Al-Layl | The Night
[92:1] I swear by the night when it covers (the sun),
[92:2] and by the day when it unveils itself,
[92:3] and by the One who created the male and the female,
[92:4] your efforts are diverse:
[92:5] As for the one who gives (in charity) and fears Allah,
[92:6] and believes in the best (religion),
[92:7] We will facilitate for him the way to extreme ease (i.e. the comforts of Paradise).
[92:8] But the one who is miser and deems himself self-sufficient,
[92:9] and rejects the best (religion),
[92:10] We will facilitate for him the way to extreme distress.
[92:11] And his wealth will not help him when he will fall down (into Hell).
[92:12] Of course, it is undertaken by Us to guide,
[92:13] and in Our control is the Hereafter and the worldly life.
[92:14] So I have warned you of a blazing fire.
[92:15] None will enter it but the wretched one,
[92:16] who rejected (the truth) and turned away (from it).
[92:17] And saved from it will be the most God-fearing one,
[92:18] who gives his wealth (in charity) to become purified,
[92:19] while no one has conferred any favour on him for which he would give a return,
[92:20] but (he gave his wealth in charity) only to seek the Countenance of his Lord, the Most High.
[92:21] And surely he will soon be happy.
[92:1] I swear by the night when it covers (the sun),
[92:2] and by the day when it unveils itself,
[92:3] and by the One who created the male and the female,
[92:4] your efforts are diverse:
[92:5] As for the one who gives (in charity) and fears Allah,
[92:6] and believes in the best (religion),
[92:7] We will facilitate for him the way to extreme ease (i.e. the comforts of Paradise).
[92:8] But the one who is miser and deems himself self-sufficient,
[92:9] and rejects the best (religion),
[92:10] We will facilitate for him the way to extreme distress.
[92:11] And his wealth will not help him when he will fall down (into Hell).
[92:12] Of course, it is undertaken by Us to guide,
[92:13] and in Our control is the Hereafter and the worldly life.
[92:14] So I have warned you of a blazing fire.
[92:15] None will enter it but the wretched one,
[92:16] who rejected (the truth) and turned away (from it).
[92:17] And saved from it will be the most God-fearing one,
[92:18] who gives his wealth (in charity) to become purified,
[92:19] while no one has conferred any favour on him for which he would give a return,
[92:20] but (he gave his wealth in charity) only to seek the Countenance of his Lord, the Most High.
[92:21] And surely he will soon be happy.
Tafsir
Overview of Surah Al-Layl
- Title and Position: Surah Al-Layl is the 92nd chapter of the Quran. The title “Al-Layl” translates to “The Night,” named after the celestial phenomenon mentioned in the opening verse, symbolizing the divine wisdom in creating and alternating day and night.
- Verses and Structure: This surah contains 21 verses. It emphasizes the contrasting nature of human actions and their ultimate outcomes, highlighting the moral choices individuals make and their consequences in the hereafter.
- Themes and Messages: Major themes include the inherent differences in human paths and destinies, the encouragement of charitable deeds, the significance of sincere faith, and the ultimate recompense for good and evil actions.
- Significance in Islamic Thought: Surah Al-Layl is significant for its exploration of moral accountability, the encouragement of righteousness and warning against wickedness, and its reflections on the natural signs of God’s existence and power.
Detailed Explanation
- The Night and Day: The surah begins with oaths by the night, the day, and the creation of male and female, illustrating the diversity and balance in God’s creation, which extends to human actions and choices.
- Path of Goodness and Evil: It contrasts the paths of those who give in charity and fear God, leading to ease and success, with those who are miserly and indifferent to divine guidance, leading to hardship and failure.
- Encouragement of Charitable Deeds: The surah emphasizes the value of giving for the sake of God, highlighting that true success comes from selfless acts and a sincere commitment to God’s path.
- Divergent Human Destinies: Al-Layl underscores the differing destinies of individuals based on their choices, reiterating that God’s guidance leads to prosperity, while turning away results in distress and loss.
- Divine Sovereignty: The concluding verses affirm God’s sovereignty and knowledge, asserting that He knows best who is rightly guided, reinforcing the theme of divine omniscience and justice.
FAQs
- Why is Surah Al-Layl named “The Night”?
- The surah is named “Al-Layl” because it starts with an oath by the night, using this natural phenomenon to draw attention to the broader theme of contrasts within God’s creation and human conduct.
- What does the surah suggest about human choices and their outcomes?
- It suggests that human beings have inherently different paths based on their moral choices, with each path leading to distinct outcomes—ease and success for righteousness, hardship and failure for wickedness.
- How does Surah Al-Layl define success and failure?
- Success is defined through the lens of ethical conduct, fear of God, and charitable deeds, while failure is associated with greed, denial of truth, and lack of concern for others.
- What is the significance of the natural oaths in the surah?
- The oaths by night, day, and the creation of male and female serve to highlight the diversity, balance, and purpose in God’s creation, reflecting the broader moral and existential themes addressed in the surah.
- The surah is named “Al-Layl” because it starts with an oath by the night, using this natural phenomenon to draw attention to the broader theme of contrasts within God’s creation and human conduct.
- It suggests that human beings have inherently different paths based on their moral choices, with each path leading to distinct outcomes—ease and success for righteousness, hardship and failure for wickedness.
- Success is defined through the lens of ethical conduct, fear of God, and charitable deeds, while failure is associated with greed, denial of truth, and lack of concern for others.
- The oaths by night, day, and the creation of male and female serve to highlight the diversity, balance, and purpose in God’s creation, reflecting the broader moral and existential themes addressed in the surah.
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