Start of First Juz
Sűrah Fâtiha is usually referred to as Al Hamd Sharîf. Although
this Sűrah was not the first Sűrah of the Qur’ân to
be revealed, it is the first to be written in Qur’ânic manuscripts
and the first to be recited when commencing recitation (Tilâwah) of the
Qur’ân.Sűrah Fâtiha is a du’â [supplication]
that Allâh has taught mankind. Therefore, when a person recites Sűrah
Fâtiha, s/he is actually making a du’â to Allâh. The
rest of the Qur’ân follows as a reply to this du’â.
In this du’â a person pleads to Allâh to show him the straight
path [Sirâtul Mustaqîm]. Thereafter, Allâh gives man the entire
Qur’ân as the guidance he asked for and as a description of the
Sirâtul Mustaqîm which he wants to tread.
Sűrah Baqara follows Sűrah Fâtiha, in which
Allâh says that the Qur’ân is a guide for people who have
Taqwa.[1] Therefore, the Qur’ân may not benefit those who have no
desire for guidance and direction. Such people will be deprived of its illumination
and shall remain spiritually deaf, dumb and blind. In Sűrah Baqara, Allâh
invokes man to believe in the unseen, to establish Salâh and to spend
in Allâh’s way from the provisions that He has granted. The details
of Imân are described as belief in the Qur’ân, belief in all
the previously revealed Divine Scriptures and conviction in the Âkhirâh.
Allâh also warns people against hypocrisy, warns the Kuffâr
about the punishment of Jahannam, while also conveying the glad tidings of Jannah
to the Mu’minîn. It is in this part of Sűrah Baqara that Allâh
speaks about the creation of Hadhrat Âdam Alayhis Salâm and his
appointment as Allâh’s viceroy on earth. The test between the knowledge
of Hadhrat Âdam and the angels is mentioned, together with Allâh’s
command to the angels to prostrate before Hadhrat Âdam. While all the
angels complied, Iblîs refused. As a result of his arrogance, he was cursed
and expelled from Jannah. Thereafter, the accursed Iblîs, tricked Hadhrat
Adam Alayhis Salâm and Hadhrat Hawa Radiallâhu anha into eating
from the forbidden tree. Thereafter, they were sent to live on earth. They repented
to Allâh and were forgiven.
Allâh also speaks of the time when He summoned Hadhrat
Műsa Alayhis Salâm to Mount Tűr to receive the Torah [Taurat].
In his absence, the Bani Isrâ’îl began to worship the calf.
However, they were forgiven for this act when they repented. On a daily basis
Allâh provided them with Mann and Salwa to eat from the heavens, and also
provided water for them from twelve springs that gushed from a rock. Allâh
describes how the Jews were ungrateful for Allâh’s bounties and
how they behaved rebelliously and insolently. This, together with their hypocritical
conduct drew Allâh’s punishment upon them.
Thereafter, Allâh speaks about Hadhrat Ibrahîm Alayhis Salâm
who was successful in every trial that Allâh put him through. As a reward
for this, Allâh made him a guide of mankind. Allâh commanded him
and his son Hadhrat Ismâ’îl Alayhis Salâm to construct
the Ka’bah, which they duly did. Hadhrat Ibrahîm Alayhis Salâm
made du’â to Allâh to raise a Nabî from among his progeny
who would be a guide for mankind. Allâh accepted this du’â
by raising Hadhrat Muhammad Sallallâhu ‘alayhi wasallam, as a Nabî
to the universe, via whom guidance spread throughout the world.
End of First Juz
Beginning of Second Juz
The beginning of the second Juz discusses the change of Qiblah. Allâh
commands the Muslims to face towards the Ka’bah instead of Baitul Muqaddas
[Jerusalem] when performing Salâh. Consequently, Muslims will always be
required to face towards the Ka’bah wherever they may be. Allâh
also prohibits the eating of carrion (dead animals), blood, swine and all animals
that have been sacrificed in the name of any being besides Allâh.
[1] A person with Taqwa is one who carries out Allâh’s
commands and who stays away from everything that Allâh has prohibited.
Source: Gift of Tarawîh
Audio:
Qur'an Summaries by Shaykh Abu Yusuf Riyadh ul Haq Night one
Source:
Al-Kawthar Academy
