Tafsir from Tafsir Ibn Kathir
Surah Ash-Shams is a Makkan surah in which Allah swears by several signs from His creation and then speaks about the human soul. The surah teaches that the one who purifies his soul will succeed, while the one who corrupts it will fail. It also gives the example of the people of Thamud, who rejected their prophet and were destroyed because of their wrongdoing.
The Oaths of Allah (Verses 1–7)
Allah says
“By the sun and Duhaha.
By the moon as it Talaha.
By the day as it Jallaha.
By the night as it Yaghshaha.
By the heaven and Ma Banaha.
By the earth and Ma Tahhaha.
By Nafs, and Ma Sawwaha (Who apportioned it).”
(Qur’an 91:1–7)
Explanation
Ibn Kathir explains that Allah begins the surah by swearing by great signs from His creation. The sun and its brightness refer to its light during the daytime. The moon follows the sun and appears after it sets.
The day reveals the world through its light, while the night covers it with darkness. Allah also swears by the heaven and the One who constructed it, and by the earth which He spread out for His creation to live upon.
Then Allah swears by the human soul and the One who created it and made it balanced and properly formed.
The Nature of the Human Soul (Verse 8)
Allah says
“Then He showed it its Fujur and its Taqwa.”
(Qur’an 91:8)
Explanation
Ibn Kathir explains that Allah made clear to the human soul what is evil and what is good. A person is shown the path of wrongdoing and the path of righteousness so that he can recognize the difference between them.
Ibn Abbas said that this verse means Allah explained both good and evil to the soul.
Success and Failure of the Soul (Verses 9–10)
Allah says
“Indeed he succeeds who purifies it,
And indeed he fails who Dassaha.”
(Qur’an 91:9–10)
Explanation
Ibn Kathir explains that the one who purifies his soul through obedience to Allah and cleanses it from evil qualities will succeed.
But the one who corrupts his soul through disobedience and neglect will fail.
The Prophet used to make a supplication related to this meaning. He would say:
“O Allah! Give my soul its good and purify it, for You are the best to purify it. You are its Guardian and Master.”
The People of Thamud (Verses 11–15)
Allah says
“Thamud denied through their transgression,
When their most wicked went forth.”
(Qur’an 91:11–12)
Explanation
Ibn Kathir explains that the people of Thamud rejected their prophet because of their injustice and rebellion. The most wicked person among them was the one who killed the she-camel that Allah had sent as a sign.
Their prophet Salih warned them and said:
“Be cautious! That is the she-camel of Allah! (Do not harm it) and (bar it not from having) its drink!”
(Qur’an 91:13)
However, they denied him and killed the she-camel.
Allah says
“Then they denied him and they killed it. So their Lord destroyed them because of their sin, Fasawwaha!”
(Qur’an 91:14)
Because the people agreed with the crime, Allah punished them all for their wrongdoing.
Allah then says
“And He feared not the consequences thereof.”
(Qur’an 91:15)
Ibn Kathir explains that this means Allah does not fear any consequence when He punishes the wrongdoers.
Continue Reading
References
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged), English translation, Surah Ash-Shams (91).
Verified on 2026-10-21 against: Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Abridged), Surah Ash-Shams.