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 39, Az-Zumar or the Crowds, verses 22-41. In this selection we learn that the Qur'an is consistent in its verses but repeats its teachings in different ways. God has cited every kind of parable in the Qur'an so that people may clearly understand. Lastly, if God intends to harm you, no one can save you and if God intends to bless you, no one can prevent that either.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 39, Az-Zumar or the Crowds, verses 1-21. In this selection, the mushrikeen try to justify their worship of saints by saying, 'they bring us closer to Allah'. On the Day of Judgment, no one shall bear the burdens of another. Believers who cannot practice their faith should immigrate to a place where they can practice. Lastly, no one can be rescued from punishment once the sentence has been decreed by God.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 71, Nüh or Noah, verses 21-28. These verses tell of Prophet Noah's prayer not to leave any unbeliever on the surface of the earth, ie. the Flood. 

Tafseer for this selection concerns the reasons why God used the Flood to purge the unbelievers. Also, a short selection on the Arab Pagan Gods named in verse 23.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 71, Nüh or Noah, verses 1-20. These verses tell of Prophet Noah's preaching and his submission to God after exhausting all his efforts. 

Tafseer for this selection concerns the seven heavens mentioned in verse 15.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection concludes Surah 32, As-Sajdah or the Prostration, with verses 15-30. These verses detail the special reward given to those who spend of themselves out of love and fear for their Lord. Lastly, it links the Qur'an to the Torah, the book given to Prophet Moses.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 32, As-Sajdah or the Prostration, verses 1-14. These verses deal with the Qur'an as revelation to those whom no Prophet has come before. It talks of the creation the heavens and earth and the creation of Man. Furthermore, on the Day of Judgment, it written that the Unbelievers will at last believe and try to repent but that so-called newfound belief will be of no use to them.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 9, At-Tauba or Repentance, verses 43-59, which says those who don't participate in struggle (Jihad) are hypocrites and then lists their excuses. This latter part of Surah At- Tauba was revealed after the Tabūk expedition in the late summer of A.H. 9 (around October 630 AD in the modern Gregorian calendar). 

Tafseer for this selection is a short historical exposition on the Tabūk region of northwestern Arabia.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 9, At-Tauba or Repentance, verses 30-42. These verses assert Jews and Christians, who call Ezra and Jesus the sons of God, respectively, are mushrikeen. Do not be like the rabbis and priests who misappropriate the wealth of people. Four of the 12 months in the Qur'an are declared sacred and God orders the faithful to bear arms against the unbelievers, if necessary.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 37, As-Sãffãt or Those Ranged in Ranks, verses 22-39. These verses recount a scene from the Day of Judgment and a 'treat' for the wrongdoers. There is a dialogue between the followers and the leaders who misled them. 

Tafseer for this selection is a clarification of the first verse, which names the spouses of the wrongdoers as also subject to punishment.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 3, Âli-‘Imrân or the Family of Imran, verses 55-71. These verses contain the Muslim conception of Prophet Jesus' birth, as contrasted with the modern Christian telling. It calls on Jews & Christians to come together over the things they share with Muslims, as Islam is one of the religions of people of Abraham.