Chapter 89 - 10
Dawn (Surah Al-Fajr)
(30 verses in total; revealed in middle Makkan period)
This chapter calls for attention to natural phenomenon as well as history to understand and question human condition. It provides further exposition to the tumultuous nature of the Day of Resurrection and the consequences of life after death.
Key themes in this chapter are as follows:
The transition of day and night, the mystery of odd and even in math and in creation and certain period of nights are opportunities for deeper reflection
The communities of A’d, Thamud and Pharoah – though favored with power, wealth and safety – had suffered negative consequences for their denial and arrogance
Human beings are quick to claim success for themselves but also quick in blaming God for their failures
The resurrection will bring about the destruction of this earth as known and will expose finally the presence God, angels and afterlife in an undeniable way
But God is always ready to honor human beings if they are devoted to God in this life and in Hereafter
In the Name of God, the God of Mercy, the Endower of Mercy!
By the dawn!
The ten nights!
The even and the odd!
The night as it recedes!
Isn’t there a call1 in all these for those who reason? (v. 1-5)
Have you considered how your Cherisher God dealt
With the people of A’d?
(In the city of) Iram2 with lofty buildings
The likes of which were not established in the land
And with Thamud?
Who carved (dwellings) in rocks in the valley
And Pharaoh?
Mighty and powerful
But transgressed all limits in the land
And caused great mischiefs
God brought a portion of His punishment on them
Indeed, your Sustainer God is ever Watchful! (v. 6-14)
(Consider this) how your Sustainer tries a person
God gives him honors
And does him favors
And he says, “My Cherisher God honors me!”
But when God tries him
By restricting his provisions
He then says, “My Cherisher God humiliates me!” (v. 15-16)
(But) you yourself do not honor orphans
Nor feed poor by urging one another
And consume each other’s inheritance unjustly
And love wealth with passionate greed (v. 17-20)
(Be mindful) when the earth is pounded to pieces
And you Cherisher God appears with angels in organized order
And the Hell becomes visible on that day
People will become mindful then
But how useful will that mindfulness be?
They would exclaim, “Would that I had prepared for this life.”
On that Day none can bring out consequences as God can
None can constrain as God can (v. 21-26)
O soul at peace!3
Come back to your Cherisher
Being well pleased (yourself)
Being well pleasing (to God)
Be with My devoted servants!
Enter My Garden (Paradise)! (v. 27-30)
1To reflect the meanings and implications of these – day and night, odd, even, pair, particular times, etc. mathematically, physically, and philosophically
2Some considers Iram (or Aram) to be city named under the ancient name of the community of Ad – tall structure either of the dwellings or physical stature of the people
3Soul at Peace (Nafsul Mutmainnah), in contrast to Self-accusing soul (nafsil Lawwamah – The Resurrection, 75:2) and more animalistic soul (nafsal ammara – Joseph, 12:53), and a general call to remember in our inner core (Elevation, 7:205 – Remember your Cherisher within yourselves…)
