Night 22
Surah 34: Saba (“Sheba”) Verses 1-54
Relationship between this Surah and the preceding Surah: Surat Al-Ahzab ends with a reminder of Allah’s freedom to forgive or punish whomever He wills, and Surah Saba begins with an explanation of the power, might, and freedom of Allah SWT.
Place of revelation: Mecca
Summary of the Surah: Surah Saba is primarily about aqeeda, especially the belief in the resurrection.
Description of verses:
1-9 The knowledge and the power of Allah SWT, the polytheists’ denial of the Hour and the resurrection, and the way they mocked the Prophet SAWS
10-21 The blessings of Allah SWT on Dawud AS and Sulaiman AS and the story of Saba
22-54 The uselessness of false gods, the fact that Allah SWT is the Provider and the Judge, the denial of the Qur’an by the polytheists, the conversation between the misguided groups on the Last Day, the scolding of the disbelievers and their false gods, and the reasons for punishing the disbelievers
Surah 35: Fatir (“Originator”) Verses 1-45
Relationship between this Surah and the preceding Surah: Imam As-Suyuti said that these two Surahs came directly after one another because both Surahs begin with praise of Allah SWT.
Place of revelation: Mecca: Another name for this Surah is “The Angels” because it describes how Allah SWT made the angels mediators between Him and His prophets.
Summary of the Surah: Surah Fatir discusses the aqeeda, and the primary theme is evidence of the existence of Allah SWT. This Surah breaks down all of the false claims of the polytheists.
Description of verses:
1-18 Evidence of the divine power of Allah SWT, a reminder of the blessings of Allah SWT, an affirmation of the resurrection, a warning against the Shaytan, some evidence of Allah’s power to resurrect the dead, and evidence of the existence of Allah SWT
19-45 The metaphor of the believer and the disbeliever, the purpose of sending prophets, evidence of the existence of Allah SWT and His power, the response of the scholars to the beauty of Allah’s creation, the reward of those who believe in the Qur’an, the punishment of the disbelievers, their state in the hellfire, Allah SWT scolding the disbelievers for taking false gods, and the denial of the prophethood by the polytheists
Surah 36: Ya-Sin (“Ya-Sin”) Verses 1-27
Relationship between this Surah and the preceding Surah: Surah Fatir ends with Allah SWT telling the disbelievers that He sent them the Prophet Muhammad SAWS, and Surah Ya-Sin begins with an affirmation of the prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad SAWS. Also, both of these Surahs provide strong evidence of the divine power of Allah SWT, and they both highlight the importance of being brave and taking action.
Place of revelation: Mecca
Summary of the Surah: Surah Ya-Sin talks about the creed (the oneness of Allah SWT, His power, the purpose of sending prophets, etc.) Surah Ya-Sin is an emotional Surah that opens the heart, awakens the conscience, and revives the soul. In Sunan Abu Dawud, it is narrated that the Prophet Muhammad SAWS said, “Recite Surah Ya-Sin over your dead.”
Description of verses:
1-27 The Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad SAWS, an affirmation of the prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad SAWS and the story of the people of Antioch
Night 21
Surah 30: Ar-Rum (“The Romans”) Verses 1-60
Relationship between this Surah and the preceding Surah: The first similarity is that both Surat Al-Ankabut and Surat Ar-Rum are Meccan surahs that focus on creed. The second similarity is that Surat Al-Ankabut starts by encouraging people to defend the religion of God, and Surat Ar-Rum begins by promising victory to the believers who defend the religion of God.
Place of revelation: Mecca
Significance of the name: This surah is called Ar-Rum because it begins by telling stories about the victory of the Romans. It is considered one of the miracles of the Qur’an because it foretold certain historical events.
Summary of the Surah: Surat Ar-Rum begins with an affirmation of prophethood and with prophecies of future historical events (the victory of the Roman Empire against the Persian Empire). After that, the surah cites proof of the oneness of Allah, His greatness, and His power to create. Surat Ar-Rum also discusses the false claims of the disbelievers that Allah SWT has partners and contains Allah’s responses to their arguments. Allah SWT informs the disbelievers that these partners will not help them in any way in this life or the next life. Surat Ar-Rum also describes jannah and the hellfire. The surah ends by telling the Prophet Muhammad SAWS the reasons why some of his people weren’t listening to him.
Description of verses:
1-7 Prophecy of the victory of the Romans
8-10 Encouraging people to reflect on the creation of God
11-16 Affirmation of the resurrection
17-19 Praising Allah SWT
20-29 Proof of the greatness and the oneness of Allah SWT
30-32 The command to submit to Allah SWT
33-37 Hypocrisy
38-40 Encouraging the believers to give sadaqa and stay away from unlawful transactions
41-45 The reward of the believers and the punishment of the disbelievers
46-51 Proof of the greatness and the power of Allah SWT
52-53 Reassuring the Prophet Muhammad SAWS that he is not responsible for the disbelievers’ disbelief
54-57 The stages of the creation of man; Resurrection
58-60 The mission of the Qur’an and the command to the Prophet Muhammad SAWS to be patient
Surah 31: Luqman (“Luqman”) Verses 1-34
Relationship between this Surah and the preceding Surah: Both Surat Ar-Rum and Surah Luqman discuss the beginning of the creation and resurrection. In Surat Ar-Rum, Allah SWT describes the stubbornness and the arrogance of the disbelievers, and in Surah Luqman, Allah SWT describes Luqman’s advice to his son not to be arrogant.
Significance of the name: This surah is named after Luqman, a man who was blessed with great wisdom.
Place of revelation: Mecca
Summary of the Surah: Surah Luqman begins by describing the miracle of the Qur’an and people’s various reactions to the Qur’an. The Surah goes on to cite proof of the oneness of Allah SWT and His limitless power over His creation. After that, the surah tells the amazing story of Luqman and the important advice that he gave to his son. After the story of Luqman, Allah SWT scolds the disbelievers for their stubbornness and their ingratitude. Allah SWT informs them that the only path to salvation is submitting to God and being righteous. The surah ends by encouraging people to have taqwa and warning them about the punishment of disbelief. Finally, it affirms Allah’s knowledge of the unseen
Description of verses:
1-9 The characteristics of the Qur’an; Belief in the Qur’an; People’s reactions to the Qur’an
10-11 The creation of the heavens and the earth as proof of Allah’s oneness
12-19 The story of Luqman and his advice to his son
20-21 Scolding the disbelievers for their disbelief
22-24 True submission to Allah SWT
25-32 Affirming the limitless knowledge of Allah SWT and His power to resurrect
33-34 The command to have taqwa and the fact that the knowledge of the unseen belongs to Allah SWT
Surah 32: As-Sajda (“Prostration”) Verses 1-30
Relationship between this Surah and the preceding Surah: Both Surah Luqman and Surat As-Sajda speak about the oneness of Allah SWT, Allah’s power to create, and Allah’s power to resurrect.
Virtue of the Surah: The Prophet SAWS used to recite Surat As-Sajda during fajr prayer on Fridays (Bukhari). There is another narration that the Prophet SAWS would not go to sleep before reciting Surat As-Sajda (Ahmad).
Place of revelation: Mecca
Summary of the Surah: The surah begins by affirming that the Qur’an is, without any doubt, the book of Allah SWT that was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad SAWS. The surah goes on to cite proof of Allah’s oneness, His power, how He manages the universe, how He created man, and how He takes care of man. The surah also describes the status of the believers and the status of those who reject the truth. Finally, the surah ends in the same way that it begins, by affirming the prophethood, resurrection, and the oneness of Allah SWT.
Description of verses:
1-3 Affirming the prophethood
4-9 Proof of the power and might of Allah SWT
10-14 Affirming the resurrection
15-17 The believers in dunya and their reward in the next life
18-22 The reward of the disbelievers and the punishment of those who spread corruption on earth
23-25 The similarities between the Torah and the Qur’an
26-30 Reaffirming Allah’s oneness and His power to resurrect
Surah 33: Al-Ahzab (“The Combined Forces”) Verses 1-73
Relationship between this Surah and the preceding Surah: Surat As-Sajda ends by commanding the Prophet Muhammad SAWS to turn away from the disbelievers, and this surah commands him to have taqwa and not to follow the disbelievers and the hypocrites.
Significance of the name: This surah is called Al-Ahzab because it discusses the battle of the trench and the combined forces from the tribes Quraish and Ghatifan and the Jews of Bane Quraitha who attacked the Muslims in Madina in an attempt to put an end to Islam and kill the Prophet Muhammad SAWS.
Place of revelation: Madina
Summary of the Surah: Surat Al-Ahzab was revealed in Madina, so it focuses on rulings. For example, it outlines social etiquette and puts an end to certain traditions from the age of ignorance before Islam. This surah commands the believers to be conscious of Allah SWT, not to follow the disbelievers and hypocrites, and to follow the revelation of Allah SWT. Surat Al-Ahzab is the only surah in the Qur’an that prohibits adoption, meaning giving one’s name to an adopted child, etc. However, it is important to note that taking an orphan into your home or adopting a child, while being honest with the child about the fact that he or she is adopted, is a virtuous deed that is not only permissible in Islam, but one that will be rewarded by Allah SWT. Surat Al-Ahzab also describes many battles in detail, such as the Battle of the Trench and the Battle of Banu Quraitha.
Description of verses:
1-3 The command of having taqwa and relying upon Allah SWT
4-5 The prohibition of the practice of thahaar and adoption
6-8 The status of the Prophet Muhammad SAWS and his mission
9-27 The Battle of the Trench and the Battle of Banu Quraitha
28-30 Offering the Prophet Muhammad’s wives the choice between this life and the hereafter
31-34 The characteristics of the household of the Prophet SAWS
35 The equal reward of righteous men and women
36-40 The story of Zaid ibn Haritha and Zainab bint Jahsh
41-44 Praising and glorifying Allah SWT
45-49 The mission of the Prophet Muhammad SAWS
50-52 The characteristics of the women that Allah SWT allowed the Prophet Muhammad SAWS to marry
53-55 The etiquette of entering the house of the Prophet Muhammad SAWS and the hijab of his wives
56-58 The greatness of the Prophet Muhammad SAWS
59 The command of covering awrah
60-62 The punishment of the hypocrites
63-68 The threat to the disbelievers on the Day of Judgment
69-71 The prohibition of harming others
72-73 The consequences of human beings accepting the amanah (trust) It was recorded in a hadith that Adam AS asked Allah SWT, “What does the amanah contain?” Allah SWT replied, “If you succeed, you will be rewarded, and if you fail, you will be punished.”