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100: Al-Adiyat - العاديات
Introduction
This is one of the earlier Makkan Surahs. In the depth of its mystery and the rhythm and sublimity of its language and symbolism, it may be compared with S.79. Its subject matter is the irresistible nature of spiritual power and knowledge, contrasted with unregenerate man's ingratitude, pettiness, helplessness, and ignorance.
100:1
[ Original ]
وَالْعَادِيَاتِ ضَبْحًا
[ Abdullah Yusuf Ali ]
By the (Steeds) that run, with panting (breath),
Tafseer Commentary
6241 The substantive proposition is in verses 6-8 below, and the metaphors and symbols enforcing the lesson are in verses 1-5 here. These symbols have at least three layers of mystic 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 morning, 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 and true men 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 by the camp of Evil.
100:2
[ Original ]
فَالْمُورِيَاتِ قَدْحًا
[ Abdullah Yusuf Ali ]
And strike sparks of fire,
Tafseer Commentary
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.
100:3
[ Original ]
فَالْمُغِيرَاتِ صُبْحًا
[ Abdullah Yusuf Ali ]
And push home the charge in the morning,
Tafseer Commentary
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.
100:4
[ Original ]
فَأَثَرْنَ بِهِ نَقْعًا
[ Abdullah Yusuf Ali ]
And raise the dust in clouds the while,
Tafseer Commentary
6244 The clouds of dust typify the ignorance and confusion in the minds of those who oppose Truth.
100:5
[ Original ]
فَوَسَطْنَ بِهِ جَمْعًا
[ Abdullah Yusuf Ali ]
And penetrate forthwith into the midst (of the foe) en masse;-
Tafseer Commentary
6245 The forces of evil mass themselves for strength, but their massing itself may become a means of their speedy undoing.
100:6
[ Original ]
إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لِرَبِّهِ لَكَنُودٌ
[ Abdullah Yusuf Ali ]
Truly man is, to his Lord, ungrateful;
Tafseer Commentary
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. He is in this respect worse than the war horse that risks his life in the service of his master.
100:7
[ Original ]
وَإِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ لَشَهِيدٌ
[ Abdullah Yusuf Ali ]
And to that (fact) he bears witness (by his deeds);
Tafseer Commentary
6247 Man himself, by his conduct, proves the charge of treason against himself.
100:8
[ Original ]
وَإِنَّهُ لِحُبِّ الْخَيْرِ لَشَدِيدٌ
[ Abdullah Yusuf Ali ]
And violent is he in his love of wealth.
Tafseer Commentary
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?
100:9
[ Original ]
أَفَلَا يَعْلَمُ إِذَا بُعْثِرَ مَا فِي الْقُبُورِ
[ Abdullah Yusuf Ali ]
Does he not know,- when that which is in the graves is scattered abroad
Tafseer Commentary
6249 Dead bodies, secret plots, evil thoughts and imaginings, long since buried, will yet stand forth before the Judgement Seat of Allah. Instead of being closely hidden or blotted out-as they will have been from the consciousness of mankindthey will stand out as from the consciousness of Allah, which is all-embracing and never suffers from sleep or fatigue.
100:10
[ Original ]
وَحُصِّلَ مَا فِي الصُّدُورِ
[ Abdullah Yusuf Ali ]
And that which is (locked up) in (human) breasts is made manifest-
100:11
[ Original ]
إِنَّ رَبَّهُمْ بِهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَخَبِيرٌ
[ Abdullah Yusuf Ali ]
That their Lord had been Well-acquainted with them, (even to) that Day.?
Tafseer Commentary
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 Judgement.
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