Surah At-Takwir — Verse 17

Word Meanings:

• عَسْعَسَ (ʿasʿasa): This word carries two complementary meanings depending on the context: (1) when the night approaches and brings its darkness, and (2) when the night departs and retreats. Both meanings are valid and have been mentioned by scholars of Tafsir.

Explanation of the Verse:

In this verse, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) swears an oath by the night when it approaches with its darkness, and also when it withdraws and fades away. The night is a magnificent sign of Allah’s creation — a time when the world falls silent, when people rest, and when the stars shine brightly in the sky. Its darkness reminds us of the greatness of the Creator who alternates night and day, and who has power over all things.

The oath here is not merely an emphasis — it is an invitation for you, dear reader, to reflect upon the universe around you. When you witness the night approaching, covering the earth with its calm and stillness, and when you see it departing with the first light of dawn, ask yourself: Who is it that commands this perfect system? Who is it that brings the darkness and then removes it? It is Allah, the All-Powerful, the All-Wise.

This verse comes in the context of a series of oaths that Allah takes to affirm the truth and majesty of the Qur’an. By swearing by such grand cosmic phenomena, Allah draws your attention to the fact that just as the night and day are real and undeniable, so too is the message of the Qur’an — a message that was delivered by a noble messenger, Jibril (peace be upon him), who is strong, trustworthy, and honored in the heavens.

So, dear believer, let the sight of the night and its darkness remind you of Allah’s greatness. Let it strengthen your faith and increase your gratitude. For the One who controls the night and the day is the same One who revealed this Qur’an — a book of guidance, mercy, and light for all of humanity. Embrace it, act upon it, and you will find peace in this life and success in the Hereafter.