As-salaam wa-alaikum, brothers and sisters.
Summary
Today’s selection is the entirety of Surah 94, Al-Inshirãh or the Expansion of the Breast. This Surah gave a message of hope and encouragement in a time of darkness and difficulty. It was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) soon after the last Surah (Adh Duha), whose argument it supplements.
Tafseer for this Surah explains the metaphor contained in the meaning of the surah’s name, expansion of the breast.
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Verses
Bis-millahi ar-rahman, ar-raheem.
In the name of Allah, most gracious, most merciful.O Prophet! Have We not expanded your breast for you[1] and relieved you from the burden[2] which weighed down your back,[3] and exalted your fame?[4] Surely with every difficulty there is relief.[5] Surely with every difficulty there is relief.[6] Therefore, when you are free from your daily task, devote your time to the labor of worship[7] and turn all your attention towards your Lord.[8] 94:[1-8]
Ameen.
Tafseer
On the metaphor of the breast:
The breast is symbolically the seat of knowledge and the highest feelings of love and affection, the treasure house in which are stored the jewels of that quality of human character, which approaches nearest to the Divine. The Holy Prophet’s human nature had been purified, expanded, and elevated so that he became a Mercy to all Creation. Such a nature could afford to ignore the lower motives of ordinary humanity, which caused shameful attacked to be made on him. Its strength and courage could also bear the burden of the galling work which it had to do in denouncing sin, subduing it and protecting Allah’s creatures from its oppression.
This concludes today’s episode of the 17 Verses Podcast. I hope that this selection has helped increase your understanding of the holy Qur’an just a little bit.
Thank you and be well.