Sūrah Ash-Sharḥ (سورة الشرح)
Meaning: The Relief or The Expansion
Chapter: 94
Verses: 8
Place of Revelation: Meccan
🌤️ Theme of the Surah
This surah was revealed after a period of difficulty for the Prophet ﷺ, assuring him that hardship will be followed by ease, and that he is never alone in his mission.
It speaks directly to the heart:
“With hardship comes ease.”
Not once, but twice — as if to drive the point home.
📖 Verse-by-Verse Explanation
1. A Question Full of Mercy (Verse 1)
أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ
“Have We not opened your chest for you?”
This refers to:
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Spiritual clarity Allah gave the Prophet ﷺ.
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The removal of anxiety, doubt, or fear.
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Some scholars also link it to the miraculous event of chest-cleansing in his childhood.
💖 This verse is asking:
“Haven’t We already helped you so much? Don’t you see it?”
2. Burden Lifted (Verse 2)
وَوَضَعْنَا عَنكَ وِزْرَكَ
“And removed from you your burden…”
Every Prophet faces emotional and spiritual burdens:
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The pressure of the message,
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The rejection by people,
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The weight of concern for others’ salvation.
Allah is saying: “We know your pain — and We’re lifting it.”
3. Acknowledging the Struggle (Verse 3)
ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنقَضَ ظَهْرَكَ
“Which had weighed upon your back.”
This verse recognizes the heaviness of grief, stress, and responsibility.
💭 It’s as if Allah is saying: “Yes, we see what’s crushing you — and we are here to relieve it.”
4. Elevation of the Prophet’s Name (Verse 4)
وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ
“And raised high your mention.”
SubḥānAllah — the name Muhammad ﷺ is mentioned daily:
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In every adhan (call to prayer),
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In every salah (prayer),
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By billions of people across the globe.
✨ This is an eternal honor Allah gave to His Prophet — and a reassurance to him in his most difficult times.
5 & 6. The Core Message (Verses 5–6)
فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا – إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا
“So, surely with hardship comes ease.
Indeed, with hardship comes ease.”
💡 The repetition is significant. It's not just poetic — it's reinforcement:
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Hardship is never alone.
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With every tightness, Allah brings relief, solution, or spiritual growth.
Note: The word “al-‘usr” (the hardship) is specific, while “yusr” (ease) is general. Scholars say:
One hardship is always followed by multiple eases.
7. Turn Your Focus to Worship (Verse 7)
فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَٱنصَبْ
“So when you are done [with worldly tasks], devote yourself [to worship].”
🔁 When you're done with daily struggles, return to Allah:
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Find rest in prayer.
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Let your exhaustion be healed through devotion.
8. Keep Your Heart Attached to Allah (Verse 8)
وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَٱرْغَب
“And to your Lord direct your longing.”
❤️ Always turn your hopes, your needs, your ambitions — to Allah.
Not to people. Not to power. Only to Him.
🧠 Key Lessons from Sūrah Ash-Sharḥ
| Lesson | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Allah sees your struggle | He acknowledges pain and lifts burdens. |
| Relief is always coming | Hardship is not the end — ease is near. |
| The Prophet's honor is eternal | His mission was heavy, but Allah elevated him. |
| Don’t stop after the struggle | Keep moving, keep worshiping — the journey continues. |
| Put your hopes in Allah alone | He is the only One who truly fulfills and understands. |
🕊️ Reflection
“With hardship comes ease.”
This is not just a verse — it’s a life principle.
Next time you’re overwhelmed:
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Pause.
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Recite Sūrah Ash-Sharḥ slowly.
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Let every word remind you: you are seen, you are guided, and you are never alone.
📌 Quick Overview
| Section | Summary |
|---|---|
| 1–3 | Allah reminds the Prophet ﷺ of the emotional and spiritual relief He gave him |
| 4 | His name and honor are raised forever |
| 5–6 | The promise: hardship always comes with ease |
| 7–8 | A call to stay devoted and hopeful in Allah |
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