فَأَثَرنَ بِهِ نَقعًا

Raising therein a trail of dust.

EXEGESIS

Atharna (they raise) is a third person plural feminine verb from the root th-w-r which means to stir or be stirred up, to excite and rise,^{‎[1]Hans Wehr, under th-w-r.} such that the bottom rises and spreads to the top or in the air.^{‎[2]Tahqiq, 2/44.} Likewise, it can hold a negative connotation of stirring dissension, evil, and anger.^{‎[3]Tahqiq, 2/44.} Its association with the earth gives the meaning of cultivation (30:9), to make apparent what is hidden in the depths of the earth.

In the verse’s context it means the rising sand and dust particles, which are stirred, rising to the top forming a cloud, as the battle steeds charge towards their enemies.  

Naqʿ (trail of dust) in the context of the verse can refer to two meanings: the raising of dust and smoke and of one’s voice. This can implicate one of two meanings: when the snorting chargers attack the enemy camps at the break of dawn, they form a cloud of dust;^{‎[4]Qamus, 7/105.} or, they approach their enemies with loud battle cries.^{‎[5]Tahdhib, 1/174; Lisan, 8/362; Bahrayn, 4/399.} Both meanings are acceptable and best left for the reader’s imagination.

EXPOSITION

At the break of dawn, the warhorses charge towards the enemy, the intensity of their speed compels them to pant heavily, igniting sparks and small circles of fire under their hooves. The verse continues to illustrate that the speed coupled with the swift attack – with its excitement and disturbance – forms a cloud of dust and sand,^{‎[6]Mizan, 20/346.} rendering the enemy into confusion due to their lack of awareness.

REVIEW OF TAFSĪR LITERATURE

Another plausible reading of naqʿan means to let out a loud cry, as opined by Abū ʿUbaydah,^{‎[7]Alusi, 15/443.} more specifically the fighters’ battle cries at the place of the attack, or whilst they charge towards their foes.^{‎[8]Maybudi, 10/585.}

According to the alternative narrative, as examined by Muhammad ibn Kaʿb, naqʿ is the land between Muzdalifah and Mina. At the break of dawn, the pilgrims proceed towards the valleys of Muzdalifah reciting the talbiyah, heading towards Mina. In the next verse, their movement is in such a way that they aligned themselves in the middle of Muzdalifah, or they made Muzdalifah the middle of their course, as if they were going around it.^{‎[9]Nawawi, 2/657.}  

[1] Hans Wehr, under th-w-r.
[2] Tahqiq, 2/44.
[3] Tahqiq, 2/44.
[4] Qamus, 7/105.
[5] Tahdhib, 1/174; Lisan, 8/362; Bahrayn, 4/399.
[6] Mizan, 20/346.
[7] Alusi, 15/443.
[8] Maybudi, 10/585.
[9] Nawawi, 2/657.