سُوْرَةُ الطَّارِقِ

Surah At-Taariq (86) — Ayah 11

The Morning Star · Meccan · Juz 30 · Page 591

وَٱلسَّمَآءِ ذَاتِ ٱلرَّجْعِ ﴿11﴾
By the sky (having rain clouds) which gives rain, again and again.
وَٱلسَّمَآءِ wal-samāi By the sky
ذَاتِ dhāti which
ٱلرَّجْعِ l-rajʿi returns

Tafsir al-Quran al-Karim is a 4-volume Quran commentary by Hafiz Abdus Salam bin Muhammad Bhutvi, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar and Sheikh ul-Hadith from Pakistan. Based on over 45 years of teaching and research, this tafsir follows the methodology of Tafsir bil-Ma'thur — interpreting the Quran through authentic Hadith, statements of the Companions, and the understanding of the early generations (Salaf). It is distinguished by its complete avoidance of Israeliyyat (Judeo-Christian narratives) and unverified reports. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

The exegesis of (Ayah 12,11){ وَ السَّمَآءِ ذَاتِ الرَّجْعِ … : ’’ الرَّجْعِ ‘‘} has been done by Mujahid as rain. [دیکھیے بخاري، التفسیر، باب سورۃ الطارق، بعد ح : ۴۹۴۰ ] Most commentators have taken this meaning. The literal meaning of {’’ الرَّجْعِ ‘‘} is to return or to send back. Since rain falls repeatedly, it is called "Raj‘". Besides this, the water of the sea becomes vapor, that vapor returns and then falls as rain, then that water evaporates and falls again, that is why it is called "Raj‘". The meaning of {’’ الصَّدْعِ ‘‘} is to split.

Tafsir Ahsan al-Bayan is a well-known Quran commentary by Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. This tafsir explains the meanings of the Quran in accordance with the methodology of the Salaf (early righteous generations), relying on authentic sources and straightforward language. Due to its reliability and adherence to sound Islamic scholarship, the Saudi government publishes and distributes this tafsir among the Hujjaj (pilgrims) visiting the Haramain. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

11. 1. The Arabs call rain "رجع", therefore rain is called رَجْع, and as a good omen, the Arabs used to call rain this so that it would continue to occur repeatedly.

Tafsir Taiseer ul-Quran (Facilitation of the Quran) is a comprehensive Quran commentary by Maulana Abdul Rahman Kilani, a renowned Salafi (Ahl al-Hadith) scholar from Pakistan. Known for his eloquent and accessible writing style, Kilani authored this tafsir with a focus on clarity — making Quranic meanings understandable to the common reader. The tafsir provides detailed historical context for verses related to battles and expeditions, and firmly refutes modernist ideologies using strong scriptural evidence. It is widely regarded as an invaluable resource for understanding the Quran and countering deviant interpretations. The tafsir is originally written in Urdu, translated to English by tohed.com.

11. By the sky which returns (rain) again and again [9].

[9] ﴿ذات الرجع﴾ The meaning of "return" is to go back to one's origin, but figuratively, the word ﴿رجع﴾ is also used for rain. One reason for calling the sky ﴿ذات الرجع﴾ could be that water vapors rise from the sea, and when they reach the heights of the sky, the coolness of those heights turns the vapors back into water, and rain begins. Another reason is that the process of rainfall does not happen just once, but repeatedly and from time to time.