Holy Quran

At-Takāthur ( التكاثر, "Rivalry, Competition") is the 102nd chapter of the Qur'an, with 8 verses

Regarding the timing and contextual background of the believed revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), it is an earlier "Meccan surah", which means it is believed to have been revealed in Mecca, rather than later in Medina.

Text, translation, and transliteration

The translation is the Saheeh International English translation of the Qur'an.

بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ‎
Bismi l-āhi r-raḥmāni r-raḥīm(i)

In the name of Allāh, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful...

أَلْهَىٰكُمُ ٱلتَّكَاثُرُ ۝‎۝‎

1 ’al hākumu t-takāthur(u)
Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you

حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ ٱلْمَقَابِرَ ۝‎

2 Ḥattā zurtumu l-maqābir(a)
Until you visit the graveyards.

كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ ۝‎

3 Kallā sawfa ta‘lamūn(a)
No! You are going to know.

ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ ۝‎

4 Thumma kallā sawfa ta‘lamūn(a)
Then, no! You are going to know.

كَلَّا لَوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عِلْمَ ٱلْيَقِينِ ۝‎

5 Kallā law ta‘lamūna ‘ilma l-yaqīn(i)
No! If you only knew with knowledge of certainty...

لَتَرَوُنَّ ٱلْجَحِيمَ ۝‎

6 Latarawunna l-jaḥīm(a)
You will surely see[note 1] the Hellfire.

ثُمَّ لَتَرَوُنَّهَا عَيْنَ ٱلْيَقِينِ ۝‎

7 Thumma latarawunnahā ‘ayna l-yaqīn(i)
Then you will surely see it with the eye of certainty.

ثُمَّ لَتُسْـَٔلُنَّ يَوْمَئِذٍ عَنِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ ۝‎

8 Thumma latus’alunna yawma’idhin ‘ani n-na‘īm(i)
Then you will surely be asked that Day about pleasure.

Overview

After the bismillah, this Surah is concerned with factionalism and schism amongst people. Disagreements between individuals and groups follow us "even until you visit the tombs". Three times in a row the sura warns the reader that "you shall know" that those who sow discord are headed towards Hell. Here, proper understanding is required for entrance into Paradise, and should one not attain this on Earth, one will receive the "eye of certainty" on the Day of Judgment, when "you shall be questioned ... concerning true bliss".

Al-Qaria is the 101st chapter of the Quran, with 11 āyāt or verses. This chapter takes its name from its first word "qariah",[3] referring to the Quranic view of the end time and eschatology. "Qariah" has been translated as calamity, striking, catastrophe and clatterer.[4] According to Ibn Kathir, a traditionalistic exegete, Al-Qariah is one of the names of the Day of Judgement, like Al-Haaqqa, At-Tammah, As-Sakhkhah and others.[5]

Summary

After a picturesque depiction of judgement day in first 5 verses,[7] next 4 verses (ayat) describe that God's Court will be established and the people will be called upon to account for their deeds. The people whose good deeds will be heavier, will be blessed with bliss and happiness, and the people whose good deeds will be lighter, will be cast into the burning fire of hell.[8]

Period of revelation

Regarding the timing and contextual background of the supposed revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), Al-Qāriʻah is a Meccan surah.[18] Meccan suras are chronologically earlier surahs that were revealed to Muhammad at Mecca before the hijrah to Medina in 622 CE. They are typically shorter, with relatively short ayat, and mostly come near the end of the Qur'an's 114 sūwar. Most of the surahs containing muqattaʿat are Meccan. Theodor Nöldeke and William Muir[19] alike assign this surah a place among the earliest revelations of the Qurán -George Sale.[20] In accordance with the western exegesis mentioned, the Muslim tafsirs [21] also exert that the contents of this surah show that this is one of the earliest Surahs to be revealed at Makkah.

This surah belongs to the seventh and final group of surahs, which starts from Surah Al-Mulk (67) and runs to the end of the Quran. The theme of the seventh group is to warn the leadership of the Quraysh of the consequences of the Hereafter, to communicate the truth to them to the extent that they are left with no excuse to deny it, and, as a result, to warn them of a severe punishment, and to give glad tidings to Muhammad of the dominance of his religion in the Arabian peninsula. Briefly, this can be stated as delivering warning and glad tidings.[24]

Rhetorically Al-Qariah has 2 similarities with Al-Haaqqa(69). Firstly the opening of the surah resembles Al-Haaqqa (69), which opens with the wordings
69:1 الْحَاقَّةُ
69:2 مَا الْحَاقَّةُ
69:3 وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْحَاقَّةُ

notice that Al-Qaria opens in exactly same style
101:1 الْقَارِعَةُ
101:2 مَا الْقَارِعَةُ
101:3 وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا الْقَارِعَةُ

Secondly, word Al-Qaria appears as a total of 5 times in Quran and out of which thrice it is mentioned in this surah while once it appears in Al-Haaqqa as well

Al-Adiyat or The War Horses which run swiftly[1] (Arabic: العاديات, al-ʿādiyāt, also known as "The Courser, The Chargers") is the 100th chapter (sūrah) of the Qur'an, with 11 āyāt or verses. Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), it is an earlier "Meccan surah", which means it is believed to have been revealed in Mecca, rather than later in Medina

Summary

A one liner theme of surah al-adiyat would read that this surah gives an example that horses are more grateful to their owners than men are to their Rabb (Allah).[3]

Period of revelation

Whether this Surah Al-Adiyat is a Makki or a Madani is disputed. But the subject matter of the Surah and its style clearly indicate that it is not only Makki, but was revealed in the early stage of Makkan period.[3] Abdullah bin Masud, Jabir, Hasan Basri, Ikrimah, and Ata say that it is Makki. Anas bin Malik, and Qatadah say that it is Madani; and from Ibn Abbas two views have been reported, first that it is a Makki Surah, and second that it is Madani. But the subject matter of the Surah and its style clearly indicate that it is not only Makki but was revealed in the earliest stage of Makkah. So the surah is considered to be Meccan conclusively.[6]

Hadith

According to hadith this surah is recommended in Maghrib prayer.

Al-Adiyat or The War Horses which run swiftly[1] ( العاديات, al-ʿādiyāt, also known as "The Courser, The Chargers") is the 100th chapter of the Qur'an, with 11 āyāt or verses. Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), it is an earlier "Meccan surah", which means it is believed to have been revealed in Mecca, rather than later in Medina

Summary

A one liner theme of surah al-adiyat would read that this surah gives an example that horses are more grateful to their owners than men are to their Rabb (Allah).[3]

Al-Zalzalah ( الزلزلة, al-zalzalah, meaning: "The Quake") is the 99th chapter (surah) of the Qur'an, composed of 8 ayat or verses. Although it is usually classified as a Medinan surah, the period during which the surah was revealed is not unanimously agreed upon by Qur'anic exegetes. Other Abrahamic religions also support the idea of punishment to the wrongdoers like in the Day of Judgement

Summary

The surah begins by describing how on the Day of Judgment, the Earth will give off a terrible earthquake and "throw up her burdens". Through the inspiration of God, the Earth will bear witness to the actions of men it has witnessed. According to Michael Sells, the earth opening up and bearing forth her secrets in this sura is indicative of a birth metaphor. The earth al-'Ard in the feminine gender bears forth of how her lord revealed the final secret to her. Human beings will then realize that the moment of accountability has arrived. This meticulous accountability will reflect good and evil deeds that might have seemed insignificant at the time.[2]

Al-Bayyina or The Evidence  البينة "The Clear Proof" is the 98th Chapter of the Qur'an, with 8 or verses[1] The Surah is so designated after the word al-bayyinah occurring at the end of the first and fourth verses

Summary

Tafseer

By Abul A'la Maududi

The Surah is so designated after the word al-bayyinah occurring at the end of the first verse.

Period of Revelation
Where it was revealed, at Makkah or Madinah, is also disputed. Some commentators say it is a Makki revelation according to most scholars; others say it is a Madani revelation according to most scholars. Ibn Az Zubair and Ata bin Yasar hold the view that it is Madani. Ibn Abbas and Qatadah are reported to have held two views, first that it is Makki, second that it is Madani. As for its contents, there is nothing in it to indicate whether it was revealed at Makkah or at Madinah.

Theme and Subject Matter
Its having been placed after Surahs Al-Alaq and Al-Qadr in the arrangement of the Quran is very meaningful. Surah Al-Alaq contains the very first revelation, while Surah Al-Qadr shows as to when it was revealed, and in this Surah it has been explained why it was necessary to send a Messenger along with this Holy Book.
First of all the need of sending a Messenger has been explained, saying: The people of the world, be they from among the followers of the earlier scriptures or from among the idolaters, could not possibly be freed from their state of unbelief, until a Messenger was sent whose appearance by itself should be a clear proof of his apostleship, and he should present the Book of God before the people in its original, pristine form, which should be free from every mixture of falsehood corrupting the earlier Divine Books; and which should comprise sound teachings.
Then, about the errors of the followers of the earlier Books it has been said that the cause of their straying into different creeds was not that Allah had not provided any guidance to them, but they strayed only after a clear statement of the Right Creed had come to them. From this it automatically follows that they themselves were responsible for their error and deviation. Now, if even after the coming of the clear statement through this Messenger, they continued to stray, their responsibility would further increase.
In this very connection, it has been stated that the Prophets who came from Allah and the, Books sent down by Him, did not enjoin anything but that the way of sincere and true service to Allah be adopted, apart from all other ways, no one else's worship, service or obedience be mixed with His, the salat be established and the zakat be paid. This same has been the true religion since ever. From this also it automatically follows that the followers of the earlier scriptures, straying from this true religion, have added extraneous things to it, which are false, and Allah's this Messenger has come to invite them back to, the same original faith.
In conclusion, it has been pointed out clearly that the followers of the earlier Books and the idolaters who would refuse to acknowledge this Messenger are the worst of creatures: their punishment is an everlasting Hell; and the people who would believe and act righteously, and would spend life in the world in awe of God, are the best of creatures: their reward is eternal Paradise wherein they will live for ever. Allah became well pleased with them and they became well pleased with Allah

Al-Qadr[1]  القدر, "Power, Fate") is the 97th chapter (sūrah) of the Qur'an, with 5 āyāt or verses. It is a Meccan surah[2] which celebrates the night when the first revelation of what would become the Qur'an was sent down. The chapter has been so designated after the word al-qadr in the first verse. It is mainly about power

Summary

Laylat al-Qadr

Quran 97 describes Laylat al-Qadr, the "Night of the abundant portion of blessings" in Ramadan on which Muslims believe the Qur'an was first revealed. The night is not comparable to any others in view of Muslims[4] and according to a tradition, the blessings due to the acts of worship during this night cannot be equaled even by worshipping throughout an entire lifetime. The reward of acts of worship done in this one single night is more than the reward of around 83 years (1000 months) of worship.[5] Laylat al-Qadr is referenced in the Quran:[6][4]

The "Spirit" mentioned in verse 4 is commonly interpreted as referring to the angel Jibreel (Gabriel). The "peace" referred to is called by Mujahid "security in which Shaytan (Iblis) cannot do any evil or any harm", while Ibn Kathir quotes Ash-Sha'bi as saying that it refers to the angels greeting the people in the mosques throughout the night.

Laylat al-Qadr occurs during an odd-numbered night within the last ten days of Ramadan, but its exact date is uncertain; due to the promises made in the chapter and in various hadith. Muslims consider it a particularly good time for prayer, supplication, and repentance to God. This event marks the descent of the first revelation of the Quran to Earth. The official Islamic teaching is that Muhammad received the revelations that formed the Quran piecemeal for the next twenty-three years of his life up until the time of his death. Shia Muslims believe that Ali (the first Shia Imam, and the fourth caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate to Sunnis) had special insight and intimacy with God on this night.[8]

VERILY we sent down the Qur'an in the night of al Qadr.And what shall make thee understand how excellent the night of al Qadr is?The night of al Qadr is better than a thousand months.Therein do the angels descend, and the spirit of Gabriel also, by the permission of their LORD, with his decrees concerning every matter.It is peace until the rising of the morn.[7]

Al-ʻAlaq (Arabic: العلق, al-ʻalaq, also known as "The Clinging Thing" or "The Embryo"[1]), is the 96th chapter of the Qur'an. It is composed of 19 verses. It is sometimes also known as Sūrat Iqrā (سورة إقرا, "Read")

Chapter 96 of the Qur'an is traditionally believed to have been Muhammad's first revelation. It is said that while Muhammad was on retreat in the Cave of Hira, at Jabal al-Nour near Mecca, the angel Gabriel appeared before him and commanded him to "Read!". He responded, "But I cannot read!". Then the angel Gabriel embraced him tightly and revealed to him the first lines, "Read: In the name of your Lord Who created,

(1) Created man from a clot.

(2) Read: And your Lord is the Most Generous,

(3) Who taught by the pen,

(4) Taught man that which he knew not."[2] (Bukhari 4953). It is traditionally understood the first five ayat or verses

(1–5) of Surah Alaq were revealed; however, this is not the first fully complete Surah to be revealed and was actually revealed in 3 parts.

Summary

1-5 Angel Gabriel commanding towards Muhammad to recite the first verses of the Qur'an

6-14 Rebuke of Abu Jahl for hindering the Muslim cause.15 ۩ 19 Abu Jahl threatened with the torments of Hell as punishment.[3]

1-5 The first revelation

Main article: Muhammad's first revelation

The first five verses of this sura are believed by some commentators to be the first verses of the Quran claimed to be related by Muhammad. He received them while on a retreat in a mountain cave at Hira, just outside the city of Mecca, in 610 CE. A few commentators disagree with this account, claiming that the first revelation was the beginning of surat al-Muddaththir or surat al-Fatiha, but theirs is a minority position. Moreover, the term إِنْسَان‎ insān, which is translated "man, human", appears 65 times in the Qur'an, meaning "humanity".[4]

Translation

1. Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists),

2. Has created man from a clot (a piece of thick coagulated blood).

3. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous,

4. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen [the first person to write was Prophet Idrees (Enoch)],

5. Has taught man that which he knew not.

6. Nay! Verily, man does transgress all bounds (in disbelief and evil deed, etc.).

7. Because he considers himself self-sufficient.

8. Surely! Unto your Lord is the return.

9. Have you (O Muhammad ()) seen him (i.e. Abu Jahl) who prevents,

10. A slave (Muhammad ()) when he prays?

11. Tell me, if he (Muhammad ()) is on the guidance (of Allah)?

12. Or enjoins piety?

13. Tell me if he (the disbeliever, Abu Jahl) denies (the truth, i.e. this Qur'an), and turns away?

14. Knows he not that Allah does see (what he does)?

15. Nay! If he (Abu Jahl) ceases not, We will catch him by the forelock,

16. A lying, sinful forelock!

17. Then, let him call upon his council (of helpers),

18. We will call the guards of Hell (to deal with him)!

19. Nay! (O Muhammad ())! Do not obey him (Abu Jahl). Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah!

At-Tīn ( التين, "The Fig, The Figtree") is the ninety-fifth surah of the Qur'an, with 8 verses

Summary

1-4 Oaths that God created man "a most excellent fabric"

5-6 God has made all men vile except true believers

7-8 None may rightly deny the judgment-day[1]

This sura opens by mentioning the fig (the sura's namesake), the olive of Jerusalem, Mount Sinai, and "this city secured" (generally considered to be Mecca)

Muhammad Asad, the author of The Message of The Qur'an comments on these verses:

The "fig" and the "olive" symbolize, in this context, the lands in which these trees predominate: i.e., the countries bordering on the eastern part of the Mediterranean, especially Palestine and Syria. As it was in these lands that most of the Abrahamic prophets mentioned in the Qur'an lived and preached, these two species of tree may be taken as metonyms for the religious teachings voiced by the long line of those God-inspired men, culminating in the person of the last Judaic prophet, Jesus. "Mount Sinai", on the other hand, stresses specifically the apostleship of Moses, inasmuch as the religious law valid before, and up to, the advent of Muhammad—and in its essentials binding on Jesus as well—was revealed to Moses on a mountain of the Sinai Desert. Finally, "this land secure" signifies undoubtedly (as is evident from 2:126) Mecca, where Muhammad, the Last Prophet, was born and received his divine call.

The cosmology of the Qur'an states that God made mankind out of clay. This sura suggests not only this, but that the mould which God used for man was "the best possible". The lowness of the clay has set humanity apart from God; because clay is heavier and more solid than fire, from which the Jinn were made, and light, from which the angels came.

However, not all humanity is condemned to absolute removal from God's company. The passage continues that "those who believe and do what is right will have a reward that will never be cut off". A human life, when perfected, will thus rise above its modest origins, giving the human condition a unique possibility for glory on the Last Day. God's judgment, for Heaven or Hell, cannot be contradicted, for "Is not God the best of judges?"

— Muhammad Asad, The Message of The Quran

Al-Inshirāḥ ( الانشراح, "Solace" or "Comfort"), or ash-Sharḥ ( الشرح, "The Opening-Up of the Breast") [1] is the ninety-fourth chapter of the Qur'an, with eight or verses. Because of its subject matter, length, style, and placement in the Qur'an, this sura is often coupled with Surah ad-Dhuha (Sura 93). They are generally considered to have been revealed around the same time. Al-Inshirāḥ's subject matter seems a continuation of the reassurance and encouragement given in the preceding chapter and so closely resembles it that both these Surah seem to have been revealed in about the same period under similar conditions.

It is an earlier "Meccan surah", which means it is believed to have been revealed in Mecca, instead of later in Medina. It is typically assumed that this sura is referring to the early days of Muhammad's prophethood when he would have been unsure about how his people would receive him

Summary

The passage asks the reader, who is Muhammad specifically, if God has been a comfort and a remover of obstacles. Whatever personal sorrows this may bring to mind, "Surely, with each difficulty there is ease"

This may indeed be the key phrase of this sura; it is repeated in lines 5 and 6

Conversely, the reader is asked to continue their work diligently, even when it grows simple again - for God, Himself is what you are working for.

The aim and object of this Surah too is to console and encourage the Holy Messenger (upon whom be Allah's peace)

Before his call he never had to encounter the conditions which he suddenly had to encounter after it when he embarked on his mission of inviting the people to Islam. This was by itself a great revolution in his own life of which he had no idea in his life before Prophethood. No sooner had he started preaching the message of Islam than the same society which had esteemed him with unique honor, turned hostile to him

The same relatives and friends, the same clansmen and neighbors, who used to treat him with the highest respect, began to shower him with abuse and invective. No one in Makkah was prepared to listen to him; he began to be ridiculed and mocked in the street and on the road; and at every step he had to face new difficulties

Although gradually he became accustomed to the hardships, even much severer ones, yet the initial stage was very discouraging for him. That is why first Surah Ad-Duha was sent down to console him, and then this Surah

In it, at the outset, Allah says: "We have favored you, O Prophet, with three great blessings; therefore you have no cause to be disheartened. The first is the blessing of Sharh Sadr (opening up of the breast), the second of removing from you the heavy burden that was weighing down your back before the call, and the third of exalting your renown the like of which has never been granted to any man before

Further below in the notes we have explained what is implied by each of these blessings and how great and unique these blessings indeed are!

After this, the Lord and Sustainer of the universe has reassured His Servant and Messenger (upon whom be peace) that the period of hardships which he is passing through, is not very long, but following close behind it there is also a period of ease. This same thing has been described in Surah Ad-Duha, saying: "Every later period is better for you than the former period, and soon your Lord will give you so much that you will be well pleased"

In conclusion, the Holy Prophet has been instructed, so as to say, "You can develop the power to bear and resist the hardships of the initial stage only by one means, and it is this: \`When you are free from your occupations, you should devote yourself to the labor and toil of worship, and turn all your attention exclusively to your Lord'."This same instruction has been given him in much greater detail in Al-Muzzammil: 1-9