✦ AT A GLANCE ✦

الطارق

At-Tariq

The Nightcommer · 17 verses · meccan · 1 min read

✦ Why this name

The Night Comer — at-Tariq, the piercing star that arrives at night.

✦ When it came

Meccan, early. Seventeen short verses making one argument.

✦ The story

It swears by the sky and by the night visitor — the piercing star — and then states its point: *"There is no soul but that it has over it a protector."*

Then the argument: look at what you were made from. If Allah could make you from that, He can certainly return you.

And it closes with an oath by the sky that returns rain and the earth that cracks open with plants, declaring that this is a decisive word and no joke — and then tells the Prophet ﷺ, of the people plotting against him: *"So give respite to the disbelievers. Leave them awhile."*

✦ How it unfolds

  1. AYAH 1-4

    A guardian over every soul

    The night star sworn by, and the protector appointed.

  2. AYAH 5-10

    Look at what you came from

    The origin, and the ability to return — on a Day when secrets are tested.

  3. AYAH 11-17

    A decisive word

    Rain and sprouting earth sworn by, and patience with the plotters.

✦ Verses to carry

Sources

Introductions to the surah in Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Mawdudi's Tafhim al-Qur'an; ayah numbering per the Madani mushaf.

Awaiting scholar review — please read alongside a trusted tafsir.