Table of Contents

Revealed in Mecca

99 verses in 6 sections

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

This Surah contains 99 verses and is generally believed to be chronologically the fifty-second Surah. It was revealed to the Prophet (S) in Mecca prior to his Migration. The Arabic term ‘Hijr’ is the name of a town where the people of Hadrat Salih used to live.

The name of this Surah, Al-Hijr, is taken from the eightieth verse of it which deals with the people of Salih, saying:

“And indeed the inhabitants of Hijr (also) rejected the messengers.”

Most of the discussions in this noble Surah are about the accusations and scoffs of the pagans unto the Qur’an and the blissful Prophet (S), as well as some commandments to him to be patient and perseverant with forbearance towards them.

It provided some kind of comfort and soothing effect as against the pressure exerted by the invasion of the opponents after the death of Hadrat Khadijah and Hadrat Abu-Talib , both of whom were dear to the Prophet (S).

Some of the verses deal with the origin of the world of existence, and belief in Him which are brought about by the study of the secrets of creation. The story of man’s creation, and the disobedience of Iblis, as well as his ultimate destiny, are also exposed.

There are also allusions made to the biography of such tribes as the people of Lūt, the people of Salih, and the people of Shu‘ayb.

In the meantime, there are also some verses which are concerned with the issues of Resurrection and the retribution of evildoers, each of which will be explained.

Section 1: The Qur’an Ever Protected by Allah

Surah Al-Hijr - Verses 1-2

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ‌ الر تِلْكَ آياتُ الْكِتابِ وَ قُرْآنٍ مُبِينٍ (1) رُبَما يَوَدُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَوْ كانُوا مُسْلِمِينَ (2)

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, The Merciful

1. “Alif ‘A’, Lam ‘L’, Ra ‘R’. These are the verses of the Book and (of) a clear Qur’an (that makes things manifest).”

2. “Often will those who disbelieved wish that they were Muslims.”

We notice once again that this noble Surah begins with the abbreviated letters of Alif, Lam, Ra, which exhibit the combination of these great celestial words, that lead all men towards happiness, are made up of simple alphabetical letters, the same raw material which are at the disposal of all human beings even children aged 2 or 3 years.

This is the utmost kind of miraculous performance that such a unique feat should be produced out of such ordinary kinds of material.

Therefore, immediately next to them, it has been added:

“Alif ‘A’, Lam ‘L’, Ra ‘R’. These are the verses of the Book and (of) a clear Qur’an (that makes things manifest).”

That is: these are the verses of the celestial Book, revealed in the Qur’an, which express facts and which reveal the truth as distinguished from the untruth!

In Tafsir-i-Tabari and Majma‘ul-Bayan, there has been cited a tradition implying that in Hereafter the pagans tell those Muslims who are entangled in the inferno

“Did you also become hellish people like us, and, you were not saved by Islam?”

While the sinful Muslims will be saved after sometime being punished, but the pagans will be remaining in the Fire of Hell for ever, saying:

“We wish we were Muslims, too.”

It says:

“Often will those who disbelieved wish that they were Muslims.”

Although the holy Qur’an has got a very highly esteemed position, yet it is always available for all and everybody can have access to it. At the same time, it is written in a book format and is readable by all, ‘the Qur’an’.

It is for this reason that its discussions are explicit and they draw a line between right and wrong. It will be a source of credit for Islam in the future and, at the same time, it will be a source of regret for disbelievers.

Thus, those who are ridiculing Islam today, will regret tomorrow. Many a time, pagans aspire to embrace Islam, but they are involved in the affairs to the despots or entangled in their corrupt environment. Therefore, we have it in history that the Caesar of Rome decided to embrace Islam when he saw the letter of the holy Prophet of Islam (S), but he said:

“My life is in danger and my kingdom will be lost.”