in the name
of allah the beneficent the merciful
sura fajr
(breakc
of dawn)
no.89 (30 verses)
contents of the sura:
this sura, like many other meccan suras, contains short,
meaningful, awakening verses with abundant warnings.
there are several oaths mentioned in the first part of the sura
that have no precedent and are primarily for warning the
transgressors
about the divine punishment.
another part of this sura points to some of the ancient rebellious
nations, such as the `ad and thamood people; and also to pharaoh,
the
transgressor, and the divine punishment that destroyed them, which
is a
lesson for all arrogant powers so that they may take careful account
of
their situation.
in the next part of the sura, which relates to the previous parts,
man's trial is mentioned and his neglect, in doing good deeds, is
very
sharply criticized.
in the last part of the sura the discussion is about the hereafter
and the fate of the sinners and unbelievers, and presents a contrast
in
regard to the great rewards that the believers will receive; those
whose
souls are at rest.
the virtue of studying sura
fajr:
regarding the virtue of studying this sura, a tradition from the
prophet (p.b.u.h.) says: "allah forgives the mistakes
of whoever recites sura
fajr on the `ten nights; (i.e., the first ten nights of
zul-hajj), and it will
become a light on dooms day for the one who recites it at other
times (of
the year)". 1
also, a tradition from imam sadiq says: "recite sura fajr, which is
hosain-ibn-aii's sura, in your prayers, whether they be
obligatory or
optional. he who recites it will be with him (hosain-ibn-ali) at
the same
place in heaven on the day of judgement". 2
introducing this sura as hosain-ibn-ali's sura may.be for the
reason that the clear example of the `serene soul' ,
menitioned at the end
of the sura, is hosain-ibn-aii (p.b.u.h.), as the idea has also been
cited
from imam sadiq (p.b.u.h.) abot't the same verses.
or, perhaps, it is for the same reason that one of the
commentaries about the `ten nights' means the
first ten nights of
muharram, (the first month of the muslim new year), which is closely
relevant to hosain-ibn-ali (p.b.u.h.).
at any rate, these great rewards and outstanding merits are for
the ones who recite the sura as a preparation for their own
self-improvement and self-perfection.
1majma'-al-bayan, vol. 10, p. 481.
2 ibid. |
