By In Juz 26 of the Holy Quran, God has revealed six surahs or chapters — Surah Al-Ahqaf (The Sand Dunes), Surah Muhammad, Surah Al-Fath (The Victory), Surah Al-Hujurat (The Rooms), Surah Qaf, and Surah Adh-Dhariyat (The Winnowing Winds).
All six chapters in this part of the Quran are unique in that they heavily talk about the distinction between the believers and disbelievers, what God has in store for those who do right and those who do wrong, how God perceives certain sins (i.e., associating others with Him, backbiting, and leading others astray). He speaks about the honored character of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) and the characteristics his followers possess.
These chapters serve as powerful warnings to all who read them because God wants people to open their eyes and realize the right path before it is too late (a warning he has also given in the chapters before these six).
Jinns are peoples and nations who include believers and disbelievers
Surah Al-Ahqaf (The Sand Dunes) was revealed to the Prophet (SAWW) after he returned to Makkah from a place called Ta’if. The chapter was titled “Ahqaf” due to the sand hills that form when the wind picks up the sand and the sand piles up. The people of ‘Ad as mentioned in this surah, lived in areas that had many dunes.
Here are some verses that have stood out to me:
- “Remember O Prophet, when We sent a group of jinn your way to listen to the Quran. Then, upon hearing it, they said to one another, “Listen quietly!” Then when it was over, they returned to their fellow jinn as warners.” — Quran (46:29)
- “They declared, “O our fellow jinn! We have truly heard a scripture revealed after Moses, confirming what came before it. It guides to the truth and the Straight Way.” — Quran (46:30)
- “O our fellow jinn! Respond to the caller of Allah and believe in him, He will forgive your sins and protect you from a painful punishment.” — Quran (46:31)
- “And whoever does not respond to the caller of Allah will have no escape on earth, nor will they have any protectors against Him. It is they who are clearly astray.” — Quran (46:32)
- “Do they not realize that Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth did not tire in creating them, is able to give life to the dead? Yes indeed! He is most certainly Most Capable of everything.” — Quran (46: 33)
In the past, I had written an article about the misconceptions of jinn in cultures. Through my research, it was interesting to discover that while we cannot see these entities, they live in a unique world like humans. Amongst the jinn are also those who believe and disbelieve. Some follow God’s orders, and others disobey Him by teasing and bothering humans.
The above verses speak about how God sent a group of jinn to listen to the Quran from the Prophet (SAWW) and were so engrossed in the words of their Creator that they would tell each other to be quiet so they could listen better. After the Prophet (SAWW) was done they were amazed. They quickly returned to their communities and relayed everything the Prophet (SAWW) taught them.
These verses show me that God’s judgment, His systems, and teachings are all universal and relevant to the seen and the unseen. Every living being, whether made from clay or fire, will be assessed on how they have utilized their life and whether they have listened to or ignored their Creator’s words. It further shows me an interesting point that the jinn after listening to only a few verses from the Prophet (SAWW), believed in and rushed back to spread the message; however, people have listened to the whole Quran and still reject whatever it has to say. The jinn were also educated on the two books that were revealed before the Quran.
In the last ayah, disbelievers ask how is it possible that someone can be resurrected after they have already died. How is this a question we can ask an entity that has created the system of life and death, sunrise and sunset, and the universe entirely?
Within Shiites’ Islamic history, there is a hadith of Ameer ul Momineen, Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as), narrated in Al-Kafi, an extensive hadith compilation in Shia, where the Imam (as) proved God’s miracle by raising someone from the dead. Narrated by Muhammad ibn Yahya, Salama ibn Al-Khattab, ‘Abd Allah ibn Al-Qasim, and ‘Isa Shalqan, who have said that a person from Ali (as)’s maternal side came to him one day and said, “Uncle, my brother has died, and I am very sad because his death.” The Imam (as) asked him if he wanted to see his brother, and he said ‘yes.’ They went to his grave, he recited a few words, knocked the grave with his foot, and the brother came out of his grave alive and healthy.
Defending Islam in the face of foes
The 47th surah in the Quran is named after the Holy Prophet (SAWW), and was revealed in Makkah. The central theme of this chapter is how to defend Islam against its enemies.
Here are some verses that have stood out to me:
- “So when you meet the disbelievers in battle, strike their necks until you have thoroughly subdued them, then bind them firmly. Later free them either as an act of grace or by ransom until the war comes to an end. So will it be. Had Allah willed, He Himself could have inflicted punishment on them. But He does this only to test some of you by means of others. And those who are martyred in the cause of Allah, He will never render their deeds void.” — Quran (47:4)
- “The description of the Paradise promised to the righteous is that in it are rivers of fresh water, rivers of milk that never changes in taste, rivers of wine delicious to drink, and rivers of pure honey. There they will also have all kinds of fruit and forgiveness from their Lord. Can they be like those who will stay in the Fire forever, left to drink boiling water that will tear apart their insides?” — Quran (47:15)
- “This worldly life is no more than play and amusement. But if you are faithful and mindful of Allah, He will grant you your full reward, and will not ask you to donate all your wealth.” — Quran (47:36)
Some might say that the first ayah is a little controversial. You go into battle, you see a disbeliever, you attack and then bind them. However, to me, it seems more like God is saying for you to weaken the enemy and then hold them as captives. They are not people you hold as prisoners indefinitely; rather, if an amount has been paid, you let them go, or be merciful and let them go. However, they should be released after the enemy has been defeated or weakened.
In the second verse, it talks about the mention of “wine” which is yet another part that I think may be perceived incorrectly by those not familiar with the Quran. They might think that this wine refers to alcoholic intoxicants that are consumed in this world, even though such substances are forbidden.
The last verse is one that I think should be a constant reminder for all of us. Lately, it has become so easy to forget that this world has only been put for us as a test to work towards our life after death and that everything we achieve and obtain is only for a short period. If not something takes away our riches, success, and happiness, death is inevitable. How social we are, how wealthy we are, and how glamorously we have lived our lives will mean nothing when we all go back to the same place, and the same Creator.
How believers treat one another
This surah was revealed to the Prophet (SAWW) six years after the Treaty of Hudaybiyya, and it is a chapter which has been revealed in Medina. The significance of this “victory” that the chapter pertains to victory over the enemies of Islam, and that could be either the conquest of Makkah, or the victory at Khaybar.
Here is a verse that stood out to me:
“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. And those with him are firm with the disbelievers and compassionate with one another. You see them bowing and prostrating in prayer, seeking Allah’s bounty and pleasure. The sign of brightness can be seen on their faces from the trace of prostrating in prayer. This is their description in the Torah. And their parable in the Gospel is that of a seed that sprouts its tiny branches, making it strong. Then it becomes thick, standing firmly on its stem, to the delight of the planters — in this way Allah makes the believers a source of dismay for the disbelievers. To those of them who believe and do good, Allah has promised forgiveness and a great reward.”
— Quran (48:29)
This verse speaks about the inner and outer characteristics of the Prophet (SAWW)’s believers. While they may be firm with the disbelievers, they are kind, compassionate, and humble towards their brethren of faith. I like the mention of how a seed sprouts branches, and then those branches become stronger. To me, this indicates that when the foundation of our faith is strong, we will continue growing spiritually, and the more knowledge we retain, the stronger believers we become.
What are your main takeaways from Juz 26? Let us know in the DMs!