Surah Adh-Dhariyat — Verse 18

Word Meanings:

• Al-As’haar (الأسحار): The plural of *sahar*, meaning the last portion of the night, just before dawn breaks. It is a time of deep stillness, when the world is quiet and the soul is most receptive to turning to Allah.
• Yastaghfirūn (يستغفرون): They seek forgiveness from Allah for their sins, humbly asking Him to pardon their shortcomings and erase their misdeeds.

Explanation of the Verse:

This verse paints a beautiful portrait of the righteous servants of Allah. After describing how they spend their nights in prayer and devotion, Allah tells us that "in the hours before dawn, they seek forgiveness." These are the moments when the darkness of night is about to give way to the light of morning—a time of profound spiritual significance. The believers do not merely end their night worship; they crown it with heartfelt pleas for mercy. They recognize their own imperfections and turn to their Lord with humility, acknowledging that no matter how much they strive, they are in constant need of His pardon.

The *sahar* is a blessed time, a moment when the gates of heaven are open and the call of "Is there anyone seeking forgiveness?" is answered. These believers understood that their deeds alone were never enough; they needed Allah’s grace to purify their efforts and forgive their lapses. Their seeking of forgiveness was not a mere utterance of words, but a sincere, soul-deep acknowledgment of their dependence on Allah’s infinite mercy. This verse teaches us that true righteousness is not about self-satisfaction, but about constant self-purification and turning back to Allah with a broken, humble heart.

A Call to Action:

Dear reader, imagine the beauty of those final hours of the night—when the world sleeps, and you stand before your Creator, whispering your faults and seeking His pardon. This is the way of the beloved servants of Allah. The Prophet ﷺ told us that Allah descends to the lowest heaven in the last third of the night and asks, "Who is asking Me, so that I may give him? Who is seeking forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?" (Bukhari & Muslim). This is your golden opportunity! Do not let these precious moments slip away. Wake up before Fajr, even if for a few minutes, and join the ranks of those who say, *"Our Lord, forgive us our sins and remove from us our misdeeds."* Let your heart soften, your sins be washed away, and your soul be lifted. The door of forgiveness is wide open—will you not knock?