Al-Mu’minoon – Al-Ahzab – Al-Azmi Academy

23. Surah al-Mu’minun(ٱلْمُؤْمِنُون)

The Believers

This is an early Makki Surah revealed about 6-7 years before the Hijrah. It has 118 verses in 6 sections.

In this Surah people are invited to accept and follow the Prophet. This is the central theme of the Surah. It speaks about the character of true believers and assures that they will be the real successful people. It draws attention to various stages of human creation, to many other universal signs. Then it takes some of the stories of other prophets and tells us that they also preached the same message.

Introduction to the Sections

The character of the Believers. Various stages of human creation and Allah’s signs in the universe.
The Message of Prophet Noah, his people’s response and then the flood.
Generations were raised after Prophet Noah. Many prophets were sent among them. Then came Prophet Moses and Aaron and then came Jesus -peace be upon them all.
All prophets are one Ummah and preached the same religion. Those who are affluent think that they are also the righteous people, but the righteous are only those who do the good deeds.
Everything in the heaven and earth belongs to Allah.
Prophet’s job is to continue presenting the message of Allah. This life is the only chance. The life has a purpose.

24. Surah al-Nur(ٱلنُّور)

The Light

This is a Madani Surah revealed around the 6^th year of Hijrah after the Battle of Mustaliq. It has 64 verses in 9 sections.

This Surah contains many rules for the development of a society based on righteousness and morality. It talks about male-female relations, rules of proper dress for Muslim women, rules for the punishment of adultery and punishment of those who accuse others of adultery or fornication.

Introduction to the Sections

Punishment of adultery. Rules of testimony in the case of adultery.
The false rumors against Syidah ‘Aisha -may Allah be pleased with her.
Beware of those who slander pious chaste women.
Rules about entering others homes, proper dress, help those who are single to get married.
The light of Allah and the struggle between light and darkness.
Everything in the heaven and earth glorifies Allah.
Believers must obey Allah and His messenger. Allah’s promise to the Believers to establish them in the land.
Rules of privacy for men and women, at home and outside.
Especial respect of the Prophet and Believers’ duties towards him.

25. Surah al-Furqan(ٱلْفُرْقَان)
The Criterion, The Standard, The Standard of True and False

This is a Makki Surah revealed around the middle Makkan period about 6-7 years before the Hijrah. It has 77 verses in 6 sections.

The Surah answers some of the objections of the non-believers against the Qur’an and the teachings of Islam. It also presents the character of the Believers as criteria to prove the truth of Islam.

Introduction to the Sections

Prophet Muhammad came as a Warner for the whole world. The evil of Shirk. The objections of those who denied the Prophet and his message.
The Punishment of those who deny Allah and His message.
Non-believers’ demand to see the angels or Allah. Non-believers say why the whole Qur’an was not sent down at once.
Examples of the people of Prophets Moses, Aaron, Noah and ‘Ad, Thamud and the People of al-Rass (probably a town in Yamamah).
Examples from the natural world: shadows, night and day, winds of rain, oceans with two different types of waters, creation of human beings, creation of the heaven and earth in six days.
The character and qualities of the most faithful servants of Allah.

26. Surah al-Shu’ra'(ٱلشُّعَرَاء)
The Poets

This is a Makki Surah revealed in the middle Makkan period about 6-7 years before the Hijrah. It has 227 verses in 11 sections.

The non-believers were asking for signs to prove that the Qur’an was the word of Allah. Allah mentioned many signs both in nature and in history. Stories of many prophets are also mentioned to indicate that all prophets presented basically the same message.

Introduction to the Sections

Allah has power to bring down the mightiest sign, but here is a test for people. This wonderful creation is a sign itself for those who want to learn.
Signs were shown to Pharaoh.
Pharaoh’s magicians and Prophet Moses.
The exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. The sea splitting and giving the way.
Prophet Ibrahim’s struggle against idolatry.
Prophet Noah and his people.
The ‘Ad and the Prophet Hud –peace be upon him.
The Thamud and the Prophet Saleh –peace be upon him.
Prophet Lot –peace be upon him- and his people.
Prophet Shu’aib –peace be upon him- and his people.
The Qur’an is the message from the Lord of the worlds. It is neither from devils nor do they have any clue of this message. It is not poetry of the poets. It is a serious message with eternal consequences.

27. Surah al-Naml(ٱلنَّمْل)

The Ant, The Ants

This a Makki Surah. It was probably revealed soon after the previous Surah. It has 93 verses in 7 sections.

The theme of the Surah is divine guidance in history. Allah sent His Prophets to different people. Some accepted them and were guided, while others denied them and they saw the consequences of their denial. The Surah also contrasts between the principles of tawhid and shirk.

Introduction to the Sections

The Qur’an is from the All Wise and All-knower. How did Prophet Moses received the message of Allah. Allah gave Moses many signs but Pharaoh and his people denied them.
The knowledge and power that Allah bestowed on Prophets David and Solomon. What kind of character they had.
Queen of Saba’ and her submission to Prophet Solomon.
The response of Thamud to Prophet Saleh’s message. Also the example of the people among whom Prophet Lot was sent.
The contrast between the tawhid and shirk. Allah or the so-called gods of Shirk.
The surety of Resurrection.
The coming of the Day of Judgment.

28. Surah al-Qasas(ٱلْقَصَص)
The Narrations, The Stories, The Story

This is a Makki Surah revealed most probably after the previous Surah in the middle Makkan period. The Surah consists of 88 verses in 9 sections.

The basic theme of this Surah is the prophethood. Some aspects of the life of Prophet Moses -peace be upon him- are mentioned to show the similarity between him and Prophet Muhammad –peace be upon all the prophets of Allah. There are also answers here to the questions and doubts that were raised by some non-believers.

Introduction to the Sections

Story of Moses and Pharaoh is related. Pharaoh was persecuting the Israelites. Allah wished to show his favor to the oppressed people. Birth of Moses and then his growing up in Pharaoh’s own palace.
Moses’ encounter with an Egyptian and his escape to Madyan.
Moses’ marriage in Madyan.
Moses receives Prophethood and especial signs from Allah. His appearance before Pharaoh. Pharaoh’s denial and then Allah’s punishment for him and his armies.
The Prophet relating these stories by inspiration from Allah and for a purpose.
Allah’s guidance is continuos.
The message of Islam is tawhid.
The story of Qarun: his character and his end.
Allah’s promise for the Believers.

29. Surah al-‘Ankabut(ٱلْعَنْكَبُوت)
The Spider

This is a Makki Surah. It was probably revealed in early Makkan period before the migration to Ebyssinia. It has 69 verses in 7 sections.

This Surah reminds the Believers to be strong in their faith and not to give up their faith because of hardship or family pressures. Stories of previous Prophets and their followers are also mentioned here to show that the path of truth is not an easy path. It has trials and hardships.

Introduction to the Sections

Tests and trials are part of faith.
Examples of Prophets Noah and Ibrahim -peace be upon them.
Example of Prophet Lot –peace be upon him.
Example of Prophet Shu’aib. References to the people of ‘Ad, Thamud, Qarun and Pharaoh. Message of Prophet Moses -peace be upon him. Spider web of Shirk.
Give the message of Allah in the best way.
Warnings to the non-believers.
The truth will succeed. Allah guides the steps of those who follow the right path.

30. Surah al-Rum(ٱلرُّوم)

Rome, Byzantium

This is a Makki Surah and it was revealed about 5 years after the Prophethood, in the same year in which the first Hijrah to Ebyssinia took place. The Surah has 60 verses in 6 sections.

The Surah reminds us that Allah is in control of everything. Those who are short sighted they see only what is apparent but they do not realize that there is a Creator and Master of this whole universe and it is He who is governing everything. Final decision is in Allah’s hand. The Akhirah will take place and the truth will prevail.

Introduction to the Sections

The defeat of the Romans and then later their victory is foretold.
Creation and Resurrection belong to Allah. Glorify Allah at different times of the day.
The signs of Allah in nature.
The true religion corresponds and enhances the nature. Teachings of the religion of nature: tawhid, care of the family and relatives, economic justice and charity.
Corruption caused by human beings. Evidence of corruption in history. Evidence of resurrection in nature.
The Day of Resurrection.

31. Surah Luqman(لُقْمَان)

Luqman

This is an early Makki Surah, revealed perhaps before the Surah al-‘Ankabut. It has 34 verses in 4 sections.

In this Surah Tawhid is emphasized and Shirk and its ideas are critically examined. It tells us that those who are following Shirk they are only blindly following their forefathers. The true wisdom is to believe in Allah. The advises of Luqman the wise are also given here to support the same principles.

Introduction to the Sections

Qur’an is a book of guidance and mercy for all people.
The advises of Luqman the wise man.
Signs of tawhid in the heaven and earth. Shirk or polytheism has no basis.
In crisis people turn to the Real God. Let not the things of this world deceive you. All knowledge belongs to Allah.

32. Surah al-Sajdah(ٱلسَّجْدَة)
The Prostration, Worship, Adoration

This is a Makki Surah revealed in the middle Makkan period. It has 30 verses in 3 sections.

The Surah discusses some of the doubts and arguments of the non-believers against the principles of Tawhid, Risalah and Akhirah. It invites human beings to think and reflect on their own selves and on the nature surrounding them. Every thing points that there is a Wise and Powerful Creator for this universe. He has not created all this phenomenon in vain. The creation has a purpose.

Introduction to the Section

The Qur’an is from the Lord of the Worlds. Allah created this whole universe. He created human beings, but some human beings deny the resurrection.
The difference between the Believers and non-Believers.
The Mission of Prophet Moses -peace be upon him. Take lessons from the history of other nations. Signs of resurrection in nature.

33. Surah al-Ahzab(ٱلْأَحْزَاب)
The Clans, The Confederates, The Combined Forces

This is a Madani Surah revealed sometime in the 5^th year of Hijrah. It has 73 verses in 9 sections.

The Surah deals with a number of social and political issues. It talks about the practice of child-adoption, some marriage customs, battle of Ahzab and Bani Quraizah, social issues related to Hijab of Muslim women. It also talks about the hypocrites and their conduct in the society.

Introduction to the Sections

The custom of adoption and Islamic instructions about it. Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him- is dearer to the believers than their own selves.
The Battle of Ahzab and the way of the hypocrites.
The excellent role model of the Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him.
The household of the Prophet, his pious wives.
Allah’s rewards for the Believing men and women. Prophet’s marriage with Zainab. The finality of the Prophethood.
Prophet Muhammad -peace be upon him- is sent as a witness, a bearer of glad tidings and Shining Lamp. The marriages of the Prophet: certain privileges and restrictions.
Rules of conduct in domestic relations.
Rules of Hijab, Warnings to the hypocrites, the Last Hour.
Believers must speak right. The burden of trust assumed by the human being.

Al-Mu’minoon – Al-Ahzab