Islamica

Surah Al-Qamar


The Moon

Introduction

Name of Chapter and Reason for its Name

This chapter is called Surah Al-Qamar and it has been named ‘The Moon’ because of its opening verse which refers to the miracle of the splitting of the moon performed by Prophet Muhammad due to his nation’s request.

Chapter Number

Surah Al-Qamar is the 54th chapter of the Holy Quran.

Number of Verses

This surah has 55 verses. [1] [2] [3]

Place of Revelation

According to some exegetes, this surah was revealed in Mecca. [4] [5] [6]

Content

Important Concepts in this Surah

Verses 1-8

The initial verses of this surah act as a reminder about the proximity of the Day of Judgement.

Furthermore, they outline Prophet Muhammad’s miracle which was the splitting of the moon – and the adamant rejection of the people of both the holy verses and the Prophet’s message by the opposition - despite their witnessing this Divine phenomenon. [7]

Verses 9-46

The chapter goes on to forewarn the polytheists and enemies about the Holy Prophet. Next, it recounts the narratives of the rebellious nations that have passed, which include the stories of the tribes of Prophets such as: Nuh, Aad, Thamood and Lut; and it also discusses the actions of their people, namely rejecting their Prophets’ invitations to the truth, and their consequences. The Pharaoh’s lineage and his punishment for denying Prophet Musa is also mentioned. Allah then goes on to remind the Prophet that his people are no exception to the Divine retribution; and they too, like those before them, will indeed perish with utmost disgrace if they follow in their predecessors’ footsteps. [8]

Verses 47-55

In the final part of this chapter, the rewards that the believers will be blessed with, and the punishments that the sinful will have to go through in the hereafter are discussed. A brief overview of the results of one’s actions on the Day of Judgement are also mentioned. [9]

Discussions on this Chapter

According to the Sunni Traditions

Benefits of Reciting this Surah

عن رسول‌الله صلی‌الله عليه و سلم: «من قرأ سورة القمر في كل غب‏ بعثه الله يوم القيامة و وجهه مثل القمر ليلة البدر

The Prophet of Allah has said: “Whoever recites Surah al-Qamar every other day, Allah will raise him on the Day of Judgement with his face [shining] like the moon on a night when it is full.” [10]

Verse 49: “Indeed We created everything in a measure.”

إِنَّا كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقْنَاهُ بِقَدَرٍ٤٩ قال ابن أبي حاتم: حدثنا أبي، حدثنا سهل بن صالح الأنطاكي، حدثني قرة بن حبيب عن كنانة، حدثني جرير بن حازم عن سعيد بن عمرو بن جعدة، عن ابن زرارة عن أبيه عن النبي صلی‌الله عليه و سلم أنه تلا هذه الآية ذُوقُوا مَسَّ سَقَرَ إِنَّا كُلَّ شَيْ‏ءٍ خَلَقْناهُ بِقَدَرٍ قال: «نزلت في أناس من أمتي يكونون في آخر الزمان يكذبون بقدر الله»

Ibn Abu Haatim said: “My father narrated to us from Sahl ibn Saalih al-Antaki, from Qurrah ibn Habib, from Kananah, from Jurayr ibn Haazim, from Said ibn Amr, from Ibn Zurarah, from his father from the Prophet that he recited these verses: ‘[it will be said to them,] ‘Taste the touch of hell. Indeed We have created everything in a measure’’ and he said: ‘[These verses] were sent down regarding the people from my nation who will live during the end of times and will deny Allah’s power.’” [11]

Verse 53: “And everything big and small is committed to writing.”

وَكُلُّ صَغِيرٍ وَكَبِيرٍ مُسْتَطَرٌ٥٣ قال الإمام أحمد حدثنا أبو عامر، حدثنا سعيد بن مسلم بن بانك، سمعت عامر بن عبد الله بن الزبير، حدثني عوف بن الحارث و هو ابن أخي عائشة لأمها عن عائشة أن رسول‌الله صلی‌الله عليه و سلم كان يقول: «يا عائشة إياك و محقرات الذنوب فإن لها من الله طالبا»

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal said: Abu Amir narrated to us from Said ibn Muslim ibn Baanik, who heard it from Amir ibn Abdullah al-Zubayr, from Auf ibn al-Harith who was his nephew… to Aisha’s mother… from Aisha that the Prophet of Allah would say: “O Aisha, be careful about the sins which are taken lightly because they will be sought after by someone [in the hereafter] on behalf of Allah.” [12]

According to the Shia Traditions

Benefits of Reciting this Surah

أُبَيُّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ص قَالَ وَ مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ فِي كُلِّ غِبٍّ بُعِثَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ وَجْهُهُ عَلَى صُورَةِ الْقَمَرِ لَيْلَةَ الْبَدْرِ وَ مَنْ قَرَأَهَا كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ كَانَ أَفْضَلَ وَ جَاءَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَ وَجْهُهُ مُسْفِرُ عَلَى وُجُوهِ الْخَلَائِقِ

Abu ibn Kab narrates from the Prophet that: “Whoever recites Surah al-Qamar every other day will be raised on the Day of Judgement with his face [shining] like the moon on a night when it is full. Whoever can recite it every night, it is [even] better. He will come on the Day of Judgement with his face uncovered for the faces of other creations.” [13]

References

  1. ↑ Sayyid Muhammad Husayn Tabatabai, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran (Beirut: Muassasa al-Ilmi li al-Matbuaāt 1988), Volume 19, Page 56
  2. ↑ Fadhl ibn Hasan Tabrisi, Majma al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran (Beirut, Muassasa al-Ilmi li al-Matbuat 1998), Volume 9, Page 307
  3. ↑ Mahmud Zamakhshari, Al-Kashaf an Haqaiq Ghawami d al-Tanzil (Beirut: Dar al-Kitab al-Arabi 1986), Volume 4, Page 431
  4. ↑ Tabatabai, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Page 56
  5. ↑ Fadhl ibn Hasan Tabrisi, Majma al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur’an, Page 307
  6. ↑ Ismail ibn Umar Ibn Kathir Damishqi, Tafsir al-Qur’an al-Azim, (Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyya, 1998), Volume 7, Page 435
  7. ↑ Ismail ibn Umar Ibn Kathir Damishqi, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim, Page 435
  8. ↑ Tabatabai, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Page 86
  9. ↑ Zamakhshari, Al-Kashshaf an Haqaiq Ghawamid al-Tanzil, Page 440
  10. ↑ Ibid., Page 442
  11. ↑ Ibn Kathir Damishqi, Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim, Page 447
  12. ↑ Ibid., Page 450
  13. ↑ Tabrisi, Majma al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Page 307
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