Surah 23. Al-Muminun
Malik Introduction
This Surah was revealed during the middle stage of the Prophet's residence at Makkah. It was the climax of the famine in that region (vv. 75-76). From the contents of this Surah, it appears that a bitter conflict had begun between the Prophet Muhammad and the disbelievers though the persecution had not yet begun.
- Characteristics of a true believers.
- Stages of human creation.
- The story of Prophet Nuh (pbuh) and the great flood.
- The story of Hud (pbuh) and the blast of destruction.
- The fact that Allah has not charged any soul with more than it can bear.
- Guidance to repel evil with good and to seek the protection of Allah against the temptations of Shaitan.
- The fact that on the Day of Judgement it will appear as if the life of this world was less than one day.
- The fact that the disbelievers will never get salvation.
This Surah invites the people to accept and follow the Message of the Prophet Muhammad; the whole Surah revolves round this theme. According to an authentic tradition related by Urwah bin Zubair, Sayyiduna Umar, who had embraced Islam by that time, said, "This Surah was revealed in my presence and I observed the state of the Prophet during its revelation. When the revelation ended, the Prophet remarked, 'On this occasion ten such verses have been sent down to me that the one who measures up to them will most surely go to paradise.' Then he recited the first ten verses of this Surah."
Maududi Introduction
The surah takes its name, Al-Mumineen, from the first verse.
indicate that it was revealed during the middle stage of Prophethood at Makkah. Reading between the lines, one feels that a bitter conflict had begun between the Holy Prophet and the disbelievers of Makkah, though the persecution by them had not yet become tyrannical. It appears that the surah was sent down during the climax of the "Famine" in Makkah (vv. 75-76), which according to authentic traditions occurred during the middle stage of Prophethood. Moreover, according to a tradition related by 'Urwah bin Zubair, Hadrat Umar who had embraced Islam by that time, said, "This Surah was revealed in my presence and I myself observed the state of the Holy Prophet during its revelation. When the revelation ended, the Holy Prophet remarked, 'On this occasion ten such verses have been sent down to me that the one who measures up to them, will most surely go to Paradise'. Then he recited the initial verses of the surah." (Ahmad, Tirmizi, Nasai, Hakim).
The central theme of the surah is to invite the people to accept and follow the Message of the Holy Prophet and the whole Surah revolves round this theme.
Ayah Themes
1 to 11 - Characteristics of true believers
12 to 16 - Stages of human creation
17 to 22 - Allah has made the heavens, vegetation, trees and Animals for the benefit of human beings
23 to 30 - Prophet Nuh was sent to guide his people, they disbelieved him, as a result Allah drowned all disbelievers in great flood
31 to 32 - After prophet Nuh, Allah sent Hud to guide his people
33 to 44 - They called Hud and imposter; as a result Allah destroyed them all in a mighty blast and After Hud Allah sent Rasools to other people, those people also denied and faced a similar punishment
45 to 50 - Musa was sent to Fir'on and his chiefs; they also disbelieved and faced destruction
51 to 61 - Allah has said, "In fact, your religion is one religion; I am your Rabb, so fear Me alone"
62 to 77 - Allah has not charged any soul with more than it can bear and Those who do not believe in the hereafter will stray from the Right Path
78 to 83 - Allah has given you ears, eyes, and hearts, but you seldom show gratitude
84 to 90 - Even the disbelievers recognize the existence of Allah
91 to 92 - Allah has never begotten a son, nor there is any other god besides Him
93 to 98 - Repel evil with good Seek refuge with Allah against the temptations of Shaitan
99 to 111 - Wrongdoers will wish that they be sent back to this world to adopt the Right Way, but it will be too late
112 to 115 - On the day of Judgement it will appear as if the life of this world was less than a day
116 to 118 - Unbelievers will never attain salvation