Exegesis of the Qur’an (Tafsir): Al-Hadid

Sundays 10:30 am – 11:30 am

21 April - 23 June 2024

In-person: Ruskin College, Room G.03, Dunstan Road, Old Headington, OX3 9BZ

Online: Delivered via Zoom

We embarked on our academic year of tafsir with Surah al-Hadid (The Iron) and will be looking to complete the surah in this final term. The 57th chapter of the Quran, comprising 29 verses, has been a subject of debate among scholars, whether it is Makkan or Medinan. We will delve into the themes and central arguments presented by the surah, such as the Majesty and Omnipotence of God, His necessary existence, and the incumbency to believe in Him and His messengers. The chapter underlines the Quran as not just a book, but the ultimate source of guidance and eternal success. It emphasises the importance of charity, the promise of a felicitous outcome in the hereafter for believing men and women and the converse for disbelievers and hypocrites. It cautions believers against developing hard hearts, a trait that has led people of the book to corruption. It reminds about the hereafter and the futility of amassing worldly wealth. To achieve equity, it stresses the need to remain patient and persistent in overcoming the trials and difficulties that may arise when fulfilling the needs of others. The chapter concludes by urging believers to strive for righteousness, assuring them that they will be granted discernment in their affairs and receive double the reward, a bounty exclusively in Allah’s sovereignty, as it is solely His decision to whom receives it.

We start the Spring Term from verse 20 of Surah al-Hadid;

ٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَا لَعِبٌۭ وَلَهْوٌۭ وَزِينَةٌۭ وَتَفَاخُرٌۢ بَيْنَكُمْ وَتَكَاثُرٌۭ فِى ٱلْأَمْوَٰلِ وَٱلْأَوْلَـٰدِ ۖ كَمَثَلِ غَيْثٍ أَعْجَبَ ٱلْكُفَّارَ نَبَاتُهُۥ ثُمَّ يَهِيجُ فَتَرَىٰهُ مُصْفَرًّۭا ثُمَّ يَكُونُ حُطَـٰمًۭا ۖ وَفِى ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ عَذَابٌۭ شَدِيدٌۭ وَمَغْفِرَةٌۭ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَٰنٌۭ ۚ وَمَا ٱلْحَيَوٰةُ ٱلدُّنْيَآ إِلَّا مَتَـٰعُ ٱلْغُرُورِ ٢٠

Know that this worldly life is no more than play, amusement, luxury, mutual boasting, and competition in wealth and children. This is like rain that causes plants to grow, to the delight of the planters. But later the plants dry up and you see them wither, then they are reduced to chaff. And in the Hereafter, there will be either severe punishment or forgiveness and pleasure of Allah, whereas the life of this world is no more than the delusion of enjoyment. (Khattab)