Juz 30: An-Nabaʾ to An-Nās
Section 12 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
12. Surah Ad-Duha and Ash-Sharh: Comfort for the Prophet
Surah Ad-Duha and Surah Ash-Sharh were revealed consecutively during the early Makkan period. Both provide profound comfort and reassurance to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during a challenging time when divine revelation had paused for an extended period, prompting mockers to claim that his Lord had abandoned him.
Surah Ad-Duha begins with divine oaths:
وَالضُّحَىٰ
“By the morning brightness,”
وَاللَّيْلِ إِذَا سَجَىٰ
“And by the night when it covers with darkness.”
Following these oaths, Allah provides immediate reassurance:
مَا وَدَّعَكَ رَبُّكَ وَمَا قَلَىٰ
“Your Lord has neither forsaken you, nor has He become displeased,”
This direct divine statement dispelled any doubt about Allah's continued support and love for His Messenger. Allah then makes a profound promise:
وَلَلْآخِرَةُ خَيْرٌ لَّكَ مِنَ الْأُولَىٰ
“And the Hereafter is much better for you than the first (life),”
وَلَسَوْفَ يُعْطِيكَ رَبُّكَ فَتَرْضَىٰ
“And of course, your Lord will give you so much that you will be pleased.”
This extraordinary promise extends beyond material provisions. It encompasses the Prophet's ultimate satisfaction regarding his mission and his ummah (community). Allah then reminds the Prophet of three past divine favors:
أَلَمْ يَجِدْكَ يَتِيمًا فَآوَىٰ
“Did He not find you an orphan and give you shelter?”
وَوَجَدَكَ ضَالًّا فَهَدَىٰ
“And He found you unaware of the way (the Shariah), then He guided you.”
وَوَجَدَكَ عَائِلًا فَأَغْنَىٰ
“And He found you in need, then made you need-free.”
In response to these divine favors, Allah instructs the Prophet to extend similar kindness to others through three commands:
فَأَمَّا الْيَتِيمَ فَلَا تَقْهَرْ
“So, as for the orphan, do not oppress him,”
وَأَمَّا السَّائِلَ فَلَا تَنْهَرْ
“And as for the beggar, do not scold him.”
وَأَمَّا بِنِعْمَةِ رَبِّكَ فَحَدِّثْ
“And about the bounty of your Lord, do talk.”
This surah serves as a profound antidote to depression and grief. It instructs that when one faces difficulty, the solution lies in helping others rather than dwelling on personal troubles, and in recognizing and expressing gratitude for divine blessings.
Surah Ash-Sharh (Expansion) continues this theme of divine consolation:
أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ
“Have We”