86: The Nightcomer

This chapter of 17 early Meccan verses was revealed after This Countryside 90 and before The Moon 54. The title Tariq is a popular man's name today, as it
was with the conquerer of Spain in 711 A. D.
The translation should evoke some mystery, yet not confuse us; here the name
clearly means the morning star that announces dawn. This shows the dramatic
symbolism found in many Arabic names.