About the Surah

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

       By the dawn (since every dawn creates an extraordinary revolution in the universe).

By the ten nights (i.e. first ten nights of the month of Dhul-Hijjah).

       And by the even and the odd (e.g. even is 10th of Dhul-Hijjah and odd is 9th of Dhul-Hijjah).

And by the night when it is about to end.

(After these oaths, Allah is in-viting the careless man to ponder). Are these oaths not sufficient for the sensible persons to stop (commit-ting sins)?

       [O Muhammad (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him)!] Did you not see how Allah has dealt with the A’d (people).

And Iram (people, great grandfather of A’d, who were very  tall) like big pillars,

       And Thamud (people) who used to cut the rocks, in the valley (to make their dwellings).

And Firaun and they had pegs, (i.e. He had big armies who fixed their tents with pegs).

       All of them transgressed (in the disobedience of Allah) in various lands.

So they spread a lot of mischief there.

Hence, Allah inflicted upon them severe torments (and made them garbage).        

Indeed, your Creator is Ever Watching (your deeds).

(The state of mind of man is such that) when his Creator tests man and be-stows upon him honour and Favours, he says: “Allah has made me an honourable person.” (He does not realize that the given honour is to test him whether he is grateful to Allah or not).

And when He tests man by limiting his provisions (or means of livelihood), he says: “My Creator has put me to disgrace.”

Not at all. (Rather your own deeds caused you disgrace. Since) You don’t treat the orphan respect-fully.

And you don’t encourage (and help) others to feed the needy (if you don’t have the means to do so).

And you eat up the inheritance greedily (by lawful and unlawful ways).

And love wealth dearly.

(You think there is going to be no accountability.) Not at all. When earth will be crushed into tiny particles and levelled up.

And when your Creator will come and the angels will come in rows.

And Hell will be brought near that Day. Man will realize (his mistakes) that Day. But what is the benefit of his realization now? (None!)

Man will say: “Alas! I wish I had sent forth good deeds for my life (in the Hereafter).”

So on that Day, none will punish as Allah will punish.

And none will bind (the dis-believers) as Allah will bind.

(On the other hand it will be said:) “O you satisfied soul (who had no doubt or denial of Faith)!”

“Return to the (Mercy of) your Creator in such a manner that you be pleased with Him and He be pleased with you.”

“So enter the company of My (esteemed) slaves.” 

“And you enter My Paradise (along with them).” (Hence, the company of pious persons is very important in the worldly life in order to expect their com-pany in the Hereafter).