Ramadan Day 25: Lessons from the Qur’aan Chapter 93: Surah Ad-Dhuha

“Surah Ad-Dhuha (chapter 93 of the Qur’an) was revealed in Makkah. The main themes of this Surah are:

a) Mention of some major favors of Allah upon Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

b) Recommended conducts to show gratitude to these favors

c) Superiority of the life after death

SUMMARIZED INTERPRETATION OF SURAH AD-DHUHA:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

[In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.]

ALLAH HAS NEVER FORSAKEN PROPHET MUHAMMAD:

1) وَالضُّحَىٰ

[By the forenoon (after sunrise).]

2) وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ

[By the night when it darkens (and stands still).]

3) مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ

[Your Lord (O Muhammad) has neither forsaken you nor hates you.]

About the revelation of this verse ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas, the cousin of the Prophet and the great commentator of the Qur’an said:

“When the Qur’an was revealed to the Messenger of Allah, (Angel) Jibrâîl was delayed from coming to him for a number of days (on one occasion). Therefore, the Messenger of Allah was affected by this. Then the idolaters (of Makkah) began to say, ‘His Lord has abandoned him and hates him.’ So Allah revealed, “Your Lord (O Muhammad) has neither forsaken you nor hates you.”” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

THE NEXT LIFE IS BETTER THAN THE PRESENT LIFE:

4) وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْأُولَىٰ

[And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present (life of this world).]

The present life of this world is very insignificant in comparison to the eternal life of the hereafter. For this reason Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to be the most abstinent of the people concerning the worldly things, and he was the greatest of them in his disregard for worldly matters. The Prophet said:

“I have nothing to do with this world. The parable of me and this world is like a rider who rests in the shade of a tree, then he passes on and leaves it.” [Narrated by At-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah]

5) وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰ

[And verily, your Lord will give you (all good) so that you shall be well-pleased.]

MENTION OF SOME FAVORS OF ALLAH UPON HIS PROPHET:

6) أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَىٰ

[Did He not find you (O Muhammad) an orphan and gave you a refuge?]

This refers to the fact that the father of the Prophet died while his mother was still pregnant with him, and his mother died when he was only six years old. After this he was under the guardianship of his grandfather until the later died when child Muhammad was eight years old. Then his uncle Abu Talib took responsibility for him and continued to protect him, assist him, elevate his status, honor him, and even restrain his people from harming him when the Prophet was forty years of age and Allah commissioned him with Prophethood. Even with this, Abu Talib continued to follow the religion of his people, worshipping idols. After the death of Abu Talib, the foolish and ignorant people of Makkah began to attack the Prophet, so Allah chose for him to migrate away from them to the city of Al-Madeenah. Then, when the Prophet arrived in Al-Madeenah, its inhabitants gave him shelter, supported him, defended him and fought alongside him against the enemies of Islam. All of these were from Allah’s protection for him, guarding over him and caring for him. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

7) وَوَجَدَكَ ضَالًّا فَهَدَىٰ

[And He found you unaware (of the Qur’an, its legal laws and Prophethood) and guided you.]

The Prophet was born in an environment of idol worship. Allah guided him to the truth of Islamic Monotheism through Divine revelation. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And thus We have sent to you (O Muhammad) Rûh (a revelation, and a mercy) of Our Command. You knew not what is the Book, nor what is Faith. But We have made it (this Qur’an) a light wherewith We guide whosoever of Our slaves We will. And verily, you (O Muhammad) are indeed guiding (mankind) to a Straight Path (i.e. Allah’s religion of Islamic Monotheism).” [Al Qur’an 42:52]

8) وَوَجَدَكَ عَائِلًا فَأَغْنَىٰ

[And He found you poor and made you rich (self-sufficient with self-contentment).]

Allah blesses those who follow His commandments. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever accepts Islam is provided with his basic needs, and Allah makes him content with what He has given him, then he will be successful.” [Narrated by Muslim]

The Prophet(peace be upon him) also said:

“Wealth is not determined by abundance of possessions, but wealth is the richness of the soul.” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

INSTRUCTION OF SOME NOBLE CONDUCTS:

9) فَأَمَّا الْيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقْهَرْ

[Therefore, treat not the orphan with oppression.]

This verse commands mankind not to humiliate or disrespect any orphan. Every person should remember that his children may also become orphans. Therefore, he should be kind and gentle towards the orphans. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And let those have the same fear in their minds as they would have for their own, if they had left weak offspring behind. So, let them fear Allah and speak right words.” [Al Qur’an 4:9]

10) وَأَمَّا السَّائِلَ فَلَا تَنْهَرْ

[And repulse not the beggar.]

Ibn Ishaq said, explaining this verse, “This means do not be oppressive, arrogant, wicked, or mean to the weak among Allah’s servants.” Qatadah said, “This means respond to the poor with mercy and gentleness.” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

11) وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ

[And proclaim the Grace of your Lord (i.e. the Prophethood and all other Graces).]

In this verse Allah instructs mankind to tell the favors of Allah upon him to others. This also includes the favors of fellow mankind upon him. The Prophet said:

“Whoever is not thankful to the people, then he is not thankful to Allah.” [Narrated by Abu Dawood, At-Tirmidhi] ”
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