Tafsir of Al-Muddathir 74:32

Al-Muddaththir (The Cloaked One): Verse 32

{كَلَّا وَالْقَمَرِ}

Then the Almighty said: {Kallā} (Nay/No). There are several interpretations regarding this:

1. It is a denial after having established the Quran as a reminder (dhikrā), implying that it will not be a reminder for them because they do not take heed.
2. It is a reprimand to those who deny that one of the Great Signs (referring to the preceding verses) is a warner.
3. It is a reprimand to Abu Jahl and his companions for claiming they could resist the guardians of the Fire.
4. It is a reprimand to them for mocking the specific promised punishment/warning.

Then the Almighty said: {وَالْقَمَرِ * وَاللَّيْلِ إِذْ أَدْبَرَ} (And by the moon, and by the night as it departs).

There are two opinions concerning the phrase 'idh adbara (as it departs):

The First Opinion: Al-Farra' and Al-Zajjaj said that dabara and adbara have the same meaning, just as qabala (to face) and aqbala (to approach) are synonymous. This is supported by the reading of those who recited it as idh dabara. It is narrated that Mujahid asked Ibn Abbas about the reading {dabara}, and he remained silent until the night had actually departed (adbara), then he said: "O Mujahid, this is when the night has departed (dabara)." Abu al-Dhuha narrated that Ibn Abbas used to criticize this reading, saying, "Indeed, yadbaru (it departs) is only used for the back of a camel." Al-Wahidi stated that both readings are linguistically equivalent, as mentioned. Abu Ali cited the following verse as evidence:

The Second Opinion: Abu Ubaidah and Ibn Qutaybah said that dabara means it comes after the day. It is said: dabaranī (it came behind me), so dabara al-layl means it comes after the day. Al-Qutrab said: Based on this, the meaning of idh dabara is when it approaches after the passing of the day.

{وَالصُّبْحِ إِذَا أَسْفَرَ} (And by the dawn as it brightens).