Juz 24: Az-Zumar 32 to Fuṣṣilat 46
Section 14 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
14. Introduction to Surah Fussilat: Clear Elaboration | Verses: Fussilat 41:1-8
Surah Fussilat, also known as Ḥā Mīm as-Sajdah, is the fifth of seven consecutive Ḥā Mīm surahs. These surahs are collectively called "Ḥawāmīm" and hold special status among the Quranic chapters. Abdullah ibn Masʿūd (may Allah be pleased with him) referred to them as "the beauty of the Quran," while Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) described them as "the essence of the Quran." They contain the core principles of faith presented with extraordinary eloquence and clarity.
Surah Fussilat opens with the abbreviated letters:
حم
“Ḥā Mīm”
This is immediately followed by a description of the Quran's revelation:
تَنزِيلٌ مِّنَ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ
“This is a revelation from the All-Merciful, the Very-Merciful.”
كِتَابٌ فُصِّلَتْ آيَاتُهُ قُرْآنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ
“A book whose verses are elaborated, an Arabic Quran for people who understand,”
The surah derives its name "Fussilat" (elaborated or distinguished) from this verse. The term "فُصِّلَتْ" (fussilat) indicates that Allah's signs have been made distinctly clear, with every aspect of guidance thoroughly explained. The Quran addresses the Arabs in their own language, leaving no room for confusion or misunderstanding. With this clear elaboration comes dual functions:
بَشِيرًا وَنَذِيرًا فَأَعْرَضَ أَكْثَرُهُمْ فَهُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُونَ
“As a bearer of good news and a warner. But most of them turned away, so they do not listen.”
Despite the clarity of the message and its accessibility in their native tongue, most of the Makkan audience chose to ignore it. Rather than engaging with the revelation intellectually, they fabricated excuses to avoid its implications:
وَقَالُوا قُلُوبُنَا فِي أَكِنَّةٍ مِّمَّا تَدْعُونَا إِلَيْهِ وَفِي آذَانِنَا وَقْرٌ وَمِن بَيْنِنَا وَبَيْنِكَ حِجَابٌ فَاعْ
“And they say, “Our hearts are (wrapped) in covers against that (faith) to which you invite us, and there is deafness in our ears, and there is a barrier between you and us. So, do (in your way). We too are doing (in our own way)”.” (41:5)