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Chapter 64/ Al Taghabun

Summary of the chapter & the links: 

1. Audio discussion of the chapter summary: 

https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/61a5e27e-8951-46f4-8c6e-a293552fd5c4/audio

2. Mesmerizing recitation of the chapter with English translation:

https://surahquran.com/sorah-english-64.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

Mesmerizing recitation with English translation txt link as follows

https://youtu.be/ILfO_61wxqU?si=ZtvPK3ZTcuog58sB

Based on Tafheem-ul-Qur’an by Sayyid Abul A’la Maududi, Surah At-Taghabun (Chapter 64) is summarized as follows:

Introduction

  • Name: Derived from Verse 9 (“Day of Mutual Loss and Gain” – Yawm at-Taghabun), referring to the Day of Judgment when believers gain paradise at the expense of disbelievers’ loss .
  • Revelation: Majority view holds it as Madinan (early period), though some scholars suggest a mix of Makkan/Madinan verses. It addresses themes of faith, accountability, and moral guidance .

Core Themes and Structure

  1. Fundamental Truths for Humanity (Verses 1–4)
  • Divine Sovereignty: All creation glorifies Allah; He holds absolute dominion over the heavens and earth .
  • Purposeful Creation: The universe is created with truth (al-Haqq), not frivolously. Humans are fashioned perfectly but divided into believers and disbelievers by free choice .
  • Divine Knowledge & Accountability: Allah knows all hidden and manifest deeds. Humans will return to Him for final judgment .
  1. Admonition to Disbelievers (Verses 5–10)
  • Historical Precedent: Past nations (e.g., Noah’s, Hud’s people) faced destruction for rejecting messengers despite clear signs (bayyinat). Their downfall resulted from two errors:
    • Denial of human messengers (“Shall mortals guide us?”) .
    • Rejection of the Hereafter, corrupting their moral compass .
  • Resurrection & Judgment: Disbelievers claim they will not be resurrected; Allah affirms Resurrection Day as inevitable. On Yawm at-Taghabun, believers attain paradise (forgiveness, eternal gardens), while disbelievers face hell .
  1. Guidance for Believers (Verses 11–18)
  • Trials & Steadfastness: Afflictions occur by Allah’s will. Those who remain faithful receive divine guidance .
  • Obedience & Trust: Obey Allah and the Prophet; place absolute trust (tawakkul) in Allah alone .
  • Worldly Tests: Wealth and family are trials; spouses/children may distract from faith. Believers must prioritize Allah over worldly attachments and spend in His cause .
  • Scope of Responsibility: Humans are accountable only within their capacity. Strive for piety without transgressing divine limits .

Key Message

The surah underscores Tawhid (Allah’s oneness), accountability, and the dichotomy between belief and disbelief. It warns disbelievers of historical consequences while urging believers toward moral vigilance, trust in Allah, and detachment from worldly illusions .

For further details, refer to Tafheem-ul-Qur’an, Surah 64.

Key Points

  • It seems likely that Surah At-Taghabun (Chapter 64) was revealed in Medina, focusing on faith, obedience to Allah, and good morals.
  • Research suggests the surah addresses all humanity, unbelievers, and believers with specific messages about accountability and the Hereafter.
  • The evidence leans toward emphasizing trust in Allah, caution against worldly attachments, and the importance of charity, with the “Day of Mutual Loss and Gain” as a central theme.

Overview

Surah At-Taghabun, the 64th chapter of the Quran, is likely a Medinan revelation that invites people to faith and obedience to Allah, emphasizing good morals. It begins by glorifying Allah and highlighting fundamental truths about His creation and man’s accountability. The surah warns unbelievers about the consequences of rejecting messengers and the Hereafter, focusing on the “Day of Mutual Loss and Gain” (Yawm al-Taghabun), where true success or loss will be revealed. For believers, it provides guidance on trusting Allah, obeying His commands, and being cautious of worldly attachments like wealth and children, which are described as trials. It encourages spending in charity, likening it to a loan to Allah that will be rewarded manifold.

Detailed Guidance

  • For All Humanity: The surah presents four key truths: the universe glorifies Allah, it was created with purpose, man’s belief or disbelief is observed, and all will return to Allah for accountability.
  • For Unbelievers: It warns of the fate of past nations that rejected messengers, emphasizing the reality of Resurrection and the Day of Judgment.
  • For Believers: Instructions include trusting Allah, obeying His commands, being wary of wealth and children as trials, and spending in charity for doubled rewards.

Supporting Information

For further reading, the commentary can be found at Tafheemul Quran for Surah At-Taghabun.

Survey Note: Comprehensive Analysis of Chapter 64 (Surah At-Taghabun) from Tafheemul Quran

This section provides a detailed exploration of Surah At-Taghabun (Chapter 64) as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran by Syed Abul Ala Maududi, ensuring a thorough understanding of its themes, historical context, and spiritual implications. The analysis is grounded in the commentary available from various online sources, focusing exclusively on Tafheemul Quran for accuracy and relevance, as requested by the user.

Introduction and Historical Context

Surah At-Taghabun is the 64th chapter of the Quran, consisting of 18 verses, and is generally considered a Medinan surah, though there is some debate about whether parts were revealed in Makkah. The chapter derives its name from the Arabic word “at-taghabun,” meaning “mutual loss and gain,” which appears in verse 9, referring to the Day of Judgment when true success or loss will be determined. According to Tafheemul Quran, the surah was likely revealed during the early Madinan period, a time marked by the establishment of the Muslim community and challenges in maintaining faith and obedience.

The historical context involves the post-migration period in Medina, where the Muslim community faced internal and external pressures, making the surah’s message of faith, accountability, and moral conduct particularly relevant. The commentary notes that the surah addresses different groups—humanity at large, unbelievers, and believers—providing a comprehensive framework for understanding divine guidance.

Thematic Structure and Verse-by-Verse Analysis

The commentary in Tafheemul Quran provides a structured breakdown of the surah, dividing it into three main sections based on its audience: verses 1-4 for all humanity, verses 5-10 for unbelievers, and verses 11-18 for believers. Below is a detailed analysis of each segment, summarizing the content and themes as per Maududi’s interpretation.

Verses 1-4: Fundamental Truths for All Humanity

These verses begin with the glorification of Allah, emphasizing that everything in the heavens and earth testifies to His perfection. The commentary highlights four fundamental truths:

  1. The universe glorifies Allah, underscoring His sovereignty and wisdom.
  2. The universe was created with a purpose, reflecting divine intent.
  3. Man’s choice to believe or disbelieve is observed by Allah, indicating His omniscience.
  4. Man is accountable and will return to Allah, reinforcing the concept of the Hereafter.

This section sets the stage for the surah’s overarching message, inviting all humanity to recognize Allah’s authority and their responsibility.

Verses 5-10: Lessons for Unbelievers

Directed at those who do not believe, these verses warn of the consequences of rejecting messengers and denying the Hereafter. The commentary recounts historical examples of nations destroyed for their disbelief, such as the people of Noah, Ad, Thamud, and others, emphasizing that such fate awaits those who follow suit. Verse 9 specifically mentions the “Day of Mutual Loss and Gain” (Yawm al-Taghabun), where the true winners and losers will be revealed, underscoring the reality of Resurrection and divine justice. The section serves as a cautionary tale, urging unbelievers to reflect on their actions and beliefs.

Verses 11-18: Instructions for Believers

This segment provides practical guidance for those who accept the invitation to faith, addressing several key aspects:

  1. Afflictions and Belief: Verse 11 states that no disaster strikes except by Allah’s permission, and belief guides the heart, encouraging trust in divine will.
  2. Obedience to Allah and Messenger: Verses 12-13 emphasize obeying Allah and His Messenger, clarifying that the Messenger’s role is to proclaim the message, not to force belief.
  3. Trust in Allah: The commentary stresses the importance of relying on Allah alone, especially in times of trial.
  4. Trials of Wealth and Children: Verse 14 warns that among wives and children are enemies, meaning they can distract from faith if not managed properly. This is a significant ethical teaching, cautioning against worldly attachments.
  5. Encouragement to Charity: Verses 16-17 encourage spending in Allah’s way, likening it to a “beautiful loan” that Allah will double, promising manifold rewards. This metaphor underscores the spiritual and material benefits of charity.

The commentary notes that these instructions are timeless, applicable to all believers facing similar challenges in maintaining faith and moral conduct.

Spiritual and Ethical Lessons

Tafheemul Quran emphasizes that Surah At-Taghabun is not merely a historical or theological discourse but a source of spiritual and ethical guidance. It teaches the importance of recognizing Allah’s sovereignty and man’s accountability, warning against the dangers of disbelief and worldly distractions. The concept of Yawm al-Taghabun, or the Day of Mutual Loss and Gain, serves as a reminder of the ultimate reality, encouraging believers to prioritize faith and righteous actions. The encouragement to spend in charity, described as lending to Allah, fosters a sense of responsibility and devotion, promoting community welfare and spiritual growth.

Historical and Juristic Insights

The commentary provides additional context, noting the surah’s relevance during the early Madinan period, a time of community building and external threats. It highlights the juristic implications of verses like 14, which warn against the trials of family, suggesting that believers must balance worldly responsibilities with spiritual duties. The concept of charity as a loan to Allah is seen as a powerful incentive for economic and social support within the community, aligning with Islamic principles of zakat and sadaqah.

Supporting Sources and Accessibility

The primary source for this analysis is the English version of Tafheemul Quran, accessible at Tafheemul Quran for Surah At-Taghabun, which provides verse-by-verse commentary by Maududi. Additional context was gathered from biharanjuman.org, which offers downloadable PDFs of Tafheemul Quran in English, such as [Tafheemul Quran English PDF]([invalid url, do not cite]), though direct access to the PDF content was not feasible in this analysis. These sources ensure the summary aligns with Maududi’s interpretation, as requested by the user.

Conclusion

Surah At-Taghabun, as interpreted in Tafheemul Quran, is a rich narrative of faith, accountability, and ethical guidance, addressing the challenges faced by the early Muslim community in Medina. It invites all to recognize Allah’s authority, warns unbelievers of the consequences of disbelief, and provides believers with practical instructions on trust, obedience, and charity. The emphasis on the “Day of Mutual Loss and Gain” underscores the ultimate reality of the Hereafter, offering lessons that remain relevant for contemporary Islamic practice and community building.

Table: Summary of Key Themes by Audience

AudienceVersesKey Themes All Humanity 1-4 Allah’s sovereignty, purpose of creation, man’s accountability, return to Allah. Unbelievers 5-10 Warning of past nations’ fate, reality of Resurrection, Day of Judgment. Believers 11-18 Trust in Allah, obedience, caution against worldly trials, encouragement to charity.

This table summarizes the thematic structure, aligning with the commentary’s division of the surah into three segments, ensuring a clear understanding of its messages for different audiences.