SURAH 1: SURAH AL FAATIHA
THE OPENING CHAPTER
SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
Maulana Shabbier Ahmed Uthmaani (A.R) has written that the entire Quraan consists of six central themes, viz.
Tauheed (the Oneness of Allaah),
Risaalah (i.e. the prophethood of Rasulullaah (SAW),
Laws,
Qiyaamah,
The Mu’mineen, and
The Kuffaar. Surah Faatiha contains all these themes in a nutshell
SURAH 2: SURAH AL BAQARAH
THE BULL
Tauheed Jihaad in Allaah’s path
Matters of administration Risaalah
Spending in Allaah’s path Matters of welfare
THE ESSENCE OF THE SURAH
Together with setting straight religious and material matters, Jihaad should be waged against Mushrikeen to preserve the Kalimah
SURAH 3: SURAH AAL IMRAAN
THE FAMILY OF IMRAAN
A SUMMARY OF THE TOPICS CONTAINED IN THE SURAH
The Surah discusses four themes viz.
(1) Towheed,
(2) Risaalah,
(3) Jihaad and
(4) spending in Allaah’s way.
SURAH 4: SURAH NISAA
WOMEN
A SUMMARY OF SURAH NISAA
This Surah may be divided into two sections. While the first part discusses administrative laws related to public affairs, the second part discusses laws specifically addressed to rulers. Three principles are explained;
not to oppress others;
not to commit shirk;
to behave correctly with each other.
SURAH 5: SURAH MAA’IDAH
THE SET TABLE
Surah Maa’idah may be divided into two sections. The first section rebuts Shirk associated with belief as well as Shirk associated with action.
After the first section. Allaah consoles Rasulullaah (SAW) by telling him not to grieve over the obstinate behaviour of the Mushrikeen, the Jews, and the Munaafiqeen.
SURAH 6: SURAH AN’AAM
LIVESTOCK
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
Surah An’aam discusses detailed arguments against Shirk, presenting a gist of the
argument afterwards.
SURAH 7: SURAH A’RAAF
THE HIGH WALL
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
This Surah makes the following three assertions:
Tauheed should be propagated in earnestness and the resultant difficulties should be borne with patience and should not be allowed to disillusion one.
The laws revealed by Allaah must be obeyed and people should not formulate their own laws as a result of Shaytaan’s manipulation.
The third assertion made in this Surah is that only Allaah can be one’s Helper and only He has complete control over all matters. He has not granted any other being control over any of these matters.
These three assertions are then discussed further in the incidents of six Ambiyaa.
SURAH 8: SURAH ANFAAL
THE SPOILS OF WAR
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
Surah Anfaal may be divided into two parts. Both parts of the Surah discuss the distribution of booty, as well as providing details about Jihaad.
SURAH 9: SURAH TAUBAH
REPENTANCE
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
Surah Taubah may also be divided into two parts.
The first part of the Surah makes mention of:
the exemption from any obligation towards all those Mushrikeen who fail to uphold their treaties. The declaration of Jihaad against all Mushrikeen. Replies to four doubts raised concerning fighting the Mushrikeen. These are mentioned because they present an obstacle to Jihaad.
The reasons for fighting the Mushrikeen.
The second part of the Surah reproaches the Munaafiqeen and encourages the Mu’mineen to fight in Jihaad.
SURAH 10: SURAH YOONUS
YOONUS (AS)
No intercessor can overpower Allaah’s decree.
Surah Baqarah makes special mention of the following themes:
Tauheed.
Risaalah.
Jihaad.
Spending in Allaah’s way.
Matters pertaining to administration and reformation.
Surah Aal Imraan tackles a part of Tauheed (refutation of Shirk in beliefs) and also discusses Risaalah, Jihaad, and spending in charity.
Surah Nisaa provides the details about administration and reformation, including laws pertaining to the general public, as well as legislation to be implemented by Muslim leaders.
Surah Maa’idah and Surah Anfaal elucidate the two facets of Tauheed viz. the refutation of Shirk in beliefs and Shirk in actions.
While Surah Maa’idah concentrates on explaining the falsehood of Shirk, Surah Anfaal places greater emphasis on logical proofs.
Surah A’raaf then continues to deliberate on various proofs to refute the two types of Shirk, using the detailed stories of several Ambiyaa.
Surah Anfaal and Surah Taubah then discuss Jihaad in great detail.
The Surah proves that no exalted angel, no apostle, and no saint can alter Allaah’s decisions. This theme is discussed throughout this Surah and continues until Surah Kahf
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
The central theme of this Surah (viz. the fact that no intercessor can overpower Allaah’s decree).
SURAH 11: SURAH HOOD
HOOD (AS)
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
The opening verses of the Surah (until verse 24) contain the following four important messages:
Summon Allaah only.
Only Allaah has knowledge of the unseen.
There must be no negligence in propagating the revelation.
The manifesto is clear, but the rejecters will not accept it because of their obstinacy.
Thereafter, Allaah mentions seven narratives that confirm the first three messages.
SURAH 12: SURAH YOOSUF
YOOSUF (AS)
A GIST OF THE SURAH
Surah Yoosuf makes the following four assertions:
Only Allaah has knowledge of the unseen and He has not conferred this privilege to any other.
Only Allaah is the Supreme Master and Controller of everything and He has not granted others the capability to do anything more than what visible means permit.
Rasulullaah (SAW) is Allaah’s true messenger, on whom revelation descends.
Difficulties will also afflict Rasulullaah (SAW), just as it afflicted the Ambiyaa (AS) before him, but these will soon give way to success and victory.
SURAH 13: SURAH RA’D
RA’D
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
This Surah proves that only Allaah has knowledge of the unseen and that only He can be called when in need.
SURAH 14: SURAH IBRAHEEM
IBRAHEEM (AS)
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
The objective of Surah Ibraheem is to guide people to the straight path by means of the narratives of the Ambiyaa (AS) and by reminding people of the days when Allaah punished certain disobedient nations.
SURAH 15: SURAH HIJR
HIJR
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
The Surah contains two logical proofs for Tauheed (one brief and the other detailed).
To warn people about the worldly consequences of disobedience.
Allaah also speaks about the destruction of three nations:
The nation of Loot (AS),
The nation of Shu’ayb
The nation of Saalih (AS).
SURAH 16: SURAH NAHL
THE BEE
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
Allaah begins the Surah by sounding a warning to the Kuffaar, when He tells them that His punishment shall shortly afflict them.
SURAH 17: SURAH BANI ISRAA’EEL
BANI ISRAA’EEL
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
This Surah discusses the Mi’raaj, which serves as a proof of Tauheed. The verses of the Surah explain that miracles are meant to warn people that they will be destroyed if they reject them.
The central theme of the Surah, for which the miracle of Mi’raaj took place (Tauheed).
SURAH 18: SURAH KAHAF
THE CAVE
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
To ascertain whether Rasulullaah (SAW) was a true Nabi, the Kuffaar posed three questions to him.
The detailed story of Moosa (AS) and Khidr is also mentioned in this Surah.
SURAH 19: SURAH MARYAM
MARYAM (RA)
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
Surah Maryam refutes several incorrect beliefs of the Kuffaar.
SURAH 20: SURAH TAAHAA
TAAHAA`
A SUMMARY OF THE SURAH
Surah TaaHaa contains two central themes, viz.
(1) Towheed, (2) encouragement for Muslims to brave the difficulties that will come their way when they preach Towheed.