Surah 100. Al-Adiyat

1.

By the (Steeds) that run with panting (breath) ⁶²⁴¹

The substantive proposition is in verses 6-8 below, and the metaphors enforcing the lesson are in verses 1-5 here. They have at least three layers of meaning: (1) Look at the chargers (mares or swift camels) panting for war on behalf of their masters. Off they go, striking fire with their hoofs by night at the behest of their riders; they push home the charge in the moming, chivalrously giving the enemy the benefit of daylight; and regardless of flashing steel or the weapons of their enemies they boldly penetrate into the midst of their foe, risking their lives for the Cause. Does unregenerate man show that fidelity to his Lord Allah? On the contrary he is ungrateful to Allah; he shows that by his deeds; he is violently in love with wealth and gain and things that perish. (2) By the figure of metonymy the brave fidelity of the war-horse may stand for that of the brave men and true who rally to the standard of Allah and carry it to victory, contrasted with the poltroonery and pettiness of unregenerate man. (3) The whole conflict, fighting, and victory, may be applied to spiritual warfare against those who are caught and overwhelmed in the camp of Evil.

2.

And strike sparks of Fire ⁶²⁴²

With their hoofs. If we suppose the march to be in the dead of night, the sparks of fire would be still more conspicuous.

3.

And push home the charge in the morning ⁶²⁴³

We may suppose a surprise attack, but yet a chivalrous attack by daylight. The foe is punished through his own lethargy and unpreparedness, apart from the strength, fire, and spirit of the forces of righteousness.

4.

And raise the dust in clouds the while ⁶²⁴⁴

The clouds of dust typify the ignorance and confusion in the minds of those who oppose Truth.

5.

And penetrate forthwith into the midst (of the foe) en masse ⁶²⁴⁵

The forces of evil mass themselves for strength, but their massing itself may become a means of their speedy undoing.

6.

Truly Man is to his Lord ungrateful; ⁶²⁴⁶

Man, i.e., unregenerate man, in contrast to those who receive guidance and wage unceasing war with Evil, is ungrateful to his Lord and Cherisher, Him Who created him and sustains him, and sends His blessings and favours at all times. The ingratitude may be shown by thoughts, words, and deeds,-by forgetting or denying Allah and His goodness, by misusing His gifts, or by injustice to His creatures.

7.

And to that (fact) he bears witness (by his deeds); ⁶²⁴⁷

Man himself, by his conduct, proves the charge of treason against himself.

8.

And violent is he in his love of wealth. ⁶²⁴⁸

What an evil choice he makes in committing treason against his own Benefactor by going after the petty baubles of this world's wealth of fleeting gains?

9.

Does he not know when that which is in the graves is Scattered abroad ⁶²⁴⁹

Dead bodies, secret plots, evil thoughts and imaginings, long since buried, will yet stand forth before the Judgment-seat of Allah. Instead of being closely hidden or blotted out-as they will have been from the consciousness of mankind,-they will stand out as from the consciousness of Allah, which is all-embracing and never suffers from sleep or fatigue.

10.

And that which is (locked up) in (human) breasts is made manifest

11.

That their Lord had been well-acquainted with them (Even to) that Day? ⁶²⁵⁰

Allah's knowledge is full and vigilant at all times. But on that day it will reveal to men secrets which they had long forgotten, for the Book of their Deeds will be made manifest at Judgment.