Al-Adiyat (العاديات)
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ وَالْعَادِيَاتِ ضَبْحًا
Wal'aadi yaati dabha
Oh, the chargers that run panting,
فَالْمُورِيَاتِ قَدْحًا
Fal moori yaati qadha
sparks of fire striking,
فَالْمُغِيرَاتِ صُبْحًا
Fal mugheeraati subha
rushing to assault at morn,
فَأَثَرْنَ بِهِ نَقْعًا
Fa atharna bihee naq'a
thereby raising clouds of dust,
فَوَسَطْنَ بِهِ جَمْعًا
Fawa satna bihee jam'a
thereby storming [blindly] into any host!
إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لِرَبِّهِ لَكَنُودٌ
Innal-insana lirabbihee lakanood
VERILY, towards his Sustainer man is most ungrateful
وَإِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ لَشَهِيدٌ
Wa innahu 'alaa zaalika la shaheed
and to this, behold, he [himself] bears witness indeed:
وَإِنَّهُ لِحُبِّ الْخَيْرِ لَشَدِيدٌ
Wa innahu lihubbil khairi la shadeed
for, verily, to the love of wealth is he most ardently devoted.
۞ أَفَلَا يَعْلَمُ إِذَا بُعْثِرَ مَا فِي الْقُبُورِ
Afala ya'lamu iza b'uthira ma filquboor
But does he not know that [on the Last Day,] when all that is in the graves is raised and brought out,
وَحُصِّلَ مَا فِي الصُّدُورِ
Wa hussila maa fis sudoor
and all that is [hidden] in men's hearts is bared
إِنَّ رَبَّهُمْ بِهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَخَبِيرٌ
Inna rabbahum bihim yauma 'izil la khabeer
that on that Day their Sustainer [will show that He] has always been fully aware of them?
Meaning
The Courser
Ayas
11
Revelation
Meccan
Surah No
100
Human Greed and Distraction: Surah Al-Adiyat highlights the human tendency to be absorbed in worldly pursuits, which can distract from the remembrance of Allah. It uses the metaphor of fast, charging horses to describe how people are often consumed by their desires and material gains.
The Reality of the Day of Judgment: The Surah emphasizes the reality of the Day of Judgment, where humans will be reminded of their deeds and the consequences of their actions, which they may have ignored or been unaware of in this world.
Selfishness and Accountability: The Surah underscores the selfish nature of humanity that leads to neglecting their duties to Allah, even though they are fully aware of their reliance on Allah. It points out the contrast between worldly distractions and the inevitable reality of being accountable for one’s actions.
Reminder of the Afterlife: Surah Al-Adiyat serves as a reminder of the inevitability of the Day of Judgment. It calls attention to the fact that no matter how engrossed individuals are in their worldly pursuits, they will eventually have to face their actions before Allah.
Warning Against Materialism: It warns against being overly consumed by the world’s distractions and materialism, urging believers to focus on the path to righteousness and be conscious of their responsibilities toward Allah.
Reflection on Human Nature: The Surah is a reflection on human nature, which often ignores the divine and becomes lost in the pursuit of worldly desires. This reminds the believer to maintain humility and gratitude.
Increased Awareness of the Afterlife: Reading this Surah helps to increase awareness of the Day of Judgment, encouraging believers to live their lives with mindfulness of their actions.
Focus on True Priorities: It reminds believers to prioritize their faith and connection to Allah over material gains and distractions.
Encourages Gratitude: It serves as a reminder of Allah’s blessings and the importance of showing gratitude for all of His provisions, which are often taken for granted.
Spiritual Discipline: Regular recitation and reflection on this Surah can help believers focus on their spiritual development and avoid distractions from worldly temptations.
On the Importance of Accountability:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “A servant will be asked on the Day of Judgment about his life, how he spent it, his knowledge, how he used it, and his wealth, where he earned it and how he spent it.” (Sunan Tirmidhi)
This Hadith relates to the theme of Surah Al-Adiyat, emphasizing the importance of accountability for one’s actions, particularly in how we utilize our time and resources.
On Materialism and Distractions:
The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: “Whoever loves the world and its pleasures, he will lose his Hereafter, and whoever loves the Hereafter and its pleasures, he will lose his world. So love what lasts and let the rest go.” (Sahih Bukhari)
This teaching mirrors the message of Surah Al-Adiyat, warning against being consumed by the material world and forgetting the realities of the afterlife.
“If you find any mistakes in this, please let us know. For a more accurate translation, please refer to the English version. May Allah forgive us for any unintentional mistakes.”
