Why Is Night Mentioned Before Day in the Quran

I think night is mentioned before day many times because it is culturally the Arab tradition — the start of the day in the Arab calendar is night, which precedes day.

But more philosophically, if you want to be more abstract about it: it is as if darkness is the default and light is the exception. You have to pursue light. Darkness is all around you by default, but guidance and light have to be sought. The Quran often uses darkness and light as metaphors — darkness for heedlessness, confusion, or distance from Allah, and light for guidance, revelation, and clarity.

So the sequencing carries a message: you begin in darkness and you have to move toward light. Light is what you are working to achieve. That orientation — darkness first, light as the destination you pursue — fits beautifully with the Quran's repeated use of this imagery throughout.