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. 

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.