(p-210) The purpose of Surah Al-Adiyat

It is to inform that most of creation on the Day of the Earthquake will be destroyed for preferring the fleeting over the everlasting with the Lord of Glory. This is indicated by the oath, which includes 'Al-Adiyat' and what is sworn by, and what is added to it. It has been known that its name is the clearest indication of that, due to what the oath and the sworn by lead to: 'In the name of Allah' who has all authority, so He is not questioned about what He does. 'The Most Gracious' who has encompassed with His blessing of creation and clarification; His blessing is the most complete and comprehensive. 'The Most Merciful' who has specifically favored His chosen servants with His guidance, thus completing His blessing upon them and perfecting it.

* * When the Earthquake concluded with the recompense for evil deeds on the Day of Judgment, this Surah began by clarifying what leads to those deeds from one's nature, and what results from that nature in terms of perceived benefit. It admonishes those who do not prepare for that day by fully guarding against those deeds, reproaching those whose worldly affairs affect their Hereafter. It swears by that which can only be among the people of great blessings that necessitate gratitude. Whoever is dominated by the spirit is grateful, and whoever is dominated by nature - and they are the majority - is ungrateful. So He said: 'And the Al-Adiyat', meaning the animals that are characterized by running at great speed, which are the horses whose backs are honor and their bellies are treasure. They are a burden for one man and a reward for another. Whoever boasts about them and calls upon the people of Islam, and is made arrogant by their honor until he cuts off the road and frightens the companion, it is evil for him. And whoever puts them in the way of Allah, it is a reward for him. And whoever rides them and does not forget the right of Allah over their necks and backs, it is a protection for him. He only swore by them to contemplate what is in them of great secrets that distinguish them from similar animals like the bull for example and the donkey, to know that the One who has singled them out with that is a unique, overpowering doer. Thus, the oath is truly by Him, glorified and exalted is He.

And since it indicates the loudness of the galloping, He said, attributing it to 'or by 'Tudbahu' as an implied meaning: 'Dhabhan' [and Dhabh is a loud sound from their mouths during intense running], which is not neighing, nor barking, nor braying; it is the breath. And there is nothing among the animals that 'dhabhu' except the horse, the dog, and the fox. Its origin is for the fox and it was borrowed for the horse. Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, narrated it and said: 'Ah, ah,' or 'Dhabh is running without approximation.'