Surah At-Takwir 81:4
سُورَةُ التَّكۡوِيرِ · Meccan · Verse 4 of 29
وَإِذَا ٱلْعِشَارُ عُطِّلَتْ
Translation
when pregnant camels are abandoned,
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
This verse, part of a chilling sequence describing the onset of the Day of Judgment, pictures a world turned upside down. Allah, the Speaker, addresses all of humanity, laying out a series of cosmic and earthly upheavals that will precede the ultimate reckoning. The tone is one of profound warning and awe, aiming to prepare hearts for the inevitable moment when every soul will confront its deeds.
The Scene Unfolds
Imagine the world teetering on the brink of collapse, with the sun losing its light and the stars scattering. Amidst these cosmic terrors, the Quran shifts our gaze to a very earthly, yet equally profound, sign of disruption: "وَإِذَا ٱلْعِشَارُ عُطِّلَتْ" (And when the pregnant camels are neglected).
Why "Pregnant Camels"?
The word `ٱلْعِشَارُ` (al-'ishar) refers specifically to she-camels that have been pregnant for ten months, nearing their delivery. As scholars like al-Zamakhshari and al-Razi explain, these were the most precious and valuable possessions of the Arabs at the time. A pregnant camel represented wealth, status, and the promise of future livelihood. By choosing this particular image, the Quran speaks directly to the deepest worldly concerns of its initial audience, making the coming calamity profoundly personal and relatable. Ibn Ashur notes that this selection is a powerful figure of speech (kinayah), hinting at a deeper truth without explicitly stating it.
The Weight of Neglect
The verb `عُطِّلَتْ` (u'ttilat) means "were neglected" or "abandoned." It's in the passive voice, which is significant. It implies that the neglect isn't a deliberate choice, but an inevitable consequence of the overwhelming events. The owners of these valuable camels don't consciously decide to abandon them; rather, the terror of the Hour is so immense that all earthly attachments and concerns, even the most cherished, simply cease to matter. Al-Jalalayn highlights that even though no possession was dearer to them, they would be left without a shepherd or milking "due to the great event that befell them." This powerful imagery shows that on that Day, no one will be concerned with their wealth or property, only with their own soul.
The Unspoken Message
The choice of words and their structure amplify the message. The repeated "وَإِذَا" (And when...) at the beginning of each verse in this Surah, as Ibn Ashur points out, creates a sense of building anticipation and dread. This repetition is a rhetorical device that emphasizes the magnitude of each event, leading to the ultimate conclusion: `عَلِمَتْ نَفْسٌ مَّا أَحْضَرَتْ` (every soul will know what it has brought forth). The neglect of the `العشار` serves as a stark metaphor for the complete dissolution of worldly priorities and the terrifying shift to absolute self-accountability. It compels us to ponder what truly holds value when all that we cherish in this life will become utterly insignificant.
Sources: al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah At-Takwir 81:4 is discussed in 3 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
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