Chronologically this Surah and the five that follow (Surah 11-15) are closely connected, and were revealed in the late Makkan period, as the great event of the Hijrah was gradually approaching down the stream of Time. The present group leads us to the questions that face us when external hostility has been met, and our relations to Allah have to be considered from a higher standpoint than that of self-preservation. How does revelation work? What is the meaning of divine grace and its withdrawal? - How do the Messengers of Allah deliver their Message? How should we receive it? All these...

Aggressive hostility to Faith and Truth should be fought firmly, and Allah will guide. Faint-heartedness condemned; those who strive and those who turn away will be sorted out. Victory comes from cool courage, devotion, faith, and patience, as shown at Hudaybiyah; therefore remember Allah, and follow His Prophet. Its subject matter is the manners to be observed by the members of the rapidly-growing Muslim community, among themselves and towards its Leader. The keyword "Hujurat" (Chambers) occurs in verse 4. Its date is referred to the Year of Deputations, A.H. 9, when a large number of...

Surah Isra opens with the mystic Vision of the Ascension of the Holy Prophet; he was transported from the Sacred Mosque (of Makkah) to the Farthest Mosque (of Jerusalem) in a night and shown some of the Signs of Allah. The majority of Commentators take this Night Journey literally, but allow that there were other occasions on which a spiritual Journey on Vision occurred. Even on the supposition of a miraculous bodily Journey, it is conceded that the body was almost transformed into spiritual fineness. The Hadith literature gives details of this Journey and its study helps to elucidate its...

Surah Qasas emphasises new points: how the recipient of inspiration is prepared for his high destiny, even in the growth of his ordinary life, and how the rejection of Allah's Message by groups of men or by individuals is caused by overweening arrogance or avarice. The plight of those who reject the Truth is contrasted with the reward of the righteous. Surah Ankabut is the last of the series began with Surah 17, in which the growth of the spiritual man as an individual is considered, especially illustrated by the way in which the great Prophets were prepared for their work and received their...

This is the seventh and last Surah of the series devoted to Revelation and hereafter. It belongs to early Makkan period, with the possible exception of one or two verses. The theme of this Surah is the certainty of the day of Judgement and its adjustment of true Values (56:1-56); Allah's Power, Goodness and Glory (56:57-74); and the truth of Revelation (56:75-96). When the Day of Judgement comes, the world as we know it will be shaken to its foundation, and men shall be sorted out into three sorts; those nearest to Allah, in exalted Misery (56:1-56). Surely the power and Goodness of Allah, of...

The fourth verse contains the memorable declaration; "This day have I perfected your religion for you" which was promulgated in 10 H., during the Prophet's last Pilgrimage to Makkah. Chronologically it was the last verse to be revealed. Summary- Beginning with an appeal to fulfil, as sacred, all obligations, human and divine, it points to certain regulations about food, as conducive to a sober and social life, without superstition and without bias or hatred (5:1-5).Cleanliness of body, and justice and uprightness of dealing are nearest to Piety (5:6-11). If the Jews and Christians turned back...

This is a Surah of the late Makkan period. The greater part of this Surah was revealed entire. Summary- The nature of Allah and the method by which He reveals Himself are first expounded, and the weakness of Paganism is exposed (6:1-30).The emptiness of this world's life is contrasted with the evidence of Allah's wonderful handiwork in all Creation. It is He who holds the keys of the Unseen and secrets of all that we see (6:31-60). Allah's working in His world and His constant care and guidance should give a clue to His unity as it did to Abraham when he argued with those who worshipped false...

In this chapter we have the lessons of the Battle of Badr enforced in their larger aspects; the question of war booty; the true virtues necessary for fighting the good fight; victory against odds; clemency and consideration for one's own and for others in the hour of victory. As regards booty taken in battle, - the first point to note is that that should never be our aim in war. It is only an adventitious circumstances, a sort of windfall. - Secondly, no soldier or troop has any inherent right to it. A righteous war is a community affair, and any accessions resulting from it belong to Allah,...

All false pretences, especially those that degrade a woman's position, are condemned---as well as secret consultation between men and intrigues with falsehood, mischief, and sedition. The expulsion of the treacherous Jews from the neighbourhood of Madinah was smoothly accomplished; their reliance on their fortified positions and on the faith of their allies in treachery proved futile. But the internal bonds in the Ummah were strengthened. Such is the wisdom of Allah, Lord of the Most Beautiful Names, The enemies of your Faith, who would exterminate you and your Faith, are not fit objects of...

This is a series of seven Surahs (40-46) to which are affixed the Abbreviated Letters Ha Mim. Chronologically they all belong to the same period, the later Makkan Period, and they immediately follow the last Surah in time. As to the precise meaning of Ha Mim no authoritative explanation is available. If Mim here has a signification similar to Mim in Alif, Lam, Mim, it means the End of things, the Last Day, and all these Surahs direct our special attention to that Ha, the emphatic guttural, in contrast with the softer breathing of Alif, may be meant to suggest that the Beginning is only for...