Quran Quote  :  Believers! Do not follow in Satan's footsteps. Let him who follows in Satan's footsteps (remember that) Satan bids people to indecency and evil. - 24:21

Quran-100:1 Surah Al-adiyat English Translation,Transliteration and Tafsir(Tafseer).

وَٱلۡعَٰدِيَٰتِ ضَبۡحٗا

Transliteration:( Wal'aadi yaati dabha )

1. (I swear) by (horses) who run snortingly (in war)(1). (Kanzul Imaan Translation)

(1) By the racers, panting,[1967] (Saheen International Translation)

Related Ayat(Verses)/Topics

Surah Al-Adiyat Ayat 1 Tafsir (Commentry)



  • Tafseer-e-Naeemi (Ahmad Yaar Khan)
  • Ibn Kathir
  • Ala-Madudi
  • Shaheen International

Surah Adiyat: Symbolism and Reflections

The word Adiyaat is derived from ADOO, meaning "to run" or "to exceed the limit." This term carries profound symbolic meaning, as it refers to horses used in Islamic wars, highlighting their dedication and effort as they exceed boundaries and traverse enemy territories. This conveys several important messages:


Key Points Derived from Surah Adiyat

  1. Probable Timing of Revelation

    • The nature of Surah Adiyat suggests that it is likely Madinite because it references the horses of Muslim soldiers during Jihad (Holy War), an institution that began after the Hijrah (Migration).
    • If considered Makkan, the mention of these horses could be interpreted as a prophecy of future events, foretelling the establishment of Islamic armies and their success in defending faith.
  2. The Lofty Status of Muslim Soldiers

    • Allah Almighty takes an oath on the horses of Muslim soldiers, emphasizing their noble status and the sanctity of their mission.
    • This includes not just the horses but also their breath, hooves, and efforts, symbolizing their role in striving for Allah's cause.
  3. Honor Through Association with the Holy Prophet ﷺ

    • The examples of individuals and objects gaining honor by associating with the Holy Prophet ﷺ underscore the loftiness of such an association:
      • Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (رضي الله عنه) carrying the Prophet ﷺ during the Hijrah.
      • Hazrat Ali Murtaza (رضي الله عنه) letting the Prophet ﷺ sleep on his lap at Sahba.
      • Hazrat Aisha Siddiqah (رضي الله عنها) placing the blessed head of the Prophet ﷺ on her chest during his final moments.
      • Hazrat Amina and Bibi Halima Saadia, who nurtured him in their laps.
    • These moments highlight the immense dignity and blessings associated with serving the Holy Prophet ﷺ.
  4. The Blessing of Breath

    • If the breath of the horses of Islamic soldiers is deemed so blessed that Allah takes an oath on it, then the breath of a person remembering Allah is undoubtedly even more exalted.
    • The breath of the Awliya (Friends of Allah) and Sufis carries spiritual blessings and has been seen as a source of healing and guidance for humanity.
  5. Spiritual Interpretation for the Sufis

    • In the lives of the Sufi saints, the verse can also be interpreted as referring to those Godly individuals who have transcended their sensual and devilish inclinations to enter the boundaries of Divine Mercy.
    • This spiritual journey signifies striving to overcome the self (Nafs) and seeking closeness to Allah, much like the horses crossing physical boundaries in service of their riders.

Lessons and Reflections

  1. Prophecy and Fulfillment

    • Surah Adiyat reflects not just historical events but also the prophetic vision of the eventual establishment and success of Islamic efforts.
  2. Significance of Effort and Sacrifice

    • The oath on horses underscores the value of effort, sacrifice, and dedication in the path of Allah. Every stride of the horse and every breath of the rider are counted as acts of devotion.
  3. Dignity Through Service

    • The dignity of individuals and objects associated with the Holy Prophet ﷺ reminds us of the importance of serving Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. Even the simplest acts, when tied to divine purpose, gain unparalleled worth.
  4. Spiritual Purification

    • The struggle of Islamic soldiers and Sufis alike reflects the universal message of striving—whether in the battlefield or against the self—to achieve a state of closeness to Allah.

Conclusion

Surah Adiyat offers both a historical and spiritual lens to understand the essence of striving in Allah's cause. Whether it be the physical efforts of Muslim soldiers or the spiritual battles of the Sufis, the overarching theme is one of dedication, sacrifice, and the pursuit of divine mercy. Through these reflections, believers are encouraged to exceed their limitations and seek the pleasure of Allah in all aspects of life.

Ibn-Kathir

1. By the `Adiyat (steeds), snorting. 2. Striking sparks of fire. 3. And scouring to the raid at dawn. 4. And raise the dust in clouds the while. 5. And penetrating forthwith as one into the midst. 6. Verily, man is ungrateful to his Lord. 7. And to that He bears witness. 8. And verily, he is violent in the love of wealth. 9. Knows he not that when the contents of the graves are poured forth 10. And that which is in the breasts shall be made known 11. Verily, that Day their Lord will be Well-Acquainted with them.


Swearing by the Horses of War about the Ungratefulness of Man and His Zeal for Wealth

Allah swears by the horses when they are made to gallop into battle in His path (i.e., Jihad), and thus they run and pant, which is the sound that is heard from the horse when it runs.

﴿فَالمُورِيَـتِ قَدْحاً ﴾

(Striking sparks of fire.) meaning, the striking of their hooves on the rocks, which causes sparks of fire to fly from them.

﴿فَالْمُغِيرَتِ صُبْحاً ﴾

(And scouring to the raid at dawn.) meaning, the raid that is carried out in the early morning time. This is just as the Messenger of Allah used to perform raids in the early morning. He would wait to see if he heard the Adhan (call to prayer) from the people. If he heard it he would leave them alone, and if he didn’t hear it he would attack. Then Allah says,

﴿فَأَثَرْنَ بِهِ نَقْعاً ﴾

(And raise the dust in clouds the while.) meaning, dust at the place of the battle with the horses.

﴿فَوَسَطْنَ بِهِ جَمْعاً ﴾

(And penetrating forthwith as one into the midst.) means, then are all in the middle of that spot, together. Allah’s saying;

﴿فَالْمُغِيرَتِ صُبْحاً ﴾

(And scouring to the raid at dawn.) Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid and Qatadah, all said, “This means the invasion of the horses in the morning in the way of Allah.” And His statement,

﴿فَأَثَرْنَ بِهِ نَقْعاً ﴾

(And raise the dust in clouds the while.) This is the place in which the attack takes place. The dust is stirred up by it. And His statement,

﴿فَوَسَطْنَ بِهِ جَمْعاً ﴾

(And penetrating forthwith as one into the midst.) Al-`Awfi narrated from Ibn `Abbas, `Ata, `Ikrimah, Qatadah and Ad-Dahhak that they all said, “This means into the midst of the disbelieving enemy.” Concerning Allah’s statement,

﴿إِنَّ الإِنسَـنَ لِرَبِّهِ لَكَنُودٌ ﴾

(Verily, man is ungrateful (Kanud) to his Lord.) This is the subject what is being sworn about, and it means that he (man) is ungrateful for the favors of His Lord and he rejects them. Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ibrahim An-Nakha`i, Abu Al-Jawza’, Abu Al-`Aliyah, Abu Ad-Duha, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Muhammad bin Qays, Ad-Dahhak, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ar-Rabi` bin Anas and Ibn Zayd all said, “Al-Kanud means ungrateful.” Al-Hasan said, “Al-Kanud is the one who counts the calamities (that befall him) and he forgets Allah’s favors.”

Concerning Allah’s statement,

﴿وَإِنَّهُ عَلَى ذَلِكَ لَشَهِيدٌ ﴾

(And to that He bears witness.) Qatadah and Sufyan Ath-Thawri both said, “And indeed Allah is a witness to that.” It is also possible that the pronoun (He) could be referring to man. This was said by Muhammad bin Ka`b Al-Qurazi. Thus, its meaning would be that man is a witness himself to the fact that he is ungrateful. This is obvious in his condition, meaning this is apparent from his statements and deeds. This is as Allah says,

﴿مَا كَانَ لِلْمُشْرِكِينَ أَن يَعْمُرُواْ مَسَاجِدَ الله شَـهِدِينَ عَلَى أَنفُسِهِم بِالْكُفْرِ﴾

(It is not for the idolators, to maintain the Masajid of Allah, while they witness disbelief against themselves.) (9:17) Allah said;

﴿وَإِنَّهُ لِحُبِّ الْخَيْرِ لَشَدِيدٌ ﴾

(And verily, he is violent in the love of wealth.) meaning, and indeed in his love of the good, which is wealth, he is severe. There are two opinions concerning this. One of them is that it means that he is severe. There are two opinions concerning this. One of them is that it means that he is severe in his love of wealth. The other view is that it means he is covetous and stingy due to the love of wealth. However, both views are correct.

The Threat about the Hereafter

Then Allah encourages abstinence from worldly things and striving for the Hereafter, and He informs of what the situation will be after this present condition, and what man will face of horrors. He says,

﴿أَفَلاَ يَعْلَمُ إِذَا بُعْثِرَ مَا فِى الْقُبُورِ ﴾

(Knows he not that when the contents of the graves are poured forth) meaning, the dead that are in it will be brought out.

﴿وَحُصِّلَ مَا فِى الصُّدُورِ ﴾

(And that which is in the breasts shall be made known) Ibn `Abbas and others have said, “This means what was in their souls would be exposed and made apparent.”

﴿إِنَّ رَبَّهُم بِهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّخَبِيرٌ ﴾

(Verily, that Day their Lord will be Well-Acquainted with them.) meaning, He knows all of that they used to do, and He will compensate them for it with the most deserving reward. He does not do even the slightest amount of injustice. This is the end of the Tafsir of Surat Al-`Adiyat, and all praise and thanks are due to Allah.


Ala-Maududi

(100:1) By (the horses) that charge snorting,[1]


1. There is no indication in the words of the verse to show whether those who run imply the horses; only the word wal-adiyat (by, those who run) has been used. That is why the commentators have disputed as to what is implied by those who run. One section of the companions and their immediate successors has been to think that it implies the horses; another section says that it implies the camels. But since the peculiar sound called dabh is produced only by the panting, snorting horses, and the following verses also in which mention has been made of striking sparks and raiding a settlement early at dawn and raising clouds of dust, apply only to the horses, most scholars are of the opinion that horses are meant. Ibn Jarir says: Of the two views this view is preferable that by “those who run” horses are implied, for the camel does not breathe hard in running, it is the horse which does so, and Allah has said: By those runners which pant and breathe hard in running. Imam Razi says: The words of these verses proclaim that horses are meant, for the sound of dabh (panting breath) is only produced by the horses, and the act of striking sparks of fire with the hoofs too is associated with the horses, and, likewise, mounting of a raid early at dawn is easier by means of the horses than by other animals.

(1) By the racers, panting,[1967]

[1967]- i.e., the horses bearing riders as they race to attack the enemy.

Surah Al-Adiyat All Ayat (Verses)

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