Good to get some idea about the chapter we are going to read…like perspective, geopolitics at the time, struggles of that time and time immemorial ongoing conflicts.
Following link for complete chapter, translated, explained in details:
https://islamicstudies.info/reference.php?sura=13
Useful site for collection of books for reading, listening, downloading books:
https://www.australianislamiclibrary.org/
Introduction to Surah Ar-Ra’d from Tafheem-ul-Quran
Surah Ar-Ra’d is a Medinan Surah, revealed after the Hijrah (migration to Medina) during the period when the Muslim community was establishing its socio-political order and facing new challenges from within and without.
Maududi’s introduction positions this Surah as a profound discourse that addresses the fundamental questions and doubts raised by the new opponents of Islam in Medina—the Hypocrites (Munafiqun), the Jews, and the polytheists. It moves beyond the Meccan themes of pure Tawheed (monotheism) and the Hereafter to address the philosophical and political objections against the Prophethood of Muhammad (pbuh) and the concept of life after death.
Key Points of the Introduction:
- Central Theme – Responding to Intellectual Skepticism: The core objective of this Surah is to answer the sophisticated intellectual doubts and taunts of the disbelievers in Medina. Their primary objections were:
- “Why is Muhammad not working miracles like previous prophets?”
- “If there is a Hereafter, then bring it upon us now if you are truthful!”
- A general rejection of the concept of Resurrection as being logically impossible.
- The Argument from Universal Laws: The Surah does not answer these demands for spectacular miracles directly. Instead, it invites people to reflect on the ordinary yet magnificent phenomena of nature and the consistent laws embedded within the universe. The mention of Ar-Ra’d (Thunder) glorifying God is a prime example. It argues that the entire universe is, in fact, a continuous and overwhelming miracle for those who possess intellect and understanding.
- The Law of Requital: A major theme introduced is the concept that the system of the universe operates on a divine law of cause and effect, or requital. The Surah states that Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves. This establishes that the success or failure of the Muslim community is tied to its own faith and actions, not to arbitrary divine intervention.
- Contrast Between Truth and Falsehood: The Surah presents a powerful contrast between the believer and the disbeliever:
- The believer has a firm, grounded heart that finds peace and certainty in the remembrance of Allah. They see the signs of God everywhere in creation.
- The disbeliever is likened to one who is blind and deaf to these signs, whose heart is unsettled and whose foundation is weak.
- The Reality of Revelation: The Surah strongly affirms that the Quran is the true revelation from the Lord of the universe. It critiques the disbelievers for their irrational rejection of it despite its clear guidance and the inability of anyone to produce a single chapter like it.
In essence, Maududi introduces Surah Ar-Ra’d as a philosophical and rational discourse aimed at the skeptics. It tackles the deepest questions about prophecy, revelation, and the afterlife not with narratives, but by appealing to the innate human intellect and the observable laws of the universe. It argues that the greatest proofs of Allah’s power and the truth of the Message are all around us, embedded in the fabric of reality itself, for those who are willing to see and hear.
Selected verses with tafseer;
Quran Verse 13:2 (Surah Ar-Ra’d)
Arabic Text:
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى رَفَعَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ بِغَيْرِ عَمَدٍ تَرَوْنَهَاۖ ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلْعَرْشِۖ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَۖ كُلٌّ يَجْرِى لِأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّىۚ يُدَبِّرُ ٱلْأَمْرَ يُفَصِّلُ ٱلْأَيَـٰتِ لَعَلَّكُم بِلِقَآءِ رَبِّكُمْ تُوقِنُونَ ﴿٢﴾
English Translation (from Tafheem-ul-Quran by Abul A’la Maududi):
It is Allah Who has raised the heavens without any supports that you could see, and then He established Himself on the Throne (of Dominion). And He it is Who has made the sun and the moon subservient (to a law), each running its course till an appointed term. He governs the entire order of the universe and clearly explains the signs that you may be firmly convinced about meeting your Lord.
Tafseer (Commentary from Tafheem-ul-Quran by Abul A’la Maududi):
This verse is part of the introduction and main subject of Surah Ar-Ra’d, emphasizing that the entire universe belongs to Allah alone, there is another life after this one for accountability, and the Prophet’s message is from Allah. The verse specifically describes Allah’s creation and dominion: He raised the heavens without visible pillars, established Himself on the Throne, subjected the sun and moon to a fixed order, governs the universe’s affairs, and details signs to convince people of meeting their Lord.
Explanations include:
- “Raised the heavens without any supports that you could see”: Allah is He who raised the heavens without (any) pillars that you can see. Though there is nothing apparent and visible that is supporting these heavens, yet there is an invariable and imperceptible Power which is not only holding but keeping in its place each and every one of these huge heavens and whatever is in between them. The addressees accepted these claims, so no proofs were required here; they serve as arguments to prove Allah is the sole Sovereign. This applies to mushriks and atheists alike, as the universe’s perfect system proves an All-Powerful Sovereign with wisdom and knowledge exists—no system without an administrator, law without a ruler, etc.
- “Then He established upon the Throne”: For further details, refer to E.N. 41 of Surah Al-Aaraf (though not quoted here, it explains Allah’s rule over His Kingdom, not automatic nor ruled by many gods, but a regular system by its Creator).
- “Made the sun and the moon subservient… each running its course till an appointed term”: The sun and moon are subject to Allah’s will, running for a fixed term, showing nothing is everlasting—thus proving Resurrection’s inevitability.
- “He governs the entire order… clearly explains the signs”: Allah makes plain signs spread over the universe to prove Tauhid (one Creator) and the Hereafter. These signs convince through: (1) Heavenly bodies’ subjection showing Allah’s power to raise the dead; (2) The terrestrial system’s wisdom demanding accountability, as an All-Wise Creator would judge actions, not leave them unaccounted. The signs prove: Universe has one Creator/Administrator; life in the Hereafter for judgment; no everlasting elements, fixed terms for all. 9
Messages from Quran 