ِ‫ِالرحيم‬ َّ ‫بِ ْسمِاللَّه‬

َّ ‫ِالر ْْحَـن‬
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

A Brief Overview

Name: Named after the first sentence. [It is also known as Inshirah in some Mushaaf.]

Period of Revelation: Makkan

Theme and Subject Matter

The Surahs from here onwards are mainly aimed at consoling and encouraging the Prophet
salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Before his call he never had to encounter the conditions that he
faced after embarking on the mission of calling people to Islam. This was by itself a great
revolution. The same relatives and friends, the same clansmen and neighbors, who used to
treat him with the highest respect, began to shower him with abuse and criticism. No one in
Makkah was prepared to listen to him; he began to be ridiculed and mocked in the street
and on the road; and at every step he had to face new difficulties.

Although gradually he became accustomed to the hardships, even much severer ones, yet
the initial stage was very discouraging for him. That is why first Surah Ad-Duha was sent
down to console him, and then this Surah.

In this Surah, we see the feelings of sympathy and an atmosphere of delightful, friendly
discourse abound. It in itself portrays the Divine care that the Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wa
sallam enjoyed and explains the measures taken out of concern for him. The Surah gives
the good news of forthcoming relief as we read in ayah 5, “For indeed, with hardship
[will be] ease.” Meaning the period of hardship that you are passing through is not too
long; following close behind it is also a period of ease. It then points out to the Prophet the
secret of ease, “Stand up [for worship],” when you are free from your occupations. We
see in the life of Rasoolullah that he used to devote himself to prayer. Another secret that
the Surah emphasized on was building strong ties with Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala, “And to
your Lord direct [your] longing,” meaning instead of worrying about what people are
saying or doing turn all your attention to your Lord.
Tafseer Surah Ash-Sharh

From the opening sentence one learns that the Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was
troubled by something. It was the Divine message that he was entrusted with, and the
obstacles that he was facing. These difficulties weighed heavily on his heart hence the
comforting address.

The word “Sharh” as we read in Surah al-Anaam Ayah 125 means “to cut something,
to open up, enlarge, expand or uncover.” This word also appears in Surah Ta-Ha Ayah
25, when Musa ‘alayhi salaam says, “My Lord, expand for me my chest.” In the context,
it means opening up of the heart so that Divine wisdoms and mysteries could be
comprehended and accepted. Comprehension and acceptance both are essential because
sometimes we understand something but are unable to accept it.

Allah subhanahu wa ta `ala says, “Did We not expand for you, your chest,” so that it
may warm up to the Message? Meaning have We not facilitated it for you, endeared it to
you, defined its path and illuminated it for you to see its happy end? Look into your heart.
Do you see it to be full of light, happiness and solace? Hence, in the later period we
observed that the Prophet’s chest expanded such that he was confident, strong and his
heart was at peace. He endured severe hardships and became a source of strength for
others.

We read that when the Prophet salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was with Abu Bakr Siddeeq
radhiAllahu ‘anhu in the cave of Thawr, Abu Bakr was under extreme distress while the
Prophet assured him that Allah will take care of them. At another instance, when a man
took the Prophet’s sword from the scabbard (during his sleep) and said, “Who will save you
from me?” The Prophet calmly replied, “Allah”.
Then in ayaat 2 and 3 it was said, “And We removed from you your burden, which had
weighed upon your back.” The word wiz’rak is from the root letters wau-zay-ra and it
means “to carry a burden, bear a load, or perpetrate (a crime).” This word has been
interpreted here in two ways. Let’s first look at the word in the context of a heavy burden or
responsibility.

If we recall the incident of first revelation, we will remember that the Prophet salAllahu
‘alayhi wa sallam was almost shivering after having met an angel in the cave of Hira. He
suffered from fever for several days because he was not prepared for this responsibility. He
was under stress and anguish. Khadeeja radhiAllahu ‘anha comforted him that because he
was such an honorable man, his Lord would not punish him. Then Allah subhanahu wa
ta`ala relieved him of his sadness and gave him strength. Relief took the form of giving his
heart a lift. Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala guided him regarding how to carry on this mission
and appeal to people’s hearts. He now considered his mission easy and the burden that he
felt was lifted.

The second meaning is interpreted in the sense of sins. Before we proceed with the
explanation, it must be remembered that the Prophets are not sinful. Their life before
Prophethood as well as after Prophethood is clean and pure. However, what is meant by
sins here is shortcomings and mistakes. These may be acceptable to common people but for
a person of honorable status such as a Prophet they are not acceptable. But as we read it
Surah al-Fath Ayaat 1 and 2, Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala says, “Indeed, We have given
you, [O Muhammad], a clear conquest. That Allah may forgive for you what
preceded of your sin and what will follow and complete His favor upon you and
guide you to a straight path.”

“And raised high for you your repute,” meaning Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala exalted
him. At one time, he had only a few followers who secretly practiced Islam. After the
conquest of Badr more people embraced Islam and Muslims became politically, economically
and socially strong such that the Prophet’s enemies feared him. If we look at it today, our
prayer is incomplete without sending blessings upon him. Secondly, the Shahada that
people pronounce at the time of entering Islam includes testifying the Prophet Muhammad
as the Last Messenger of Allah. The same Shahada is pronounced in the Adhaan as well as
the prayer itself. Indeed, this is the highest degree of praise and status. It is a position
granted only to Muhammad salAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Generations after generations,
millions of people honor his name by asking for peace and blessings for him. His followers
have profound love for him.

Moreover, Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala choosing him as His Messenger is in itself an honor for
him.

In Ayaat 5 and 6, Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala comforts and reassures the Prophet by saying,
“…indeed, with hardship [will be] ease…” Hardship is never absolute, for ease always
accompanies it. When the Prophet’s burden became too heavy, Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala
lifted up his heart and relieved him. This is strongly emphasized by a literal repetition of the
statement: “Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.” For every challenge there is a way.
A matter which afflicts Muhammad’s soul so much must be very serious indeed. The
repetition also indicates while the challenge might be one there are several ways of
addressing it. Secondly, the times of ease are more frequent than the times of difficulty.
How often does one fall sick? How often does one lose all their money or face a loss? How
often are we tested? Our problem is that when we are tested we only focus on our problem
or the calamity and forget all the other blessings that we enjoy.
Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala is acknowledging that yes at this moment there is difficulty. You
have only handful followers but there will be ease. Grounds are being prepared for future
success. The lesson for us is that when we are tested we should be patient and acknowledge
that if Allah has put me in this there must be some khair and wisdom. Only then the person
can survive his test.

Then follows a statement pointing out the aspects of comfort and the factors contributing to
the lifting up of hearts and spirits, Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala says, “So when you have
finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]. And to your Lord direct [your]
longing,” meaning seek relief and solace in Him.

The Prophet is being told that when you have finished whatever you may have to do, be it a
matter relating to the delivery of your message or an affair of this life, then turn with all
your heart to what deserves your toil and striving, namely devotion and dedication in
worship. Seek Him alone and let nothing whatsoever distract you. Do not ever think of the
people you call on to believe in Him. A traveler must have his food with him, and this is the
real food for your journey. A fighter for a cause needs to have his equipment. And devotion
to your Lord is the equipment necessary for you. This will provide you with ease in every
difficulty you may encounter, and with comfort against every kind of affliction you may
suffer.

The lesson here for us is that never sit idle. Stay busy in something productive. Even when
you are doing house chores keep your tongue busy with dhikr. Whenever you have a few
extra minutes instead of flipping channels or browsing mindlessly, read something. Read
some part of the Qur’an. Offer nawafil. Memorize a Surah. It is said that a believer passes
away between two actions: one that he just finished doing and the one that he was about to
do.

Be mindful of Allah. When a believer is conscious of Allah, he will find something to please
Him and be busy with. When you are in a difficulty turn to Allah and ask Him for help. What
do we do? We begin complaining to His creation instead of talking to Him. The Prophet is
being, “And to your Lord, direct [your] longing.”

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