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 48, Al-Fath or the Victory, verses 18-29. These verses declare that God was well-pleased with those who swore allegiance to the Prophet before the treaty of Hudaibiyah. Had there not been believers in Makkah, God would have allowed the Muslims to fight against the Quraysh. Next, the vision which the Prophet received of conquering Makkah and lastly, the characteristics of Prophet Muhammad and his followers is laid out.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 48, Al-Fath or the Victory, verses 1-17. These verse speak of the great victory of the early Muslims at Hudaibiyah. And the Bedouins who did not go to war with the Prophet (pbuh) are condemned for lagging behind.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 70, Al-Ma‘ãrij or the Ways of Ascent, verses 1-18. This selection discusses how the Day of Judgment will be equal to 50,000 years and how the sinners will so wish they could save themselves that they would sell out their own kin, to no avail. 

Tafseer for this selection concerns the analysis of Sin in verses 17-18.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection concludes Surah 57, Al-Hadeed or the Iron, with verses 20-29. This selection asserts that our earthly lives are just play and an illusion. We must not grieve for posessions lost, nor be overjoyed at what we gain. It links Prophets Noah, Abraham and Jesus and also speaks of monastic life.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.

Today's selection is from Surah 57, Al-Hadeed or the Iron, verses 1-19. This selection begins with a devotional to Allah, the almighty and wise. It praises those spend of their wealth in charity. It speaks of the Day of Judgment when believers and hypocrites will get their just rewards, respectively, and closes with more praise for those who spent out of their substance in charity.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is the entirety of Surah 60, Mumtahinah or That Which Examines, verses 1-13. This Surah deals with social relations with Unbelievers. A distinction is made between those who persecute you for your Faith and want to destroy you and your Faith and those who those who have no such rancour. For the latter, there is hope of mercy and forgiveness. The question of women and cross-marriages is also dealt with.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 77, Al-Mursalãt or Those Sent Forth, verses 29-50. These verses speak of the Day of Judgement, when the disbelievers will be asked to walk towards the fires of hell and the righteous will be given all they desire. Finally, a warning is delievered to the disbelievers. 

Tafseer explains the double allegory of the "yellow sparks" contained in verse 32-33.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 77, Al-Mursalãt or Those Sent Forth, verses 1-28. In these verses, Allah swears that the Day of Judgment will be established and woe to the disbelievers on that Day. 

Tafseer concerns the parable of life and death mentioned in verses 25 and 26.

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.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 2, Al-Baqarah or the Cow, verses 177-182. These verses give an Islamic definition of righteousness, laws of equality and the commandment of Allah to execute a last will and testament. 

Tafseer for this selection expounds upon using the word equality rather than retribution or retaliation in verse 178 as well as the use of the word "brother" to represent an aggrieved party.