In The Name of AlIah, The Beneficent. The Merciful
Sura Tariq
(The Night)
No.86 (17 Verses)
Contents of the Sura:
The subjects in this Sura are mainly divided into two groups:
1. Resurrection and 2. The Holy Qur'an and its value.
At the beginning, after some reflective oaths, it points to the existence of some divine protectors of Man.
To make manifest the possibility of Resurrection, it refers to the first stage of Man's life and his creation from a sperm drop and then it draws a conclusion that the Creator, who is able to create him from such a lowly life-germ, can give life, again, to him.
In the following part, it describes the Resurrection and the uniqueness it has. Then, it offers some meaningful oaths to verify the importance of the Holy Qur'an; and finally, it finishes the Sura by mentioning Allah's punishments for the unbelievers in order to give a warning to them.
The Virtue in Studying this Sura:
There is a tradition from the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) for the virtue of this Sura which says: For the person who studies this Sura, Allah will reward this action ten times the number of stars in the sky. (1)
There is a narration from Imam Sadiq which says: "Anyone who recites Sura Tariq in his obligatory prayers will have a high rank with Allah in the Hereafter, and will be the prophets' close friend and companion in Heaven. (2)
Obviously, it is the content of the Sura and acting accordingly which deserves such great rewards; not its mere recitation without following by action.
(1) Majma-al-Bayan, vol.10, p. 469.
(2) Thawab-ul-A'mal, according to NUr-uth-Thaqalayn, vol. 5, p. 549.