(1–17) “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. By the sky and the nightcomer * And what will make you know what the nightcomer is? * The piercing star * There is no soul that does not have a watcher over it * So let man consider what he was created from * He was created from a gushing fluid * Emerging from between the backbone and the breastbones * Surely He is able to bring him back * On the Day when inner secrets are put to the test * He will have neither power nor helper * By the sky that returns again and again * And the earth that splits open * Surely it is a decisive word * And it is no jest * Indeed, they devise a plan * And I, too, devise a plan * So grant the disbelievers respite; give them a little time.”
[Allah] Most High says: “By the sky and the nightcomer.”
He then explains the nightcomer with His words: “The piercing star.”
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That is, the radiant star whose light pierces and cuts through the heavens [passing through until it is visible from the earth]. The correct view is that this is a generic term encompassing all piercing stars.
It has also been said that it is Saturn, which pierces the seven heavens and passes through them (1), thereby becoming visible through them. It is called the nightcomer because it comes at night.
The subject of the oath is His statement: “There is no soul that does not have a watcher over it,” who records its good and evil deeds. Every soul will be recompensed according to the deeds recorded against it.
“So let man consider what he was created from.” That is, let him reflect upon his creation and origin. He was created “from a gushing fluid”—namely, semen—which “emerges from between the backbone and the breastbones.” This may mean that it emerges from between the man’s backbone and the woman’s breasts.
It may also mean that the gushing fluid is the man’s semen, and that the place from which it emerges lies between his backbone and breastbones. This may be the more likely interpretation, for Allah described the gushing fluid itself in this manner, and the fluid whose gushing can be felt [by him] and observed is the man’s semen. Moreover, the word “breastbones” is also used of a man: a man’s breastbones correspond to a woman’s breasts. Had the woman been intended, He would have said, “from between the backbone and the breasts,” or something similar. Allah knows best.
The One who brought man into existence from a gushing fluid emerging from such a difficult place is able to bring him back in the Hereafter and restore him for resurrection, the rising forth, [and recompense]. It has also been said that the verse means that Allah is able to return the emitted fluid to the backbone. Although this meaning is correct, it is not what the verse intends. This is why He then says: “On the Day when inner secrets are put to the test.” That is, the secrets concealed within breasts will be examined, and the good and evil formerly hidden in hearts will become visible upon people’s faces. Allah Most High says: “On the Day when some faces will turn white and other faces will turn black.” In this world, many matters remain concealed and are not plainly visible to people. At the Resurrection, however, the righteousness of the righteous and the wickedness of the wicked will become manifest, and all matters will be laid bare.
“He will have neither power” with which to defend himself (2), “nor any helper”—that is, any external helper (3)—whose aid he may enlist. Thus, this oath concerns the state of those who perform deeds, both when they perform them and when they are recompensed.
He then swears a second oath affirming the truth of the Quran, saying: “By the sky that returns again and again, and the earth that splits open.” That is, the sky returns with rain every year, and the earth splits open for vegetation, by which human beings and animals live. The sky also returns at every moment with divine decrees and affairs, while the earth splits open to release the dead. “Surely it”—meaning the Quran—“is a decisive word”; that is, clear and manifest truth.
“And it is no jest.” That is, it is earnest, not frivolous. It is the word that distinguishes between sects and doctrines and by which disputes are settled.
“Indeed, they”—meaning those who deny the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, and the Quran—“devise a plan” in order to repel the truth through their plotting and support falsehood.
“And I, too, devise a plan” to make the truth prevail, though the disbelievers detest it, and to repel the falsehood they have brought. This makes it clear which side will prevail, for a human being is too weak and insignificant to overcome the All-Strong, All-Knowing through his scheming.
“So grant the disbelievers respite; give them a little time.” That is, for only a short while; they will soon learn the outcome of their affair when punishment descends upon them.
The commentary on Sūrat al-Tāriq is complete. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the worlds.
Commentary on Sūrat Sabbih
It is a Meccan surah.