Lessons from the Qur’an (Part 18): Surah Ash-Sharh

Surah Ash-Sharh (chapter 94 of the Qur’an) was revealed in Makkah. Its subject matter closely resembles with the previous Surah, Ad-Dhuha. The main themes of this Surah are:

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

b) Encouragement to remain patient in times of trial

c) Encouragement to build strong relationship with Allah through worship and devotion

SUMMARIZED INTERPRETATION OF SURAH ASH-SHARH:  

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

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

MENTION OF SOME FAVORS OF ALLAH UPON HIS PROPHET:

1) أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ

[Have We not opened your breast for you (O Muhammad)?]

The most important blessing of Allah upon a person is guidance towards Islamic Monotheism. A person cannot guide himself towards the truth unless Allah opens his heart. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whomsoever Allah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam; and whomsoever He wills to send astray, He makes his breast closed and constricted.” [Al Qur’an 6:125]

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was born in a society where people were involved in idol worship and all forms of moral vices. Amidst this social condition Allah opened the heart of His Prophet towards the truth of Islam through Divine revelation. Allah mentions this great blessing upon him in verse 1 of this Surah.

2) وَوَضَعْنَا عَنكَ وِزْرَكَ

[And removed from you your burden.]

3) الَّذِي أَنقَضَ ظَهْرَكَ

[Which weighed down your back?]

In verses 2 and 3 of this Surah Allah indicates to some more favors upon Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) with regard to his noble mission. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Verily, We have given you (O Muhammad) a manifest victory.

That Allah may forgive you your sins of the past and the future, and complete His Favour on you, and guide you on a Straight Path,

And that Allah may help you with strong help.” [Al Qur’an 48:1-3]

4) وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ

[And have We not raised high your fame?]

Allah raised the fame of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) from the onset of his Prophethood, even through his opponents. The fame of the Prophet will remain on the earth until the Hour, unless Allah wills otherwise. On the Day of Judgment he will be the leader of mankind and through his intercession Allah will begin the Judgment.

ENCOURAGEMENT TO REMAIN PATIENT & STEADFAST IN TIMES OF DIFFICULTY:

5) فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا

[Verily, along with every hardship is relief,]

6) إِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا

[Verily, along with every hardship is relief (i.e. there is one hardship with two reliefs, so one hardship cannot overcome two reliefs).]

As part of His Divine wisdom Allah sometimes tests the believers. The more tests a believer can endure, the higher his status will be in Paradise. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Or think you that you will enter Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with severe poverty and ailments and were so shaken that even the Messenger and those who believed along with him said, “When (will come) the Help of Allah?” Yes! Certainly, the Help of Allah is near!” [Al Qur’an 2:214]

In verses 5 and 6 of this Surah Allah consoles the believers that in the end they will be able to overcome all difficulties with the help of Allah.

INSTRUCTION TO TURN TO ALLAH:

7) فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَانصَبْ

[So when you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself to Allah’s worship.]

During daytime Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was busy in teaching the believers about Islam and preaching it to others. In this verse Allah instructs him to devote himself to the worship of Allah at night. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you wrapped in garments (i.e. Prophet Muhammad)!

Stand (to pray) all night, except a little –

Half of it, – or a little less than that,

Or a little more. And recite the Qur’an (aloud) in a slow (pleasant tone and) style.

Verily, We shall send down to you a weighty Word (i.e. obligations, laws).

Verily, the rising by night (for Tahajjud prayer) is very hard and most potent and good for governing oneself, and most suitable for (understanding) the Word (of Allah).

Verily, there is for you by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties.

And remember the Name of your Lord and devote yourself to Him with a complete devotion.” [Al Qur’an 73:1-8]

8) وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَارْغَب

[And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your) intentions and hopes.]

This verse instructs the believers to direct their longings to Allah alone. This state of mind can be achieved through persistent worship of Allah. The Prophet said:

“Allah says, “Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask (something) of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about (seizing) the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him.”” [Narrated by Al-Bukhari]