Ad-Dhuha

Ad-Dhuha
←  Sura 93 of the Qur'an  →
سورة الضحى
Sūrat al-Ḍuḥā
The Morning Hours

Arabic text · Translations
Classification Meccan
Other names (Eng.) Morning Bright, The Early Hours, The Forenoon, The Bright Morning Hours
Position Juz' 30
Structure 11 verses
v ·

Sūrat al-Ḍuḥā (Arabic: الضحى‎, The Morning Hours, Morning Bright) is the 93rd sura of the Qur'an with 11 ayat.

Although there is some debate amongst scholars, this sura in often considered to be the second revealed to Muhammad. After the first sura (al-Alaq) was received, there was a period of silence in which no further messages were revealed. During this time, the new Prophet wondered if he had somehow displeased God, who it seemed for a while was no longer sending down His message. This sura broke that silence, and reassured Muhammad that all will be understood in time. The image of the morning (ad-Dhuha) is the first word of the sura, and can be understood as symbolizing Muhammad's "new day" as the Messenger of God, as well as the "dawn" of the new way of life that would become Islam. After this sura, the visitations of Gabriel with the words of the Qur'an would come to Muhammad regularly until his death.

Because of subject matter, length, style, and placement in the Qur'an, this sura is often coupled with Sura Al-Inshirah. They are generally considered to have be revealed around the same time.

Summary

This sura begins by invoking the Morning and the Night, meaning that God's will acts both during the day (when the Light of God is obvious), and the night (when it seems to man that God is absent). The Qur'an comforts the new Prophet with the message that God is not angered with him, nor has God abandoned him; indeed, God says He is pleased with him. It goes on saying that "The Last will be better for thee than the First" - things will end better as they are now, meaning either (or both) in Muhammad's victories on Earth, or in the Afterlife. To prove the point, the Qur'an asks Muhammad if God has ever failed him:

"Did He not find thee an orphan and shelter thee?

Did He not find you lost and guide thee?

And He found thee in need and enrich thee?"

The answer for all of these is, of course, yes. Muhammad was in each of these three positions and has risen above them: when he was orphaned he was protected, when he was looking for answers they were given, and when he was without wealth he was provided for. The Qur'an then reverts the three questions into three commands, suggesting that as God has done to His Prophet, the Prophet must do to all people:

"Therefore, as for the orphan protect him,

As for the beggar, oppress him not,

And as for thy Lord's favor, declare it."

Trivia

The first part of this sura was recited in Lawrence of Arabia where Lawrence surprises the others by showing he knows it.

See also

  • Salat (Prayer)
  • Dhuhr (Mid-day prayer)

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