My earliest memory of Surah Ad-Dhuhaa is how it stood out as a truly relatable Surah in Juzz Amma which is otherwise majorly focused on the description of Aakhirah. How it deals with a basic human emotion of hope. Even before I had read its Tafsir, I couldn’t help but feel mushy that a despondent slave was being reminded, in the most affectionate manner, of the various obstacles in his life and how he had been rescued from them. It was like a template we could all apply too. Was it not that you were struggling to make ends meet, but then your Rabb provided for you a stable, halal job? Was it not that you had given up on starting a family after 10 years, but then your Rabb blessed you with the perfect child? Was it not that ......., but then your Rabb ...... ? Notice the 'your Rabb'? Allah SWT could have referred to Himself as ‘We’, or just ‘Allah’. But somehow, those sound more like a reprimand than a consolation. Both these styles are suitable for our Creator. He can rebuke us as much as He likes, by reminding us of His countless favours on us. But He is also Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem. His Mercy knows no bounds. And so, He chose to use the most comprehensive of His names ‘Rabb’ - Lord, Master, Provider, Nourisher, Sustainer, Cherisher. SubhanAllah. And if that was not enough, He added an Idaafa. He’s not just The Rabb, He’s my Rabb! Alhamdulillah! The Surah begins with oaths to the morning brightness, and the darkest night. And later in the Surah, Allah SWT reminds the Prophet SAW of how He SWT completely turned his life around. From being an orphan baby who was rejected by all wet nurses, to being selected as the Leader of humanity on the Day of Resurrection (Sahih Muslim). From being in the midst of Jahiliyyah, to becoming the Seal of the Prophets. From being opposed and ridiculed by his own clan, to being lauded by complete strangers 1450 years later. SubhanAllah. Only Allah SWT has that Power and Might to turn the brightest morning into the darkest night, and vice versa. He can pick us up from the depths of despair and elevate us to the stars. And if not in this Dunya, then surely in the Aakhirah. Afterall, Al Aakhiratu Khairun wa Abqaa (Al A’ala:17)

Allah SWT concludes the Surah with our Tarbiyyah to send His favors forward. That every ni’mah we have from our Rabb - money, time, knowledge, health, our skills, our Wi-Fi connections, even our children - they must all be utilized to fulfil our responsibilities towards others. We don’t own these; we are just a medium. Allah SWT chooses to bless whom He wills. And He SWT will hold us all accountable for these blessings. May Allah SWT help us fulfil His Right to be thanked and glorified, and fulfil the rights that these blessings have over us. Aameen.