Surah No 51: Az-Zariyat
Number of Ayats: Sixty
Meaning of the name: It takes its name from ayat no 1 meaning the “winds that scatter”.
Summary: This is a Makki surah. In the beginning, the characteristics of the winds are given which are: a) they produce changes in the pressure and temperature of the air which revolutionizes animal and vegetable life, b) they carry seeds and sow them in different places, similarly, they carry the clouds from place to place, c) they fill the sails of ships so that they may reach their destinations, d) they distribute moisture and rain at different places. This is a natural phenomenon that takes place at Allah’s command. Revelation is similar to the wind in many aspects, for it also brings about great changes. In addition, it distributes its blessings wherever it goes, and its effects are far and reaching.
Then the characteristics of good people are mentioned for they are those who sleep little and spend a portion of the night in worship, for they prefer to serve Allah and His beings than the Self. These people pray for forgiveness of all sins committed and those not yet committed. They also pray for whom they care for. These people also give charity to the needy and especially those who are in need yet cannot ask due to various reasons. We must realize that charity in the higher sense includes all help, from the one more able to the one who is not. Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) said “Every day two angels come down from heaven and one of them says, ‘O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your Cause,” and the other angels say, ‘O Allah! Destroy every miser’
The surah ends on the admonition that every nation that acted as its antecedent will suffer a similar fate. Those who have acquired evil ways will not only get their punishment in the Hereafter but in this life as well.