Surah 86. At-Tariq The Nightly Visitor - English Translation

View all 114 Quran Surahs
Verses : 17
الطارق
Facebook send X send WhatsApp send

Listen and Read Surah At-Tariq in Arabic & English

Arabic Below the verses
Arabic Only

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

bookmark 1. By the sky and at-Tariq.

1. وَٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلطَّارِقِ

bookmark 2. But what will let you know what at-Tariq is?

2. وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا ٱلطَّارِقُ

bookmark 3. The Piercing Star.

3. ٱلنَّجْمُ ٱلثَّاقِبُ

bookmark 4. There is no soul without a Protector over it.

4. إِن كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ لَّمَّا عَلَيْهَا حَافِظٌۭ

bookmark 5. Let man consider what he was created from.

5. فَلْيَنظُرِ ٱلْإِنسَٰنُ مِمَّ خُلِقَ

bookmark 6. He was created from gushing liquid.

6. خُلِقَ مِن مَّآءٍۢ دَافِقٍۢ

bookmark 7. Issuing from between the backbone and the breastbones.

7. يَخْرُجُ مِنۢ بَيْنِ ٱلصُّلْبِ وَٱلتَّرَآئِبِ

bookmark 8. He is certainly able to return him.

8. إِنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ رَجْعِهِۦ لَقَادِرٌۭ

bookmark 9. On the Day when the secrets are disclosed.

9. يَوْمَ تُبْلَى ٱلسَّرَآئِرُ

bookmark 10. He will have no strength, and no supporter.

10. فَمَا لَهُۥ مِن قُوَّةٍۢ وَلَا نَاصِرٍۢ

bookmark 11. By the sky that returns.

11. وَٱلسَّمَآءِ ذَاتِ ٱلرَّجْعِ

bookmark 12. And the earth that cracks open.

12. وَٱلْأَرْضِ ذَاتِ ٱلصَّدْعِ

bookmark 13. It is a Decisive Word.

13. إِنَّهُۥ لَقَوْلٌۭ فَصْلٌۭ

bookmark 14. It is no joke.

14. وَمَا هُوَ بِٱلْهَزْلِ

bookmark 15. They plot and scheme.

15. إِنَّهُمْ يَكِيدُونَ كَيْدًۭا

bookmark 16. But I plot and scheme.

16. وَأَكِيدُ كَيْدًۭا

bookmark 17. Therefore, give the blasphemers respite, a brief respite.

17. فَمَهِّلِ ٱلْكَٰفِرِينَ أَمْهِلْهُمْ رُوَيْدًۢا

Context of Revelation

The surah At-Tariq (“The Night Star”) is a Meccan surah consisting of 17 verses. It was revealed during the early years of the Prophet’s ﷺ mission in Mecca. The word At-Tariq means “the one who comes by night,” referring to the bright star mentioned in the opening verse.

According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, the surah emphasizes God’s power in creation and the divine awareness of every being. It belongs to the early revelations affirming resurrection, judgment, and human accountability, countering the denials of the Quraysh.

Main Teachings and Key Insights

The surah At-Tariq focuses on divine vigilance, human creation, and the certainty of the Last Judgment. Its main teachings include:

  • Oath by the night star, symbol of light piercing darkness: God sees and knows all. (verses 1–4)
  • Reminder of human creation from a gushing fluid, showing divine power and human fragility. (verses 5–7)
  • Affirmation that God can resurrect man just as He created him first. (verses 8–10)
  • The secrets of every soul will be exposed on Judgment Day — nothing will remain hidden. (verses 9–10)
  • The Qur’an is a decisive word, distinguishing truth from falsehood — not mere amusement. (verses 13–14)

This surah combines cosmic reflection with moral awareness: the Creator of stars and humankind will also judge hearts and intentions.

Structure and Main Themes

  • Oath by the Night Star (verses 1–4): God swears by the sky and the piercing star, symbolizing His vigilance.
  • Creation and Resurrection (verses 5–10): proof of divine power and the inevitability of return.
  • Authenticity of the Qur’an (verses 11–14): affirmation that the Qur’an is a decisive revelation, not human fabrication.
  • Final fate of the disbelievers (verses 15–17): warning to deniers and assurance of divine triumph.

The tone of the surah is solemn and striking: it connects the grandeur of the cosmos to man’s moral responsibility before his Creator.

Key Verse

The central verse of the surah is verse 9:

يَوْمَ تُبْلَى السَّرَائِرُ

The Day when secrets will be laid bare.

Why is this verse key?

  • It expresses the absolute justice of Judgment Day: nothing hidden in the heart will remain concealed.
  • It highlights inner responsibility: God judges intentions as well as visible actions.
  • It reminds of spiritual transparency: on that Day, conscience itself will testify.

In summary, At-Tariq is a meditation on divine vigilance and the inevitable reckoning. It links the spectacle of the night sky to human awareness, reminding that God — Creator of light and life — knows all that man conceals and reveals.

Surah At-Tariq
0:00 0:00
Pick up where you left off?