemies of Islām) - may Allāh be pleased with all of them. All of this was from Allāh’s protection for him, guarding over him and caring for him. Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 93:7وَوَجَدَكَ ضَآلًّا فَهَدَىٰ

«He found you unaware and guided you?»

This is similar to Allāh’s saying,

Qur’an 42:52وَكَذَٰلِكَ أَوْحَيْنَآ إِلَيْكَ رُوحًا مِّنْ أَمْرِنَا مَا كُنتَ تَدْرِى مَا ٱلْكِتَٰبُ وَلَا ٱلْإِيمَٰنُ وَلَٰكِن جَعَلْنَٰهُ نُورًا نَّهْدِى بِهِۦ مَن نَّشَآءُ مِنْ عِبَادِنَا

«And thus We have sent to you a Rūḥ from Our command. you knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith. But We have made it a light wherewith We guide whosoever of our servants We will...» (42:52)

Allāh says,

Qur’an 93:8وَوَجَدَكَ عَآئِلًا فَأَغْنَىٰ

«And He found you poor and made you rich?»

meaning, ‘you were poor having dependents, so Allāh made you wealthy and independent of all others besides Him.’ Thus, Allāh combined for him the two positions: the one who is poor and patient, and the one who is wealthy and thankful. In the Two Ṣaḥīḥs it has been recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthلَيْسَ الْغِنَى عَنْ كَثْرَةِ الْعَرَضِ، وَلَكِنَّ الْغِنَى غِنَى النَّفْسِ

«Wealth is not determined by abundance of possessions, but wealth is the richness of the soul.»^{9Fatḥ Al-Bāri 11:276, and Muslim 2:726 with this chain of narration and another chain as well.}

In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, it is recorded from ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Amr that the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthقَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَرُزِقَ كَفَافًا وَقَنَّعَهُ اللهُ بِمَا آتَاهُ

«Whoever accepts Islām, is provided with his basic needs, and Allāh makes him content with what He has given him, then he will be successful.»^{10Muslim 2:730.}

How should this Bounty be responded to?

Then Allāh says,

Qur’an 93:9فَأَمَّا ٱلْيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقْهَرْ

«Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression.» meaning, ‘just as you were an orphan and Allāh sheltered you, then do not oppress the orphan.’ In other words, ‘do not humiliate him, scorn him or despise him. Rather, you should be kind and gentle to him.’ Qatādah said, “Be like a merciful father to the orphan.”^{11Al-Qurṭubi 20:100.}

Qur’an 93:10وَأَمَّا ٱلسَّآئِلَ فَلَا تَنْهَرْ

«And repulse not the one who asks.» meaning, ‘just as you were astray and Allāh guided you, then do not scorn the one who asks for knowledge seeking to be guided.’ Ibn Isḥāq said,

Qur’an 93:10وَأَمَّا ٱلسَّآئِلَ فَلَا تَنْهَرْ

«And repulse not the one who asks.» “This means do not be oppressive, arrogant, wicked, or mean to the weak among Allāh’s servants.” Qatādah said, “This means respond to the poor with mercy and gentleness.”^{12Al-Baghawi 4:500.}

Qur’an 93:11وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ

«And procalim the grace of your Lord.» meaning, ‘just as you were poor and needy, and Allāh made you wealthy, then tell about Allāh’s favor upon you.’ Abu Dāwud recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthلَا يَشْكُرُ اللَّهَ مَنْ لَا يَشْكُرُ النَّاسَ

«Whoever is not thankful to the people, then he is not thankful to Allāh.»^{13Abu Dāwud 5:157.}

At-Tirmidhi also recorded this Ḥadīth and he said, “Ṣaḥīḥ”.^{14Tuḥfat Al-Aḥwadhi 6:87.} Abu Dāwud recorded from Jābir that the Prophet ﷺ said,

Ḥadīthمَنْ أُبْلِيَ بَلَاءً فَذَكَرَهُ فَقَدْ شَكَرَهُ، وَمَنْ كَتَمَهُ فَقَدْ كَفَرَهُ

«Whoever overcomes some test (i.e., calamity) and mentions it (to others), then he is indeed thankful. And whoever conceals it, then indeed he was ungrateful.»^{15Abu Dāwud 5:159.}

Abu Dāwud was alone in recording this Ḥadīth.

This is the end of the Tafsīr of Sūrat Aḍ-Ḍuḥā, and unto Allāh is due all praise and thanks.