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Al-An’am – At-Tawbah

6. Surah al-An’am(ٱلْأَنْعَام)

The Cattle

This is the 6th Surah according to the arrangement of the Qur’an and 55th Surah according to the order of revelation.  This Surah was revealed in Makkah about one or two years before the Hijrah.  The Surah has 165 verses in 20 sections.

In this Surah the message of Tawhid is highly emphasized.  It contains basic principles of Tawhid.  It gives beautiful description of Allah’s creative power.  It criticizes Shirk and its manifestations. Basic topics discussed here are:

  1. Unity of Allah is the reality in this universe.
  2. Polytheism has no foundation.
  3. Prophet Ibrahim -peace be upon him- preached Tawhid.  Other Prophets also gave the same message.
  4. Allah’s judgment will come and the truth will prevail.
  5. Allah gives right guidance about food and other matters of life.

Introduction to the Sections

  1. Allah created the heaven and earth but the non-believers call others equal to Allah.
  2. Allah’s punishment came upon those who denied the truth.
  3. On the Day of Judgment the Mushrikin will admit their guilt.
  4. Those who deny the Hereafter they are the real losers. Non-believers ridiculed Allah’s Prophets, but in the end the truth prevailed.
  5. Nations were warned before.  Allah did try them in various ways.
  6. Believers should be respected
  7. Allah is the Final judge and He will decide the destiny of the individuals or nations.
  8. Allah’s majesty, power and might
  9. Prophet Ibrahim’s arguments against Shirk.
  10. Other Prophets also gave the message of Tawhid.
  11. Allah’s revelation to His Prophets.
  12. Allah’s signs in the creation.
  13. Allah has no partner, no son.
  14. Arrogance of the non-believers and their opposition to the Prophets. Do not eat the animals slaughtered in the name of any one other than Allah.
  15. Those who plot against Allah, they suffer themselves.
  16. Superstitions of the Mushrikin.
  17. Allah’s gifts for humanity and people’s self-imposed prohibitions.
  18. What are the things that Allah has forbidden?
  19. Universal principles of Islam.
  20. The true religion: prayer, sacrifice, life, death, everything must be for Allah.

7. Surah al-A’raf(ٱلْأَعْرَاف)

The Heights, The Faculty of Discernment

This is the 7th Surah of the Qur’an and according to some authorities it is the 39th Surah according to the order of revelation.  This Surah was revealed in Makkah about a year or two before the Hijrah.  It consists of 206 verses in 24 sections.

The basic theme of this Surah is Risalah, i.e. Allah’s message as it was sent through many messengers. Several Prophets and parts of their stories are mentioned to emphasize Prophets’ mission and their struggle with their people.  The Surah tells us that Allah’s Prophets suffered for the cause of truth. Their enemies tried to harm them, but then Allah helped his prophets and defeated their enemies.  The Surah emphasizes that the true message must be presented under all circumstances. After the Prophets it is the duty of the Believers to convey the message of Allah to all people.

Introduction to the Sections

  1. The Qur’an is revealed to remind the believers and to warn humankind about the consequences of their actions. The judgment will indeed take place.
  2. The story of Man’s creation and Satan’s opposition to Man.
  3. Warning to the Children of Adam to be aware of Satan’s plots.
  4. Allah’s messengers came to guide people.
  5. The end of those who denied the message and those who accepted the message.
  6. Cries of the wicked in the hellfire.
  7. The righteous will prosper.
  8. Some lessons from the story of Prophet Noah -peace be upon him.
  9. Some lessons from the story of Prophet Hud- peace be upon him.
  10. Some lessons from the story of Prophets Salih and Lot -peace be upon them.
  11. Some lessons from the story of Prophet Shu’aib -peace be upon him.
  12. Warnings against those who deny the Prophets and Messengers of Allah.
  13. Prophet Moses -peace be upon him- and his encounter with Pharaoh of Egypt.
  14. Pharaoh and his magicians were defeated.
  15. Pharaoh continued in his persecution of the Israelites.
  16. Some more signs were shown to Pharaoh and his people.
  17. The Torah was given to Prophet Moses- peace be upon him.
  18. Some Israelites started Calf worship.
  19. The Torah and Injil speak about the coming of Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him.  Allah’s promise for those who will follow the last Prophet.
  20. Prophet Muhammad is the Universal Prophet.  Some among the people of Prophet Moses were guided by the truth and lived with justice.
  21. Some Israelites transgressed Allah’s laws and they suffered the consequences.
  22. The eternal covenant of Allah was taken from all human beings.
  23. The coming of the Last Hour
  24. Shirk has no logic. Ignore the wrongdoers, but invite to Allah with kindness.  Listen to the Qur’an and always remember Allah.

8. Surah al-Anfal(ٱلْأَنْفَال)

The Spoils of War

Surah 88 according to the order of revelation.  This is a Madani Surah revealed soon after the Battle of Badr in the 2nd year of Hijrah (or 624 CE). This Surah has 75 verses in 10 sections.

The Surah reminds the Believers to obey Allah and His Messenger and keep their relations good with each other.  It has given rules of war and peace between Muslims and their enemies.  In this Surah, six times Allah has addressed Muslims with “O you who believe” (see vss. 15; 20; 24; 28; 29; 46)

Introduction to the Sections

  1. Commandment relating to the spoils of war.  Battle of Badr
  2. Allah’s help for the Believers in the Battle of Badr.
  3. Believers must always obey Allah and His Messenger.
  4. Only the righteous should be the guardians of the Masjid al-Haram.
  5. The purpose of war and the rules about the distribution of the spoils of war.
  6. Be firm and united in the combat against the enemy.
  7. Victory of the Believers against the unbelievers.  Allah does not change His blessings unless people change themselves.
  8. Be prepared always to defend yourself and your people. Make peace if the enemy is inclined towards peace.
  9. Allah’s promise to help the Believers.
  10. Treatment of the prisoners of war and obligations towards Muslims living among non-Muslims.

9. Surah al-Tawbah

Surah 113 according to the order of revelation.  This is a Madani Surah revealed in the 9th year of Hijrah after the Battle of Tabuk. It has 129 verses in 16 sections.

The basic subjects of the Surah are: The non-believers who broke their treaties, Muslims have no obligation to honor treaties with them.  Muslims must protect themselves from hypocrisy, weak faith and negligence. Battle of Tabuk and its lessons.

Introduction to the Sections

  1. Proclamation that the Treaty of Hudaibiyah is cancelled.
  2. Honor the treaties with those who honor them. Fight with those who have broken the treaty.
  3. Mushrikin are forbidden to be the caretakers of the Masjid al-Haram.
  4. Muslims should trust Allah, not just their numbers.
  5. Jews and Christians also committed Shirk.  Command to spend in the path of Allah.  The correct number of months.
  6. The Tabuk expedition.
  7. Those who stayed behind and did not participate in the Battle of Tabuk, hypocrites and weak in faith.
  8. The proper distribution of charity.  Those who speak ill of the Prophet or make fun of Allah and His Book.
  9. The hypocrite men and women.