Tafsir al-Tustari

Sahl al-Tustari — b. 203 AH / 818 CE · d. 283 AH / 896 CE Sunni (Sufi) Early Sufi Master

Tafsir al-Tustari at-Tariq الطَّارِق (The Morning Star, The Nightcomer) 17 verses · Meccan

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بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
86:1 ›
وَالسَّمَاءِ وَالطَّارِقِ
Abdel Haleem
By the sky and the night-comer––
Sahl al-Tustari

By the sky and the night-visitor! (! The star of piercing brightness.)He said:The sky (samāʾ) linguistically means loftiness (sumuww) and elevation (ʿuluww). In its inner meaning it refers to the spirit of Muḥammad , which subsists with the Lord of Might. And the night-visitor (ṭāriq) is the star of piercing brightness [86:3], which refers to his heart, that is resplendent (mushriq) with the realisation of God�s oneness (tawḥīd), the upholding of His Transcendence (tanzīh), constancy in practices of remembrance (mudāwamat al-adhkār), and in contemplative witnessing of the Compeller (al-Jabbār).On another occasion he said:That which is piercing is the heart of the believer, that is, it is resplendent (mushriq), purified of uncertainty (shakk), doubt (rayb) and misgiving which the whispering of the Enemy and the natural self (nafs al-ṭabʿ) might stir up in it. His words, Exalted is He:

Connections 3 single-source 2 commentators

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (3) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:2 ›
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الطَّارِقُ
Abdel Haleem
What will explain to you what the night-comer is
Sahl al-Tustari

By the sky and the night-visitor! (! The star of piercing brightness.)He said:The sky (samāʾ) linguistically means loftiness (sumuww) and elevation (ʿuluww). In its inner meaning it refers to the spirit of Muḥammad , which subsists with the Lord of Might. And the night-visitor (ṭāriq) is the star of piercing brightness [86:3], which refers to his heart, that is resplendent (mushriq) with the realisation of God�s oneness (tawḥīd), the upholding of His Transcendence (tanzīh), constancy in practices of remembrance (mudāwamat al-adhkār), and in contemplative witnessing of the Compeller (al-Jabbār).On another occasion he said:That which is piercing is the heart of the believer, that is, it is resplendent (mushriq), purified of uncertainty (shakk), doubt (rayb) and misgiving which the whispering of the Enemy and the natural self (nafs al-ṭabʿ) might stir up in it. His words, Exalted is He:

Connections 3 single-source 2 commentators

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (3) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:3 ›
النَّجْمُ الثَّاقِبُ
Abdel Haleem
The piercing star––
Connections 2 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:4 ›
إِن كُلُّ نَفْسٍ لَّمَّا عَلَيْهَا حَافِظٌ
Abdel Haleem
there is a watcher over every soul
Sahl al-Tustari

Over every soul there is a keeper.That is, over the natural self there is a keeper [which comes from] God�s protection (ʿiṣma).His words, Exalted is He:

Connections 5 multi-source 2 single-source 4 commentators

Multi-source connections cited by 2+ commentators

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:5 ›
فَلْيَنظُرِ الْإِنسَانُ مِمَّ خُلِقَ
Abdel Haleem
Man should reflect on what he was created from
Connections 2 multi-source 3 single-source 4 commentators

Multi-source connections cited by 2+ commentators

Single-source mentions (3) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:6 ›
خُلِقَ مِن مَّاءٍ دَافِقٍ
Abdel Haleem
He is created from spurting fluid
Connections 3 multi-source 2 single-source 3 commentators

Multi-source connections cited by 2+ commentators

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:7 ›
يَخْرُجُ مِن بَيْنِ الصُّلْبِ وَالتَّرَائِبِ
Abdel Haleem
then he emerges from between the backbone and breastbone
Connections 3 multi-source 2 single-source 3 commentators

Multi-source connections cited by 2+ commentators

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:8 ›
إِنَّهُ عَلَىٰ رَجْعِهِ لَقَادِرٌ
Abdel Haleem
God is certainly able to bring him back to life
Connections 3 single-source 2 commentators

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (3) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:9 ›
يَوْمَ تُبْلَى السَّرَائِرُ
Abdel Haleem
On the Day when secrets are laid bar
Sahl al-Tustari

on the day when [all] secrets are examined,! whereat he will have no strength, nor any helper.He said:That is, He will reveal the intentions (nīyāt) with which they worshipped God by [performing] that which God made incumbent upon them, and [refraining] from that which He forbade them. Truly, [the value of] the deeds of all servants on the Day of Resurrection will wholly depend upon their aims (maqāṣid). Rabīʿ used to say, �The secrets which are concealed from [other] people belong to God and are clearly visible [to Him]. So seek out their remedy!� Then he added, �What is their remedy? It is to repent and never return [to that sin].� Then Sahl said:The weapon (āla) of the dervish is in three things: fulfilling his [religious] obligation[s] (farḍ), preserving his neediness [for God] (faqr), and keeping his secret (sirr). His words, Exalted is He:

Connections 2 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (2) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:10 ›
فَمَا لَهُ مِن قُوَّةٍ وَلَا نَاصِرٍ
Abdel Haleem
he will have no power and no one to help him
Sahl al-Tustari

on the day when [all] secrets are examined,! whereat he will have no strength, nor any helper.He said:That is, He will reveal the intentions (nīyāt) with which they worshipped God by [performing] that which God made incumbent upon them, and [refraining] from that which He forbade them. Truly, [the value of] the deeds of all servants on the Day of Resurrection will wholly depend upon their aims (maqāṣid). Rabīʿ used to say, �The secrets which are concealed from [other] people belong to God and are clearly visible [to Him]. So seek out their remedy!� Then he added, �What is their remedy? It is to repent and never return [to that sin].� Then Sahl said:The weapon (āla) of the dervish is in three things: fulfilling his [religious] obligation[s] (farḍ), preserving his neediness [for God] (faqr), and keeping his secret (sirr). His words, Exalted is He:

Connections 3 single-source 2 commentators

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mentions (3) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:11 ›
وَالسَّمَاءِ ذَاتِ الرَّجْعِ
Abdel Haleem
By the sky and its recurring rain
Sahl al-Tustari

By the heaven and its returning,! and [by] the earth that cracks open,He said:In its outward meaning it [vs. 11] means [the sky] which repeatedly brings forth rain after rain; and [by] the earth that cracks open [outwardly means] through [the growth of] plants (bi�l-nabāt). In its inner meaning, [vs. 11] refers to the heart which returns to a state of regret (nadam) after sinning, while the earth that cracks open [inwardly refers to] the ⸢lower self⸣, which is cracked open through acts of conformity, in deeds and words.His words, Exalted is He:

Connections 1 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mention (1) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:12 ›
وَالْأَرْضِ ذَاتِ الصَّدْعِ
Abdel Haleem
by the earth that cracks open
Sahl al-Tustari

By the heaven and its returning,! and [by] the earth that cracks open,He said:In its outward meaning it [vs. 11] means [the sky] which repeatedly brings forth rain after rain; and [by] the earth that cracks open [outwardly means] through [the growth of] plants (bi�l-nabāt). In its inner meaning, [vs. 11] refers to the heart which returns to a state of regret (nadam) after sinning, while the earth that cracks open [inwardly refers to] the ⸢lower self⸣, which is cracked open through acts of conformity, in deeds and words.His words, Exalted is He:

Connections 1 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mention (1) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:13 ›
إِنَّهُ لَقَوْلٌ فَصْلٌ
Abdel Haleem
This is truly a decisive statement
Connections 1 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mention (1) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:14 ›
وَمَا هُوَ بِالْهَزْلِ
Abdel Haleem
it is not something to be taken lightly
Connections 1 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mention (1) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:15 ›
إِنَّهُمْ يَكِيدُونَ كَيْدًا
Abdel Haleem
They plot and scheme
Connections 1 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mention (1) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:16 ›
وَأَكِيدُ كَيْدًا
Abdel Haleem
but so do I
Sahl al-Tustari

and I [too] am devising a scheme.He said:In this world, His scheme (kayd) against them is His allowing them to descend, little by little (istidrāj), and to remain in their delusion (ightirār); and in the Hereafter, it is the bitter regret they will be made to feel when they look upon the generous treatment (ikrām) and honour (iʿzāz) that those who professed His oneness [enjoy].His words, Exalted is He:

Connections 1 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mention (1) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

86:17 ›
فَمَهِّلِ الْكَافِرِينَ أَمْهِلْهُمْ رُوَيْدًا
Abdel Haleem
[Prophet], let the disbelievers be, let them be for a while
Connections 1 single-source 1 commentator

Multi-source connections

No verses on this ayah are cited by 2 or more commentators using numeric S:A notation. All extracted references come from a single source's commentary.

Single-source mention (1) cited by only one commentator
By commentator who cites how many verses on this ayah

Note: these connections are extracted from numeric S:A references inside the commentary text and are therefore biased toward mufassirun who use that notation. Prose-style references (e.g. "Surat al-Baqarah verse 30") will be added later, which should surface additional multi-source consensus.

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