Lessons from the Qur’an: Surah Al-‘Adiyat

Surah Al-‘Adiyat (chapter 100 of the Qur’an) was revealed in Makkah. The main themes of this Surah are:

a) Man’s reliance upon Allah for everything

b) Transgressing nature of man

c) Accountability of deeds in the life after death

SUMMARIZED INTERPRETATION OF SURAH AL-‘ADIYAT:  

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

[In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.]

1) وَالْعَادِيَاتِ ضَبْحًا

[By the (steeds) that run, with panting.]

2) فَالْمُورِيَاتِ قَدْحًا

[Striking sparks of fire (by their hooves).]

3) فَالْمُغِيرَاتِ صُبْحًا

[And scouring to the raid at dawn.]

4) فَأَثَرْنَ بِهِ نَقْعًا

[And raise the dust in clouds the while.]

5) فَوَسَطْنَ بِهِ جَمْعًا

[And penetrating forthwith as one into the midst (of the foe).]

During the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) people of Arabia used to engage animals in their military expeditions. They used to consider well trained horses with high esteem to win battles. In verses 1 to 5 of this Surah Allah mentions them (trained horses) to draw attention of the Arabs.

MOST MEN ARE UNGRATEFUL TO ALLAH: 

6) إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لِرَبِّهِ لَكَنُودٌ

[Verily, man (disbeliever) is ungrateful to his Lord.]

7) وَإِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ لَشَهِيدٌ

[And to that he bears witness (by his deeds).]

Man by nature does not freely fulfill his duties (as commanded by Allah), and often, when he does do them, he does not do them completely or go beyond what is required; instead his nature is one of laziness and he lacks the resolve to fulfill his duties – except for those Allah has guided. [Tafsir As-Sa’di]

MOST MEN HAVE STRONG DESIRE FOR WEALTH:

8) وَإِنَّهُ لِحُبِّ الْخَيْرِ لَشَدِيدٌ

[And verily, he is violent in the love of wealth.]

There are two opinions concerning this verse. One of them is that man is severe in his love of wealth. The other view is that he is covetous and stingy due to the love of wealth. However, both views are correct. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

DESCRIPTION OF THE DAY OF RESURRECTION:

9) أَفَلَا يَعْلَمُ إِذَا بُعْثِرَ مَا فِي الْقُبُورِ

[Knows he not that when the contents of the graves are poured forth (all mankind is resurrected)?]

10) وَحُصِّلَ مَا فِي الصُّدُورِ

[And that which is in the breasts (of men) shall be made known?]

11) إِنَّ رَبَّهُم بِهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّخَبِيرٌ

[Verily, that Day (i.e., the Day of Resurrection) their Lord will be Well-Acquainted with them (as to their deeds and will reward them for their deeds).]