Tafsir of At-Takweer 81:18

Surah At-Takwir (The Overthrowing)

Verse 18:

And [by] the morning as it breathes forth.

There are differing opinions regarding the meaning of this oath:

1. Interpretation 1 (Night's Departure): Some scholars suggest that the oath here refers to the arrival of the night. Under this view, the oath is taken upon the departure of the night (mentioned previously as إِذَا عَسْعَسَ - when it darkens) and the arrival of the morning (وَالصُّبْحِ إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ).

2. Interpretation 2 (Morning's Full Appearance): Others argue that it refers to the departure of the night and the full extension of the morning light. In this case, وَالصُّبْحِ إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ means its light has spread and become complete. This aligns with the verse: وَالَّيْلِ إِذَا أَدْبَرَ وَالصُّبْحِ إِذَا أَسْفَرَ (The night as it departs, and the morning as it dawns). This interpretation avoids repetition, as إِذَا عَسْعَسَ (when it darkens/turns back) refers to the beginning of dawn, while إِذَا تَنَفَّسَ refers to the completion of the dawn.

There are two main views on the nature of this metaphor:

1. The Physical Analogy: When the morning arrives, a gentle breeze or spirit (روح ونسيم) accompanies its arrival. This gentle breath is metaphorically attributed to the morning itself, hence "the breathing of the morning" (تنفس الصبح).

2. The Emotional Analogy (Subtle Metaphor): The dark night is likened to a distressed, sorrowful person who sits motionless, with grief accumulated in their heart. When such a person finally breathes, they find relief. Similarly, when the morning breaks, it is as if the world is relieved of the darkness and sorrow of the night, and this relief is expressed through the term "breathing" (التنفس). This is considered a subtle and elegant metaphor (استعارة لطيفة).

Verse 19:

Indeed, it is the saying of a noble messenger.