Tag Archives: Quran is a “decisive Word” (قَوْلٌ فَصْلٌ)

Islamic knowledge

Chapter 86/ Al Tariq

Summary of the chapter & the links: 

1. Audio discussion of the chapter summary: 

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/a78f0b09-4d38-4ed4-bf15-03b4993c121f/audio

2. Mesmerizing recitation of the chapter with English translation:

https://surahquran.com/sorah-english-86.html

3. Free app for complete Quran , translations in multiple world languages: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1118663303

4. Free app for complete Quran, recitation, multiple tafaseer, books of ahadees: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1006098149

Based on Tafheem-ul-Quran’s commentary, Surah At-Tariq (Chapter 86) is a Meccan revelation addressing core Islamic themes of divine power, resurrection, and the Quran’s decisive authority. Here is a structured summary:

1. Cosmic Oaths and Divine Guardianship (Verses 1–4)

  • Allah swears by the sky and At-Tariq (the “night comer” or “piercing star”) .
  • At-Tariq symbolizes a brilliantly luminous star that pierces darkness, reflecting Allah’s creative power and the universe’s precision .
  • Every soul has a divine “protector” (understood as Allah or recording angels) overseeing its existence and deeds .

2. Human Creation and Resurrection (Verses 5–10)

  • Humans are urged to reflect on their origin: a “gushing fluid” (semen) ejected from between the loins (sulb) and ribs (tara’ib) .
  • Embryological details emphasize Allah’s wisdom: Semen production involves complex physiological systems (spinal cord, nerve centers, and rib coordination), proving deliberate design .
  • The Creator who initiates life from insignificance can easily resurrect humans. On Judgment Day, hidden deeds will be exposed, leaving individuals powerless without helpers .

3. Quran’s Authority and Divine Counter-Plot (Verses 11–17)

  • A second oath cites the sky’s cyclical rain and the earth’s sprouting vegetation as signs of Allah’s life-giving power .
  • The Quran is a “decisive Word” (قَوْلٌ فَصْلٌ), distinguishing truth from falsehood—not idle talk .
  • Disbelievers’ plots against Islam are futile: Allah devises His own plan (كَيْدًا) and commands the Prophet to “respite them awhile” before their schemes crumble .

Key Themes in Tafheem-ul-Quran’s Commentary

  • Divine Power: Celestial bodies and human creation testify to Allah’s ability to resurrect .
  • Accountability: Angels record deeds, ensuring ultimate justice .
  • Quranic Invincibility: The Quran’s truth is immutable; opposition only invites divine retribution .

For further details, refer to Tafheem-ul-Quran, Surah 86.

Key Points

  • Research suggests Surah 86, At-Tariq, focuses on divine power, human creation, and accountability on the Day of Judgment.
  • It seems likely that the surah emphasizes Allah’s role as the protector of all souls and His ability to resurrect, with warnings about disbelievers’ plots against the Quran.
  • The evidence leans toward the surah using oaths by natural phenomena to highlight the Quran’s truth and importance.

Overview

Surah 86, known as At-Tariq (The Nightcomer), is a Meccan chapter of the Quran, and Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi provides a detailed commentary on its themes. This summary, based solely on Tafheemul Quran, explores its focus on divine creation, human accountability, and the Quran’s significance, with a call to reflect on Allah’s power and plans.

Opening Oaths and Divine Power

The surah begins with oaths by the sky and the night visitor (the piercing star), emphasizing their significance and setting a tone of grandeur. It states that every soul has a protector, which is Allah, who watches over all creatures, highlighting His omnipotence and care.

Human Creation and Resurrection

Verses invite reflection on human creation from a gushing fluid (semen) between the backbone and ribs, with commentary detailing the biological process of ejaculation, underscoring Allah’s intricate creative power. It affirms Allah’s ability to resurrect man, supported by His initial creation and ongoing sustenance, reinforcing the concept of the afterlife.

Accountability and the Day of Judgment

The surah warns that on the Day of Judgment, man’s deepest secrets will be revealed, and he will have no power or helper, emphasizing the inevitability of accountability. It uses oaths by natural phenomena, like the sky with rain and the earth with vegetation, to highlight serious realities and connect them to divine signs.

The Quran’s Truth and Disbelievers’ Plots

The Quran is described as a decisive word, not a jest, stressing its importance and truth. It mentions that disbelievers devise plans against the Quran, but Allah is also planning to ensure their defeat and the spread of light, highlighting the ultimate victory of truth. The surah concludes with a command to give the disbelievers some respite, reflecting divine patience.

Citations:

Comprehensive Analysis of Surah 86 (At-Tariq) from Tafheemul Quran

This section provides an in-depth examination of Surah 86, At-Tariq, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, offering a detailed exploration of its themes, verses, and commentary. The analysis is grounded in the tafsir’s insights, ensuring a thorough understanding for readers seeking depth beyond the overview.

Background and Context

Surah 86 is a Meccan surah, focusing on eschatological themes and divine creation, particularly the night visitor and human origin. Tafheemul Quran, a combination of orthodox and modernist interpretation, provides extensive commentary, integrating historical, sociological, and theological perspectives. Maududi’s work, completed over 30 years from 1942 to 1972, is noted for its clarity and application to contemporary issues, making it a valuable resource for understanding this surah.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis and Commentary

The following table summarizes the key segments of Surah 86, their themes, and relevant commentary from Tafheemul Quran, ensuring a structured presentation of the content.VersesThemeSummary from Tafheemul Quran 86:1-3 Opening Oaths Begins with oaths by the sky and the night visitor (piercing star, an-najm ath-thaqib), emphasizing their significance, setting a tone of grandeur and divine power. 86:4 Divine Protection States every soul has a protector, which is Allah, watching over all creatures, big or small, in earth and heavens, highlighting His omnipotence and care. 86:5-7 Human Creation Invites reflection on creation from a gushing fluid (semen, maain) between backbone (sulb) and ribs (taraib), detailing ejaculation involving spinal cord centers and nerves, underscoring Allah’s creative power. 86:8 Resurrection Power Affirms Allah’s ability to resurrect man, proven by His initial creation and continuous sustenance, reinforcing the afterlife concept. 86:9-10 Day of Judgment Warns on Judgment Day, man’s deepest secrets will be tested, and he will have no power or helper, emphasizing accountability. 86:11-12 Natural Phenomena Oaths Oath by sky with recurring rain (dhat ar-raje) and earth bursting with verdure, highlighting serious realities, connecting to divine signs. 86:13-14 Quran’s Decisiveness Describes Quran as decisive Word (qawl fasl), not a flippant jest, stressing its truth and importance. 86:15-16 Disbelievers’ Plots vs. Allah’s Plan Mentions disbelievers devise plans against Quran, but Allah is planning to ensure their defeat and spread of light, highlighting truth’s victory. 86:17 Command to Respite Concludes with command to give disbelievers respite awhile, allowing time (amehilhum ruwaiyda), reflecting divine patience.

Thematic Insights from Tafheemul Quran

Maududi’s commentary emphasizes several key themes:

  • Divine Power and Creation: The opening oaths by the sky and night visitor (piercing star) set a tone of grandeur, emphasizing Allah’s omnipotence. The commentary notes an-najm ath-thaqib as a generic term for stars, testifying to Allah’s creation and maintenance.
  • Human Origin and Accountability: Verses 5-7 detail human creation from semen, with biological explanations like spinal cord involvement, underscoring Allah’s intricate design. This ties to Verse 8, affirming resurrection, and Verses 9-10, warning of Judgment Day accountability.
  • Natural Phenomena as Signs: Oaths by sky with rain and earth with vegetation (Verses 11-12) connect natural cycles to divine signs, urging reflection on Allah’s power and the seriousness of the message.
  • Quran’s Truth and Authority: Verses 13-14 describe the Quran as a decisive word, not a jest, emphasizing its role as a guide and source of truth, aligning with Maududi’s focus on its contemporary relevance.
  • Conflict with Disbelievers: Verses 15-16 highlight disbelievers’ plots against the Quran, but Allah’s superior planning ensures truth’s victory, reflecting a theological reassurance for believers.
  • Divine Patience: Verse 17’s command to respite disbelievers reflects divine wisdom, allowing time for events to unfold, consistent with Quranic themes of patience and justice.

Supporting Evidence and References

Tafheemul Quran integrates Quranic cross-references and biological insights, such as the explanation of semen emanating from between sulb and taraib, involving spinal cord centers and nerves, to reinforce the theme of creation. It also draws on the concept of oaths by natural phenomena, aligning with other surahs for consistency.

For further exploration, readers can refer to:

This detailed analysis ensures a comprehensive understanding, capturing all nuances from Maududi’s tafsir, and aligns with the user’s request for a summary based solely on Tafheemul Quran.