The surah Al-Layl (“The Night”) is a Meccan surah composed of 21 verses. Its name comes from the opening verse, where God swears by the night — a symbol of contrast between light and darkness, good and evil, faith and disbelief.
According to Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi, it was revealed during the Meccan period when the Quraysh rejected the Prophet’s ﷺ message. The surah emphasizes human freedom of choice and the consequences of one’s actions. It is traditionally linked to Abu ad-Dahdah, a believer who gave away his orchard purely to seek God’s pleasure.
Main Teachings and Key Insights
Al-Layl explores the diversity of human behavior and the moral outcomes of choices. It shows that true success lies in generosity, faith, and piety. Its main teachings include:
- Divine oaths on cosmic cycles (night, day, the creation of male and female), symbolizing universal balance and duality. (verses 1–4)
- God has set before man two clear paths: one of righteousness and one of corruption. (verses 5–10)
- Those who give and believe will find their way made easy, while those who withhold and deny will face hardship. (verses 7–11)
- Reminder of divine justice: every soul will be repaid according to its deeds and intentions. (verses 12–16)
- Promise of bliss for those who act sincerely for God’s sake alone. (verses 17–21)
The surah highlights personal responsibility and the link between intention, effort, and destiny, teaching that true wealth lies in the purity of the heart, not in possessions.
Structure and Main Themes
- Oaths by night and day (verses 1–4): signs of divine order and complementarity.
- Two paths of life (verses 5–10): generosity versus greed.
- Divine recompense (verses 11–16): ease for the righteous, difficulty for the defiant.
- Example of sincere faith (verses 17–21): one who gives purely for God’s pleasure, seeking nothing in return.
The tone of the surah is moral, direct, and motivational, guiding believers toward faith-driven generosity and spiritual detachment.
Key Verses
The central verses of the surah are verses 5–7:
فَأَمَّا مَنْ أَعْطَىٰ وَاتَّقَىٰ * وَصَدَّقَ بِالْحُسْنَىٰ * فَسَنُيَسِّرُهُ لِلْيُسْرَىٰ
As for he who gives, is mindful of God, and believes in the best reward — We will ease his way toward ease.
Why are these verses key?
- They outline the formula for spiritual success: faith, generosity, and reverent consciousness of God.
- They reveal the grace of divine assistance: God facilitates goodness for those who act sincerely for Him.
- They contrast the path of ease and righteousness with that of moral difficulty and self-centeredness.
In summary, Al-Layl teaches that true success lies in sincerity, generosity, and faith. It presents two clear destinies — one of light and giving, the other of greed and loss — urging believers to choose the path of virtue and divine satisfaction.