Juz 23: Yā Sīn 28 to Az-Zumar 31
Section 13 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
Introduction to Surah Sad
Surah Sad is the thirty-eighth chapter of the Quran, a Makkan revelation consisting of 88 verses. The surah begins with the enigmatic letter "Sad" followed immediately by an oath:
ص وَالْقُرْآنِ ذِي الذِّكْرِ
“Ṣād. By the Qur'ān, full of advice.”
Allah swears by the Qur'an which is full of reminders and admonition. This oath establishes the significance of the Qur'an as Allah's word and affirms the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him). The surah proceeds to address the disbelievers' arrogance and rejection of the message:
بَلِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فِي عِزَّةٍ وَشِقَاقٍ
“But those who disbelieve are in false pride and opposition.”
The disbelievers of Makkah, despite witnessing clear signs, responded with pride and obstinacy. They expressed astonishment at the coming of a prophet from among themselves, questioning how all their multiple deities could be reduced to just One God:
أَجَعَلَ الْآلِهَةَ إِلَـٰهًا وَاحِدًا إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَشَيْءٌ عُجَابٌ
“Has he made the gods (all) into one God? Indeed, this is a strange thing.”
This response demonstrates their deep attachment to polytheistic practices and their resistance to the concept of Divine Unity. Allah then mentions how previous nations were destroyed when they rejected their messengers, serving as a warning to the current disbelievers.
The surah instructs the Prophet (peace be upon him) to remain patient in the face of their mockery and abuse. Allah says:
اصْبِرْ عَلَىٰ مَا يَقُولُونَ
“Be patient over what they say.”
This advice to practice patience comes with the reminder of previous prophets who endured similar trials yet remained steadfast in their mission. The mention of earlier prophets serves to comfort Muhammad (peace be upon him), showing him that rejection is a common trial that befalls messengers of Allah.
Throughout the surah, Allah reminds us of His unlimited authority and dominion over the heavens and earth. Nothing was created in vain; rather, everything serves a purpose in the Divine scheme. The disbelievers' assumption that creation is purposeless reveals their flawed understanding:
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَاطِلًا ذَٰلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنَ النَّارِ
“And We did not create the heaven and the earth and what is between them without purpose. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve, so woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire.”
Another profound lesson from this surah is found in verse 54, where Allah speaks about the endless provisions in Paradise:
إِنَّ هَـٰذَا لَرِزْقُنَا مَا لَهُ مِن نَّفَادٍ
“Indeed, this is Our provision; for it there is no depletion.”
This verse emphasizes the eternal nature of Allah's bounties in Paradise, which never diminish or come to an end. Some believers have found that reciting this verse serves as a means of seeking barakah (blessing) in one's wealth and provisions in this life as well.
The surah also serves as a powerful reminder of the Qur'an's status as a universal reminder for all of humanity:
إِنْ هُوَ إِلَّا ذِكْرٌ لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
“It is nothing but a reminder to the worlds.”
The Qur'an contains guidance, wisdom, and admonition for all people regardless of time or place. Its message is timeless and applicable to every generation, emphasizing its role as the final revelation from Allah to humanity.