Overview - Surah 26: ash-Shu`ara' (The Poets )
The non-believers were asking for signs to prove that the Qur'an was the word of Allah. Allah mentioned many signs both in nature and in history. Stories of many prophets are also mentioned to indicate that all prophets presented basically the same message.
Sections:
- Allah has power to bring down the mightiest sign, but here is a test for people. This wonderful creation is a sign itself for those who want to learn.
- Signs were shown to Pharaoh.
- Pharaoh's magicians and Prophet Moses.
- The exodus of the Israelites from Egypt. The sea splitting and giving the way.
- Prophet Ibrahim's struggle against idolatry.
- Prophet Noah and his people.
- The 'Ad and the Prophet Hud – peace be upon him.
- The Thamud and the Prophet Saleh – peace be upon him.
- Prophet Lot – peace be upon him - and his people.
- Prophet Shu'aib – peace be upon him - and his people.
- The Qur'an is the message from the Lord of the worlds. It is neither from devils nor do they have any clue of this message. It is not poetry of the poets. It is a serious message with eternal consequences.
The Surah is named 'The Poets' and is mentioned in the Ayat, وَالشُّعَرَاءُ يَتَّبِعُهُمُ الْغَاوُونَ "And the poets - [only] the deviators follow them;" (26:224).
This is the longest Makki Surah of the Qur'an having 227 Ayat.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 227 |
| Total Words * | 1318 |
| Root Words * | 276 |
| Unique Root Words * | 6 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 47th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 6th year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
2nd Migration to Abyssinia, Physical beating and torture of some Muslims - 1st Migration of Muslims to Abyssinia, Public Invitation to Islam - Persecution of Muslims; antagonism - ridicule - derision - accusation - abuse and false propaganda., Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam , Revelation begins - Private Invitation to Islam
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| Events during/after still to occur*
Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2,Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 3,Death of Abu Talib - Death of Khadijah - Stoning at Ta'if - al-Isra wal Mi'raj - Night Journey,1st Pledge of Aqabah,2nd Pledge of Aqabah,,Migration from Makkah to Madinah - Building of Masjid Nabi in Madinah - Treaty with Jews of Madinah - Marriage of Prophet to Aishah,Change of Qiblah from Jerusalem to Makkah - Battle of Badr,Battle of Uhud,,Battle of Ahzab - Expedition of Banu Quraydhah,Treaty of Hudaiybiyah - Letters to Kings and Rulers,,Conquest of Makkah - Battle of Hunain,Hajj led by Abu Bakr - Expedition of Tabuk,Farewell Hajj by Prophet - Death of Prophet - End of Divine Revelation
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| Names of Prophets Mentioned
Nuh, Hud, Salih, Lut, Ibrahim, Shuaib, Musa, Harun
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| Surah Index
‘Aad, Aaron, Abraham, God (wills no wrong to His creation) , Children, Children (of Israel) , Commandments (general religious) , Earth, Gabriel, Hell, Homosexuality, Hud, Iblis, Judgement (Day) , Lot, Madyan, Moses, Moses (duel by sorcery with Pharaoh’s magicians) , Moses (parting of the Red Sea) , Noah, Pharaoh, Pharaoh (punishment of) , Poets, Prayer (of Abraham) , Prayer (of Noah) , Prayer (prostration) , Qur’an (revealed in Arabic) , Red Sea (parting of) , Resurrection (Day) , Revelation, Salih, Sea, Shu’ayb, Thamud, Thamud (rock dwellings) , Thamud (she camel) , Thamud (she camel) (killing of), Thamud (she camel) (punishment for)
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The background of the Surah is that the disbelievers of Makkah were persistently refusing on one pretext or the other to accept the message of Islam given by the Prophet. Sometimes they would say that he did not show them any sign to convince them of his Prophethood; sometimes they would brand him as a poet or a sorcerer and mock his message; and sometimes they would ridicule his mission saying that his followers were either a few foolish youth or the poor people and slaves. They argued that if his mission had some real value for people, the nobles and the elders would have accepted it first. Meanwhile, the Prophet was wearied by his efforts to rationally show them the errors of their creed and prove the truth of the doctrine of Monotheism (Tawhid) and the Hereafter. In contrast, the disbelievers were never tired of adopting various acts of stubbornness. This state of affairs was causing great anguish and grief to the Prophet.
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
1st/2nd Century
1st/2nd Century
8th century
8th century
12th Century
12th Century
19th Century
19th Century
10th Century
10th Century
7th/13th-9th/15th Century
733 H 1332 CE
733 H 1332 CE
701 H 1301 CE
701 H 1301 CE
730 H (1330 CE)
730 H (1330 CE)
986 H (1578 CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
- Struggle of Musa and Pharaoh mentioned in this Surah and following two Surahs - an-Naml and al-Qasas.
- The phrase أَلَا تَتَّقُونَ - ""Will you not fear?" -has been repeated a number of times. It was mentioned by Prophet Nuh (26:106), Hud (26:124), Saleh (26:142), Lut (26:161), Shuayb (26:177), Musa (26:11)
- The following Ayaat have been repeated 5 times in this Surah. (Ayat 106-109, 124-127, 142-145, 161-164, 177-180) [confirmation needed]
إِنِّي لَكُمْ رَسُولٌ أَمِينٌ فَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ وَأَطِيعُونِ وَمَا أَسْأَلُكُمْ عَلَيْهِ مِنْ أَجْرٍ ۖ إِنْ أَجْرِيَ إِلَّا عَلَىٰ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ ""Indeed, I am to you a trustworthy messenger.So fear Allah and obey me.And I do not ask you for it any payment. My payment is only from the Lord of the worlds."
- Rejection of the different nations -
كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ نُوحٍ الْمُرْسَلِينَ "The people of Noah denied the messengers" (26:105)
كَذَّبَتْ عَادٌ الْمُرْسَلِينَ "'Aad denied the messengers." (26:123)
كَذَّبَتْ ثَمُودُ الْمُرْسَلِينَ " Thamud denied the messengers." (26:141)
كَذَّبَتْ قَوْمُ لُوطٍ الْمُرْسَلِينَ "The people of Lot denied the messengers." (26:160)
كَذَّبَ أَصْحَابُ الْأَيْكَةِ الْمُرْسَلِينَ "The companions of the thicket denied the messengers." (26:176)
- The word 'Lisan' - meaning tongue has been mentioned 3 times in this Surah:
وَيَضِيقُ صَدْرِي وَلَا يَنطَلِقُ لِسَانِي فَأَرْسِلْ إِلَىٰ هَارُونَ "And that my breast will tighten and my tongue will not be fluent, so send for Aaron." (26:13)
وَاجْعَل لِّي لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ فِي الْآخِرِينَ "And grant me an honourable mention in later generations; " (26:84)
بِلِسَانٍ عَرَبِيٍّ مُّبِينٍ "In a clear Arabic language." (26:195)
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = 6* | ||
| # | Root Word | Frequency in Surah | Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ق و ل | 52 | 1722 |
| 2. | ك و ن | 38 | 1390 |
| 3. | ر ب ب | 36 | 980 |
| 4. | أ م ن | 27 | 879 |
| 5. | ع ل م | 25 | 854 |
| 6. | إِلَّا | 17 | 663 |
| 7. | و ق ي | 17 | 258 |
| 8. | ر س ل | 17 | 513 |
| 9. | أ ل ه | 15 | 2851 |
| 10. | أ ي ي | 14 | 382 |
| Root Word | Frequency in Surah |
Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|
| ق و ل | 52 | 1722 |
| ك و ن | 38 | 1390 |
| ر ب ب | 36 | 980 |
| أ م ن | 27 | 879 |
| ع ل م | 25 | 854 |
| إِلَّا | 17 | 663 |
| و ق ي | 17 | 258 |
| ر س ل | 17 | 513 |
| أ ل ه | 15 | 2851 |
| أ ي ي | 14 | 382 |
The subject matter and the style show that this Surah was revealed during the middle Makkan period. According to Ibn Abbas (a great companion of the Prophet), Surah 20: Ta Ha was revealed, followed by Surah 56: al-Waqi’ah (The Occurrence) and then Surah 26: ash-Shu’ara’ (The Poets).
- Allah's address to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that he should not fret himself to death with grief for the people's disbelief.
- Story of Musa, Fir'on, and deliverance of the children of Israel.
- Story of Ibrahim and his arguments against idol worshipping.
- The fact that the mushrikin and their gods will both be toppled into hell.
- Stories of Prophets Nuh, Hud, Saleh, Lut, Shu'aib (pbut) and their people.
- The fact that the Qur'an is revealed in the Arabic language and is not brought by shaitans; as it is neither in their interest nor in their power to do so.
- The fact that shaitans descend on those slandering sinners who listen to hearsay and are liars.
Tafsir Zone
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Sayyid Qutb Overview (Verses 130 - 140) They have further practices that are strongly criticized by Had: “When you exercise your power, you do so like cruel tyrants.” (Verse 130) They were mighty, hard, tyrannical and would deal with others using utmost cruelty, like many others who rely on material power. Had, therefore, reminds them that they must fear God and obey His messenger. This would be sure to redress their cruelty and put a stop to their arrogance: “So, fear God and pay heed to me.” (Verse 131) He further reminds them of God’s grace, as it is He who has favoured them with His blessings which they use arrogantly as also to oppress others. They should have remembered God’s favours and given thanks for them. They should also bear in mind that the One who has granted them such favours can easily take them back, or punish them for putting His favours to wrong use: “Fear Him who has provided you with all that you know. He has provided you with cattle and children, and gardens and springs. Indeed, 1 fear lest suffering befall you on an awesome day.” (Verses 132-135) Hūd’s reminder mentions first the One who granted them such blessings before enumerating them. He “has provided you with all that you know.” It is all a gift for you, and you know it well as you benefit by it in your lives. He then gives further details: “He has provided you with cattle and children, and gardens and springs.” (Verses 133-134) These were the best favours that they could have enjoyed during that period of time. They are indeed a great favour at any time. He then warns them against punishment that may befall them on an awesome day. His warning expresses his fear for their end, because he is one of them, their brother, and he wants to spare them the hardship of that day which is certain to come. But his reminders and warnings do not touch their hardened hearts. They stubbornly refuse to mend their ways: “They answered: It is all one to us whether you admonish us or you never give admonition.” (Verse 136) This is a derogatory way of speaking, one which expresses their carelessness for whatever he might say. They add a clear indication that they are hardened in their ways, relying totally on what they have inherited from previous generations: “This is none but the practice of the ancients. Never are we going to be punished.” (Verses 137-138) Their only argument in defence of all the practices Hūd has criticized them for is that they are following earlier generations, towing their line. They then deny the possibility of being punished for following in their ancestors’ footsteps: “Never are we going to be punished.” (Verse 138) The sūrah does not mention here any of the arguments that took place between them and Hūd. It proceeds straight to the end: “Thus they denied him. So We destroyed them.” (Verse 139) These two short sentences, expressed in the original Arabic text by only two words, fakadhdhabūhu fa’ahlaknāhum, spell out the end of the mighty people of `Ād and their great symbols of power. Nothing is left of their luxuries, cattle, children, gardens and springs. How many a community has followed the same practices as the `Ād people, moving further away from God with every new aspect of civilization they have achieved. They always think that man can be independent of God. They try to produce weapons to destroy others while ensuring their own security. Yet it may be only a day or a night and such a community finds itself subjected to God’s punishment: “Indeed, there is in this a sure sign; yet most of them will not believe. And indeed it is your Lord who is the Mighty One, the Merciful.” (Verses 139-140) |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
Mawdudi
الطبري - جامع البيان
ابن كثير - تفسير القرآن العظيم
القرطبي - الجامع لأحكام
البغوي - معالم التنزيل
ابن أبي حاتم الرازي - تفسير القرآن
ابن عاشور - التحرير والتنوير
ابن القيم - تفسير ابن قيّم
السيوطي - الدر المنثور
الشنقيطي - أضواء البيان
ابن الجوزي - زاد المسير
الآلوسي - روح المعاني
ابن عطية - المحرر الوجيز
الرازي - مفاتيح الغيب
أبو السعود - إرشاد العقل السليم
الزمخشري - الكشاف
البقاعي - نظم الدرر
الهداية إلى بلوغ النهاية — مكي ابن أبي طالب
القاسمي - محاسن التأويل
الماوردي - النكت والعيون
السعدي - تيسير الكريم الرحمن
عبد الرحمن الثعالبي - الجواهر الحسان
السمرقندي - بحر العلوم
أبو إسحاق الثعلبي - الكشف والبيان
الشوكاني - فتح القدير
النيسابوري - التفسير البسيط
أبو حيان - البحر المحيط
البيضاوي - أنوار التنزيل
النسفي - مدارك التنزيل
ابن جُزَيّ - التسهيل لعلوم التنزيل
علي الواحدي النيسابوري - الوجيز
السيوطي - تفسير الجلالين
المختصر في التفسير — مركز تفسير
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- Surah 26. Ash-Shu`ara' - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cHU7JzgGx8&index=26&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN
- Surah 26. Ash-Shu`ara' Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhzLVmPbiAc&index=26&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM
- Surah 26. Ash-Shu`ara' Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0iyyiyEVOs&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe&index=26
- Idris Akbar Ash-Shu`ara' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfKTV4F9zOc
- Surah 26.Ash-Shu`ara' muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vwn28IKHR9o&index=26&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG
