The Fifth Period – Analysis of Thirty-one Sūrahs

The Fifth Period: Analysis of Thirty-one Sūrahs

The fifth period of the Qur’ānic revelation spans from the tenth year of Prophet Muḥammad’s ministry to the Hijrah (migration) from Makkah to Madīnah. The Sūrahs revealed during this period encompass rich theological narrations, commandments for pilgrimage, vivid eschatological imagery, and refutations against the Quraish opposition. Notably, some Sūrahs bear interpolations of Madīnah passages, reflecting later contextual necessities.

Key Themes and Content

• Narratives From the Gospel: A notable feature of this period is the inclusion of narratives and references to Biblical stories, bridging Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions.
• Rites of Pilgrimage: Detailed instructions on the theological and ritualistic aspects of the pilgrimage (Ḥajj) are emphasized.
• Refuting the Quraish: The Prophet’s adversaries from the tribe of Quraish are condemned for their disbelief and opposition.
• Resurrection and Judgment: Detailed and vivid descriptions of the Day of Judgment, including Heaven and Hell, serve as moral and eschatological warnings.
• Unity and Power of God: The theme of Tawḥīd (monotheism) and proofs of God’s power and providence prevail throughout.

Notable Chapters (Sūrahs)

Sūrah al-Aḥqāf (Chapter 46)

• Etymology: Arabic: الأحْقاف (al-aḥqāf) means “The Wind-curved Sandhills.”
• Key Themes: God’s oneness, refutation of claims against the prophet, narratives warning the disbelievers using historical examples, especially the people of ʿĀd.
• Important Verses:
  • 46:29-32 mentions a group of jinn listening to the Qur’an and inviting their people to it.
  • 46:40 grants permission to believers to bear arms against the Quraish.

Sūrah al-Jinn (Chapter 72)

• Etymology: Arabic: الجنّ (al-jinn) directly translates to “The Jinn.”
• Key Themes: Jinn listening to the Qur’anic revelation, their belief, and the themes of following divine guidance.
• Important Verses:
  • 72:1-2 where the Jinn speak about hearing the Qur’an and describe it as wondrous.

Sūrah Yā Sīn (Chapter 36)

• Etymology: Arabic: يس (Yā Sīn), the significance of the letters is known to God alone.
• Key Themes: Affirmation of Muḥammad’s prophethood, the Qur’an as divine revelation, resurrection, and scenes from the Judgment Day.
• Important Verses:
  • 36:1-12 affirm the Qur’an’s purpose of warning heedless people.

Sūrah Maryam (Chapter 19)

• Etymology: Arabic: مريم (Maryam) is the Arabic name for Mary, mother of Jesus.
• Key Themes: Miraculous story of Mary and Jesus, narratives involving Prophet Zakariyya and his son John, and core prophecies regarding the coming Day of Judgment.
• Important Verses:
  • 19:16-40 narrates the birth of Jesus and his declaration of himself as a servant of God.

Sūrah al-Kahf (Chapter 18)

• Etymology: Arabic: الكهف (al-kahf) means “The Cave.”
• Key Themes: The story of the Sleepers of the Cave, the parable of the rich and the poor man, narrative about Moses and al-Khiḍr, and the story of Dhū al-Qarnayn.
• Important Verses:
  • 18:9-26 the narrative of the Sleepers of the Cave.

Sūrah al-Furqān (Chapter 25)

• Etymology: Arabic: الفرقان (al-furqān) means “The Criterion.”
• Key Themes: The Qur’ān as a criterion to discern right from wrong, warnings to the disbelievers, vivid descriptions of the last Day.
• Important Verses:
  • 25:52 biding Prophet Muḥammad to engage in a great striving through the Qur’ān against unbelief.

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Etymology

The names of each Sūrah have rich linguistic backgrounds often reflecting the essence of the chapter. Here’s a brief etymological guide:

• Arabic: The scriptural language, often giving direct meaning or related symbolism to the Sūrah’s content.
• Turkish Translations: Many Islamic terms are adopted similarly in Turkish, keeping faithful to their Arabic derivations.

Books for Further Studies

• “The Majestic Qur’ān: An English Rendition of its Meanings” by Abdalhaqq and Aisha Bewley
• “The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary” by Seyyed Hossein Nasr
• “Tafsir al-Jalalayn” translated by Feras Hamza
• “The Qur’an: A New Translation” by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem
• “In the Shade of the Qur’an” by Sayyid Qutb

Takeaways and Conclusion

The fifth period of Qur’anic revelation marks a significant phase of deep theological and eschatological teachings. The narratives and commandments laid out during this phase continue to serve as foundational elements for Islamic faith and jurisprudence. Exploring these Sūrahs provides critical insights into the complexities and divine wisdom encapsulated within the Qur’an.

Understanding the historical context, divine assertions, societal reflexes, and moral exhortations during this period aids believers and scholars alike in appreciating the depth and transformative power of the Qur’anic message.

This entry provides an analytical, comprehensive overview of the fifth period of Qur’anic revelations, ensuring its utility for academic and personal study purposes.