Surah Al-'Adiyat (100)

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

1. By the (steeds), that run with panting (breath).

2. Striking sparks of fire (by their hooves).

3. And scouring to the raid at dawn.

4. And raise the dust in clouds the while.

5. And penetrating forth with as one into the midst (of the foe).

6. Verily, man is ungrateful to his Lord.

7. And to that He bears witness (by his deeds).

8. And verily, he is violent in the love of wealth.

9. Knows he not that when the contents of the graves are brought and poured forth (all mankind is resurrected).

10. And that which is in the breasts (of man) shall be made known.

11. Verily, that Day (the Day of Resurrection) their Lord will be Well-Acquainted with them. (as to their deeds), (and will reward them for their deeds.)


It is called Surah Al-'Adiyat (Those who Run) because Allah Almighty begins it swearing by 'those that run" referring to the horses of those who fight in Jihad, those who are riding quickly to meet the enemy.


Both Surahs discuss the time when the earth will spew forth the dead:
In Az-Zalzalah

And in this Surah:


Az-Zalzalah ends by mentioning that we will be recompensed for good and evil deeds. Al-'Adiyat ends with the same:


Wal-'Aadiyaati Dhabha:
The horse that races at an amazingly strong and fast pace, which causes it to make the sound of the "Dhabh." The Dhabh is the breathing sound that emanates from the chest of a horse when it races at top speeds.

Al-Mooriyaati:
The striking of their hooves on the rocks on the ground.

Qadha:
meaning the fire that sparks from the hardness of their hooves and the strength of their racing.

Fal-Mugheeraati:
Those that attack their enemy by making a raid.

Subha:
Morning time. For the most part. Raids took place in the morning, for when the Prophet (Sallallahu 'Alayhi wa Sallam) wanted to attack, he waited until the morning; if he heard the call to prayer, he would stop, and if he didn't he would attack. He advised those who went on group missions to follow the same strategy.

Fa-Atharna bihi:
By their racing and they stir up.

Naq'a:
dust from the intensity of their moving.

Fawasatna bihi:
meaning on their mounts,

Jam'a:
they would surround the enemy they were raiding.

Innal Insaana Li-Rabbihi Lakanood:
Man as a species hates to share with others the good he has, good that Allah Almighty has blessed him with, and he refuses to acknowledge the good that Allah Almighty bestows upon him.


To continue Insha Allah

Wa Innahu 'Ala Thalika Lashaheed:
Man bears witness, through his ingratitude and refusal, that he is averse to doing good and that he is greedy.

Wa Innahu Lihubbil Khairi Lashadeed:
Man loves wealth with such a violent passion that he is stingy with it.

Afala Ya'lamu ithaa:
knows he not that.

Bu'thira Maa Fil Quboor:
Corpses are taken out of their graves, and this is referring to the time when Allah Almighty resurrects man.

Wa Hussila Ma Fis-Sudoor:
What people hide in their hearts will become clear and apparent, whether it is good or evil.

Inna Rabbahum bihim Yawma'ithin La-Khabeer
Indeed, Allah Almighty knows all of man's deeds, both apparent and hidden, and He Almighty will reward man for those deeds.




Because the horse has certain good qualities that are non-existent in other animals, and as it has been authentically established, there is good in the forelocks of the horse until the Day of Judgement, so Allah Almighty swore by them. For among the Arabs, the horse has always been a means of waging war, and as an animal, it has always had a high status with the believer. Therefore we should take care of horses and train on them for fighting in the way of Allah Almighty and we should take possession of horses for noble aims, just as we should strive and work hard in all important and significant matters.

After making the oath, Allah Almighty clarifies the nature of man: that he is ungrateful, that he forgets Allah's many favors – a nature that might lead him to rejecting Allah's religion and commands. Here the believers should take a pause to understand the realities of this world and the Hereafter, they must strive against the desires of their own selves, doing good deeds, and avoiding evil one. Also, Allah Almighty clarifies man's ardent love for wealth, a love that promotes the characteristic of miserliness. But there is a further consequence; man strives so eagerly after wealth that he forgets the Hereafter, forgets Allah's rights upon him and upon what He gave him, which is why Allah Almighty warns man against possessing those abominable qualities.

Does not the one who refuse – who feigns to forget Allah's order and prohibitions – know that he will be taken out of his grave, that even his innermost intentions will become clear, that Allah Almighty knows all that he does including the deeds he does privately, and finally, that Allah Almighty will give him just recompense for all of his actions. Therefore, one should never allow the love of wealth to deviate him from gratefulness to his Lord, for worshipping Him, and from striving for the Hereafter.




1. We are encouraged to Jihad and to make preparations for war.

2. The nature of man is explained; he forgets the many favors of His Lord while he only remembers a misfortune that may have befallen him – except he who believes and does good deeds.

3. Man's eager love for wealth is made known; here, as Muslims, we are implicitly invited to improve ourselves – by having faith, by performing good deeds, and by spending in the way of Allah Almighty.

4. The belief in Resurrection and Recompense is established.