This surah has a special character. It begins by mentioning four forces that work by God’s command, using ambiguous terms which give us an initial impression that we are being introduced to things wrapped in secrecy. God Almighty makes an oath by these four forces to emphasize a certain matter: “By those that scatter far and wide; by those that are heavily laden; by those that speed along with gentle ease; by those that distribute by command; that which you are promised is true indeed, and, for certain, judgement is bound to come? (Verses 1-6)

The words used in this opening for those four forces mentioned in the oath, i.e. al-dhariyat, al-hdmilat, alfariydt and al-muqassimdt, are not usually used to refer to immediately recognized objects. They invite questions and requests for explanation. Indeed, their very sounds impart this feeling of ambiguity, which is perhaps intended so as to give the surah its particular aura.

The first oath is hardly stated when it is followed by a second. God states this oath “By the sky and its starry pathways you people are at vari ance in what you say? (Verses 7-8) What you say is inconsistent, based on conjecture, not fact.

With this particular opening and by its general drift, the surah sets itself a particular objective, which is the establishment of a bond between the human heart and the sky, or rather what lies beyond the reach of human perception and known only to God. The human heart will thus become free of the constraints of this world, unchained by anything that prevents it from being dedicated to God’s service. It will then be ready to move unhindered towards Him: “Flee, then, to God” (\fase 50) This would fulfil God’s purpose of creation: “I have not created the jinn and mankind for any end other than they may worship Me” (Verse 56)