Names
This surah is called Surat At-Tariq. [500] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/512; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 30/257.
It is also called ?As-Sama?i wa?l-tariq (By the sky and the night comer)?. [501] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz fi Lata?if Al-Kitab Al-?Aziz, 1/512.
It was narrated from Jabir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to recite in Zuhr and ?Asr ?As-Sama?i wa?l-tariq (By the sky and the night comer)?, ?As-Sama?i dhat Al-buruj (the sky containing great stars)? and similar surahs. [502] Narrated by Abu Dawud, 805; At-Tirmidhi, 307; An-Nasa?i, 979.
Virtues and characteristics
The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) used to recite this surah in Zuhr and ?Asr,
As mentioned in the hadith of Jabir ibn Samurah (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted above.
Makki or Madani?
Surat At-Tariq is Makki; more than one of the commentators narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [503] Those who narrated that there was consensus regarding that include: Ibn ?Atiyyah, Ibn Al-Jawzi and Al-Biqa?i. See: Tafsir Ibn ?Atiyyah, 5/435; Tafsir Ibn Al-Jawzi, 4/428; Al-Biqa?i: Masa?id An-Nazr, 3/178.
Objectives
The most important objectives of this surah include:
Establishing proof of Allah?s might and power; affirming that this Qur?an is indeed from Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and that the good end is for the righteous. [504] At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 15/351.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat At-Tariq include:
The oath attesting that over every soul there are appointed keepers from among the angels.
Establishing proof that Allah (%) is able to bring about the resurrection.
Highlighting the high status of the Holy Qur?an, the truthfulness of what is mentioned in it about the resurrection, and affirming that it is indeed from Allah (%).
Warning the polytheists, reassuring the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and promising him that the good outcome will be for the believers.