2. This surah was revealed during the earliest
period in Makkah.
During the early stages of Prophethood,
revelations of the Quran were on hold for
some time, which made the Prophet (sws)
worry that he did something wrong to anger
Allah.
So this surah was sent down to the Prophet
(sws) to give him a peace of mind that he did
not do anything wrong.
Historical Background
3. Allah beautifully explained that just like He
made the night for peace and rest after a
long and busy bright day, he gave the
Prophet (sws) a break from the revelation
so he does not get burdened with the
intensity of the Revelations of the Quran.
Historical Background
4. This surah was sent down to reassure the Prophet
(sws) that he has done nothing wrong and did not
displease Allah.
It was also sent down to comfort the Prophet(sws) by
saying that the hardships he was facing during that
time would not last long.
Proof of that later during the Prophet’s life was that he
successful defeated the nation of idol worship and
spread Islam successfully, with Allah’s will and help.
We should always thank Allah for everything He gave
us in this life.
Historical Background Con’t.
5. Allah swears by the bright morning and also by the peaceful and
quiet night.
The day is bright and busy. The day time is when people work and
get things done. Then when night falls it is time for everyone to rest
and peacefully relax from a busy day.
So Allah swears by the day and night because he uses it to explain
why Allah delayed the revelation to the Prophet (sws)/ gave him a
break.
Because getting revelations from Allah(swt) was hard for the
Prophet and kept him busy like people are busy during the day, he
needed a rest (which is what people do at night).
Ayah One: By the bright forenoon,
Ayah Two: and by the night when it covers the world
with peace:
ىَحُّضال َو﴾﴿ِْليَّالل َواَذإَِسىَج﴾﴿
6. Whenever a Surah came down to the Prophet(sws), he
would always recite it for the people.
So when a new revelation did not come to the Prophet
(sws), he became nervous and upset that Allah was angry
with him.
On top of that, the disbelievers of Makkah started teasing
the Prophet(sws), saying that his Allah was angry with him
and gave up on him. This caused the Prophet to be upset.
Allah reassures the Prophet that He is not angry with him
and is not ignoring him.
Ayah Three: (O Prophet), your Lord has neither
forsaken you, nor is He displeased.
اَمَِكَعَّد َوَُِّكبَراَم َوَِلَقى﴾﴿
7. During the early years of the Prophethood, he
had only a few followers, the nation was very
mean and against him and it seemed like the
Prophet (sws) didn’t stand a chance.
In this stage of Islam, the Prophet was worried
he would not be successful in spreading Islam.
Allah comforts the Prophet saying that things will
get better and promises the Prophet (sws) he
will be successful in this world and will also have
a higher and nobler rank in the Hereafter.
Ayah Four: Indeed what is to come will be
better for you than what has gone by.
ِةَرخَ ْْلَل َوِْريَخَِكَلَِنمىَلو ْاْل﴾﴿
8. Allah makes a promise here that although it seems
like it will take forever to make people believe in
Islam, He will bless the Prophet(sws) with the power
and so much more that it will become easier.
This promise came during the lifetime of the Prophet
(sws). Also, the Prophet will be pleased with what he
will get in Jannah, inshaAllah.
Over time, the Prophet’s influence reached every
corner of the world SubhanAllah!
Ayah Five: Verily your Lord will soon give you
so amply that you will be well-pleased.
َِف ْوَسَل َوَِيكطْعيَُِّكبَرىَض ْرَتَف﴾﴿
9. This line is saying to the Prophet (sws), how can Allah be angry
with you when He has been good to you ever since you were
born as an orphan?
As you know, the Prophet’s father passed away 3 months
before he was born and his mother passed away when he was
6. The Prophet was born an orphan, but Allah always left the
Prophet with support everyday of his life.
His grandfather raised him with love, and when he passed
away, his uncle Abu Talib became his guardian and biggest
supporter. Even though he had lost his parents, Allah always
left the Prophet(sws) in good hands and blessed him
throughout his whole life.
Ayah Six: Did He not find you an orphan and
then gave you shelter?
ِْمَلَأَِكْدجَياًميتَيَِوَآَفى﴾﴿
10. The word “Dallan” means lost.
As we have learned from the Prophet’s life, he
never participated in idol worship or any of the
pagan customs. He had excellent character.
The Prophet (sws) was unaware of Islam at that
time, and Allah is saying before the Truth was
introduced to the Prophet (sws) he didn’t know
what Islam was until Allah directed him to the
straight path after Prophethood.
This was the greatest blessing!
Ayah Seven: Did He not find you unaware of
the Right Way, and then directed you to it?
َِكَدَج َو َوًِاّلَضىَدَهَف﴾﴿
11. The Prophet (sws) was not born rich, his father left him only a
camel and a slave-girl.
He later on went on to marry Khadijah(ra), the wealthiest lady
among the Quraish, and she made the Prophet her partner in
trade.
The Prophet took charge of all the business and trade and
became wealthy, not from being dependent on his wife, but by
his own hard work and ability.
Allah helped and support the Prophet in every way possible,
even financially (with wealth).
He also gave him knowledge. He did not even know how to
read and write but he was given the best knowledge from
Allah.
He wanted guidance and Allah also blessed him with
guidance.
Ayah Eight: And did He not find you in want,
and then enriched you?
َِكَدَج َو َوًِلائَعَىنْغَأَف﴾﴿
12. Just as Allah blessed the Prophet (sws) when he
was an orphan and into every single aspect of
his life, it is his responsibility to see that no
orphan is treated unfair and harshly.
It is also every Muslims responsibility to be kind
to the orphan.
Ayah Nine: Therefore, be not harsh with the
orphan;
اَّمَأَفَِيمتَيْالَِلَفِْقَتِْرَه﴾﴿
13. This line has two meanings:
If someone asks for money, then help them if you can
and be polite even if you have nothing to give.
If someone asks for knowledge, then do not look down
on them and be polite in your response.
Ayah Ten: and chide not him who asks,
اَّمَأ َوَِلائَّسالَِلَفَِهْنَتِْر﴾﴿
14. All those blessings: wealth, knowledge,
guidance, etc. and promises that Allah favored
the Prophet (sws) were all given from Allah(swt)
due to His mercy.
Since the Prophet received all of that, even
through hard times, he should remember Allah
and recall all of the blessings he got.
As Muslims, we have the same duty. Even in
hard times, we should remember all the
blessings Allah gave us and be grateful.
Ayah Eleven: and proclaim the bounty of your
Lord.
اَّمَأ َوِةَمْعنبَِكبَرَِفِْثدَح﴾﴿
15. Questions
1. When and where was this surah revelaed?
2. In what situation was this surah revealed?
3. Describe the comparison Allah made between day/night
and the pause of the revelation.
4. Why was this surah sent down to the Prophet (sws)?
5. What message did Allah want to send the Prophet(sws)?
6.What is Dallan?
7. List the blessings mentioned that were given to the Prophet
in this surah.
8. What did Allah ask the Prophet and Muslims to do because
of all the blessings He gave?
9. What does Allah say about the orphans?
10. What are the two meanings of “chide not who asks”?
16. Disclaimer
These slides are an abridged, simplified
version of tafseer. For detailed explanations,
please view other sources.
