Bayian: The Noble Quran: Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Fajr

Saturday, January 15, 2022

The Noble Quran: Introduction to Tafsir of Surah al-Fajr

The Noble Quran Surah al-Fajr English Translation and Tafsir

Name of Surah al-Fajr

This surah is called ‘al-Fajr’ because it begins by [By al-Fajr ‘the dawn’.] By the dawn is an oath in which Allah, Exalted be He, swears by the dawn when it starts.

Relationship between Surah al-Ghashiyah and Surah al-Fajr

According to the written copy of the Quran, surah al-Ghashiyah comes before surah al-Fajr. Both surahs were revealed in Mecca. The relationship between these surahs is as follows:

1. Surah al-Fajr begins by swearing: [By the dawn, by the ten nights…] The oath is evidence that confirms the veracity of the conclusion of the previous surah, al-Ghashiyah: [Surely, to Us is their return, then surely upon Us will be their reckoning.] That is because Allah swears by the dawn, by the ten nights… to confirm that people will be resurrected for reckoning on the Day of Judgment.

2. Surah al-Ghashiyah mentions that people will be divided into two groups, the wicked disbelievers and the happy believers on the Day of Judgment. Surah al-Fajr mentions examples of the first group, e.g. the people of Ad and Pharaoh. It also mentions an example of the believers, i.e. those who thank Allah for His blessings.

Main Theme of Surah al-Fajr

Surah al-Fajr refers to some aspects of Allah’s greatness and ability in the universe, people’s conditions in this world, the end of wicked, and the end of the believers on the Day of Judgment.

Topics Discussed in Surah al-Fajr

• The surah begins by swearing by the dawn, the first ten days of the month of Dhu al-Hjjah, the even, the odd, and the night when it passes that Allah’s punishment will certainly befall the disbelievers.

• Surah al-Fajr refers to some wrongful, destroyed nations that disbelieved in their messengers and mentions that Allah punished them because of their transgression. [Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with Ad, Iram of the pillars…] [89: 6-7]

• The surah refers to the fact that life in this world is a test. People are tested by attaining what they like and suffering from hardship, and being wealthy and poor. It also mentions that man by nature extremely loves wealth.

• Surah al-Fajr refers to the fact that giving many blessings to a person is not proof that Allah honors him, nor straitening his provision is not proof that Allah humiliates him. [As for man, when his Lord tests him by honoring him and bestowing blessings on him, he says, ‘My Lord has honored me.’ But when He tests him…] [89: 15-16]

• Surah al-Fajr mentions some of the horrors of the Day of Judgment. [No! When the earth is pounded, pounded and pounded…] [89:21]

• Surah al-Fajr mentions that people will be divided into two parties on the Day of Judgment, the happy and the loser. It also mentions that the loser will hope to return to the worldly life to believe in Allah’s Oneness and perform righteous deeds. [He will say, ‘O would that I had forwarded for my life?’ On that day, none will punish as He punishes.] [89:24-25]

• The surah mentions that the believers will be successful in the Hereafter as Allah will be pleased with them and make them enter Paradise, wherein they will enjoy lasting happiness. [O soul at peace, ‘Return to your Lord, well-pleased, well-pleasing…[89:27-28]