Tadabbur Surat al-Hijr

Overview
Total Ayat 99
Total Words * 655
Root Words * 210
Unique Root Words * 0
Makki / Madani Makki
Chronological Order*
54th (according to Ibn Abbas)
Year of Revelation* 9th year of Prophethood
Events during/before this Surah* Events during/after still to occur*
Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3, Boycott of Banu Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning
Hashim Yr 2, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1, 2nd at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey,1st
Migration to Abyssinia, Physical beating and Pledge of Aqabah,2nd Pledge of Aqabah,
torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of
Muslims to Abyssinia, Public Invitation to Islam - Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of
Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah,Change
derision - accusation - abuse and false of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of
propaganda., Revelation begins - Private Badr,Battle of Uhud,,Battle of Ahzab - Expedition
Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah -
Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah -
Invitation to Islam Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition
of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of
Prophet - End of Divine Revelation

Names of Prophets Mentioned Lut, Ibrahim

Surah Introduction
The main theme of the Surah is divine guidance, and people's response. Allah's warns those who
deny this message and as a reminder of these warnings, we have here the stories of Prophet Lot's
people, Thamud and other groups.

Sections:
 Qur'an is the Books of Allah. He revealed it and He will guard it.
 Allah knows everything in the universe. He is the Creator of all.
 The creation of human being is from a very humble stuff, but Allah honored him and asked
angels to bow down to Adam. Satan's response.
 Allah is very forgiving, but His punishment is also severe.
 Prophet Lot and Prophet Shu'aib's people.
 The People of Hijr and what happened to them. Qur'an and Surah al-Fatihah are special gifts of
Allah. Allah will take care of those who ridicule His message.

It is named ‘Hijr’ after the valley located between Madinah and Sham [Greater Syria], where the
people of Salih, Thamud lived.

Central Theme
Theme 1: Allah protects and preserves His Deen [religion]
Though the main topics of the Surah are :
a. warning to those who rejected his Message, opposed it tooth and nail and ridiculed him.
b. comfort and encouragement to the Prophet

It does not mean that this Surah does not contain admonition and instructions. As a matter of fact the
Qur’an never confines itself to mere warning; rebuke and censure but resorts to precept in every
suitable place. Accordingly this Surah contains brief arguments for Monotheism (Tawhid) on the one
hand and admonition in the story of Adam and Satan on the other.
Connection of the name of the Surah and its Ayaat

Connection between the beginning and the ending of the Surah

Connection of the Surah to the Surah before/after it

Period of Revelation
“This surah was revealed in Makkah, after the revelation of Surah 12, Joseph. The time was a very
critical one, falling as it did between the ‘year of sorrow’ when the Prophet lost his wife Khadijah and
his uncle Abu Talib and the year when the Prophet migrated to Madinah. The surah thus reflects the
needs and requirements of this difficult period.” [Ref: Qutb, Fi Dhilal]

“It is clear from its topics and style that the period of its revelation is similar to that of Surah 14:
Ibraheem (Abraham) as two things are quite prominent in its background. Firstly, it appears from the
repeated warnings in this Surah that despite the fact that the Prophet had been propagating the
Message for many years his people in general had not shown any inclination towards its acceptance,
nay they had become more and more obdurate and stubborn in their antagonism, enmity and ridicule
with the passage of time. Secondly by that time the Prophet had begun to feel a little tired of making
strenuous efforts to eradicate disbelief and opposition of his people. That is why God has consoled
and comforted him over and over again by way of encouragement..” [Ref: Mawdudi]

Background Reasons for Revelation

Lessons/Guidance/Major-Issues/Reflections
 The Qur'an is a Divine Book.
 Allah protects His Book (15:9), the heavens (15:17), provisions, (15:21), water on earth (15:22),
Adam and his children (15:39-40), Ibrahim and his nephew by saving them from the plots of their
people, the Prophet Shuayb and finally the Prophet Muhammad (15:95) [verification of Ayat
numbers required]
 On the Day of Judgement, the disbelievers will wish that they had become Muslims.
 Allah Himself has taken the responsibility of preserving and safeguarding Al-Qur'an.
 Admonition through the story of Adam's creation, prostration of the angels before him, and
refusal of Shaitan to prostrate.
 The Prophet Ibrahim was given the good news of having a son by the same two angels who were
assigned to destroy the nation of Lut.
 Al-Fatiha is also named, "seven verses worthy of oft-recitation."
 Divine order to proclaim the commandments of Allah publicly and turn away from the mushrikin.