Islamic knowledge

Chapter 91/ Al Shams

Summary of the chapter & the links: 

1. Audio discussion of the chapter summary: 

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/da878a40-de7a-454a-9c8e-f92f6c6aff59/audio

2. Mesmerizing recitation of the chapter with English translation:

https://surahquran.com/sorah-english-91.html

3. Free app for complete Quran , translations in multiple world languages: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1118663303

4. Free app for complete Quran, recitation, multiple tafaseer, books of ahadees: https://apps.apple.com/app/id1006098149

Based exclusively on Tafheem-ul-Qur’an by Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, here is a concise summary of Surah Ash-Shams (Chapter 91):

📜 Revelation Context

  • Period: Revealed in early Makkah during intense opposition to Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) .
  • Theme: Distinguishes between good and evil, emphasizing human accountability for moral choices .

🔍 Verse-by-Verse Analysis

  1. Divine Oaths (Verses 1–10):
    • Allah swears by 11 cosmic phenomena to underscore their significance as signs of His wisdom :
    • The sun’s radiant brightness (duha) .
    • The moon reflecting the sun’s light .
    • The day revealing the sun’s glory .
    • The night concealing the sun .
    • The sky and its flawless construction .
    • The earth’s vast expanse .
    • The human soul (nafs) and its perfection .
  2. Human Accountability (Verses 7–10):
    • Divine Inspiration: Allah imbued the soul with innate knowledge of fujur (immorality) and taqwa (piety), enabling moral discernment .
    • Ultimate Choice: Success depends on purifying the soul (tazkiyah), while failure stems from corrupting it (dasaaha) .
  3. Historical Precedent: Thamud’s Destruction (Verses 11–15):
    • Transgression: The tribe of Thamud rejected Prophet Salih (ﷺ) due to arrogance .
    • Defiance: Despite warnings to preserve Allah’s she-camel and her right to water, their “most wretched man” hamstrung it .
    • Divine Punishment: Allah annihilated them equally for collective guilt, demonstrating His absolute authority without fear of consequences .

💡 Core Theological Insights from Tafheem

  1. Fitrah (Innate Human Nature):
    • Humans are created with a balanced soul (sawwaha) inclined toward goodness, rejecting the concept of “original sin” . Moral corruption arises from external influences, not innate depravity.
  2. Role of Revelation vs. Natural Inspiration:
    • While Allah instills basic moral awareness (ilham) in every soul, divine revelation through prophets is essential to clarify and reinforce this knowledge against human rationalizations .
  3. Universality of Divine Justice:
    • Thamud’s destruction exemplifies that rejecting clear guidance after Allah’s signs invites inevitable punishment. Allah’s judgment is impartial and unrestrained by worldly consequences .

⚖️ Practical Implications

  • Individual Responsibility: Spiritual success hinges on conscious effort to nurture virtue and suppress vice, not passive fate .
  • Societal Warning: Collective defiance of divine laws, as seen in Thamud’s unanimous support for the she-camel’s killing, leads to universal ruin .

“Allah does not obliterate communities arbitrarily; their own choices forge their destruction” — Tafheem-ul-Qur’an on Verse 91:15 .

For deeper study, refer to the full Tafheem commentary.

Direct Answer

  • Key Points:
  • Research suggests that Surah Ash-Shams (chapter 91) from Tafheemul Quran emphasizes the importance of purifying the soul, using natural phenomena like the sun and moon as examples.
  • It seems likely that the surah highlights the balance of the human soul, with success tied to choosing good over evil, and includes a historical warning about the Thamud people’s destruction for disobedience.
  • The evidence leans toward this interpretation being based on Syed Abul A’la Maududi’s commentary, focusing on moral and spiritual lessons.

Summary of Surah Ash-Shams:
Surah Ash-Shams, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran, begins with oaths by natural elements like the sun, moon, and earth, emphasizing their creation and purpose. It explains that the human soul is created in balance, inspired with knowledge of good (taqwa) and evil (fujur). Success is promised to those who purify their souls, while failure awaits those who corrupt them. The surah also recounts the story of the Thamud people, who denied Prophet Salih, killed Allah’s she-camel, and faced divine destruction as a consequence.

Moral and Spiritual Lessons:
This chapter seems to serve as a reminder of the consequences of moral choices, with the Thamud story illustrating the dangers of rejecting divine guidance. It encourages self-purification and adherence to ethical behavior.

Historical Context:
The commentary likely places this surah in the early Makkan period, where opposition to the Prophet Muhammad was strong, using historical examples like Thamud to warn against corruption.

Supporting URL:

Surah Ash-Shams (chapter 91) from Tafheemul Quran, the renowned tafsir by Syed Abul A’la Maududi, provides a detailed commentary on the 91st chapter of the Quran, which consists of 15 verses revealed in Makkah. This surah, titled “The Sun,” is significant for its moral and spiritual lessons, emphasizing the distinction between good and evil and the consequences of human choices. Below, I present a comprehensive analysis based on the available information, ensuring a thorough exploration of the content and context as derived from Tafheemul Quran.

Overview and Structure

The surah is divided into two main parts, as noted in the commentary. The first part (verses 1-10) focuses on theological and moral principles, while the second part (verses 11-15) provides a historical example to illustrate these principles. This structure is typical of early Makkan surahs, which often address foundational beliefs and warn against disbelief amidst growing opposition to the Prophet Muhammad.

Detailed Commentary from Tafheemul Quran

The commentary begins with an analysis of the oaths in the opening verses, which include the sun, its daylight, the moon, the night, the sky, the earth, and the human soul. These oaths are not merely rhetorical; they emphasize the purposeful creation of these entities and their roles in the cosmic order. For instance, the sun and moon are described as having distinct functions, with the sun providing light and heat, and the night covering the sun’s light, symbolizing contrast and balance.

The commentary highlights verse 7, which states that the human soul was created in a balanced state and inspired with the knowledge of good (taqwa) and evil (fujur). This is a central theme, suggesting that humans are endowed with an innate ability to discern right from wrong, a concept rooted in Islamic theology. The terms “tazkiyah” (purification) and “tadsiyah” (corruption) are used to describe the outcomes of this choice, with success promised to those who purify their souls and failure to those who corrupt them. This interpretation aligns with Maududi’s focus on practical application, encouraging believers to strive for moral excellence.

Historical Example: The Thamud People

The second part of the surah (verses 11-15) recounts the story of the Thamud, an ancient civilization near the Arabian Peninsula, who rejected Prophet Salih and his message. Specifically, they are said to have killed Allah’s she-camel, a sign given to them as a test of obedience. The commentary notes that this act of transgression led to their destruction by Allah, with their land leveled to the ground, serving as a warning of divine justice. This historical narrative is used to illustrate the consequences of denying divine guidance and engaging in corruption, reinforcing the moral lessons of the first part.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Maududi’s commentary emphasizes that the surah is not just a theological discourse but a call to action. It underscores the personal responsibility of individuals to purify their souls, drawing a parallel between the natural order (e.g., the sun and moon following their ordained paths) and the moral order expected of humans. The Thamud story is particularly poignant, serving as a cautionary tale for those who might reject prophetic guidance, especially in the context of early Makkan opposition to Islam.

Contextual Analysis

The period of revelation, as inferred from the style and subject matter, is likely the earliest stage at Makkah, when the Prophet faced intense opposition. This context is crucial, as it explains the surah’s focus on distinguishing good from evil and warning against following the path of previous disbelieving nations like Thamud. The commentary also connects this to contemporary issues, applying Quranic guidance to moral and ethical dilemmas, which is a hallmark of Maududi’s approach.

Supporting Evidence and Sources

The summary provided is based on a reliable online source, “Towards Understanding the Quran – Quran Translation Commentary – Tafheem ul Quran,” which presents Maududi’s work with Arabic text, English translation, and detailed commentary. Additional searches for PDF versions of Tafheemul Quran for Surah Ash-Shams confirmed the availability of the text, though direct access to PDFs was not necessary given the comprehensive online commentary. The website islamicstudies.info is noted for its fidelity to Maududi’s original insights, edited for clarity and reader-friendliness, ensuring the summary aligns with the authoritative source.

Tables for Organization

To enhance clarity, below is a table summarizing the key segments of Surah Ash-Shams as per Tafheemul Quran:SectionVersesTheme Oaths by Creation 1-6 Emphasis on natural phenomena (sun, moon, etc.) and their purposeful order. Human Soul 7-10 Soul created balanced, inspired with good and evil; success vs. failure. Historical Example 11-15 Thamud’s rejection of Prophet Salih, killing of the she-camel, and destruction.

Another table outlines the moral lessons derived:Moral LessonExplanation Purification of the Soul Success depends on choosing good (taqwa) over evil (fujur) through tazkiyah. Consequences of Corruption Thamud’s destruction illustrates divine justice for rejecting guidance. Personal Responsibility Humans are accountable for their moral choices, akin to the natural order.

Conclusion

This detailed analysis ensures a comprehensive understanding of Surah Ash-Shams from Tafheemul Quran, covering theological, historical, and moral dimensions. The commentary by Maududi, as presented, offers a clear and practical interpretation, emphasizing the surah’s relevance to personal and communal ethics, especially in the context of early Islamic challenges. The information is derived solely from Tafheemul Quran, adhering to the user’s request, and supported by reliable online sources as of the current date, July 7, 2025.