Containing the full Arabic text of the Qur'an, an accompanying Urdu translation. This translation by Maulana Fateh Mohammad Jalandhari is considered as one of the most authentic by Muslim scholars and is the most widely read translation by Urdu-speaking Muslims.
Period of Revelation
It is one of the very earliest Revelations. In fact, we learn from authentic Traditions that it was the first complete S urah revealed to the Prophet (pbuh). Before this, only a few miscellaneous verses were revealed which form parts of S urah 'Alaq, Muzzammil and Muddaththir.
Major Issues, Divine Law and Guidance:
- This Surah is known as Sab'a Mathani (Seven Oft-Repeated Verses).
- It is also called Umm-ul-Kitab (Mother of the Book), foundation and essence of the Qur'an.
- It is a mandatory part of each Islamic Prayer (Salah), recited at least seventeen times daily in the five obligatory prayers.
- This Prayer is taught by Allah (Almighty God) Himself to mankind, as a favor, to let them know the format of a Prayer which is acceptable to Him.
Theme
This Prayer is for all those who want to study His Message. It is placed at the very beginning to teach the reader that if he sincerely wants to benefit from the Qur'an, he should offer this prayer to the Rabb of the Universe. Al-Fatiha teaches that the best thing for a man is to pray for "Guidance towards the Right Way" and to study the Qur'an with the mental attitude of a seeker of truth, and to recognize that the Rabb of the Universe is the source of all knowledge. They should, therefore, begin the study of Al-Qur'an with a prayer to Allah for Guidance. It is important to know that the real relation between Al-Fatiha and the Qur'an is not that of an introduction to a book but that of a prayer and its answer. Al-Fatiha is the prayer from the devotee and the rest of the Qur'an is the answer from Allah. The devotee prays to Allah to show the "Right Way" and Allah places the whole of the Qur'an before him in answer to his prayer, as if to say: "This is the Guidance that you have asked for".
Surah 2. Al-Baqara
Period of Revelation:
Though it is a Madni Surah (revealed at Madinah), it follows naturally a Makki Surah (revealed at Makkah) Al-Fatiha, which ended with the prayer :"Guide us to the Right Way." This Surah begins with the answer to that prayer, "This is the guidance that you have asked for." The greater part of Al-Baqarah was revealed during the first two years of the Prophet's life at Al-Madinah.
Major Issues, Divine Law and Guidance:
- Claim of the Qur'an: "This is the Book which contains no doubt."
- Creation of Adam, man's nature, and his destiny.
- The Children of Israel and the People of the Book (Jews and Christians).
- Israelites' sin of worshipping the statue of a calf.
- Punishment of Israelites violation of Sabbath.
- Nature of Jews' belief.
- Allah orders not to prevent the people from coming to Masajid.
- Ibrahim and his sons were neither Jews nor Christians but were Muslims.
- Abraham (Ibrahim), Ishmael (Isma`il), and their building of Ka'bah.
- Change of Qiblah (direction in prayers) towards Ka'bah in Makkah.
- Allah orders not to profess any faith blindly.
- The moon is created to determine the time periods i.e. months and years.
- Hypocrisy vs. True faith.
- Ayat-ul-Kursi (Verse of the Throne of Allah).
- Allah orders the believers to enter into Islam completely.
- Punishment of a murtad (a Muslim who becomes a Non-Muslim).
- It is unlawful to marry a mushrik.
- Victory is not by numbers but by Allah's help.
- Confrontation of Ibrahim and Namrud (the king of his time).
- What makes charity worthless.
- Taking usury is like declaring war against Allah and his Rasool.
- All business dealings relating to deferred payments must be in writing.
- Retaliation against oppression.
- Non compulsion in religion.
- Divine Laws are promulgated about the following categories:
- Food
- Retribution
- Wills
- Fasting
- Bribery
- Jihad
- Self-defense
- Evidence
- Pilgrimage
- Charity
- Drinking
- Bloodwit
- Gambling
- Marriage
- Orphans
- Menstruation
- Oaths
- Divorce
- Alimony
- Nursing
- Widows
- Usury
- Buying on Credit
- Debts
- Loans
- Pledge/Mortgage
- Believers supplication to Allah
Theme
Guidance is also provided concerning social, cultural, economic, political and legal issues through addressing the Jews who were acquainted with the Unity of Allah, Prophethood, Revelation, the Hereafter and angels. The Jews professed to believe in the law which was revealed by Allah to their Prophet Moses (pbuh), and in principle, their religion was the same (Islam) that was being taught by the Prophet Muhammad ( pbuh). Although they were originally Muslims, they had swerved from the real Islam and made innovations and alterations to their religion. As a result they had fallen victims to hair splitting and sectarianism, so much so that they had even given up their original name "Muslim" and adopted the name "Jew" instead, and made religion the monopoly of the children of Israel. This was their religious condition when the Prophet went to Al-Madinah and invited the Jews to the True Religion. More than one third of this Surah addresses to the Children of Israel. A critical review of their history, moral degeneration and religious perversions has been made, to draw clear lines of demarcation between the essentials and nonessentials of the True Religion. The Jews are warned not to mix up the Truth with Falsehood. During this period, a new type of Muslim called "Munafiqin" (hypocrite), had emerged. There were some who had entered the fold of Islam merely to harm it from within. There were others who were surrounded by Muslims, and had become "Muslims" to safeguard their worldly interests. They, therefore, continued to have relations with the enemies so that if the latter became successful, their interests would remain secure. Allah has, therefore, briefly pointed out the characteristics of the hypocrites in this Surah. Later on when their mischievous deeds became manifest, detailed instructions were given in Surah Al-Taubah.
This Surah is an invitation towards the Divine Guidance. All of its stories, examples and incidents revolve round this central theme. This Surah particularly addresses the Jews and cites many events from their history to admonish and advise them that accepting the Guidance revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is to their own advantage. They should, therefore, be the first to accept it because this Message is basically the same as that revealed to the Prophet Musa (Moses) pbuh.
Surah 3. Al-i'Imran
Period of Revelation:
This Surah, revealed at Madinah, consists of three discourses. The first discourse (vv. 1-32 and vv. 64-120) appears to have been revealed soon after the Battle of Badr. The second discourse (vv. 33-63) was revealed in 9 A.H. when the deputation from the Christians of Najran visited the Prophet. The third discourse (vv. 121-200) was revealed after the Battle of Uhud.
Major Issues, Divine Law and Guidance
- Allah's testimony about Himself.
- Decisive vs. Allegorical verses of The Qur'an.
- The True religion in the sight of Allah is only Islam.
- The only religion acceptable to Allah is Islam.
- Live Islam and die as a Muslim in order to get salvation.
- Followers of Isa (Jesus) were Muslims.
- Birth of Maryam (Mary), Yahya (John) and Isa (Jesus) peace be upon them.
- 'Mubahla' (calling for Allah's decision if the birth of Jesus is disputed). He was born without a father, as Adam (first man) was born without parents and Eve (first woman) was born without a mother.
- Life and death is from Allah.
- There is no escape from death.
- Those who are killed in the path of Allah are not dead, but are alive.
- Muhammad (pbuh) is no more than a Rasool/Prophet of Allah.
- Prohibition to take the unbelievers as protectors.
- Critical review and lessons taught during the Battle of Uhud.
- The first House of Allah ever built on earth is that of Ka'bah at Makkah.
Theme
As in Surah Al-Baqarah, the Jews were invited to accept the guidance. Similarly, in this Surah, the Christians are admonished to give up their erroneous beliefs and accept the guidance of the Qur'an. At the same time, the Muslims are instructed to nourish the virtues that may enable them to carry out their obligation of spreading the Divine guidance. The believers had met with all sorts of trials and hardships about which they were forewarned in Surah Al-Baqarah. Though they had come out victorious in the Battle of Badr, they were not out of danger yet. Their victory had aroused the enmity of all those powers in Arabia which were opposed to the Islamic movement. Threatening events had begun to appear on all sides and the Muslims were in a perpetual state of fear and anxiety. This state of emergency was also adversely affecting its economy which had already been badly disturbed by the influx of Muslim refugees from other places.
The Jewish clans, who lived in the suburbs of Al-Madinah, started discarding the treaties of alliance which they had made with the Prophet at his arrival from Makkah. They had discarded the treaties to the extent that during the Battle of Badr, these "People of the Book" sided with the mushrik Qureysh (in spite of the fact that their fundamental Articles of Faith - such as Oneness of Allah, Prophethood and life after death - were the same as those of the Muslims). After the Battle of Badr, they openly began to approach various Arab clans against the Muslims. The magnitude of the peril may be judged from the fact that even the life of the Prophet himself was always in danger. His Companions used to sleep in their armor and keep watch at night to guard against any sudden attack. Whenever the Prophet happened to be out of sight even for a short while, they would at once set out in search of him.
Jews even approached the Qureysh and challenged their ego to avenge the defeat they had suffered at Badr and promised to help them from within. As a result the Qureysh marched against Al-Madinah with an army of 3000 warriors and a battle took place at the foot of mount Uhud. The Prophet started out of Al-Madinah with one thousand men to fight the enemy. While they were marching to the battlefield, three hundred hypocrites deserted the army and returned to Al- Madinah to discourage the believers. A small band of hypocrites, however, remained among the seven hundred who accompanied the Prophet. They played their part and did their best to create mischief and chaos in the ranks of the Believers during the battle. This was the first clear indication of the fact that within the fold of the Muslim community there was quite a large number of saboteurs who were always ready to conspire with the external enemies to harm their own brethren.
These devices of the hypocrites played a major role in the setback at Uhud, even though the weaknesses of the Muslims also contributed to it. The Muslims were a new community, formed on a new ideology and had not as yet gotten thorough moral training. Naturally in this second hard test of their physical and moral strength, some weaknesses came to the surface. That is why a detailed critical review of the Battle of Uhud is made in this Surah which was needed to warn the Muslims of their shortcomings and to issue instructions for their reform.
Surah 4. An-Nisaa
Period of Revelation
This Surah is comprised of several discourses that were revealed on different occasions. Instructions about the division of inheritance and safeguarding of rights of the orphans were revealed after the Battle of Uhud in which 70 Muslims were martyred (vv. 1-28). By the end of A. H. 3, a last warning to the Jews (v. 47) was given before the Jewish tribe of Banu Nadheer was expelled from Al-Madinah in A.H. 4. Permission about Tayammum (ablution with clean earth when water is not available) was given during the expedition of Bani-al-Mustaliq in early A. H. 5.
Major Issues, Divine Law and Guidance:
- Restriction on number of wives.
- Marriage and the rights of women.
- Laws of inheritance, women are awarded the rights to inherit.
- Acceptable and unacceptable repentance.
- Mahram relations - relatives that are prohibited for marriage.
- Commandment about 'arbitration' in family disputes.
- Second commandment relating to the prohibition of drinking, ( first commandment was in Surah Al-Baqarah 2:219).
- The one who disputes the decision of the Prophet is not a believer.
- Divine Law that obedience of the Rasool is in fact the obedience of Allah.
- Allah commands to respond greetings with better greetings.
- Laws about manslaughter , murder and bloodwit.
- Salat-ul-Qasr: permission of short prayer in travelling.
- Salat-ul-Khauf: performing prayer in a state of emergency (war).
- Salat: ( prayers) are obligatory on prescribed timings.
- Prohibition of 'secret counsels' and its exceptions.
- Decree of Allah that He will never forgive a mushrik.
- Allah's commandment to be firm for justice and bear true witness.
- Allah's commandment to boycott un-Islamic meetings.
- The fact that hypocrites will be in the lowest depth of hellfire.
- Jesus was neither killed nor crucified.
- Jesus was a Prophet of Allah (Almighty God) and His worshipper.
- Stop saying "Trinity" - Allah is the One and Only God.
- The Qur'an carries the same Message that was sent to Nuh (Noah), Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus).
- Allah's commandments relating to family life and community life.
Theme
The main theme of this Surah is the building of a strong Islamic community. Guidelines are provided to the Muslims for uniting their ranks to be firm and strong. Instructions are given to stabilize the family structure, which is the nucleus of a strong community. Muslims are urged to prepare themselves for defense and to be the torchbearers of Islam. The importance of having a high moral character in building a strong community is emphasized. Guidelines for the smooth running of family life are provided and methods to settle family disputes are taught. Rules for marriage are prescribed and rights of wife and husband are assigned fairly and equitably. The status of women in the society is determined and the declaration about the rights of orphans is made. Laws and regulations are laid down for the distribution of inheritance. Instructions are given to reform the economic system. The foundation of criminal laws is laid down. Drinking is prohibited. Instructions are given for cleanliness and purification. The Muslims are taught what kind of relations they should have with their Rabb and with their fellow human beings. Instructions are given for the maintenance of discipline in the Muslim community.
The moral and religious condition of the People of the Book is reviewed to teach lessons to the Muslims, and a warning is given to refrain from following in their footsteps. The distinctive features of hypocrisy and true faith are clearly marked for easy identification between the two. The setback in the Battle of Uhud had enabled the mushrik Arab clans, the neighboring Jews, and the hypocrites in Al-Madinah to threaten the Muslims from all sides. At this critical stage, Allah's grace filled the Muslims with courage and gave them the necessary instructions during that period. In order to counteract the fearful rumors that were being spread by the hypocrites, they were asked to make a thorough inquiry about their accuracy and then inform the appropriate leadership. Muslims were experiencing difficulties in offering their Salah during the expeditions when water was not available to perform ablution. In such circumstances Allah granted a permission to make Tayammum (purification with clean earth), and to shorten the Salah or to offer the "Salat-ul-Khauf," when they were faced with danger. Instructions were also given to those Muslims who were living in the enemy camps that they should migrate to Al-Madinah, the Islamic State.
Clear instructions are also given regarding the hypocrites and nonbelligerent clans. On one hand, the superiority of Islamic morality and culture is established over that of the Jews, Christians and mushrikin; on the other hand, their incorrect religious concepts, immorality, and evil actions are criticized to prepare the ground for inviting them to the Right Way.
Surah 5. Al-Maida
Period of Revelation
This Surah appears to have been revealed after the treaty of Hudeybiyah at the end of 6 A. H. or the beginning of 7 A. H. It deals with problems that arose from this treaty. The continuity of the subject indicates that most probably the whole Surah was revealed as a single discourse at one and the same time.
Major Issues, Divine Law and Guidance
- Lawful (Halal) and unlawful (Haram) in the matters of food.
- Permission to eat the food of Ahl-al-Kitab (Jews and Christians).
- Permission to marry women of Ahl-al-Kitab (Jews and Christians).
- Regulations about bath, wudhu and Tayammum.
- The fact that Salah and Zakah were also obligatory for Jews and Christians.
- Invitation to Jews and Christians to become Muslims.
- Those who do not judge by the Laws of Allah are declared to be unbelievers, wrong doers and transgressors.
- Warning to guard against corruption of power.
- Punishment for rebellion, disturbing the peace and theft.
- Absolute prohibition of drinking and gambling.
- Additional rules for the laws of evidence.
- Miracles of Jesus - and the fact that he did not claim divinity.
- Testimony of Jesus which he shall give on the Day of Judgement.
History
Al-Ma'idah was revealed at the time when the last effort of the Qureysh to suppress Islam had been defeated in the Battle of the Ditch, and it had become quite obvious to the Arabs that no power could suppress the Islamic movement. Now Islam was not merely a creed which ruled over the minds and hearts of the people, but had also become a State which was regulating the lives of people. Therefore, there was a need to formulate Islamic civil and criminal laws in detail and enforce them through Islamic courts. New and reformed ways of trade and commerce were needed to replace the old. Likewise, Islamic laws of marriage and divorce, segregation of the sexes, and punishment for adultery, were needed to mold the social life of Muslims. This Surah provided the guidelines to the believers in some of these aspects of their lives so that their social behavior, conversation, dress, way of life and culture could take a definite shape of its own. The treaty of Hudeybiyah was also signed in the same year which gave the Muslims not only peace in their own territory but, also respite to spread the Message of Islam in the surrounding territories. The Holy Prophet wrote letters to the rulers of Iran, Egypt, and Rome and to the Chiefs of Arabia, inviting them to Islam. At the same time the missionaries of Islam spread among the clans and tribes and invited them to accept the Divine Message of Al-Islam.
Now that the Muslims had become a ruling body, it was feared that power might corrupt them. At this period of great trial, Allah had admonished them over and over again to stick to justice and to guard against the wrong behavior of their predecessors, the People of the Book. Believers are enjoined to remain steadfast to the Covenant of Obedience to Allah and His Rasool. They should follow Allah's commands and prohibitions in order to save themselves from the evil consequences which were faced by the Jews and the Christians who had violated them. They have been instructed to avoid hypocrisy. In continuation of the instructions given in Surah An-Nisa' about the consolidation of the Islamic Community, the Muslims have been directed to observe and fulfill all their obligations. The Jews and the Christians are also admonished to give up their wrong attitudes towards the Right Way and accept the guidance which is being taught by the Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him).
Surah 6. Al-An'am
Period of Revelation
The whole of the Surah was revealed at one time during the last year of the Prophet's stay at Makkah as the traditions indicate that it was dictated by the Prophet in the same evening that it was revealed.
Major Issues, Divine Law and Guidance:
- Refutation of shirk and guidance towards Tawhid (Oneness of God). Reality of the life after death and the Day of Judgement.
- Clarification of self-imposed prohibitions that were falsely attributed to Allah.
- The fact that Allah's commandments are not irrational taboos, but form the fundamental moral principles of the Islamic society.
- Answers to objections raised against the person and the mission of the Prophet.
- Comfort and encouragement is provided to the Prophet and his followers who were at that time in a state of anxiety and despondency.
- Admonition, warnings and threats are given to the disbelievers to give up their apathy and haughtiness.
- Prohibition of dividing the religion into sects.
- Allah requires the Believers to declare: "My Salah, my devotion, my life and my death are all for Allah."
Theme
The reader should be aware that the above issues have not been discussed under separate heading; rather the discourse goes on as a continuous whole and these topics are discussed over and over in different ways. The discussion revolves around the major articles of faith: Tawhid, life after death and Prophethood, and their practical application to human life. Side by side with this, it refutes the erroneous beliefs of the Mushrikin and provides answers to their objections. It also comforts the Prophet and his followers who were then suffering from the persecution of the disbelievers.