Surat Al-Layl (The Night)

• Al-Quran

  The Institute of Islamic Knowledge, USA

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  Period of Revelation: This Surah so closely resembles Surah Ash-Shams that each Surah seems to be an explanation of the other. It is one and the same thing which has been explained in Surah Ash-Shams in one way and in this Surah in another. This indicates that both these Surah’s were revealed in about the same period, which is early stage of the Prophet’s residence at Makkah.

  Major Issues, Divine Laws and Guidance:

  • 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?

  This Surah identifies two different ways of life and explains the contrast between their ultimate ends and results. The first way is of the one who spends his wealth, adopts God-consciousness and piety, and acknowledges the good as good. The second way is of the one who is a miser, does not care for Allah’s pleasure or displeasure, and repudiates what is good and right. It is stated that these two modes of action, which are clearly opposite to each other, cannot be equal and alike in respect of their results. Just as they are different in their nature, so are they different in their results. After this the following three realities are stated briefly:

  1. Allah has not left man uninformed in the examination hall of the world, but has taken on Himself the responsibility to tell him which one is the straight and Right Way out of the different ways of life. There is no need to point out that by sending His Rasools and His Books, He has fulfilled His responsibilities.
  2. The Master of both, this world and the Hereafter, is Allah alone. If you seek this 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 for Him, one or both.
  3. The wretched one who rejects good, presented through the Rasool 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 and only for the sake of his Rabb’s pleasure, his Rabb will be pleased with him and will bless him with so much that he will be well pleased with his Rabb.