What Is the Meaning of "Dahw al-Ard"

[صدى المهدي]

In the Islamic calendar, the 25th day of Dhul-Qa’dah is known as "Yawm Dahw al-Ard" ("The Day the Earth Was Spread Out"), marking a significant scene in the grand creation of the universe—a profound moment in the wondrous divine creation. This event is mentioned in two verses of the Holy Qur’an:

“And after that, He spread the earth.” (Surah An-Nazi'at, 79:30)
“By the earth and Him Who spread it.” (Surah Ash-Shams, 91:6)

Linguistically, “dahw” (دَحْو) comes from the root "dahā – yadhū – dahn", meaning to spread out, to flatten, or to extend. For example, “the belly expanded” (indahā al-batn) means it became wide. (Ref: Al-Munjid dictionary, under the root “dahā”)

Spiritually and cosmologically, Dahw al-Ard refers to the spreading of the earth from beneath the Ka‘bah over the ter, extending and flattening it in preparation for life—human and otherwise. It is a sacred night, during which divine mercy descends, and acts of worship are arded greatly.

It is narrated that on the night of the 25th of Dhul-Qa’dah, both Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and Prophet ‘Isa (Jesus), peace be upon them, were born. On this night, the earth s spread out from beneath the Ka‘bah, and this date is among the four special days in the Islamic year designated for fasting. Another narration says:

“Whoever fasts on this day and spends its night in prayer will receive the ard of worshiping for a hundred years. All things between the heavens and the earth will seek forgiveness for the one who fasts it. It is a day in which God’s mercy spread, and gathering to remember God on this day brings immense ard.”

It is said that the first point designated on Earth s the site of the Holy Ka‘bah, and from it, God spread the earth outrd in all directions. Thus, the Ka‘bah is the center from which the earth unfolded. This is the meaning of “Dahw al-Ard”—that the earth s spread out from beneath the Ka‘bah. This is further supported by narrations from the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), who stated that the Dahw of the Earth occurred 2000 years after its initial creation.

God Almighty spread out the Earth from beneath the Ka‘bah—not that He created the Earth on this day, but rather He extended and prepared it on the 25th of Dhul-Qa’dah. This is affirmed by noble narrations. For example, Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him) said:

"Indeed, God spread the earth from beneath the Ka‘bah to Mina, then from Mina to Arafat, and then from Arafat back to Mina. Thus, the Earth is from Arafat, and Arafat is from Mina, and Mina is from the Ka‘bah."
(Tafsir Nur al-Thaqalayn, vol. 5, p. 502)

In Mafatih al-Jinan by Sheikh Abbas al-Qummi, it is mentioned that on this day, in addition to fasting, worship, remembering God, and performing ritual ghusl (purification bath), there are recommended acts such as a special two-unit prayer performed at mid-morning. In each rak‘ah, one recites Surat al-Hamd once and Surat al-Shams five times. After finishing the prayer, one says:

"Lā ḥawla lā quwta illā bi-llāh al-‘Aliyy al-‘Aẓīm"
("There is no power and no strength except with Allah, the Most High, the Great")
Then, the following supplication is recited:
"Yā Muqīl al-‘Atharāt, aqil ‘athrātī. Yā Mujīb al-Da‘awāt, ajib da‘tī. Yā Sāmi‘ al-Aṣwāt, isma‘ ṣawtī, rḥamnī, tajāz ‘an sayyi’ātī mā ‘indī, yā Dhā al-Jalāli l-Ikrām."
("O Accepter of repentance, accept my repentance. O Answerer of prayers, answer my prayer. O Hearer of voices, hear my voice, have mercy on me, and overlook my sins and what is with me, O Possessor of Majesty and Honor.")

[محـب الحسين]

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