Juz 21: Al-ʿAnkabūt 46 to Al-Aḥzāb 30
Section 12 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
12. The Revelation and Divine Origins of the Quran
Surah As-Sajdah begins, like many Makkan surahs, with the Arabic letters Alif Lām Mīm, whose precise meaning is known only to Allah. This surah holds special significance in Islamic practice, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would regularly recite it during the first rak'ah of the Fajr prayer on Fridays, pairing it with Surah Al-Insan in the second rak'ah. This consistent practice indicates the surah's importance in preparing believers for the blessed day of Jumu'ah.
The surah immediately establishes the divine origin of the Quran after the mysterious letters:
تَنْزِيلُ الْكِتَابِ لَا رَيْبَ فِيهِ مِن رَّبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“The revelation of the Book, in which there is no doubt, from the Lord of the worlds.”
This opening verse categorically affirms that the Quran is not a human creation but a revelation from the Lord of all existence. The phrase "no doubt" emphasizes the absolute certainty of its divine source, preemptively addressing skeptics who might question its origin.
The surah then confronts those who claim that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fabricated the Quran:
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ افْتَرَاهُ ۚ بَلْ هُوَ الْحَقُّ مِن رَّبِّكَ لِتُنذِرَ قَوْمًا مَّا أَتَاهُم مِّن نَّذِيرٍ مِّن قَبْلِكَ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ
“Do they say, 'He has fabricated it'? No, it is the truth from your Lord, so that you may warn a people to whom no warner has come before you, that they may be guided.”
This verse serves as both a defense of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and a clarification of his mission - to warn people who had not previously received divine guidance directly through a messenger.
The surah then transitions to describing Allah's absolute control over the affairs of the universe:
اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ عَلَى الْعَرْشِ ۖ مَا لَكُم مِّن دُونِهِ مِن وَلِيٍّ وَلَا شَفِيعٍ ۚ أَفَلَا تَتَذَكَّرُونَ
“Allah is the One who created the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them in six days, then He positioned Himself on the Throne. Other than Him, there is neither a guardian for you, nor an intercessor. Would you then not take heed?”
This verse establishes Allah's complete sovereignty as Creator and Administrator of all existence. The reference to Allah's positioning on the Throne after creation emphasizes His ongoing governance of all affairs. The mention that there is no guardian or intercessor besides Him serves as a direct