Surah Al-Adiyat

The Chargers

Introduction

Name of Chapter and Reason for its Name

This chapter is called Surah Al-Aadiyat and it was named after the very first word of the chapter. This is where Allah takes an oath by the charging horses while they are snorting.

Chapter Number

Surah Al-Aadiyat is the 100th chapter of the Quran.

Number of Verses

This chapter has 11 verses.

Place of Revelation

Some of the scholars consider this chapter to be Makki one. Others on the other hand, believe that it is Madani.

Content

Important Concepts in this Chapter

Verses 1-11

A discussion concerning man’s ungratefulness and the hereafter. After mentioning a few oaths for the sake of admonishment, the verses of this chapter speak about man’s ungratefulness towards the blessings of his Lord, and his severe love for khair (good). A few of man’s weaknesses are also mentioned, such as disbelief, stinginess, and the worship of this world. By mentioning the resurrection, the final verses of this chapter remind mankind that even though one may love goodness and may be able to distinguish it from what is evil, if one fails to act according to the good, then one will not have any argument against Allah; rather, it is Allah who will have an argument against him on the Day of Resurrection. Since Allah encompasses all of His creations in His knowledge, very soon He will account for man’s actions on the Day of Accounting.

Discussions on this Chapter

According to the Sunni Traditions

Benefits of Reciting this Surah

عن رسول‌الله صلی‌الله علیه و آله و سلم: «من قرأ سورة و العادیات أعطی من الأجر عشر حسنات بعدد من بات بالمزدلفة و شهد جمعاً

The Messenger of Allah has said: “A person who recites Surah al-Aadiyat will be rewarded with 10 good deeds in an amount equivalent to all of those who spend the night in Muzdalifah and stay there until the morning.” Verse 6: “Indeed man is ungrateful to his Lord.”

إِنَّ الْإِنْسَانَ لِرَبِّهِ لَكَنُودٌ٦ قال ابن أبی حاتم: حدثنا أبو کریب، حدثنا عبید الله عن إسرائیل عن جعفر بن الزبیر عن القاسم عن أبی أمامة قال: قال رسول‌الله صلی‌الله علیه و سلّم: إِنَّ الْإِنْسانَ لِرَبِّهِ لَکنُودٌ- قال- الکنود الذی یأکل وحده و یضرب عبده و یمنع رفده

Ibn Abu Hatim said that Abu Karib told him that Ubaydullah told him from Israil, from Jafar ibn al-Zubayr, from al-Qasim, from Abu Amamah that the Prophet of Allah said: “Al-Kanood (an ungrateful person) is someone who eats by themselves, hits their slaves, and does not give anyone gifts.”

According to the Shia Traditions

Benefits of Reciting this Surah

سُلَیمَان بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِی عَبْدِ الله قَالَ وَ مَنْ قَرَأَ وَ الْعَادِیاتِ وَ أَدْمَنَ قِرَاءَتَهَا بَعَثَهُ الله مَعَ أَمِیرِ الْمُؤْمِنِینَ یوْمَ الْقِیامَةِ خَاصَّةً وَ کانَ فِی حَجْرِهِ وَ رُفَقَائِهِ

Sulayman ibn Khalid narrates from Abu Abdullah that: “A person who recites Surah al-Adiyat constantly, Allah will raise that person alongside Amir al-Momineen on the Day of Judgement, and they will be considered to be his friend and will stay in his room.”