Note: This is post #9 in our series on Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma.

Surah Al-‘Ala is one recited quite often; the Messenger of Allah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to recite it in Witr, and in Jumu’ah, and in ‘Eid; and on days when Jumuah and ‘Eid coincide, people would hear it in ‘Eid, then again a few hours later in Jumu’ah. This indicates the great importance of Surah Al-‘Ala.

One thing you probably didn’t know about this surah–when we say “Subhanna rabbiy al-‘alaa” in sujood, that comes from this verse–because the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) commanded us to do so. This is where it comes from!

Let’s dive into some of the tafseer.

Note: This is post #8 in our series on Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma.

As we continue on our journey through tafseer of Juz Amma, we come across Surah Takweer.  Surah Takweer begins with a description of the Day of Judgement.  What we have to keep in mind as we go through the surahs in chronological order is that these first surahs were teachhing big lessons and getting across major points.  In this Surah Allah t’Ala tells us to think about the bigger picture.  In fact Allah t’Ala shows us what the Day of Judgement will be like.  All of this to help get our minds to focus on the big picture in life.  And what could be bigger than the  Day of Judgement?

Let’s dive into the verses, to understand them more clearly.

Note: This is post #7 in our series of Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma.

Most of us know Surah Lahab. It’s one of the first one Muslim children learn these days. We’re going to breeze through the tafseer, then dive into one of the miracles, and finish up with some Arabic analysis.

Allah says:

تَبَّتْ يَدَا أَبِي لَهَبٍ وَتَبَّ

Note: This is post #6 in our series of Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma, and insha’Allah our last post from Surah Iqraa.

In verses 9 and 10 of Surah Iqraa, Allah says:

أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِي يَنْهَى

عَبْداً إِذَا صَلَّى

Translation: Have you seen the one who forbids a servant when he prays?

The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to make sujood to Allah in the courtyard of the ka’bah in early times in Mecca, and nobody would stop him. Abu Jahl used to get very, very angry. Once, when the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) was doing this, Abu Jahl saw him, and swore he would not let this continue.

Note: This is the 5th post in our series on Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma.

In our last post, we talked about how the human race does taghaa if they see themselves as self-sufficient. Living in western societies, we see this all around us–people racing, fighting, stealing, overworking, to make a few more dollars so that they can “make it.” They buy lottery tickets so they can “make it” and be rich, rich rich!

Note: This is our 4th post in our series of Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma.

Allah says, in ayahs 6-7 of Surah Iqraa:

كَلَّا إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَيَطْغَى

أَن رَّآهُ اسْتَغْنَى

Translation: No! [But] indeed, man transgresses. Because he sees himself self-sufficient. [Surah Iqraa, verses 6-7]

Kalla is a very stern, emphatic warning. If your kid is being bad, you say “laa, laa;” and then they grab something hot off the stove and you say “KALLA!” It’s a very strong negation; the thing it negates is either understood, or mentioned in the previous ayah.

Note: This is the third post in our series of Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma.

From the opening ceremonies, to the first move of world leaders, people like to send a message. The intense revelation of the Qur’an is no different. The timing, style and content, sends a message to the final Prophet (saw) and to all of humanity.

Allah (swt) starts the revelation commanding the Prophet to read “Recite in the name of your Lord who created.” The big statement? It’s all about knowledge. Allah reveals that knowledge will be the way of those who submit to him. Knowledge brings honour to our scholars and courage to our leaders. Knowledge is an Islamic tradition. The carriers of this deen understood and embraced this critical message – they embodied it.

This is the second post in our series of Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma.

The first five ayaat of Surah Iqraa are:

اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ

خَلَقَ الْإِنسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍ

اقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْأَكْرَمُ

الَّذِي عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِ

عَلَّمَ الْإِنسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْ

Word-for-word translations are pretty common these days (like this one, which has Surah Iqraa), so I’m going to touch lightly on that, and do a bit more grammar. Ready? Here goes!

This is the first post in our series of Tafseer of Juz ‘Amma.

Although the story is well-known amongst the Muslims, we will recap the story of the first revelation: Surah Iqraa (also known as Surah ‘Alaq), revealed in Mecca.

Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal (rahimahullah) relates from ‘Aisha (radiallahu ‘anhaa) that the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), for six months before revelation, would see true dreams that would happen the next day–day after day after day, for six months.

Bismillah.

As mentioned in the last post, we’re going to start a series insha’Allah Monday, April 13th on the tafseer of Juz ‘Amma, the 30th juz of the Qur’an.

Here’s what you can expect in the next while:

• The whole juz. As much as possible, I will post gems, points, tafseer, etc. from every single surah in this juz–even if it’s not necessarily the most actionable thing.