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
| |
| Events during/after still to occur*
N/A
| |
| Names of Prophets Mentioned
Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa
| |
| 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)
| |
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
|
Overview (Verses 7 - 14) Differences and Blind Guessing The same may be said about the second oath: "By the sky and its starry pathways you people are at variance in what you say abandoned by whoever wishes to turn away."(Verses 7-9) This oath is by the sky that is perfectly built, with pathways that are carefully interconnected, like the links of a chain. This may be one form clouds take as they gather in the sky, looking like a watery or sandy surface during or after a windy period. On the other hand, this description may be true of the permanent order of orbits that are perfectly coordinated and probably interconnected. This oath, by the perfectly arranged sky, confirms that the unbelievers are at variance in what they say and believe. Their stand is shaky, lacking roots and foundations. People may abandon belief at will, or stick to it if they wish. There is no general agreement or coordination as to its validity. The situation is one of perpetual confusion and worry. Such is falsehood: shifting grounds and a maze without markings or light. It is always shifting like a desert sand, lacking firm basis and accurate measure. When people agree on some aspect of faith, they soon diverge and find themselves in dispute. Their confusion is seen even more clearly when it is shown against the background of the sky, which is perfectly ordered and coordinated. The surah goes on to state that the unbelievers are deluded about the major question of the life to come. Their opinions are without a firm or true basis. They argue and dispute about a clear question of truth. Perish the ones given to blind guessing who are steeped in error, heedless of the truth. They ask: 'When will this Day of Judgement come?' That will be a day when they will be sorely tried by the fire. Taste this your trial' This is what you were keen to hasten. (Verses 10-14) Such people indulge in blind guessing. It is God who invokes their killing. How terrible! Needless to say, such an invocation is a firm sentence, one that is certain to be enforced. "Perish the ones given to blind guessing." (Verse (10) Further clarification of their identity is added: "who are steeped in error, heedless of the truth." (Verse 11) They are so steeped in delusion and falsehood that they are unable to wake themselves up. The surah shows them to be totally unaware of anything around them, as if they are excessively drunk. They cannot see for themselves something that is very clear to anyone with a sound mind. "They ask: When will this Day of Judgement come?" (Verse 12) It is not a question that seeks information; rather, it is an expression of doubt and denial. Therefore, the surah shows them their position on that day which they claim to be highly improbable: "That will be a day when they will be sorely tried by the fire." (Verse 13) They will burn in the fire just as some metals are exposed to fire to determine their make up. This burning is coupled with strong remonstration: "Taste this your trial! This is what you were keen to hasten." (Verse 14) A quick scene showing their miserable end is the most fitting answer to their question that sought no information. This powerful scene of their end contrasts with the state of confusion that plagues their lives. Moreover, it confirms that God's invocation of their deaths is fulfilled in a most terrible way. |
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
|
|
Overview (Verses 7 - 14) Differences and Blind Guessing The same may be said about the second oath: "By the sky and its starry pathways you people are at variance in what you say abandoned by whoever wishes to turn away."(Verses 7-9) This oath is by the sky that is perfectly built, with pathways that are carefully interconnected, like the links of a chain. This may be one form clouds take as they gather in the sky, looking like a watery or sandy surface during or after a windy period. On the other hand, this description may be true of the permanent order of orbits that are perfectly coordinated and probably interconnected. This oath, by the perfectly arranged sky, confirms that the unbelievers are at variance in what they say and believe. Their stand is shaky, lacking roots and foundations. People may abandon belief at will, or stick to it if they wish. There is no general agreement or coordination as to its validity. The situation is one of perpetual confusion and worry. Such is falsehood: shifting grounds and a maze without markings or light. It is always shifting like a desert sand, lacking firm basis and accurate measure. When people agree on some aspect of faith, they soon diverge and find themselves in dispute. Their confusion is seen even more clearly when it is shown against the background of the sky, which is perfectly ordered and coordinated. The surah goes on to state that the unbelievers are deluded about the major question of the life to come. Their opinions are without a firm or true basis. They argue and dispute about a clear question of truth. Perish the ones given to blind guessing who are steeped in error, heedless of the truth. They ask: 'When will this Day of Judgement come?' That will be a day when they will be sorely tried by the fire. Taste this your trial' This is what you were keen to hasten. (Verses 10-14) Such people indulge in blind guessing. It is God who invokes their killing. How terrible! Needless to say, such an invocation is a firm sentence, one that is certain to be enforced. "Perish the ones given to blind guessing." (Verse (10) Further clarification of their identity is added: "who are steeped in error, heedless of the truth." (Verse 11) They are so steeped in delusion and falsehood that they are unable to wake themselves up. The surah shows them to be totally unaware of anything around them, as if they are excessively drunk. They cannot see for themselves something that is very clear to anyone with a sound mind. "They ask: When will this Day of Judgement come?" (Verse 12) It is not a question that seeks information; rather, it is an expression of doubt and denial. Therefore, the surah shows them their position on that day which they claim to be highly improbable: "That will be a day when they will be sorely tried by the fire." (Verse 13) They will burn in the fire just as some metals are exposed to fire to determine their make up. This burning is coupled with strong remonstration: "Taste this your trial! This is what you were keen to hasten." (Verse 14) A quick scene showing their miserable end is the most fitting answer to their question that sought no information. This powerful scene of their end contrasts with the state of confusion that plagues their lives. Moreover, it confirms that God's invocation of their deaths is fulfilled in a most terrible way. |
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
