094
Muhammad Asad
ASH -SHARH (THE OPENING-UP OF THE HEART)
THE NINETY-FOURTH
SURAH
Total Verses: 8
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.