Surah 86
الطارق
At-Tariq
The Nightcommer
Surah Context
Which was revealed in Makkah The Virtues of Surat At-Tariq An-Nasa'i recorded that Jabir said, "Mu`adh lead the Maghrib prayer and he recited Al-Baqarah and An-Nisa'.
Classical references: Ibn Kathir (Abridged).
Source: Ibn Kathir (Abridged) (86:1).
Last reviewed: 2026-04-10.
This is a short orientation note and does not replace full tafsir.
By the sky and the night-comer––
What will explain to you what the night-comer is?
The piercing star––
there is a watcher over every soul.
Man should reflect on what he was created from.
He is created from spurting fluid,
then he emerges from between the backbone and breastbone:
God is certainly able to bring him back to life.
On the Day when secrets are laid bare
he will have no power and no one to help him.
By the sky and its recurring rain,
by the earth that cracks open!
This is truly a decisive statement;
it is not something to be taken lightly.
They plot and scheme,
but so do I:
[Prophet], let the disbelievers be, let them be for a while.