Surah Al-Layl (Arabic: الليل) is the 92nd chapter of the Qur'an, consisting of 21 verses. It is a Meccan surah, and its name translates to "The Night". It was revealed during the early years of the Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ mission, and it focuses on contrasting human behavior, their choices, and the consequences of those choices. The surah encourages charity, sincerity, and humility while warning against greed and self-sufficiency.
Connection with Surrounding Surahs:
Surah Al-Layl ties closely with the surahs preceding and following it in terms of theme and style. For instance, the previous surah, Surah Ash-Shams (The Sun), also uses oaths by natural phenomena to emphasize moral and ethical lessons, particularly focusing on the purification of the soul.
Both surahs share a focus on the stark contrast between righteousness and wickedness, and their respective rewards and punishments. Chronologically, Surah Al-Layl was revealed after Surah Al-A'la and before Surah Al-Fajr. The thematic linkage shows a broader discussion on accountability and human responsibility in the sight of Allah ﷻ.
Revelation:
The most commonly cited reason for the revelation revolves around the actions of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (RA). According to several reports, Abu Bakr used his wealth to free slaves who had embraced Islam but were being persecuted by their masters in Makkah. Among these slaves was Bilal ibn Rabah, the famous companion of the Prophet ﷺ and the first mu'adhin (caller to prayer) in Islam.
Bilal was severely tortured by his owner, Umayyah bin Khalaf, for accepting Islam. Seeing his suffering, Abu Bakr purchased Bilal's freedom, which became one of his many acts of charity.
This act of generosity is contrasted with the behavior of a wealthy man, believed to be either Al-Akhnas bin Shurayq or Umayyah bin Khalaf, who refrained from spending his wealth in acts of righteousness. This individual is depicted as arrogant and miserly, believing that his wealth would secure his status and well-being. He neither feared Allah ﷻ nor believed in the Hereafter.
One hadith related to the revelation of these verses is reported in Sahih Muslim and Al-Bukhari, which mentions the freeing of Bilal by Abu Bakr:
- Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated: "When Bilal was being tortured in the scorching sun, saying ‘Ahad, Ahad’ (meaning Allah is One), Abu Bakr (RA) went to his owner and bought him, freeing him from the torment he was enduring."
Translation:
In-Depth:
Verses 1-4: Oaths and Human Efforts
In these opening verses, Allah ﷻ swears by the night and day, contrasting their alternating states of darkness and light. The alternation between night and day serves as a powerful metaphor for the contrasts in human life—light and darkness, good and evil, and the differing paths people choose.
The mention of the creation of "male and female" in Verse 3 emphasizes Allah's ﷻ control over life, creation, and diversity. It also highlights that the diversity in human actions mirrors the diversity in nature.
In Surah Ash-Shams (91:3-10), Allah ﷻ similarly contrasts elements of creation like the sun and the moon, day and night, and ends by stating that human souls are inspired with both piety and wickedness, emphasizing human moral choices.
Verses 5-7: The Path of Righteousness
These verses describe the characteristics of the righteous: those who give in charity, fear Allah ﷻ, and believe in the promise of Al-Husna (the best reward in the Hereafter). This individual’s actions are directed towards seeking Allah’s ﷻ path, and as a reward, Allah ﷻ makes his path to goodness and ease smoother.
This idea of charity leading to ease is also supported in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:261): "The example of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a seed of grain that sprouts into seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains."
Verses 8-10: The Path of Difficulty
In contrast to the righteous, these verses describe the individual who is miserly, arrogant, and self-sufficient—believing they need nothing from Allah ﷻ and denying the truth of the Hereafter. For such a person, Allah ﷻ will make their path to hardship smooth, meaning their life will become difficult both in this world and the next.
The same warning about arrogance and hoarding wealth can be found in Surah Al-Humazah (104:2-3): "He who hoards wealth and continuously counts it, thinking that his wealth will make him immortal. No! He will surely be thrown into the Crushing Fire."
Verse 11: Futility of Wealth
This verse is a reminder that wealth, no matter how vast, will not save a person on the Day of Judgment. The emphasis is on the futility of material possessions when it comes to one's spiritual and eternal fate.
Similarly, in Surah Al-Haqqah (69:28-29), on the Day of Judgment, a disbeliever will lament, "My wealth has not availed me; my authority has been stripped from me."
Verses 12-13: Allah’s ﷻ Guidance and Control
Here, Allah ﷻ asserts His absolute authority over guidance. He alone controls the guidance and misguidance of human beings. Both this world and the Hereafter belong to Allah, and thus, guidance is His to grant.
In Surah Al-Fatihah (1:6-7), believers ask Allah ﷻ for guidance to the straight path, acknowledging that true guidance comes only from Him.
Verses 14-16: Warning of the Fire
These verses serve as a vivid warning of the blazing Fire of Hell that awaits those who reject the truth and turn away from righteousness. The phrase "most wretched" refers to those who persist in their disbelief and rebellion against Allah’s ﷻ commands.
In Surah Al-Ghashiyah (88:4-5), Allah ﷻ similarly warns about the Hellfire: "They will enter to burn in an intensely hot Fire. They will be given to drink from a boiling spring."
Verses 17-21: Rewards for the Righteous
The final verses shift to the rewards awaiting the righteous. They will be protected from the blazing Fire. Their acts of charity are done purely to purify themselves and seek the contentment of Allah ﷻ, without expecting any worldly recompense or gratitude from others. Allah ﷻ promises that they will be fully content and satisfied in the Hereafter.
This concept of selfless charity is echoed in Surah Al-Insan (76:9): "We feed you only for the countenance of Allah ﷻ. We wish not from you reward or gratitude."
Conclusion
Surah Al-Layl presents the contrasting paths that humans can take in life and the resulting outcomes of their choices. By swearing by natural phenomena like night and day, and male and female, it symbolizes the diversity in human actions and the moral decisions individuals face. The surah emphasizes that human efforts lead either to ease or difficulty, depending on their motives and actions.
At the heart of the surah is the idea that human endeavors are varied, but ultimately divided into two main categories: those who strive for Allah’s ﷻ pleasure by giving in charity, fearing Him, and believing in the Hereafter, and those who are selfish, rely solely on themselves, and reject the truth. The surah paints these two paths as leading either to success and ease or failure and hardship.
Ultimately, Surah Al-Layl conveys a powerful message about the moral choices in life, urging believers to choose the path of righteousness, which involves generosity, faith, and selflessness. It warns against the dangers of arrogance, greed, and attachment to worldly wealth, reminding believers that true success lies in pursuing Allah’s ﷻ path and that one's deeds carry eternal consequences.
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.
