Adh-Dhariyat (ٱلذَّارِيَات)

Adh-Dhariyat is the 51st chapter or surah of the Quran. Adh-Dhariyat, also known as the scatterer, the dust-scattering winds, and driver of the winds, is positioned in the juz 26 and 27 with 3 rukus and a total of 60 verses. A Makki/Meccan surah, Adh-Dhariyat, consists of a tripartite structure: I, 1– 23; II, 24– 46; III, 47– 60 – a feature commonly seen in early Makki surahs. 

The surah mentions Prophet Abraham and Noah, the day of judgment, and emphasizes the message of the Quran. Although the exact timeline of the revelation is unknown, the theme and subject provide an idea that Adh-Dhariyat was revealed to the Prophet (ﷺ) during his residency in Makkah when the Prophet's (ﷺ) invitation and message to the non-believers towards Islam was being rejected and met with false accusations and resistance. The surah is likely to have been revealed during the same time as the revelation of Surah Qaf.

Theme and Subject Matter of Surah Adh-Dhariyat (الذَّارِيَات)

Like most surahs of the Quran, Surah Adh-Dhariyat (الذَّارِيَات) begins with Allah Azzawajal swearing an oath by one of the incredible feats of nature He has created. He says: "By the winds scattering ˹dust˺, and ˹the clouds˺ loaded with rain, and ˹the ships˺ gliding with ease, and ˹the angels˺ administering affairs by ˹Allah's˺ command! Indeed, what you are promised is true." This is a promise to the believers and the non-believers that what Allah and His messenger have said regarding the Day of Judgment will come to pass. 

The concept of the hereafter is very much front and center in this surah. Surah Adh-Dhariyat warns the disbelievers that nations in the past that refused to accept the message of the Prophets that were sent upon them and indulged in ignorance and insults were met with disaster. Moreover, it also highlights the majestic power of Allah and emphasizes the fact that it is He who created the universe alone and is the only one who sustains it. This is a reminder for the believers to always be in awe of the power of their Lord and remain humble and faithful.

Surah Adh-Dhariyat encourages the believers to reflect greatly on everything Allah has created around them. Be it the wind that blows, the heavens, or the earth. It endorses them to contemplate whatever they see around them and wonder how they come into existence if not for Allah and His power. The existence of all things combined is the evidence for the existence of the hereafter, as well. 

In the last verses, the surah discusses the oneness of Allah (Tawhid). Allah states in the surah that He is not like the false gods who need sustenance from humans. Instead, He does not need sustenance from anyone and has enough power and might without needing anything from anyone. Such is His power.

In surah Adh-Dhariyat, we find that in the past, when the messages of Allah's prophets were rejected by their nations, they were not rejected on the basis of logic or rational doubt but solely due to pride, ignorance, and stubborn behavior of the people who disbelieved. The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) has therefore been advised to ignore those who rebel out of spite and go on preaching his message of Islam and truth, and as for those who rebel and choose to disbelieve despite the truth right in front of them, they will be met with their share of punishment similar to those before them.

Some historical accounts and stories of the previous Prophets have also been mentioned in Surah Adh-Dhariyat. These include the story of descending angels to Abraham, the sending of Moses to the Pharoah, the punishment of the people of Noah, and the punishment of the people of Adh.

Benefits and Virtues of Surah Adh-Dhariyat (الذَّارِيَات)

In the book of Majmaʿ al-bayān fī Tafsīr al-Qurʾān, the Prophet (ﷺ) has been reported to have said that anyone who recites Surah Adh-Dhariyat will be given ten rewards for the blow of every wind. Moreover, Al-Shayk al-Saduq also transmitted from Imam-al-Sadiq that whoever recites Surah Adh-Dhariyat during the day or night, Allah will increase his sustenance and brighten his grave with a lamp until the last day.

Imam Ibn Abi Shaybah also reportedly narrated from Abu al-Mutawakil Naji that Ibn Umar (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهُ) used to recite Surah Qaf and Surah Adh-Dhariyat in the Dhuhr prayer. Even general recitation of the Quran and indulging in the remembrance of Allah helps earn His forgiveness and gain relief from feelings of depression, anxiety, and guilt.

"Those who believe and find peace in their hearts from the contemplation of God: Surely there is peace of heart in the contemplation of God!" (13:28)

Moreover, recitation of the Quran will also provide relief from the fire on the day of judgment. Abu Huraira had reported the Prophet (ﷺ) to have said:

"Read the Qur'an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection." – Riyad-as-Salihin 991