Surah
Juz
This Surah was revealed during the same period as Surah 19: Maryam (Mary). It may have been sent down either during or shortly after the Migration to Abyssinia, but it is certain that it was revealed before Umar, the companion, embraced Islam. According to a well-known and authentic hadith, when Umar set out to harm the Prophet ﷺ, he encountered someone who informed him, 'Before you take any action, you should know that your own sister and brother-in-law have embraced Islam.' Upon hearing this, he immediately went to his sister's house. There, he found his sister Fatimah and his brother-in-law Said bin Zayd learning the contents of a scroll from Khabbab bin Arat. When Fatimah saw Umar coming, she quickly hid the scroll, but Umar had already heard the recitation. He then began to question them and eventually attacked his brother-in-law, accidentally injuring his sister in the process of trying to protect her husband. Surrendering, his sister exclaimed, 'We have become Muslims; you may do whatever you like.' Touched by the sight of blood running down from her head, Umar said, 'Show me what you were reading.' His sister asked him to promise on oath that he wouldn't tear it and added, 'You cannot touch it unless you have a bath.' Umar then took a bath. When he began to read the scroll, which contained this Surah, he spontaneously exclaimed, 'What an excellent thing!' At this statement, Khabbab, who had hidden himself, came out and said, 'By God, I have great hopes that God will get much service from you to propagate the Message of His Prophet ﷺ. It was just yesterday that I heard the Holy Prophet ﷺ praying to God, 'My Lord, make one of the two Umar's (Abul Hakam bin Hisham - Abu Jahl or Umar bin Khattab) a supporter of Islam.' So, O Umar, turn to God, turn to God.' These words were so persuasive that he immediately accompanied Khabbab and went to the Prophet ﷺ to embrace Islam. This incident occurred shortly after the Migration to Abyssinia.
This Surah begins by explaining the purpose of revealing the Qur'an, emphasising that it is not sent to distress Prophet Muhammad ﷺ but to serve as a reminder for those who fear God. It is revealed by the Creator of the earth and highest heavens. The Surah then transitions into the story of Prophet Moses, seemingly unrelated to the current events. However, the hidden message becomes clear when understood in the context of the people of Makkah. Key points between the lines are: - Prophets are appointed by God without formal ceremonies; similarly, Muhammad's ﷺ sudden appointment should not be considered strange. - The fundamental principles taught by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, such as Monotheism and the Hereafter, are the same as those taught by Prophet Moses. - The people of Makkah are reminded of Pharaoh's tactics against Moses, highlighting the victory of God's Prophet over a powerful tyrant. - The magicians of Egypt are praised for their steadfast faith, providing comfort to Muslims facing fearful odds against the Quraysh. - The story of the Israelites reveals the absurdity of idol worship and emphasises the Prophet's ﷺ opposition to polytheism. - The Quraysh is admonished that the Qur'an, revealed in their Arabic language, is for their own good; rejecting it will lead to an evil end. Following this, the story of Prophet Adam is narrated to highlight the importance of repentance and turning back to God after realising one's errors. The Prophet ﷺ and the Muslims are advised not to be impatient regarding the punishment for disbelievers, as God has His own plan and provides sufficient respite. The emphasis on prayer is stressed to instil virtues like patience, forbearance, contentment, resignation to God's will, and self-analysis, crucial for conveying the message of truth.
