Surah Name Surah Muhammad
Makki/Madni Madni
Surah Number 47th
No. of Verses 38
No. of Rukus 4
Position Juz ‘26
Surah Muhammad is a Madni Surah. It is the 47th Surah of the Holy Quran which consists of a total of 38 Ayats.
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It is also called as the name of Surah Al-Qital which means fighting. All Madni Surahs are related to the guidance of a specific Ummah and the problems that are faced by them.
About Surah Muhammad (S.A.W):
This is a Surah which was revealed after the victory of Muslims in the Battle of Badr. It highlights the main events and the miracles that took place during the battle.Battle of Badr:
This battle is also known as ‘Ghazwa Badr’.
The Battle of Badr was fought on Tuesday on 13th of March in the 2nd year of Hijrat. It was fought against the people of Makkah who belonged to the tribe of Quraish.
Its purpose was to protect and foster Islam.
In the battle, there were 313 Muslims with a total of 6 Armored soldiers, 8 swords, 70 camels and 2 horses.
The Muslim army included Hazrat Abu Bakr (R.A), Hazrat Umar (R.A), Hazrat Ali (R.A)and many other great personalities.
Whereas the non Muslim army was 1000 in number. They were well equipped with 600 Armored soldiers all carrying weapons. They had 700 camels and 300 horses.
The non Muslims reached the Badr and occupied all the important places with resources, whereas the Muslims had occupied the left over places with no well of water. However, the Almighty Allah showed a miracle of rain at night from which the Muslim army collected enough water for them.
There was also a fierce wind that blew at night. This wind blew away all the tents of non Muslims while they were enjoying gambling as it seemed to them a definite victory and the end of Muslims.
“When He caused calm to fall on you as a security from Him and sent down upon you water from the cloud that He might thereby purify you, and take away from you the uncleanness of the Shaitan, and that He might fortify your hearts and steady (your) footsteps thereby”
There is a Quranic verse that says:
And; “He is with you wherever you are.” (57:4)
Another saying from the Quran says:
“I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instill fear into the hearts of the Unbelievers: Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.” (8:12)
In this battle the Muslims gained victory. This battle proved to be of great benefit for the Muslims as in it all the remaining people who survived accepted Islam except two people. Muslims only lost 14 people, whereas in case of non Muslims, 70 were killed and 70 were taken as captives who were treated very kindly.
Theme of Surah Muhammad (S.A.W):
The theme of this Surah is about the fight between the truth seekers (the Muslims) and falsehood (non believers).
1. Those who disbelieve [in the Oneness of Allah, and in the Message of Prophet Muhammad ], and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah (Islamic Monotheism), He will render their deeds vain .
2. But those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and believe in that which is sent down to Muhammad ( ), for it is the truth from their Lord, He will expiate from them their sins, and will make good their state.
3. That is because those who disbelieve follow falsehood, while those who believe follow the truth from their Lord. Thus does Allah set forth their parables for mankind.
4. So, when you meet (in fight Jihad in Allah’s Cause), those who disbelieve smite at their necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burden.
Thus [you are ordered by Allah to continue in carrying out Jihad against the disbelievers till they embrace Islam (i.e. are saved from the punishment in the Hell-fire) or at least come under your protection], but if it had been Allah’s Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight), in order to test you, some with others. But those who are killed in the Way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost,
5. He will guide them and set right their state.
6. And admit them to Paradise which He has made known to them (i.e. they will know their places in Paradise more than they used to know their houses in the world).
7. O you who believe! If you help (in the cause of) Allah, He will help you, and make your foothold firm.
8. But those who disbelieve (in the Oneness of Allah Islamic Monotheism), for them is destruction, and (Allah) will make their deeds vain.
9. That is because they hate that which Allah has sent down (this Qur’an and Islamic laws, etc.), so He has made their deeds fruitless.
10. Have they not travelled through the earth, and seen what was the end of those before them? Allah destroyed them completely and a similar (fate awaits) the disbelievers.
11. That is because Allah is the Maula (Lord, Master, Helper, Protector, etc.) of those who believe, and the disbelievers have no Maula (lord, master, helper, protector, etc.).
Its real purpose was also to test the believers about their faith in Allah. Many Muslims were reluctant to fight for the cause of Allah. This shows the strength of their faith and belief in Allah.
Benefits of Surah Muhammad:
- It is said by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) in the commentary of Majma’ul Bayan that the one who recites this Surah will have his thirst quenched by the drink from the rivers of Jannah
- The one who recites this Surah will never have any doubt about his religion.
- He will not fall in any type of shirk or disbelief.
- Thousand angles will send salutations to his grave at his death.
- When he will rise from his grave, he will see the blessed face of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H).
- If this Surah is written and kept by a person, he/she will be protected from all evils and problems whether he is asleep or awake.
Conclusion:
Surah Muhammad (S.A.W) is a very beautiful Surah that gives relief to the heart and helps a person to keep his belief in Allah more firm. So if anyone feels that he is having a doubt in anything related to the religion, then he should recite this Surah.
Surah Muhammad
Introduction:
Surah Muhammad (47) is a Madani (Medina revealed) surah. It is also known as surah al Qital [Fighting].
Makkan surahs have guidance for ALL of mankind.
Madinah surahs have more guidance specific to the Ummah and the problems they face.
Why is it Important to study Madani surahs'?
We will be able to see the Advice and Reminders Allah gives to the Ummah through Madani revelation.
We will also see our Relationship with the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (sal Allah alayhi wasalam) insha' Allah through this surah.
It is also important to know the Madani surahs' because they give the criterion between the believer and the hypocrite.
This study of Madani surahs' will be a good contrast for us since we have studied many Makkah surahs' earlier (in Juzz 'Amma).
This surah has a strong focus on the first battle of this Ummah - the battle of Badr. So the language will be strong in tone.
This surah is almost an entire explanation of the last ayah of the previous surah; Ahqaf (46) - a Makkan surah.
Last ayah of surah al Ahqaf:
بَلَاغٌ ۚ فَهَلْ يُهْلَكُ إِلَّا الْقَوْمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ
Balaagh (an Open communication which should reach everyone) - then who will be destroyed except the Corrupt nation? [Ahqaf 46:35]
This is a warning to all corrupt nations - that they will be destroyed soon.
Literary Point of View:
Surah Anfal (8) is also a commentary on the battle of Badr. Surah at-Tawba is a commentary on the last of battles in the seerah (Fat-h Makkah and Tabuk).
Surah Muhammad is a introduction to the first victory - Badr. And then the next surah al-Fat-h (49) is the next victory of al Hudaybiah.
The name of Prophet Muhammad is mentioned specifically in this surah.
The name "Muhammad" is mentioned 4 times in the Qur'an;
1- surah aal Imran (3:144) - وَمَامُحَمَّدٌ إِلَّا رَسُولٌ قَدْ خَلَتْ مِن قَبْلِهِ الرُّسُلُ - wa maa muhammad il-laa rasool qad khalat min qablihi ar-Rusul - and Muhammad is except a Messenger, many Messengers passed away before him..
2 - surah al Ahzab (33:40) مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ - Muhammad is not the father of your men but he is the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the Prophets)..
3 - surah Muhammad (47:2) وَالَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ وَآمَنُوا بِمَا نُزِّلَ عَلَىٰ مُحَمَّدٍوَهُوَ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّهِمْ- and those who believe and do good deeds and believe what was sent down upon Muhammad and it is the truth from their Master..
4 - surah al Fat-h (48:29) مُّحَمَّدٌ رَّسُولُ اللَّهِ - Muhammadun Rasool Allah... - Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.
a - Surah al-Saff 61:6 - the nameAhmad is mentioned by prophet Jesus.
وَمُبَشِّرًا بِرَسُولٍ يَأْتِي مِن بَعْدِي اسْمُهُأَحْمَدُ -[Jesus gave the good news of Prophet Muhammad]bringing good tidings of a messenger to come after me, whose name isAhmad."
b - And in other parts of the Qur'an; Ya ayyuhan-Naby/Rasool (O Prophet/Messenger) etc. is mentioned.
Even amongst the 5 places in the Qur'an where Muhammad or Ahmad is mentioned, the word 'Rasool' (Messenger) is mentioned near to it.
However, the only exception is in the surah of surah Muhammad itself. There is no mention of 'Rasool'/Messenger in this surah.
What could be the wisdom behind 'Rasool' not being mentioned next to Muhammad?
There were 3 types of people who entered into Islam during the Madani era:
1 - People who knew the truthfulness and seriousness of Islam - so they submitted to it whole-heartedly.
2 - Hypocrites who only became Muslims so they do not feel as outcasts in society.
3 - Weak believers who did not know that Islam required full submission and full obedience to Allah's Messenger, Muhammad (sal Allah alayhi wasalam.)
When fighting was ordered by Prophet Muhammad, the groups 2 and 3 were shocked. They found out that they had to fight the strong elite of the Arabs - the Quraysh, who were known for their bravery and strength in war.
These two groups wanted an excuse so that they would not have to fight. They could not show they were cowards or that they were hypocritical, so they came up with a response.
Why do we have to fight when it has not been stated in the Qur'an (that we have to fight)?
Allah wanted to show these people that what Prophet Muhammad says in matters of religion is equal to what Allah says, since afterall - he is Allah's Messenger.
وَيُرِيدُونَ أَن يُفَرِّقُوا بَيْنَ اللَّهِ وَرُسُلِهِ- they desire to differentiate between Allah and His Messenger [in regard to rulings] (Nisa'4:150)
SoAllah is telling us and them that what Muhammad (sal Allah alayhi wasalam) says is part of the religion of Allah, and that what he says is a command from Allah. Even if that command is not in the Qur'an.
So Allah purposelly does not mention Muhammad 'RasoolAllah' (Muhammad the Messenger of Allah). Because even by not mentioning 'RasoolAllah' - you still have to obey him in full-submission. Since that is what you agreed to by becoming Muslim.
The main point is: You should not differentiate between what Prophet Muhammad commands, and what Allah commands in the Qur'an. They are from the same source.
To cause separation between Allah and His Messenger / the Qur'an and the Sunnah is the trait of the hypocrites.
Ayah 1:
الَّذِينَكَفَرُوا وَصَدُّوا عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ أَضَلَّ أَعْمَالَهُمْ
aladheenakafaroo wa saddoo 'an sabeeli-llahi aDallaa'maalahum
Those who
