Surah Quraish (106)

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

1. For the protection of the Quraish.

2. The caravans to set forth safe, in winter and in summer.

3. So, let them worship the Lord of this House.

4. Who has fed them against hunger, and has made them safe from fear.




The Surah is named Quraish to remind the tribe of Quraish of Allah's favors upon them, favors that are mentioned at the beginning of the Surah.




Both of these Surahs mention Allah's favors on the people of Makkah. The first relates the destruction of their enemies, enemies who came to destroy their inviolable House, the second relates that because Allah united them, they were able to pursue a life of trade with twoexpeditions, one in the summer and one in the winter. Through those excursions, they were able to bring back stores of supplies. So strong is the relation between both Surahs that Ubai bin Ka'b considered them to be one Surah; it has been related that he wouldn't separate the two chapters by Basmalah (reciting Bismillah).




It was recorded by AI-Hakim, and AI-Bayhaqi in Al-Khilafiyat, that Umm Hani bint Abu Talib said that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Allah has blessed the Quraish with seven qualities; I am one of them; the Prophethood is in them; they are responsible for the curtain of the Ka'bah; providing water for the pilgrims is theirs; Allah has made them victorious over the Elephant; indeed, they worshipped Allah for ten years during a period that no one else worshipped Him; and Allah revealed about them a chapter of the Qur'an.

After having said that, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) began to recite,

For the protection of the Quraish.(Ayah 1)

[Indicating that it is not an authentic narration], Ibn Kathir said, "It is Gharib."




It was recorded by AI-Hakim, and AI-Bayhaqi in Al-Khilafiyat, that Umm Hani bint Abu Talib said that Allah's Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:

Allah has blessed the Quraish with seven qualities.

One of the qualities he enumerated is as follows:

... And He revealed a chapter that contained a mention of none except them.

Li-Eelaafi Quraish:
Eelaaf comes from the verb Alifa, which means to stick to something and to be devoted to it – each with a sense of familiarity, not aversion. Quraish: The name of Arab tribes that descended from An-Nadhr bin Kinanah.

Rihlah:
A people's journey or their setting off to travel.

At'amahum:
i.e.. given them a comfortable amount of sustenance, and the way to acquiring that sustenance made easy for them.

Aamanahum:
Kept them safe from external transgression and from those who desire to wrongfully take their wealth and lives.


To continue Insha Allah

Many of the scholars of Tafsir said that the beginning of this Surah is grammatically connected to the end of the Surah preceding it, meaning: We dealt in the way We did with the companions of the Elephant for the sake of the Quraish, for their safety, for
Their welfare, for their trade and profits, so that they could make the winter journey to Yemen and the summer journey to Sham.

Allah destroyed those who intended to do evil to the Quraish while He raised the status of the inviolable city of Makkah and its inhabitants. So venerated became the Quraish in the hearts of the Arabs that the latter would not stand in the way of the former whenever they wanted to travel anywhere.

That is why Allah ordered them to be grateful: He said:

So let them worship (Allah) the Lord of this House. (Ayah3)

So let them worship Him, making that worship pure for Him alone.

Who has fed them against hunger, and has made them safe
from fear. (Ayah4)

Bountiful provisions and safety are some of the greatest of worldly blessings, blessings that require gratefulness to Allah. For You, O Allah, is praise and gratitude - for Your apparent favors and for Your favours that we do not perceive. The Prophet ;saws: said:

Whosoever dawns safe in his bed, healthy in his body, while he has enough to sustain him for his day and night, then it is as if he has gained the entire world.

Allah has specified His Lordship over the House, even though He is the Lord of all that exists; He singled out the mention of the House to honor it.

And made them save from fear. (Ayah 4)

Because He has given them the favor of safety and stability, they should worship Him alone without associating partners with him, and without worshipping anyone other than Him, such as a statue, a rival, or a child.


Ibn Kathir said, "Whoever answers this command, Allah will give him both safety in this world and in the Hereafter. Whoever disobeys Him, He Almighty will take it away from him in both worlds. Allah Almighty says:

And Allah puts forward the example of a township (Makkah), that dwelt secure and well content; its provision coming to it in abundance from every place, but it (its people) denied the favors of Allah (with ungratefulness). So Allah made it taste the extreme hunger (famine) and fear, because of that which they used to do. And verily, there had come to them a Messenger from among themselves, but they denied him, so the torment overtook them while they were wrongdoers. (Surah An-Nahl 16-112-113)




1. When one reflects on this Surah, one appreciates Allah's wisdom, mercy, and planning. How perfect He is! The All-Wise, Most Merciful.

2. Allah Almighty relates His favors on the Quraish: the destruction of their enemies. preventing those enemies from entering Makkah, providing them with safety, giving them abundant provisions - all of which require gratitude.

3. It is compulsory to worship Allah Almighty alone and to leave the worship of anyone other than Him.

4. We must be thankful for Allah's blessings by praising Him and by using His favors in a way that pleases Him.

5. Life revolves around two: food to protect one from hunger and safety from fear.