وَٱلَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَىٰ 1
Translations
By the night when it covers
Transliteration
Wa-al-layli idha yaghsha
Tafsir (Explanation)
This opening ayah of Surah Al-Layl is an oath (qasam) by Allah swearing by the night when it covers and envelops the earth with darkness. According to classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, this invocation of the night as a witness sets the stage for the surah's subsequent discussion of human choice between good and evil paths. The oath emphasizes the night's role as a natural phenomenon that Allah uses to demonstrate His power and the cyclical nature of creation.
Revelation Context
Surah Al-Layl is a Meccan surah revealed during the early period of Prophet Muhammad's mission. The opening oaths (by the night and day in verses 1-2) establish a context for discussing moral dichotomy and human responsibility. These opening verses introduce the theme that just as night and day are opposites, so too are the paths of righteousness and wickedness, and humans possess the freedom to choose between them.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly explicates this specific verse, the thematic concern with night and moral choice relates to the hadith in Sahih Bukhari where the Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of the night prayer (qiyam al-layl) as a means of drawing closer to Allah and strengthening one's faith.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the natural phenomena surrounding us—including the night—are signs (ayat) of Allah's majesty and should prompt reflection on our moral choices and spiritual responsibilities. The invocation of the night encourages us to use periods of solitude and darkness as opportunities for introspection, prayer, and alignment with our faith.