Surah al-Inshiqaq (The Splitting ) 84 : 19

Explanatory Note

This means, you will pass from one stage of suffering to another, as has been charted for you. The Qur’an uses the term ‘ride’, although we use the expression ‘move onward’, to denote the undergoing of various stages of suffering. ‘Ride’ is frequently used in Arabic to signify the passage through risk and difficulty. This usage suggests that difficulties and risks are like horses or mules to be ridden. Each one will take the rider to the stage determined for them. Thus each one will deliver the rider to a new, predetermined stage, in the same way as twilight, the night and perfect moon are predetermined. They eventually end with their meeting with God, which was mentioned in the preceding part. This coherent ordering of the parts of the surah and the smooth movement from one point to another is characteristic of the superb Qur’anic style.