Al-Baqara, alternatively transliterated Al-Baqarah (Arabic: البقرة, ’al-baqarah; lit. “The Heifer” or “The Cow”), is the second and longest chapter (surah) of the Quran. It consists of 286 verses (āyāt) which begin with the “muqatta’at” A.L.M.click the button above to listen to the recitation of these Quranic verses againThe surah encompasses a variety of topics and contains several commands for Muslims such as enjoining fasting on the believer during the month of Ramadan; forbidding interest or usury (riba); and several famous verses such as The Throne Verse, Al-Baqara 256, and the final two or three verses. The surah addresses a wide variety of topics, including substantial amounts of law, and retells stories of Adam, Ibrahim (Abraham) and Musa (Moses). A major theme is guidance: urging the pagans (Al-Mushrikeen) and the Jews of Medina to embrace Islam, and warning them and the hypocrites (Munafiqun) of the fate God had visited in the past on those who failed to heed his call.Sections: The Book of Guidance for those who want to be righteous. The difference between the believers and the non-believers. The hypocrites: their sickness, mischief and self-deception. Mankind, worship Allah alone. Make no partners in Allah’s divinity. The challenge of the Qur’an. This Book will guide many but many will remain in error. The character of those who shall remain in error. The story of the creation of Adam. Allah’s plan and promise to send His guidance from time to time through His prophets. Address to Bani Israel to accept this message. Allah’s covenant must be fulfilled. Warnings to those who stray from the covenant of God. How some from among the Children of Israel turned away from God’s teachings. God’s blessings on the Children of Israel and their transgressions. The real recipients of Divine salvation. The hesitation of Bani Israel in sacrificing the cow. Some perversions of those who were supposed to follow the law of God. Basic principles of God’s Covenant with the Children of Israel. Some of them were arrogant to follow the teachings of their prophets, some rejected the prophets or tried to kill them, some worshipped the calf, disobeyed God’s commands and became too greedy for the life of this world. Opposition and enmity towards the Prophets, following devils and magic. Reminders to the Believers to follow these examples. Stay firm on your principles. Some among the People of the Book will try to mislead you with false claims and assertions. The true guidance of Allah is here. Read the Book of Allah and follow it. The great example of Prophet Ibrahim. He and his son built the Ka’bah and prayed for a Prophet to come. Prophet Ibrahim –peace be upon him- submitted to Allah and this is the message that he and his sons gave to their progeny. The change of Qiblah and the response of the hypocrites and fools. Those who have knowledge know that this is the true Qiblah of all the Prophets. Follow this direction wherever you are. This is the universal Qiblah for all. Believers will be tried but they should be firm and steadfast and must face the trials with patience and prayers. Allah’s signs and His bounties are everywhere. The polytheists and idolaters are misplacing their loyalties. Believers should eat good and permissible food and should never follow the steps of the devil. The true piety and righteousness. Some rules related to the punishment of murderers. The rules of bequests. Fasting and Ramadan: the objective of fasting and some rules. Rules of Hajj, fighting those who expelled Muslims from their homes. No fighting during Hajj, rather seek God’s bounty when you return from Hajj. Appreciate God’s bounties. All human beings were originally one community. Divisions came later. Be generous and defend your self and your faith. Some important questions answered: War in the sacred months, wine and gambling, charity, orphans’ money, divorced women and their situation. The laws of divorce Continuation of the laws of divorce. Rules on the remarriage of the divorced women or the widowers. Further rules of divorce Fighting in the cause of God: Israelites Under the leadership of Prophet David the victory came over the forces of Goliath. Emphasis on charity. To Allah belong everything. His Throne extends to heaven and earth. No compulsion in religion. Allah brings out people from darkness unto light. Allah’s power over life and death, some examples: Prophet Ibrahim’s dialogue with Namrood, a man in the valley of dead (probably Prophet Ezekiel’s vision of Jerusalem), Prophet Ibrahim asks Allah how will He raise the dead to life. Allah’s answer to Prophet Ibrahim. Allah blesses charity: some examples of how Allah blesses charity Emphasis on charity: spend good things, give openly and secretly to the poor and needy. Prohibition of usuary (riba) and its bad effects on individuals and society Some rules on loan transactions Conclusion and prayer: Everything in the heaven and earth belong to Allah, the prayer of the believers.
Surah al-Furqan [The Criterion] takes its name from the first Ayat, تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ “Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion upon His Servant…” [25:1] This Surah has 77 Ayat.Click the button above to listen to the recitation of these Quranic verses againThe 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.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. 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.
Al-Isrāʾ (Arabic: الإسراء; meaning: The Night Journey), also known as Banī Isrāʾīl (Arabic: بني إسرائيل; meaning: The Children of Israel) is the 17th chapter (sūrah) of the Quran, with 111 verses (āyāt).click the button above to listen to the recitation of this Quranic verse againThe word Isra’ refers to the “night journey” of the prophet Muhammad. This surah is part of a series al-Musabbihat surahs because it begins with the glorification of God.This surah takes its name from the first verse which, in Islamic tradition, tells the event of the Isra, the transportation of Muhammad during the night from the Great Mosque of Mecca to what is referred to as “the farthest Mosque”.” The exact location is specified in the Qurran in Arabic words أَسۡرَىٰ بِعَبۡدِهِۦ لَيۡلٗا مِّنَ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡحَرَامِ إِلَى ٱلۡمَسۡجِدِ ٱلۡأَقۡصَا but this is commonly taken to Noble Sanctuary (Temple Mount) in Jerusalem. Some scholars disagree about this (see Isra and Mi’raj) lively . While the city of Jerusalem (or al Quds , Al-Aqsa mosque) is mentioned by name anywhere in the Qur’an,[citation needed] The first verse refers to Mohammed being taken from the ‘Masjid ul-harram’ to the ‘Masjid al-Aqsa’: Glory to (Allah) Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque, whose precincts We (God) did bless,- so that We might show him some of Our Signs: for He is the One Who heareth and seeth (all things).
Surah TaHa takes its name after the disjointed letters from the first Ayat. It has 135 ayat.click the button above to listen to the recitation of this Quranic verse againThe subject matter of the Surah is to assure the Prophet and his followers that the message of the Qur’an will eventually succeed. The story of Prophet Moses is mentioned in detail. Then it is mentioned how the enemies of Islam are opposing it and what will be the consequences of this opposition for them.Sections: Prophet Muhammad is told not to feel distress because of the denial of the unbeleivers. Allah knows everything. Remember the story of Moses. Allah called him to the Prophethood and gave him special signs. Prophet Moses’ prayer. Allah commanded Moses and his brother Aaron to go to Pharaoh and give him the message. Allah mentions His favors upon Moses. Prophet Moses goes to Pharaoh. The challenge with the Egyptian magicians. The defeat of the magicians and then their conversion. Allah saved the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. Prophet Moses goes to Sinai. Samiri misleads the Israelites and they worship the calf. The anger of Prophet Moses. Samiri confessed his evil action and he was punished. The Day of Judgment. No intercession will help without Allah’s permission. The opponents of the Prophet. Devil misleads human beings. Some references to the story of Adam and Iblis. The evil doers will be punished. Be patient and offer regular prayers.
Al-Kahf (Arabic: الكهف, al-kahf; meaning: The Cave) is the 18th chapter (sūrah) of the Quran with 110 verses (āyāt).click the button above to listen to the recitation of this Quranic verse againThere is a hadith in Sahih Muslim that states that Muhammad said (Concerning The False Messiah, Al-Masih ad-Dajjal): “He who amongst you would survive to see him should recite over him the opening verses of Sura Kahf” — Sahih Muslim, Book 41, Number 7015This Surah was sent down in answer to three questions which the polytheists of Makkah in consultation with the People of the Book (the Jews and the Christians) put to the Prophet. These were: Who were ‘The Sleepers of the Cave?’ What is the real story of Khidr? What do you know about Dhul-Qarnain? These three questions and their stories related to the history of the Christians and the Jews and were unknown in the Arabian Peninsula (Hijaz), so they were being used to test the divine knowledge revealed to the Prophet. However, God informed the Prophet of the complete answer to these questions and also employed the stories in the conflict between Islam and unbelief. The questioners were told that the ‘Sleepers of the Cave’ believed in the same doctrine of Monotheism (Tawhid) which was being put forward in the Qur’an and that their condition was similar to that of the persecuted Muslims of Makkah. Also, the persecutors of the Sleepers of the Cave behaved in the same way as the disbelievers of Quraysh towards the Muslims. This particular story was a warning to the chiefs of Makkah, who were persecuting the small newly formed Muslim community. Additionally, the Prophet was instructed not to compromise with the persecutors nor consider the chiefs to be more important than his own followers. Likewise, the chiefs too were admonished and informed not to be distracted by the temporary life of this world but seek the eternal life of the hereafter.
Surah Naml is named after ‘the Ant’ mentioned in (27:18). This is the only mention of ‘the Ant’ in the whole of the Qur’an. There are 93 Ayat in this Surah.click the button above to listen to the recitation of these Quranic verses againThe 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.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.
The Surah takes its name from the Ayat, وَزُخْرُفًا ۚ وَإِن كُلُّ ذَٰلِكَ لَمَّا مَتَاعُ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا ۚ وَالْآخِرَةُ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ “And gold ornament. But all that is not but the enjoyment of worldly life. And the Hereafter with your Lord is for the righteous.” (43:35) There are 89 Ayat in this Surah.click the button above to listen to the recitation of these Quranic verses againThe Surah tells us that the revelation is a mercy from Allah. Allah chooses whosoever He wills to give His revelation. The worldly goods and riches do not necessarily mean that a person is best in the sight of Allah. The real value comes from following the truth and righteousness.Sections: This revelation is given to people in Arabic so that they may understand. The revelation is a mercy from Allah. Shirk and blind following of ancestors are major problems of non-believers. Allah chooses the Prophets and Messengers according to His wisdom. The worldly riches do not mean much in the sight of Allah. Those who forget Allah come under the influence of the Satan. Pharaoh’s response to Prophet Moses. Allah’s punishment came against Pharaoh and his people. Jesus’ Message was also changed by some of his people. The Believers will succeed in the Hereafter.
Al Imran (Arabic: آل عمران, āl ʿimrān; meaning: The Family of Imran) is the third chapter (sūrah) of the Quran with two hundred verses (āyāt).click the button above to listen to the recitation of these Quranic verses againIt is named after Ale-Imran ‘the family of Imran’ – Imran being the grandfather of Jesus [Isa], and the father of Mary [Maryam]. Other than this Surah, Imran is not mentioned in the rest of the Qur’an with the exception of Surah 66: at-Tahreem – ‘Maryam daughter of Imran’ [66:12]. Zahra – The Prophet is reported to have called al-Baqarah and Ale-Imran as ‘Zahrawayn’ [Two Lights (of guidance)]The main topics of this Surah are Tawhid, Prophethood and the truth of the Qur’ an. As Surah al-Baqarah discussed the issues related to Bani Israel, this Surah discusses some issues related to the Christian community and their religious positions. It also discusses the subjects of Hajj, Jihad, Zakat and Riba. It ends, like Surah al-Baqarah, with a profound dua.
