The Majestic Quran

89. Al-Fajr The Dawn The chapter begins by taking four oaths to draw our attention: the dawn, the time when the first light appears, the ten sacred nights of the twelfth lunar month of Dhu’l-Hijja, the month of pilgrimage, and the mystery of odd and even numbers. The odd may hint to God, who is the One, the Unique and cannot be compared with anything. In contrast, the even reminds how creation is not singular or one, only God is One. The chapter reassures the Messenger r after mentioning these awesome phenomena: what you face in Makkah is what earlier prophets faced, so be patient. Reference is made to the ancient cities of Iram in the Arabian desert, Petra in modern-day Jordan, and the splendid temples of ancient Egypt with their tall columns. The city of Iram, deep in the Arabian desert, was discovered in the early 1990s by a group of archaeologists. Their ruins demonstrate that these were master masons who had fantastic advanced technology to build enormous buildings. However, their arrogance and denial of God brought them to ruin. The chapter points out how humans are ungrateful to their Lord. At the slight loss of wealth or pain, they grumble and become impatient. They are sternly warned, and told to renounce their bad habits. However, those who are mindful of God are promised a joyous welcome and a life of utter bliss. In the name of God, the Kind, the Caring. R 1 By the dawn, 2 by the ten holy nights, 3 by the even and the odd numbers , 4 and by the night as it slips away! 5 Isn’t there a convincing oath for an