As-Saff (The Ranks)

Table of Contents

• The Merit of Reciting the Chapter
• Surah al-Saff - Verse 1

Section 28(juz’)

Number of Verses: 14

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The blessed Chapter, revealed in Medina, has fourteen Verses. The designation of the Chapter derives from the Arabic word saff attested in the fourth Verse. The blessed Chapter mainly treats of the superiority of the Islamic faith over other Divine religions and the obligation of jihad in Allah’s Cause and supporting Allah’s Messengers.

Besides the blessed Chapter in question, Chapters 57 (Surah al-Hadid) and 59 (Surah al-Hashr) opens with

sabbaha (“glorifies”),

Chapters 62 (Surah al-Jum‘a) 64 (Surah al-Taghabun) with

yusabbihu (“glorifies”),

Chapter 17 (Surah al-Isra’) with

subhana (“glorified”),

and Chapter 87 with the imperative

sabbih ism-i rabbika (“Glorify the Name of your Lord”).

The Merit of Reciting the Chapter

According to a tradition narrated from the Noble Prophet of the Islamic faith (S), whoever recites the Chapter of Jesus, namely the Chapter of the Rank, Prophet Jesus will salute him and as long as he is alive in this world, Jesus will invoke God Almighty to absolve the reciter of his sins and he will be his friend of the Day of Resurrection.

It is narrated from Imam Baqir (as) that whoever recites the Chapter of the Rank in his obligatory and supererogatory prayers and pursues the recitation of the Chapter, God Almighty will rank him with the angels and His Messengers. It is worthy of note, however, that such ranks will be in store for those who act upon Qur’anic Injunctions.

Surah al-Saff - Verse 1

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ‌ سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ ما فِي السَّماواتِ وَ ما فِي الْأَرْضِ وَ هُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ (1)

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

1. Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies Allah. And He is the Omnipotent, the All-Wise.

According to the Islamic worldview, all the world of existence enjoys perception and glorifies God Almighty.

It is noteworthy that the One Who is the Omnipotent and the All-Wise is deserves to be glorifies

(“And He is the Omnipotent, the All-Wise”).

It is mentioned above that the blessed Chapter deals with faith, Divine Unity, and knowing God Almighty. According attention to the physical and spiritual glorification of all beings and the wondrous system predominating over them which serves as the best proof for the Existence of the Omnipotent and the All-Wise Creator strengthens the pillars of faith in believers and paves the path for obeying the Injunction as to the jihad in Alla’s Cause.