The 17 Verses Podcast: Distilling the Qur'an One Day at a Time

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 12, Yüsuf or Joseph, verses 1-20. These verses begin the story of Prophet Joseph, who was sent on a hunting trip with his evil stepbrothers, who threw him into a dark well. He was eventually rescued but sold as a slave in Egypt.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection concludes Surah 53, An-Najm, verses 33-62. These verses reinforce the point that no soul will bear the burdens of another and there will be nothing left for a person except that for which he strove.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 53, An-Najm, verses 26-32. These verses talk of the Angels of God and how they have no share in God's divinity, nor can take action without permission. People are urged not to claim piety for themselves, for Allah knows who is God-fearing and pious. 

Tafseer concerns the female names given to the Angels by the Arab unbelievers, materialists vs spiritualists, and the nature and consequences of good and evil deeds.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 53, An-Najm or the Star, verses 1-25. These verses detail the first revelations of God to Prophet Muhammad told by the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). It also talks about the Prophet's journey to the heavens and lastly, it deals with the Pagan Arab Goddesses - Lât, Uzza and Manât.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection concludes Surah 90, Al-Fajr or the Dawn, verses 15-30. These verses deal with trials and tribulations of Man and how he takes good fortune for granted and mistakenly wails in indignation when things don't go his way when in reality, he did not deserve glad tidings. The Day of Judgment will be too late for him to change his ways.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 90, Al-Fajr or the Dawn, verses 1-14. These verses deal with the mystic symbols which call our attention to God and contrasts them with examples of ancient nations and people who defied the will of God and thus were visited with terrible punishments. 

Tafseer for this 14 verses deals with those mystic symbols.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is the entirety of Surah 96, Al-‘Alaq or the Clinging Clot, verses 1-19. The first part consists of the very first revelation ever sent down to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The second part comes from the period when the Prophet began to perform Salat (or Prayer) in the vicinity of the Ka'bah and Abu Jahl, a Quraysh chief, tried to prevent him by making threats.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection concludes Surah 47, Muhammad, verses 20-38. These verses assert that promises of obedience from the believers which are not followed by action will be cursed by God. God tests the believers in order to reveal those who are valiant and resolute. In case of war, God is on the side of the believers. Lastly, the believers are commanded not to be stingy in giving to the cause of Allah.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 47, Muhammad, verses 1-19. In these verses, Allah voids the deeds of the disbelievers. In case war were declared, thoroughly subdue the unbelievers before taking prisoners of war. If you help the cause of Allah, Allah will help and protect you. Believer do not follow their own desires exclusively. Hypocrites are those on whose heart God has set a seal.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is the entirety of Surah 81, At-Takwïr or the Folding Up, verses 1-29. This Surah serves up a series of graphic images portraying the break-up of the world and the enforcement of personal responsibility for each soul. This is followed by a passage showing how the Qura'nic revelation is true and revealed through the Angel Gabriel. Revelation is given for man's spiritual guidance.