وَٱلْقَمَرِ إِذَا تَلَىٰهَا 2
Translations
And [by] the moon when it follows it
Transliteration
Wal-qamari idha talaha
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah swears by the moon when it follows the sun in its cycle across the sky. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir explain that Allah is taking an oath by the moon's orderly movement and its submissive following of the sun's path, emphasizing the perfect order and obedience in creation. This oath introduces the main theme of the surah: just as the heavenly bodies follow their ordained path, the human soul must also choose between the paths of righteousness and corruption.
Revelation Context
Surah Ash-Shams is a Meccan surah revealed during the early Islamic period. The opening verses (ayaat 1-7) contain a series of cosmic oaths that establish the foundation for the surah's central message about the soul's responsibility to choose between good and evil. The moon following the sun is presented as a sign of the natural order that Allah has established in creation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: 'The sun and the moon will be darkened on the Day of Judgment' (Sahih Bukhari 4802). Additionally, the Quran frequently invokes celestial bodies to remind humanity of Allah's creative power and the natural submission of creation to divine law.
Themes
Key Lesson
Just as the moon submissively follows its ordained celestial path, believers should recognize the importance of following the guidance of Allah with similar dedication and obedience, understanding that our spiritual journey mirrors the harmonious order visible in the heavens.