The Prophet’s Despair & The Revelation of Surah Ad-Duha

Certainly, we are all aware of Surah Ad-Duha. Moreover, many of us also know it by heart. However, have we really thought about the reason behind this Surah’s revelation? Well most of us are not aware of the significance of this Surah and the lesson we can derive from it. Surah Ad-Duha was revealed after a period of no revelation for six months. As a result of no revelation, the Prophet (peace be upon him) got depressed and was on the verge of losing all hope. Further, he strongly felt that Allah was angry with him and had stopped the revelation of the Quran because of His anger.

In the same way, we also experience such feelings in life. In other words, there are times when we feel demotivated. Further, we lack in our faith and feel distracted in our prayers. Most importantly we feel that we have lost the connection with Allah. As a result of this feeling, we assume that Allah no more loves us because we are not good enough. In this article, we shall discuss how Surah Ad-Duha relieves us from worries.

Meaning of Surah Ad-Duha

• Wad-Duha: “By the morning brightness” (93:1)

Certainly, the most important factor that we are in need of when we are depressed is motivation. Therefore the very beginning of this Surah focuses on motivating humanity. That is to say, we are low on positivity. Therefore we are in need of motivation and help. Therefore Allah motivates us by drawing attention towards the morning. Further, He also wants us to see the morning light and brightness. Is there anything better and more appropriate than light? That is to say, Lightness is symbolic of positivity and brings a ray of hope in our lives. Most importantly, because the night and darkness are over. Therefore, Allah aims at taking away the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) despair by reminding him of the morning and light. In the same vein, He is addressing the entire humanity. He wants us not to lose hope and see the brighter side of things.

• “And [by] the night when it covers with darkness” (93:2)

As mentioned above, light and morning focus on the fact that the night is over now. Therefore the preceding verse talks about darkness being over. Further, the night also has a purpose. To simplify, it comes with its benefits too. That is to say, it is the night that makes us rest and sleep. In depression, we tend to sleep late and wake up late. However, Allah wants us to focus on the positive aspect of the night. Sleep is the factor that relaxes us and keeps us away from depression. Therefore we should not lose hope and see the positive even in the night.

• “Your Lord has not taken leave of you, [O Muhammad], nor has He detested [you]” (93:3)

This is a very beautiful and powerful verse. That is to say, Allah directly speaks to us. In other words, He wants us to know that He has not abandoned us. Further, he assures the Prophet and the entire humanity that He does not hate us. What more can a person ask for than to receive direct affirmation from Allah that He neither hates humanity, nor will He ever leave us?

•  “And the Hereafter is better for you than the first [life]” (93:4)

Certainly, when we are depressed, we are not happy with our life. Further, we feel that life is not turning out to be the way we expect it to be. Therefore Allah wants us to focus on the fact that this life is imperfect and temporary. Moreover, Allah says that the hereafter is better for us than this temporary life. Therefore we should not be upset and depressed about what befalls us in this life. So, this realization from the Master of this world and the next is certainly a reminder that there is no point wasting our emotions over this world and its temporary fantasies. Rather, we should be positive and understand that the next life is permanent and that we should work towards it instead of being depressed about what we do not have in this world.

•  “And your Lord is going to give you, and you will be satisfied” (93:5)

Allah comforts us further by guaranteeing reward and happiness to us. That is to say, Allah very lovingly consoles us by saying that there is no need to worry. Soon He will relieve us from our worries and will make us happy. Certainly, this is one of the most powerful things that we can hear or read when we are depressed and tired of the worldly problems.

• “Did He not find you an orphan and give [you] refuge?” (93:6)

Allah directly consoles Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). That is to say, He says that he was an orphan and Allah saved and protected him. In the same vein, Allah has saved us from several harmful situations in life. Although, we may not realize it quite often but He protects us continuously, most importantly in difficult times. Certainly, He is the one Who guides and protects us at all times. Therefore Allah reminds us that we should not be depressed and sad when He is by our side.

• “And He found you lost and guided [you]” (93:7)

There are many times in our life when we find ourselves lost and misguided in terms of our faith. However, if Allah was not with us, it would never have been possible to realize that we are on the wrong path and that we must follow the right path. Certainly, it is Allah Who guides us when and if He wills. If it was not His will, we would not even be Muslims.

• “And He found you poor and made [you] self-sufficient” (93:8)

Further, Allah says that He is the One who gives us food to eat and wealth. Certainly, it is Allah Who takes care of us and takes us out from hard times. Therefore in depressing times, we should focus more on the times when Allah gifted us with His immense bounties and help. Consequently, we shall be able to free ourselves from the depressed state and despair.

Conclusion

Surah Ad-Duha was revealed because Allah wanted to remove these negative and distressing thoughts from the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) mind. Further, He wanted to clear his heart and prove His love for him. In the same vein, we can also gain benefit from this Surah. That is to say, when we feel depressed and demotivated, Surah Ad-Duha greatly helps us and renews our faith and makes us positive. To understand Surah Ad-Duha in detail, join the QuraOnline Quran Tafseer (explanation) course. As a result, you shall be able to understand more about the significance and beauty of this Surah.