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 36 (Yâ-Sin), Verses 33-50. These verses assert that Allah has created all things in pairs, the fact that day, night, sun and moon are all regulated by Allah and finally the disbelievers' attitude towards spending in the cause of Allah. 

Tafseer deals with the phrase, "withdrawing the day from the night" in verse 36.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. Today's selection is from Surah 36, Yâ-Sin, verses 1-32, which reveals that the Qur'an was sent as a warning to those who fear Allah and seek forgiveness. An example is given of the time when Allah sent three Prophets to one town but the entire town rejected them except one man. It is told Allah blessed that believer with paradise and destroyed the wicked who opposed God.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 23, Al-Mu'minun or the Believers, verses 23-50. These verses recount how God sent Prophet Noah to guide his people and then drowned all the disbelievers in the great flood. Afterward, God sent Prophet Hüd whose people were destroyed by a mighty blast after calling him an impostor. After Hüd, God sent Prophet Moses to minister to the Pharaoh of Egypt and his chiefs.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 23, Al-Mu'minun or the Believers, verses 1-22. These verses cover the characteristics of true believers, the creation of humanity and the purpose of heaven and earth.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 15, Al-Hijr or the Rocky Tract, verses 16-44. These verses assert that Allah created and decorated the heavens and created everything suitable for human life on Earth. Next is told the story of Adam's creation, how the Angels kneeled before Adam, except for Iblis or Satan. He and his followers are destined for Hell.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 15, Al-Hijr or the Rocky Tract, verses 1-15. These verses discuss how, on the Day of Judgment, the unbelievers will wish that they themselves were Muslim and that Allah has taken personal responsibility for preserving the Qur'an. 

Tafseer for this selection regards the name of this Surah - Al Hijr or the Rocky Tract.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 3, Âli-‘Imrân or the Family of Imran, verses 21-41. These verses warns Jews and Christians of being deceived by their own self-invented beliefs. It prohibits taking disbelievers as protectors and commands the people to follow and obey Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It recounts the birth and life of Maryam, mother of Prophet Jesus and the prayers of Prophet Zakkariyah to grant him a son, who was then named Yahya (or John).

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. Today's selection is from Surah 3, Âli-‘Imrân, or the Family of Imran, verses 1-20. This section deals with the revelation of the Torah, the Gospels and the Qur'an. It talks about the decisive and allegorical nature of the verses, the excuses which people feel will save them from the hell-fire, the Battle of Badr as one of the main signs of Allah's favor, and the comforts of this life vs the Al-Akhirah or the Hereafter.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 2, Al-Baqarah, Verses 21-39. These verses detail the rewards for believers, how Allah might use a gnat as a parable which only believers will understand, and the story of Adam and his fall from grace and subsequent repentance.

As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters. 

Today's selection is from Surah 2, Al-Baqarah or the Cow, verses 1-20. In these first verses, the Qur'an is introduced as a guide for those who are conscious of God. Next proceeds a discussion of hypocrites and the consequences of their actions, concluding with examples of the hypocrites' deeds.