وَٱلصُّبْحِ إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ 18
Translations
And by the dawn when it breathes [i.e., stirs]
Transliteration
Wa-as-subhi idha tanaffasa
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah refers to the dawn when it breaks forth and spreads its light across the horizon, as if the morning is 'breathing' or exhaling. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Tabari interpret this as Allah's oath by the dawn, emphasizing the majesty of creation and the regular cycles ordained by the Almighty. The metaphor of the dawn 'breathing' conveys the gradual, living quality of daybreak as it dispels darkness and brings life to the earth.
Revelation Context
Surah At-Takwir is a Meccan surah dealing with the events of the Day of Judgment and the cosmic upheaval that will occur. This ayah is part of a series of oaths (80:18-81:29) by which Allah swears regarding the trustworthiness of the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad's message, using signs from creation to emphasize divine power and order.
Related Hadiths
While no hadith directly cites this verse, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged contemplation of dawn: 'The best times for prayer are early in the morning' (Jami' at-Tirmidhi). This relates thematically to the spiritual significance of the dawn mentioned in this ayah.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to reflect upon the regular, miraculous cycles of nature—the dawn—as evidence of Allah's perfect design and trustworthiness, encouraging us to recognize the divine signs present in our daily experience and to trust in Allah's promises regarding the Hereafter.