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The Message of the Quran

Muhammad Asad

 

ASH -SHARH (THE OPENING-UP OF THE HEART)

THE NINETY-FOURTH SURAH
Total Verses: 8
MECCA PERIOD

 

Introduction

 

THIS SURAH, revealed almost immediately after the preceding one, appears to be a direct continuation of the latter. Indeed, some renowned scholars of the first century after the hijrah - e.g., Ta'us ibn Kaysan, or the Caliph Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz (known as "the Second Umar") -regarded Ad-Duha and Ash-Sharh as one surah, and used to recite them in prayer accordingly, that is, without separating the one from the other by a second invocation "In the name of God" (Razi). Whether this view is accepted or not, there is no doubt that the present surah, like the preceding one, is addressed in the first instance to the Prophet and, through him, to every true follower of the Qur'an.

 

IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE DISPENSER OF GRACE:

 

1) HAVE WE NOT opened up thy heart,*

 

*Lit., "thy breast" or "bosom".

 

(2) and lifted from thee the burden

 

(3) that had weighed so heavily on thy back?*

 

*I.e., "the burden of thy past sins, which are now forgiven" (Tabari, on the authority of Mujahid, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and Ibn Zayd). In the case of Muhammad, this relates apparently to mistakes committed before his call to prophethood (ibid.), and is obviously an echo of 93:7 - 'Has He not found thee lost on thy way, and guided thee?"

 

(4) And [have We not] raised thee high in dignity?*

 

*Or: "raised high thy renown". The primary meaning of the term dhikr is "reminder" or "remembrance"; and, secondarily, "that by which something [or "someone"] is remembered", i.e., with praise: hence, it signifies "fame" or "renown", and, tropically - as in the present context- "eminence" or "dignity".

 

(5) And, behold, with every hardship comes ease:

 

(6) verily, with every hardship comes ease!

 

(7) Hence, when thou art freed [from distress], remain steadfast,

 

(8) and unto thy Sustainer turn with love.

 

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