وَٱلصُّبْحِ إِذَآ أَسْفَرَ 34
Translations
And [by] the morning when it brightens,
Transliteration
Wa-al-subhi idha asfara
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah is part of a series of oaths Allah swears by various cosmic phenomena, specifically referring to 'the dawn when it breaks forth' or 'when morning breaks/becomes bright.' According to classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir, this oath emphasizes the power and regularity of Allah's creation, particularly the celestial phenomena that witness to His oneness. The breaking of dawn symbolizes clarity, the dispersion of darkness, and the renewal of creation—all pointing to Allah's sovereignty and the certainty of His promises, particularly regarding the Day of Judgment which follows this series of oaths.
Revelation Context
This ayah occurs in the opening verses of Surah Al-Muddaththir (verses 32-39), where Allah swears by multiple cosmic signs including the moon, night, and dawn. This surah was revealed early in the Meccan period and addresses the disbelievers of Mecca regarding the certainty of the Hereafter and Divine accountability, using cosmic oaths to emphasize the undeniable reality of resurrection.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly references this specific ayah, Surah Al-Muddaththir's emphasis on oaths is related to the hadith regarding oaths by celestial bodies. See also the thematic connection to Hadith Qudsi in Sahih Muslim regarding Allah's creation and its testimony to His existence.
Themes
Key Lesson
The regular breaking of dawn serves as a reminder of Allah's consistent and perfect maintenance of creation, encouraging believers to trust in His promises and contemplate His power. This should inspire certainty in the reality of the afterlife and motivate mindfulness of Divine accountability in daily life.