The revelation of this Sura was probably in the early Meccan period, with the possible exception of some verses, but its date has no significance.
Its theme is the contrast between the two classes of men, those who choose good and those who choose evil, with special reference to the former.
The title of the Sura recalls a Pagan Arab idea, which personified Time as existing spontaneously from eternity to eternity and responsible for the misery or the happiness of mankind. In Sura 65 verse 24 we read: "They say,...`nothing but Time can destroy us'." This attitude is of course wrong. Time is a created thing: It has its mysteries, but it is no more eternal than matter. It is also relative to our conceptions and not absolute, as Einstein has proved. It is only Allah Who is Self Subsisting, Eternal from the beginning and Eternal to the end, the absolute Existence and Reality. We must not transfer His attributes to any figments of our imagination.
This deification of Time (Dahr) as against a living personal Allah has given rise to the term dahriya, as applied to an atheist or a materialist. The whole of the Sura is full of the highest symbolism, as is generally the case with Meccan Suras, and this should always be remembered in their interpretation.
C.256-(Verses 1 to 31)-Man was evolved out of nothing, and through low beginnings; but he was given Insight and Understanding. Allah showed him the Way; and if man doth willfully reject the Right, man but chooses Chains and Yokes and a Blazing Fire within his own soul. Not so the Devotees of Right: They attain the Mystic Fountain of Kafur: For, purely out of love for Allah, they do good to Allah's Creatures, and serve them. The Light of Beauty and Joy will be on them. In full felicity and honor will they live in the garden of Delights, and share in the Banquet -- the Presence and Glory Divine! The Righteous are patient in Constant Devotion: Allah's Way is open to all: Whosoever has the Will, may attain to the Perfect Goal.
76:1 SURA 76. Dahr, or Time: or Insan, or Man. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was nothing -- (not even) mentioned?
76:2 Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: So We gave him (the gifts) of Hearing and Sight.
76:3 We showed him the Way: Whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will).
76:4 For the Rejecters We have prepared Chains, Yokes, and a Blazing Fire.
76:5 As to the Righteous, they shall drink of a Cup (of Wine) mixed with Kafur, --
76:6 A Fountain where the Devotees of Allah do drink, making it flow in unstinted abundance.
76:7 They perform (their) vows, and they fear a Day whose evil flies far and wide.
76:8 And they feed, for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive, --
76:9 (Saying), "We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: No reward do we desire from you, nor thanks.
76:10 "We only fear a Day of distressful Wrath from the side of our Lord."
76:11 But Allah will deliver them from the evil of that Day, and will shed over them a Light of Beauty and a (blissful) Joy.
76:12 And because they were patient and constant, he will reward them with a Garden and (garments of) silk.
76:13 Reclining in the (Garden) on raised thrones, they will see there neither the sun's (excessive heat) nor (the moon's) excessive cold.
76:14 And the shades of the (Garden) will come low over them, and the bunches (of fruit), there, will hang low in humility.
76:15 And amongst them will be passed around vessels of silver and goblets of crystal, --
76:16 Crystal clear, made of silver: They will determine the measure thereof (according to their wishes).
76:17 And they will be given to drink there of a Cup (of Wine) mixed with Zanjabil, --
76:18 A fountain there, called Salsabil.
76:19 And round about them will (serve) youths of perpetual (freshness): If thou seest them, thou would think them scattered Pearls.
76:20 And when thou lookest, it is there thou wilt see a Bliss and a Realm Magnificent.
76:21 Upon them will be Green Garments of fine silk and heavy brocade, and they will be adorned with Bracelets of silver; and their Lord will give to them to drink of a Wine Pure and Holy.
76:22 "Verily this is a Reward for you, and your Endeavor is accepted and recognized. "
76:23 Section 2. It is We Who have sent down the Koran to thee by stages.
76:24 Therefore be patient with constancy to the Command of thy Lord, and hearken not to the sinner or the ingrate among them.
76:25 And celebrate the name of thy Lord morning and evening,
76:26 And part of the night, prostrate thyself to Him; and glorify Him a long night through.
76:27 As to these, they love the fleeting life, and put away behind them a Day (that will be) hard.
76:28 It is We Who created them, and We have made their joints strong; but, when We will, We can substitute the like of them by a complete change.
76:29 This is an admonition: Whosoever will, let him take a (straight) Path to his Lord.
76:30 But ye will not, except as Allah wills; for Allah is full of Knowledge and Wisdom.
76:31 He will admit to His Mercy whom He will; but the wrong doers, -- for them has He prepared a grievous Penalty.
