Sūrah No. 23, Revealed in Makkah, 118 verses.
Sūrat al-Mu’minūn
Merits of reciting the Sūrah
Many Hadith have been narrated from the Ahlul Bayt (a) regarding the significance of reciting this Sūrah.
Whoever recites Sūrat al-Mu’minūn Allah will make his final outcome happiness, if he recited it regularly every Friday, and he will be granted a place in the elevated Firdaws with the Prophets and Messengers- Imam al-Sādiq (a), (Tafsīr Majma‘ al-Bayān).
Regarding the first ten verses of this Sūrah, the Holy Prophet a says; Ten verses have been revealed to me, whoever implements them will enter Heaven. (Rūh al-Ma‘āni)
Note: Tafsīr Namūneh says that these hadith reflect the fact that the Quran is a book of training and perfecting the human being. Whoever recites and acts upon, moulding his life on the verses, will be granted these noble positions.
General synopsis of contents
1) Qualities of successful believers
2) Signs of Allah in the universe
3) Stories of some of the past Prophets
4) Warning for those who are arrogant and who reject faith
5) An account of the hereafter
Selected Lessons
1) Believers who have disciplined themselves to have certain noble qualities are truly successful (v. 1)
2) Giving, or doing, for the sake of Allah is done with a lot of trepidation by believers (v. 60)
3) The truth cannot follow the desires and whims of people (v. 71)
4) Seek constant protections from the shayātīn who are always near the human being (vv. 97-98).
5) Life of this world will seem like a tiny fraction of time in the hereafter (vv. 112- 113).
Important Messages
1) Faith has conditions and manifestations. It is not just verbal.
2) Nature has many lessons for those who notice and are mindful.
3) Allah has sent Prophets to people to teach them and for itmām al-Hujjah (completion of proof). The message is a test for the people.
4) Haste in good actions is from the signs of belief.
5) Lack of belief in the hereafter is the most often mentioned quality of those who reject faith.
6) The biggest regret on the Day of Judgment is that of time and abilities that are wasted.
Suggested verses for reflection and memorization.
1) 23:29 – My Lord! Land me with a blessed landing, for You are the best of those who bring ashore.
2) 23:52 – Indeed this community of yours is one community, and I am your Lord, so be wary of Me.
3) 23:115 – Did you suppose that We created you aimlessly, and that you will not be brought back to Us?’
Activities for self-study
1) Study the passages that talk about qualities of believers in this Sūrah – verses 1-10 and 57-61. List all the qualities mentioned.
2) Verses 12-22 talk about the signs of Allah in the universe. What aspects of life do these signs cover?
3) Read the story of Prophet Nūh (verses 23-30). What points do you get from it regarding his faith and relationship with Allah, his people’s attitude, and the eventual outcome.