This Tarawîh begins from the second quarter of the twelfth Juz (verse 50 of Sûrah Hûd) and concludes through the 13th Juz (verse 18 of Sûrah Ra’d).

Allâh states, “And to the Âd We sent their brother Hûd (as a Nabî).” Just as the people of Hadhrat Nûh remained stubborn the disbelief, the people of Hadhrat Hûd did the same. Instead of listening to the message of Tawhîd, the Âd exclaimed “Who is more powerful than us?” They were eventually destroyed. The nation of Thamud followed them. When they refused to accept the message of Hadhrat Sâlih Alayhis Salâm Allâh’s punishment destroyed them as well. Mention is then made of the people of Hadhrat Lût who were extremely lewd and immoral. As a result of their depravity, they also suffered the same fate as their sister nations before them. Thereafter, Allâh mentions the preaching of Hadhrat Shu’ayb Alayhis Salâm to the people of Madyan, and then Allâh mentions the preaching of Hadhrat Mûsa Alayhis Salâm to Fir’aun and his people.

After citing all these incidents Allâh says, “Such is the grasp of your Rabb when He seized a town that is oppressive. Indeed His grasp is painful and severe.” (verse 102)

Addressing Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam Allâh says further, “We narrate to you all the narratives of the Ambiyâ so that your heart may be strengthened by them. In these narratives the truth has come to you, as well as advice and a reminder for the Mu’minîn.” (verse 120)

Allâh then concludes Sûrah Hûd by saying, “To Allâh belongs the unseen things of the heavens and the earth and unto Him alone will all matters return. So worship Him and rely on Him only. Your Rabb is not unaware of what you do.” (verse 123)

Sûrah Yusuf follows Sûrah Hûd. Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam was not aware of the story of Hadhrat Yusuf so the Jews decided to test his prophethood by, asking him about this story. They thought that he would be unable to narrate the story to them. However, Allâh revealed Sûrah Yusuf to Rasulullâh Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam thereby stunning the Jews with its detailed account.

As a youth, Hadhrat Yusuf once saw in a dream that eleven stars, the sun and the moon were prostrating before him. The eleven stars denoted his eleven step-brother, while the sun and moon denoted his parents. When he informed his father Hadhrat Yaqûb, about the dream, his father advised him not to relate the dream to his brothers because they would be jealous and then become his sworn enemies.

His brothers had always been jealous of Hadhrat Yusuf and finally threw him in a well one day, making the excuse to their father that a wolf had devoured him. Some travellers took him out of the well and sold him as a slave to the chief minister of Egypt. The minister’s wife was infatuated with Hadhrat Yusuf’s beauty and attempted to seduce him. When he refused to respond to her charms, she had him imprisoned. While in prison he accurately interpreted the dreams of two fellow inmates. When one of them was released, he (after some time) referred the king’s dream to Hadhrat Yusuf who interpreted it correctly and even provided a solution for the problem at hand. As a result, Hadhrat Yusuf became a trusted advisor to the king and practically ruled Egypt.

End of the Twelfth Juz

Beginning of the Thirteenth Juz

When a severe drought struck Egypt and the surrounding areas, Egypt had no shortage of grains because Hadhrat ‘Yusuf had already proposed to the king that they should keep grains in store from the previous year’s harvest. Therefore, people from the neighbouring areas began to flock to Egypt for food. Among those who arrived in Egypt were the brothers of Hadhrat Yusuf. Although they failed to recognise him, he recognised them and returned their money to them without their knowledge. He also insisted that they bring their youngest brother along on the next trip.

When they arrived home and found that their money was returned to them they said, “Oh our father! What more can we want? Here are our funds returned to us- (verse 65). On the next trip they took their youngest brother along with them. As they started to return home, Hadhrat Yusuf detained his youngest brother in Egypt on some pretext. Hadhrat Yaqûb turned blind because of excessive weeping over his lost child. Allâh says, “His eyes turned white with sorrow.” (verse 84)

When the brothers returned to Egypt for the third time and Hadhrat Yusuf informed them about who he was, they cast their gazes down in embarrassment and regret. Hadhrat Yusuf told them, “The fact is that whoever adopts Taqwa and is patient (through adversities), then Allâh surely does not put to waste the reward of those who do good.” (verse 90)

When the brothers begged his forgiveness, Hadhrat Yusuf Alayhis Salâm displayed exemplary character and put them as ease by saying, “There shall be no reproach on you today. May Allâh forgive you. He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.” (verse 92)

Upon the request of Hadhrat Yusuf Hadhrat Yaqûb and his entire family arrived in Egypt. When the family was reunited, they all fell in prostration before Hadhrat Yusuf Thus, the dream he saw in his youth was realised.

At the end of Sûrah Yusuf, Allâh states that there are great lessons in the narratives of the Ambiyâ for people of understanding. Allâh says, “In their narratives there is certainly a lesson for people of intelligence. This Qur’ân is not a fabricated tale, but a confirmation to all the scriptures before it, a detailed explanation of all things, a guidance and a mercy for the believing folk.” (verse 111)

Sûrah Ra’d follows Sûrah Yusuf. This Sûrah establishes the truth of the Qur’ân, of Tauhîd, Risâlah and Qiyâmah. It also provides details concerning resurrection. Allâh warns the Kuffâr of severe punishment in the Âkhirâh, but also states that He overlooks many sins for which He could well punish people. Allâh makes it clear that He is Aware of everything that man does and even has knowledge of what changes take place in the womb of an expectant mother.

Allâh also emphasises: “Undoubtedly Allâh does not change the condition of a nation until they change the condition within themselves” (verse 11). Allâh has never changed the conditions affecting any nation until they made an attempt to change their behaviour. Furthermore, Allâh exhorts man to ward off sins by carrying out good acts because the bounties of the Âkhirâh have been made for the Mu’minîn.

May Allâh grant us the capacity to bring a revolution within our lifestyles and make us the means of effecting a favourable change to our surroundings. May Allâh also grant us the guidance to carry out good acts to attain the eternal bliss of Jannah. Âmîn.

Source: Gift of Tarawîh

Audio: Qur'an Summaries by Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq Night Ten

Source: Al-Kawthar Academy