Sūrah 92 · Meccan

How Sūrah Al-Lail was revealed.

Where and when it came down, what it teaches, and the hadith about it — all on one calm page.

Read Al-Lail → The revelation story
Where revealed Meccan

Revealed in the Meccan period, before the migration to Madīnah.

Order of revelation #9

Its place in the traditional order in which the sūrahs were revealed.

Length 21 ayahs

1 reading sections in the Muṣḥaf.

The revelation story

How and when it came down.

This Makkan surah opens with cosmic oaths to affirm that human efforts are divided into two contrary types, leading to two distinct fates. Its purpose is to contrast the virtues and easy path of the charitable, God-fearing believer with the vices and difficult path of the miserly disbeliever, affirming that the ultimate guidance belongs to Allah.

Themes and purpose:

This Makkan surah opens with cosmic oaths to affirm that human efforts are divided into two contrary types, leading to two distinct fates. Its purpose is to contrast the virtues and easy path of the charitable, God-fearing believer with the vices and difficult path of the miserly disbeliever, affirming that the ultimate guidance belongs to Allah.

Context of Revelation:

Era: Makkan according to consensus.

Context: The surah addresses the early conflict between the generous believers and the miserly polytheists. 

Chronology: It is counted as the ninth surah in the order of revelation, revealed after Sūrat al-Aʿlā and before al-Fajr.

Name and Ayah Count:

Name: The surah is known as "Sūrat al-Layl" (The Night), and also "Wa-al-layl" and "Wa-l-layli idhā yaghshā" (By the Night when it covers), all based on its opening oath.

Ayah Count: 20 ayahs by consensus.

Surah Overview:

  • The Two Paths: Affirming that human effort is divided into two contrary types, giving/piety and stinginess/denial each leading to a contrasting fate. [4-10]
  • Establishing that Allah guides people to what is good and that the reward for the pious is the easiest path to Heaven. [7, 12, 18-21]
  • Warning that the stingy and those who deny the Hereafter will be led to the most difficult path and the great Fire. [10-15]
  • Spiritual Accountability: Emphasizing that wealth and possessions cannot save a miserly person from the Fire. [11]
  • Consoling the Prophet (ﷺ) and establishing that Allah sent him as a reminder for those who fear (and choose to be guided). [17, 21]
  • Including a final promise that the true reward of the pious is not to repay any favor but to seek the countenance of their Lord, the Most High. [20-21]

Sūrah background — via the Quran Foundation Content API. Shown as supplied by the provider. We do not edit, summarise or generate it.

Hadith about this sūrah

What the hadith say.

These 15 narrations in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī are connected to specific āyāt of this sūrah — a linkage reviewed by the Quran Foundation. Open any one to read it in full, in Arabic and English.

  1. Relates to āyah1
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3742

    حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ، حَدَّثَنَا إِسْرَائِيلُ، عَنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ،، قَالَ قَدِمْتُ الشَّأْمَ فَصَلَّيْتُ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ قُلْتُ اللَّهُمَّ يَسِّرْ لِي جَلِيسًا صَالِحًا، فَأَتَيْتُ قَوْمًا فَجَلَسْتُ إِلَيْهِمْ، فَإِذَا شَيْخٌ قَدْ جَاءَ حَتَّى جَلَسَ إِلَى جَنْبِي، قُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا قَالُوا أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ إِنِّي دَعَوْتُ اللَّهَ أَنْ يُيَسِّرَ لِي جَلِيسًا صَالِحًا فَيَسَّرَكَ لِي، قَالَ مِمَّنْ أَنْتَ قُلْتُ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ‏.‏ قَالَ أَوَلَيْسَ عِنْدَكُمُ ابْنُ أُمِّ عَبْدٍ صَاحِبُ النَّعْلَيْنِ وَالْوِسَادِ وَالْمِطْهَرَةِ وَفِيكُمُ الَّذِي أَجَارَهُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ عَلَى لِسَانِ نَبِيِّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَوَلَيْسَ فِيكُمْ صَاحِبُ سِرِّ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الَّذِي لاَ يَعْلَمُ أَحَدٌ غَيْرُهُ ثُمَّ قَالَ كَيْفَ يَقْرَأُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ ‏﴿‏وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى‏﴾‏، فَقَرَأْتُ عَلَيْهِ ‏{‏وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى * وَالنَّهَارِ إِذَا تَجَلَّى * وَالذَّكَرِ وَالأُنْثَى‏}‏‏.‏ قَالَ وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ أَقْرَأَنِيهَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنْ فِيهِ إِلَى فِيَّ‏.‏

    Narrated 'Alqama: I went to Sham and offered a two-rak`at prayer and then said, "O Allah! Bless me with a good pious companion." So I went to some people and sat with them. An old man came and sat by my side. I asked, "Who is he?" They replied, "(He is) Abu-Ad-Darda.' I said (to him), "I prayed to Allah to bless me with a pious companion and He sent you to me." He asked me, "From where are you?" I replied, "From the people of Al-Kufa." He said, "Isn't there amongst you Ibn Um `Abd, the one who used to carry the shoes, the cushion(or pillow) and the water for ablution? Is there amongst you the one whom Allah gave Refuge from Satan through the request of His Prophet. Is there amongst you the one who keeps the secrets of the Prophet (ﷺ) which nobody knows except him?" Abu Darda further asked, "How does `Abdullah (bin Mas`ud) recite the Sura starting with, 'By the Night as it conceals (the light)." (92.1) Then I recited before him: 'By the Night as it envelops: And by the Day as it appears in brightness; And by male and female.' (91.1-3) On this Abu Ad-Darda' said, "By Allah, the Prophet (ﷺ) made me recite the Sura in this way while I was listening to him (reciting it).

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4944

    حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ قَدِمَ أَصْحَابُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَلَى أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ فَطَلَبَهُمْ فَوَجَدَهُمْ فَقَالَ أَيُّكُمْ يَقْرَأُ عَلَى قِرَاءَةِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ كُلُّنَا‏.‏ قَالَ فَأَيُّكُمْ يَحْفَظُ وَأَشَارُوا إِلَى عَلْقَمَةَ‏.‏ قَالَ كَيْفَ سَمِعْتَهُ يَقْرَأُ ‏﴿‏وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى‏﴾‏‏.‏ قَالَ عَلْقَمَةُ ‏{‏وَالذَّكَرِ وَالأُنْثَى‏}‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَشْهَدُ أَنِّي سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ هَكَذَا، وَهَؤُلاَءِ يُرِيدُونِي عَلَى أَنْ أَقْرَأَ ‏﴿‏وَمَا خَلَقَ الذَّكَرَ وَالأُنْثَى‏﴾‏ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أُتَابِعُهُمْ‏.‏

    Narrated Ibrahim: The companions of `Abdullah (bin Mas`ud) came to Abu Darda', (and before they arrived at his home), he looked for them and found them. Then he asked them,: 'Who among you can recite (Qur'an) as `Abdullah recites it?" They replied, "All of us." He asked, "Who among you knows it by heart?" They pointed at 'Alqama. Then he asked Alqama. "How did you hear `Abdullah bin Mas`ud reciting Surat Al-Lail (The Night)?" Alqama recited: 'By the male and the female.' Abu Ad-Darda said, "I testify that I heard me Prophet reciting it likewise, but these people want me to recite it:-- 'And by Him Who created male and female.' but by Allah, I will not follow them."

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    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6278

    حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ، عَنْ شُعْبَةَ، عَنْ مُغِيرَةَ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، أَنَّهُ قَدِمَ الشَّأْمَ‏.‏ وَحَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ مُغِيرَةَ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ ذَهَبَ عَلْقَمَةُ إِلَى الشَّأْمِ، فَأَتَى الْمَسْجِدَ فَصَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ فَقَالَ اللَّهُمَّ ارْزُقْنِي جَلِيسًا‏.‏ فَقَعَدَ إِلَى أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ فَقَالَ مِمَّنْ أَنْتَ قَالَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ‏.‏ قَالَ أَلَيْسَ فِيكُمْ صَاحِبُ السِّرِّ الَّذِي كَانَ لاَ يَعْلَمُهُ غَيْرُهُ ـ يَعْنِي حُذَيْفَةَ ـ أَلَيْسَ فِيكُمْ ـ أَوْ كَانَ فِيكُمُ ـ الَّذِي أَجَارَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى لِسَانِ رَسُولِهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ ـ يَعْنِي عَمَّارًا ـ أَوَلَيْسَ فِيكُمْ صَاحِبُ السِّوَاكِ وَالْوِسَادِ ـ يَعْنِي ابْنَ مَسْعُودٍ ـ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ يَقْرَأُ ‏﴿‏وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى‏﴾‏‏.‏ قَالَ ‏{‏وَالذَّكَرِ وَالأُنْثَى‏}‏‏.‏ فَقَالَ مَا زَالَ هَؤُلاَءِ حَتَّى كَادُوا يُشَكِّكُونِي، وَقَدْ سَمِعْتُهَا مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏

    Narrated Ibrahim: 'Alaqama went to Sham and came to the mosque and offered a two-rak`at prayer, and invoked Allah: "O Allah! Bless me with a (pious) good companion." So he sat beside Abu Ad-Darda' who asked, "From where are you?" He said, "From the people of Kufa." Abu Darda' said, "Wasn't there among you the person who keeps the secrets (of the Prophet (ﷺ) ) which nobody knew except him (i.e., Hudhaifa (bin Al-Yaman)). And isn't there among you the person whom Allah gave refuge from Satan through the request (tongue) of Allah's Messenger? (i.e., `Ammar). Isn't there among you the one who used to carry the Siwak and the cushion (or pillows (of the Prophets)? (i.e., Ibn Mas`ud). How did Ibn Mas`ud use to recite 'By the night as it conceals (the light)?" (Sura 92). 'Alqama said, "Wadhdhakari Wal Untha' (And by male and female.") Abu Ad-Darda added. 'These people continued to argue with me regarding it till they were about to cause me to have doubts although I heard it from Allah's Messenger."

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  2. Relates to āyah1–2
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 3743

    حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ مُغِيرَةَ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ ذَهَبَ عَلْقَمَةُ إِلَى الشَّأْمِ، فَلَمَّا دَخَلَ الْمَسْجِدَ قَالَ اللَّهُمَّ يَسِّرْ لِي جَلِيسًا صَالِحًا‏.‏ فَجَلَسَ إِلَى أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ فَقَالَ أَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ مِمَّنْ أَنْتَ قَالَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الْكُوفَةِ‏.‏ قَالَ أَلَيْسَ فِيكُمْ ـ أَوْ مِنْكُمْ ـ صَاحِبُ السِّرِّ الَّذِي لاَ يَعْلَمُهُ غَيْرُهُ يَعْنِي حُذَيْفَةَ‏.‏ قَالَ قُلْتُ بَلَى‏.‏ قَالَ أَلَيْسَ فِيكُمُ ـ أَوْ مِنْكُمُ ـ الَّذِي أَجَارَهُ اللَّهُ عَلَى لِسَانِ نَبِيِّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَعْنِي مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ، يَعْنِي عَمَّارًا‏.‏ قُلْتُ بَلَى‏.‏ قَالَ أَلَيْسَ فِيكُمْ ـ أَوْ مِنْكُمْ ـ صَاحِبُ السِّوَاكِ أَوِ السِّرَارِ قَالَ بَلَى‏.‏ قَالَ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ يَقْرَأُ ‏﴿‏وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى * وَالنَّهَارِ إِذَا تَجَلَّى‏﴾‏ قُلْتُ ‏{‏وَالذَّكَرِ وَالأُنْثَى‏}‏‏.‏ قَالَ مَا زَالَ بِي هَؤُلاَءِ حَتَّى كَادُوا يَسْتَنْزِلُونِي عَنْ شَىْءٍ سَمِعْتُهُ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏

    Narrated Ibrahim: 'Alqama went to Sham and when he entered the mosque, he said, "O Allah ! Bless me with a pious companion." So he sat with Abu Ad-Darda. Abu Ad-Darda' asked him, "Where are you from?" 'Alqama replied, "From the people of Kufa." Abu Ad-Darda said, "Isn't there amongst you the Keeper of the secret which nobody else knows i.e. Hudhaifa?" Al-qama said, "Yes." Then Abu Ad-Darda further said, "Isn't there amongst you the person whom Allah gave Refuge from Satan through the invocation of His Prophet namely `Ammar?" Alqama replied in the affirmative Abu Ad-Darda said, "Isn't there amongst you the person who carries the Siwak (or the Secret) (i.e. of the Prophet (ﷺ) namely `Abdullah bin Massud)?" Alqama said, "Yes." Then Abu Ad-Darda asked, "How (Abdullah bin Masud) used to recite the Sura starting with: "By the night as it envelopes; By the day as it appears in brightness?" (92.1-2). Alqama said "And by male and female." Abu Ad-Darda then said, "These people (of Sham) tried hard to make me accept something other than what I had heard from the Prophet."

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  3. Relates to āyah3
    Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 4944

    حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا الأَعْمَشُ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ قَدِمَ أَصْحَابُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ عَلَى أَبِي الدَّرْدَاءِ فَطَلَبَهُمْ فَوَجَدَهُمْ فَقَالَ أَيُّكُمْ يَقْرَأُ عَلَى قِرَاءَةِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ كُلُّنَا‏.‏ قَالَ فَأَيُّكُمْ يَحْفَظُ وَأَشَارُوا إِلَى عَلْقَمَةَ‏.‏ قَالَ كَيْفَ سَمِعْتَهُ يَقْرَأُ ‏﴿‏وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا يَغْشَى‏﴾‏‏.‏ قَالَ عَلْقَمَةُ ‏{‏وَالذَّكَرِ وَالأُنْثَى‏}‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَشْهَدُ أَنِّي سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ هَكَذَا، وَهَؤُلاَءِ يُرِيدُونِي عَلَى أَنْ أَقْرَأَ ‏﴿‏وَمَا خَلَقَ الذَّكَرَ وَالأُنْثَى‏﴾‏ وَاللَّهِ لاَ أُتَابِعُهُمْ‏.‏

    Narrated Ibrahim: The companions of `Abdullah (bin Mas`ud) came to Abu Darda', (and before they arrived at his home), he looked for them and found them. Then he asked them,: 'Who among you can recite (Qur'an) as `Abdullah recites it?" They replied, "All of us." He asked, "Who among you knows it by heart?" They pointed at 'Alqama. Then he asked Alqama. "How did you hear `Abdullah bin Mas`ud reciting Surat Al-Lail (The Night)?" Alqama recited: 'By the male and the female.' Abu Ad-Darda said, "I testify that I heard me Prophet reciting it likewise, but these people want me to recite it:-- 'And by Him Who created male and female.' but by Allah, I will not follow them."

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The link between each āyah and these narrations is the Quran Foundation's reviewed reference map. The wording is reproduced verbatim from a public-domain edition of Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and is not edited, summarised or generated; every narration also opens at Sunnah.com so it can be checked against another copy.

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