The chronology of the Quran
Part Two
by Dr. Aslam Abdullah
Eighth Day
25. Al-Qadr (Destiny) (97)
Makkah
Al-Qadr is the 25th Surah revealed upon the Prophet and it is the 97th Surah of the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah at a time when the fasting in the month of Ramadan was not prescribed and the Prophet had not announced that the odd nights in the last ten days of the Quran have a night of power in them. The Surah explains that a moment of faith in the majesty of God is better than living without faith for a thousand nights. It reminds the believers of the glory of the divine guidance that was revealed to the Prophet for the first time in the month of Ramadan. The night in which it was revealed is described the night of destiny because the Quran has the power to enable the people to change their destiny..
26. Ash-Shams (The Sun) (91)
Makkah
Ash-Shams is the 26th Surah revealed upon the Prophet. It is the 91st Surah in the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and has 15 Ayah in one Ruku. The Ayah explains the laws that govern the physical aspects of the universe and invites people to reflect upon them in the context of their own creation. It explains that human beings are in a state of constant evolution or devolution or stagnation. Those who are aware of the fact that their knowledge is the foundation of growth and purification will grow constantly and those who deny knowledge and facts any role in human evolution will regress.
27. Al-Buruj (The Great Constellation) (85)
Makkah
Al-Buruj is the 27th Surah revealed upon the Prophet is 85th in the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and has 22 verses in one Ruku. It refers to a long practice on the part of those who reject the divine faith and warns against persecuting the believers in this world. It asserts that those who deny the truth and harm the believers should be ready for the consequences of their actions. It also reassures the believers that their sacrifices would not go waste and they would prosper in life yet to come.
28. At-Tin (The Fig) (95)
Makkah
At-Tin is the 28th Surah revealed upon the Prophet and in the traditionally arranged Quran, it appears as the 95th Surah. It was revealed in Makkah has eight Ayah in one Ruku. It refers to the divine message that was given to the God’s chosen messenger and explains that human being were the ones who had the best intellectual and physical structure to accept and live by the divine guidance, yet they chose to ignore it, thus harming them. It refers to those who had faith and who substantiated their faith with actions as successful people.
Ninth Day
29. Quraish (106)
Makkah
Quraysh is the 106th Surah of the traditionally arranged Quran and is the 29th Surah revealed upon the Prophet. It was revealed in Makkah and has four Ayah in one Ruku. By giving the example of the tribe of Quraysh who were given the prominence and honor of being the custodians of the Kaaba, the Surah is inviting people to have faith in Allah and his message. It assures them that Allah would not abandon them and provide for them as he has to the tribe of Quraysh.
30. Al-Qari’ah (The Sudden Calamity) (101)
Makkah
Al-Qariah was the 30th Surah revealed upon the Prophet. It occurs as the 101st Surah of the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah has 11 Ayah in one Ruku. It described the Day of Judgment in a concise manner and reminds people that everything that is in existence would perish, mountains would crumble and humans would scatter. Only those who followed the divine guidance would succeed and prosper on that day.
31. Al-Qiyamah (The Resurrection)
Makkah
Al-Qiyamah is the 75th Surah in the traditionally arranged Quran and is the 31st Surah revealed upon the Prophet. It was revealed in Makkah and has 40 Ayah in two Ruku. It assures the people that death is not the annihilation of the body and soul as they would be resurrected to see the record of their deeds in this world. It talks about the physical resurrection and the events that would take place at the end of the world.
32. Al-Humazah (The Slanderer) (104)
Makkah
Al-Humazah is the 32nd Surah revealed upon the Prophet and its number in the traditionally arranged Quran is 104th. It was revealed in Makkah and has nine Ayah in one Ruku. It refers to the human tendency to accumulate wealth without realizing that it would be of no avail at the time when one departs from this world. It reminds humans of the dangers of following this materialistic lifestyle.
Tenth day
33. Al-Mursalat (The Resurrection) (77)
Makkah
The 33rd Surah that was revealed upon the Prophet was Al-Mursalat meaning those sent forth. This is the 77th Surah in the traditionally arranged Quran. It has 70 Ayah in two Ruku. This Surah was revealed in Makkah and has 50 verses in 2 sections. It focuses on the theme of resurrection and reassures the people that its occurrence is certain and cannot be denied. It would happen at its appointed time and those who reject would suffer the consequences of their denial.
34. Surah Qaf (the Arabic Alphabet Qaf) (50)
Makkah
35. All-Balad (The Land) (90)
Makkah
The 35th Surah, Al-Balad, revealed upon the Prophet is the 90th Surah in the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and has 20 verses in one Ruku. It entrusts the believers with two main tasks i.e., the liberation of human beings from the bondage they have been placed in by social and political or economic circumstances and to eliminate hunger. It explains that faith becomes meaningful when these two tasks are given priority.
36. At-Tariq (That which comes up in the Night) (86)
Makkah
At-Tariq is the 36th Surah that was revealed upon the Prophet and in the traditionally arranged Quran, its number is 86th. It was revealed in Makkah and has 17 Ayah in one Ruku. It reminds human beings of the creator of the universe who has embedded physical laws in it under his supervision. It reminds people of the serious nature of the process of creation. It asks people to pay attention to the universe, their own creation and the words of Allah as appear in the Quran.
Eleventh day
37. Al-Qamar (The Moon) (54)
Makkah
Al-Qamar is the 37th Surah revealed upon the Prophet. It is the 54th Surah in the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and has 55 Ayah in 3 Ruku. This Surah gives details of the end of time and talks about the Day of Judgment. It reminds people of the great flood that place at the time of Prophet Noah, the punishment that was meted out to the people of Ad, Thamud, Lot, and the Pharaoh. It shares the glad tidings with the believers that they would enjoy the closeness of their creator and would find them in eternal peace.
38. Saad (The Arabic Letter Saad) (38)
Makkah
Saad is 38th Surah revealed upon the Prophet and it is also the 38th Surah in the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and has 88 Ayah in five Ruku. It reminds people of the continuity of divine guidance through messengers throughout human history. It talks about the sacrifices the messengers and their supporters gave upholding the truth and divine guidance. It repeats the historical fact that truth always and ultimately prevails. It explains that it is the guidance of Allah that enables people to achieve great things in a humble manner. It warns people against arrogance and tells them that only through submission to Allah; one can develop the faculties of humility.
39. Al-A'raf (The Faculty of Discernment) (7)
Makkah
Al-Araf is the 39th Surah revealed upon the Prophet and in the traditionally arranged Quran, its number is seventh. This is one of the few longest Surah revealed in Makkah and the time of its revelation is one or two years before the Prophet’s migration to Medina.
It has 206 Ayah in 24 Ruku. It dwells in greater detail on the institution of Prophethood. It explains that Allah communicates his message to human beings through his chosen messengers who are given divine guidance by Angel Gabriel. The story of each of the chosen messenger offers inspiration and motivation to people to understand live the divine guidance in their life and circumstances. It informs the people that the messengers of Allah were persecuted by elites who were opposed to the divine ideas. However, none succeeded in harming the messengers as Allah helped them prevail over their opponents. It reminds the believer that divine guidance is for all and it must be shared with all. The Surah invites people to learn lessons from the lives of Prophets Noah, Hud, Salih, Shuaib, and all others whose names are mentioned as well as not mentioned in the Quran. It reasserts the fact that Prophet Muhammad is sent to serve humanity at large and the message that he is sharing with humanity in the Arabic language is indeed the divine message.
40. Surah al-Jinn (The invisible beings) (72)
Makkah
Al-Jinn is the 72nd Surah of the Quran and it was the 40th Surah revealed upon the Prophet. It was revealed in Makkah and has 28 Ayah in two Ruku. It refers to the creation of Allah that was created before human beings. What is that creation and how does it look like and what functions it has been assigned by Allah. These are matters of mystery. All that humans know is that the jinn as a species is a hidden creation. The Surah alludes to a situation when this hidden creation listened to the divine guidance from the Prophet and accepted the message. It reassures the people of the truthfulness and usefulness of the divine guidance to all who have the capacity to think and act on the basis of that thinking.
Twelfth Day
41. Yasin (O You Human Being) (36)
Makkah
Yasin is the 41st Surah revealed upon the Prophet and it is the 36th Surah in the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and has 83 Ayah in five Ruku. It is also described as the heart of the Quran. It explains the foundational beliefs of Islam in monotheism, the finality of the Prophet and the divine message he is relaying to people, the life after death and the hereafter. It asks people to learn from the physical laws and be assured that a day would come when every human being would be brought back to life once again. It warns people of the Day of Judgment.
42. Al-Furqan (The Standard of True and False) (25)
Makkah
Al-Furqan is the 42nd Surah revealed upon the Prophet and it is the 25th surah in the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and has 77 Ayah in six Ruku. It responds to many objections the disbelievers had against the Quran and the divine guidance. It describes the characteristics of being believers is to lead a God-conscious life. It says the quality of humility is essential for anyone who wants to accept the oneness of God and wants to live the life of a believer. It warns people of the dangers of polytheism. It refers to nature and invites people to learn the divine rules embedded in that.
43. Al-Fatir (The Origination) (35)
Makkah
Al-Fatir is the 43rd Surah revealed upon the Prophet and its number in the traditionally arranged Quran is 35th. It was revealed in Makkah and has 45 Ayah in five Ruku. The Surah focuses on the attitude of disbelievers towards divine guidance and the messenger of Allah. It reminds people to make a decision about the faith that is being presented to them for their own good. It asks them to accept divine guidance so that they could have a successful life in this world and the hereafter. It draws their attention to nature and explains to them that physical laws point out to the Creator and his majesty.
44. Maryam (Mary) (19)
Makkah
Names after Maryam, the mother of Prophet Jesus, Maryam is the 44th Surah revealed upon the Prophet. In the traditionally arranged Quran, it is the 19th Surah. It was revealed in Makkah and has 98 Ayah in six Ruku. This Surah was revealed before the migration to Abyssinia. It mentions Prophets Zakariyya, Yahya, Isa, Ibrahim, Ismail, Musa and Idris and describes their mission as guided by Allah the same way as the mission of Prophet Muhammad is guided. It emphasizes the importance of monotheism in the evolution and growth of one’s personality as it liberates people from the intellectual slavery of others. It tells the story of Prophet Zakariyya who was blessed with a son Yahya. It also gives details of the miraculous birth of Prophet Jesus. It reminds the people of Prophet Ibrahim’s struggles with his father and elders of the community. It challenges the idea of the divinity of Jesus and refers to him as the son of Mary.
Thirteenth Day
45. TaHa (O Man) (20)
Makkah
The 45th Surah Taha revealed upon the Prophet is the 20th Surah in the traditionally arranged Quran. Like the previous Surah, it was also revealed before the migration to Abyssinia. It was also the Surah whose recitation by the sister of Umar caused the would be the second Caliph accept Islam. It was revealed in Makkah and has 135 Ayah in eight Ruku. It reminds the believers of their responsibility in sharing the divine guidance to those who are not familiar with them. It assures them of their success if they remain steadfast in their belief. It narrates the story of Prophet Moses in great details and asks the believers to learn from his struggle and life situation.
46. Al-Waqi'ah (That which must come to Pass) (56)
Makkah
The 46th Surah Al-Waqiah revealed upon the Prophet is the 56th in the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and has 96 Ayah in three Ruku. It dwells on the subject of resurrection, hereafter, and life after death. It presents resurrection as a matter of fact that cannot be denied. It defines the categories of believers. They are pioneers in the faith, then there are those who followed the footsteps of the pioneers with the same zeal and thirdly there are believers. It also describes the characteristics of those who reject the divine guidance. The Surah invites people to look at the blessings that Allah has created for their comfort and be grateful to him for those. It asks them to remain loyal and consistent with the divine guidance
47. Ash--Shu'ra' (The Poets) (26)
Makkah
Ash-Shura was the 47th Surah revealed upon the Prophet. It is the 26th Surah in the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and has 227 Ayah in 11 Ruku. It narrates several historical incidents, hitherto unknown to people and provides evidence of the authenticity of the divine guidance by pointing out to the signs of Allah. It also narrates stories from the past highlighting the struggles of those who were on the right path. It says that the creation itself is the greatest sign given by Allah for people to accept the guidance given by him. It refers to the signs given to Prophet Moses. It tells the story of Prophets Noah, Saleh, Hud, Lot, Shuaib and Moses and the exodus of Israelites from Egypt to give the evidence of the help of Allah to all those who were on the right path. It refutes the assertion of the disbeliever that the Prophet was a poet and composing the poetry to influence the mind of people. It invites them to accept the Quran as the final message of Allah.
48. An-Naml (The Ants) (27)
Makkah
An-Naml is the 48th Surah revealed upon the Prophet. It is the 27th in the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and has 93 Ayah in seven Ruku. Throughout human history, Allah has guided human beings to the right path. He sent his message to all people through specially chosen people who were designated as messengers. They might have spoken different languages, yet the essence of their message was the same. People throughout history either accepted their message or rejected it. The surah explains the difference between polytheism and monotheism clearly.
Fourteenth Day
49. Al-Qasas (The Story) (28)
Makkah
The 49th Surah Al-Qasas revealed upon the Prophet is the 28th Surah in the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and has 88 Ayah in nine Ruku. The institution of prophethood is pivotal in the divine scheme of guidance to humanity. Allah always speaks to people through the messengers he carefully chooses to deliver his message. This Surah focuses on some of the similarities between Prophet Moses and Prophet Muhammad. By referring to the trials and tribulations Prophet Moses went through, Allah is giving assurance to Prophet Muhammad and his followers that they should never feel hopeless as the succor of Allah would come to them as it came to Prophet Moses. It assures them that divine guidance has always benefitted people and all those who were
50. Al--Isra' (The Night Journey) (17)
Makkah
The 17th Surah Al-Isra in the traditionally arranged Quran is the 50th Surah revealed upon the Prophet. It was revealed in Makkah and has 111 Ayah in 12 Ruku. It was revealed some 18 months before the migration of the Prophet to Medina. It refers to the Prophet’s journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and onward to heavens. It establishes the connection among messengers sent with divine guidance and calls them each other’s companions and friends. It emphasizes the continuity in divine guidance and it invites people to adopt a lifestyle that would strengthen their character and they would help them become a better resource for humanity. It describes the characteristics of an ideal believer. Furthermore, it defines the dignity of every human being as the cardinal principle of divine faith. It explains the steps one need to take to preserve dignity. It reminds people that every action they bring consequences and every individual would bear his or her own burden.
51. Yunus (Jonah) (10)
Makkah
The 51st Surah Yunus revealed upon the Prophet is the 10th in the traditionally arranged Quran. It was revealed in Makkah and has 109 Ayah spread over 11 Ruku. The Surah describes the purpose of divine guidance is to enable people to achieve peace in their internal and external life. It lays open the path to peace by following the divine guidance as given in the Quran by the one who is Almighty and All-wise. His guidance is an act of mercy upon his creation. Humanity can find a solution to its manmade problems in divine guidance. History is a witness to the fact that whenever the divine guidance is followed with sincere intentions and appropriate actions, the help of Allah comes. However, when human beings follow their own path neglecting divine guidance, they cause havoc for themselves. Their self inflicted calamities occur because of their deviations.
52. Hud (11)
Makkah
Hud is the 52nd Surah revealed upon the Prophet and is the 11th Surah in the traditionally arranged Quran It was revealed in Makkah and has 123 Ayah and ten Ruku. The Surah refers to the stories of Prophets Noah, Salih, Hud, Lot, Shuaib, and Moses and explains that when people reject the divine message and ridicule the messengers they invite the divine punishment for their actions and behavior. The consequences of one’s actions are faced by the people regardless of their status or birth or family or ethnic ties. It invites people to evaluate their actions and seek repentance for their deviations if any. I exhort people to demonstrate perseverance in their life journey and perform good deeds to make this life better. It explains that the denial of truth by the elite should not prevent the believers from sharing the guidance to the people.
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