Sura Fussilat: Difference between revisions

Sura Fussilat is 41st sura of the Qur’an. It is a Makki sura and has an obligatory prostration. It is located in juz’s 24 and 25. The word “fussilat” meaning “eloquently stated” is mentioned in verse 3 and that is why this sura was named and known for it. Sura Fussilat is mostly about disbelievers turning from the Qur’an. Unity of God, the prophethood of the Prophet of Islam (a), the Judgement Day and mentioning the destinies of the people of ‘Ad and Thamud are among other topics mentioned in this sura.

One of the famous verses in this sura is verse 34 which invited the Prophet (a) to have the best of manner against ill treatments of disbelievers. Also, verses 41 and 42 which exegetes have considered as evidences for immutability of the Qur’an are among the famous verses of this sura. About the merits of the recitation of this sura, it is transmitted from the Prophet (a) that whoever recites sura Fussilat, will be given rewards ten times more than the number of the letters in this sura.

=== Naming ===

Sura Fussilat is a Makki sura; and in the order of revelation, it was 61st sura revealed to the Prophet (a). This sura is now 41st sura of the Qur’an and is located in juz’s 24 and 25.

=== Number of Verses and Other Features ===

This sura has 54 verses, 796 words and 3364 letters; and regarding volume, it is among Mathani suras and is little more than one hizb (one fourth of a juz’). Sura Fussilat is also among Hammimat, which are the suras beginning with Muqatta’a letters of Ham-Mim. Verse 37 of this sura has an obligatory prostration, meaning that its recitation or hearing requires the person to perform a prostration. Recitation of the suras which have obligatory prostration is not permissible in obligatory prayers.

Sura Fussilat mostly speaks about disbelievers turning away from the Qur’an and it repeats it in three places of this sura. Toward the end of this sura, it speaks about the divine origin of the Qur’an. Other topics mentioned in this sura are: Unity of God, prophethood of the Last of Prophets (a), revelation, attributes and characteristics of the Qur’an, the hereafter and the description of the Judgement Day, testimonies of the eyes, ears, skin and all the limbs of the dwellers of the hell against them and the destinies of the people ‘Ad and Thamud.

* Content: Actions of disbelievers in opposing to the Qur’an

a. The excuse of disbelievers for turning away from the Qur’an

# Second action: preventing from distribution of the knowledge of the Qur’an

a. Disbeliever’s efforts in preventing the hearing of the Qur’an

c. Third issue: the rightfulness of the knowledge of the Qur’an

# Fourth action: claiming about senselessness of the knowledge of the Qur’an

a. First answer: disbelievers are not capable of understanding the knowledge of the Qur’an

c. Third answer: analysis of the roots of rejecting the knowledge of the Qur’an

# Fifth action: Raising doubts about the authenticity of the Qur’an

a. First issue: deviance of the rejecters of the authenticity of the Qur’an

b. Second issue: That the signs of God prove the rightfulness of the Qur’an

In this verse, a moral and social advice is mentioned. Therefore, this verse has been discussed in the discussions of ethics by exegetes and teachers of ethics. Although, the two words of “hasana” [“goodness”] and “sayyi’a” [“offence”] have broad meanings and include every goodness and badness, in this verse, they refer to goodness and badness in preaching religion. This verse advises the Prophet (a) to answer badness with goodness and does not take revenge, so that he (a) becomes successful.

=== Immutability of the Qur’an ===

Immutability of the Qur’an is among the beliefs of most Muslims, according to which they believe that the Qur’an available now to Muslims is exactly the Qur’an revealed to the Prophet (a) and nothing has been added to it or omitted from it. Exegetes and theologians refer to some verses and hadiths to reject any alteration in the Qur’an. Verse 41 and 42 of sura Fussilat are among these verses.

This verse discusses a general rule about humans’ actions which the Qur’an has emphasized on, several times. It suggests that if disbelievers do not believe in the Qur’an and in the words of the Prophet (a), no harms would reach God or His Prophet (a), but disbelievers themselves will lose out.

The punishment of the people of ‘Ad and Thamud, the Prophets’ (a) invitations, rejecting the Prophets’ (a) invitations by their people, arrogance of the people of ‘Ad, coming of the tornado and perishing the people of ‘Ad, inviting Thamud toward guidance, coming of the lightening of punishment (verses 13 – 17)

About the merits of recitation of this sura, it is transmitted from the Prophet (a) that whoever recites sura Fussilat, he will be given rewards ten times more than the number of the letters in this sura. Also, it is transmitted from Imam al-Sadiq (a) that recitation of sura Fussilat brings about brightness of face and happiness to the reciter on the Judgement Day; and he will live in this world in a manner that he will be praised by everyone and envied for his good state. In Tafsir Burhan, different benefits are mentioned for recitation of this sura such as healing the illnesses of the heart, eyes and stomachache.