89.

Sura Fajr (or The Dawn)

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

The Sura begins with an oath. Four striking contrasts are mentioned to
show Allah’s Power and Justice, and appeal to those who understand. The first
is the glory and mystery of the Dawn. This time well stand as the type of
spiritual awakening from Darkness to Faith, from Death to Resurrection. The
second is by the Ten Nights which are usually understood as the first ten
nights of Zul-Hajj, the sacred season of Pilgrimage when thousands of
pilgrims perform Haj rites. These ten days specially devoted to the Hajj
introduce a striking contrast in the life of Mecca and of the pilgrims from all
parts of the world. They discard their usual dress and convert to simple and
ordinary Ihram. Refrain from every kind of fighting, quarrel and luxury. The
third is by the contrast between the even and the odd. Even and odd follow
each other in regular succession: each is independent, and yet neither is self-
sufficient. This is the subject of learned argument among whose who deal with
the mystic properties of numbers. Both abstract and concrete things are often
understood in contrast with their opposites. Why should a man not, in spiritual
matters, understand this life better with reference to Hereafter, and should we
disbelieve in the Hereafter simply because we cannot conceive of anything
different from our present life? The fourth oath is by the last part of the night,
just before full day-light. This is in contrast with the first oath (above). Thus
both positions of the night, receding and advancing respectively, are stated.
This may mean that the care-free life of the disbelievers in this world shall be
succeeded by that of gloom and frustration in the Hereafter.

After the oaths as above, stressing contrasts, Allah Almighty enquires

from the disbelievers that: Is there not in these evidence for those who believe,
instances of His Divine wrath on the ancient communities. The ’Ad (people),
of the city of Iram, who had extra-ordinary stature and lived in lofty buildings
with monumental pillars were destroyed enmasse for their infidelity. The same
fate was that of the people of Thamud, who used to carve out their dwellings
among the rocks of the valley. Pharaoh and his people were also wiped out in
punishment for their wickedness. Allah justified their punishment by saying
that all the above people had rebelled against their Lord disobeyed His orders,
rebelled against him and spread mischief on earth. Accordingly, Allah
punished then and they all perished. He watches His creatures secretly, and if
they continue in their rebellious and sinful career, He swoops on them
suddenly like a person waiting unnoticed in a bush for his enemy and then
killing him suddenly.

The Sura is then followed by the reminder that people must not only
accept Allah’s favours, but also afflictions as trial of faith. People are
reminded that they also must care for the orphans, feed the poor and not to
devour the inheritance of the weak.
 A further reminder follows of the Day of Resurrection and its great
cataclysmal events. The wicked shall then filled with remorse, but remorse
shall avail them nothing.

The Sura ends with a moving consolation for the soul at peace with
Allah which shall be summoned to everlasting bliss in Paradise in the
company of Allah’s faithful servants.