Sūrah No. 57. Revealed in Madīnah, 29 verses.
Sūrat al-Hadīd
Merits of reciting the Sūrah
This is the first of the five Musabbihāt Sūrahs that begin with glorification of Allah. They are Sūrahs al-Hadīd, al-Hashr, al-Saff, al-Jumu‘ah, and al-Taghābun). The Holy Prophet a recommended reciting these Sūrahs before sleeping.
Imam Muhammad al-Bāqir (a) says: Whoever recites all the Musabbihāt before sleeping he will not die until he connects with al-Qā’im (‘ajjallāhu farajah) and when he dies, he will be in the company of the Messenger of Allah.
Note: Quranic Scholars say that the reward is connected to the contents of the Sūrah and requires that recitation be done with awareness, comprehension, reflection and having an intention of implementation.
General synopsis of contents
1) Qualities of Allah that increase Ma‘rifat of Allah.
2) Belief in the Messengers and the Books that were sent.
3) The state of the believers and the hypocrites on the Day of Judgement.
Thus, the Sūrah deals with the topics of Tawhid, Nubuwwah and Qiyāmah
4) Encouragement to give in the way of Allah X
5) An analogy comparing life of this world to vegetation.
Selected Lessons
1) Belief in Allah means to know that everything is from Him. There must be willingness to give in His way.
2) Guidance from Allah leads human beings out of the darkness of ignorance into the light of awareness.
3) Believers have a light that walks with them in this world and in the Hereafter. They will be envied for it on the Day of Judgment.
4) Life of this world is transient and fleeting. So, we should race for good actions.
5) Belief in Allah makes hearts humble and receptive to His remembrance.
Suggested verses for reflection and memorization.
1) 57:11 – Who is it that will lend Allah a good loan, that He may multiply it for him and there may be a noble reward for him?
2) 57:28 – O you who believe! Be God conscious and have faith in His Messenger He will grant you a double share of His mercy and a light to walk by, and He will forgive you, and Allah is all-forgiving, all-merciful.
Activities for self-study
Read the analogy comparing the world to vegetation in the Sūrah (verse 20). Write down the qualities of the world as described in this verse. What are the stages of vegetation? How are these two similar?