Write a 500-word holistic commentary on the five surahs below.
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11. AL-ADIYAT (THE COURSER, THE CHARGERS)
Total Verses: 11
Revealed At: MAKKA
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YUSUFALI: By the (Steeds) that run, with panting (breath),
PICKTHAL: By the snorting courses,
SHAKIR: I swear by the runners breathing pantingly,
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YUSUFALI: And strike sparks of fire,
PICKTHAL: Striking sparks of fire
SHAKIR: Then those that produce fire striking,
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YUSUFALI: And push home the charge in the morning,
PICKTHAL: And scouring to the raid at dawn,
SHAKIR: Then those that make raids at morn,
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YUSUFALI: And raise the dust in clouds the while,
PICKTHAL: Then, therewith, with their trail of dust,
SHAKIR: Then thereby raise dust,
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YUSUFALI: And penetrate forthwith into the midst (of the foe) en masse;-
PICKTHAL: Cleaving, as one, the centre (of the foe),
SHAKIR: Then rush thereby upon an assembly:
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YUSUFALI: Truly man is, to his Lord, ungrateful;
PICKTHAL: Lo! man is an ingrate unto his Lord
SHAKIR: Most surely man is ungrateful to his Lord.
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YUSUFALI: And to that (fact) he bears witness (by his deeds);
PICKTHAL: And lo! he is a witness unto that;
SHAKIR: And most surely he is a witness of that.
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YUSUFALI: And violent is he in his love of wealth.
PICKTHAL: And lo! in the love of wealth he is violent.
SHAKIR: And most surely he is tenacious in the love of wealth.
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YUSUFALI: Does he not know,- when that which is in the graves is scattered abroad
PICKTHAL: Knoweth he not that, when the contents of the graves are poured forth
SHAKIR: Does he not then know when what is in the graves is raised,
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YUSUFALI: And that which is (locked up) in (human) breasts is made manifest-
PICKTHAL: And the secrets of the breasts are made known,
SHAKIR: And what is in the breasts is made apparent?
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YUSUFALI: That their Lord had been Well-acquainted with them, (even to) that Day?
PICKTHAL: On that day will their Lord be perfectly informed concerning them.
SHAKIR: Most surely their Lord that day shall be fully aware of them.
12. AL-ZALZALA (THE EARTHQUAKE)
Total Verses: 8
Revealed At: MAKKA
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YUSUFALI: When the earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion,
PICKTHAL: When Earth is shaken with her (final) earthquake
SHAKIR: When the earth is shaken with her (violent) shaking,
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YUSUFALI: And the earth throws up her burdens (from within),
PICKTHAL: And Earth yieldeth up her burdens,
SHAKIR: And the earth brings forth her burdens,
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YUSUFALI: And man cries (distressed): ‘What is the matter with her?’-
PICKTHAL: And man saith: What aileth her?
SHAKIR: And man says: What has befallen her?
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YUSUFALI: On that Day will she declare her tidings:
PICKTHAL: That day she will relate her chronicles,
SHAKIR: On that day she shall tell her news,
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YUSUFALI: For that thy Lord will have given her inspiration.
PICKTHAL: Because thy Lord inspireth her.
SHAKIR: Because your Lord had inspired her.
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YUSUFALI: On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they (had done).
PICKTHAL: That day mankind will issue forth in scattered groups to be shown their deeds.
SHAKIR: On that day men shall come forth in sundry bodies that they may be shown their works.
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YUSUFALI: Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good, see it!
PICKTHAL: And whoso doeth good an atom’s weight will see it then,
SHAKIR: So. he who has done an atom’s weight of good shall see it
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YUSUFALI: And anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil, shall see it.
PICKTHAL: And whoso doeth ill an atom’s weight will see it then.
SHAKIR: And he who has done an atom’s weight of evil shall see it.
13. AL-BAYYINA (THE CLEAR PROOF, EVIDENCE)
Total Verses: 8
Revealed At: MADINA
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YUSUFALI: Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, were not going to depart (from their ways) until there should come to them Clear Evidence,-
PICKTHAL: Those who disbelieve among the People of the Scripture and the idolaters could not have left off (erring) till the clear proof came unto them,
SHAKIR: Those who disbelieved from among the followers of the Book and the polytheists could not have separated (from the faithful) until there had come to them the clear evidence:
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YUSUFALI: An messenger from Allah, rehearsing scriptures kept pure and holy:
PICKTHAL: A messenger from Allah, reading purified pages
SHAKIR: An messenger from Allah, reciting pure pages,
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YUSUFALI: Wherein are laws (or decrees) right and straight.
PICKTHAL: Containing correct scriptures.
SHAKIR: Wherein are all the right ordinances.
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YUSUFALI: Nor did the People of the Book make schisms, until after there came to them Clear Evidence.
PICKTHAL: Nor were the People of the Scripture divided until after the clear proof came unto them.
SHAKIR: And those who were given the Book did not become divided except after clear evidence had come to them.
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YUSUFALI: And they have been commanded no more than this: To worship Allah, offering Him sincere devotion, being true (in faith); to establish regular prayer; and to practise regular charity; and that is the Religion Right and Straight.
PICKTHAL: And they are ordered naught else than to serve Allah, keeping religion pure for Him, as men by nature upright, and to establish worship and to pay the poor-due. That is true religion.
SHAKIR: And they were not enjoined anything except that they should serve Allah, being sincere to Him in obedience, upright, and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, and that is the right religion.
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YUSUFALI: Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be in Hell-Fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst of creatures.
PICKTHAL: Lo! those who disbelieve, among the People of the Scripture and the idolaters, will abide in fire of hell. They are the worst of created beings.
SHAKIR: Surely those who disbelieve from among the followers of the Book and the polytheists shall be in the fire of hell, abiding therein; they are the worst of men.
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YUSUFALI: Those who have faith and do righteous deeds,- they are the best of creatures.
PICKTHAL: (And) lo! those who believe and do good works are the best of created beings.
SHAKIR: (As for) those who believe and do good, surely they are the -best of men.
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YUSUFALI: Their reward is with Allah: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell therein for ever; Allah well pleased with them, and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher.
PICKTHAL: Their reward is with their Lord: Gardens of Eden underneath which rivers flow, wherein they dwell for ever. Allah hath pleasure in them and they have pleasure in Him. This is (in store) for him who feareth his Lord.
SHAKIR: Their reward with their Lord is gardens of perpetuity beneath which rivers flow, abiding therein for ever; Allah is well pleased with them and they are well pleased with Him; that is for him who fears his Lord.
14. AL-QADR (POWER, FATE)
Total Verses: 5
Revealed At: MAKKA
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YUSUFALI: We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:
PICKTHAL: Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Predestination.
SHAKIR: Surely We revealed it on the grand night.
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YUSUFALI: And what will explain to thee what the night of power is?
PICKTHAL: Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is!
SHAKIR: And what will make you comprehend what the grand night
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YUSUFALI: The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
PICKTHAL: The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
SHAKIR: The grand night is better than a thousand months.
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YUSUFALI: Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand:
PICKTHAL: The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees.
SHAKIR: The angels and Gibreel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair,
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YUSUFALI: Peace!…This until the rise of morn!
PICKTHAL: (The night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.
SHAKIR: Peace! it is till the break of the morning.
15. AL-ALAQ (THE CLOT, READ)
Total Verses: 19
Revealed At: MAKKA
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YUSUFALI: Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created-
PICKTHAL: Read: In the name of thy Lord Who createth,
SHAKIR: Read in the name of your Lord Who created.
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YUSUFALI: Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:
PICKTHAL: Createth man from a clot.
SHAKIR: He created man from a clot.
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YUSUFALI: Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,-
PICKTHAL: Read: And thy Lord is the Most Bounteous,
SHAKIR: Read and your Lord is Most Honorable,
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YUSUFALI: He Who taught (the use of) the pen,-
PICKTHAL: Who teacheth by the pen,
SHAKIR: Who taught (to write) with the pen
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YUSUFALI: Taught man that which he knew not.
PICKTHAL: Teacheth man that which he knew not.
SHAKIR: Taught man what he knew not.
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YUSUFALI: Day, but man doth transgress all bounds,
PICKTHAL: Nay, but verily man is rebellious
SHAKIR: Nay! man is most surely inordinate,
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YUSUFALI: In that he looketh upon himself as self-sufficient.
PICKTHAL: That he thinketh himself independent!
SHAKIR: Because he sees himself free from want.
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YUSUFALI: Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all).
PICKTHAL: Lo! unto thy Lord is the return.
SHAKIR: Surely to your Lord is the return.
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YUSUFALI: Seest thou one who forbids-
PICKTHAL: Hast thou seen him who dissuadeth
SHAKIR: Have you seen him who forbids
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YUSUFALI: A votary when he (turns) to pray?
PICKTHAL: A slave when he prayeth?
SHAKIR: A servant when he prays?
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YUSUFALI: Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance?-
PICKTHAL: Hast thou seen if he relieth on the guidance (of Allah)
SHAKIR: Have you considered if he were on the right way,
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YUSUFALI: Or enjoins Righteousness?
PICKTHAL: Or enjoineth piety?
SHAKIR: Or enjoined guarding (against evil)?
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YUSUFALI: Seest thou if he denies (Truth) and turns away?
PICKTHAL: Hast thou seen if he denieth (Allah’s guidance) and is froward?
SHAKIR: Have you considered if he gives the lie to the truth and turns (his) back?
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YUSUFALI: Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?
PICKTHAL: Is he then unaware that Allah seeth?
SHAKIR: Does he not know that Allah does see?
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YUSUFALI: Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock,-
PICKTHAL: Nay, but if he cease not We will seize him by the forelock –
SHAKIR: Nay! if he desist not, We would certainly smite his forehead,
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YUSUFALI: A lying, sinful forelock!
PICKTHAL: The lying, sinful forelock –
SHAKIR: A lying, sinful forehead.
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YUSUFALI: Then, let him call (for help) to his council (of comrades):
PICKTHAL: Then let him call upon his henchmen!
SHAKIR: Then let him summon his council,
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YUSUFALI: We will call on the angels of punishment (to deal with him)!
PICKTHAL: We will call the guards of hell.
SHAKIR: We too would summon the braves of the army.
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YUSUFALI: Day, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)!
PICKTHAL: Nay, Obey not thou him. But prostrate thyself, and draw near (unto Allah).
SHAKIR: Nay! obey him not, and make obeisance and draw nigh (to Allah).
ISLAMIC SCRIPTURES: PROFESSOR A. RAHMAN 
Cady Kagume
November 4, 2011 at 1:39 am
The first Surah is a frightening enlightenment. It talks about the wicked ways of human beings. It says that humans are too involved in the love of money. They do not recognize Allah. They are too preoccupied with trying to get rich and ignore that Allah should be their main focus. The last line reminds humans that Allah will one day reveal what is in their hearts. Those who are righteous will be shown to be wicked. Because Allah knows what is in every persons heart, he will reveal the true contents of it- perhaps in the last day, the Judgment Day
the second Surah directly states what the first Surah was aiming at, the Judgment day. It says that the Earth will shake and tremble. It says that in the last days, everything shall fall away. Then, all the things within the human heart will be revealed. Every body will be raised before Allah, their “sundry” bodies. This probably hints at the idea of the dead being raised. their bodies are sun dried because they have been buried and decaying. After the bodies come from their graves, their deeds will be revealed. Those who did good will be shown to have done good. Those who did evil will be shown to have done evil. They describe their deeds as an atom’s amount, meaning every little deed, no matter how small, will be revealed.
The third Surah is the most interesting to me. It not only describes the revelation of paradise to the Muslims, but for all the “believers of the book”. This shows that Islam believes that other religions serve the same God, the Christians, the Jews, and themselves, the Muslims. Paradise, or heaven, will be given to people who followed these religions, because they are all the “right religions”, they all serve the same God. Perhaps this proves that people of the three religions are actually very similar. They all “believe and do good”, so God will reward the people of these three religions. This Surah is also careful in reminding that even people of these religions will be found in hell, along with people who were polytheistic. Just because you believe in one of these three religions does not mean you are guaranteed to go to heaven. You must believe AND do good things in your life.
The next Surah tells the reader that everything about the Judgment day has been revealed already, it is not secret. So, one can choose to believe. But if they reject the message of Allah, they will have by choice, not by ignorance.
The last Surah scolds the self- righteous humans. They believe they do good because they serve their own selfish needs. They do not want to recognize Allah because they can not see him, but they do not, nor can not, understand that Allah is greater than they could ever be. He is the greatest there ever was, and is their creator. They must submit to Allah because that will make them happy.
mabdelfattah1
November 5, 2011 at 4:48 pm
Surah Al-Adiyat means the courser, the chargers. By the first two verses it looks like it saying when you run you get out of breathe eventually and when you play with fire, you get burned. When verse number three says and push home the charge in the morning it means put your foot down, and don’t get lost in the raid to the other said. Raise the dust in clouds the while then therewith, with their trail of dust means the bad will be pointed out. Throughout the whole surah it is saying anything that anyone down will be pointed out and Allah will know. Does he not know when that which is in the graves is scattered abroad, meaning that don’t people know that when you do something wrong in life you will be punished for it. Surah Al-Zalzala means the earthquake. The surah is saying when the earthquake hit the women, is the man going to sit there and just ask himself all these questions or is he just going to know. Allah is going to give her the spirit she needs to stand in front of him and tell him her deeds that she has down, now will Allah give him the same spirit that he gave her to tell her his deeds. Then they both can see the good deeds that they both had committed and open their eyes to anything that they were not seeing. Surah Al-Bayyina means the clear proof, evidence. The first verse is stating that the people who deny the truth will not go to heaven unless they prevail the truth. No one was divided before the clear evidence came out. Everyone is in the same category until the truth comes out and that is what separates people. Allah says those who have faith and do righteous deeds they are the best people. Their reward is with Allah, Allah is the only person that will reward you for the righteous things you have done in life. Not everything has to be given to you the moment it happens, but sometimes when you wait better things happen in life. They will end up in a place with there are rivers flowing and flowers blossoming and anything you ask from Allah will be granted to you without asking any form of questions. When Allah is pleased with you than you will be pleased will Allah. Surah Al-Qadr means power, fate. The power of the night is not exactly known. Many people ask what does the power of the night mean and who do we need to see for us to get an explanation of what signs it has. It is spiritual, and the angels only come down on Allahs permission. Something you will never know until the morning. Surah Al-Alaq means the clot, read. The surah is saying Allah is the one who created man, he created man out of a congealed blood, he created man from a clot. Allah is the one that taught us how to use the pen, and he is the one who taught us what to write with that pen. You have to rely on Allah for everything that you ever want. Allah will call on the angels to seek any type of guidance that he needs from you. Do you not know that Allah is watching every second of your life and he is the one that will be in charge of everything in the future. He is the one that will assist you in any guidance you need. Do not sleep on the power of Allah, he has all the power in the world.