Experience the enlightening wisdom of Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star), Chapter 86 of the Holy Quran, which unveils God’s supreme power, the certainty of resurrection, and the strength of faith. A powerful reminder of hope, clarity, and ultimate victory of truth.
Surah 86: At-Tariq (The Morning Star)
Introduction
Surah At-Tariq, meaning “The Morning Star” or “The Night Visitor”, is the eighty-sixth chapter of the Holy Quran, revealed in Makkah. It consists of seventeen short and powerful verses that combine vivid oaths with reminders of human origin, accountability, and divine power. The Surah opens with an oath by the sky and At-Tariq, the brilliant star of the night, drawing attention to the mysterious yet precise order of the universe. It then reminds humanity that every soul is under the watch of a protector — an angel assigned by Allah. The Surah calls upon man to reflect on his creation from a humble drop of fluid, emerging from between the backbone and the ribs, emphasizing that the One who created can certainly resurrect. It describes the Day when all secrets will be exposed and no one will have any strength or helper. The chapter closes with two more oaths — by the sky that sends rain and the earth that splits to give growth — affirming that the Quran is a decisive and serious message, not a matter of amusement. The Surah ends by acknowledging that disbelievers plot against the truth, but Allah too has His plan, and He grants them only a short reprieve before His judgment comes. 0 0 0
Surah 86: At-Tariq (The Morning Star): Text
(1) By the sky and by the night visitor,
(2) And what will make you know what the night visitor is?
(3) It is the piercing star.
(4) There is no soul except that it has a protector over it.
(5) So let man consider from what he was created.
(6) He was created from a fluid ejected,
(7) Emerging from between the backbone and the ribs.
(8) Indeed, He is able to return him to life,
(9) On the Day when secrets will be put to trial,
(10) Then he will have no power and no helper.
(11) By the sky that returns with rain,
(12) And by the earth that cracks open,
(13) Indeed, this is a decisive word,
(14) And it is not for amusement.
(15) Indeed, they are plotting a plan,
(16) And I am planning a plan,
(17) So give respite to the disbelievers — grant them respite for a little while. 0 0 0
Comment
Surah At-Tariq is a reminder of the certainty of resurrection and the inevitability of divine justice. Its opening imagery of the piercing star draws attention to the greatness of creation, which reflects the Creator’s power and precision. By pointing to the humble origin of human life, the Surah humbles human arrogance and makes the resurrection logically undeniable — the One who created life from a drop of fluid can easily restore it after death. The mention of a protector over every soul highlights both Allah’s mercy and His watchfulness, reminding us that nothing is hidden from His knowledge. The oaths by rain-bearing skies and the fertile earth symbolize renewal and growth, paralleling the resurrection of mankind after death. The Surah’s conclusion offers a striking contrast: while disbelievers make secret plots to undermine the truth, Allah’s plan is far greater, and their time is limited. The overall tone is both warning and reassurance — warning the deniers of the inevitable judgment, and reassuring the believers that Allah is in full control. 0 0 0
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10 FAQs on Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star)
Q1. What is Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) about?
Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) is the 86th chapter of the Holy Quran, revealed in Makkah, consisting of 17 short yet impactful verses. The surah opens with an oath by the sky and the piercing star, drawing attention to God’s majestic creation. It then reminds mankind of their origin—created from a humble fluid—and stresses the certainty of resurrection and accountability. Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) emphasizes that God has complete knowledge of all secrets and deeds, while the Quran itself is described as a decisive word of truth, not to be taken lightly.
Q2. Why is Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) called by this name?
The surah is named Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) because it begins with an oath by the heavens and At-Tariq, which literally means “the night visitor” or “the star that appears at night.” In Arabic, tariq refers to something that comes by night, often knocking or piercing through darkness. Classical commentators interpret it here as a bright, shining star that illuminates the night sky. Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) uses this imagery to highlight God’s grandeur and to remind people of His power over creation and destiny.
Q3. What is the main theme of Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star)?
The main theme of Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) is the certainty of resurrection and divine judgment. The surah underscores that just as God created mankind from a simple beginning, He can surely bring them back to life after death. It also highlights God’s knowledge of all secrets, exposing the futility of denying the truth. Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) concludes by affirming that the Quran is a decisive word that separates truth from falsehood, warning that disbelievers’ schemes will ultimately fail before God’s greater plan.
Q4. How does Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) describe human creation?
Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) describes human creation in a humble and striking way. It reminds mankind that they were created from a gushing fluid that emerges from between the backbone and ribs. This imagery highlights both human weakness and the power of God in shaping life from such a small beginning. By recalling the origin of human creation, Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) teaches humility, urging people to recognize God’s authority and to prepare for the Day when they will be resurrected and judged.
Q5. How does Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) emphasize resurrection?
Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) emphasizes resurrection by drawing a parallel between human creation and God’s ability to bring people back to life. If God could create humans from a mere fluid, surely He can resurrect them after death. The surah also highlights that nothing remains hidden from God, and all deeds will be exposed on the Day of Judgment. By linking resurrection to both divine power and human accountability, Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) removes doubt about life after death and calls for serious reflection.
Q6. What role does the image of the star play in Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star)?
The image of the star in Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) symbolizes clarity, guidance, and piercing truth. Just as a bright star shines in the darkness of night, the revelation of God illuminates the darkness of ignorance and disbelief. The surah uses this cosmic image to capture attention and emphasize the majesty of creation as evidence of God’s power. Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) reminds humanity that the same Creator who placed the stars in the sky also controls their fate and destiny.
Q7. How does Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) describe God’s knowledge?
Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) stresses that God has complete knowledge of all things, including the most hidden secrets within human hearts. Nothing is beyond His awareness, whether open actions or concealed thoughts. This attribute of God emphasizes accountability, as every person will face the results of their deeds without exception. Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) highlights that while humans may conceal from others, nothing remains hidden from God, and all will be revealed on the Day of Judgment.
Q8. What is meant by the Quran being a “decisive word” in Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star)?
In Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star), the Quran is described as a qawl fasl, meaning a decisive word. This signifies that the Quran is a clear and final message from God that separates truth from falsehood. It is not a trivial statement, nor is it entertainment; rather, it is a serious and authoritative revelation meant to guide humanity. By calling the Quran decisive, Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) emphasizes its role as a powerful standard of truth that must be respected, followed, and acted upon.
Q9. What warning does Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) give to disbelievers?
Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) warns disbelievers that their plots and schemes against the Prophet and the message of Islam will ultimately fail. While they may plan and strategize, God has a greater plan that cannot be overcome. The surah assures believers that divine justice will prevail, and the truth will triumph despite opposition. Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) delivers a powerful message: the arrogance of rejecting revelation and resisting God’s command will lead only to defeat and loss.
Q10. How can Muslims apply the teachings of Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) in daily life?
Muslims can apply the teachings of Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) by living with humility, remembering their origin, and recognizing their accountability before God. The surah encourages believers to strengthen their faith in the certainty of resurrection, to trust God’s ultimate plan, and to rely on the Quran as their guide in life. It reminds Muslims that God sees everything, including their private thoughts and intentions, which should inspire sincerity in worship and actions. Surah At-Tariq (The Morning Star) also teaches resilience in the face of challenges, assuring that truth will always prevail.
