Surah Ad-Duha…

I’ve never read this Surah or came across it until my friend tagged me in on an Islamic post on Instagram after I had shared about some of my struggles with my family after relocating. I read it and ofcourse I am completely fascinated.

This Surah is close to date to Surahs 89 (Surah Al Fajr) and Surah 92 (Surah Al-Layl) and the imagery drawn from the contrast of night and day is common to all three. In this Surah the vicissitudes of human life are referred to and a message of hope and consolidation is given to man’s soul from Allah’s (swt) past mercies and he is bidden to pursue the path of goodness and proclaim the bounties of Allah (swt). This is the general meaning. In particular, the Surah seems to have been revealed in a dark period in the outer life of the Prophet (PBUH). When a man of lesser resolute will might have been discouraged. But the Prophet (PBUH) is told to hold the present of less account than the glorious Hereafter which awaited him like the glorious morning after a night of stillness and gloom. The Hereafter was, not only in the future but his later life on this earth full of victory and satisfaction.

This Surah was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at a time when he had not received any revelation for six months, not even in the form of a dream. The Prophet (PBUH) was in a mentally distraught, depressed and thought that Allah (SWT) was displeased with him, or had forgotten him. A sense of loneliness might well have weighted on his mind, own tribe of the Quraysh jeered at him, taunted and threatened him as well as the believers. But his faith was never shaken not even to the extent of agony of Jesus “My God! why hast Thou foresaken me?” (Mark 16:54).

Surah Ad-Duha was revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) to relieve him of these negative feelings and to give him hope, positivity, and the assurance that Allah is with him no matter what. From it we too can find peace, hope, and a renewed faith in Allah when we go through similar states of depression, sadness and hopelessness.The Surah starts off with:

Wad duhaa (By the morning brightness)

This is the first thing you need to hear when you’re depressed: Wake up, look at the sunshine! Everything in life is not doom and gloom– you just have to look up!

Wal laili iza sajaa -(And [by] the night when it covers with darkness)

Why is this aayah immediately talking about darkness straight after lightness? As a reminder to us that the night is meant to cover and give us comfort and rest. As above so below, between the polarity of night and day are the transitional states of dusk and dawn. These in-between states show us how lightness and darkness are not completely separate.

Ma wad da’aka rabbuka wa ma qalaa (Your Lord has not taken leave of you, [O Muhammad], nor has He detested [you].)

“Ma wad da’aka rabbuka” Using the word “Ma” emphasises that that Allah (swt) has not forgotten oneself, when correcting someone the word “Ma” is used. The same way we say “la illah ila allah” we are making a statement and “la” rhetorially means that you’re answering a question. Is there anyone besides Allah? No. But if one states the incorrect statement saying that are others besides Allah, then “la illah ila allah” is no longer said but is instead replaced with “Ma” infront to correct the notion.

“Wad” is used to describe the inside of a pitted date, the closed walls of a grave and saying goodbye and never coming back. The whole phrase “wad da’aka rabbuka wa ma qalaa” is literally saying “Allah didn’t leave you alone and didn’t abandon you”. There are times when we feel the intensity of the imaan and it’s easy for the tears to roll down our eyes not wanting to get up from sajdah. This is why the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had to experience this because his followers, his ummah were also going to find times when they, felt close to Allah (swt) and times when they felt not so close to Allah (swt). The Prophet (PBUH) used to experienced this same feeling so that he would be able to give others hope.

“Qalaa” was associated in pre-Islamic times when the usefulness of something had transpired and no longer held any value. Similarly to when you coming to the end of using a scrubbing brush and the bristles are looking frazzled, it is no longer of use. So applying this here, Allah is saying that you do hold value. It is not the case to think that you are no longer needed to Allah. Surrounding yourself with those who make you feel worthless can make you embody these traits and start projecting that Allah also thinks of this also.

Walal-aakhiratu khairul laka minal-oola (And the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life].)

Walal means “I swear” or “I promise”, so reiterating the above the Qu’ran is stating what is at the end is better for your sake than what is at the beginning.This aayah serves as a perfect answer to those questions, reminding us that life in this world is temporary and that Hereafter is certainly a better, more permanent place for us than this world could ever be. Allah (swt) did not leave behind buildings like roadways and structures nor large amounts of wealth. For example, when the Pharaoh died ancient Egypt was filled will pyramids, monuments, statues, tombstones etc. The Prophet (PBUH) was not instructed to build any form of architecture but instead left with humans with a heart so heavy filled with the word of Allah (swt). This is the greatest gift that anyone can leave behind.

Wa la sawfa y’uteeka rabbuka fatarda (And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied)

A promise from Allah (swt) that very soon he will give us a massive reward (Jannah) and we will be happy! By the time you leave this world you will be happy. Further it’s not that the Prophet (PBUH) longs for the company of Allah (swt) but actually Allah (swt) has given Him contentment with fulfilling the mission that Allah (swt) presented to Him. When you love someone you want to make sure that they are never sad again, similiarly these ayahs remove the saddness from Prophet (PBUH). Take for example an evening primrose flower, if there was was always sunlight beaming on it then it wouldn’t grow, it needs the night to bloom. Or a prison cell if the lights were on all the time it wouldn’t allow your brain to relax. The night is needed to rejuvenate, grow and recuperate. Allah (swt) only revealed the Qu’ran in steps to make man’s heart firm. Subhanallah!

Alam ya jidka yateeman fa aawaa (Did He not find you an orphan and give [you] refuge?)

From this verse onwards, Allah gives us reason to believe His declarations and promises in the first half of the surah. The use of the word “orphan” is used figuratively and literally. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was an orphan, his father 'Abd Allah died young before the child was born leaving no property and his mother, Aminah was in ailing health who died when the Prophet was six years old. So he was brought up by his nurse, Halimah. His uncle Abu Talib treated him like his own son and recevied unconditional love from him. Each of us is is an orphan in some sense or another and yet someone’s love and shelter come to us by the grace of Allah. In the spiritual world there is no father or mother, our very first sustenance and shelter must come from the grace of Allah. It was He who took care of you and guided you out of that stage in life. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was born in the midst of the idolatory and polytheism of Makkah, in a family which was the custodian of this false worship. He wandered in the quest of unity and found it by the guidance of Allah. There is no implication whatever of sin or error on his part. But we may err and find ourselves wandering in mazes of error, in thought, motive or understanding, we must pray for Allah’s grace ever to give us guidance. The Prophet treated all orphans with tender love, respect and affection.

Wa wa jadaka daal lan fahada (And He found you lost and guided [you].)

The Arabic root of the word “dalla” has various shades of meaning to it but it is applied to the word meaning “stray”. This can mean either straying in the mind or being astray.

Wa wa jadaka ‘aa-ilan fa aghnaa (And He found you poor and made [you] self-sufficient.)

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) inherited no wealth and was poor. The true, pure and sincere love of Khadijah not only raised him above want but made him independent of worldly needs in his later life, enabling him to devote his whole time to the service of Allah (swt). When we have found the way, albit it’s a laborious task to climb up in our poverty of spiritual equipment. Allah will give us spiritual riches in love and knowledge.

Many of us have probably gone through many periods in our lives when we have been short of money and wealth. Now when we look back we realise that it was only Allah who gave us that rizq in some form and got us through those tough financial times.

When a person is depressed, giving him or her examples of how Allah has helped them in the past will strengthen their conviction and belief in the promises Allah makes in this surah for their future.

Fa am mal yateema fala taqhar (So as for the orphan, do not oppress [him].)

This aayah reminds us to look at people who are in far worse situations than ourselves when we’re feeling hopeless and depressed— Look at the orphans, who have no family or loved ones and nobody to care for them. We have families and parents who love us, a roof over our heads and food on the table and we still think we’re in a bad situation? Subhanallah!

Wa am mas saa-ila fala tanhar (And as for the petitioner, do not repel [him].)

Another example is of the beggar – to once again remind us of the many material blessings that Allah has given us that we take for granted – food, clothing and shelter. How many of us have ever gone to sleep hungry? How many of us don’t have clothes to wear? Or don’t have a home to go to? The common attitude towards beggars is to scorn or be repulsed by them which is clearly not the right way. There is no use in belittling them even when in alms or assistance is given to them.

These examples of the orphan and the beggar are ones we should constantly remind ourselves of to be thankful for the numerous blessings Allah has given us, get over our depression and feel connected to Allah again, out of gratitude.

Wa amma bi ne’mati rabbika fahad dith – But as for the favor of your Lord, report [it].

This final aayah is about maintaining that renewed faith and bond with Allah – by pondering, glorifying and talking about the blessings of Allah (swt). Either in terms of halaqas (religious gathering to study the Qu’ran), discussions with family and friends or even da’wah. Dhikr, reading quran and listening to lectures are also great ways to keep the remembrance of Allah (swt) close to your heart.

What does that tell us about difficulties or troubles in life? That they are infact a blessing. That they are what allows our souls to grow and expand and become greater than before. That this is why we’re here to suffer and become greater than our previous forms. To become stronger and wiser and more experienced and understanding. That the positive is grown through negative. And that the lack of such is considered the greatest curse.

So the next time you feel disconnected, disheartened or depressed with your level of Imaan and your connection with Allah – read Surah Ad-Duha and ponder over its meanings. Inshallah it will restore your faith and increase your belief in the greatness and power of Allah (swt). I know it did for me especially when I know that I cannot rely on anyone apart from Allah (swt),