Qur'an time: Surah Al-Insaan

I hope to keep studying the Qur'an through out the year, not just in Ramadan. Everyday I hope to read one surah (one chapter) of the Qura'n and try to study/listen to the explanation bi'idnillah. Today it's going to be surah Al-Insaan.

Tafsir of surah Al-Insaan

This is a surah revealed in Makkah before prophet Muhammad Sallallahu alaihe Wa Sallam's migration to Madinah. The Theme of the surah is to inform us the mankind, our true position in the world and to tell us that if we really understood our true position rightly and adopted the attitude of gratefulness, we would meet with such and such good end. Some amazing facts about jannah are mentioned in this surah. And the people who will not be grateful, for them awaits a great punishment. [ "Indeed, We have prepared for the disbelievers chain and shackles and a blaze."76:4]

In this surah, first of all man has been reminded that there was a time when she was nothing; then a humble beginning of her was made with a mixed drop of sperm and ovum of which even her mother was not aware. 

"Has there [not] come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing [even] mentioned?

Indeed, We created man from a sperm drop mixture that We may try him; and We made him hearing and seeing. Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be ungrateful." [Surah 76:1-3]

I found some beautiful description of Jannah. May Allah subhananhu wa ta'ala give us the tawfeeq to get there with family and friends and all the Muslims, ameen!

"Indeed, the righteous will drink from a cup of wine whose mixture is of Kaafuur (a sweet-smelling spring in Paradise). A spring of which the righteous servants of Allah will drink; they will make it gush forth in force and abundance." [Surah 76:5-6]

So, who are the people Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala mentions here?

"They [are those who] fulfill [their] vows and fear a Day whose evil will be widespread. And they give food in spite of love for it (the meaning may be, out of love for Him) to the needy, the orphan and the captive, (saying) "We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. We wish not from you reward or gratitude. Indeed, We fear from our Lord a Day austere and distressful." [Surah 76:7-10]

So these are the qualities of people of paradise. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala promises them to reward them on the Day. "So Allah will protect them from the evil of the Day and give them radiance and happiness and will reward them for what they patiently endured [with] a garden in paradise and silk garments.

They will be reclining therein on adorned couches. They will not see therein any [burning] Sun or [freezing] cold. And near above them are its shades, and its fruits to be picked will be lowered in compliance. And there will be circulated among them vessels of silver and cups having been created clear as glass. Clear glasses [made] from silver of which they have determined the measure. And they will be given to drink a cup of wine whose mixture is of ginger. [From] a fountain within it[ i.e, Paradise] named Salsabeel. 

There will circulate among them young boys made eternal. When you see them , you would think them [as beautiful as] scattered pearls. And when you look there [in Paradise], you will see pleasure and great dominion. Upon them [i.e, the inhabitants] will be green garments of fine silk (in layers) and brokade. And they will be adorned with bracelets of silver and their Lord will give them a purifying drink."  [76: 11-21]

All of these are rewards from our Lord. "[And it will be said, "Indeed, this is for you a reward and your effort has been appreciated." " [76:22]

Then, our Rabb mentions what a great Book He has blessed us with! Indeed, it is We have sent down to you [O Muhammad], the Qur'an progressively." [76:23]

This is indeed a huge blessing for us. Without the Qur'an we would have been totally lost. We wouldn't have had any clue of why we are here and what is the way forward for us. But this Book  also comes with a heavy responsibility. This is not just an ordinary book! It's a Book of guidance from our Lord and we are obliged to follow it on a daily basis. We are not even allowed to pick and choose from the rulings of this Book. We have to follow all of it wholeheartedly. And that's not an easy task. Allah tells us in this surah how we can cope with this huge responsibility. We must have sabr (patience) and always be conscious of our Lord through prayers especially during the early morning and the evening. 

"So be patient for the decision of you Lord and do not obey from among them a sinner or ungrateful disbeliever. And mention the name of your Lord [in prayer] morning and evening and during the night prostrate to Him and exalt Him a long part of the night. [76: 24-26]

As we can see, night prayers are very crucial part of our faith. It's not just for Ramadan in the form of taraweeh prayers. We really need to strive to get up at night and pray for our Lord's Pleasure, bi'idnillah. The imam I was listening to mentioned that this also means that we need to do our daily dua/supplications after dawn prayer and the night prayers before going to sleep. 'Fortress of the Muslim' is a great book in this regard. 

Another crucial lesson I have learnt from this surah is the fact that guidance only comes from Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. He is in control and can shower His Mercy to whoever He wants. There are some people who think that everything is in our hand and we can do whatever we want. But Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says at the end of this surah: 

"Indeed, this is a reminder, so he who wills may take to his Lord a way. And you do not will except that Allah wills. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise. He admits whom He wills into His mercy; but the wrongdoers- He has prepared for them a painful punishment." [76: 29-31]

The translation is shared from The Qur'an : Saheeh International Translation [The Qur'an Project]

I have been listening to the explanation of surah Al-Insaan by Imam Abdul Qaiyyum of East London Mosque. It's in Bengali . So much to learn from this amazing surah! 

Part 1    Part 2    Part 3   Part 4