Revealed in Makkah, Surah At-Tariq (The Nightcomer) takes its name from the bright, piercing star that appears at night. It reminds humanity that every soul has a guardian angel recording their deeds, pointing to the miracle of human origin from a spurting fluid as proof that God is fully capable of bringing them back to life. It describes the Quran as a decisive word, not a joke.
Transliteration
Waalssamai waalttariqi
Translation
By the sky and at-Tariq
God swears an oath by the night star ('At-Tariq'), shining brightly through the darkness of the night sky.
Transliteration
Wama adraka ma alttariqu
Translation
But what will let you know what at-Tariq is
A rhetorical question emphasizing the mysterious, awe-inspiring nature of this celestial phenomenon.
Transliteration
Alnnajmu alththaqibu
Translation
The Piercing Star
Identifies At-Tariq as a piercing star whose intense radiation cuts through cosmic darkness. Modern astronomers compare this to pulsars—dense neutron stars that emit rapid, rhythmic radio pulses like acoustic knocking in deep space.
Transliteration
In kullu nafsin lamma AAalayha hafithun
Translation
There is no soul without a Protector over it
Transliteration
Falyanthuri alinsanu mimma khuliqa
Translation
Let man consider what he was created from
Transliteration
Khuliqa min main dafiqin
Translation
He was created from gushing liquid
Transliteration
Yakhruju min bayni alssulbi waalttaraibi
Translation
Issuing from between the backbone and the breastbones
An anatomical and embryological observation: describes human reproductive fluid originating 'from between the backbone and the ribs' ('Bayna as-sulbi wat-tara'ib'). In human embryology, both the male testes and female ovaries initially develop in the embryo between the spinal column and the ribs adjacent to the kidneys, before descending to their pelvic positions while retaining their original vascular and nerve pathways originating from this thoracic-lumbar region.
Transliteration
Innahu AAala rajAAihi laqadirun
Translation
He is certainly able to return him
Transliteration
Yawma tubla alssarairu
Translation
On the Day when the secrets are disclosed
Designates Judgment Day as 'The Day Secrets are Laid Bare' ('Yawma tubla as-sara'ir'): all concealed motives, secret internet searches, private conspiracies, and inner hypocrisies will be exposed openly before all creation.
Transliteration
Fama lahu min quwwatin wala nasirin
Translation
He will have no strength, and no supporter
Transliteration
Waalssamai thati alrrajAAi
Translation
By the sky that returns
God swears by 'the sky that returns' ('Dhat ar-raj''): accurately describing the atmosphere's continuous cycling of water vapor returning as rain, as well as the ionosphere layer bouncing radio communication waves back down to Earth.
Transliteration
Waalardi thati alssadAAi
Translation
And the earth that cracks open
God swears by 'the earth that splits/cracks' ('Dhat as-sad''): referring both to the micro-fracturing of topsoil when fragile botanical seedlings break through, and to the massive subterranean tectonic fault lines that crisscross the Earth's crust.
Transliteration
Innahu laqawlun faslun
Translation
It is a Decisive Word
Transliteration
Wama huwa bialhazli
Translation
It is no joke
Transliteration
Innahum yakeedoona kaydan
Translation
They plot and scheme
Transliteration
Waakeedu kaydan
Translation
But I plot and scheme
Transliteration
Famahhili alkafireena amhilhum ruwaydan
Translation
Therefore, give the blasphemers respite, a brief respite