The central theme of Surat Al-Dukhan revolves around two significant events that profoundly impact human life on earth:

1. The revelation of the Quran, a great blessing for humanity.
2. A smoke that will engulf the earth, a yet to occur calamity as a sign and warning of the impending end of life on earth.

The Surah starts with the first significant event which is the revelation of the Quran:

حمٓ (١) وَٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ ٱلۡمُبِينِ (٢) إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ فِى لَيۡلَةٍ۬ مُّبَـٰرَكَةٍ‌ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ (٣) فِيہَا يُفۡرَقُ كُلُّ أَمۡرٍ حَكِيمٍ (٤) أَمۡرً۬ا مِّنۡ عِندِنَآ‌ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرۡسِلِينَ (٥) رَحۡمَةً۬ مِّن رَّبِّكَ‌ۚ إِنَّهُ ۥ هُوَ ٱلسَّمِيعُ ٱلۡعَلِيمُ (٦) رَبِّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا بَيۡنَهُمَآ‌ۖ إِن كُنتُم مُّوقِنِينَ (٧) لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ يُحۡىِۦ وَيُمِيتُ‌ۖ رَبُّكُمۡ وَرَبُّ ءَابَآٮِٕكُمُ ٱلۡأَوَّلِينَ (٨)

Ha-Mim. (1) By the clear Book (this Qur’an), (2) We sent it down in a blessed night (i.e. night of Qadr). Verily, We are giving mankind forewarning. (3) In that (night) every wise command is made clear. (4) by a Command from Us. For, indeed, We were to send the Messengers.  (5) (As) a Mercy from your Lord. Surely, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. (6) The Lord of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them, if you are to have certainty. (7) There is no God by He; He Who gives life and causes death. He is your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers.” (44:1-9)

It is important to delve deeper into the significance of the blessed night during which the Quran was revealed. This event involved the descent of the Quran from the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) in the seventh heaven to the House of Might (Baytul-Izzah) in the first heaven, a night that is also mentioned in Surat Al-Qadr (97).

إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ فِى لَيۡلَةِ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ (١) وَمَآ أَدۡرَٮٰكَ مَا لَيۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ (٢) لَيۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَلۡفِ شَہۡرٍ۬ (٣)

We sent it down in a night of Al-Qadr (1) And how will you know what a night of Al-Qadr is? (2) a night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. (Al-Qadr 97:1-3)

 Both Surat Al-Qadr (97) and Surat Al-Dukhan (44) refer to this same night, emphasizing its immense importance as the night when all divine commands were established. According to several hadiths, the prevailing opinion is that this night, known as Laylat Al-Qadr, occurs during the month of Ramadan. The question arises: Is this a Ramadan on earth or a Ramadan in heaven? It appears that there is indeed a Ramadan in heaven, as Allah states:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّہُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثۡنَا عَشَرَ شَہۡرً۬ا فِى ڪِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوۡمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ

“The number of months with Allah is twelve months in the Book of Allah on the day He created the heavens and the earth.’ (Al-Tawbah 9:36)

From this, we can infer that Ramadan exists every year, regardless of one’s location in the universe. However, the length of this month depends on the rotation cycle of that location relative to other celestial bodies. The Quran explicitly mentions this concept when Allah says:

وَإِنَّ يَوۡمًا عِندَ رَبِّكَ كَأَلۡفِ سَنَةٍ۬ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ (٤٧)

“Indeed, one day with your Lord is equivalent to as a thousand years according to your count.” (Al-Hajj 22:47)

يُدَبِّرُ ٱلۡأَمۡرَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ إِلَى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ ثُمَّ يَعۡرُجُ إِلَيۡهِ فِى يَوۡمٍ۬ كَانَ مِقۡدَارُهُ ۥۤ أَلۡفَ سَنَةٍ۬ مِّمَّا تَعُدُّونَ (٥)

“He manages (every) matter from the heavens to the earth, then it (every matter) will ascend to Him, in a Day equivalent to a thousand years according to your count.” (Al-Sajda 32:5)

Therefore, when Allah tells us that He revealed the Quran during one night of Ramadan, it might not refer to a night in earthly Ramadan, but rather to a night in heavenly Ramadan, which is equivalent to 1,000 years by earthly calculation.

Since Ramadan occurs annually in any location within the universe, the duration of this heavenly Ramadan night would be equivalent to 1,000 earthly years, encompassing 1,000 earthly Ramadan months. Thus, this heavenly night during which the Quran was revealed surpasses the value of 1,000 earthly Ramadan months, as Allah states:

لَيۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَلۡفِ شَہۡرٍ۬ (٣)

“The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand Months.”  (Al-Qadr 97:3)

A question may also arise as to why Allah specifically mentions “night” rather than “day.” This choice of wording may be due to the fact that outside Earth’s atmosphere, the universe is dark; in essence, the entire 24-hour day in the universe could be considered night. If one were to leave Earth’s atmosphere, they would observe that everything, even around the sun, is enveloped in darkness. The space between stars is completely devoid of light, and only the thin atmospheric layer surrounding Earth allows us to perceive daylight. This idea is hinted at in verse 12 of Surat Al-Isra, where Allah says:

وَجَعَلۡنَا ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّہَارَ ءَايَتَيۡنِ‌ۖ فَمَحَوۡنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلَّيۡلِ وَجَعَلۡنَآ ءَايَةَ ٱلنَّہَارِ مُبۡصِرَةً۬ لِّتَبۡتَغُواْ فَضۡلاً۬ مِّن رَّبِّكُمۡ وَلِتَعۡلَمُواْ عَدَدَ ٱلسِّنِينَ وَٱلۡحِسَابَ‌ۚ وَڪُلَّ شَىۡءٍ۬ فَصَّلۡنَـٰهُ تَفۡصِيلاً۬ (١٢)

“We have made the night and the day two signs: then We erased the sign of the night and made the sign of the day visible; so that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and that you may know the number of years and the count (of time). And We explained everything in detail.” (Al-Isra 17:12)

The second significant event that the Surat mentioned a great natural event that involve a smoke that will engulf the earth:

  بَلۡ هُمۡ فِى شَكٍّ۬ يَلۡعَبُونَ (٩) فَٱرۡتَقِبۡ يَوۡمَ تَأۡتِى ٱلسَّمَآءُ بِدُخَانٍ۬ مُّبِينٍ۬ (١٠) يَغۡشَى ٱلنَّاسَ‌ۖ هَـٰذَا عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ۬ (١١) رَّبَّنَا ٱكۡشِفۡ عَنَّا ٱلۡعَذَابَ إِنَّا مُؤۡمِنُونَ (١٢) أَنَّىٰ لَهُمُ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ وَقَدۡ جَآءَهُمۡ رَسُولٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ (١٣)

Yet, they (who disbelief in the Quran) being in doubt are playing around. (9) so, wait for the Day when the sky brings forth a visible smoke. (10) That will envelop people. This is a painful punishment. (11) (Then they will say): “Our Lord! Remove from us the punishment, we shall become believers.  (12) How can there be remembrance for them, when a Messenger making things clear has already come to them.” (44:9-12)

These verses indicate one of the major signs of the approach of the Last Hour on earth, which is the smoke. Based on several hadiths, many commentators have suggested that the major signs include: (الدجال والدخان وطلوع الشمس من مغربها ودابة الأرض ويأجوج ومأجوج) the Dajjal, the smoke, the rising of the sun from the west, the speaking beast, and Gog and Magog. The Quran specifically mentions three of these signs: the smoke, the speaking beast, and Gog and Magog.

Understanding these future major signs is an important part of religion because it helps believers prepare for them. For example, knowing that smoke will engulf the earth, blocking out the sun, and will last for an entire year according to the interpretation of the hadith by several commentators, prompts the question of how Muslims should prepare for such an event. Shouldn’t Muslims develop technologies that will allow humanity to survive under such conditions? These technologies might include methods for food production in the absence of sunlight. Additionally, it is likely that the smoke will disrupt the function of satellites, so people need to consider how they would manage their affairs without internet and GPS services. At the very least, everyone should keep paper copies of their financial records.

Beyond developing technologies to protect humanity from these expected calamities, these signs serve as warnings that unless mankind follows Allah’s commands, they will be destroyed, just as previous nations were destroyed. Unfortunately, when we look at the world today, we see that humanity is committing a combination of violations that led to the destruction of past nations.

The importance of studying the signs of the Last Day is underscored by the well-known hadith reported by Omar ibn Al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه), that recounts a question-and-answer exchange between the archangel Jibril and the Prophet (PBUH). In this hadith, Jibril asked the Prophet (PBUH) four questions that summarize the religion of Islam and address all aspects of our lives, both present and future. These questions were related to:

1. The definition of Islam, which outlines the physical rituals involved in one’s personal relationship with Allah.
2. The definition of Iman, which describes the articles of belief that reside in the heart.
3. The definition of Ihsan, which governs one’s relationship with all the creations while under the continuous observation of Allah.
4. The identification of some signs of the last hour, representing future events that Muslims need to be aware of to prepare for them, since most of these signs involve trials and challenges.

These four elements represent the essence of Islam, as the Prophet (PBUH) said to the companions after Jibril left: “He was Jibril who came to teach you your religion.”

After mentioning the calamity of the smoke that will engulf the earth, the Surah refers to the destruction that befell Pharaoh (Firwan) and his army. This destruction occurred not only because they rejected Allah’s message, but also because they transgressed against Prophet Musa and his followers by refusing to allow them to leave.

وَإِنِّى عُذۡتُ بِرَبِّى وَرَبِّكُمۡ أَن تَرۡجُمُونِ (٢٠) وَإِن لَّمۡ تُؤۡمِنُواْ لِى فَٱعۡتَزِلُونِ (٢١) فَدَعَا رَبَّهُ ۥۤ أَنَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ قَوۡمٌ۬ مُّجۡرِمُونَ (٢٢) فَأَسۡرِ بِعِبَادِى لَيۡلاً إِنَّڪُم مُّتَّبَعُونَ (٢٣) وَٱتۡرُكِ ٱلۡبَحۡرَ رَهۡوًا‌ۖ إِنَّہُمۡ جُندٌ۬ مُّغۡرَقُونَ (٢٤) كَمۡ تَرَكُواْ مِن جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَعُيُونٍ۬ (٢٥) وَزُرُوعٍ۬ وَمَقَامٍ۬ كَرِيمٍ۬ (٢٦) وَنَعۡمَةٍ۬ كَانُواْ فِيہَا فَـٰكِهِينَ (٢٧) كَذَٲلِكَ‌ۖ وَأَوۡرَثۡنَـٰهَا قَوۡمًا ءَاخَرِينَ (٢٨) فَمَا بَكَتۡ عَلَيۡہِمُ ٱلسَّمَآءُ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُنظَرِينَ (٢٩)

And (Musa said) indeed, I seek refuge with my Lord and your Lord, so you do not stone me ˹to death˺. (20) ˹But˺ if you do not believe me, then keep away from me.” (21) Ultimately, he (Musa) prayed to his Lord, “These are wicked people!” (22) Allah (answered his prayers saying) “Leave with My servants at night, for you will surely be pursued. (23) And leave the sea in state of stillness (parted), for they are certainly an army bound to drown.” (24) How many gardens and springs have they left behind, (25) And how many fields and noble sites, (26) and how many luxuries they used to enjoy. (27) This is how it happened, and We made other people inherit all this. (28) Neither the sky nor the earth wept over them, nor was their fate delayed. (44:20-29)

(Question: I still cannot find good answer who ruled Egypt after the drowning of the Pharaoh and his army.  May one of you can.)

The Surah presented two contrasting scenes from the Hereafter. A dreadful scene that awaits those who rejected Allah’s message and a blissful scene for those who accepted the divine message and acted upon it.

Concerning those who rejected Allah’s message, Allah says regarding their fate:

إِنَّ شَجَرَتَ ٱلزَّقُّومِ (٤٣) طَعَامُ ٱلۡأَثِيمِ (٤٤) كَٱلۡمُهۡلِ يَغۡلِى فِى ٱلۡبُطُونِ (٤٥) كَغَلۡىِ ٱلۡحَمِيمِ (٤٦) خُذُوهُ فَٱعۡتِلُوهُ إِلَىٰ سَوَآءِ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ (٤٧) ثُمَّ صُبُّواْ فَوۡقَ رَأۡسِهِۦ مِنۡ عَذَابِ ٱلۡحَمِيمِ (٤٨) ذُقۡ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلۡعَزِيزُ ٱلۡڪَرِيمُ (٤٩) إِنَّ هَـٰذَا مَا كُنتُم بِهِۦ تَمۡتَرُونَ (٥٠)

Indeed, the tree of Zaqqum (43) is the food of the sinners, (44) like molten brass boiling in the bellies, (45) Like the boiling of scalding fluids. (46) (It will be said to the angels) “Seize him and drag him into the midst of blazing Fire, (47) “Then pour over his head the torment of boiling water, (48) “Taste it, you were considered the mighty, the noble (49) “Indeed, this is the thing about which you used to be skeptic.” (44:43-50)

Regarding those who accepted Allah’s message and acted upon it, Allah says regarding their fate:

إِنَّ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ فِى مَقَامٍ أَمِينٍ۬ (٥١) فِى جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ وَعُيُونٍ۬ (٥٢) يَلۡبَسُونَ مِن سُندُسٍ۬ وَإِسۡتَبۡرَقٍ۬ مُّتَقَـٰبِلِينَ (٥٣) ڪَذَٲلِكَ وَزَوَّجۡنَـٰهُم بِحُورٍ عِينٍ۬ (٥٤) يَدۡعُونَ فِيهَا بِكُلِّ فَـٰكِهَةٍ ءَامِنِينَ (٥٥) لَا يَذُوقُونَ فِيهَا ٱلۡمَوۡتَ إِلَّا ٱلۡمَوۡتَةَ ٱلۡأُولَىٰ‌ۖ وَوَقَٮٰهُمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلۡجَحِيمِ (٥٦) فَضۡلاً۬ مِّن رَّبِّكَ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ (٥٧)

And to those who have Taqwa, they will be in a place of security (Paradise), (51) amid gardens and springs; (52) They shall be dressed in fine silk and silk embroidery, facing each other, (53) Thus, We shall wed them to pure companions, with most lovely eyes. (54) Therein, they can call every kind of fruit in peace and security; (55) They shall never taste death therein except the first death (of this world), and He will have protected them from the punishment of the Hellfire. (56) As a bounty from your Lord! That is the great achievement. (44:51-57)

 The surah concludes as it began, by referring to the Quran, and it offers a final statement that the messenger of Allah can deliver to those who persist in rejecting the message: “I will wait for Allah’s decree, and you too will be waiting.”

فَإِنَّمَا يَسَّرۡنَـٰهُ بِلِسَانِكَ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَڪَّرُونَ (٥٨) فَٱرۡتَقِبۡ إِنَّهُم مُّرۡتَقِبُونَ (٥٩)

Certainly, We have made this (Quran) easy in your tongue, in order that they may become mindful. (58) So, wait (for what the future will bring), they too are waiting. (44:58-59)