Verse Meaning

According to the great exegete Imam Al-Tabari, Quran 100:3, 'Fal-Mughirati Subha,' is an oath by 'The raiders at dawn.' The overwhelming majority of classical scholars, including Ibn Abbas, Mujahid, and Qatadah, interpret this as a vivid depiction of warhorses launching a raid on the enemy in the early morning. Ibn Kathir adds that this was a common military strategy, even employed by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), who would listen for the adhan at dawn and attack if it wasn't heard. This timing was chosen to catch the enemy in a state of heedlessness. A minority opinion, attributed to scholars like Ibn Mas'ud, suggests it refers to the rushing of camels with their riders from Muzdalifah to Mina during the Hajj pilgrimage. However, Al-Tabari notes that the interpretation of warhorses aligns more coherently with the surrounding verses that describe striking fire and raising dust, painting a powerful image of a swift, decisive cavalry charge.