2. Introduction
The name of the surah means the Most High.
It is one of the earliest surahs to be revealed.
The Prophet(sws) wasn’t yet used to getting
revelations when this surah was sent.
Allah is the One who helped the Prophet(sws)
memorize and recite the Quran.
Sometimes the Prophet would be so preoccupied
with trying to memorize what he heard, that he would
miss out on listening to bits . That is when Allah told
him to just listen. Allah took on the responsibility for the
Prophet to actually remember and understand.
3. Introduction (cont.)
There are three major themes in this surah:
1. Tauhid (belief in One God)
2. Instructions to the Prophet (sws)
3. Hereafter
4. Ayah One: Glorify the name of your Lord, the
Most High,
There are three different meanings:
1. Allah should only be remembered by names that fit
Him, names by which He is referred to in the Quran
2. People should not name other creations based on
the exact attribute of Allah or name of Allah.
3. Allah should not mentioned in a way that reflects a
lack of respect.
5. Ayah Two: Who created all things and
fashioned them in good proportion.
Allah created everything, from the earth and the
heavens, in the universe.
He created everything in the right propertion and
with balance.
Every creation works perfectly and was created
in the perfect form and shape.
If the universe was created by chance or in
randomness, then it could not have been as
perfect, structured, and beautiful as it is. The inner
coherence among all creations would not exist.
6. Ayah Three: Who determined and guided them,
Allah set a destiny for all of His creations
beforehand. Each creation was created with a
purpose and a certain set of functions. Allah
determined how each would function and how
each would live its life or existence.
Nothing that Allah created was just left without
guidance. Whatever Allah created to perform
function, he had guided it so it was taught the
method of performing that function.
7. Ayah Four: Who brought forth the pasture,
Allah caused every kind of vegetation to grow
out of soil
All the fruits and vegetables and grains that our
food system relies on were all creations of Allah.
The system through which everything grows was
set by Allah.
We are dependent on His mercy.
8. Ayah Five: and then made it into a blackish
straw,
This is referring to the changes in the seasons
Think about how nice the plants are in the
summer, then how the leaves change color in the
fall, and even fall off in the winter. This is a sign of
Allah’s power.
Likewise, no one should think that their life only
has one stage, the life that we are in now. If you
are in summer, you will see autumn.
9. Questions (Intro + 1-5)
1. What does the name of the surah mean?
2. What would the Prophet (sws) sometimes
do when revelation was coming?
3. Who took the responsibility for the Prophet
to memorize and understand the Quran?
4. What are the three different meanings of
ayah one?
5. How did Allah determine and guide all of
His creations?
6. What is the significance of the seasons?
10. Ayah Six: We shall make you recite and then
you will not forget
The Prophet (sws) would often repeat the words
of the Quran in fear that he would forget them.
Sometimes even before the Angel Jibrael(a)
would finish reciting a line, the Prophet would start
repeating it
For this reason, Allah assures the Prophet that
he does not need to do that because Allah will help
him remember.
11. Ayah Seven: except what Allah should wish. He
knows all that is manifest and all that is hidden.
The Prophet (sws) will not forget anything. He
only forgets what Allah does not need him to
remember.
Allah is aware of everything, whatever is visible
and public and all that is private and secret.
Nothing can be hidden from Allah.
12. Ayah Eight: We shall ease you to follow the
way of Ease.
Allah has made it easier for the Prophet to follow
the right path.
If we want to do good, Allah will make it easier
for us.
13. Ayah Nine: So render good counsel if good
counsel will avail.
You should spread the message to all people but
spend more time and effort to those who are more
willing to listen and take your advice.
People who want the knowledge are more
worthy of your attention than those who don’t want
the knowledge.
14. Ayah Ten: He who fears (Allah) shall heed it,
Those who have fear of Allah and the
consequences of doing bad deeds, will take the
advice and implement it into their lives.
Heed means to listen to and accept.
15. Ayah Eleven: but the wretched will turn away from
it. Ayah Twelve: He will be cast into the Great Fire.
Ayah Thirteen: Then he will neither die in it, nor
live.
For those people who do not take the advice of
the Prophet(sws) and turn to Islam, they will be put
into the Hellfire where they will be punished.
In the Hellfire, they will not be able to die so they
will always feel the punishment. They will also not
be able to live a normal life.
16. Ayah Fourteen: He who purified himself shall
prosper, Ayah Fifteen: remembering his Lord’s
name and praying.
Those who purified themselves by turingng to
Allah, seeking forgiveness for their sins, and doing
good deeds, they will prosper. To prosper means
to become successful. These people will attain
Jannah.
These people purified themselves by
remembering Allah constantly and praying to Him.
17. Ayah Sixteen: No; but you prefer the present
life,
Human beings always think of this world and all
the goals in this world. We want all the eases and
comforts here. We think that whatever we gain in
this world is our real gain and whatever we lose
here as our real loss. But that is not the case.
We work more for this life then the next.
18. Ayah Seventeen: whereas the Hereafter is
better and more enduring.
While we prefer this life, Allah tells us that
working for the net life is better for us.
It is preferable in two ways:
1. Its comforts and pleasures are far superior
(greater) to all of the blessings in this world
2. This world is temporary and the Hereafter is
everlasting (is forever)
19. Ayah Eighteen: This, indeed, was in the ancient
Scrolls, Ayah Nineteen: the Scrolls of Abraham
and Moses.
This message of the Hereafter and judgment are not new
messages.
The same idea was also sent down in the books of
Ibrahim(a) and Musa(a)
20. Questions (6-19)
1. What would the Prophet sometimes try to do when
the angel was reciting?
2. What does Allah assure the Prophet about
remembering the Quran?
3. Who will heed the advice?
4. What will happen to those who turn away from the
advice?
5. How does one purify him or herself?
6. Which world do humans tend to prefer?
7. What are the two ways that the Hereafter is better?
8. To what other prophets were the same message
sent to?
21. Disclaimer
These slides are an abridged, simplified
version of tafseer. For detailed explanations,
please view other sources.
