Overview - Surah 54: al-Qamar (The Moon )
The Surah talks about the approaching Day of Judgment. It describes some of the scenes of that Day. It also tells us that Allah's judgment may come here and now. There are references to the flood that came at the time of Prophet Noah, the punishment of the people of 'Ad, Thamud, People of Prophet Lot, the Pharaoh and his people. It ends with the good news for the Believers who will be near their Lord in the gardens of bliss.
Sections:
- The Day of Judgment is near. References to Prophet Noah, and to the tribe of 'Ad,
- References to the Thamud tribe, Prophet Lot and his people.
- Pharaoh and his arrogance. The opponents in Makkah are told whether they think they are better or more powerful than those nations. The wrong doers did suffer the consequences of their evil deeds.
This Surah takes its name from the first Ayat, اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ "The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]." (54:1). Surah al-Qamar is in the 27th Juzz and the word Qamar [moon] appears in the Qur'an 27 times. An interesting observation is that the Moon orbits the Earth every 27 days.
There are 55 Ayat in this Surah.
Overview
| Total Ayat | 55 |
| Total Words * | 342 |
| Root Words * | 145 |
| Unique Root Words * | 5 |
| Makki / Madani | Makki |
| Chronological Order* | 37th (according to Ibn Abbas) |
| Year of Revelation* | 8th year of Prophethood |
| Events during/before this Surah*
Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 2, Boycott of Banu Hashim Yr 1, 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 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, Lut
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| Surah Index
‘Aad, Astronomy (celestial mechanics) (moon), Badr, Grave, Hell, Hud, Judgement (Day) , Judgement (Day) (moon split asunder), Locusts, Lot, Noah, Noah (ark) , Noah (flood) , Pharaoh, Qur’an, Record of personal deeds, Resurrection (Day) , Thamud, Thamud (she camel) , Thamud (she camel) (killing of), Thamud (she camel) (punishment for), Weather (wind)
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Theme 1: The Sunnah [practice] of Allah in dealing with those who belie and deny His Ayat [signs].
In this Surah the disbelievers of Makkah have been warned for their stubbornness which they had adopted against the invitation of the Prophet. The amazing and wonderful phenomenon of the splitting of the Moon was a manifest sign of the truth that the Resurrection, of which the Prophet was giving them the news, could take place and that it had approached near at hand. The great sphere of the Moon had split into two distinct parts in front of their very eyes. The two parts had separated and receded so much apart from each other that to the on-lookers one part had appeared on one side of the mountain and the other on the other side of it. Then, in an instant the two had rejoined. This was a manifest proof of the truth that the system of the Universe was neither eternal nor immortal, it could be disrupted. Huge stars and planets could split asunder, disintegrate, collide with each other, and everything that had been depicted in the Qur’an in connection with the description of the details of Resurrection, could happen. Not only this: it was also a portent that the disintegration of the system of the Universe had begun and the time was near when Resurrection would take place. The Prophet invited the people’s attention to this event only with this object in view and asked them to mark it and be a witness to it. But the disbelievers described it as a magical illusion and persisted in their denial. For this stubbornness they have been reproached in this Surah.
The Surah revolves around the Signs of Allah and those who belie and deny them from amongst the polytheists. The splitting of the Qamar [moon] is amongst the great signs shown by God to the people of Makkah which they still resulted on them continuing their disbelief.
- The Hour:
اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ "The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]." (54:1)
بَلِ السَّاعَةُ مَوْعِدُهُمْ وَالسَّاعَةُ أَدْهَىٰ وَأَمَرُّ " But the Hour is their appointment [for due punishment], and the Hour is more disastrous and more bitter." (54:46)
Manuscripts / Inscriptions
11th Century AH
11th Century AH
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
1st Century Hijrah (7th Century CE)
3rd Century Hijrah
3rd Century Hijrah
- The previous Surah an-Najm [The Star] and this Surah al-Qamar [The Moon] both are named after heavenly bodies.
- There are 55 Ayat in Surah al-Qamar. Surah ar-Rahman is Surah no. 55.
- Surah al-Qamar ends with mentioning that the Believers will be with the King. Surah ar-Rahman begins with who this King is - He is ar-Rahman [the Most Merciful]
فِي مَقْعَدِ صِدْقٍ عِندَ مَلِيكٍ مُّقْتَدِرٍ "In a seat of truth (i.e. Paradise), near the Omnipotent King (Allah, the All-Blessed, the Most High, the Owner of Majesty and Honour) (54:55)
الرَّحْمَـٰنُ "The Most Merciful." (55:1) - Both Surah al-Qamar and ar-Rahman end with the mention of Paradise.
- Allah Almighty repeats the following Ayat 4 times in this Surah, وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ "And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?" (54:17) (54:22) (54:32) (54:40)
- Allah Almighty repeats these words 4 times in this Surah, فَكَيْفَ كَانَ عَذَابِي وَنُذُرِ "And how [severe] were My punishment and warning." (54:16) (54:18) (54:21) (54:30)
Total Word Count per Ayat (shows how many words per Ayat) = 5* | ||
| # | Root Word | Frequency in Surah | Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | ن ذ ر | 12 | 130 |
| 2. | ذ ك ر | 11 | 292 |
| 3. | ك ذ ب | 9 | 282 |
| 4. | ع ذ ب | 7 | 373 |
| 5. | ك ل ل | 6 | 377 |
| 6. | ك و ن | 6 | 1390 |
| 7. | ق و ل | 5 | 1722 |
| 8. | ي و م | 4 | 405 |
| 9. | د ع و | 4 | 212 |
| 10. | ق د ر | 4 | 132 |
| Root Word | Frequency in Surah |
Frequency in Qur'an |
|---|---|---|
| ن ذ ر | 12 | 130 |
| ذ ك ر | 11 | 292 |
| ك ذ ب | 9 | 282 |
| ع ذ ب | 7 | 373 |
| ك ل ل | 6 | 377 |
| ك و ن | 6 | 1390 |
| ق و ل | 5 | 1722 |
| ي و م | 4 | 405 |
| د ع و | 4 | 212 |
| ق د ر | 4 | 132 |
The incident of the ‘splitting of the moon’ (shaqq-al-Qamar) that has been mentioned in this Surah, determines its period of revelation precisely. The traditionists and commentators are agreed that this incident took place at Mina in Makkah about five years before the Prophet’s migration (Hijra) to Madīnah.
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حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ يَحْيَى، قَالَ قَرَأْتُ عَلَى مَالِكٍ عَنْ ضَمْرَةَ بْنِ سَعِيدٍ الْمَازِنِيِّ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، أَنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ، سَأَلَ أَبَا وَاقِدٍ اللَّيْثِيَّ مَا كَانَ يَقْرَأُ بِهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الأَضْحَى وَالْفِطْرِ فَقَالَ كَانَ يَقْرَأُ فِيهِمَا بِـ { ق وَالْقُرْآنِ الْمَجِيدِ} وَ { اقْتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَةُ وَانْشَقَّ الْقَمَرُ}
'Abdullah b. 'Umar reported that (his father) 'Umar b. Khattab asked Abu Waqid al-Laithi what the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite on 'Id-ul-Adha and 'Id-ul-Fitr. He said: He used to recite in them:" Qaf. By the Glorious Qur'an" (Surah Qaf)," The Hour drew near, and the moon was rent asunder" (Surah al-Qamar)" Sahih Muslim no. 1936
- The Day of Judgment is drawing near yet the unbelievers are not paying heed to the signs of Allah.
- We have made the Qur'an easy to understand the admonition, so is there any who would take the admonition?
- The story of Thamud and Lut who called their Prophet liars to show how terrible was Allah's scourge and how clear was His warning.
- Allah Almighty repeats the following Ayat 4 times in this Surah, وَلَقَدْ يَسَّرْنَا الْقُرْآنَ لِلذِّكْرِ فَهَلْ مِن مُّدَّكِرٍ "And We have certainly made the Qur'an easy for remembrance, so is there any who will remember?" (54:17) (54:22) (54:32) (54:40)
- People of Fir'on were seized for disbelieving Allah's warning. The same warning has come to you, will you not take admonition?
- The dua is the greatest weapon in the possession of the Believer. As Prophet Nuh prayed, فَدَعَا رَبَّهُ أَنِّي مَغْلُوبٌ فَانتَصِرْ "So he invoked his Lord, "Indeed, I am overpowered, so help." (54:10)
Tafsir Zone
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Sayyid Qutb Overview (Verses 2 - 8) Reactions to Great Signs Yet close as the dreaded Hour is, and despite the exciting and great event they have just witnessed and the numerous signs around them, the unbelievers continued to stubbornly reject the message, insisting on their erring ways. Not only did they ignore the warnings, they also did not properly reflect on the pointers to the great truth that should have brought them to faith: "Yet when the unbelievers see a sign, they turn away and says 'Yet another act of continuous sorcery.' They deny the truth and follow their own desires. Yet everything is ultimately settled. There has come to them tidings that should have restrained [their arrogance], far-reaching wisdom, but warnings have been of no avail." (Verses 2-5) They indeed turned away and when they saw the moon split in two, they said that it was a magical spell cast over their eyes. They said the same thing about the Qur'an, which is itself a great sign. They alleged that it too was another act of sorcery. Since signs to the truth are given all the time, they argue that such sorcery is continuous and never ending. They turn away from every sign, unwilling to reflect on their nature or understand their message. Prompted by arbitrary feelings that lack all evidence, they deny these signs and what messages they deliver, refusing to reflect on the fundamental truth confirmed by everything around them in the universe. "Yet everything is ultimately settled." (Verse 3) Everything in the universe is in its proper place, well settled, and not subject to any upheaval. The whole universe is well fixed, unaffected by fleeting desires, changing whims or blind coincidences. Everything occurs at its appropriate time, in its right place. This is clearly seen in everything around them: universal cycles, the laws of life, the stages of growth of plants and animals, the apparent characteristics of all materials, and indeed in the physiology of people's own bodies and organs which they cannot control. With everything around them settled in perfect order, as they clearly see, they are the only ones who act on the promptings of transitory whims and desires. "There has come to them tidings that should have restrained [their arrogance]." (Verse 4) They received the truth about the universal signs highlighted in the Qur'an, news of what happened to earlier communities when they denied God's messages, news of the life to come vividly depicted in the Qur'an. All these should have been enough to stop anyone who wants to indulge in excess. Such news and tidings carried enough wisdom to direct people's minds to God's elaborate and wise planning. Twisted minds, however, do not open to acknowledge great signs, benefit by news or heed warnings: "far-reaching wisdom, but warnings have been of no avail." (Verse 5) It is only a mind that is ready to receive faith that benefits by all this and enjoys the great blessings of faith. Having given a full picture of their stubborn rejection, the surah directs the Prophet to turn away from them, leaving them to face their fate on the day to the approach of which they pay little heed, despite seeing a sign like the splitting of the moon heralding it: "So turn you away from them. On the day the Summoner will summon them to something unknown, with eyes downcast, they will come out of their graves like swarming locusts rushing towards the Summoner. The unbelievers will say: Hard indeed is this day.' (Verses 6-8) These verses paint a scene of that day which is fierce and grim, consistent with the ambience of the surah. They also warn of the closeness of the Last Hour, highlighted by the splitting of the moon in two. All of this fits perfectly with the rhythm maintained throughout the surah. It is a scene full of quick movement, yet it is also prominent, with clear lines and features: multitudes of people are rising from their graves, like swarming locusts, yet their eyes are downcast, humble, fearful. They rush towards the one who calls them forward, but they do not know what they are called to, and they cannot be reassured. As this gathering continues to take place, and amidst all this humility, the unbelievers say in a tone of distress that reflects their dawning awareness of the hardship ahead of them: "Hard indeed is this day." (Verse 8) Such, then, is the day which draws near; still they continue to deny it. Therefore, the Prophet is to turn away from them when that day arrives. He is to leave them to face their miserable destiny. |
Ibn Kathir (English)
Sayyid Qutb
Sha'rawi
Al Jalalain
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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The Moon is the Earth’s only natural satellite. The average distance from the Moon to the Earth is 384403 kilometres (238857 miles). The Moon is in synchronous rotation with Earth, always showing the same face, with its near side marked by dark volcanic maria that fill the spaces between the bright ancient crustal highlands and the prominent impact craters. As seen from the Earth, it is the second-brightest regularly visible celestial object in Earth's sky, after the Sun. Its surface is actually dark, although compared to the night sky it appears very bright, with a reflectance just slightly higher than that of worn asphalt. Its gravitational influence produces the ocean tides, body tides, and the slight lengthening of the day.
The word Qamar [moon] appears in the Qur'an 27 times and the Moon orbits the Earth every 27 or so days.
- Surah 54. Al-Qamar - Saad al Ghamidi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ye10chk9GY&list=PLhM2xiAUdw2cAqW_o3zZkbhJNw0bnaBZN&index=54
- Surah 54. Al-Qamar Mahmoud Khalil Al Hussary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6eiES0kLvg&index=54&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfMFWX22VZWOKpzjr-vH_BM
- Surah 54. Al-Qamar Muhammad Al Luhaydan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z46WSHuYRvs&list=PLxpAkjlGauHfKAYuQLRNAZomoezhfhRZe&index=54
- Idris Akbar Surah Al-Qamar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsaFHsy4wgs
- Surah 54. Al-Qamar Muhammad Minshawi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRyHP6_k-mg&list=PLxpAkjlGauHdUcO_uc-8F8J2NUQRDZjPG&index=54
