INTRODUCTION:
This Surah consists of 17 verses, 61 sentences, 239 letters and 1 Ruqu'.
It take its name from the word at-tariq in its first verse.
The style of its subject matter resembles that of the earliest Surahs revealed at Makkah, but this surah was sent down at a stage when the disbelievers of Makkah were employing all sorts of devices and plans to defeat and frustrate the message of the Quran and Muhammad (upon whom be Allah's peace and blessings).
It discuses two themes: first that man has to appear before God after death; second, that the Quran is a decisive Word which no plan or device of the disbelievers can defeat or frustrate.
First of all, the stars of the heavens have been cited as an evidence that there is nothing in the universe which may continue to exist and survive without guardian over it. Then man has been asked to consider his own self as to how he has been brought into existence from a mere sperm drop and shaped into a living human being. Then it has been said that the God, Who has so brought him into existence, has certainly the power to create him once again, and this resurrection will be for the purpose to subject to scrutiny all the secrets of man which remained hidden in the world. At that time, man will neither be able to escape the consequences of his deeds by his own power, nor will anyone else come to his rescue.
In conclusion, it has been pointed out that just as the falling of rain from the sky and the sprouting of plants and crops from the earth is no child's play but a serious task, so also the truths expressed in the Quran are no jest but a firm and unchangable reality. The disbelievers are involved in the misunderstanding that their plans and devices will defeat the invitation of Quran, but they do not know that Allah too is devising a plan which will bring to nought all their scheming and planning. Then in one sentence the discourse has been summed up, with a word of consolation to the Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) and a tacit warning to the disbelievers, saying: "Have patience for a while: let the disbelievers do their worst. Before long they will themselves realize whether they have been able to defeat the Quran by their scheming or the Quran has dominated them in the very place where they are exerting their utmost to defeat it."
Maududi
Bismi Allahi alrrahmani alrraheemi
86 : 1
1. Waalssama-i waalttariqi
By the heaven and by the night visitant!
86 : 2
2. Wama adraka ma alttariqu
What can convey to you what the night visitant is!
86 : 3
3. Alnnajmu alththaqibu
It is the star of piercing dazzle!
86 : 4
4. In kullu nafsin lamma AAalayha hafithun
There is no soul on the earth which has no guardian over it!
86 : 5
5. Falyanthuri al-insanu mimma khuliqa
So let man reflect on what he has been created from.
86 : 6
6. Khuliqa min ma-in dafiqin
He is created from an ejaculated fluid -
86 : 7
7. Yakhruju min bayni alssulbi waalttara-ibi
Which generates from between the loins and the ribs!
86 : 8
8. Innahu AAala rajAAihi laqadirun
Verily He has the ability to bring him back to life -
86 : 9
9. Yawma tubla alssara-iru
On the Day when his secrets are examined -
86 : 10
10. Fama lahu min quwwatin wala nasirin
When he will have no strength of his own nor a stalwart to support him!
86 : 11
11. Waalssama-i thati alrrajAAi
By the heaven from whence descends the rain, -
86 : 12
12. Waal-ardi thati alssadAAi
And by the earth which rejuvenates from it.
86 : 13
13. Innahu laqawlun faslun
Verily this Qur'aan is the final judgement, -
86 : 14
14. Wama huwa bialhazli
Not something to be trifled with!
86 : 15
15. Innahum yakeedoona kaydan
Verily they hatch a devious plot!
86 : 16
16. Waakeedu kaydan
And I too am hatching a plot against them!
86 : 17
17. Famahhili alkafireena amhilhum ruwaydan
So give those who disbelieve some latitude and let them have a brief respite! (R)
1. By the heaven, and At-Târiq (the night-comer, i.e. the bright star);
2. And what will make you to know what At-Târiq (night-comer) is?
3. (It is) the star of piercing brightness;
4. There is no human being but has a protector over him (or her) (i.e. angels incharge of each human being guarding him, writing his good and bad deeds, etc.)[]
5. So let man see from what he is created!
6. He is created from a water gushing forth
7. Proceeding from between the back-bone and the ribs,
8. Verily, (Allâh) is Able to bring him back (to life)!
9. The Day when all the secrets (deeds, prayers, fasting, etc.) will be examined (as to their truth).
10. Then will (man) have no power, nor any helper.
11. By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.
12. And the earth which splits (with the growth of trees and plants),
13. Verily! This (the Qur'ân) is the Word that separates (the truth from falsehood, and commands strict legal laws for mankind to cut the roots of evil).
14. And it is not a thing for amusement.
15. Verily, they are but plotting a plot (against you O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)).
16. And I (too) am planning a plan.
17. So give a respite to the disbelievers. Deal you gently with them for a while.
086.001
YUSUFALI: By the Sky
and the Night-Visitant (therein);-
PICKTHAL: By the
heaven and the Morning Star
SHAKIR: I swear by the
heaven and the comer by night;
086.002
YUSUFALI: And what
will explain to thee what the Night-Visitant is?-
PICKTHAL: - Ah, what
will tell thee what the Morning Star is!
SHAKIR: And what will
make you know what the comer by night is?
086.003
YUSUFALI: (It is) the
Star of piercing brightness;-
PICKTHAL: - The
piercing Star!
SHAKIR: The star of
piercing brightness;
086.004
YUSUFALI: There is no
soul but has a protector over it.
PICKTHAL: No human
soul but hath a guardian over it.
SHAKIR: There is not a
soul but over it is a keeper.
086.005
YUSUFALI: Now let man
but think from what he is created!
PICKTHAL: So let man
consider from what he is created.
SHAKIR: So let man
consider of what he is created:
086.006
YUSUFALI: He is
created from a drop emitted-
PICKTHAL: He is
created from a gushing fluid
SHAKIR: He is created
of water pouring forth,
086.007
YUSUFALI: Proceeding
from between the backbone and the ribs:
PICKTHAL: That issued
from between the loins and ribs.
SHAKIR: Coming from
between the back and the ribs.
086.008
YUSUFALI: Surely
(Allah) is able to bring him back (to life)!
PICKTHAL: Lo! He
verily is Able to return him (unto life)
SHAKIR: Most surely He
is able to return him (to life).
086.009
YUSUFALI: The Day that
(all) things secret will be tested,
PICKTHAL: On the day
when hidden thoughts shall be searched out.
SHAKIR: On the day
when hidden things shall be made manifest,
086.010
YUSUFALI: (Man) will
have no power, and no helper.
PICKTHAL: Then will he
have no might nor any helper.
SHAKIR: He shall have
neither strength nor helper.
086.011
YUSUFALI: By the
Firmament which returns (in its round),
PICKTHAL: By the
heaven which giveth the returning rain,
SHAKIR: I swear by the
raingiving heavens,
086.012
YUSUFALI: And by the
Earth which opens out (for the gushing of springs or the sprouting of
vegetation),-
PICKTHAL: And the
earth which splitteth (with the growth of trees and plants)
SHAKIR: And the earth
splitting (with plants);
086.013
YUSUFALI: Behold this
is the Word that distinguishes (Good from Evil):
PICKTHAL: Lo! this (Qur'an)
is a conclusive word,
SHAKIR: Most surely it
is a decisive word,
086.014
YUSUFALI: It is not a
thing for amusement.
PICKTHAL: It is no
pleasantry.
SHAKIR: And it is no
joke.
086.015
YUSUFALI: As for them,
they are but plotting a scheme,
PICKTHAL: Lo! they
plot a plot (against thee, O Muhammad)
SHAKIR: Surely they
will make a scheme,
086.016
YUSUFALI: And I am
planning a scheme.
PICKTHAL: And I plot a
plot (against them).
SHAKIR: And I (too)
will make a scheme.
086.017
YUSUFALI: Therefore
grant a delay to the Unbelievers: Give respite to them gently (for awhile).
PICKTHAL: So give a
respite to the disbelievers. Deal thou gently with them for a while.
SHAKIR: So grant the
unbelievers a respite: let them alone for a