Day of Adornment in verse 59 of Surah Taha
What is meant by "Yawm al-Zinah" (Day of Adornment) in verse 59 of Surah Taha?
Yawm al-Zinah (Day of Adornment) in verse 59 of Surah Taha refers to a festival day in ancient Egypt when Prophet Moses (AS) defeated the magicians of Pharaoh through the miracle of his staff turning into a serpent. There is disagreement about the exact date and occasion of this day. Ibn Iyas, an Egyptian historian (d. 908 AH), considered Yawm al-Zinah to be the first day of the Egyptian year.
Verse and Translation
Explanation and Interpretation of the Verse
The verse in question is part of a series of verses that narrate the story of Prophet Moses (AS) and Pharaoh. According to these verses, Allah commanded Prophet Moses (AS) to go to Pharaoh to guide him. Moses performed miracles before Pharaoh, but the arrogant and stubborn Pharaoh accused Moses of trying to drive them out of their land with his magic: "O Moses, have you come to drive us out of our land with your magic?" [1] He then added, "Do not think we cannot bring magic like yours; we will surely bring you magic like it: ﴾فَلَنَأْتِيَنَّكَ بِسِحْرٍ مِثْلِهِ﴿." To show his determination, Pharaoh said, "Set a date between us and you, which neither we nor you will fail to keep, in a place where we are all equal: ﴾فَاجْعَلْ بَيْنَنا وَ بَيْنَكَ مَوْعِداً لا نُخْلِفُهُ نَحْنُ وَ لا أَنْتَ مَكاناً سُوىً﴿."
Prophet Moses (AS), without losing his composure or fearing Pharaoh's threats, firmly replied, "I am ready. Let us set the date now. Our appointment is on the Day of Adornment, provided that all the people gather in the morning: ﴾قالَ مَوْعِدُكُمْ يَوْمُ الزِّينَةِ وَ أَنْ يُحْشَرَ النَّاسُ ضُحًى﴿."
The term Yawm al-Zinah (Day of Adornment) undoubtedly refers to a festival day, though its exact nature cannot be determined. What is important is that people would take a break from their work and be ready to participate in such an event.[2]
The Egyptian Festival Day
According to some commentators, Yawm al-Zinah in verse 59 of Surah Taha was a festival day for the Egyptians. There is disagreement about the occasion of this day and what people did on it. Some possibilities include it being a day of adornment, the New Year's Day, a market day, or the tenth day of the month. On this day, people would gather in one place,[3][4] and they would take a break from their work.[5]
Yawm al-Zinah was well-known among the people of Egypt,[6][7] and the verse indicates that people would adorn themselves and decorate the markets on this day.[8][9] According to Ibn Iyas, the Egyptian historian (d. 908 AH), it was customary for the ancient Egyptians to consider Yawm al-Zinah as the first day of their new year.[10]
References
- ↑ Surah Taha, verses 57–42.
- ↑ Makarem Shirazi, Nasser (1374). Tafsir Nemooneh. Vol. 13. Tehran, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah. pp. 227–231.
- ↑ Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Umar (1420). Mafatih al-Ghayb. Vol. 22. Beirut, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi. p. 64.
- ↑ Tabari, Abu Ja'far Muhammad (1412). Jami' al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran. Vol. 16. Beirut, Dar al-Ma'rifah. p. 135.
- ↑ Makarem Shirazi, Nasser (1374). Tafsir Nemooneh. Vol. 13. Tehran, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah. p. 231.
- ↑ Suyuti, Abd al-Rahman (1404). Al-Durr al-Manthur fi Tafsir al-Ma'thur. Vol. 4. Qom, Mar'ashi Najafi Library. p. 303.
- ↑ Fayd Kashani, Mulla Muhsin (1415). Tafsir al-Safi. Vol. 3. Tehran, Sadr Publications. p. 310.
- ↑ Tusi, Muhammad ibn Hasan. Al-Tibyan fi Tafsir al-Quran. Vol. 7. Beirut, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi. p. 181.
- ↑ Tabatabai, Seyyed Muhammad Husayn (1374). Translation of Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran. Vol. 14. Qom, Islamic Publications Office. p. 240.
- ↑ Ibn Iyas, Muhammad (1995). Nuzhat al-Umm fi al-Aja'ib wa al-Hikam. Cairo, Maktabat al-Madbouli. p. 245.