Tag Archives: Al-Buruj

Islamic knowledge

Chapter 85/ Al Buruj

Following are the links:

1. audio discussion of the chapter summary:

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/0bc4c8a9-39ce-4ac4-85cb-1cf13910417b/audio

2. Mesmerizing recitation of the chapter with English translation

https://surahquran.com/sorah-english-85.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

Here is a summary of Surah Al-Buruj (Chapter 85) based exclusively on Tafheem-ul-Quran by Syed Abul A’la Maududi:

Overview

  • Name: Derived from Verse 1 (“By the heaven with its impregnable castles/constellations”).
  • Revelation: Makkan period, during intense persecution of early Muslims (6-3 BH, ~616–618 CE) .
  • Theme: A warning to persecutors of believers and consolation for the oppressed, affirming divine justice and the inevitability of Judgment .

Key Teachings

  1. Divine Oath and the People of the Ditch (Verses 1–8)
  • Allah swears by:
    • The sky adorned with constellations (symbolizing divine majesty and protection) .
    • The Promised Day (Day of Judgment).
    • The “witness” and “witnessed” (interpreted as human deeds and their divine recording) .
  • Historical Account: The destruction of the “Companions of the Ditch” (أصحاب الأخدود), who burned believers alive for their faith. Their crime: targeting believers solely for affirming faith in “Allah, the Almighty, the Praiseworthy” .
  1. Warning to Persecutors (Verses 9–10)
  • Allah, as Sovereign of the heavens and earth, witnesses all oppression.
  • Tormentors of believers face Hell unless they repent .
  1. Promise to Believers (Verse 11)
  • Those who believe and do righteous deeds attain Gardens beneath which rivers flow—”the supreme success” .
  1. Allah’s Absolute Power (Verses 12–16)
  • Divine punishment is severe (Verse 12).
  • Allah originates creation, repeats it, and is “the Oft-Forgiving, the Most Loving” (Verse 14).
  • He is “Owner of the Throne, the Glorious” and “Doer of what He intends” (Verse 16)—no force can thwart His will .
  1. Rebuke to Disbelievers (Verses 17–20)
  • The fate of tyrants like Pharaoh and Thamud serves as a lesson. Despite their power, Allah annihilated them .
  • Disbelievers persist in denial, but Allah “encompasses them from behind” (i.e., His power surrounds them) .
  1. Affirmation of the Quran’s Sanctity (Verses 21–22)
  • The Quran is “a Glorious Book,” preserved in the “Well-Guarded Tablet” (لوح محفوظ), immune to corruption .

Historical Context

  • Revealed when Quraysh intensified persecution against Muslims in Mecca. The story of the Ditch (likely referencing the martyrdom of Najran Christians by the Jewish king Dhu Nuwas) underscores that faith-based oppression invites divine wrath .

Core Message

  • To Persecutors: Tyranny against believers incurs irreversible punishment.
  • To Believers: Steadfastness guarantees eternal reward; Allah’s dominion ensures ultimate justice .

For further study, refer to Tafheem-ul-Quran directly.

Key Points

  • Research suggests Surah 85, Al-Buruj, focuses on oaths by the heaven with constellations, the Day of Judgment, and condemnation of persecutors who burnt believers.
  • It seems likely that the surah highlights divine justice, warning of Hell for the wicked and promising Gardens for the righteous who believed and did good deeds.
  • The evidence leans toward historical examples like the people of the pit and events at Najran, illustrating divine punishment for disbelief and persecution.

Overview

Surah 85, known as Al-Buruj (The Constellations), is a Meccan chapter of the Quran, and Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi provides a detailed commentary on its themes. This summary, based solely on Tafheemul Quran, emphasizes its focus on divine justice, the Day of Judgment, and historical examples of persecution and punishment.

Themes and Content

The surah begins with oaths by the heaven with its constellations, the Promised Day (Day of Resurrection), and the witness and what is witnessed, underscoring the inevitability of accountability. It condemns the people of the pit (ashab al-ukhdud), who burnt believers at stake for their faith, highlighting their witnessing of their own cruel acts. Allah’s dominion over the heavens and earth is affirmed, with warnings of Hell and burning for those who persecuted believers without repenting, and promises of Gardens with rivers for the righteous, described as great success.

Divine Attributes and Examples

The surah emphasizes Allah’s strong grip, His ability to create and recreate, His forgiveness, love, ownership of the Glorious Throne, and execution of His will. It references the armies of Pharaoh and Thamud as examples of divine punishment, and despite disbelievers’ denial, Allah encompasses them, with the Quran affirmed as glorious, inscribed on a well-guarded Tablet.

Historical Context

Tafheemul Quran provides historical context for the “people of the pit,” including narrations of a king, magician, boy, and monk; an Iranian king’s coercion leading to fire pits; Babylon compelling Israelites to abandon Moses’ religion; and the well-known event at Najran, where Dhu Nuwas killed approximately 20,000 Christians in 523 A.D., ended by an Abyssinian attack in 525 A.D., confirmed by the Hisn Ghurab inscription.

For further reading, visit Tafheemul Quran, Surah 85.

Comprehensive Analysis of Surah 85 (Al-Buruj) from Tafheemul Quran

This section provides an in-depth examination of Surah 85, Al-Buruj, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, offering a detailed exploration of its themes, verses, and commentary. The analysis is grounded in the tafsir’s insights, ensuring a thorough understanding for readers seeking depth beyond the overview.

Background and Context

Surah 85 is a Meccan surah, focusing on eschatological themes and divine justice, particularly the condemnation of those who persecuted believers. Tafheemul Quran, a combination of orthodox and modernist interpretation, provides extensive commentary, integrating historical, sociological, and theological perspectives. Maududi’s work, completed over 30 years from 1942 to 1972, is noted for its clarity and application to contemporary issues, making it a valuable resource for understanding this surah.

Verse-by-Verse Analysis and Commentary

The following table summarizes the key segments of Surah 85, their themes, and relevant commentary from Tafheemul Quran, ensuring a structured presentation of the content.VersesThemeSummary from Tafheemul Quran 1-3 Oaths and the Day of Judgment Begins with oaths by the heaven with constellations, the Promised Day (Day of Resurrection), and the witness and what is witnessed, emphasizing accountability. 4-8 Condemnation of Persecutors Condemns the people of the pit (ashab al-ukhdud) who burnt believers at stake for their faith, witnessing their own acts, due to belief in Allah, the All-Mighty, the Praiseworthy. 9-11 Divine Dominion and Justice Affirms Allah’s dominion over heavens and earth, witnessing everything, with warnings of Hell for persecutors and Gardens for the righteous who believed and did good deeds. 12-16 Allah’s Attributes and Power Emphasizes Allah’s strong grip, creation and recreation, forgiveness, love, ownership of the Glorious Throne, and execution of His will. 17-20 Historical Examples References the armies of Pharaoh and Thamud as examples of divine punishment, highlighting their fate for disbelief. 21-22 Denial and Affirmation Notes disbelievers’ denial, but Allah encompasses them, affirming the Quran as glorious, inscribed on a well-guarded Tablet.

Thematic Insights from Tafheemul Quran

Maududi’s commentary emphasizes several key themes:

  • Eschatological Focus: The surah’s opening oaths by the heaven with constellations, the Day of Resurrection, and the witness and witnessed reinforce the doctrine of accountability, aligning with Quranic themes of the Hereafter.
  • Condemnation of Persecution: The condemnation of the people of the pit (ashab al-ukhdud) is central, highlighting the cruelty of burning believers for their faith. This is seen as a grave sin, with divine justice ensuring punishment.
  • Divine Justice and Rewards: The surah contrasts the fate of the wicked, facing Hell and burning, with the righteous, promised Gardens with rivers, described as great success. This underscores the moral and spiritual consequences of actions.
  • Allah’s Attributes: The emphasis on Allah’s strong grip, creation, recreation, forgiveness, love, and ownership of the Glorious Throne reinforces His omnipotence and mercy, providing a theological framework for understanding divine justice.
  • Historical Examples: References to Pharaoh and Thamud serve as historical precedents, illustrating divine punishment for arrogance and disbelief, reinforcing the surah’s warning to contemporary disbelievers.
  • Denial and Encompassment: The surah addresses disbelievers’ denial, but affirms Allah’s encompassing knowledge and power, with the Quran described as glorious, inscribed on a well-guarded Tablet, emphasizing its divine preservation.

Historical Context and Events

Tafheemul Quran provides detailed historical context for the “people of the pit,” mentioning several narrations:

  • A story reported by Suhaib Rumi from Prophet Muhammad, involving a king, a magician, a boy, and a monk, where believers were burnt for their faith (sources: Ahmad, Muslim, Nasai, Tirmidhi, Ibn Jarir, etc.).
  • An account by Ali about an Iranian king who committed adultery with his sister and coerced acceptance, leading to the use of fire pits to punish dissenters (Ibn Jarir).
  • Ibn Abbas’s narration about Babylon compelling Israelites to abandon Moses’ religion, casting refusers into fire pits (Ibn Jarir, Abd bin Humaid).
  • The most well-known event at Najran, where Dhu Nuwas, a Himyarite king, killed approximately 20,000 Christians in 523 A.D. by burning them in pits, an act ended by an Abyssinian attack in 525 A.D., confirmed by the Hisn Ghurab inscription (sources: Ibn Hisham, Tabari, Ibn Khaldun, etc.).

These historical events illustrate the surah’s relevance to past instances of persecution, providing context for its warnings and promises.

Supporting Evidence and References

Tafheemul Quran integrates Quranic cross-references, such as the stories of Pharaoh and Thamud, to reinforce the theme of divine punishment. It also draws on historical narrations from Islamic tradition, citing sources like Ahmad, Muslim, Tirmidhi, and Ibn Jarir for the events of the people of the pit, ensuring a robust historical and theological analysis.

For further exploration, readers can refer to:

This detailed analysis ensures a comprehensive understanding, capturing all nuances from Maududi’s tafsir, and aligns with the user’s request for a summary based solely on Tafheemul Quran.