Surahs Shams-Lail (91-92)
Quranic Exegesis
INTRODUCTION
These two surahs form a pair since they discuss the same subject. However, the first surah mentions the pathways which lead to doom and success in the Hereafter, while the second one actually describes these pathways. The leaders of the Quraysh have been addressed in them. The address mostly is indirect as their arrogant attitude has made them unworthy of being addressed directly. A study of the contents of this surah-pair shows that, like the previous surahs, they were revealed in Mecca in the phase of `Inzar-i-Aam'. In this phase of his mission, the Prophet (sws) was discharging his duty of warning the Quraysh in general of the dire consequences of their defiant attitude.
CENTRAL THEME
Surah Shams
The leaders of the Quraysh have been warned, on the basis of the law of retribution, about their rebellious and arrogant attitude towards the Prophetic mission.
Surah Lail
A final warning has been sounded to the Quraysh with reference to this law of retribution and the right and wrong pathways referred to by the words ‘he succeeded who purified it and he failed who corrupted it’ of Surah Shams have been illustrated.
SUBJECT ANALYSIS
Surah Shams
The existence of pairs --- like the sun and the moon, the night and the day and the earth and the sky --- as a general rule in the manifestations of nature shows that just as either member of a pair needs its complement to become meaningful, this world also is incomplete unless it is viewed together with its complement: the Day of Reward and Punishment.
The innate concepts about good and evil in the human soul and the perfection given to it also testify to this reality --- the Day of Judgement. A mention of the pathways which will lead to success and doom in the Hereafter.
Historical evidence is presented on the law of retribution to thereby indirectly warn the Quraysh that if they too exceed the limits in their arrogant and rebellious attitude, like the people of the Thamud, then they will be totally wiped out, and the Almighty shall enforce his decision on them without any hesitation.
Surah Lail
The principle of the existence of pairs in this universe testifies that just as the night and the day and the male species and the female species, become meaningful when considered with each other, this world also shall become meaningful on the Day of Judgement.
An explanation of the way by which the terrible fate on that Day can be avoided and success achieved.
The Quraysh are given the final warning in this phase of Inzar-i-`Aam with reference to this fate in the words: `It is for Us to give guidance', and `I have warned you of the Raging Fire'.
Abu Lahab, the premier leader of the Quraysh is threatened of his dreadful fate, and, in contrast, the Prophet (sws) is given glad tidings of success in the Herein and in the Hereafter.
EXPLANATION
Surah Shams1
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful.
The sun bears witness and its ascent and the moon when it follows it, and the day when it illuminates2 it, and the night when it enshrouds it, and the sky and its [wondrous] make, and the earth and its [wide] expanse3 [that if this world exists, the next world also does.4] --- and the soul bears witness and the perfection given to it. Then inspired it with its evil and its good5 that he succeeded who purified it and he failed who corrupted it.6
The Thamud7 denied [their Prophet8] in their rebellious pride when their most wretched person rose against him. The Prophet of Allah then warned them of the she-camel of Allah and her turn [to drink]9. But they rejected him and slaughtered it; so because of this crime, their Lord let lose His scourge upon them and razed their city to the ground. And He had no fear of its consequences.10
Surah Lail
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful.
The night when it darkens bears witness and the day when it brightens and the creation of the male and the female species also11 [that if this world exists, the next world also does and] whatever you do [in this world] shall necessarily have different results in the next12.
So, he who gave in the way of Allah and was godfearing and believed in the good outcome [in the Hereafter]13, We shall, indeed, take him14 to [a fate] of delight. And he who was a miser and was indifferent and belied the good outcome [in the Hereafter]15, We shall, indeed, take him to [a fate] of affliction16. What will his wealth avail him when he plunges into the Pit17? It is for Us to give guidance18 and verily, this world and the next are under Our control19. So, [O People of Mecca!] I have warned you of the raging Fire20 .
Only this most wretched leader [of yours]21 shall enter it; who denied and turned away. And [Our Prophet] --- the most god-fearing shall be kept away from it, who spends his wealth to purify his soul, and does not confer favours on anyone for recompense but only to seek the countenance of his Lord, Most High22. Soon [O People!] he shall prosper [from the favours of his Lord]23.