Quraysh (Quraysh)

         Surah Quraysh (Quraysh)

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

لِإِيلَافِ قُرَيْشٍ
إِيلَافِهِمْ رِحْلَةَ الشِّتَاءِ وَالصَّيْفِ
فَلْيَعْبُدُوا رَبَّ هَٰذَا الْبَيْتِ
الَّذِي أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ وَآمَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍ

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Translation (Sahih International):

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.

1. For the accustomed security of the Quraysh—

2. Their accustomed security [in] the caravan of winter and summer—

3. Let them worship the Lord of this House,

4. Who has fed them, [saving them] from hunger and made them safe, [saving them] from fear.

Context and Meaning of Surah Quraysh:

• Quraysh was the powerful tribe in Mecca who controlled the Kaaba, the sacred House (Bayt) that is central to the Islamic faith.

• This surah reminds the Quraysh tribe of the favors Allah has granted them: mainly, the security and safety they enjoy, especially during their trade journeys in winter and summer.

• The “caravan of winter and summer” refers to the seasonal trade expeditions the Quraysh undertook. These journeys were crucial for their wealth and survival but were dangerous in those times.

• Allah protected them from hunger and fear during these travels, ensuring their prosperity and security.

• The surah calls on them to worship Allah alone, the Lord of the Kaaba, as a gratitude for these blessings.

Key Themes:

1. Gratitude — The surah urges the Quraysh to be thankful to Allah for the security and sustenance they receive.

2. Security and Provision — It highlights the divine protection over their lives and livelihood.

3. Worship of One God — It stresses the importance of recognizing and worshipping the one true God, who is the source of all blessings.

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This short surah serves as a reminder that worldly security and success are blessings from Allah, and the appropriate response is worship and gratitude toward Him.

1. Historical Context:

• The Quraysh tribe were custodians of the Kaaba, the sacred sanctuary in Mecca.

• They were well-known traders who conducted important caravan journeys twice a year — in winter (to Yemen) and summer (to Syria).

• These caravans were vital for their economy and livelihood, but the routes were fraught with dangers: harsh weather, bandits, and hostile tribes.

• Despite these dangers, the Quraysh enjoyed relative security and prosperity.

• The surah was revealed to remind the Quraysh that this safety and abundance were blessings from Allah, encouraging them to worship Him.

2. Why is this Surah Important?

• It emphasizes gratitude as a response to blessings.

• It highlights monotheism by calling the Quraysh to worship “the Lord of this House”, referring to Allah as the Lord of the Kaaba.

• The surah indirectly points to Allah’s protection not only of their physical journeys but of their entire existence and community stability.

• It serves as a warning to not take these blessings for granted or attribute them to their own efforts alone.

3. Thematic Elements:

• Divine Providence: Allah’s care is behind the security of the Quraysh, preserving their trade routes and safeguarding them from hunger and fear.

• Social Cohesion: Their unity as a tribe and their collective safety are blessings they should cherish and acknowledge.

• Call to Worship: The surah’s conclusion calls them to worship Allah alone as a demonstration of gratitude.

4. Literary Style:

• The surah is concise, only 4 verses long.

• It uses the word “إِيلَاف” (Iilaf), meaning familiarity or accustomedness, highlighting the regularity and ease of Quraysh’s caravans.

• The structure is rhythmic and balanced, reinforcing the stability and security theme.

5. Relation to Other Surahs:

• Surah Quraysh is closely linked to Surah Al-Fil (The Elephant), which precedes it in the Qur'an.

• Surah Al-Fil recounts how Allah protected the Kaaba from an invading army (the Army of the Elephant).

• Surah Quraysh then follows by reminding the tribe that just as Allah protected the Kaaba, He also provides for and protects their livelihoods.

6. Lessons for Today:

• Gratitude for safety, provision, and livelihood should lead to sincere worship and acknowledgment of God.

• Security and wealth are blessings, not just achievements.

• Even modern-day societies can reflect on how their stability and prosperity are gifts deserving of humility and thankfulness.