Overview - Surah 92: al-Layl (The Night )
It has basically the same theme as the previous Surah, but it tells us about the two ways of life: good way and evil way and the consequences of both ways. The Surah takes its name from the first Ayat, وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَىٰ "By the night when it covers" [92:1].
There are 21 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 21 |
| Total Words * | 71 |
| Root Words * | 46 |
| Unique Root Words * | 1 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 9th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 4th year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
Public Invitation to Islam - Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - derision - accusation - abuse and false propaganda., Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam
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| Events during/after still to occur*
Physical beating and torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Muslims to Abyssinia,2nd Migration to Abyssinia,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3,Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey,1st Pledge of Aqabah,2nd Pledge of Aqabah,,Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah,Change of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of Badr,Battle of Uhud,,Battle of Ahzab - Expedition of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah - Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah - Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of Prophet - End of Divine Revelation
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| Names of Prophets Mentioned
No Prophets names are mentioned in this Surah
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| Surah Index
Charity, Charity (niggardliness) , Charity (not payment for favours received) , Hell, Humankind (created in pairs) , Life (path toward contentment made easy) , Materialism
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Its theme is to distinguish between the two different ways of life and to explain the contrast between their ultimate ends and results. In view of the subject matter this Surah consists of two parts, the first part consisting of v. 1-11 and the second of v. 12-21.
In the first part, at the outset it has been pointed out that the strivings and doings that the individuals, nations and groups of mankind are engaged in in the world, are, in respect of their moral nature, as divergent as the day is from the night, and the male from the female. After this, according to the general style of the brief Surahs of the Qur’an, three moral characteristics of one kind and three moral characteristics of the other kind have been presented as an illustration from among a vast collection of the strivings and activities of man, from which every man can judge which style of life is represented by one kind of the characteristics and which style of life by the other kind. Both these styles have been described in such brief, elegant, and pithy sentences that they move the heart and go down into memory as soon as one hears them. Characteristics of the first kind are that one should spend one’s wealth, adopt God-consciousness and piety, and acknowledge the good as good. The second kind of the characteristics are that one should be miserly, should least care for God’s pleasure and His displeasure, and should repudiate what is good and right. Then it has been stated that these two modes of action which are clearly divergent, cannot be equal and alike in respect of their results. But, just as they are divergent in their nature, so they are divergent in their results. The person (or group of persons) who adopts the first mode of action, God will make easy for him the correct way of life, so much so that doing good will become easy for him and doing evil difficult. On the contrary, he who adopts the second mode of life, God will make easy for him the difficult and hard way of life, so much so that doing evil will become easy for him and doing good difficult. This passage has been concluded with a most effective and touching sentence, saying: “This worldly wealth for the sake of which man is even prepared to risk his life: will not go down with him into the grave; therefore, what will it avail him after death?”
In the second part also three truths have been stated equally briefly. First, that God has not left man uninformed in the examination hall of the world, but He has taken on Himself the responsibility to tell him which one is the straight and right way out of the different ways of life. Here, there was no need to point out that by sending His Messenger and His Book. He has fulfilled His responsibility, for both the Messenger and the Book were present for guidance. Second, that the Master of both the world and the Hereafter is God alone. If you seek the world, it is He Who will give it, and if you seek the Hereafter, again it is He Who will give it. Now, it is for you to decide what you should seek from Him. The third truth that has been stated is that the wretched one who rejects the good, which is being presented through the Messenger and the Book, and turns away from it, will have a blazing fire ready for him. As for the God fearing person who spends his wealth in a good cause, without any selfish motive, only for the sake of winning his Lord’s good pleasure, his Lord will be pleased with him and will bless him with so much that he will be well pleased with Him.
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
730 H (1330 CE)
391 H (1001 CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
- Surah al-Layl [92] ends with the words وَلَسَوْفَ يَرْضَىٰ "And he is going to be satisfied." [92:21] and Surah ad-Duha [93] has the Ayat, وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰ "And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied." [93:5]
- Surah al-Layl [Night 92] and ad-Duha [Forenoon 93] are both periods in the 24 hour day.
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = 1* | ||
| # | Root Word | Frequency in Surah | Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | إِذَا | 3 | 409 |
| 2. | ي س ر | 3 | 44 |
| 3. | أَمَّا | 2 | 55 |
| 4. | و ق ي | 2 | 258 |
| 5. | ح س ن | 2 | 194 |
| 6. | غ ن ي | 2 | 73 |
| 7. | ك ذ ب | 2 | 282 |
| 8. | م و ل | 2 | 86 |
| 9. | إِلَّا | 2 | 663 |
| 10. | ٱلَّذِى | 2 | 1464 |
| Root Word | Frequency in Surah |
Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|
| إِذَا | 3 | 409 |
| ي س ر | 3 | 44 |
| أَمَّا | 2 | 55 |
| و ق ي | 2 | 258 |
| ح س ن | 2 | 194 |
| غ ن ي | 2 | 73 |
| ك ذ ب | 2 | 282 |
| م و ل | 2 | 86 |
| إِلَّا | 2 | 663 |
| ٱلَّذِى | 2 | 1464 |
Its subject matter so closely resembles that of Surah 91: ash-Shams (The Sun) that each Surah seems to be an explanation of the other. It is one and the same thing, which has been explained in Surah 91: ash-Shams in one way and in this Surah in another. This indicates that both these Surahs were sent down in about the same period.
- أَنَّهُ قَالَ صَلَّى مُعَاذُ بْنُ جَبَلٍ الأَنْصَارِيُّ لأَصْحَابِهِ الْعِشَاءَ فَطَوَّلَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَانْصَرَفَ رَجُلٌ مِنَّا فَصَلَّى فَأُخْبِرَ مُعَاذٌ عَنْهُ فَقَالَ إِنَّهُ مُنَافِقٌ . فَلَمَّا بَلَغَ ذَلِكَ الرَّجُلَ دَخَلَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَخْبَرَهُ مَا قَالَ مُعَاذٌ فَقَالَ لَهُ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَتُرِيدُ أَنْ تَكُونَ فَتَّانًا يَا مُعَاذُ إِذَا أَمَمْتَ النَّاسَ فَاقْرَأْ بِالشَّمْسِ وَضُحَاهَا . وَسَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ الأَعْلَى . وَاقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ . وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى
'Mu'adh b. Jabal al-Ansari led his companions in the night prayer and prolonged it for them. A person amongst us said prayer (after having separated himself from the congregation). Mu'adh was informed of this, and he remarked that he was a hypocrite. When it (the remark) was conveyed to the man, he went to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and informed him of what Mu'adh had said. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to him: Mu'adh, do you want to become a person putting (people) to trial? When you lead people in prayer, recite:" By the Sun and its morning brightness" (Surat ash-Shams)," Glorify the name of thy most high Lord" (Surat al-A`la) and" Read in the name of Lord" (Surat al-`Alaq), and" By the night when it spreads" (Surat al-Lail). ٍSahih Muslim
- For good people, Allah will facilitate the easy way and for the wicked, the hard way.
- What benefit will one get from his wealth if he himself is doomed?
Tafsir Zone
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Sayyid Qutb Overview (Verses 12 - 21) And Different Ends The second part states the fate of each group. It emphasizes firstly that the end and reward of each group is fair and inevitable, for guidance has been provided and warnings have been issued: “It is for Us to give guidance, and Ours is the life to come, and this first life. I warn you, therefore, of the raging fire, which none shall have to endure but the most hapless wretch, who denies the truth and turns away. Kept away from it will be him who is God-fearing, who gives away his money to purify himself not in recompense of any favours done him by anyone but only out of a longing for the countenance of his Lord, the Most High. He shall indeed be well pleased.” (Verses 12-21) One aspect of God’s grace and mercy to His servants is that He has taken it upon Himself to provide clear guidance that is readily acceptable to human nature, and to explain it as well through His messages and messengers, and by means of the signs He has provided. Thus, no one has a valid argument for deviation, and no one will suffer injustice: “It is for Us to give guidance.” (Verse 12) Then follows a straightforward statement of the essence of power which has control over man and everything around him, from which he can have no shelter: “and Ours is the life to come, and this first life.” (Verse 13) By way of elaboration on the two facts just mentioned, namely, God’s provision of guidance and that to Him belongs this life and the hereafter, i.e. the realms of action and reward, there is a reminder to us that He has given clear warning to us all: “I warn you, therefore, of the raging fire.” (Verse 14) It is only the most wretched of mankind who are thrown in this fire. Indeed there is no wretchedness worse than suffering in hell: “None shall have to endure [id but the most hapless wretch.” (Verse 15) We then have a definition of such a wretched person. It is he “who denies the truth and turns away.” (Verse 16) He denies this message and turns away from divine guidance. He does not answer his Lord’s beckoning so that He may guide him as He has promised any who come towards Him with an open mind. “Kept away from it will be him who is God-fearing.” (Verse 17) A person who fears God will be the happiest, in contrast to the most hapless wretch. The surah similarly gives a definition of such a person. He is the one “who gives away his money to purify himself” (Verse 18) He has no vain motive or need to satisfy any snobbery. He spends it voluntarily not out of any indebtedness, seeking gratitude from no one. His only objective is the pleasure of his Lord, the Most Exalted: “Not in recompense of any favours done him by anyone but only out of a longing for the countenance of his Lord, the Most High.” (Verses 19-20) What can the righteous person expect in return for spending his money in selfpurification, and for seeking the pleasure of his Lord? The reward which the Qur’an states is indeed surprising, and very unfamiliar: “He shall indeed be well pleased.” (Verse 21) It is the pleasure that fills the believer’s heart and soul, animates everything in his life, and radiates to all around him. What a reward, and what grace! “He shall indeed be well pleased.” He will be satisfied with his religion, his Lord and his destiny. He will be content with whatever befalls him of comfort or discomfort, and whether he is poor or wealthy. He will be free of anxiety and hard feelings. He does not worry about his burden being too heavy or his goal being too far. This satisfaction is in itself a reward, great beyond description. Only the person who sacrifices himself and his wealth for it and who seeks to purify himself and to win God’s pleasure deserves this reward. It is God alone who can pour such a reward into those hearts which submit to Him with all sincerity and pure devotion. Having paid the price, the believer “shall indeed be well pleased.” At this point, the reward comes as a surprise, but it is a surprise awaited by the one who attains the standard of the righteous, whose main qualifications are spending for self-purification and seeking God’s pleasure. Such a person will be well pleased and well satisfied. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
Mawdudi
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
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- Surah 92. Al-Layl - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SQBViWtJMU&index=92&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN
- Surah 92. Al-Layl Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUoOONAoZUc&index=92&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM
- Surah 92. Al-Layl Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTYqDZIxN-s&index=92&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe
- Surah 92. Al-Layl Idris Akbar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmJ3FC3RoMA
- Surah 92. Al-Layl Muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEInPUChPao&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG&index=92