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

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection concludes Surah 29, Al-‘Ankabüt or the Spider, verses 31-44. These verses tell of how the people of Prophet Lot and the nations of 'Ad, Thamüd and Madyan as well as the Pharaoh of Egypt and his people rejected the Messengers of God and were destroyed as a result. Also told is the parable of those who take protectors other than God.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is the entirety of Surah 95, At-Tin or The Fig, verses 1-8. This Surah appeals to four sacred symbols to show that God created man in the best of molds but that man is capable of the utmost degradation unless he has Faith and leads a good life. 

Tafseer concerns the four sacred symbols mentioned in verse 1-3.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is the entirety of Surah 92, Al-Lail or the Night, verses 1-21. This Surah identifies two different ways of life and explains the contrast between their ultimate ends and results. It is stated that these two modes of action, cannot be alike in respect of their results. 

Tafseer for this selection concerns the complementarity of the sexes.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 26, Ash-Shu‘arã or the Poets, verses 123-140. These verse talk of Prophet Hüd and his mission to his people, the 'Ad and the destruction of the disbelievers.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 26, Ash-Shu‘arã or the Poets, verses 105-122. These verses relate the story of Prophet Noah, his dialogue with his people and the subsequent destruction of the disbelievers. I chose this selection because Prophet Noah's story is about starting over. Maybe you can't destroy every bad thing in the world but think about starting over, how you can purge negative influences and make your life better, spiritually and otherwise.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 2, Al-Baqarah or the Cow, verses 183-196. These verses concern fasting and prayer, as well as issues of defending one's faith from aggressors during the month of Ramadan.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection contains the entirety of Surah 85, Al-Burüj or the Constellations, verses 1-22. This Surah talks of the persecution of Allah's votaries or devoted followers. God watches over His own and will deal with the enemies of Truth as He dealt with them in the past. 

Tafseer for this Surah concerns the Zodiac signs or constellations mentioned in verse 1 and makers of the pit of fire in verse 4.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection concludes Surah 24, An-Nûr or The Light, verses 58-64. These verses discuss the etiquette of seeking permission to the enter the rooms of married couples, eating at houses other than your own and the requirement to attend meetings which require collective action.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 24, An-Nûr or The Light, verses 41-57. These verses declare that everything in the heavens and earth glorifies and praises Allah. Those who claim to be true believers must demonstrate it through their actions as well. True believers respond to their Lord and his Messenger by saying, "We hear and we obey!"

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection concludes Surah 36 (Yâ-Sin), Verses 68-83. These verses assert that the Qur'an is a intended to warn those who are alive and establish a charge against the unbelievers. Allah will give life to Man again to hold him accountable on the Day of Judgment for his actions.