Commentary of Surat al-Saff (61): The Ranks - Introduction and Commentary of Verse 1

In this Podcast, we introduce the 61st chapter of the Quran, Surat  al-Saff, The Ranks, and go over the commentary of the first verse as authored by Shaykh Mohsin Qaraati in Tafseer-e Noor.   Verse 1: "Whatever there is in the heavens glorifies Allah and whatever  there is in the earth, and He is the All-mighty, the All-wise." -- This chapter has fourteen verses and is considered as a Madanī chapter – that is, it was revealed in the post-migration period. Due to the word ṣaff which is mentioned in the fourth verse, this chapter has been named al-Ṣaff. Most of the focus of this chapter is in regards to the pre-eminence of the religion of Islam over all other Divinely revealed teachings and the necessity to engage in the sacred struggle – jihād – in the way of God and supporting the Prophets of God. In addition, it is worth noting that this chapter along with Sūrats al-Ḥadīd (57) and al-Ḥashr (59) begin with the word ‘sabbaḥa’(سَبَّحَ) – meaning ‘declared the glory’; while Sūrats al-Jumuʿah (62) and al-Taghābun (64) begin with the word ‘yusabbiḥu’ (يُسَبِّحُ) – meaning ‘declares the glory’; while Sūrat al-Isrāʾ (17) begins with the word ‘subḥān’ (سُبْحَانَ) – meaning ‘Glory be to…’ and Sūrat al-Aʿlā (87) begins with the command of ‘sabbiḥḥism rabbika’ (سَبِّحِ اسْمَ رَبِّكَ...) – meaning ‘Glorify the name of Your Lord…’. -- Part I: Universal Glorification - Verse 1 -- سَبَّحَ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ١ Whatever there is in the heavens glorifies Allah and whatever there is in the earth, and He is the All-mighty, the All-wise. Thinking Points Fighters like a steel barrier! This chapter (like other chapters of the Quran) begins with the glorification of God and it is for this reason that it is known as one of the chapters of the ‘Musabbihāt’ – those chapters of the Quran which begin with the glorification of God. In this initial verse we read that everything in the heavens and the earth glorifies God and why should they not glorify Him and consider Him as being free from all defects and short comings seeing as how He is the All-Mighty and the All-Wise! This chapter is known as the chapter of faith (al-īmān), monotheism (al-tawḥīd), and cognizance (al-maʿrifah) and its focus is on the issue of the general glorification of all in existence, which is either through the metaphorical tongue or through their actual verbal declarations. In addition, it is through an amazing system of creation which governs over all of them and this is the best proof that there exists an All-Mighty and All-Wise creator – one who fortifies the foundations of faith in the hearts and who establishes the way to command towards the sacred struggle (jihād). Take Away Messages 1. In the world-view of Islam, all of the creations in existence have a type of intelligence and they are all engaged in the glorification of Allah. 2. That entity which is truly worth of glorification and sanctification is the one who possesses never-ending power and incomparable wisdom.