This one of the earliest of the Suras to be revealed, -- probably within the first ten in chronological order.
Its mystic meaning is suggested by contrasts, -- contrasts in nature and in man's long history. Thus does it enforce the lesson of Faith in the Hereafter to "those who understand". Man's history and legendary lore show that greatness does not last and the proudest are brought low. For enforcing moral and spiritual truths, the strictest history is no better than legend. Indeed all artistic history is legend, for it is written from a special point of view.
Man is easily cowed by contrasts in his own fortunes, and yet he does not learn from them the lesson of forbearance and kindness to others, and the final elevation of goodness in the Hereafter. When all the things on which his mind and heart are set on this earth shall be crushed to nothingness, he will see the real glory and power, love and beauty, of Allah, for these are the light of the Garden of Paradise.
C.269-(Verses 1 to 30)-Man is apt to forget the contrasts in nature and life, and all that they mean in his spiritual growth. Perchance his mind is so absorbed in what he sees, that he doubts the vast Realities he does not see. The Present makes him blind to the Past and to the Future. Fooled by glory, he fears not a fall; and baulked in disaster, he gives up Hope and sometimes Faith. Let him study Nature and History, and restore his Faith: Realizing the Sure Event, the Hereafter, let him find his fullest fulfillment in the service and good pleasure of Allah!
89:1 SURA 89. Fajr, or The Break of Day. In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. By the Break of Day;
89:2 By the Nights twice five;
89:3 By the Even and Odd (contrasted);
89:4 And by the Night when it passeth away; --
89:5 Is there (not) in these an adjuration (or evidence) for those who understand?
89:6 Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the Ad (people), --
89:7 Of the (city of) Iram, with lofty pillars,
89:8 The like of which were not produced in (all) the land?
89:9 And with the Thamud (people), who cut out (huge) rocks in the valley? --
89:10 And with Pharaoh, Lord of Stakes?
89:11 (All) these transgressed beyond bounds in the lands.
89:12 And heaped therein mischief (on mischief).
89:13 Therefore did thy Lord pour on them a scourge of diverse chastisements:
89:14 For thy Lord is (as a Guardian) on a watch tower.
89:15 Now, as for man, when his Lord trieth him, giving him honor and gifts, then saith he, (puffed up), "My Lord hath honored me. "
89:16 But when He trieth him, restricting His subsistence for him, saith he (in despair), "My Lord hath humiliated me!"
89:17 Nay, nay! But ye honor not the orphans!
89:18 Nor do ye encourage one another to feed the poor! --
89:19 And ye devour Inheritance -- all with greed,
89:20 And ye love wealth with inordinate love!
89:21 Nay! When the earth is pounded to powder,
89:22 And thy Lord cometh, and His angels, rank upon rank,
89:23 And Hell, that Day, is brought (face to face), -- on that Day will man remember, but how will that remembrance profit him?
89:24 He will say: "Ah! Would that I had sent forth (Good Deeds) for (this) my (Future) Life!"
89:25 For, that Day, His Chastisement will be such as none (else) can inflict,
89:26 And His bonds will be such as none (other) can bind.
89:27 (To the righteous soul will be said:) "O (thou) soul, in (complete) rest and satisfaction!
89:28 "Come back thou to thy Lord, -- well pleased (thyself) and well pleasing unto Him!
