Surah 86
(The Night Visitor)
(Makkan Period)
Title
The expression al-Tariq, featuring in the Surah's opening verse came to be known as its title.
Period of Revelation
In its subject matter, this Surah is identical with early Makkan Surahs. However, internal evidence lends credence to the view that it was revealed at a time when the Makkan unbelievers had been hatching their impious designs against the Prophet's call to Islam.
Subject Matter and Themes
Two main themes lie at the core of this Surah: (1) Man's answerability to Allah after his death, and (2) The supreme, invincible status of the Qur'an, which cannot be downgraded by any of the unbelievers' tricks or nefarious designs.
First, an oath is taken with reference to the stars in order to press home the truth that nothing can survive in the universe without Allah's protection. Man's attention is drawn to his own being- how he was created from a drop of sperm, developing later into a fully grown-up, living being. Surely Allah Who created him thus, has the power to bring him back to life. Man will be resurrected in order to test his deepest secrets. On the Day of Judgement, however, man shall have no power and no helper to escape the consequences of his misdeeds.
In conclusion, attention is drawn to the workings of the universe- rainfall and the growth of plant life and crops. These are significant, life-giving phenomena. By the same token, the truths enunciated in the Qur'an are incontrovertible. The unbelievers mistakenly think that their tricks will stop the spread of the Qur'ānic message. They do not realize that Allah has been devising a plan that will defeat their guile. The Prophet (peace be upon him) is asked to bear with the unbelievers' opposition while the latter are served with a warning that they will soon see for themselves whether their impious designs succeed to any degree.