Qur’ān Quest 

Sūrah ash-Sharḥ is composed of 8 verses and is revealed in Mecca.

Other names for this Sūrah are Inshirāh, and Alam Nashraḥ.

This sūrah was revealed after the revelation of Sūrah aḍ-Ḍuḥā. The content of Sūrah ash-sharḥ and Sūrah aḍ-Ḍuḥā is very connected, it is as if the two sūrahs are a continuation of one another.

We have traditions that say that the Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ) would recite these two sūrahs together, therefore according to many jurists, if a person wishes to recite this sūrah in their wājib ṣalāh after Sūrah al-Fātiḥah, then they must recite Sūrah aḍ-Ḍuḥā first and then Sūrah ash-Sharḥ.

This is also true for Sūrah al-Fīl and Sūrah Quraysh. 

Looking at Sūrah ash-Sharḥ as a whole, we see that the sūrah can be divided into three parts.

1. Blessings upon the Noble Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ).
2. The concepts of ease after hardship.
3. Allah (swt) inviting the Noble Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ) towards worship and His remembrance. 

Āyahs 1-4 refer to three blessings of Allah swt upon Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ).
Blessing #1 - Āyah 1 speaks of opening his chest.
Blessing #2 - Āyah 2-3 about relieving his burdens.
Blessing #3 - Āyah 4 is speaking of how his name is exalted (three main examples are his remembrance in the adhān, in tashahhud and in ṣalawāt). 

Creative Questions: Sūrah aḍ-Ḍuḥā and Sūrah ash-Ash-sharḥ have similar content, can you find a few examples of this? Hint: look at the content and especially the blessings mentioned to the Prophet. 

Āyahs 5-6 are well known verses that hardships come with ease, two almost identical verses. They are the key verses, typically you hear these āyahs in duʿā or recite them in your duʿās. 

Āyahs 7-8 are about how we are on the journey of life and we should always turn to Allah swt, worship Him and remember Him. We should try to get better and better in this journey towards Allah (swt).

This is a summary and introduction of all the āyāhs in this sūrah. Now let’s look at them deeper. 

Generally when reading the rewards of recitation it's important to remember that they are contingent on three things:
1. Deeper understanding
2. Connection
3. Practice/implementation 

The Noble Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ)says in a ḥadīth: one who recites Sūrah ash-Sharḥ is similar to the one who has met Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ) and if in the state of grief, Allah would remove his sorrows. Majmaʿu al-Bayān, vol. 10, p. 387.

It is as if you met the Prophet and made him feel better, inshaʾAllah by reciting this it becomes a source of alleviating our grief too. 

Imām Jaʿfar aṣ-Ṣādiq (ʿa) says: He who repeatedly recites Sūrah ash-Sharḥ during the day and night, all his body parts, and the objects around him would testify in his favor on the Last Day. Thawāb al-Aʿmāl, p. 123.

On the Day of Judgement we will want everything to give us a good testimony, as we know that day our arms will speak, our eyes will speak, all body parts will speak. All of this will testify that he/she tried their best and was not lazy and running away from their responsibilities. 

أعوذُ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيۡطَٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ
Aʿūdhu billāhi min ash-shayṭānir-rajīm

Also known as the Istiʿādhah.
We recite this as the first thing when we recite the Noble Qurʾān I seek refuge in Allah from the outcast Shayṭān. 

Allah (swt) tells us in the Noble Qurʾān, Sūrah an-Naḥl, 16:98:
 فَإِذَا قَرَأْتَ ٱلْقُرْءَانَ فَٱسْتَعِذْ بِٱللَّهِ مِنَ ٱلشَّيْطَـٰنِ ٱلرَّجِيمِ
So, when you recite the Qurʾān, seek the protection of Allah against the outcast Shayṭān.

Shayṭān has promised to always try and distract human being from the right path. This phrase is a prayer we ask to Allah, to protect us from his evil. We recognize that Shayṭān tries to suggest wrong actions to us and distract us away from Allah (swt). By starting with this phrase inshaʾĀllah we can focus on the Qurʾān and work toward implementing its guidance in our lives.

Rapid Reflections:
Do you know the importance of cleanliness before we do certain things? For example, before eating we make sure our food is clean. Before starting an art project we make sure where we are doing the work is clean. If we want to pray we make sure the place we pray is clean. This is physical cleanliness.

There is also a mental and spiritual cleanliness we are trying to get before reciting the words of Allah (swt). So we ask Allah (swt), “O Allah, I am trying to understand Your words, so please help me stay away from evil thoughts and help that Shayṭān does not influence my thoughts and actions. 

Bismillāhir Raḥmānir Raḥīm
(I begin) In the name of Allah, the All-Kind (or All-Beneficent), the All-Merciful

Sūrah ash-Sharḥ, like all other chapters of the Qurʾān, with the exception of Sūrah al-Tawbah (9), begins with the phrase: ‘In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate.’ 

According to the teachings of the Ahl al-Bayt (ʿa), this phrase is a part of each chapter, even though it is not independently numbered as the other verses are (the exception to this is Sūrah al-Fātiḥah). 

In addition to this, some commentators of the Noble Qurʾān believe that each ‘basmalah’ has its own depth and meaning for the chapter in which it is found - therefore it is not being repeated by Allah (swt).

When we study the titles which Allah swt mentioned for Himself in the Qurʾān, we see that each one relates to a specific quality which Allah (swt) possesses, such as His mercy, compassion, granting of sustenance, wisdom, etc. 

However, the only name which is inclusive of all of His titles is “Allah”. Allah (swt) starts the chapters of the Qurʾān with His all encompassing name—“Allah”—along with two more qualities: ar-Raḥmān and ar-Raḥīm, both come from the same Arabic root of raḥma, meaning mercy. 

Commentators of the Qurʾān believe that ar-Raḥmān points to the general mercy of Allah which embraces everything and everyone—Muslim and non-Muslim alike, good doers and sinners; while the trait of ar-Raḥīm is a specific mercy which covers only the true, righteous, and devoted believers.

Creative Questions:
This verse contains several key points that we should reflect on.

Why is Allah (swt) asking us a question?
Many times Allah (swt) speaks to us in the Noble Qurʾān through a question, these are rhetorical questions. Posed for us to reflect and answer as we are reading/reciting these verses.

What does it mean to ‘open your chest for you’?
The expansion of his chest, so of course this isn't like physically opening up his ribs or you know physically taking out his heart. It's in reference to giving him the wisdom and prophecy and the ability to receive Allah’s Divine revelation.

Example: Imagine teaching a kindergarten class about advanced Chemistry! The students in the kindergarten class would not be able to grasp the material. 

Creative Questions:
Why do you think the mountain would crumble?

Answer: The reality of the truth and purity of the message is not easy to digest, it comes from ultimate perfection, Allah (swt), so if a person is not on this journey to perfection it will be hard for them to accept.
 Example: Have you ever told anyone the truth about something which they are not particularly good at? They may get angry and reject this because they don’t have the capacity to accept that reality or even to hear the truth.

In Sūrah al-Ḥashr Allah (swt) tells us that if this Qurʾān was revealed to a mountain it would have crumbled, because the words are so powerful. In order for Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ) to receive this, Allah swt had to give him the capacity to receive it. The opening of the chest can also refer to Allah (swt) increasing his capacity to endure the hardships. 

Creative Questions:
Can anyone name a hardship that the Prophet had to go through during his mission?
Possible Answers: The Boycott- stopped trading for 3 years- difficult for them, not enough food, taken away from their homes. Loss of parents, and loved ones. After revelation the trials increased more: he was excommunicated, even some of his family members turned away from him.

First 12-13 years had very few followers and lots of trials and problems for him to overcome. 

Qur’ānic Connections:
Allah says in Sūrah al-Ḥashr, 59:21

لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانَ عَلَىٰ جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَيْتَهُۥ خَـٰشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْيَةِ ٱللَّهِ ۚ وَتِلْكَ ٱلْأَمْثَـٰلُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

If We had sent down this Qur’ān upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and splitting from fear of Allah. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.

Qur’ānic Connections:
Verse 1 of Sūrah ash-Sharḥ states that Allah (swt) blessed the Noble Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ) with the expansion of his chest without him asking for it; however, in the story of Prophet Mūsā (ʿa), when he was missioned to go to his people and guide them to the truth, he prays to Allah swt:
قَالَ رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِي صَدْرِي ﴿25
He said, ‘My Lord! Open my breast for me.
26﴿ وَيَسِّرْ لِي أَمْرِي 
Make my task easy for me.
وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِي ﴿27
Remove the hitch from my tongue,
28) يَفْقَهُوا قَوْلِي 
﴾[so that] they may understand my speech.
Noble Qurʾān, Sūrah Ṭāhā, 20:25-28

The time of Prophet Mūsā (ʿa) was difficult and he asked Allah (swt) for his chest to be expanded to help him with the task he was given, but at the time of the Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ) the task was so difficult that Allah (swt) didn’t even wait to be asked, he gave because he knew how hard it would be!

We all have heard the trials and tribulations of Prophet Musa (ʿa) story at the hands of Pharaoh, so imagine how difficult it must have been for our Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ).

The second blessing of Allah (swt) upon the Noble Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ) mentioned in Sūrah ash-Sharḥ is the relief of burdens. 

Creative Questions:
What burden is being referred to here? “Wizrak” comes from the root “wizr “which means something that is heavy/heaviness of mistakes/sins and heaviness of responsibility. The burden can not be of mistakes as this is removed by his immaculate status of which he earned due to his acting on what he knew and dedication in the path of Allah (swt). The burden being referred to here is that of responsibility. 

Rapid Reflections:
As we mentioned earlier, Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ) faced many challenges during this path. The Qurʾān tells us of the extreme trouble that he faced for his message. He had a back-breaking mission; nevertheless he had by his side many self-sacrificing, pure companions. 

Qur’ānic Connections:

In Sūrah Ṭāhā, verse 29, Prophet Mūsā (ʿa) continues the conversation with Allah (swt):
وَاجْعَل لِّي وَزِيرًا مِّنْ أَهْلِي
And give me a minister from my family

A vizier is someone who removes the heaviness of responsibility from the king by taking some of the responsibilities. Allah (swt) appoints Prophet Mūsā’s brother, Hārūn, by his merit as a helper to Prophet Mūsā. This similarity is mentioned by the Noble Prophet Muḥammad (ş̣) in this ḥadīth: 

“Does it not please you to be to me what Hārūn was to Mūsā except that there is no prophet after me.”- Al-Āmālī

Creative Questions:
What are some of the struggles you face to uphold the mission of Islam at school, work or with friends?

How was this burden relieved?

Through the expansion of the chest, Allah (swt) raising his name and the successorship of Imām ʿAlī (‘a). Also through the support of his grandfather ʿAbdul Muṭṭalim, his uncle Abū Ṭālib, and his wife Haḍrat Khadījah (ʿa). 

Rapid Reflections:
The third blessing upon the Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ) that is mentioned in Sūrah ash-Sharḥ is the exaltation of his name.

The kuffār and mushrikīn wanted to wipe out the name of the Prophet and his mention, they tried to remove it, but Allah exalted his name over the course of history.

Today we have more 1.7 billion Muslims that say his name 5 times a day in adhān, and tashahhud, in the Qurʾān, and follow him and remember him through ṣalawāt and all aspects of his life.

So many people visit his grave but where are the graves of those who bothered him and his family; for example, Abū Sufyān, Yazīd, Muʿāwiyah?

Indeed, Allah (swt) gives ʿizzah (dignity) to those He wishes, so be strong in your mission today, remember Allah (swt) is on your side. 

Allah (swt) continues to comfort the Noble Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ), saying you will go through hardship. But there will always be ease, even in the hardship.

Creative Questions:
What does that mean? When you think of hardships, what do you think of?
Death, losing a loved one, loss of a job, or even illness or an injury. 

Rapid Reflections:
Some mufassirīn have mentioned in regards to the repetition of these two āyahs that this possibly indicates that the relief and ease that follows is felt twice as much as the hardship.

Usually when a person is faced with hardship, the experience leads to pessimism in the person. Failing to consider a solution or silver lining during the hardship. This approach to life is what these verses reject. A person ought to search for the ease in hardship, the duration of difficulty is short and it will end, one must always expect the ease which follows it.

The words used in this āyah are translated as: ʿusr = the price a human being pays {hardship}. For example: seeking knowledge, worshipping, going through tests and tribulations. And the word yusr= that which they gain in return of the ʿusr {ease}. Example: eternity in Paradise. 

Mission Mindsets:
Our body is a vessel holding our soul. Our soul existed before this life and will continue on even after our death. We must keep this in our mind as we look at the world and our problems. There will be a continuation of life after death. Allah (swt) is watching and will take care of all rewards and injustices. 

Rapid Reflections:
Oftentimes when everything is going well, and we are not facing a difficulty or trial we waste time, forget about Allah (swt), and get consumed by the dunyā. When this happens we are in the state of ghaflah or heedlessness, which we must be cautious of. 

Vocabulary:
Ghaflah: heedlessness or forgetting about Allah swt. 
The opposite of God Consciousness or Taqwa

When we are facing a trial, and in this case a sickness, we have two options:
1 - to turn towards Allah swt
OR
2- to turn away from Allah swt. 

Creative Questions:
What option would you choose? How would you turn towards Allah (swt)?
Possibly through du’ā, patience and tawakkul. 

Rapid Reflections:
Allah (swt) is our Provider, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate. He is our caretaker and loves us, these are just some of His 99 names, and if we truly believe it then we understand no one is free of trials and tribulations in this world, that is promised in the Qurʾān.

We may have the loss of health, wealth or even loved ones, one of these trials or even more of them. But if we trust in Him completely then we know that He loves us more than we love ourselves, or anybody else can love us. Then we have complete faith that we will get through this and we put all our prayers towards Him and pray for patience in this adversity. 

Mission Mindset:
Allah’s mercy is always present; however, may not be able to see it at that moment. This is when we need these reminders, that the mercy of Allah is present in all circumstances, no matter what we may be going through. So turn to Him in hardships. Many people will comfort themselves with material things, a tub of ice cream, or watching tv. These are temporary. True peace is only with connecting our hearts and souls with Allah (swt). 

Ḥadīth:
Imām Jaʿfar aṣ-Ṣādiq (ʿa)
 قَالَ: إنَّهُ لَيَكُونُ لِلْعَبْدِ مَنْزِلَةٌ عِنْدَ اللهِ فَمَا يَنَالهََُا إلا بِإحْدَى خِصْلَتَيْنِ؛ إمَّا بِذَهَابِ مَالِهِ أوْ بِبَلِيَّةٍ فِي جَسَدِهِ.
Verily, the servant has certain stations near God that cannot be realized without one of these two attributes: either the loss of his wealth or affliction in his body.al-Kāfī, Vol. 2, P.255

In order for us to build our muscles of perfection and spirituality (patience, sacrifice) we need to go through hardships. It is possible that these afflictions lead to a greater devotion towards Allah (swt), and it is also possible that these sufferings have celestial forms (ṣuwwar al-malakūti) which cannot be realized without their occurrence in the corporeal world. 

Rapid Reflections:
When you are done with one thing start for the next, if you are done with doing your prayers then do some duʿās, if you are done with a project then move on to the next one. Because life is a continuous journey and we are continually trying to grow as a person so we shouldn’t get lazy or idle. The time we have in this life is limited, we must use it to our advantage. Time is truly the most valuable asset we have. We should continuously progress towards Allah (swt). In Tafsīr al-Qummi, Al-Qummi has mentioned that this āyah is in regards to the Noble Prophet Muḥammad (ṣ) finishing his responsibilities and appointing Imām ʿAlī (ʿa) as his successor. 

In the final āyah of this Sūrah, Allah (swt) tells us to turn entirely to your “Rabb”. Allah swt is the Nurturer, He takes care of us, does what is best for us and is always guiding us. Our desire should be only for Allah (swt). How beautiful is the name “Rabb”, indicating the care that Allah (swt) provides. This ayāh reminds us to direct our attention to Allah (swt) in every moment, with no difference between a moment of strength or a moment of weakness. 

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