Ever wondered why Allah (SWT) takes oaths in the Quran? In standard human speech, we usually swear by something when we are angry, when someone doubts us, or in a formal courtroom setting. But in the Quran, divine oaths serve a much deeper psychological, structural, and spiritual purpose.
In classical Arabic, taking an oath was a powerful rhetorical method to command immediate attention. Every oath consists of two main parts: the Object (the creation sworn by) and the Subject (the core lesson or truth being established). The object selected by Allah is never random; it serves as physical, observable proof for the subject being discussed.
For instance, in Surah Al Asr, the Object is Time and the Subject is that humanity is in a state of loss. The undeniable reality that time is constantly slipping away serves as physical evidence that human beings are losing their most precious capital every second, unless they invest it wisely through faith, good deeds, and patience.
The Law of Progression: Nature as Our Mirror
This profound connection between nature and human reality is vividly depicted in Surah Al Inshiqaq (84:16 19), where Allah swears by the shifting phases of creation:
"So I swear by the twilight glow, and by the night and what it encloses, and by the moon when it becomes full, that you will surely embark upon stage after stage."
Look closely at the world around you and observe how Allah guides His creation through gradual transitions:
- The Sky: It never flips instantly from daylight to pitch black. It transitions seamlessly, moving from golden orange to deep red, then purple, blue, dark blue, and finally absolute darkness.
- The Moon: It begins as a faint crescent, grows steadily into a brilliant full moon, and then slowly wanes away.
- The Human Journey: You began in the womb, became an infant, grew into a child, matured into adulthood, and will eventually age before returning to the earth to stand before your Creator.
Life is a continuous series of stages. Just as you cannot skip the sunset, you cannot escape the progression of life. If you ever feel lost or overwhelmed, look at the night sky; it is a daily reminder that every phase has its timing.
Furthermore, this law of progression teaches us patience. When the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was conveying the message of Islam in Mecca under difficult conditions, Allah used the image of the moon to remind him that complete victory takes time to become "full." True growth does not demand overnight perfection; it asks for consistent, sincere effort to progress day by day.
Cinematic Divine Speech: Lessons from Surah Al 'Aadiyaat
To shake humanity out of spiritual carelessness, the Quran frequently utilizes intense, cinematic imagery. In Surah Al 'Aadiyaat (100:1 6), Allah paints an unforgettable scene by swearing by:
- Female war horses charging fiercely into battle, panting heavily.
- Their hooves striking hard rocks so violently that sparks of fire fly out in the dawn air.
- Raiding enemy lines unexpectedly, raising thick clouds of blinding dust, and penetrating straight into the center of conflict.
To the ancient Arabs, this scene was breathtaking. A morning raid was extremely dangerous; the morning dew made the terrain slippery, and the dust trail gave away their position. Yet, these war horses charged forward into lethal danger out of absolute, unyielding loyalty to their riders.
Right as the listener is fully captivated by this high stakes action, the Quran pauses the scene and delivers the heavy, humbling punchline:
"Indeed, mankind is ungrateful to his Lord."
An animal will risk its life and run toward spears purely out of instinct and loyalty to a human master who merely provides it food. Yet humans, gifted with intellect and soul, constantly show disloyalty to the Sustainer who grants them life and everything within it.
A Compass for the Mind
The Quran is far more than a book of ancient texts; it is a dynamic, living compass that reshapes how we perceive ourselves and the universe. Through the harmony of nature, time, and human psychology, divine oaths remind us to pause, reflect, and realign our hearts with our Creator.
Next time you witness a sunset, look closely; it is speaking directly to your journey.
— Ema Begum