Summary Of Surah Al Hijr

Surh Al Hijr Notes (87-99)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

A Reminder of the Blessing of the Qur'an and the Command to focus on its Message

 (87) And indeed, We have bestowed upon you seven of Al-Mathani (the seven repeatedly recited Verses), (i.e. Surat Al-Fatiha) and the Grand Quran.

Allah is saying to His Prophet : Since We have given you the Grand Qur'an, then do not look at this world and its attractions, or the transient delights that we have given to its people in order to test them. Do not envy what they have in this world, and do not upset yourself with regret for their rejection of you and their opposition to your religion.

(Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger from among yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any injury or difficulty. He is anxious for you, for the believers - he is full of pity, kind and merciful)(9:128). 

There were some differences among the scholars over the meaning of "seven of the Mathani''. Ibn Mas`ud, Ibn `Umar, Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Sa`id bin Jubayr, Ad-Dahhak and others said that, 
...they are the seven long (Surahs), meaning Al-Baqarah, Al- `Imran, An-Nisa', Al-Ma'idah, Al-An`am, Al-A`raf and Yunus. There are texts to this effect reported from Ibn `Abbas and Sa`id bin Jubayr. Sa`id said: "In them, Allah explains the obligations, the Hudud (legal limits), stories and rulings.'' Ibn `Abbas said, "He explains the parables, stories and lessons.'' 

The second opinion is that they (the seven of the Mathani) are Al-Fatihah, which is composed of seven Ayat. This was reported from `Ali, `Umar, Ibn Mas`ud and Ibn `Abbas. Ibn `Abbas said: "The Bismillah, is completing seven Ayah, which Allah has given exclusively to you (Muslims).''  Al-Bukhari, may Allah have mercy on him, recorded two Hadiths on this topic. 

(The first) was recorded from Abu Sa`id bin Al-Mu`alla, who said: "The Prophet passed by me while I was praying. He called out for me but I did not come until I finished my prayer. Then I came to him, and He asked, (What stopped you from coming to me) I said, `I was praying'. He said, 

(O you who believe! Answer Allah (by obeying Him) and (His) Messenger when he calls you...) ﴿8:24﴾

(Shall I not teach you the most magnificent Surah before I leave the Masjid) Then the Prophet went to leave the Masjid, and I reminded him, so he said,

("Al-Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil-'Alamin ﴿All praises and thanks be to Allah, the Lord of all that exists﴾)(1:2).

(This is the seven of the Mathani and the Qur'an which I have been given.)'' 

(The second Hadith) was reported from Abu Hurayrah who said that the Messenger of Allah said: (Umm Al-Qur'an (the Mother or the Essence of the Qur'an,) is the seven Mathani, and the Grand Qur'an.) This means that Al-Fatihah is the seven Mathani and the Grand Qur'an, but this does not contradict the statement that the seven Mathani are the seven long Surahs, because they also share these attributes, as does the whole Qur'an. 

(88) Look not with your eyes ambitiously at what We have bestowed on certain classes of them (the disbelievers), nor grieve over them. And lower your wings for the believers (be courteous to the fellow-believers).

(Look not with your eyes ambitiously at what We have given to certain classes of them) meaning, be content with the Grand Qur'an that Allah has given to you, and do not long for the luxuries and transient delights that they have.

(Look not with your eyes ambitiously) Al-`Awfi reported that Ibn `Abbas said: "He ﴿in this Ayah﴾ forbade a man to wish for what his companion has.''

(at what We have given to certain classes of them,) Mujahid said: "This refers to the rich.''

The Messenger is a Plain Warner

 (89) And say: "I am indeed a plain warner."

Allah commanded His Prophet to tell the people:

(I am indeed a plain warner) coming to warn the people of a severe punishment that they will suffer if they reject him, as happened to those nations before them who disbelieved in their Messengers, upon whom Allah sent His punishment and vengeance. 

In the two Sahihs it is reported from Abu Musa that the Prophet said: (The parable of myself and that with which Allah has sent me is that of a man who came to his people and said, `O people! I have seen the ﴿invading﴾ army with my own eyes, and I am a naked warner, so escape, escape!' Some of his people obeyed him and set out at nightfall, setting off at a slow pace and managing to escape. Others did not believe him and stayed where they were until the next morning when the ﴿invading﴾ army overtook them and destroyed them, wiping them out. This is the parable of the one who obeys me and follows what I have brought, and the example of the one who disobeys me and rejects the truth that I have brought.)

Explanation of "Al-Muqtasimin

 (90) As We have sent down on the dividers, (Quraish pagans or Jews and Christians).

(the Muqtasimin) refers to those who had made a pact to oppose, deny, and insult the Prophets.

 Similarly, Allah tells us about the people of Salih: (They said, "Swear to one another ﴿Taqasamu﴾ by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his household'') ﴿27:49﴾ i.e., they plotted to kill him at night. Mujahid said "Taqasamu means they swore an oath.''

 (91) Who have made the Quran into parts. (i.e. believed in a part and disbelieved in the other).

(Who have made the Qur'an into parts.) meaning, they have split up the Books that were revealed to them, believing in parts of them and rejecting parts of them. 

 Al-Bukhari reported that Ibn `Abbas said, (Who have made the Qur'an into parts.) "They are the People of the Book, who divided the Book into parts, believing in some of it, and rejecting some of it.'' 

Some have said that Al-Mutaqasimin refers to the Quraysh, that the Qur'an means this Qur'an ﴿as opposed to the Scriptures of the People of the Book﴾, and that "made it into parts'' referred to what `Ata' said that some of them said that he (the Prophet ) was a sorcerer, some said he was crazy, or a soothsayer. These various allegations were the parts. This opinion was also reported from Ad-Dahhak and others. 

(Who have made the Qur'an into parts.) meaning, of different types,

 (92) So, by your Lord (O Muhammad SAW), We shall certainly call all of them to account. (93) For all that they used to do.

(So, by your Lord, We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do) Those were the group who said that about the Messenger of Allah .''


(So, by your Lord, We shall certainly call all of them to account. For all that they used to do.) Abu Ja`far reported from Ar-Rabi` that Abu Al-`Aliyah said, "All the people will be asked about two things on the Day of Resurrection: what they used to worship, and what their response was to the Messengers.

The Command to proclaim the Truth openly

 (94) Therefore proclaim openly (Allah's Message Islamic Monotheism) that which you are commanded, and turn away from Al-Mushrikun (polytheists, idolaters, and disbelievers.

Allah commanded His Messenger to convey what He sent him with, to proclaim and spread the Message, which means confronting the idolators with it. Ibn `Abbas said that the Ayah,

(Therefore openly proclaim that what you have been commanded,) means, "Go ahead with it.'' According to another report it means, (افْعَلْ مَا تُؤْمَرُ) "Therefore proclaim that which you commanded.'' Mujahid said, "It is reciting the Qur'an aloud during prayer.'' Abu `Ubaydah reported that `Abdullah bin Mas`ud said, "The Prophet was still practicing and preaching Islam secretly until this Ayah was revealed:

(Therefore openly proclaim that which you are commanded) then he and his Companions came out into the open.''

The Command to turn away from the Idolators, and the Guarantee of Protection against the Mockers

 (95) Truly! We will suffice you against the scoffers.

(and turn away from idolators. Truly, We will suffice you against the mockers.) meaning - convey that which has been revealed to you by your Lord, and do not pay attention to the idolators who want to turn you away from the signs of Allah.

 (96) Who set up along with Allah another ilah (god), they will come to know.

(Who make another god along with Allah; but they will come to know.) This is a strong warning and grave threat against those who have other deities along with Allah.

Encouragement to bear Difficulties, and the Command to glorify and worship Allah until Death

(97) Indeed, We know that your breast is straitened at what they say.(98) So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him).

(Indeed, We know that your breast becomes tight because of what they say. So glorify the praises of your Lord and be of those who prostrate themselves (to Him).) meaning `We know, O Muhammad, that you are distressed by their insults towards you, but do not let that weaken your resolve or cause you to give up conveying the Message of Allah. Put your trust in Him, for He will suffice you and will support you against them. Keep yourself busy with remembering Allah, praising Him, glorifying Him, and worshipping Him (which means Salah, or prayer)' 

(99) And worship your Lord until there comes unto you the certainty (i.e. death).

(And worship your Lord until the certainty comes to you) (15: 99). Al-Bukhari said: "Salim said, `(This means) death.''' 

(And worship your Lord until the certainty comes to you.) is that acts of worship, such as prayer and the like, are obligatory on man so long as his mind is sound, so he should pray according to his best ability. 

Surah Al Hijr Notes (78-86)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

The Destruction of the Dwellers of Al-Aykah, the People of Shu`ayb

 (78) And the dwellers in the wood [i.e. the people of Madyan (Midian) to whom Prophet Shu'aib was sent by Allah), were also Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers, etc.).

The Dwellers of Al-Aykah, were the people of Shu`ayb. Ad-Dahhak, Qatadah and others said that Al-Aykah refers to intertwined trees. Their evildoing included associating partners with Allah (Shirk), banditry and cheating in weights and measures. Allah punished them with the Sayhah (the awful cry or torment), the earthquake, and the torment of the Day of Shadow. They lived near the people of Lut, but at a later time, and the people of Lut were known to them, which is why Allah says,

(79) So, We took vengeance on them. They are both on an open highway, plain to see.

(They are both on an open route, plain to see.) Ibn `Abbas, Mujahid, Ad-Dahhak and others said, "a visible route.'' This is why, when Shu`ayb warned his people, he said to them,

(And the people of Lut are not far off from you!) ﴿11:89﴾

The Destruction of the Dwellers of Al-Hijr, Who are the People called Thamud

(80) And verily, the dwellers of Al-Hijr (the rocky tract) denied the Messengers.

The Dwellers of the Al Hijr were the people of Thamud who rejected their Prophet, Salih. Whoever denies even one Messenger, then he has disbelieved in all of the Messengers, thus they are described as rejecting "the Messengers''. Allah tells us that he (Salih) brought them signs to prove that what he was telling them was true, such as the she-camel which Allah created for them out of a solid rock in response to the supplication of Salih. This she-camel was grazing on their lands, and the people and the camel took water on alternate days that were well-known. When they rebelled and killed it, he said to them,

("Enjoy yourselves in your homes for three days. This is a promise which will not be belied.'') ﴿11:65﴾ 

(81) And We gave them Our Signs, but they were averse to them.

(82) And they used to hew out dwellings from the mountains (feeling themselves) secure.

(And they used to hew out dwellings from the mountains, (feeling) secure. ) meaning, they were without fear and they had no real need for those houses; it was merely a form of extravagance and work without a purpose. This could be seen from their work in the houses in the Al-Hijr through which the Messenger of Allah passed on his way to Tabuk. He covered his head and urged his camel to go faster, saying to his Companions:

(Do not enter the dwellings of those who were punished unless you are weeping, and if you do not weep then make yourself weep out of fear that perhaps what struck them may also strike you.)

(83) But As-Saihah (torment - awful cry etc.) overtook them in the early morning (of the fourth day of their promised punishment days).

(But the Sayhah (torment - awful cry) overtook them in the early morning.) meaning in the morning of the fourth day.

(84) And all that which they used to earn availed them not.

(And all that they used to earn availed them not.) meaning all of the benefits that they used to gain from their crops and fruits, and the water which they did not want to share with the she-camel that they killed so that it would not reduce their share of the water - all of that wealth would not protect them or help them when the command of their Lord came to pass.

The World has been created for some Purpose, then the Hour will come

(85) And We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with truth, and the Hour is surely coming, so overlook (O Muhammad SAW), their faults with gracious forgiveness. [This was before the ordainment of Jihad holy fighting in Allah's Cause].

(And We did not create the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with the truth, and the Hour is surely coming), i.e., with justice to -

(And We did not create the heaven and the earth, and all that is between them without purpose! That is what those who disbelieve think! Then let those who disbelieve be warned of the Fire!)(38:27)

("Did you think that We created you in play, and that you would not be brought back to Us'' So exalted be Allah, the Truth, the King, none has the right to be worshipped but He, the Lord of the Honored Throne!)(23:115-116). Then Allah informed His Prophet about the Hour, and that it will be the faults of the idolators when they insult him and reject the Message that he brings to them.

(86) Verily, your Lord is the All-Knowing Creator.

(Verily, your Lord is the Knowing Creator). This is a confirmation of the Day of Resurrection and that Allah, may He be exalted, is able to bring the Hour to pass. He is the Creator and nothing is beyond Him. He is the Knowing, Who knows what has been dispersed from people's bodies and scattered throughout the regions of the earth.

Surah Al Hijr Notes (51-77)

( Source: Ibn Kathir )

The Guests of Ibrahim and their Good News of a Son for Him

 (51)And tell them about the guests (the angels) of Ibrahim (Abraham).

(52) When they entered unto him, and said: Salaman (peace)! [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: "Indeed! We are afraid of you."

(they entered upon him, and said: "Salaman (peace!).'' He said: "Indeed we are frightened of you.'') meaning that they were scared. The reason for their fear has been mentioned previously, which is that they noticed that these guests did not eat of the food that was offered, which was a fattened calf.

(53) They (the angels) said: "Do not be afraid! We give you glad tidings of a boy (son) possessing much knowledge and wisdom."

(We bring you the good news of a boy possessing much knowledge and wisdom.) this refers to Ishaq, as was previously mentioned in Surat Hud. 

(54) [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: "Do you give me glad tidings (of a son) when old age has overtaken me? Of what then is your news?"

(55) They (the angels) said: "We give you glad tidings in truth. So be not of the despairing ones."

(56) [Ibrahim (Abraham)] said: "And who despairs of the Mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?"

The Reason why the Angels came

Allah tells us that after Ibrahim had calmed down from the excitement of this good news, he started to ask them why they had come to him. They said,

(57) [Ibrahim (Abraham) again] said: "What then is the business on which you have come, O Messengers?"

(58) They (the angels) said: "We have been sent to a people who are Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners).

(We have been sent to a guilty people.) meaning the people of Lut. They told him that they were going to save the family of Lut from among those people, except for his wife, because she was one of those who were doomed. 

Thus it was said,

(59) "(All) except the family of Lout (Lot). Them all we are surely going to save (from destruction).

(60) "Except his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind (i.e. she will be destroyed)."

(Except for his wife, of whom We have decreed that she shall be of those who remain behind.) i.e., she was one of those who would be left behind and will be destroyed.

The Angels coming to Lut

Allah tells us about when the angels came to Lut in the form of young men with handsome faces. 

(61) Then, when the Messengers (the angels) came unto the family of Lout (Lot).

When they entered his home, he said:

(62) He said: "Verily! You are people unknown to me."

(63) They said: "Nay, we have come to you with that (torment) which they have been doubting.

("Verily, you are people unknown to me.'' They said: "Nay, we have come to you with that (torment) which they have been doubting.'') meaning that they were bringing the punishment and destruction that the people doubted they would ever suffer from.

(64) "And we have brought to you the truth (the news of the destruction of your nation) and certainly, we tell the truth.

(and certainly, we tell the truth.) They said this in affirmation of the news that they brought him, that he would be saved and his people would be destroyed.

Lut is ordered to leave with His Family during the Night

Allah tells us that His angels ordered Lut to set out after part of the night had passed. They told him to walk behind them, to protect them. Similarly, the Messenger of Allah would walk in the rear of the army on military campaigns, in order to help the weak and carry those who had no means of transport.

(65) "Then travel in a part of the night with your family, and you go behind them in the rear, and let no one amongst you look back, but go on to where you are ordered."

(and let no one amongst you look back,) meaning - when you hear the people screaming from their torment, do not turn around to look at them; leave them to face whatever punishment and vengeance is coming to them.

(but go on to where you are ordered.) - it is as if they had a guide with them to show them the way.

(66) And We made known this decree to him, that the root of those (sinners) was to be cut off in the early morning.

(And We made this decree known to him) meaning - We already told him about that.

The People of the City arrive upon the Angels, thinking that they are Men

(67) And the inhabitants of the city came rejoicing (at the news of the young men's arrival)

(68) [Lout (Lot)] said: "Verily! these are my guests, so shame me not.

(69) "And fear Allah and disgrace me not."

﴿Lut﴾ said: "Verily, these are my guests, so do not shame me. And have Taqwa of Allah, and do not disgrace me.'') This is what Lut said to them before he knew that his guests were messengers from Allah, as mentioned in Surat Hud, but here (in this Surah), we have already been told that they are messengers from Allah, and this is followed by an account of Lut's people coming and his exchange with them. However, here the conjunction (wa, meaning "and'') does not imply the sequence of events, especially since there is something to indicate that this is not the case. 

They said answering him,

(70) They (people of the city) said: "Did we not forbid you to entertain (or protect) any of the 'Alamin (people, foreigners, strangers, etc. from us)?"

(Did we not forbid you from entertaining (or protecting) any of the `Alamin) meaning, `did we not tell you that you should not have anyone as a guest' He reminded them about their womenfolk and what their Lord had created for them in the women of permissible sexual relationships. This issue has already been explained and is no need to repeat the discussion here. All of this happened while they were still unaware of the inevitable calamity and punishment that was about to befall them the following morning.

(71) [Lout (Lot)] said: "These (the girls of the nation) are my daughters (to marry lawfully), if you must act (so)."

(72) Verily, by your life (O Muhammad SAW), in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.

(Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) Allah swore by the life of His Prophet , which is an immense honor reflecting his high rank and noble status. `Amr bin Malik An-Nakari reported from Abu Al-Jawza' that Ibn `Abbas said: "Allah has never created or made or formed any soul that is dearer to him than Muhammad . I never heard that Allah swore by the life of anyone else. 

(Verily, by your life, in their wild intoxication, they were wandering blindly.) meaning, by your life and the length of your stay in this world,

(in their wild intoxication) "It means - in their misguided state;

(they were wandering blindly) means - they were playing.

(in their wild intoxica- tion, they were wandering blindly.) means that they were confused.''

The Destruction of the People of Lut

(73) So As-Saihah (torment - awful cry, etc.) overtook them at the time of sunrise;

(74) And We turned (the towns of Sodom in Palestine) upside down and rained down on them stones of baked clay.

(So the Sayhah overtook them) This is the piercing sound that came to them when the sun rose, which was accompanied by the city being flipped upside down, and stones of baked clay (As-Sijjil) raining down upon them. The discussion of As-Sijjil in Surah Hud is a sufficient explanation.

(75) Surely! In this are signs, for those who see (or understand or learn the lessons from the Signs of Allah).

(Surely, in this are signs for those who see.) meaning that the traces of the destruction of that city are easily visible to any one who ponder about it, whether they look at it with physical eyesight or mental and spiritual insight.

(those who see) therefore the meaning is "those who ponder''.

The City of Sodom on the Highroad

(76) And verily! They (the cities) were right on the highroad (from Makkah to Syria i.e. the place where the Dead Sea is now).

(And verily, they were right on the highroad.) meaning that the city of Sodom, which was physically and spiritually turned upside down, and pelted with stones until it became a foul smelling lake (the Dead Sea), is on a route that is easily accessible until the present day.

(77) Surely! Therein is indeed a sign for the believers.

(Surely, there is indeed a sign in that for the believers.) meaning, `All that We did to the people of Lut, from the destruction and the vengeance, to how We saved Lut and his family, these are clear signs to those who believe in Allah and His Messengers.'