Theme of Juz Twenty Eight –Islamic Law

The 28th Juz comprises of nine Madinan Surahs each focusing on a different aspect of Islamic Law and Madinan society. The Juz begins with Surah Al-Mujaadilah which focuses on the laws related to divorce as well as firm reminders of Allah being All-Seeing and All-Hearing. This is an important concept as it helps us obey Allah even when we are alone.

Surah Al-Hashr is next and it deals with Madinan politics, particularly with the events related to the Jews of Madinah, as well as issues related to the Muhaajireen (immigrants) and Jihad. This Surah ends with a powerful section which lists many of the names of Allah and provides a detailed description of who our Creator is.

Surah Al-Mumtahina highlights the relationship between Muslims and Non-Muslims detailing many of the laws of Jihad and distancing oneself from the enemies of Islam, while at the same time reminding us to be kind and just when dealing with peaceful Non-Muslims.

Surah As-Saff continues on the topic of Jihad with reminders about Prophets Musa and Jesus (Alayhuma Salam) that they too faced opposition from their people and required the support of their followers in dealing with such opposition. This Surah also contains a firm reminder to practice what we preach, and to be people of action, rather than people of speech.

Surah Al-Jumah is very short and contains the command to stay away from business during Jumah Salah time, and reminds us that outside Jumah time, it is good to work so that we can provide for our families. However, our work should be done in a state that we are remembering Allah and conscious of Him.

Surah Al-Munaafiqoon is a reminder about some of the qualities of the hypocrites. Such descriptions should not be used to attack and accuse others, but to introspect and make sure we do not possess any of the qualities of the hypocrites.

Surah At-Taghaabun is a short reminder of the beliefs of Islam and contains verses describing Tawheed, the Afterlife and nature of this world. Islam is made up of both laws and beliefs, and one aspect can’t be ignored while we focus only on the other.

Surah At-Talaaq, as per the name, deals with the laws of divorce, but more than that it discusses the relationship between Taqwa (Allah consciousness) and Rizq (sustenance). It is Taqwa and Tawakkul (trusting Allah) together with Halal action that leads to the doors of Rizq opening.

It is interesting that this appears in the chapter of divorce as it is at the time of divorce that people are usually most uncertain about their future and what it contains, and so the verses of divorce serve as a source of hope as they include the powerful promise: “Whoever is conscious of Allah, He will make for them a way out and provide for them from where they never imagined, and whoever has Tawakul in Allah, then he is sufficient for them.” (65:2-3)

The Juz ends with Surah At-Tahreem, which was revealed when some of the wives of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had erred, it is a reminder about the qualities of the righteous women, and contains examples of the fate of righteous and unrighteous women.

In this Surah, we are reminded that the wives of Lut and Nuh (Alayhuma Salam) ended up in the Hellfire, while the wife of Pharaoh is in the highest levels of Paradise, and so it is not who you are married to, but who you are as a person, that determines your final destination. The Juz ends with a reminder that Maryam was the greatest of women, despite not being married, further emphasizing this point.


Source: Themes of the Qur'an by Abu Muawiyah Ismail Kamdar