SURAH AD DUHA Chapter: 93

This blog is part of a series of blogs based on my research and compilation of surahs of the Quran, in an effort to understand these surahs in an easy way. Today's effort is on Surah AD -DUHA Chapter: 93, hope going through it will be a learning journey for all of you. May Allah forgive any mistake, omission, or error on my part in its compilation (Aameen Summa Aameen).

Introduction:   Surah Ad-Duha is the 93rd surah (chapter) of the Quran, consisting of 11 verses (ayats) 165 letters, 40 words with 35 unique words without repetition, I Ruku. It’s revelation period is believed to be between 610- 615 AD. The term “Adh-Duha” translates to “The Morning Brightness” or “The Forenoon” in English. It is a Meccan surah, meaning it was revealed in Mecca before the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to Medina. According to some narrations, Surah Ad-Duha, one of the Meccan Surahs, was revealed following a lengthy pause in revelation. The Holy Prophet (SAW) impatiently awaited its coming since the enemy had gotten irritating and began gossiping.

Background:

Surah Ad-Duha was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (saw) at a time when he had not received any revelation for six months. The Prophet (saw) was disturbed and depressed believing that Allah was displeased with him, had forgotten him. Surah says “Thy Guardian-Lord hath not forsaken thee, nor is He displeased. And verily the Hereafter will be better for thee than the present. And soon will thy Guardian-Lord give thee (that wherewith) thou shalt be well-pleased. Did He not find thee an orphan and give thee shelter (and care)?

Message of Surah:

The theme of Surah Ad-Duha and the reason for revelation is to comfort the prophet and to remove his anxiety and depression. To show the disbelievers that Allah has not forsaken the prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as they claimed.

Major Issue, Divine Law and Guidance

Good news to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that the later period will be better for him than the earlier.

Main teaching of Surah Duha

In summary, these are the four simple lessons we can learn from this short, yet powerful Surah: That there is hope, that Allah loves us, that better is coming, that Allah will give and reminding us of all He has given before.

Lessons from Surah Duha:

The Prophet (ﷺ) was depressed and thought that Allah had forgotten him, disapproved of him, and no longer wanted him to be a Prophet. These evil thoughts were alleviated and replaced with hope, positivism, and assurance that Allah is always there for him in Surah Ad-Duha. Lessons from surah Duha are following:

Be positive:

·         That’s what this Surah is all about, and that’s the most important lesson it teaches.

·         Optimism is a virtue we must uphold as Muslims.

·         Our ancestors did not intend for us to be a gloomy race.

·         Our lives should be filled with hope for Allah’s help and mercy.

·         Optimism and hope are essential ingredients in each activity we attempt.

·         If we are serious and the endeavor is helpful to the ummah, we must have faith that Allah will support us.

·         That mentality should be the driving force behind our efforts.

Be Thankful:

·         Allah reminded us of occasions in the past when He helped His Messenger so that we can keep our spirits up (peace be upon him).

·         Many times in the past, Allah has given us prosperity & turned around a difficult circumstance in our own lives.

·         Reminiscing about such occasions helps us remain hopeful that Allah will continue to provide for us in the future.

Be Generous:

·         A believer’s goals are not selfish and materialistic. Instead, our goals should revolve around The aspirations of believers who aren’t self-centered and selfish.

·         One method to strengthen the ummah is to become generous individuals, and our aims should focus on this.

·         The Muslim world thrives because of the generosity of its people.

·         Almighty Allah rewards those who give generously, and their wealth multiplies as a result.

·         The person who gets the charity is also blessed and now has some money to help him go forward in his own life.

·         Charity is a win/win scenario.

·         Everyone is a winner and a learner.

·         Believers should hope for this.

·         We must steer clear of ways and objectives that lead to materialism and self-centeredness.

·         When we focus on serving others, generosity is the first step.

Contribute to society:

·         A Muslim’s aim should be to raise & benefit the ummah, which necessitates having an ummah-centric attitude.

·         Putting people first should be the ultimate goal of every endeavor.

·         As long as our primary purpose is to help the ummah, Allah will reward us with Barakah for our work, companies, resources, and free time we devote to the cause.

·         As Muslims, we are all part of the same ummah, and we all wish to see this ummah return to its former glory.

Main Themes of Surah Al- Duha:

Surah serves as a poignant reminder of hope, patience, & the unwavering support of Allah even in times of difficulty. Muslims are encouraged to maintain trust in Allah’s plan & to express gratitude through acts of kindness & charity.

Divine Comfort: The surah begins with an oath by the morning brightness, symbolizing divine guidance and blessings. It assures the Prophet that Allah has not forsaken him and that the future will be better than the past.

Gratitude and Patience: The surah encourages gratitude and patience, reminding believers of the rewards that come with trust in Allah during challenging times.

Social Welfare: It emphasizes the importance of caring for the less fortunate and not oppressing the orphans.

Endearing Relationship with Allah: The surah beautifully illustrates the reciprocal nature of the relationship between the servant and Allah, emphasizing that acts of worship and gratitude lead to an increase in divine blessings.

Surah Duha’s importance:

Strength in Hardship: Surah Duha provides emotional strength and resilience, especially during times of hardship and grief. Its verses remind believers that Allah is aware of their struggles and that better times are ahead, offering solace and comfort during challenging moments.

How it can Change Live and Help anxiety:

Surah Ad-Duha was revealed to the Prophet (saw) to relieve him of these negative feelings and to give him hope, positivity, and the assurance that Allah is with him no matter what. He wondered if Allah was displeased with him and did not want him as a Prophet anymore. Thus, Surah Ad-Duha was revealed to console and help the Messenger ﷺ to overcome his anxiety and depression. This is no different from when we become depressed because of a traumatic experience or the stress of our modern-day lives.

Surah Duha Benefits

Surah Adh-Duha, like many chapters in the Quran, holds spiritual and psychological benefits. While individual experiences may vary, here are some commonly mentioned benefits associated with reciting & reflecting on Surah Duha

Divine Comfort and Assurance: Reciting Surah Duha brings comfort and assurance, especially during challenging or uncertain times. It reminds believers of Allah’s continuous mercy and support.

Increase in Provision and Blessings: Reciting Surah Duha is associated with an increase in provisions and blessings. The surah encourages gratitude, and expressing gratitude is seen as a means of attracting more blessings.

Relief from Depression and Sadness: Surah Duha is often recited by individuals facing distress, sadness, or anxiety. Believers find solace in the reassurance that, just as the morning brightness follows the night, relief will come after challenging times.

Spiritual Upliftment: Regular recitation of Surah Duha contributes to spiritual upliftment. The positive messages of hope, patience, and gratitude can have a beneficial impact on one’s spiritual well-being.

Barakah (Blessings) in Daily Affairs: Incorporating the recitation of Surah Duha into daily routines can bring blessings to various aspects of life, including work, family, and relationships.

Cultivation of Patience: Surah Duha emphasizes the importance of patience during difficult times. Reciting and reflecting on its verses cultivates patience and resilience in the face of challenges.

Some Other Benefits are given below:

Ø  Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad sallal laahu alaihi wasallam stated that Allah (Swt) is delighted with whosoever recitation of surah Duha.

Ø  When chanted in conjunction with the name of a person who has gone missing, he will safely return home. If something is accidentally left someplace, the recital of Surah Duha safeguards it until it is recovered.

Ø  If a person leaves anything behind and forgets to carry it with him, then recites Surah Adh-Duha; that item will stay under Allah’s protection until the person returns and collects it.

Ø  Whoever recitation of surah Duha will have it plead for him on the Day of Judgment, and virtues tenfold the number of beggars and orphans who lived in bygone eras.

Ø  If you are depressed, recite this Surah.

Ø  Reading surah ad-Duha aids in the treatment of sadness and anxiety.

Ø  It serves as a means of consoling us and alleviating our anxieties.

Ø  It serves as a reminder to keep one’s emphasis on the hereafter.

Ø  If something is accidentally left anywhere, the recital of Surah Ad-Duha safeguards it till it is recovered. (Fawaid-e-Quran)

Ø  He who recites Surah Ad-Duha shall be counted among those whom Allah satisfies.

Ø  Surat Ad Duha is conceivable that the Prophet SAW intercedes for him on the Day of Judgment.

Ø  He will be tenfold rewarded for each orphan, widow, or beggar (that he helps).

Ø  Surah Ad-Duha can bring bountiful sustenance, riches, self-sufficiency, and benefits.

Ø  Molana Ashraf Ali Thanvi writes: To locate a misplaced thing, recite Surat Ad-Duha seven times; the object will be found, In Sha Allah. Alternatively, recite Surat Ad-Duha once and repeat the verses.

Explanation of Surah Ad Duha:

The Surah in its entirety is dedicated to Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. In it we see a touch of tenderness, affection and mercy to soothe pain and remove hardship and replace it with joy and tranquility. This is how Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala protects and takes care of His righteous slaves.

Revelation was the Prophet’s only link to Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala. It provided him solace and strength in the face of intense hostility and rejection. Then came a time when the revelation was suspended. This caused the Prophet severe distress and anxiety. Imam Ahmad recorded from Jundub that, “The Prophet became ill, so he did not stand for prayer for a night or two. Then a woman came and said, ‘O Muhammad! I think that your devil has finally left you.’”

At this stage, this Surah [Ad-Duha] was revealed as an assurance that your Lord has neither forsaken you, nor is He displeased with you. The hardships were not to last long. Every later period of his life has been better than the former one. He was born an orphan, yet one after another from his grandfather to his uncles everyone was specially compassionate and loving towards him. Who made this arrangement? Did it happen on its own? No, Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala made it happen! Perhaps, his real parents if they were still alive would not have taken care of him as affectionately as his grandfather and uncles did.

Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala guarantees him that after this hardship is over he will be blessed abundantly and he will be pleased. This is one of the express prophecies of the Qur’an, which proved literally true, afterwards, whereas when this prophecy was made there seemed not to be the remotest chance that the helpless and powerless man who had come out to wage a war against the ignorance and paganism of the entire nation, would ever achieve such wonderful success.

Conclusion:

 Serving as a reminder of Allah’s continuous mercy and support, surah Ad-Duha encourages gratitude, patience, and the cultivation of a positive mindset. As individuals reflect on its verses, they find reassurance in times of depression and gain spiritual upliftment. The benefits of reciting Surah Duha extends to increased provisions, blessings, and a sense of divine comfort. Ultimately, this chapter exemplifies the Quran’s timeless wisdom, offering enduring lessons for those seeking solace and spiritual growth. Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala instructs him to treat His creatures with the same love and kindness as was showered upon him when he was young and weak. This was a way of repaying and rendering thanks for the favors that His Lord had bestowed on him.

Please recite this Surah daily and as much as you can. May Allah bless me and all those who are reading this. (Aameen Summa Aameen)

Researched & Compiled by:

Ovais Asad Khan