Overview - Surah 51: ad-Dhariyat (The Scattering Winds)
The Surah gives the good news of the emergence of a new community. It also warns the opponents of the truth that their time is about to end and the judgment of Allah is near.
Sections:
- Falsehood is about to end. The righteous shall be rewarded. The character of the righteous people.
- Prophet Ibrahim and his angel visitors. The fate of the people of Prophet Lot. Prophet Moses and the fate of Pharaoh. People of 'Ad and Thamud and the people of Prophet Noah -peace be upon them all.
- Hasten to Allah. Do not associate anyone in the divinity of Allah. Remind, the reminding will help the Believers. The Judgment of Allah is near.
The Surah takes its name from the first Ayat, وَالذَّارِيَاتِ ذَرْوًا "By those [winds] scattering [dust] dispersing" (51:1)
There are 60 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 60 |
| Total Words * | 360 |
| Root Words * | 147 |
| Unique Root Words * | 3 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 67th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | |
| Events during/before this Surah*
N/A
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| Events during/after still to occur*
N/A
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| Names of Prophets Mentioned
Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa
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| Surah Index
‘Aad, Abraham, Astronomy (stars) , Charity, Cosmology (expanding Universe) , Creation of everything (in opposite duality) , Earth, Hell, Hud, Jinn, Judgement, Judgement (Day) , Moses, Noah, Pharaoh, Pharaoh (punishment of) , Prayer, Prayer (times of day of) , Religion (divergence of opinion) , Resurrection (of soul) , Thamud, Weather (wind)
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The Surah mostly deals with the Hereafter, and in the end it presents the invitation to Monotheism (Tawhid). In addition, the people have also been warned that refusal to accept the message of the Prophets and persistence in the concepts and creeds of ignorance have proved to be disastrous for those nations themselves which have adopted this attitude and way of life in the past.
- What has been promised.
إِنَّمَا تُوعَدُونَ لَصَادِقٌ "Indeed, what you are promised is true." (51:5)
فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِن يَوْمِهِمُ الَّذِي يُوعَدُونَ "And woe to those who have disbelieved from their Day which they are promised." (51:60) This is the last Ayat of the Surah.
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
13th Century
13th Century
1916 CE
1916 CE
5th/6th Century AH
5th/6th Century AH
13th Century
13th Century
718 H 1318 CE
718 H 1318 CE
1490 CE
1490 CE
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
3rd Century Hijrah
3rd Century Hijrah
- Surah adh-Dhariyat and Surah at-Tur have Ayat towards the end that speak about the Dhalimeen.
فَإِنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا ذَنُوبًا مِّثْلَ ذَنُوبِ أَصْحَابِهِمْ فَلَا يَسْتَعْجِلُونِ "And indeed, for those who have wronged is a portion [of punishment] like the portion of their predecessors, so let them not impatiently urge Me." (51:59)
وَإِنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا عَذَابًا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ "And indeed, for those who have wronged is a punishment before that, but most of them do not know." (51:47) - Surah adh-Dhariyat and Surah at-Tur instruct the Prophet to turn away from the Disbelievers
فَتَوَلَّ عَنْهُمْ فَمَا أَنتَ بِمَلُومٍ وَذَكِّرْ فَإِنَّ الذِّكْرَىٰ تَنفَعُ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ "So leave them, [O Muhammad], for you are not to be blamed. And remind, for indeed, the reminder benefits the believers." (51:54-55)
فَذَرْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَاقُوا يَوْمَهُمُ الَّذِي فِيهِ يُصْعَقُونَ "So leave them until they meet their Day in which they will be struck insensible -" (52:45)
- The usage of the the words وَفِي "and in....." in the beginning of a number of Ayat
وَفِي أَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ "And in yourselves. Then will you not see?" (51:21)
وَفِي مُوسَىٰ إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَاهُ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ بِسُلْطَانٍ مُّبِينٍ "And in Moses [was a sign], when We sent him to Pharaoh with clear authority." (51:38)
وَفِي عَادٍ إِذْ أَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الرِّيحَ الْعَقِيمَ "And in 'Aad [was a sign], when We sent against them the barren wind." (51:41)
وَفِي ثَمُودَ إِذْ قِيلَ لَهُمْ تَمَتَّعُوا حَتَّىٰ حِينٍ "And in Thamud, when it was said to them, "Enjoy yourselves for a time." (51:43)
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = 3* | ||
| # | Root Word | Frequency in Surah | Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ق و ل | 13 | 1722 |
| 2. | ٱلَّذِى | 7 | 1464 |
| 3. | ك و ن | 6 | 1390 |
| 4. | ق و م | 6 | 660 |
| 5. | ر س ل | 6 | 513 |
| 6. | ر ب ب | 5 | 980 |
| 7. | إِلَىٰ | 5 | 742 |
| 8. | س م و | 4 | 381 |
| 9. | ج ن ن | 4 | 201 |
| 10. | أ ت ي | 4 | 549 |
| Root Word | Frequency in Surah |
Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|
| ق و ل | 13 | 1722 |
| ٱلَّذِى | 7 | 1464 |
| ك و ن | 6 | 1390 |
| ق و م | 6 | 660 |
| ر س ل | 6 | 513 |
| ر ب ب | 5 | 980 |
| إِلَىٰ | 5 | 742 |
| س م و | 4 | 381 |
| ج ن ن | 4 | 201 |
| أ ت ي | 4 | 549 |
The subject matter and the style clearly show that it was sent down in the period when persecution had not yet started. Although the Prophet’s invitation was being resisted and opposed with denial and ridicule and false accusations stubbornly. Therefore, this Surah also seems to have been revealed in the same period in which the Surah 50: Qaf (Qaf) was revealed.
- Surely the Day of Judgement shall come to pass, only the perverse persons turn away from this truth.
- The same angels who gave good news, of having a son, to Ibrahim annihilated the nation of homosexuals.
- There is a lesson in the stories of Pharoah, 'Ad, Thamud and people of Nuh.
Tafsir Zone
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Sayyid Qutb Overview (Verses 47 - 55) Creatures in Pairs We built the skies with power; and We gave it a vast expanse; and We spread out the earth: how well have We prepared it! All things We have created in pairs, so that you may take thought. Flee, then, to God! I am sent by Him to give you clear warning; and do not associate partners with Him: I am sent by Him to give you clear warning! (Verses 47-51) These verses take us back to the great universal exhibition the surah presented in its opening, providing here yet another image the Qur'an puts before our eyes and minds. Further references are added to God's signs, linking that provided by Noah and his people with that of the heavens, the earth and other creatures. This culminates with a call to mankind to flee to their Lord, submitting themselves to Him and associating no partners with Him. "We built the skies with power; and We gave it a vast expanse." (Verse 47) Power is the clearest element in the solid, firm and well-coordinated structure of the 'skies', whatever we take the term to mean: the orbits of the different stars and planets, any of the star clusters we normally call a galaxy which includes many millions of stars, a stratum of the huge space in which planets and stars are scattered, or any other of its many meanings. Vastness is another clearly recognizable element. These millions of huge stars are no more than small particles floating in the great expanse that is the universe. This reference to the skies may also imply a pointer to the stores of sustenance, which were stated earlier in the surah to be in the sky. However, in the earlier reference it is merely a symbol indicating what is with God. Yet the Qur'anic expression gives deliberate connotations so as to leave a clear impression on people's minds. The same applies to the reference to the earth and its being spread out: "And We spread out the earth: how well have We prepared it!" (Verse 48) As we explained before, God has made this earth to be a cradle for human life. That the earth has been spread out indicates that it serves as a cradle equipped with all that is necessary to support and enable life to flourish. This statement was presented to people 14 centuries ago, when even the thought that living things, let alone inanimate objects, are all made in pairs was totally unknown. When we remember this we find the statement itself becomes amazing, as it presents such a universal fact to people at such an early time. Moreover, this statement confirms that recent scientific research is heading towards confirmation of this truth. Indeed, it has almost established that the whole universe is made of atoms, which contain a dual electric charge, positive and negative.' These verses referring to the great universe, the width of the earth and the system of creation all culminate in a call on people to flee to God, the Creator of all, shedding all that shackles their souls, acknowledging His absolute unity: "Flee, then, to God' I am sent by Him to give you clear warning; and do not associate partners with Him: I am sent by Him to give you clear warning!" (Verses 50-51) Use of the word flee, here is very significant. It points to the burdens, shackles and handcuffs that restrain people, pulling them towards the earth and its material life, preventing free movement and ensuring they are always restrained. Most cogent among these are the restraints of earning one's livelihood, maintaining one's income and preoccupation with improving one's lot. Therefore, the call to shed all these and flee to God, alone, without partners, is very powerful. It reminds people, twice in succession, that they have no excuse for not doing so: "I am sent by Him to give you clear warning." (Verses 50-51) It is as if the mention of the signs seen everywhere in the heavens, earth and among creatures is a continuation of the signs given to God's messengers. Next we have a comment on the references to earlier messengers mentioned in the surah: Thus whenever a messenger came to those that lived before them, they also said: He is but a sorcerer, or maybe a madman.' Have they, perchance, handed down this legacy to one another? No! They are people who transgress all bounds. Turn, then, away from them: you shall incur no blame; and go on reminding all. Such a reminder will benefit those who believe. (Verses 52-55) It is the same nature common to all unbelievers. They all give the same response to the divine message: "Thus whenever a messenger came to those that lived before them, they also said: He is but a sorcerer, or maybe a madman.'" (Verse 52) This is exactly what the Arab unbelievers said. It is as if one generation of unbelievers handed down such a legacy to the next in a continuing process. Needless to say, there was no such handing down. It is all in the nature of transgression and unbelief whereby present unbelievers and their predecessors are brought together. The natural result of this repeated stand is that the Prophet should not pay any attention to what the unbelievers say. He is not responsible for them as they choose to remain in error. He has spared no effort in trying to get them to follow divine guidance: "Turn, then, away from them: you shall incur no blame." (Verse 54) His only task is to remind people and to continue to give them reminders, no matter how persistent they are in their rejection of the truth: "And go on reminding all. Such a reminder will benefit those who believe." (Verse 55) Such reminders will not benefit hardened unbelievers. Yet the task assigned to God's messengers is to give such reminders. It is not within their ability to ensure that people follow proper guidance. That is outside their remit. It is God alone who gives guidance. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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Scientific References
وَالسَّمَاءَ بَنَيْنَاهَا بِأَيْدٍ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ "And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander." (51:47)
The Expanding Universe
It was only after the development of the radio telescope in 1937, that the expansion of the universe was observed and established. This discovery is regarded as one of the greatest in the history of astronomy.
During these observations, Hubble established that the stars emit a light that turns redder according to their distance. The wavelengths of receding bodies prolonged in the spectrum of light waves would shift to red, while, if the bodies approached each other, the wavelengths would shorten, shifting to blue. The light that came from galaxies that shifted to red showed that the galaxies were receding. In line with this observation, Hubble discovered a striking law: the speed of galaxies that receded was directly proportional to the distance between galaxies. The farther away a galaxy stood, the more its speed of recession accelerated. The result was tested again and again. In short, galaxies were moving further and further away, all the time.
A universe where everything constantly moves away from everything else implied a constantly expanding universe. The debate now is not whether the universe is expanding but rather at what rate. In 2011, the Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to three scientists for the ‘discovery of the accelerating expansion of the universe through observations of distant supernovae’.
- Surah 51. Ad-Dhariyat - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzzSbqMZR2Y&index=51&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN
- Surah 51. Ad-Dhariyat Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjQdS5nKtJI&index=51&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM
- Surah 51. Ad-Dhariyat Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqBqLH3kCoo&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe&index=51
- Idris Akbar Surah Ad-Dhariyat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dw_2gLJAtQg
- Surah 51. AAd-Dhariyat Muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYFprNOxZbA&index=51&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG
- Dr Israr Ahmed Tafsir Surah Al-Zariyat to Surah Al-Waqi'ah1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iQj5eAnWSE&index=97&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263
- Surah Al-Zariyat to Surah Al-Waqi'ah2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a1V7hlRdFI&index=98&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263
