The Holy Quran English Translation by MH Shakir

114 – Al Naas – The Human Beings

Sura Al Naas and Sura Al Falaq are known as Maudhatayn (The two protectors). Both were revealed simultaneously. Between Al Falaq and Al Naas there are 5 ‘sharrs’ (evils – that which cause harm) from which protection is sought. Here the most deadly of them is mentioned – ‘was waas’ – subtle negative whisperings by the greatest of ‘haasid’s’  (jealous one) – Shaytan.

There are 9 inner whispering that cause evil: greed, expectations, worldly desires, acquisition, affliction, pride, belittling others, desire for acknowledgement and admiration and stinginess. Refuge is sought from these in Allah, manifested in different ways – by having trust in Allah, remembering Allah and accountability, recognising less is more, seeing the good in a situation, having humanity, considering the honour of others and having humility and generosity. 

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city

113 – Al Falaq – The Daybreak

Sura Al Naas and Sura Al Falaq are known as Maudhatayn (The two protectors). Both were revealed simultaneously. Between Al Falaq and Al Naas there are 5 ‘sharrs’ (evils – that which cause harm) from which protection is sought.

This sura acknowledges Allah’s power to bring light into the darkness and discusses seeking refuge in Him from the potential of the evil of creation, utter darkness (ignorance), ‘blowing on knots’ (sorcery) and from those who are jealous.

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city

112 – Al Ikhlaas – The Purity of Belief

The constant question of ‘who is Allah?’ Is answered by saying that Allah is: 

‘Al-Ahad’ – The Unique 

‘Al-Samad’ – eternal

One who does not father nor is fathered and 

One who is  incomparable and has no equal. 

The aim is to transcend the relative and submit and fall in love with The Absolute Reality.

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city

111 – Al Lahab – The Flame

Abu Lahab, the father of flames, and his wife are used as an example of people who believed that they were independent of God, He had wealth, power, arrogance and a tongue as hot and sharp as flames. 

They used this to torment the Prophet and destroyed themselves in the process, teaching that by starting a fire harassing others, one can find oneself in one’s own   fire and neither wealth nor power will  assist.

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city

110 – Al Nasr – The Divine Help

The chapter celebrates the unique conquest of Makka where there was no bloodshed, safety for all and the cleansing of the Ka’ba of its idols. The majority of the region’s tribes had converted to Islam.

The chapter therefore begins with the cleansing of the external house (The Ka’ba) and ends with a directive of how to celebrate this victory which can only be done with the purification of the internal house (the heart) with declaring His perfection, gratitude and praise of Divinity and seeking forgiveness. 

We manifest the directive of this sura in the two prostrations in Salaa. In Sajda we declare His perfection with Sub-haan and express our gratitude and praise with His Hamd. In between the prostrations we ask for forgiveness through Istighfaar.

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city

109 – Al Kaafirun – Those Who Cover Up

The whole chapter is a direct address to those who defiantly covered up the truth and rejected Divine guidance. 

It was revealed in response to a proposal from the leaders of Makka, who approached the Prophet and offered a compromise of worshipping each others Gods in alternate years and/or to abandon his religion in exchange for wealth, women and position. The Quraysh did not reject the concept of a Divine Creator but they did not wish to be dictated by Divinity and wished to make up their own rules. 

The Prophet went up to them and addressed them with this chapter, creating a unique identity based on religion (deen – that which one has based his life on).

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city

108 – Al Kawthar – The Positive Abundance

It was a fundamental Arab goal to have sons. Father and sons would raid other tribes. Fathers considered their daughters a burden because they could not fight and risked falling into enemy hands, which would tarnish the tribes honour. This mindset caused the Makkan men to assume that Islam would endure only in name after the Prophet’s death as he had no son to protect his legacy. 

The Prophet (pbuh) had a son called Ibraheem, born to Maria Qibtiyya who died when he was 18 months old. His two sons from Sayyida Khadija (Qasim & Tahir) had also died in infancy. Some people including his uncle Abu Lahab taunted him, calling him ‘Abtar’ which means an animal without a tail – one who had no succession. 

The pain of losing his son was extenuated by those who celebrated saying his legacy would die with him. This chapter was revealed in reply to those who taunted the Prophet (pbuh) and gives consolation to him and expounds on the immense favours given to him which would be timeless and immeasurable. His succession and legacy  of the Ahlulbayt through Sayyida Fatima, the Qur’an and the stream of Kawthar in Janna.

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city

107 – Al Maa’un – The Smallest Act of Kindness

The chapter takes its name from the word Maa’un in the last verse which means ‘the plate upon which food is served’ and in its broader sense any act of kindness, charity or assistance. 

A narration states that Abu Sufyan was in the habit of slaughtering two camels every week. One day an orphan came asking him for something and he responded by hitting him with a stick. The chapter admonishes those who do not themselves feed the needy and those who encourage others not to either. 

If they do pray or do good it is only to increase their reputation. 

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city

106 – Al Quraysh – The Quraysh

Al Quraysh is a Makki chapter which takes its name from the people of Makka. The first two verses are a reminder to the Quraysh of the blessings they have received from Divinity as a means of sustenance. 

The last two verses provide the central theme of the chapter in submitting to Divinity from whom all prosperity and protection comes. 

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city 

105 – Al Feel – The Elephant

The chapter takes its title from the discussion of the companions of the elephant whose destruction it relates. 

The general who ruled Yemen named Abraha, had built an opulent  church in Sana’a in order to divert pilgrims from the Ka’ba in Makka. A narration states that a few members of the Quraysh had gone to Yemen and defiled the church. 

 When the the visitations to the Ka’ba were not abandoned, he sent an army with an elephant to destroy the Ka’ba. Divinity protected the Ka’ba by sending a swarm of birds that pelted the army destroying them.  

This chapter and the next (Al Quraysh 106) are a pair which together are a warning to the Quraysh that they were protected not because of their status but because Allah wished to protect the Ka’ba and to make way for the coming of His final messenger.

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city 

104 – Al Humazaa – The Backbiters

The chapter takes its title from the condemnation of every slandering backbiter in the first verse. 

It is  a personality trait of one who amasses wealth  and is overly concerned with others; finding flaws or making them up to cover his own weaknesses and insecurities. 

The chapter ends with the punishment that awaits the one who destroys another character and integrity for personal gain.

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city 

103 – Al ‘Asr – The Time

Time is the greatest evidence of loss and the witness of one’s life works. Time is the object of the oath. The sura encapsulates success in three verses.

Successful time management is described as:

• • • • • • • Having faith in Divinity.

            • Manifesting the faith as good deeds (serving humanity).

            • Counselling one another to the truth (the right thing to do).

            • Counselling one another to persevere and patience
              (in standing for the truth).

The word wa (which means ‘and’) between each of the 4 conditions denotes that all four are necessary for success. When the companions of the Prophet (pbuh) used to meet one another, they only departed until one of them recited Suratul  ‘Asr to the other and they bid peace upon one another. They did not want to forget or become heedless of the essential message of success.

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city 

102 – Al Takaathur – The Negative Abundance

The chapter takes its title from the first verse which begins with the distraction from reality that the competition of wanting more wealth and children does. Historically  it referred to the clans of the Quraysh who competing with each other even counted their dead to prove that they were greater in the size of their clans.

The first two verses speak of the delusion of hoarding wealth whilst the remaining verses promise that those who persist in such behaviour will bear the consequences of the fire with certainty. 

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city 

101 – Al Qaariaah – The Calamity

The chapter begins with the total chaos on the day of judgement starting with the disturbing noise of an explosion which will send shock waves. Human beings will be confused and dispersed like moths and all stability will be lost (metaphor of mountains becoming weightless like carded wool).

The last six verses contrast the recompense of one whose scales are heavy with good deeds to the one whose scales are light. 

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city 

100 – Al ‘Aadiyaat – The Competing Horses

The sura begins with five oaths by various forms of charging horses which was an attention seeking scenario. Their passion was battle horses in battle just as today there is fast car racing. 

The next three verses discuss the human being and his ingratitude towards Allah. The focus is that the  human being is motivated when it comes to competing in worldly endeavours but there is a lack of motivation in pursuing humanitarian and spiritual ventures.

The last three verses warn that Allah is aware of all things and that on the day of judgement one will have to answer for what lies within one’s chest. 

Begins with one who doesn’t care about consequences – ends with Divinity’s  awareness of all intentions and actions.

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city 

099 – Al Zilzaal – The Earthquake

The chapter takes its name from the reference to the repeatedly violent shaking of the earth in the first verse after which it will expel all her burdens as ordered by Allah.

The last three verses detail the final judgement in which every good and evil deed will be exposed. 

The Prophet said; ”Be aware of the sins that are belittled, for indeed they will be taken into account by Allah.”

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city 

098 – Al Bayyina – The Clear Evidence

The chapter begins with an assertion that those who covered up the truth will not stop opposing the Prophet until there was clear indisputable evidence. 

Divinity responds with Bayyina (Undisputable clear evidence) which is a flawless  Prophet reciting Divine signs with such clarity that  there was no room for ambiguity.

The chapter ends contrasting the fate of those who covered up the truth and opposed to the `prophet to those who believed. 

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city 

097 – Al Qadr – The Measure / Decree

The sura focuses on the night of Qadr which is the inauguration of the revelation of the Qur’an when a speck of Divinity came down to the earth. The Qur’an was revealed on the night of Qadr as a whole to the Prophets heart (26:193,194)  and then piecemeal over the next 23 years as the occasion demanded. The magnitude of the Message, the Messenger and the Time of the message is immeasurable. 

The night is  described to be better than an 1000 months which is figuratively better than a lifetime. The angelic forces bring limitless opportunities with the heart of the human being opening according to his capacity and his aspirations to reach his full potential. All affairs for the year are decreed on that night  and there is peace (a realisation of safety and serenity in both the worlds)  on this night until daybreak. It is said to be any odd night in  the last 10 days of Ramadhan, with greater emphasis on the 23rd night.

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city 

096 – Al ‘Alaq – The Clot Which Clings

The chapter begins with the first five verses revealed to the Prophet through the angel Jibraail in the cave of Hira on the mountain of light where he used to go to meditate. This began the journey of the revelation of the Qur’an. 

The chapter starts with an exhortation of reading, learning and writing for closeness to Allah is only achieved through knowledge and understanding. It continues  with the cause of rebelliousness which is arrogance and a lack of intellectual humility when approaching Divine words. 

A historical example of one who perceived himself to be independent of Divinity follows with the consequences of his actions. 

Finally the sura ends with the order to prostrate in total submission. This is an obligatory sajda of recitation (verse 19).

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city 

095 – Al Teen – The Fig

Among the Arabs of that era, figs and olives held a distinguished and unique place. The fig tree and the olive tree are both known for their resilience. The chapter’s first two oaths point out that these plants have the best ‘taqweem’ (best of moulds) to rise, be strong and grow in perfection.

Mt Sinai and Makka in the next two oaths are the regions from where most of the Prophets (best of human beings). The conclusion to the oaths follows  in  that the human being has been created in the best of moulds (taqweem which connotes a state of growing, rising and perfection) but can descend to be the lowest except for those who believe and manifest their belief in serving humanity – a message similar to Suratul ‘Asr (103). The reward is in proportion to the ascension.

The chapter ends with reminder that Allah’s ‘hukm’ is the law and order he has devised for human beings and we will reap what we sow.

Sura Introduction from: https://qfatima.com/quran-city/a-journey-through-quran-city