Surah Al-Duha (Arabic: الضحى), the 93rd chapter of the Quran, holds deep spiritual significance. It consists of 11 verses and was revealed in Mecca, making it one of the early revelations. Surah Al-Duha addresses a period of perceived spiritual distress experienced by the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, offering profound comfort and reassurance. It emphasizes divine guidance, compassion, and hope during times of difficulty, symbolizing that Allah's ﷻ mercy is always near, even when one feels abandoned.
The Revelation:
Surah Al-Duha was revealed during a difficult time for the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. After the initial flurry of revelations, there was a significant pause, known as the "fatrah" or period of silence, when Archangel Jibril (Gabriel) (Peace be upon him) stopped visiting the Prophet with news and teachings. During this time, the Prophet was deeply distressed, fearing that Allah ﷻ had abandoned him. Some of the pagans in Mecca mocked the Prophet ﷺ, saying that his Lord had forsaken him.
Jundub ibn Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Prophet ﷺ became ill and did not get up for prayer for two or three nights. A woman from among the disbelievers, said to be Umm Jamil, the wife of Abu Lahab (see Surah Al Masad), mockingly said: "O Muhammad, I hope that your devil has left you." After this incident, Allah ﷻ revealed: “Your Lord ˹O Prophet˺ has not abandoned you, nor has He become hateful ˹of you˺."
The surah asserts that Allah ﷻ has neither abandoned the Prophet ﷺ nor is displeased with him. It reminds him of the blessings he has received and reassures him that the future will bring even more goodness.
The Relationship Between the Surahs:
Scholars have indicated that Surah Al-Fajr was revealed between the beginning of the revelation and the migration to Abyssinia. Since Surah Al-Duha was revealed after Surah Al-Fajr, it can be confirmed that Surah Al-Duha was revealed in Mecca. Therefore, it can be said that Surah Al-Duha is one of the Meccan surahs of the Quran.
Surah Al-Duha also follows Surah Al-Lail, and the two Surahs are connected thematically:
Surah Al-Duha continues the message of hope and divine favor, emphasizing that the Hereafter is better, and that Allah’s ﷻ blessings will bring contentment to the Prophet ﷺ.
Translation:
- Verse 1: By the morning brightness (Duha),
- Verse 2: And by the night when it's still with darkness,
- Verse 3: Your Lord ˹O Prophet˺ has not abandoned you, nor has He become hateful ˹of you˺.
- Verse 4: And indeed, the Hereafter is better for you than the present (life of this world).
- Verse 5: your Lord will give you (all i.e. goods, blessings) so that you shall be well-pleased.
- Verse 6: Did He not find you as an orphan then sheltered you?
- Verse 7: And He found you unaware (lost, unguided) and guided you?
- Verse 8: And He found you in-need (poor, dependent) and made you self-sufficient?
- Verse 9: Therefore, do not treat the orphan with oppression,
- Verse 10: Nor repulse the beggar,
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Verse 11: And proclaim the blessings of your Lord.
In Depth:
Verse 1 - 2: "By the morning sunlight, And by the night when it's still with darkness" - The surah begins with two oaths, calling attention to the importance of both the morning light (Duha) and the night when it is still, two cosmic events of profound nature. Through these oaths, Allah ﷻ conveys the message that life has cycles that are natural to the ebb and flow of life such as light and darkness, and the necessity of that balance to exist.
Verse 3: "Your Lord ˹O Prophet˺ has not abandoned you, nor has He become hateful ˹of you" - These verses reassure the Prophet ﷺ that Allah ﷻ has not abandoned him, countering the claims of his adversaries. It serves to remind us that Allah ﷻ is always near and to endure the challenges of life with that knowledge.
Verse 4 - 5: "And indeed, the Hereafter is better for you than the present, and your Lord will give you (all i.e. good, blessings) so that you shall be well-pleased." emphasizes that despite current hardships, the rewards in the Hereafter are far superior, and promises abundant blessings and eternal joy.
Verse 6 - 8: "Did He not find you as an orphan then sheltered you? And He found you unaware (lost, unguided) and guided you? And He found you in-need (poor, dependent) and made you self-sufficient?" recalls Allah’s ﷻ blessings of protection and care provided to the Prophet ﷺ in terms of financial enrichment and the spiritual guidance even before his prophethood.
Verse 9 - 11: "Therefore, do not treat the orphan with oppression, nor repulse the beggar, and proclaim the blessings of your Lord." - In these verses are ethical guidelines on kindness and generosity, encouragement to be grateful and to spread awareness of Allah’s ﷻ blessings.
Science and Spirituality:
There is much more to uncover in this blessed Surah than what meets the eye. Surah Al-Duha carries numerous virtues and valuable life lessons. It opens with an oath by the early morning hours, subtly emphasizing the importance of rising early—a habit often associated with successful and wealthy individuals.
Scientific studies reveal that early morning hours, particularly the first few hours after waking up, are crucial for mental clarity and productivity. The brain undergoes a period of transition from sleep to full awareness, taking about 1-2 hours to become fully alert. Early risers benefit from increased cognitive function, improved mood, and better decision-making abilities. Additionally, exposure to natural light in the morning helps regulate circadian rhythms, enhancing overall well-being.
The Link to Salat al Duha:
Salat al Duha is a voluntary prayer performed after the sun has fully risen and before the time for Dhuhr prayer. It is a practice associated with Surah Al-Duha, reflecting the themes of gratitude and divine favor found in the Surah.
If one prays Fajr, engages in remembrance of Allah ﷻ until the time of Duha, and then performs Salat al-Duha, the reward is significant. According to Hadith, such an individual will have their day filled with blessings and will be rewarded as if they had given charity for every joint in their body.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described a special reward for this practice. According to a hadith reported by Abu Huraira, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever prays Fajr in congregation, then sits in the remembrance of Allah ﷻ until the sun rises, then prays two rak'ahs (Salat al-Duha), will have a reward like that of a complete pilgrimage and a complete Umrah.”
This hadith highlights the great reward associated with engaging in worship from Fajr to Duha, (which is approximately the time taken by the human brain to become fully alert). The act of sitting in remembrance of Allah ﷻ, also known as dhikr, and performing Salat al-Duha after Fajr prayer is a way to earn immense spiritual rewards. It’s seen as a complete and highly valued act of devotion, offering the reward comparable to performing a full pilgrimage (Hajj) and Umrah, which are among the most significant acts of worship in Islam.
This practice emphasizes the importance of remaining engaged in worship and reflection throughout the morning, enhancing both spiritual conductivity and personal development.
Merits:
- If you recite Surah Al Duha and repeat the 7th verse "And He found you unaware (lost, unguided) and guided you?" thrice before finishing the surah, if you have lost an item, you will be guided to finding it insha'Allah.
Translation and Pronunciation:
In the video below is a recitation that includes pronunciation and English translation. Kindly do not forget to leave a Like and subscribe to their channel.
