The Noble Quran: Tafsir of Surah at-Takwir Ayah 15-29 Truthfulness of the Divine Revelation

 

81: 15 So I swear by those receding, 

81: 16 the running, the hiding, 

81: 17 and by the night as it approaches, 

81: 18 and by the dawn as it breaks, 

81: 19 Indeed, it is the word of a noble Messenger.

81: 20 He is endowed with power, having a high rank with the Owner of the Throne. 

81: 21 He is obeyed there and trustworthy. 

81: 22 Your companion is not mad. 

81: 23 Surely, he saw him on the clear horizon.

81: 24 And he is not stingy about conveying the news of the unseen.

81: 25 And it is not the word of an accursed Satan. 

81: 26 Then where are you going?

81: 27 It is nothing but a reminder to the worlds, 

81: 28 for whoever of you who wills to go straight. 

81: 29 And you do not will unless Allah wills, the Lord of the worlds. 

Relationship with the Previous Part

The previous part points out that the Day of Judgment will certainly take place. The disbelievers deny its occurrence and disbelieve in the Quran that warns them of the evil consequence of their disbelief in Allah’s Oneness. After mentioning the signs of the Day of Judgment, this part says that Allah revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad [At-Tahrir wa-at-Tanwir, Tafsir Ibn Ashur].

Tafsir

81: 15 So I swear by those receding, 

81: 16 the running, the hiding, 

The Arabic version says ‘so I swear by al-khunas, which is translated into those receding.’ Al-khunas means to recede, retreat, and hide. The ayah also says, ‘I swear by al-jawir al-kunas, which is translated into the running, the hiding.’ Al-jawir means to run fast, and al-kunas means to hide and conceal. These attributes refer to the stars as they hide in the day and appear in the night. 

The meaning of the ayah is as follows: Indeed, the Day of Judgment will certainly take place. So I swear by the stars that recede and retreat in the day so their light cannot be seen and they run fast from a position to another by Allah’s will and then they hide when they set… indeed, the Quran is the word of a noble Messenger.  

The scholars mention the following meaning for ‘those receding, al-khunas’: 1) they refer to some planets that hide in the day, namely, Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars. 2) They refer to the stars. 3) They refer to addaxes. 4)  They refer to gazelles. 5) They refer to the angels. After mentioning the opinions of the scholars, Imam Muhammad bin Jarir at-Tabari said, ‘Allah, Exalted be He, swore by things that hide sometimes and run sometimes. In the Arabic language, maknas is the place that the addaxes and gazelles take shelter in. It is not strange to use this word metaphorically to refer to the stars in the sky. And since there is no clear indication in the ayah that confirms that al-khunas refer to the stars or the addaxes; thus, the most correct opinion is that the meaning may refer to all things that hide sometimes and run sometimes [Jama al-Al-Bayan, Tafsir al-Tabari].’

81: 17 and by the night as it approaches, 

81: 18 and by the dawn as it breaks, 

Allah, Exalted be He, swore by the night as it approaches, bringing its darkness, and by the dawn as it breaks, bringing its brightness.

In the Arabic version, the word ‘as’as’ translated into approach is used. This word can be used to refer to something and its opposite. In the Arabic language, it means to approach and turn away. However, according to the context of the ayah, it is suitable that the meaning is to approach as it corresponds to the dawn as it breaks bringing brightness with it. 

Allah swears by whatever of His creatures, but the created beings are prohibited to swear by other than Allah, Exalted be He.

81: 19 Indeed, it is the word of a noble Messenger.

Indeed, a noble Messenger brought the Quran to Messenger Muhammad. He is the archangel, Gabriel. The ayah attributes the Quran to the archangel Gabriel because he brought the revelation to Messenger Muhammad. 

Allah swore by the aforementioned things because they indicate Allah’s great ability and marvelous creation in their different movement, e.g. appearance and disappearance, and approaching and turning away. 

81: 20 He is endowed with power, having a high rank with the Owner of the Throne. 

81: 21 He is obeyed there and trustworthy. 

The ayat mention five characteristics of the archangel Gabriel. 1) He is a noble angel, having noble manners and a beautiful form. 2) He is strong and able to carry out the duty that Allah commands him to do. 3) He has a high rank with Allah, the Owner of the Throne. 4) The angels obey the archangel, Gabriel. 5) Gabriel is trustworthy and he carries out his duty without any addition or decrease. 

81: 22 Your companion is not mad. 

O people of Mecca, Messenger Muhammad is not mad. The ayah says ‘your companion’ to refer to the fact that the people of Mecca know, namely, Messenger Muhammad is not mad.  It also points out that they falsely accuse him of such a thing though they are certain that he has the most sound mind and the most perfect manners. 

In sum, the ayah negates that Messenger Muhammad is mad and reprimands his enemies for accusing him of a false accusation although they know that it is a fabrication and lie. 

81: 23 Surely, he saw him on the clear horizon.

Surely, Messenger Muhammad saw the archangel Gabriel in his real form on the clear horizon, where there is no chance for any illusion nor delusion. 

The ayah refutes the claims of the disbelievers who mocked Messenger Muhammad and refused to believe in Islam when he told them that he saw the archangel Gabriel in his real form. Therefore, the ayah confirms this fact and there is no doubt that it took place. It was narrated that Messenger Muhammad saw the archangel Gabriel, who has six hundred wings, in his real form [Tafsir al-Tabari, Jama al-Bayan].

81: 24 And he is not stingy about conveying the news of the unseen.

The pronoun ‘he’ refers to Messenger Muhammad. The unseen refers to things that people cannot perceive by their senses. Only Allah knows the unseen. 

Messenger Muhammad is not stingy about conveying the news of the unseen, namely, the revelation that Allah revealed to him through the archangel Gabriel. He never failed to convey what Allah revealed to him nor teach it to those who seek knowledge. 

There is another mode of recitation for ayah [24]. It is as follows: [And he is not accused of lying about the news of the unseen.] According to this mode of recitation, the word ‘daneen translated into stingy’ is pronounced ‘zaneen translated into accused of lying.’ Thus, the meaning of the ayah differs according to how this word is pronounced. Both modes are authentically transmitted recitations and their meanings are clear and not contradictory. 

81: 25 And it is not the word of an accursed Satan. 

The Quran is not the word of an accursed Satan. It is the speech of Allah and He revealed it to Messenger Muhammad to guide people to the right path. This refutes the claims of the disbelievers who claimed that the Quran is magic and some kind of divination. They believed that Satan taught the Quran to Messenger Muhammad, which is a blatant lie. The Quran contains the truth and only the truth and there is no falsehood therein. 

81: 26 Then where are you going?

The ayah criticizes the disbelievers and challenges them to bring any proof that can support their claims. 

O disbelievers, the matter is as Allah mentions in the Quran. Is there  any path clearer than the right path that Messenger Muhammad invites you to follow? Verily, there is no right path other than Islam. This is similar to a statement that is said to a person, who avoids the right and clear path on purpose, though he knows that the other paths are wrong. Thus, it will be said to him, ‘Where are you going? Are you going to the path of misguidance after knowing the right path? 

81: 27 It is nothing but a reminder to the worlds, 

81: 28 for whoever of you who wills to go straight. 

81: 29 And you do not will unless Allah wills, the Lord of the worlds. 

The Quran is nothing but a reminder to the worlds. It contains guidance for all created beings. It guides them to the right path that will save them from loss in this world and the Hereafter. 

The guidance of the Quran is beneficial for those who want to go straight, follow the right path, and avoid the path of misguidance. The ayah implies praise to the followers of the right path. It praises them because they choose to follow the path of guidance; thus, Allah helps and guides them to it.

Then the ayat confirm Allah’s perfect will and that what He wants will happen and what He does not want will never happen. Indeed, Allah is the Lord of the worlds and whatever is in this universe is under His control and will. The will of the created beings is worthless except when Allah’s will help and support it. It was narrated that Allah revealed, [for whoever of you who wills to go straight.] Then abu Jahl said, ‘It is up to us. If we want, we will follow the right path.] Then Allah revealed [And you do not will unless Allah wills, the Lord of the worlds.] [Tafsir al-Tabari, Jama al-Bayan].

Learned Lessons from Surah at-Takwir Ayah 15-29

• Allah swears by whatever of the creatures that He wants, living and non-living, but the created beings are forbidden to swear by anything other than Allah.

• Allah swore by the planets when they disappear in the day, and appear in the night, and the planets when they move in their orbits, which indicates Allah’s perfect ability.

• Allah swore by the night when it darkens and the dawn as it breaks bringing brightness with it.

• Allah revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad. The archangel Gabriel brought it to him.

• The archangel Gabriel is noble, strong, and trustworthy. Allah entrusted him with conveying His revelation to His Messenger. The angels in heaven obey him. 

• The Quran refutes the claims of the disbelievers, who say that Messenger Muhammad is mad. Rather, he represents an embodiment of human perfection. 

• Messenger Muhammad saw the archangel Gabriel, who has six hundred wings, in his real form on the clear horizon.

• Messenger Muhammad sincerely conveyed Allah’s revelation.

• The Quran is the speech of Allah, which He revealed to His Messenger Muhammad. Allah revealed it to guide people to the right path.

• The disbelievers follow the path of misguidance though the path of guidance is clear and they can recognize it.

• Allah’s will is perfect. What He wants will happen and what He does not want will never happen. Created beings have no will except after Allah’s will.

The Noble Quran, Surah a-Takwir, English Translation
Towards Understanding the Quran, Surah at-Takwir
The Noble Quran Surah Yusuf: Translation and Tafsir
 Introduction to Tafsir of Surah Yusuf

 

The Noble Quran: Tafsir of Surah At-Takwir Ayah 1-14 Horrors of the Day of Judgment

81: 1 When the sun is folded up,

81: 2 when the stars fall, 

81: 3 when the mountains are moved, 

81: 4 when the camels, ten months pregnant, are neglected, 

81: 5 when the wild beasts are gathered, 

81: 6 when the seas are set on fire, 

81: 7 when the souls are paired, 

81: 8 when the girl-child buried alive is asked, 

81: 9 ‘for what sin she was killed,’

81: 10 when the records are spread, 

81: 11 when the sky is stripped away, 

81: 12 when Hell is set ablaze, 

81: 13 and when Paradise is brought near, 

81: 14 then every soul will know what it has forwarded. 

Relationship with the Previous Surah

According to the arrangement of the written copy of the Quran, al-Mushaf, surah at-Takwir comes after surah Abasa. Both surahs speak about the horrors of the Day of Judgment. Surah Abasa mentions that when the Day of Judgment occurs, every person will flee from his closest relatives because of the great horror and fear he will be experiencing on that day. It also mentions that people will be divided into two parties on that day, happy and miserable ones. Then surah at-Takwir mentions some signs and horrors of the Day of Judgment.

Tafsir

81: 1 When the sun is folded up,

On the Day of Judgment, the sun will be folded and its light will be taken though it was bright and shining in the worldly life. 

In the Arabic version, the word ‘kwirat,’ which is translated into folded up, is used. The scholars say that ‘kwirat’ has the following meanings: 1) The sun becomes dark. 2) The light of the sun is taken away. 3) The sun sinks in. 4) It will be folded like a turban. Thus, it will be removed and its light will be taken away. 

81: 2 when the stars fall, 

On the Day of Judgment, the stars will fall and scatter; thus, their light and shininess will disappear. 

81: 3 when the mountains are moved, 

On the Day of Judgment, the mountains will be removed from their places and they will become dust. 

81: 4 when the camels, ten months pregnant, are neglected, 

The ten-months-pregnant camels refer to she-camels that are in their tenth month of pregnancy. In the Arabic language, these camels are called ashra’. They are considered valuable wealth for the Arabs. They used to take care of them even in the most fearful conditions. However, these camels will be neglected and left untended because of the great horrors that people will be experiencing when the Day of Judgment takes place. 

81: 5 when the wild beasts are gathered, 

On the Day of Judgment, the wild beasts will be gathered from all places. They will be in the same place, but no one will attack the other, contrary to their natural disposition, i.e. they attack one another. 

81: 6 when the seas are set on fire, 

The scholars have the following opinions about the meaning of ‘when the seas are set on fire’: The seas will be set on fire that all their water will disappear. 2) The seas will dry up. 3) The seas will become one sea that its water will overflow. 

81: 7 when the souls are paired, 

On the Day of Judgment, the souls will be paired with their bodies. Umar bin al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said, ‘[When the souls are paired] This refers to two men who do the same deed whereby they enter Paradise together or enter Hell.’  

81: 8 when the girl-child buried alive is asked, 

81: 9 ‘for what sin she was killed,’

On the Day of Judgment, the girl-child that is buried alive will be asked about the sin for which she was buried alive. That is because, before the advent of Islam, some Arab tribes used to bury alive girl-children for fear of disgrace or poverty. These girl-children did not commit any sin except that they were female. Thus, their killers will be asked about the sin for which they buried their girl-children alive on the Day of Judgment. The questioning is to rebuke the killers and prove their unjustness. 

81: 10 when the records are spread, 

On the Day of Judgment, the records of deeds will be spread. The angels used to record the deeds of the children of Adam in these records. Thus, all deeds of people will be found in these records whether big or small. These records will be closed at the time of death of the children of Adam and will be opened on the day of reckoning, the Day of Judgment.

81: 11 when the sky is stripped away, 

The sky will be stripped away on the Day of Judgment and be removed. Thus, it will change completely. 

81: 12 when Hell is set ablaze, 

Hell will be set ablaze for punishing the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment. 

81: 13 and when Paradise is brought near, 

Paradise will be brought near the believers on the Day of Judgment. 

81: 14 then every soul will know what it has forwarded. 

When all the afore-mentioned things happen, every soul will know what it has forwarded. Every soul will know the good or evil deeds it did in the worldly life. It will be recompensed for its deeds, good or evil. 

Learned lessons from Surah at-Takwir Ayah 1-14

• Terrifying things will take place when the Day of Judgment occurs. Things that people are familiar with will be changed completely. These things are mentioned to warn people and motivate them to be prepared for the Day of Judgment by believing in Allah and performing righteous deeds.

• When the Day of Judgment occurs, every soul will know the results of its deeds that it did in the worldly life and be recompensed for them. 

• People should be prepared for the Day of Judgment by believing in Allah, obeying His commands, avoiding His prohibitions, and performing righteous deeds. 

• The Day of Judgment will certainly take place.

• Paradise will be the abode of the believers.

• Hell will be the abode of the disbelievers.

The Noble Quran, Introduction to Tafsir of Surah Abasa ‘the Frowned’
The Noble Quran: Surah at-Takwir, English Translation
The Noble Quran: Tafsir ibn Kathir, Surah at-Takwir
The Noble Quran Surah ar-Ra’d : Translation and Tafsir
 

The Noble Quran: Introduction to Tafsir of Surah at-Takwir

 

Name of Surah at-Takwir

This surah is called an-Takwir because it mentions that the sun will be folded up ‘kwirat’ at the beginning [When the sun is folded up] [81:1] 

Abdul Allah bin Umar, may Allah be pleased with them, reported that Messenger Muhammad said, ‘Whoever wishes to see the Day of Judgment as if he is looking at it with his eyes let him recite: [When the sun is folded up ‘kwirat’] [81:1], [When the sky splits open] [82:1], and [When the sky is rent asunder] [84: 1].’  

Main them of Surah at-Takwir

This surah as all surah revealed in Mecca discusses matters related to the creed of Allah’s Oneness, mentions some events that will take place on the Day of Judgment, and confirms that Allah revealed the Quran to Messenger Muhammad.

Topics Discussed in Surah at-Takwir 

Surah at-Takwir begins by referring to some horrors of the Day Judgment and some extraordinary cosmic changes that will happen then. The entire universe will experience events that will change it completely. Everything that man sees in this world will be changed. The sky with its planets, the earth with its mountains and seas, the beasts, and human beings will undergo unusual events. 

81: 1 When the sun is folded up,

81: 2 when the stars fall, 

81: 3 when the mountains are moved, 

81: 4 when the camels, ten months pregnant, are neglected, 

Then surah at-Takwir speaks about the Quran. It mentions that the archangel Gabriel brought it to Messenger Muhammad by Allah’s permission. It also says that Messenger Muhammad saw the archangel Gabriel in his real form.

81: 19 Indeed, it is the word of a noble Messenger.

81: 20 He is endowed with power, having a high rank with the Owner of the Throne. 

81: 21 He is obeyed there and trustworthy. 

81: 22 Your companion is not mad. 

81: 23 Surely, he saw him on the clear horizon.

Surah at-Takwir is concluded with referring to the fact that the disbelievers follow the path of misguidance, that the Quran is a reminder to the worlds, and that what Allah wants will happen and what He does not want will never happen.

81: 27 It is nothing but a reminder to the worlds, 

81: 28 for whoever of you who wills to go straight. 

81: 29 And you do not will unless Allah wills, the Lord of the worlds. 

The Noble Quran, Surah at-Takwir, English Translation
The Noble Quran, Tafsir ibn Kathir, Surah at-Takwir
The Noble Quran, Introduction to Tafsir of Surah an-Nazi’at
The Noble Quran Surah an-Nahl : Translation and Tafsir