وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ 2
Translations
And [by] the night when it covers with darkness,
Transliteration
Wa-allayli idha saja
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is an oath by the night when it becomes still and peaceful, establishing a divine attestation to the message that follows. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir interpret 'saja' (سجىٰ) as the night becoming calm, quiet, and covering the earth with darkness. The oath emphasizes the majesty of Allah's creation and serves as a powerful introduction to the consolation being offered to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in this surah.
Revelation Context
Surah Ad-Duhaa was revealed during a period when the Qur'anic revelations temporarily ceased, causing concern to the Prophet. This surah opens with oaths invoking the morning (daylight) and the night to comfort and reassure him that Allah had not abandoned him. The night imagery is particularly significant as it represents the darkness of that difficult period.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly explicates this specific verse, the hadith about the cessation of revelation (found in Sahih Bukhari) provides context: 'The revelation stopped for a while and the Prophet was greatly distressed.' This backdrop illuminates why the oaths in this surah were so meaningful to the Prophet.
Themes
Key Lesson
Just as the night settles into stillness, believers should find peace in Allah's divine plan during periods of uncertainty or trial, trusting that apparent absence of guidance is temporary and part of Allah's greater wisdom.