Surah Duha

Surat ad-Duḥa (Arabic: الضحى‎, “The Morning Hours”, “Morning Bright”) is the ninety-third sura of the Qur'an with 11 ayat. The Surah takes its name Ad-Duhaa from the very first word.

This Surah, which is one of the Meccan Suras, according to some narrations, was revealed after a brief interval that happened in revelation and the holy Prophet (S) was anxiously awaiting its arrival because the enemies had become obnoxious and began to gossip. Then, the verses descended on him, like refreshing rain and gave him a new strength, which ceased his enemies taunts.

This Surah begins with two oaths and then informs the holy Prophet (S) of the good news that Allah has never forsaken him nor left him alone.

It adds that, soon, Allah will provide for him so abundantly that he will become content.

And in the last verses of the Surah, He reminds the Prophet (S) of his past life to illustrate how Allah has always bestowed His loving care on him and in the most difficult moments has supported him in the past and so his future was sure.

That is why, at the end of the Surah. He bids him, (in appreciation of the very great bounties) to be kind with the orphans and the needy, thus:

“Therefore treat not the orphans with harshness,"
"And for the one who asks, repulse not,"
"And as for the bounties of your Lord, do announce (it)”.

For the virtue of this Surah it is enough to say that there is a tradition narrated from the holy Prophet (S) which says:

"He who recites this Surah will be among those Allah is pleased with; and it is possible that Muhammad (S) intercedes for him, and he will be rewarded ten 'good deeds' for each orphan or needy (or petitioner)”. 1

All of these virtues are for the believer who recites the Surah and acts upon it.

It is noteworthy that according to many narrations this Surah and the next one, Inshirah are together one Surah; and since in prayers we should recite a complete Surah after Surah Al-Hamd; then, in reciting this Surah the next one should be added, too.

(A similar idea has been given for Surah al-Fil and Surah Quraish)

And if we think carefully of the contents of these two Suras, we can see the close relation of their subjects and find that they are certainly together, even though the invocation:

'In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful'
separates them into two Suras.

We should refer to the books of religious jurisprudence to answer questions such as: 'Are these two Suras the same in every respect' or, 'should we consider them as one Surah in prayers?'. In any case, the consensus of scholars agrees that, in prayers, we cannot recite merely one of the two Suras.