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 19, Maryam or Mary, verses 1-15. These verses recount the story of Prophet Zakariyya and the birth and youth of his son, Yahya, also known as John.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 24, An-Nûr or The Light, verses 27-40. These verses discuss etiquette for entering other people's houses, required behavior in mixed gender settings, marriage, and granting freedom to slaves. Next a series of inspirational passages asserting that Allah is the Light is the heavens and earth, Allah's light is found in places of worship and the deeds of the unbelievers are like a mirage in a sandy desert.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 24, An-Nûr or The Light, verses 1-26. This selection deals with the punishments for both men and women found guilty of sex outside of marriage. It also hands down punishments for men who falsely accuse women of fornication and women who falsely accuse a man of fornication and what to do with accusations of adultery. Lastly, the believers are exhorted not to follow Satan or take part in false accusations and calumny or slande

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah Al-Baqarah or the Cow, verses 60-71. These verses recount several stories of Prophet Moses (pbuh) and the Children of Israel. Included are when Prophet Moses (pbuh) found water by striking a rock, the Israelites' covenants with Allah, punishment for violating the Sabbath, and their attitude toward sacrificing a cow in the name of God.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 2, Al-Baqarah, Verses 40-59. These verses deal with Allah's covenants with the Children of Israel, how God delivered them from Pharaoh and their trials and tribulations afterwards. This includes the period when they worshiped the calf, repented, and then questioned the Lord again.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection concludes Surah 78, An-Nabã’ or the Great News, verses 21-40. These verse discuss the resurrection of the dead and man's accountability in the court of God. The righteous will be well-compensated and the disbelievers will wish that they could turn into mere dust.

Tafseer for this selection concerns the three symbols of the supreme achievement of attaining heaven in verses 32-35.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 78, An-Nabã’ or the Great News, verses 1-20. These short verses posit that the creation of the heavens, earth, mountains and vegetation clearly point towards the Day of Judgment.

Tafseer for this selection concerns the four groups laid out as evidence of Allah and his bounty as well as the Day that the Trumpet shall sound.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is the entirety of Surah 86, At-Tãriq or the Night Star, verses 1-17. This short Surah discusses the protection afforded to every soul in the darkest period of its spiritual history. The physical nature of humankind may be insignificant, but the soul given by Allah must win a glorious future in the end.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is the entirety of Surah 82, Al-Infitãr or the Cleaving Asunder, verses 1-19. This Surah covers three major points - a description as to what will happen on the Day of Judgment; the fact that guardian angels are assigned to each individual, recording each and every action; and finally, Allah Himself will be the Judge on that Day.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 29, Al-‘Ankabüt or the Spider, Verses 14-30. These verses tell the stories of how Prophet Noah and Prophet Abraham faced persecution and ridicule for preaching God's word. Prophet Abraham's nephew, Lot, who became a Prophet himself preached the word of God as well.