Al-Fajr | The Dawn
[89:1] I swear by the dawn,
[89:2] and by Ten Nights,
[89:3] and by the even and the odd,
[89:4] and by the night when it moves away,
[89:5] Is there (not) in such an oath (enough assurance) for a man of sense?
[89:6]Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with (the people) of Ad
[89:7] of Iram, the men of tall pillars,
[89:8] the like of whom were never created in the lands,
[89:9] and (how He dealt) with (the people of) Thamud who had carved out the rocks in the Valley (of Qura),
[89:10] and with Firaun (Pharaoh), the man of the stakes,
[89:11] those who had rebelled in the cities,
[89:12] and spread a lot of mischief therein.
[89:13] So, your Lord let loose on them the whip of torment.
[89:14] Surely your Lord is ever on the watch.
[89:15] As for man, when his Lord tests him and thus gives him honour and bounties, he says, My Lord has honoured me.
[89:16] But when he tests him, and thus straitens his provision for him, he says, .My Lord has disgraced me.
[89:17] No! But you do not honour the orphan,
[89:18] and do not encourage one another to feed the needy.
[89:19] And you devour the inheritance with a sweeping gulp,
[89:20] and love wealth, an excessive love.
[89:21] No! When the earth will be crushed thoroughly to be turned into bits,
[89:22] and your Lord will come, and the angels as well, lined up in rows,
[89:23] and Jahannam (Hell), on that day, will be brought forward, it will be the day when man will realize the truth, but from where will he take
advantage of such realization?
[89:24] He will say, O Would that I had sent ahead (some good deeds) for (this) my life!.
[89:25] So no one can punish like He will punish, that day,
[89:26] nor can anyone shackle like He will shackle.
[89:27] (As for an obedient man, it will be said to him,) .O content soul,
[89:28] come back to your Lord, well-pleased, well-pleasing.
[89:29] So, enter among My (special) servants,
[89:30] and enter My Paradise.
[89:1] I swear by the dawn,
[89:2] and by Ten Nights,
[89:3] and by the even and the odd,
[89:4] and by the night when it moves away,
[89:5] Is there (not) in such an oath (enough assurance) for a man of sense?
[89:6]Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with (the people) of Ad
[89:7] of Iram, the men of tall pillars,
[89:8] the like of whom were never created in the lands,
[89:9] and (how He dealt) with (the people of) Thamud who had carved out the rocks in the Valley (of Qura),
[89:10] and with Firaun (Pharaoh), the man of the stakes,
[89:11] those who had rebelled in the cities,
[89:12] and spread a lot of mischief therein.
[89:13] So, your Lord let loose on them the whip of torment.
[89:14] Surely your Lord is ever on the watch.
[89:15] As for man, when his Lord tests him and thus gives him honour and bounties, he says, My Lord has honoured me.
[89:16] But when he tests him, and thus straitens his provision for him, he says, .My Lord has disgraced me.
[89:17] No! But you do not honour the orphan,
[89:18] and do not encourage one another to feed the needy.
[89:19] And you devour the inheritance with a sweeping gulp,
[89:20] and love wealth, an excessive love.
[89:21] No! When the earth will be crushed thoroughly to be turned into bits,
[89:22] and your Lord will come, and the angels as well, lined up in rows,
[89:23] and Jahannam (Hell), on that day, will be brought forward, it will be the day when man will realize the truth, but from where will he take
advantage of such realization?
[89:24] He will say, O Would that I had sent ahead (some good deeds) for (this) my life!.
[89:25] So no one can punish like He will punish, that day,
[89:26] nor can anyone shackle like He will shackle.
[89:27] (As for an obedient man, it will be said to him,) .O content soul,
[89:28] come back to your Lord, well-pleased, well-pleasing.
[89:29] So, enter among My (special) servants,
[89:30] and enter My Paradise.
Tafsir
Overview of Surah Al-Fajr
- Title and Position: Surah Al-Fajr is the 89th chapter of the Quran. The title “Al-Fajr” translates to “The Dawn,” referring to the time of day mentioned at the beginning of the surah, which is often associated with oaths in the Quran to signify the importance of the subsequent messages.
- Verses and Structure: This surah contains 30 verses. It is recognized for its themes of reflection on the rise and fall of previous nations, the nature of human discontent, and the ultimate judgment and recompense in the hereafter.
- Themes and Messages: Major themes include the consequences of arrogance and transgression, the temporary nature of worldly power and wealth, the importance of righteousness, and the certainty of divine judgment and accountability.
- Significance in Islamic Thought: Surah Al-Fajr is significant for its emphasis on moral and spiritual lessons drawn from historical narratives, its exploration of human psychology in relation to gratitude and greed, and its vivid portrayal of the Day of Judgment.
Detailed Explanation
- Divine Oaths: The surah begins with oaths by the dawn, the ten nights, the even and the odd, and the night as it passes, setting a solemn tone that underscores the importance of the ensuing lessons and warnings.
- Historical Examples: It recounts the stories of the ‘Ad, Thamud, and Pharaoh’s people, illustrating how their power and wealth did not prevent their downfall due to their arrogance and disobedience to God.
- Human Discontent: The surah reflects on the human tendency to be ungrateful during times of hardship and overly proud during times of prosperity, urging a balanced and humble approach to life’s fluctuations.
- Day of Judgment: Al-Fajr vividly describes the Day of Judgment, emphasizing the reality of resurrection, the final judgment, and the starkly different fates awaiting the righteous and the wicked.
- Moral and Ethical Guidance: The surah concludes with a call to righteousness, emphasizing that true success is achieved through ethical conduct, sincerity, and devotion to God, contrasting with the transient nature of worldly achievements.
FAQs
- Why is Surah Al-Fajr named “The Dawn”?
- The surah is named “Al-Fajr” because it begins with an oath by the dawn, using this time of day to signify the weight and seriousness of the messages conveyed in the surah.
- What lessons are drawn from the historical examples in the surah?
- The narratives of the ‘Ad, Thamud, and Pharaoh’s people serve as warnings about the consequences of arrogance, the rejection of divine guidance, and the inevitable downfall of those who transgress the bounds of morality.
- How does Surah Al-Fajr describe the Day of Judgment?
- It provides a compelling depiction of the Day of Judgment, highlighting the inevitability of accountability, the thorough examination of deeds, and the ultimate reward or punishment based on one’s actions in this life.
- What does the surah suggest about human nature and wealth?
- Surah Al-Fajr suggests that humans exhibit a range of responses to wealth and hardship, often showing discontent and ingratitude, and it advocates for a consistent, humble approach to life’s trials and blessings.
- The surah is named “Al-Fajr” because it begins with an oath by the dawn, using this time of day to signify the weight and seriousness of the messages conveyed in the surah.
- The narratives of the ‘Ad, Thamud, and Pharaoh’s people serve as warnings about the consequences of arrogance, the rejection of divine guidance, and the inevitable downfall of those who transgress the bounds of morality.
- It provides a compelling depiction of the Day of Judgment, highlighting the inevitability of accountability, the thorough examination of deeds, and the ultimate reward or punishment based on one’s actions in this life.
- Surah Al-Fajr suggests that humans exhibit a range of responses to wealth and hardship, often showing discontent and ingratitude, and it advocates for a consistent, humble approach to life’s trials and blessings.
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