Sūrah Al-Insān The Human / Ad-Dahr
الإنسان
31 verses, Madanī (disputed). Has there not come upon the human a period when he was nothing? We created him hearing and seeing We showed him the path. The righteous who fulfilled vows and fed the poor and orphan and captive for the love of Allah. The reward: silk, goblets, ginger drink, a fountain called Salsabīl.
Surah Overview
Key Themes from Ibn Kathīr
The generosity of ʿAlī and Fāṭimah (76:8–12, tradition): Ibn Kathīr records the narration (with commentary on its chain) that ʿAlī ibn Abī Ṭālib ﷺ, Fāṭimah, and their household fasted for three days after making a vow and for three consecutive nights gave their ifṭār food to a poor person, then an orphan, then a captive, saying each time: "We feed you only for the face of Allah we desire from you no reward and no gratitude." The surah describes their reward in Paradise. Ibn Kathīr accepts the general spirit of the verse as applying broadly to all who give for Allah's sake.
The human before creation (76:1): "Has there not come upon the human a period of time when he was not a thing even mentioned?" Ibn Kathīr: the rhetorical question humanity did not exist, then was created, then given sight and hearing, then shown the path. The history of human existence is entirely a grace nothing was owed before creation.
- Two paths shown (76:3): "Indeed We showed him the way whether he is grateful or ungrateful." Ibn Kathīr: the human was shown both paths the choice is theirs. No one can claim ignorance of the path when guidance came through Prophets, Books, and natural conscience.
- The two descriptions of the disbeliever's punishment (76:4): "Indeed We have prepared for the disbelievers chains and shackles and a blaze." Three punishments for the disbeliever: chains restricting movement, shackles on limbs, and the blazing fire. Ibn Kathīr: each punishment matches the type of sin those who were bound to worldly desires are literally bound in the hereafter.
- Drinking from the cup of ginger (76:17): "They will be given a cup whose mixture is ginger from a spring therein called Salsabīl." Ibn Kathīr: the Arabs loved ginger-flavored drinks as a luxury Paradise includes the finest version of every pleasure the human soul was drawn to in the dunya.
- Patient endurance for the command of the Lord (76:24): "So be patient for the judgement of your Lord and do not obey among them a sinner or ungrateful one." Ibn Kathīr: the Prophet ﷺ commanded to not follow the disbelievers in their path patient endurance of hardship is the alternative to compromise.
- The Friday Fajr recitation (ḥadīth): Ibn Kathīr cites that the Prophet ﷺ would recite Al-Sajdah (32) and Al-Insān (76) in the Fajr prayer on Fridays. Friday carries a special blessing that makes these surahs of creation and resurrection especially appropriate for that morning.