Sūrah Ad-Dukhān The Smoke
الدخان
59 verses, Makkī. Fifth Ḥawāmīm. Revealed on a blessed night the night of Al-Qadr according to Ibn Kathīr. The smoke (dukhān) that will cover the earth as a sign of the Day. Pharaoh's destruction as a lesson for the Quraysh. The punishment of the tree of Zaqqūm and the reward of the righteous in Paradise.
Surah Overview
Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr
The Blessed Night (44:3–4): "Indeed We sent it down on a blessed night We are ever warning. On it every wise matter is made distinct." Ibn Kathīr prefers the view that this is Laylat al-Qadr in Ramaḍān not the 15th of Shaʿbān. The night of decree when the angels receive the orders for the coming year: who will be born, who will die, provisions, events.
The smoke as a sign of Hour (44:10–11): "Watch for the day when the sky will bring a visible smoke, covering the people this is a painful torment." Ibn Kathīr reports two interpretations: (1) it already occurred in early Islam when the Quraysh suffered famine and saw smoke-like haziness from hunger; (2) it is a future major sign before the Day of Judgement. Ibn Kathīr leans toward it being a future sign of the Hour.
- Pharaoh's destruction as a warning (44:17–29): "We tried the people of Pharaoh before them a noble messenger came to them: Return to me the servants of Allah I am a trustworthy messenger to you." Ibn Kathīr: the story of Mūsā ﷺ summarised every sign shown, rejected, punishment delivered. The Quraysh facing the same choice.
- How many gardens and springs they left (44:25–26): "How many gardens and springs they left behind, and fields and noble estates, and pleasures in which they were joyful." Ibn Kathīr: the abandoned wealth of Pharaoh's civilization wealth does not save from divine punishment; it becomes inheritance for others.
- Paradise's description (44:51–57): "Indeed the righteous are in a safe place in gardens and springs, wearing fine silk and brocade, facing each other. Thus and We will marry them to fair women with large eyes. They will call therein for every fruit in safety."
- The Qurʾān made easy (44:58): "We have made the Qurʾān easy in your tongue that they may be reminded." Ibn Kathīr: the Qurʾān in the Prophet's tongue (Arabic) made easy for memorisation, recitation, and reflection, a mercy for the Arabic-speaking world and through them all of humanity.
- The intercalation of Pharaoh (44:31): "From Pharaoh indeed he was arrogant and among the transgressors." Ibn Kathīr: Pharaoh as the archetype of political tyranny combined with religious blasphemy claiming divinity while oppressing the weak.