At-Tariq (ٱلطَّارِق)

Surah At-Tariq (الطَّارِق) is the 86th surah of the Quran. The title of this surah comes from its first verse وَالسَّمَاۗءِ وَالطَّارِقِ. Like many other surahs, it starts with an oath on different creations of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ. At-Tariq is an Arabic word which can be translated as the “Night-Comer,” “Bright Star,” or the “Night Star.” Sometimes, it is also translated as the “Nightly visitant.” However, in a broader sense, it is about the “Stars.”

Surah At-Tariq is a Makki Surah, which was revealed in the backdrop of the efforts and planning of the disbelievers of Mecca to defeat the message and spreading of Islam. The non-believers are warned that their plans will not be successful. It is amongst the earliest surahs revealed upon the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ in Mecca before he migrated to Medina. Surah At-Tariq is at number 36 in the revelation order, whereas it is at number 86 in the recitation sequence. It appears in the 30th Juzz (Para) of the Quran. Surah At-Tariq is the 9th surah within the 30th Juzz. It comprises 17 verses grouped in one Ruku. It has 61 words and 254 letters. 

Shaan e Nazool (Historical Background)

There is no specific event, occasion, or circumstance related to the revelation of Surah At-Tariq. Its style, theme, and subject matter suggest that it was revealed during the early days of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ, during his stay in Mecca. By consensus, the revelation period of Surah At-Tariq is believed to be well before the migration of the Prophet to Medina. It is believed that this Surah was sent down at a point in time when the Quraysh were using all possible means and plans to defeat and frustrate the Prophetic mission and the Message of Islam.

It was a time when the disbelievers were stubbornly denying the concept of resurrection and the truth and reality of the Divine revelations (the Quran). While denying these basic Islamic beliefs, they were also planning to avert the impact of the Prophet's preaching by using all possible means and tactics. They used to ridicule the Prophet, especially his preaching about the happening of the Day of Resurrection.

Like other earlier Meccan Surahs, Surah At-Tariq specifically addresses the core issues raised by the Quraysh, such as doubts and objections about the Day of Resurrection, and the Quranic revelations. Just like many other Meccan Surahs, this Surah also starts with powerful oaths on one of the major cosmic creations by Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, the stars that appear during night with piercing brightness. Referring to such Divine Creations, it is established in this Surah that everything in this Universe must have been created by someone, and can only survive and function under the supervision of someone. And that someone is only Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, who holds absolute Powers and Authority to create and make them function without any distraction. Similar is the case of the creation of humans to which this Surah also refers. Disbelievers are invited to reflect upon their own birth, which was made to happen by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, just with a tiny sperm. By relating this example, it is established in this Surah that if Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ can create humans from a tiny sperm, He also holds the power to give a second life to them on the Day of Judgment, by resurrecting them for final accountability.

The second objection and doubt of disbelievers was about the reality and truth of Divine revelations, the Quran. This Surah categorically declares that the Quran is the “decisive word” and must not be taken lightly. In this context, it is also declared in this Surah that while the disbelievers were planning to defeat the Message of Islam, Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ has His Own plans to overcome them.

In short, this Surah removes all doubts and objections raised by disbelievers about the happening of the Resurrection on the Day of Judgment, and the truth and reality of the Quranic revelations.   

Makki or Madni Surah

Surah At-Tariq is a Makki Surah, revealed during the earlier days of the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ.

Place in the Quran

Surah At-Tariq is the 86^th Surah of the Quran, and is placed in the 30^th Juzz (Para). It comes after Surah Al-Buruj and before Surah Al-Aa’la. It is the 36^th Surah in the order of revelation, and falls at number 86 in the sequence of recitation.

• Number of Verses: Surah At-Tariq has 17 verses.
• Number of Ruku (Sections): The verses of Surah At-Tariq are grouped into 1 Ruku (section).

Significance of Surah At-Tariq  

Surah At-Tariq is highly significant in Islamic beliefs, as it addresses two of the most important matters: the certainty of the Resurrection and the decisive nature of the Quranic words. Some of the major significances of this Surah are summarized here:

• The Surah starts with a categorical declaration that everything in this universe is created by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and that He is the only and absolute Authority on creation and functioning of the entire Universe, including the earth and the skies. The Surah is a source of strengthening our firm belief in Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ as the sole and absolute Creator.
• The Surah reminds us that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is fully aware of everything happening in this world, including even the hidden acts of every human. It also reminds us that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ is aware of our intentions as well. The 4^th verse of this Surah narrates that every soul in this Universe is being watched and guarded by Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.
• Surah At-Tariq strengthens our Iman (Belief) on the concept of resurrection. It is one of the basic elements of Iman to firmly believe in the Day of Resurrection, when every human will be resurrected to face the final accountability. The deed done in this world will decide the fate of every human, whether to be sent to Hell or to be rewarded with a peaceful life in Paradise.
• The Surah categorically declares that the words of the Quran are "decisive" and must not be taken lightly as an amusement. It reaffirms that the Quran is the ultimate deciding criterion between truth and falsehood. It is not something like entertainment or poetry, as claimed by disbelievers.  
• The Surah also declares that whatever the disbelievers may plan to defeat the very purpose of Islamic Beliefs, Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ also has His Own plans to defeat the disbelievers, instead. It encourages believers to have unwavering faith and trust in Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ.  

Themes and Subject Matter of Surah At-Tariq

Surah At-Tariq was revealed in the earlier days of Islam when the disbelievers used to make efforts to stop the message of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ. It emphasizes three things. Firstly, it is revealed that every soul in the world has a protector. Some scholars have explained in tafseer that this protector is an angel assigned by Allah. This angel protects the soul. Others note that there is an angel with every soul that writes down good and evil deeds. Secondly, it is made clear to everyone that there is a life after death, where everyone will have to appear before Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ for accountability. Thirdly, it is categorically affirmed that the Quran comprises the conclusive words of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ. 

After holding the stars as evidence, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ reminds the humans about their creation from a mere sperm. Then it is emphasized that if Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ can Create a human being from a drop of sperm, He can resurrect them after their death, on the Day of Judgment. The resurrection is not without a purpose; they will be held accountable for what they have done in their life in this world. It is further clarified that on that day, no one would be able to escape from accountability. 

Going further, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ gives the example of falling rain from the sky and the emergence of plants from the earth, emphasizing that these are not jest but are very serious sort of matters. Similarly, the words of the Quran are not a joke but are unchallengeable and unchangeable truths and realities. It is further expressed that the disbelievers might be planning ways to defeat the message of Islam, but Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ Has also devised plans to negate their plans.

Then, the last verse of the surah, فَمَــہِّلِ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ اَمْہِلْہُمْ رُوَيْدً (So leave the unbelievers to themselves; respite them awhile) is a sort of consolation for the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ and a warning to the disbelievers that they would soon see whether their plans succeed or the words of the Quran dominate.  

Virtues and Benefits of Surah At-Tariq

Reciting the Quran has countless benefits. All the surahs and verses of the Quran are equally beneficial and are a source of rewards on the Day of Judgment. Some of the surahs or verses, however, have specific rewards and virtues associated with them. 

The virtues and benefits of reciting Surah At-Tariq are summarized here.

• Reciting any of the surahs of the Quran connects the reciter to his Creator, Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and so does the recitation of Surah At-Tariq. 

• It is specifically beneficial for the reciter to face accountability on the Day of Resurrection, as it reminds the reciter that he would be appearing before Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ on the day of judgment and would have to face the accountability process. No one would be able to escape this. Hence, the reciter should avoid evildoing and follow the righteous path.

• It reminds the reciter that all his deeds, good or bad, are being recorded by the guardian angel, specifically appointed for every soul. The record of all his deeds in this world would be presented before Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ on the day of resurrection. Reciting this surah so often is beneficial to prepare for the upcoming life after death.  

• It is also a source of making us realize that we should repent and seek guidance and forgiveness of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ.

• It reminds the reciter that every hidden evil deed planned by the disbelievers is known to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ is also planning to punish the disbelievers for any such deeds.

Listen to the Recitation of Surah At-Tariq by Renowned Qaris

Listening to the recitation of the Quran, including Surah At-Tariq by renowned Qaris (reciters), is the best source of learning the correct pronunciation of the Quranic words. The correct recitation of the Quran, including Surah At-Tariq, is a highly sensitive matter, especially for those not familiar with the Arabic language. Every Quranic word has to be pronounced exactly the same way as was taught by the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ because even a minute mispronunciation of a word may lead to a different meaning, which is not acceptable while reading the Quran. Moreover, the correct recitation of the Quran brings us closer to the Message it conveys. Hence, listening to an authentic reciter (Qari) may greatly help in learning the correct recitation of the Quran. Moreover, sometimes you may just want to listen instead of reading the Quran.

The MuslimandQuran mobile app provides the best solution to this sensitive matter. The recitation of the Quran by renowned and authentic Qaris is available on our website and mobile application, which you can listen to on your mobile devices or laptops at your convenience. You can select a Qari of your preference to listen to and learn the correct recitation of the Quran. You only need to download the MuslimandQuran mobile app to listen to any Surah of the Quran, including Surah At-Tariq.

You can download our mobile app for both Android and iOS by clicking the links given below:

• Mobile Application for iOS
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Surah At-Tariq PDF

The mobile app of MuslimandQuran provides the facility of reading the Quran online. But if you are interested in reading it offline, you can also download any of the Surahs of the Quran, including Surah At-Tariq, in PDF.

You can download Surah At-Tariq in PDF by following these simple steps:

• Press Ctrl + P on your keyboard.
• In the Destination dropdown menu, choose Save as PDF.
• Click Save to download At-Tariq to your device.

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