Overview - Surah 39: az-Zumar (The Groups)
The Surah talks about the true religion. It is to serve Allah sincerely and to avoid Shirk. Tawhid brings the blessings of Allah, while Shirk has terrible consequences. The Believers are told not to despair and lose heart. If it is difficult for them to practice their religion in one place, they can migrate from that land. The unbelievers are told that they can do whatever they wish, but they cannot turn the Believers away from the path of faith.
Sections:
- To Allah belongs the pure and sincere religion. The principle of Tawhid and its benefits. The evil of Shirk and its consequences.
- The reward of those who are steadfast in their faith.
- The perfect guidance of the Qur'an. It is straight without any crookedness.
- Allah is sufficient for the Prophet. The rejecters will be abased.
- The futility of Shirk and its evil consequences.
- Allah's mercy is available for all.
- You ignorant people, do you invite me to worship someone other than Allah? The Judgment of Allah.
- The reward of Believers and the punishment of the unbelievers.
The Surah takes its name from the mention of 'az-Zumar' in (39:71) and (39:73). These are the only mention of the words zumar in the whole Qur'an.
There are 88 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 75 |
| Total Words * | 1172 |
| Root Words * | 253 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 59th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 9th year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1, 2nd Migration to Abyssinia, 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*
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
No Prophets names are mentioned in this Surah
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| Surah Index
Adversity (not burdened with another’s burden) , Adversity (patience during) , God (knows that beyond comprehension) , Angels, Astronomy (celestial mechanics) (solar and lunar orbits), Botany, Cattle, Death, Disbelievers, Disbelievers (God’s promise to) , Earth, Earth (condition of at the time of resurrection) , Earth (creation and recreation of) , Earth (rotation of) , Hell, Humankind (creation of) , Hydrology, Judgement (Day) , Knowledge, Knowledge (obligation upon man to obtain and impart) , Prayer (prostration) , Prayer (standing) , Pregnancy, Prophet (people who are false prophets are wicked) , Qur’an, Qur’an (revealed in Arabic) , Religion, Resurrection (Day) , Resurrection (of soul) , Revelation, Sin, Weather (rain)
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Theme 1: Tawhid al-Khalis [Pure Monotheism]
- With Truth بِالْحَقِّ - In the beginning, it is mentioned that the Qur'an was revealed with Truth and the last Ayat it will be said that people will have been judged with Truth
- إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَا إِلَيْكَ الْكِتَابَ بِالْحَقِّ فَاعْبُدِ اللَّـهَ مُخْلِصًا لَّهُ الدِّينَ "Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book, [O Muhammad], in truth. So worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion." (39:2)
وَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُم بِالْحَقِّ وَقِيلَ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّـهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ "...And it will be judged between them in truth, and it will be said, "[All] praise to Allah, Lord of the worlds." (39:75)
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
- In the end of Surat Sad, Allah says: "It is but a reminder to the worlds." (37:87). In the beginning of Surat Az-Zumar He says: "The revelation of the Qur'an is from Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Wise." (39:1). It is as if it is being said: 'this reminder is a revelation', such is the connection that if the 'Basmallah' in Surat Az-Zumar was removed, the ending of Sad with seemlessly connect to the beginning of Az-Zumar. (Ref: Asraar Tarteeb al Qur'aan, Al Suyuti 16/1).
- Aishah [ra] reports قَالَ قَالَتْ عَائِشَةُ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لاَ يَنَامُ عَلَى فِرَاشِهِ حَتَّى يَقْرَأَ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ وَالزُّمَرَ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ غَرِيبٌ . "The Prophet (ﷺ) would not sleep until he recited Surat Bani Isra'il and Az-Zumar." [Tirmidhee no. 2920]
- The people of Hell will be under layers ontop of layers of Hell (39:16), whilst the people of Paradise will be in lofty mansions built one storey ontop of another (39:20).
- Zumar - This word only occurs in this Surah. It appears twice - (39:71) and (39:73).
- Ya Ibad -'O My Servants....' (39:10) (39:53) - Expression of sympathy with the creation.
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = * | ||
In Ayat 10 (…and the earth of God is spacious…) there is abundant evidence that this Surah was sent down before the migration to Abyssinia. Some hadith provide the explanation that this verse was sent down in respect of Ja’far bin Abi Talib and his companions when they made up their mind to emigrate to Abyssinia.
قُلْ يَا عِبَادِ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمْ ۚ لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا فِي هَـٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ ۗ وَأَرْضُ اللَّـهِ وَاسِعَةٌ ۗ إِنَّمَا يُوَفَّى الصَّابِرُونَ أَجْرَهُم بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ "Say, "O My servants who have believed, fear your Lord. For those who do good in this world is good, and the earth of Allah is spacious. Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account." (39:10)
In Surah al-Ankabut (29) - there is a similar Ayat, يَا عِبَادِيَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّ أَرْضِي وَاسِعَةٌ فَإِيَّايَ فَاعْبُدُونِ "O My servants who have believed, indeed My earth is spacious, so worship only Me." (29:56)
The entire Surah is a most eloquent and effective address which was given some time before the emigration to Abyssinia, in an environment filled with tyranny and persecution, ill-will and antagonism, at Makkah. It is a sermon whose addresses mainly are the unbelieving Quraysh, although here and there the believers also have been addressed. In it the real aim of the invitation of Muhammad is this: Man should adopt God’s servitude sincerely, and should not pollute his worship with the service of any other. Presenting this cardinal principle in different ways over and over again, the truth of Monotheism (Tawhid) and the excellent results of accepting it, and the falsehood of polytheism (shirk) and the evil consequences of following it, have been explained in a most forceful way, and the people exhorted to give up their wrong way of life and return to the mercy of their Lord. In this very connection, the believers have been instructed, as if to say: “If a place has become narrow for the worship and service of God, His earth is vast: you may emigrate to some other place in order to save your faith: God will reward you for your patience.” On the other hand, the Prophet has been encouraged, so as to say: “Tell the disbelievers plainly that they may do whatever they like, but their persecutions and tyrannies will never deter you from the way of Islam; that they may go on doing their utmost to obstruct your way, but you will continue to perform your mission in spite of the adverse conditions and circumstances.”
- The mushrikin try to justify their worship of saints saying: "It brings us closer to Allah."
- On the Day of Judgement no one shall bear the burden of others.
- Believers who cannot practice their faith should migrate to other place where they can.
- The real losers are those who lose their souls and families on the Day of Judgement.
- No one can rescue the one against whom the sentence of punishment has been decreed.
- Al-Qur'an is consistent yet it repeats the teachings in different ways.
- Allah has cited every kind of example in Al-Qur'an so that people may learn a lesson.
- Who can be more wicked than the one who invents a lie against Allah.
- Those who have transgressed against their souls should not despair of Allah's mercy, they should repent while they can.
- On the Day of Judgement everyone's Book of Deeds shall be laid open and justice shall be done with all fairness.
Tafsir Zone
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Sayyid Qutb Overview (Verses 4 - 5) The sūrah then shows their belief to be erroneous, indeed otiose: “Had God wished to take to Himself a son, He could have chosen anyone He wanted from whatever He creates. Limitless is He in His glory: the One God who conquers all.” (Verse 4) This is a supposition made for the sake of argument and to correct concepts. Had God wished for a son, He could have chosen any of His creatures. His will is free, unrestricted. However, He, in His limitless glory, has made Himself free of any such need. Hence, no one can attribute to Him a son. Such is His will and determination: “Limitless is He in His glory: the One God who conquers all.” (Verse 4) Why would He need a son when He is the Creator and Originator of all who controls everything. Indeed everything in the universe belongs it to Him and He can do with it all whatever He wants: “He has created the heavens and the earth in accordance with the truth. He causes the night ht to flow into the day, and the day to flow into the night; and He has made the sun and the moon subservient [to His laws] each running its course for a set term. He is indeed the Almighty; the All-Forgiving.” (Verse 5) This reference to the great universe and the phenomena of night and day, and the subjecting of the sun and moon to God’s law, puts the truth of the One God clearer before human nature. The One who creates all this from nothing does not need a son or a partner. Clear evidence of God’s oneness is seen in the way the heavens and the earth are created, and in the law controlling the universe. Indeed, to merely look at the skies and the earth gives us a clear sense of the oneness of the will that has created all and controls all. It has now become clear that the entire world known to man is composed of atoms made of the same matter, consisting of rays that have the same nature. It is also known that all atoms and the bodies composed of such atoms, including the earth in which we live and all planets and stars, are in perpetual motion dictated by a consistent law that operates without fail in the tiny atom as well as in the huge star. Furthermore, it has now been clearly established that this perpetual motion is in accordance with another constant law that further stresses the unity of creation and the unity of control. Every day, man discovers something new testifying to the unity of design throughout the universe. “He has created the heavens and the earth in accordance with the truth.” (Verse 5) Likewise, He bestowed His book from on high to state the truth. It is the same truth in the universe and in this book, the Qur’ān. Both originate from the same source, and both are evidence of the oneness of their Maker, the Almighty, the Wise. “He causes the night to flow into the day, and the day to flow into the night.” (Verse 5) This is indeed an amazing statement that forces anyone who carefully looks at it to consider what has now been established of the earth’s nature and its circular shape. Throughout this commentary on the Qur’ān, I have been keen not to look at its verses and statements from the angle of any theory science advances, because such theories may be right or they may be wrong. They may be proven today to be true but something may be discovered tomorrow to render them false. By contrast, the Qur’ān is the word of truth, and it carries its own proof. It needs no supporting evidence from what human beings may or may not discover. Yet the statement included in this verse forces me to relate it to the fact that the earth is circular, because it describes a fact we all notice. As the earth rotates, the part of it facing the sun receives its light and this is daytime. However, this part is not stationary because the earth continues to rotate. As it does, the night begins to spread over the part that had had the day. This part is in a rounded shape, and the day spreads over it in a flowing movement, followed by the night also in a flowing movement. After a while the day begins to flow again over the night from the other side, in never-ceasing motion: “He causes the night to flow into the day, and the day to flow into the night.” (Verse 5) The statement draws the design, defines the position and specifies the nature of the earth and its movement. Its circular shape and rotation give this statement its most accurate interpretation. “He has made the sun and the moon subservient [to His laws]: each running its course for a set term.” (Verse 5) The sun and the moon run in their respective orbits. They are under God’s control. No one claims to set them in motion. By natural logic, they cannot run without someone setting them to do so, controlling them by a system that does not deviate by a hair’s breadth across countless centuries. Yet both the sun and the moon continue to run their courses ‘for a set term,’ which is known only to God. “He is indeed the Almighty, the All-Forgiving.” (Verse 5) His might and power are coupled with His forgiveness of anyone who turns to Him. Thus, those who lie to Him, disbelieve in His oneness, attribute partners to Him or allege that He has a son are made aware that the way is open to them to return to the right way and to believe in the One who is Almighty, Much-Forgiving. Overview (Verses 4 - 5) The sūrah then shows their belief to be erroneous, indeed otiose: “Had God wished to take to Himself a son, He could have chosen anyone He wanted from whatever He creates. Limitless is He in His glory: the One God who conquers all.” (Verse 4) This is a supposition made for the sake of argument and to correct concepts. Had God wished for a son, He could have chosen any of His creatures. His will is free, unrestricted. However, He, in His limitless glory, has made Himself free of any such need. Hence, no one can attribute to Him a son. Such is His will and determination: “Limitless is He in His glory: the One God who conquers all.” (Verse 4) Why would He need a son when He is the Creator and Originator of all who controls everything. Indeed everything in the universe belongs it to Him and He can do with it all whatever He wants: “He has created the heavens and the earth in accordance with the truth. He causes the night ht to flow into the day, and the day to flow into the night; and He has made the sun and the moon subservient [to His laws] each running its course for a set term. He is indeed the Almighty; the All-Forgiving.” (Verse 5) This reference to the great universe and the phenomena of night and day, and the subjecting of the sun and moon to God’s law, puts the truth of the One God clearer before human nature. The One who creates all this from nothing does not need a son or a partner. Clear evidence of God’s oneness is seen in the way the heavens and the earth are created, and in the law controlling the universe. Indeed, to merely look at the skies and the earth gives us a clear sense of the oneness of the will that has created all and controls all. It has now become clear that the entire world known to man is composed of atoms made of the same matter, consisting of rays that have the same nature. It is also known that all atoms and the bodies composed of such atoms, including the earth in which we live and all planets and stars, are in perpetual motion dictated by a consistent law that operates without fail in the tiny atom as well as in the huge star. Furthermore, it has now been clearly established that this perpetual motion is in accordance with another constant law that further stresses the unity of creation and the unity of control. Every day, man discovers something new testifying to the unity of design throughout the universe. “He has created the heavens and the earth in accordance with the truth.” (Verse 5) Likewise, He bestowed His book from on high to state the truth. It is the same truth in the universe and in this book, the Qur’ān. Both originate from the same source, and both are evidence of the oneness of their Maker, the Almighty, the Wise. “He causes the night to flow into the day, and the day to flow into the night.” (Verse 5) This is indeed an amazing statement that forces anyone who carefully looks at it to consider what has now been established of the earth’s nature and its circular shape. Throughout this commentary on the Qur’ān, I have been keen not to look at its verses and statements from the angle of any theory science advances, because such theories may be right or they may be wrong. They may be proven today to be true but something may be discovered tomorrow to render them false. By contrast, the Qur’ān is the word of truth, and it carries its own proof. It needs no supporting evidence from what human beings may or may not discover. Yet the statement included in this verse forces me to relate it to the fact that the earth is circular, because it describes a fact we all notice. As the earth rotates, the part of it facing the sun receives its light and this is daytime. However, this part is not stationary because the earth continues to rotate. As it does, the night begins to spread over the part that had had the day. This part is in a rounded shape, and the day spreads over it in a flowing movement, followed by the night also in a flowing movement. After a while the day begins to flow again over the night from the other side, in never-ceasing motion: “He causes the night to flow into the day, and the day to flow into the night.” (Verse 5) The statement draws the design, defines the position and specifies the nature of the earth and its movement. Its circular shape and rotation give this statement its most accurate interpretation. “He has made the sun and the moon subservient [to His laws]: each running its course for a set term.” (Verse 5) The sun and the moon run in their respective orbits. They are under God’s control. No one claims to set them in motion. By natural logic, they cannot run without someone setting them to do so, controlling them by a system that does not deviate by a hair’s breadth across countless centuries. Yet both the sun and the moon continue to run their courses ‘for a set term,’ which is known only to God. “He is indeed the Almighty, the All-Forgiving.” (Verse 5) His might and power are coupled with His forgiveness of anyone who turns to Him. Thus, those who lie to Him, disbelieve in His oneness, attribute partners to Him or allege that He has a son are made aware that the way is open to them to return to the right way and to believe in the One who is Almighty, Much-Forgiving. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
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 4 - 5) The sūrah then shows their belief to be erroneous, indeed otiose: “Had God wished to take to Himself a son, He could have chosen anyone He wanted from whatever He creates. Limitless is He in His glory: the One God who conquers all.” (Verse 4) This is a supposition made for the sake of argument and to correct concepts. Had God wished for a son, He could have chosen any of His creatures. His will is free, unrestricted. However, He, in His limitless glory, has made Himself free of any such need. Hence, no one can attribute to Him a son. Such is His will and determination: “Limitless is He in His glory: the One God who conquers all.” (Verse 4) Why would He need a son when He is the Creator and Originator of all who controls everything. Indeed everything in the universe belongs it to Him and He can do with it all whatever He wants: “He has created the heavens and the earth in accordance with the truth. He causes the night ht to flow into the day, and the day to flow into the night; and He has made the sun and the moon subservient [to His laws] each running its course for a set term. He is indeed the Almighty; the All-Forgiving.” (Verse 5) This reference to the great universe and the phenomena of night and day, and the subjecting of the sun and moon to God’s law, puts the truth of the One God clearer before human nature. The One who creates all this from nothing does not need a son or a partner. Clear evidence of God’s oneness is seen in the way the heavens and the earth are created, and in the law controlling the universe. Indeed, to merely look at the skies and the earth gives us a clear sense of the oneness of the will that has created all and controls all. It has now become clear that the entire world known to man is composed of atoms made of the same matter, consisting of rays that have the same nature. It is also known that all atoms and the bodies composed of such atoms, including the earth in which we live and all planets and stars, are in perpetual motion dictated by a consistent law that operates without fail in the tiny atom as well as in the huge star. Furthermore, it has now been clearly established that this perpetual motion is in accordance with another constant law that further stresses the unity of creation and the unity of control. Every day, man discovers something new testifying to the unity of design throughout the universe. “He has created the heavens and the earth in accordance with the truth.” (Verse 5) Likewise, He bestowed His book from on high to state the truth. It is the same truth in the universe and in this book, the Qur’ān. Both originate from the same source, and both are evidence of the oneness of their Maker, the Almighty, the Wise. “He causes the night to flow into the day, and the day to flow into the night.” (Verse 5) This is indeed an amazing statement that forces anyone who carefully looks at it to consider what has now been established of the earth’s nature and its circular shape. Throughout this commentary on the Qur’ān, I have been keen not to look at its verses and statements from the angle of any theory science advances, because such theories may be right or they may be wrong. They may be proven today to be true but something may be discovered tomorrow to render them false. By contrast, the Qur’ān is the word of truth, and it carries its own proof. It needs no supporting evidence from what human beings may or may not discover. Yet the statement included in this verse forces me to relate it to the fact that the earth is circular, because it describes a fact we all notice. As the earth rotates, the part of it facing the sun receives its light and this is daytime. However, this part is not stationary because the earth continues to rotate. As it does, the night begins to spread over the part that had had the day. This part is in a rounded shape, and the day spreads over it in a flowing movement, followed by the night also in a flowing movement. After a while the day begins to flow again over the night from the other side, in never-ceasing motion: “He causes the night to flow into the day, and the day to flow into the night.” (Verse 5) The statement draws the design, defines the position and specifies the nature of the earth and its movement. Its circular shape and rotation give this statement its most accurate interpretation. “He has made the sun and the moon subservient [to His laws]: each running its course for a set term.” (Verse 5) The sun and the moon run in their respective orbits. They are under God’s control. No one claims to set them in motion. By natural logic, they cannot run without someone setting them to do so, controlling them by a system that does not deviate by a hair’s breadth across countless centuries. Yet both the sun and the moon continue to run their courses ‘for a set term,’ which is known only to God. “He is indeed the Almighty, the All-Forgiving.” (Verse 5) His might and power are coupled with His forgiveness of anyone who turns to Him. Thus, those who lie to Him, disbelieve in His oneness, attribute partners to Him or allege that He has a son are made aware that the way is open to them to return to the right way and to believe in the One who is Almighty, Much-Forgiving. |
Scientific References
يُكَوِّرُ اللَّيْلَ عَلَى النَّهَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ النَّهَارَ عَلَى اللَّيْلِ "...He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night..." (39:5)
The Arabic word for “wrap” is “yukowir” The word is used to depict the act of wrapping a turban around someone’s head. This word was also used in the sense of overlapping of the night and day and vice versa. The reason for the day’s turning into night and the night’s turning into day is due to the spheroid form of the earth.
God also says, وَالْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ دَحَاهَا “And after that He spread the earth.” (79:30) The Arabic word “dahw” means to ‘spread’ or ‘spread out giving something a round shape’, i.e. like that of the ostrich’s egg. Many ancient cultures, including the Greek, Indian and Chinese, held the belief that the Earth is flat. The Europeans did not alter their view until the Middle ages.
- Surah 39. Az-Zumar - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eht1S7reonw&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN&index=39
- Surah 39. Az-Zumar Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OAtztYUwsKE&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM&index=39
- Surah 39. Az-Zumar Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngdVbLTm2eo&index=39&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe
- Idris Akbar Surah Az-Zumar http://Idris Akbar Surah Zumar
- Surah 39. Az-Zumar muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9_MEe1isxo&index=39&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG
- Dr Israr Ahmed Tafsir Surah Al-Zumur to Surah Al-M'umin (1-46)1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnWQdD1aXFw&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263&index=87
- Surah Al-Zumur to Surah Al-M'umin (1-46)2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LPfBkMisWQ&list=PLB4B8D1654A8BD263&index=88
