Sūrah No. 45, Revealed in Madīnah, 37 verses.
The Sūrah takes its name from verse 28 which talks about the people on their knees on the Day of Judgment. The Sūrah is also known as al-Sharī‘ah.
Sūrat al-Jāthiya
Merits of reciting the Sūrah
Whoever recites Sūrat al-Jāthiya his reward will be that he will never see the Fire nor hear its sounds. And he will be from those who are with Muhammad a – Imam Ja‘far al-Sādiq (a) (Tafsīr al- Būrhān)
General synopsis of contents
1) Greatness of the holy Quran.
2) Signs of the existence of God.
3) A short discussion on some of the past peoples.
4) A stern warning to those who stubbornly insist on their deviated beliefs.
5) An invitation to pardon and forgiveness.
6) The awe-inspiring happenings on the Day of Judgment.
Selected Lessons
1) When the arrogant ones hear the message of God they act as though they have not heard it and they take it as a joke. (vv. 8-9)
2) Those who have faith and do good deeds cannot be like those who do evil (v. 21)
3) People sometimes worship their desires. (v. 23)
4) Lack of belief in the hereafter makes the life of this world purposeless. (v. 24)
5) On the Day of Judgment God will not help or have mercy on those who ignored the hereafter (verse 34)
Important Messages
1) Spiritual blessings are more important than material ones and take precedence when counting blessings.
2) Knowledge alone is not enough for success and salvation.
3) Worship of desires is the cause of the downfall of many people.
4) Misconceived notions and wrong ideas are the root of all deviations from the right path.
Suggested verses for reflection and memorization.
1) 45:13 – He has disposed for you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth; all is from Him. There are indeed signs in that for a people who reflect.
2) 45:15 – Whoever acts righteously, it is for his own soul, and whoever does evil, it is to its own detriment, then you will be brought back to your Lord.
Activities for self-study
Verses 28-31 talk about the judgment of nations in the hereafter. Write out the points in these verses. What could be some group actions that are judged together?