(1–11) “In the name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful. By the morning brightness * and by the night when it grows still * your Lord has neither forsaken you nor detested you * and the Hereafter is better for you than the first life * and your Lord will surely give you until you are pleased * Did He not find you an orphan and shelter you? * And find you unaware of the way and guide you? * And find you in need and make you self-sufficient? * So do not oppress the orphan * and do not rebuke the one who asks * and proclaim the blessing of your Lord.”
Allah Most High swore by the day when its light spreads in the morning brightness, and by the night when it grows still and its darkness deepens, affirming His care for His Messenger—peace and blessings be upon him. He said: “Your Lord has neither forsaken you”—that is, He has not abandoned you since He first took care of you, nor neglected you since He nurtured and watched over you. Rather, He has continued to nurture you in the finest manner and elevate you one rank after another.
“Nor has He detested you”—that is, Allah has not hated you since He first loved you. The negation of one opposite proves the presence of the other, and mere negation is no praise unless it entails the affirmation of a perfection. Such was the Messenger’s past and present state—peace and blessings be upon him—the most perfect and complete of states: Allah’s enduring love for him, His elevation of him through the levels (1) of perfection, and His unceasing care for him.
As for his future state, He said: “And the Hereafter is better for you than the first life.” That is, every later state of yours is superior to the one preceding it.
Thus he—peace and blessings be upon him—continued ascending the heights of excellence (2), while Allah firmly established his religion for him, granted him victory over his enemies, and set all his affairs aright, until he died having attained what neither earlier nor later generations could attain (3) in virtue, blessings, delight of the eye, and joy of the heart.
Then, beyond that, do not ask about his state in the Hereafter, with all its particular honors and manifold blessings. For this reason, He said: “And your Lord will surely give you until you are pleased.” No wording other than this comprehensive, all-embracing expression could convey the matter.
Then He reminded him of His favors through what he knew of his circumstances (4) [particular to him], saying:
“Did He not find you an orphan and shelter you?” That is, He found you without mother or father: your father and mother had died while you were unable to look after yourself. Allah therefore sheltered you, placing you in the care of your grandfather, Abd al-Muttalib. Then, when his grandfather died, Allah placed him in the care of his uncle, Abū Tālib, until He strengthened him with His aid and with the believers.
“And find you unaware of the way and guide you?” That is, He found you not knowing what the Scripture was, nor faith; He then taught you what you had not known and guided you to the finest deeds and character.
“And find you in need”—that is, poor—“and make you self-sufficient?” He did so through the lands Allah opened to you (5), whose wealth and land tax were collected for you.
The One who removed these deficiencies from you will remove every deficiency from you. Therefore, repay with gratitude the blessing of the One who brought you to sufficiency, sheltered you, granted you victory, and guided you.
[For this reason, He said:] “So do not oppress the orphan.” That is, do not mistreat the orphan, become impatient with him, or rebuke him. Rather, honor him, give him whatever you can, and treat him as you would wish your own child to be treated after your death.
“And do not rebuke the one who asks.” That is, do not address one who asks with words (6) that would turn him away from what he seeks through rebuke and harshness. Rather, give him whatever you can, or turn him away graciously [and kindly].
This includes both one who asks for money and one who asks for knowledge. A teacher is therefore commanded to display good character toward the learner, treating him with honor and tenderness. This helps him achieve his objective and honors one who strives to benefit people and their lands. ⦗929⦘
“And as for the blessing of your Lord”—[This includes] religious and worldly blessings—“proclaim it.” That is, praise Allah for these blessings and mention them specifically when there is benefit in doing so.
Otherwise, speak of Allah’s blessings in general, for speaking of Allah’s blessings prompts gratitude for them and causes hearts to love the One who bestowed them. Hearts are naturally disposed to love the benefactor.
Commentary on Sūrat Alam Nashrah [Laka Sadrak]
It is Makkan.