AD-DHUHA (THE MORNING HOURS, MORNING BRIGHT)

Introduction


Name

The Surah takes its name Ad-Duha from the very first word.

Period of Revelation

Its subject matter clearly indicates that it belongs to the earliest
period at Makkah. Traditions also show that the revelations were
suspended for a time, which caused the Holy Prophet (upon whom be
Allah's peace) to be deeply distressed and grieved. On this account he
felt very anxious that perhaps he had committed some error because of
which his Lord had become angry with him and had forsaken him.
Thereupon he was given the consolation that revelation had not been
stopped because of some displeasure but this was necessitated by the
same expediency as underlies the peace and stillness of the night
after the bright day, as if to say: "If you had continuously been
exposed to the intensely bright light of Revelation (Wahi) your nerves
could not have endured it. Therefore, an interval was given in order
to afford you peace and tranquillity." This state was experienced by
the Holy Prophet in the initial stage of the Prophethood when he was
not yet accustomed to hear the intensity of Revelation. On this basis,
observance of a pause in between was necessary. This we have already
explained in the introduction to Surah Al Muddaththir; and in E. N. 5 of
Surah Al-Muzzammil also we have explained what great burden of the
coming down of Revelation he had to bear. Later, when the Holy Prophet
developed the power to bear this burden, there was no longer any need
for long gaps.

Theme and Subject Matter

Its theme is to console the
Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) and its object to remove his anxiety
and distress, which he had been caused by the suspension of Revelation.
First of all, swearing an oath by the bright morning and the stillness
of night, he has been reassured, so as to say: "Your Lord has not at
all forsaken you, nor is he displeased with you." Then, he has been
given the good news that the hardships that he was experiencing in the
initial stage of his mission, would not last long, for every later
period of life for him would be better than the former period, and
before long Allah would bless him so abundantly that he would be well
pleased. This is one of the express prophecies of the Quran, which
proved literally true, afterwards, whereas when this prophecy was made
there seemed not to be the remotest chance that the helpless and
powerless man who had come out to wage a war against the ignorance and
paganism of the entire nation, would ever achieve such wonderful
success.


Then, addressing His Holy Prophet (upon whom be peace) Allah
says:"O My dear Prophet, what has caused you the anxiety and distress
that your Lord has forsaken you, and that We are displeased with you?
Whereas the fact is that We have been good to you with kindness after
kindness ever since the day of your birth. You were born an orphan, We
made the best arrangement for your upbringing and care: you were
unaware of the Way, We showed you the Way; you were indigent, We made
you rich. All this shows that you have been favored by Us from the
very beginning and Our grace and bounty has been constantly focussed
on you."Here, one should also keep in view vv. 37-42 of Surah Ta Ha,
where Allah, while sending the Prophet Moses to confront a tyrant like
Pharaoh, encouraged and consoled him, saying: "We have been looking
after you with kindness ever since your birth; therefore, you should
be satisfied that you will not be left alone in this dreadful mission.
Our bounty will constantly be with you."


In conclusion, Allah has
instructed His Prophet (upon whom be peace) telling him how he should
treat the creatures of God to repay for the favors He has done him
and how he should render thanks for the blessings He has bestowed on
him.