Definition
Al-Hijr is the valley between two mountains lying midway between Madinah and Syria (Sham); it was inhabited by the people of Thamud, to whom Prophet Saleh (AS) was sent.
Its central theme is the signs of Allah's perfect power, the Quran, the Master of the Quran (the Prophet ﷺ), and a statement of the truthfulness of the Quran.
Virtue (Hadith): a man asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to teach him the Quran; the Prophet ﷺ told him to recite the three surahs beginning with "Alif-Lam-Ra" (Sunan Abi Dawood: 1399).
Rule
Al-Hijr 15:9 — اِنَّا نَحْنُ نَزَّلْنَا الذِّكْرَ وَاِنَّا لَهٗ لَحٰفِظُوْنَ — Translation: Indeed, it is We who have revealed the Reminder (the Quran), and indeed, We will be its guardian.
Definition
At the beginning of the surah, in an easy style, a reply is given to the baseless objections of the disbelievers of Makkah regarding the Quran and the Prophet ﷺ, stating that the Quran is purely the word of Allah, revealed by Him, and that He Himself is its Protector. It is mentioned that when Messengers were sent to earlier nations, those nations denied and rebelled against them, and ultimately, due to their stubbornness, were destroyed.
- The sky was created without pillars, and beautiful stars were made.
- The vast earth was spread out, and mountains were placed on it to maintain balance.
- Everything on earth was made to grow in due measure, and provisions for creatures were arranged.
- Rain-bearing winds were sent to water the earth.
- Life and death belong to Allah alone, Who created man from clay and the jinn from smokeless fire.
Definition
The story of Prophet Adam (AS) and Iblis is narrated, along with the good end of the pious and the bad end of the polytheists, advising the people of Makkah to give up arrogance. The surah also mentions the guests (angels) who visited Prophet Ibrahim (AS), bringing him news.
Quick Recap
- ●Surah Al-Hijr: named after the valley of the Thamud, to whom Saleh (AS) was sent; central theme — Allah's power, the Quran, its truthfulness
- ●Key verse 15:9: Allah revealed the Quran and will Himself protect it
- ●Answers baseless objections of Makkan disbelievers about the Quran and the Prophet ﷺ
- ●Proofs of power: sky without pillars, stars, earth/mountains, rain, creation of man (clay) and jinn (smokeless fire)
- ●Adam/Iblis story and Ibrahim's (AS) angelic guests; lesson: give up arrogance
