Overview - Surah 50: Qaf (Qaf)
The Surah emphasizes the theme of resurrection and the ultimate success of those who have faith in Allah and His Prophets.
Sections:
- Nature points out to the Resurrection.
- Allah is closer to us than our life-vein. The death, the end of the world, and the Resurrection.
- The Final judgment.
The Surah takes its name from the first Ayat, ق ۚ وَالْقُرْآنِ الْمَجِيدِ "Qaf. By the honored Qur'an..." (50:1).
There are 45 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
Total Ayat | 45 |
Total Words * | 373 |
Root Words * | 153 |
Unique Root Words * | 3 |
Makki / Madani | Makki |
Chronological Order* | 34th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
Year of Revelation* | 5th year of Prophethood |
Events during/before this Surah*
Physical beating and torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Muslims to Abyssinia, Public Invitation to Islam - Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - derision - accusation - abuse and false propaganda., Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam
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Events during/after still to occur*
2nd Migration to Abyssinia,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3,Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey,1st Pledge of Aqabah,2nd Pledge of Aqabah,,Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah,Change of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of Badr,Battle of Uhud,,Battle of Ahzab - Expedition of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah - Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah - Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of Prophet - End of Divine Revelation
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Names of Prophets Mentioned
Nuh, Lut
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Surah Index
‘Aad, God (wills no wrong to His creation) , Angels, Date palms, Dates, Death, Disbelievers (bear what they say in patience) , Earth, Earth (condition of at the time of resurrection) , Earth (creation of) (in six days), Hell, Judgement, Judgement (Day) , Judgement (Day) (riven asunder), Knowledge (obligation upon man to obtain and impart) , Lot, Madyan, Mountains, Noah, Pharaoh, Prayer (prostration) , Prayer (times of day of) , Qur’an, Resurrection (Day) , Resurrection (of soul) , Thamud, Tubba, Weather (rain)
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Theme 1: Ressurection
Authentic traditions show that the Prophet used to recite this Surah generally in the Prayer on the Eid days. A woman named Umm Hisham bin Harithah, who was a neighbour of the Prophet, says that she was able to commit Surah Qaf to memory only because she often heard it from the Prophet in the Friday sermons. According to some other traditions he often recited it in the dawn (Fajr) Prayer. This makes it abundantly clear that this was an important Surah in the sight of the Prophet. That is why he made sure that its contents reached as many people as possible over and over again.
The reason for this importance can be easily understood by a careful study of the Surah. The theme of the entire Surah is the Hereafter. When the Prophet started preaching his message in Makkah what surprised the people most was the news that people would be resurrected after death, and they would have to render an account of their deeds. They said that “that was impossible”; human mind could not believe that would happen. After all, how could it be possible that when the body had disintegrated into dust the scattered particles would be reassembled after hundreds of thousands of years to make up the same body once again and raised up as a living body. God in response sent down this discourse. In it, on the one hand, arguments have been given for the possibility and occurrence of the Hereafter in a brief way, in short sentences, and, on the other, the people have been warned, as if to say: “Whether you express wonder and surprise, or you regard it as something remote from reason, or deny it altogether, in any case it cannot change the truth. The absolute, unalterable truth is that God knows the whereabouts of each and every particle of your body that has scattered away in the earth, and knows where and in what state it is. God’s one signal is enough to make all the scattered particles gather together again and to make you rise up once again as you had been made in the first instance. Likewise, this idea that you have been created and left free to yourselves in the world and that you have not been made answerable to anyone, is no more than a misunderstanding. The fact is that not only is God Himself directly aware of each act and word of yours, even of the ideas that pass in your mind, but His angels also are attached to each one of you, who are preserving the record of whatever you do and utter. When the time comes, you will come out of your graves at one call just as young shoots of vegetable sprout up from the earth on the first shower of the rain. Then this heedlessness which obstructs your vision will be removed and you will see with your own eyes all that you are denying today. At that time you will realise that you had not been created to be irresponsible in this world but accountable to all your deeds. The meting out of the rewards and punishments, the Hell and Heaven, which you regard as impossible and imaginary things, will at that time become visible realities for you. In consequence of your enmity and opposition to the Truth you will be cast into the same Hell which you regard as remote from reason today and the ones who fear the Merciful God and return to the path of righteousness, will be admitted to the same Paradise at whose mention you now express wonder and surprise.
- There is a mention of the word 'Qur'an' in the begining and end of the Surah
ق ۚ وَالْقُرْآنِ الْمَجِيدِ "Qaf. By the honored Qur'an..." (50:1)
نَّحْنُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَقُولُونَ ۖ وَمَا أَنتَ عَلَيْهِم بِجَبَّارٍ ۖ فَذَكِّرْ بِالْقُرْآنِ مَن يَخَافُ وَعِيدِ "We are most knowing of what they say, and you are not over them a tyrant. But remind by the Qur'an whoever fears My threat." (50:45) - Giving life to the dead after death is mentioned in the begining and the end (50:3) (50:43)
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
18th Century
17th Century
1075AH (1697CE)
- The Prophet would recite this Surah in the two Eid salahs along with Surah al-Qamar [Saheeh Muslim]
- Hisham bint Harithah memorised this Surah due to the frequency of the Prophet mentioning it in the Jummah Khutbah.
123 Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) * | ||
# | Root Word | Frequency in Surah | Frequency in Qur'an |
---|---|---|---|
1. | ق و ل | 10 | 1722 |
2. | ي و م | 9 | 405 |
3. | ك و ن | 6 | 1390 |
4. | ل ق ي | 6 | 146 |
5. | ك ل ل | 6 | 377 |
6. | ج ي أ | 5 | 278 |
7. | و ع د | 5 | 151 |
8. | م و ت | 4 | 165 |
9. | أ ر ض | 4 | 461 |
10. | ح ق ق | 4 | 287 |
Root Word | Frequency in Surah |
Frequency in Qur'an |
---|---|---|
ق و ل | 10 | 1722 |
ي و م | 9 | 405 |
ك و ن | 6 | 1390 |
ل ق ي | 6 | 146 |
ك ل ل | 6 | 377 |
ج ي أ | 5 | 278 |
و ع د | 5 | 151 |
م و ت | 4 | 165 |
أ ر ض | 4 | 461 |
ح ق ق | 4 | 287 |
- وَحَدَّثَنَا عَمْرٌو النَّاقِدُ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ سَعْدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ، بْنِ إِسْحَاقَ قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أَبِي بَكْرِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ حَزْمٍ الأَنْصَارِيُّ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ سَعْدِ بْنِ زُرَارَةَ، عَنْ أُمِّ هِشَامٍ بِنْتِ حَارِثَةَ بْنِ النُّعْمَانِ، قَالَتْ لَقَدْ كَانَ تَنُّورُنَا وَتَنُّورُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَاحِدًا سَنَتَيْنِ أَوْ سَنَةً وَبَعْضَ سَنَةٍ وَمَا أَخَذْتُ { ق وَالْقُرْآنِ الْمَجِيدِ} إِلاَّ عَنْ لِسَانِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَؤُهَا كُلَّ يَوْمِ جُمُعَةٍ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ إِذَا خَطَبَ النَّاسَ
Umm Hisham bin Harithah bin An-Nu'man said, "Our oven and the oven of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) were the same for two years, or for one year and part of a year. And I only learned "Surah Qaf. By the Glorious Quran" from the tongue of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), who used to recited it every Friday from the Minbar, when he addresses the people." Sahih Muslim no. 1894
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حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ ضَمْرَةَ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ الْمَازِنِيِّ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ، سَأَلَ أَبَا وَاقِدٍ اللَّيْثِيَّ مَا كَانَ يَقْرَأُ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الأَضْحَى وَالْفِطْرِ فَقَالَ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِيهِمَا بِـ { ق وَالْقُرْآنِ الْمَجِيدِ} وَ { اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانْشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ}
'Abdullah b. 'Umar reported that (his father) 'Umar b. Khattab asked Abu Waqid al-Laithi what the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite on 'Id-ul-Adha and 'Id-ul-Fitr. He said: He used to recite in them:" Qaf. By the Glorious Qur'an" (Surah Qaf)," The Hour drew near, and the moon was rent asunder" (Surah al-Qamar)" Sahih Muslim no. 1936
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حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا شَرِيكٌ، وَابْنُ، عُيَيْنَةَ ح وَحَدَّثَنِي زُهَيْرُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ عُيَيْنَةَ، عَنْ زِيَادِ بْنِ عِلاَقَةَ، عَنْ قُطْبَةَ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، سَمِعَ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ فِي الْفَجْرِ { وَالنَّخْلَ بَاسِقَاتٍ لَهَا طَلْعٌ نَضِيدٌ}
Qutba b. Malik reported that he had heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) reciting in the morning prayer this: " And the tall palm trees having flower spikes piled one above another" (Al-Qur'an (50:10). Sahih Muslim no.921
- Life after death is a reality and there is nothing strange about it.
- Allah has assigned two angels to each person for noting down each single word that he utters.
- Every disbeliever will be thrown into hell and hell shall be asked, "Are you full." Hell will answer, "Are there some more?"
- Admonish people with The Qur'an and bear with them in patience.
Tafsir Zone
Overview (Verses 1 - 4) Truth and Denial In its initial section, comprising the first 15 verses, the surah speaks about resurrection and its denial by the unbelievers who wonder that it should even be mentioned, let alone asserted. The Qur'an, however, not only addresses their denial of the truth of resurrection, it also aims to put their deviant minds back on the right track. It tries first to awaken their hearts, alerting them to contemplation of the great truths that are clearly manifest in the universe. It does not engage them in any intellectual argument about resurrection; instead, it tries to bring life into their hearts and minds so that they can reflect. It puts before them the truth that is clearly evident in everything around them so that they will respond. This method is especially effective and is one that should be carefully studied by advocates of the divine message. The surah begins with an oath by the letter Qaf by the glorious Qur'an, which is composed of letters like Qaf. In fact, this is the first letter of the word 'Qur'an'. The surah does not mention the subject matter of the oath, leaving it as a way to open the door to whatever the surah wants to say. Thus, the oath serves to alert us to the fact that what comes afterwards is momentous. This is indeed what is intended, as the surah immediately moves away from the oath using the conjunction bal which has no English equivalent.' It now begins to discuss their amazement at what God's Messenger and the Qur'an say about the dead being brought back to life: But the unbelievers deem it strange that a warner from among themselves should have come to them and they say: `This is indeed most strange! When we have died and become dust...? Such a return to lift is too far-fetched." (Verses 2-3) They think it strange that someone from among themselves should warn them when this is indeed the very thing that human nature easily accepts. It is most natural that God should have chosen one of them to deliver His message for he was someone who could readily share their feelings, speak their language, take part in their activities, be amongst them through their lives, appreciate their motives as also recognize their abilities and limits. Such a person is the best one to warn them against what may happen should they persist in their erring ways, to teach them how to change course, and to outline the duties that they have to fulfil. He would be the first to discharge these duties. They felt it strange, however, to have such a message delivered in the first place, and were particularly amazed that this Messenger should speak to them about their being raised from the dead. Resurrection is central to the Islamic faith; indeed, it is the foundation on which all requirements of Islam are based. Every Muslim is required to support the truth against falsehood and uphold goodness against evil. A Muslim needs to make everything he does in life an act of worship, by ensuring that whatever he does aims to win God's acceptance and serve His cause. All action must be rewarded, and reward might not be forthcoming during our life's journey on earth. It is thus deferred until the final reckoning is done. This means that another world is needed. Hence resurrection, so as to face the reckoning in the next world. Should this fundamental principle of a second life disappear from a person's mindset, that person cannot form a clear concept of Islam and so cannot follow it. Those people in Makkah, however, did not look at the question in this light at all. They were too naive to understand the true nature of life and death, or to visualize God's power. Hence they said: "When we have died and become dust...? Such a return to lift is too far-fetched." (Verse 3) Thus, to them, it was a question of improbability of life after death when people's bodies have decomposed and turned to dust. Yet, since life takes place in the first place, why is it improbable for it to occur again. Moreover, this miracle of life occurs before their very eyes at every moment. It is there around them throughout the universe. It is to this that the Qur'an draws their attention in this surah. Before we continue with what the surah says about the universe and the images of life it portrays we need to reflect a little on the fact that people perish. This is pointed out by the unbelievers as they say: "When we have died and become dust...?" So people die and perish. Whoever reads what those unbelievers say will look at himself and people living in his vicinity and imagine how death occurs. In fact, he will begin to feel how he will turn to nothing when he is still alive, walking on earth. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
Mawdudi
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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Overview (Verses 1 - 4) Truth and Denial In its initial section, comprising the first 15 verses, the surah speaks about resurrection and its denial by the unbelievers who wonder that it should even be mentioned, let alone asserted. The Qur'an, however, not only addresses their denial of the truth of resurrection, it also aims to put their deviant minds back on the right track. It tries first to awaken their hearts, alerting them to contemplation of the great truths that are clearly manifest in the universe. It does not engage them in any intellectual argument about resurrection; instead, it tries to bring life into their hearts and minds so that they can reflect. It puts before them the truth that is clearly evident in everything around them so that they will respond. This method is especially effective and is one that should be carefully studied by advocates of the divine message. The surah begins with an oath by the letter Qaf by the glorious Qur'an, which is composed of letters like Qaf. In fact, this is the first letter of the word 'Qur'an'. The surah does not mention the subject matter of the oath, leaving it as a way to open the door to whatever the surah wants to say. Thus, the oath serves to alert us to the fact that what comes afterwards is momentous. This is indeed what is intended, as the surah immediately moves away from the oath using the conjunction bal which has no English equivalent.' It now begins to discuss their amazement at what God's Messenger and the Qur'an say about the dead being brought back to life: But the unbelievers deem it strange that a warner from among themselves should have come to them and they say: `This is indeed most strange! When we have died and become dust...? Such a return to lift is too far-fetched." (Verses 2-3) They think it strange that someone from among themselves should warn them when this is indeed the very thing that human nature easily accepts. It is most natural that God should have chosen one of them to deliver His message for he was someone who could readily share their feelings, speak their language, take part in their activities, be amongst them through their lives, appreciate their motives as also recognize their abilities and limits. Such a person is the best one to warn them against what may happen should they persist in their erring ways, to teach them how to change course, and to outline the duties that they have to fulfil. He would be the first to discharge these duties. They felt it strange, however, to have such a message delivered in the first place, and were particularly amazed that this Messenger should speak to them about their being raised from the dead. Resurrection is central to the Islamic faith; indeed, it is the foundation on which all requirements of Islam are based. Every Muslim is required to support the truth against falsehood and uphold goodness against evil. A Muslim needs to make everything he does in life an act of worship, by ensuring that whatever he does aims to win God's acceptance and serve His cause. All action must be rewarded, and reward might not be forthcoming during our life's journey on earth. It is thus deferred until the final reckoning is done. This means that another world is needed. Hence resurrection, so as to face the reckoning in the next world. Should this fundamental principle of a second life disappear from a person's mindset, that person cannot form a clear concept of Islam and so cannot follow it. Those people in Makkah, however, did not look at the question in this light at all. They were too naive to understand the true nature of life and death, or to visualize God's power. Hence they said: "When we have died and become dust...? Such a return to lift is too far-fetched." (Verse 3) Thus, to them, it was a question of improbability of life after death when people's bodies have decomposed and turned to dust. Yet, since life takes place in the first place, why is it improbable for it to occur again. Moreover, this miracle of life occurs before their very eyes at every moment. It is there around them throughout the universe. It is to this that the Qur'an draws their attention in this surah. Before we continue with what the surah says about the universe and the images of life it portrays we need to reflect a little on the fact that people perish. This is pointed out by the unbelievers as they say: "When we have died and become dust...?" So people die and perish. Whoever reads what those unbelievers say will look at himself and people living in his vicinity and imagine how death occurs. In fact, he will begin to feel how he will turn to nothing when he is still alive, walking on earth. |
- Surah 50. Qaf - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDrJDIXMNbs&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN&index=50
- Surah 50. Qaf Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26E8Qp3LF3c&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM&index=50
- Surah 50. Qaf Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD7U7keI5BQ&index=50&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe
- Idris Akbar Surah Qaf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYpY1T-JQ34
- Surah 50. Qaf Surah 50. Qaf https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVDP4Gcwvhw&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG&index=50