Surah Ash-Shams 91:1
سُورَةُ الشَّمۡسِ · Meccan · Verse 1 of 15
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ وَٱلشَّمْسِ وَضُحَىٰهَا
Translation
By the sun in its morning brightness
English translation: M.A.S. Abdel Haleem.
Meaning and reflection
Wording
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
The Divine Oath
Allah opens Surah Ash-Shams with a powerful oath, drawing our attention to one of His most magnificent creations: "وَٱلشَّمْسِ وَضُحَىٰهَا" (By the sun and its morning brightness). This opening "Wa" (وَ) isn't just "and"; it's a "Waw of oath," like saying, "I swear by." When Allah swears by something, it elevates its importance, beckoning us to reflect deeply on its significance, as Imam al-Razi reminds us. The sun is chosen first, according to Ibn Ashur, because it is the greatest source of light that reaches our Earth, immediately signifying its immense power and the order in creation.
Unpacking 'Duha'
The word "ضُحَىٰهَا" (duhaha) refers to the sun's light, specifically its brightness and clarity in the early to mid-morning. Scholars like Mujahid and al-Kalbi interpret "duhaha" as simply "its light" (ضوؤها). Qatadah expanded this to mean "the entire day," while Muqatil focused on "its heat." However, deeper linguistic insights, as noted by al-Razi, explain that *ḍaḥw* is the rising of the day, *ḍuḥā* is the time just after that, and *ḍaḥāʾ* is the extended part of the morning. Essentially, "ḍuḥā" captures the moment when the sun has fully risen above the horizon, its rays are clear and strong, and its light has spread widely. It's not the first faint glimmer of dawn, nor the intense heat of midday, but the peak of its clear, illuminating power.
A Deeper Light for the Soul
Why does Allah specify "duhaha" – this particular quality and time of the sun? Imam Ibn Ashur explains that this vivid imagery isn't merely a description; it's an allusion. The sun and its radiant light, especially its *duha*, serve as a powerful metaphor for the emergence of faith after disbelief and the spread of piety after immorality. Just as the darkness of night recedes with the sun's clear, bright light, so too does the darkness of misguidance vanish with the illuminating truth of Islam. The sun's clarity at *duha* symbolizes the undeniable clarity of divine guidance. This powerful oath sets the stage for the pivotal message of the surah: the ultimate success or failure depends on how we nurture or neglect the light of truth within our own souls.
Sources: al-Jadwal fi I'rab al-Quran (Mahmud Safi), al-Zamakhshari (al-Kashshaf), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), al-Jalalayn, Ibn Ashur (al-Tahrir wa al-Tanwir)
Qur'anic Worlds
With the deepest reverence, let us turn our hearts to the very first verse of Surah Ash-Shams, a surah revealed in the early Makkan period, a time when the foundational truths of faith were being imprinted on the hearts of the early believers. Here, Allah, the Most High, begins with an awe-inspiring oath:
The Oath of the Sun
Allah Almighty begins, "وَٱلشَّمْسِ وَضُحَىٰهَا" (Wal-Shamsi wa Duhaha). This translates to "By the sun and its brilliance," or "By the sun and its morning glory." *Al-Shams* (الشَّمْسِ) is, of course, the sun, that celestial body that governs our days. And *Duhaha* (ضُحَىٰهَا) refers to its light and radiance. Scholars like Mujahid and Al-Kalbi understood it simply as its light, while Qatadah said it encompasses the entire day, as the day is defined by the sun's presence. Mufti Shafi describes *duha* as the beautiful time when the sun has risen slightly higher, its light spreading gently across the earth, visible and comforting, before the full intensity of midday.
When Allah swears by something, it's not a mere figure of speech; it elevates the object of the oath, drawing our profound attention to it. It’s an invitation to reflect deeply on its significance, its value, and the mighty purpose behind its creation. As Imam Al-Razi noted, such oaths are intended to make a strong impression on our hearts, strengthening our inclination to ponder.
A World of Creation to Ponder
This verse immediately immerses us in the "World of Creation," a fundamental lens for understanding the Quran. Allah uses this magnificent cosmic sign to speak to us. Think of the sun: it is the source of all life and warmth on Earth. Imagine the early believers in Makkah, perhaps facing hardship and uncertainty. The sight of the sun rising each day, with its comforting *duha* light, would have been a powerful reminder of Allah's consistent power, His perfect order in the universe, and His enduring sustenance for creation.
Sayyid Qutb beautifully describes a "dialogue" that occurs between these natural scenes and the human heart. It's a secret language that resonates deeply within our human nature. The sun, especially in its pleasant morning *duha* phase, is not just a hot orb; it's a living sign, full of beauty and grace, comforting in winter, and signaling new beginnings. It speaks to our souls without a sound.
Reflection for Us
What does this singular oath mean for us today? The sun's light after the darkness of night is like life after death, a spiritual awakening. As Al-Razi reflected, it’s akin to the trumpet blast that gives life to the dead, and the *duha* time, full of light and vitality, resembles the blessed state of the people of Paradise. This daily miracle, the constant return of light and life, is a profound testament to Allah's power, His intricate design, and His promise of resurrection and ultimate justice, themes so central to the Makkan message. It reminds us that just as the sun consistently brings light to the physical world, Allah's guidance brings light to our inner world, dispelling the darkness of ignorance and heedlessness.
Sources: al-Baghawi (Maalim al-Tanzil), Ma'arif al-Quran (Mufti Shafi), Sayyid Qutb (Fi Zilal al-Quran), al-Razi (Mafatih al-Ghayb), Ibn Kathir
Topics that discuss this verse
Surah Ash-Shams 91:1 is discussed in 4 study guides on Maani. Each guide gathers the key verses, Arabic words and lessons of one Quranic topic.
Reflect on this verse
Open Surah Ash-Shams 91:1 in Maani to reflect on it through the Five Lenses: its wording, its context, what it means for you, its connections across the Quran and its lessons, grounded in classical tafsir.