Learning the Surah of Al-Quran: Surah al-Asr (103: The Time/ The Passing Time)

This is a VERY IMPORTANT surah; Imam Shafi'e said that if people thought carefully about it, it would be enough for their guidance. It is reported that when the Sahabah met, they would recite it before parting each other's company.(Hadith al-Tabrani)

What makes this surah so special? It summarizes in a few words some main themes of the Quran, namely, that those who do not believe in God or do good deeds, or who spend their lives in lies and hypocrisy will one day lose all that they have worked for, their entire lives will have been wasted and it will be too late to do anything about it. In it we also see that those who do not struggle to establish the truth in their lives and societies, or who give up their hopes and struggles too easily will end up being losers. In every aspect of life, it is necessary to have faith and always to try to do one's best; we must encourage each other- our family, friends and fellow men- to strive for what is good and true and to have patience even with things we dislike in order to be successful.

The original Arabic word used here is sabr. In absence of any other word, it has been translated as 'patience'. In the Quranic terminology, however, it has much wider scope than 'patience'. It comprises of 3 elements; one, to remain steadfast in performing one's obligations, two,to prevent one's own self from committing sins, and three, to endure hardships with patience.

Allah begins the surah by swearing by 'the passing time', and there is a very interesting story which makes clear the connection between time and the topic of this surah (reported story from Imam Razi, by Mawdudi in The Meaning of the Quran, vol. XVI, Islamic Publications, Lahore, 1988). Before the age of refrigerators and freezers, storing ice for use in the summer was a difficult and delicate affair. A thousand years ago, residents of warm Muslim lands would transport huge blocks of snow and ice from neigbouring mountain peaks or bring them by camel and ship from special 'ice houses' where ice had been saved and insulated with salt and straw for use in the summer.

Eventually this ice,  would find its place in the market, along with other goods for sale. One scholar reported that he understood the meaning of 'wal-'asri innal-insana lafi khusr' when he heard and ice-seller in the market place calling out ,"Have mercy on a man whose wealth is melting away!" meaning," Please buy my ice before it melts, or I will lose all my investment and have no money with which to feed my family!". Of course, on a very hot day, even with the best of insulation the ice would melt with every passing second. 

The scholar thought about this. Our lives are like the block of ice: they are passing away with each second, never to return. Just as the ice-seller is a loser if he does not sell his merchandise before it melts, so are we losers if we do not make the most of our time by filling it with good deeds which will pay off in the life of the Hereafter.

TRANSLATION:

Surah al-Asr (103: The Time/ The Passing Time) 

In the name of Allah, the Kindest and Most Merciful One..

1. By the passing time:

2. People are definitely losers -

3. except those who believe and do good, and encourage each other to the truth, and encourage each other to endurance.

References:

i) http://quran.com/103

ii)http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/ , go to Surah al-Asr

iii)http://lightofquran.wordpress.com/tafsir/surah-al-asr/ 

iv)The Meanings of the Noble Quran with explanatory notes by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Maktaba Ma'ariful Quran - Quranic Studies Publishers, Karachi, Pakistan)

 Video recitation by Ahmad Saud (www.1dawah.co.uk) at --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00r7T7Fcm9A

Learning the Surah of Al-Quran : Surah al-Fil (105: The Elephant)

The Arabs before Islam had a calendar and were able to count the months and days, but they did not number their years; instead, they would give each year a name based on some special event which happened during that  year. The year that the Prophet Muhammad saw was born was known as the 'Year of the Elephant' because of the story which follows.

An Abyssinian Christian general named Abraha was ruling Yemen at that time. He was irritated by the fact that so many pilgrims went to visit Makkah every year, taking all their business and trade there. He decided to build a big church in San'a, believing that people would come to visit it instead, and then Yemen would increase in wealth and importance. However, after he had invested a lot of time, money and effort into making a huge cathedral, the pilgrims continued to visit Makkah. He then decided to destroy the Ka'bah and marched on Makkah with an army of some 60,000 men and several elephants, which had never been seen in Makkah before.

The army was too great for the inhabitants of Makkah to resist. The only thing they could do was to try to save themselves by hiding in the mountains and caves around Makkah, leaving the city and the Ka'bah unprotected. The leader of the Quraysh at that time was Abdul Muttalib, the Prophet's own grandfather. When the army advanced near Makkah they captured many animals belonging to the Quraysh including 200 of Abdul Mutallib's camels, for which he went to meet with Abraha to ask that they be returned to him. Abraha was surprised that he came to ask for his camels but said nothing about the great Ka'bah, but Abdul Muttalib answered: "I am the owner of my camels and I ask you to return them. The House has its own owner, and He will defend it." The rest of the Quraysh joined with Abdul Muttalib in praying to Allah, Lord of the Ka'bah, to save His House.

The first miracle which happened was that the head elephant refused to fight in the war. Then Allah destroyed the army with a flock of birds whih attacked them with stones of clay which made them bleed heavily; their wounds became infected with pus, and they died in a very short time. The Ka'bah and Makkah were left unharmed.

Why was Allah reminding the Quraysh of this story?

The coming of the army with the elephants was a recent event in history of Makkans; there were many men alive at the time of this revelation who still remembered the year of the Elephant- who had run into hills to escape, had gazed in wonder at the elephants, and had seen the dead bodies of the soldiers of Abraha lying in the outskirts of Makkah. The Makkans had been sensible enough at that time to pray only to Allah for His protection, and some had even gone back to the worship of only One God for a number of years afterwards. 

Why, then, should they reject the miracle and message of the Quran now - only 40 years later? How dare they oppose His Messenger (PBUH) and risk arousing the anger of the Lord of the Worlds, Who had so easily destroyed Abraha and his army?

TRANSLATION:

Surah al-Fil (105: The Elephant) 

In the name of Allah, the Kindest and Most Merciful One..

1. Have you not seen how your Lord handled the people of the elephant?

2. Did He not make their plans go all wrong?

3. - and send against them flocks of birds

4.  hurling against them stones of baked clay,

5. and made them become like dry grass, eaten up?

References:

i) http://quran.com/105

ii)http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/ , go to Surah al-Fil

iii)http://lightofquran.wordpress.com/tafsir/surah-al-fil/

Video recitation by Mishary Rashid al-Afasy at --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd77ZsUiEy0

Learning the Surah of Al-Quran: Surah al-Humazah (104: The Slanderer)

In this surah, Allah is warning us against some very bad qualities which go along with the characteristics of the unbelievers. Backbiting is to say something about a person behind his back which he would not like to hear, even if it is true. Slander is to spread lies about a person and insult him, with the intention of making him look bad in the eyes of others (to say bad things about people to their face, or call them names is also not allowed). A good Muslim should not gossip or speak badly about others in any way.

Greed is another thing which is condemned in this surah. Some people become so occupied with money that they forget they will die one day, and that none of their wealth will go with them to the grave. People who pass their lives in selfishness, greed and gossip may feel that they are surrounded by darkness or burning in their sould during this life, and on the Last Day they will end up in the Hell fire.

TRANSLATION:

Surah al-Humazah (104: The Slanderer/ The Gossipmonger) 

In the name of Allah, the Kindest and Most Merciful One..

1. Cursed is every backbiting slanderer!

2. - who has collected his wealth and keeps counting it,

3. who thinks that his wealth will him to live forever!4. No, but surely he will be thrown to the Crushing One!5. And what can teach you what the Crushing One is?6. It is the fire of Allah, lit,

7. which leaps up around the hearts.8. Surely it closes in on them (from every side)

9. in towering columns. 

References:

i) http://quran.com/104

ii)http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/ , go to Surah al-Humazah

 Video recitation by Mishary Rashid al-Afasy at --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVaJOZworDA

Learning the Surah of Al-Quran: Surah at-Takathur (102: Competition in Increasing Wealth)

This surah is a WARNING to people who spend much of their time trying to make more money, collect more material possessions, or increase the number of children they have for the sake of being richer or more important. This materialistic attitude is very common today, but is discouraged in Islam.

The Prophet saw lived a very simple life and encouraged his followers to do the same. We will all be questioned on the Last Day about everything which Allah has given us and what we have done with it (our wealth as well as our health, food, talents and abilities, etc).

Surah Makki (with 8 verses)

TRANSLATION:

Surah at-Takathur (102: Competition in Increasing Wealth) 

In the name of Allah, the Kindest and Most Merciful One..

1. Competing with each other in increasing your wealth distracts you

2. until you come to the graves.

3. No, but you will soon find out!

4. No! Surely you will come to know!

5. No, if you only knew now with sure knowledge

6.that you will the Hell-fire (then you would change your ways).

7. Yes, you will surely see it with clear vision

8. Then, on that day you will be asked about life's pleasures.

References:

i) http://quran.com/102

ii)http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/ , go to Surah at-Takathur

iii) The Meanings of the Noble Quran with explanatory notes by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Maktaba Ma'ariful Quran - Quranic Studies Publishers, Karachi, Pakistan)

 Video recitation by Mishary Rashid al-Afasy at --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVmLEooOkS8

Learning the Surah of Al-Quran: al- Adiyat (100: The Charging Horses/ Those That Run)

The first verses of this surah describe horses in battle in a powerful and poetic style. Horses are noble and brave creatures who can be trained to patiently perform many useful tasks for humans, although they prefer to be free by nature. They an be convinced to travel under very dangerous and difficult conditions:crossing rivers, climbing mountains, carrying their masters loyally through flying arrows or gunfire, and so on. They were highly treasured by the Arabs who developed one of the best breeds in the world: The Arabian horse, valued for its speed, ability to travel long distances, and high intelligence. Therefore, many scholars believe that the reason why they are mentioned at the beginning of the surah is to compare their good qualities with those of the cowardly men who prefer to stay home with their wealth than to go out and fight. There are several hadith which related stories of a few rich Sahabah who were distracted from joining the Jihad with the Prophet (PBUH) because of their concern for their property and possessions.

Another explanation offered by the Scholar of Mawdudi is that the surah refers to the night raids that were common between Aran tribesmen before Islam. Out of their love for riches, men would use their horses for surprise attacks against enemy tribes at night or at dawn, grab up as much as they could from the tents before their victims were awake enough to defend themselves, and then gallop away.

Regardless of how much wealth a person can accumulate, the fact is that he cannot take any of it with him when he dies, and it will not help him in the least when he has to stand before his Lord for his final Judgement.

Surah Makki (11 verses)

TRANSLATION:

Surah al-Adiyat (100: The Charging Horses/ Those That Run) ) 

In the name of Allah, the Kindest and Most Merciful One..

1. By the charging horses,

2. striking sparks of fire (with their hooves),

3. attaching at dawn,

4. raising a trail of dust

5. rushing straight on (into the enemy)!

6. Surely the human in ungrateful to his Lord,

7. and surely he (himself) is a witness to that (by his words and deeds)!

8. and surely he is passionate in his love for wealth.

9. Does he not know that when the contents of the graves are emptied out,

10. and the secrets of the breasts are made known,

11. on that day, their Lord will know everything about them?

References:

i) http://quran.com/100

ii)http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/ , go to Surah al-Adiyat

iii) The Meanings of the Noble Quran with explanatory notes(pg 1191) by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Maktaba Ma'ariful Quran - Quranic Studies Publishers, Karachi, Pakistan)

 Video recitation by Ahmad Saud (www.1dawah.co.uk) at --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZSqARZU5eM

Learning the Surah of Al-Quran: Surah al-Qariah (101: The Terrible Disaster/ The Striking Event)

This is one of the early Makkan surahs which describes in a very simple way the terror of the Day of Judgement. People will be scattered and confused just like moths flying from place to place without a clear direction, and the mountains which we think of as being so stable will be no more solid than loose bits of wool, or cotton balls. Then some time later, everyone's deeds will be weighed on a special scale in Allah's 'court of justice'. Those whose good deeds are heavier than their bad deeds will be rewarded with Jannah, and those whose bad deeds weight heavier on the scale will be punished in Hell.

Other surahs that mention and describe on the Day of Judgement include Surah Nuh(71), Surah at-Takwir(81), Surah Al-Infitar(82) and Surah al-Inshiqaq(84).

Surah Makki (11 verses)

TRANSLATION:

Surah al-Qariah (101: The Terrible Disaster/ The Striking Event) 

In the name of Allah, the Kindest and Most Merciful One..

1. The terrible disaster!

2. What is the terrible disaster?

3. What will make you understand what the terrible disaster is?

4. The day that the people will be like thickly-scattered moths,

5. and the mountains will be like loose bits of wool.

6. Then, the one whose (good deeds are )heavy (on the scale)

7. will live in pleasant life,

8. but as for the one (whose good deeds are )light-

9. the bottomless pit will be his mother.

10. And what will make you know what it is?

11. A blazing fire!

References:

i) http://quran.com/101

ii)http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/ , go to Surah al-Qariah

iii)http://lightofquran.wordpress.com/tafsir/surah-al-qariah/ 

iv) The Meanings of the Noble Quran with explanatory notes(pg 1193) by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Maktaba Ma'ariful Quran - Quranic Studies Publishers, Karachi, Pakistan)

 Video recitation by Ahmad Saud (www.1dawah.co.uk) at --> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqQJhMv8HWI

Learning the Surah of Al-Quran: Surah az-Zalzalah/ az-Zilzal (99: The Earthquake)

This surah is named after the great earthquakes of the Day of Resurrection, which will shake the earth over and over again. All the soulds who ever lived will be brought to life again in their bodies, and the earth will open to reveal all archeological artifacts and evidences of man's life on earth. People will at first be in shock, confused to find themselves awakened, and will wonder " What is happening? What is wrong with the earth? What am I doing here?" but the believers will soon realize that they have been called to their final Judgement.

It is interesting to learn here that the earth itself will come forth as a witness to testify about the evil that peope did upon her soil-not only to the earth itself, but also the sins they committed against God and each other while on the earth. In other parts of the Quran, we learn that a man's own tongue, hands and feet, eyes and ears, and even his skin will speak out about the deeds he committed with them.

All of this seemed very strange to people of earlier times, but it becomes easier to imagine with every new 'modern miracle' of science and technology: we know that RNA and DNA store detailed information for every individual, tiny computer chips perform amazingly complicated functions, radio and tv waves travel huge distances unseen, and so forth. Many Westerners think that science and religious beliefs cannot go together, but Muslims have always believed differently. 

The Quran is a very scientifically sound book, and the discoveries of science can often serve to strengthen the faith of the believers (see Surah 96:Surah al-Alaq).

The surah ends by explaining that every tiniest action will be remembered, and will be rewarded or punishes accordingly. However, Allah in His Kindness will reward a believer at least ten times for each single act of goodness he or she has done. 

The Prophet saw explained in several hadith that a believer will be cleansed of his sins through suffering sickness and hardship during his lifetime, and Allah will overlook his minor sins on Judgement Day if he has kept himself away from major sins. According to the Prophet saw, in a famour hadith-qudsi, Allah swt says :"My Mercy is greater than My anger".

Surah Madani(8 verses)

TRANSLATION:

Surah al-Qariah (101: The Terrible Disaster/ The Striking Event) 

In the name of Allah, the Kindest and Most Merciful One..

1. When the earth is shaken with a great earthquake

2.  and the earth lets out her burdens,

3. and man says:' What is wrong with her?'

4. On that day she will tell her story,

5. because your Lord has inspired her.

6. On that day (all) mankind will come out in scattered groups to be shown their deeds, 

7. And whoever has done an atom's weight of good will see it then,

8. and whoever has done an atom's weight of bad will it then.

References:

i) http://quran.com/99

ii)http://www.quranexplorer.com/quran/ , go to Surah az-Zalzalah/ az-Zilzal 

iii)http://lightofquran.wordpress.com/tafsir/surah-az-zilzal/

iv) The Meanings of the Noble Quran with explanatory notes(pg 1189) by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Maktaba Ma'ariful Quran - Quranic Studies Publishers, Karachi, Pakistan)

 Video recitation by Mishary Rashed al Efasy at --> http://www.youtube.com/watchv=HLLBwZLsyKov=OqQJhMv8HWI