Juz 16
Discourse 3: Story of the just ruler Dhul Qarnayn
- the rulership of Dhul-Qarnayn , a righteous person; some say it was Cyrus the Persian king, some say it was Alexander the Great, and his encounter with the people Yajuj and Majuj /God and Magog. (83-101)
Discourse 4: Evaluation of deeds and beliefs
- contra-distinction between the result of the efforts of the righteous Believers who follow the inexhaustible guidance as well as the Prophet who conveyed it, and those disbelieving ones whose deeds result in futility (102-110)
(conclusion of Surah al-Kahf)
Maryam
Chapter titled after Mary, mother of Jesus who holds a special position in Islam as one the 4 female leaders of Paradise; further referred to in the Qur'an ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶ and Mary the daughter of 'Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout servants of God (66:12).
This surah draws attention to Mary's impeccable character and pure personality. It was certainly an early Makkan revelation as the head of the Muslim delegation (Ja'far bin Abi Talib) fleeing persecution in Makkah with 16 comrades sought refuge under the Christian king Negus in Abyssinia , recitedd verse 16-40 to Negus. This event occurred within the first 5 years of the Prophet's mission.
- Reference to the prayer of Zachariah for a waliy /successor = Yahya (1-15)
- Allah testifies to Mary's pious life, her pregnancy, the charges against her, Jesus defends his mother and clarifies his own status as non-divine (16-40)
- Ibrahim invites his father to tawhid , opposed by people and had to migrate. Allah blessed Ibrahim with Isaac~ Yaqub (Ibrahim 2 sons prophets Isaac and Isma'il, Grandson Yaqub, Great Grandson Yusuf) (41-50)
- Reference to mission of Prophets , their exemplary characters and inherent honesty ( wa ja'alnaahum lisaana sidqin ?¢‚ǨÀúaliyyaa ) Ibrahim( Siddiqan nabiyya ); Musa ( mukhlasaw wa kaana rasulann nabiyya ); Harun; Ismail, ( sadiqal wa'd wa kaana Rasulan nabiyya ); Idris/Enoch ( Siddiqan nabiyya ) (50-63)
- Reference to revelation and its value, and the denial of it by those deny resurrection, ignore accountability of Day of Judgement, are arrogant, vehemently attached to materialism. Such are warned of the consequence of their choice and deeds (66-96)
- Quran servres as an abiding instrument for conveying message and inviting to Allah
Surah is dominated by the accounts of Allah's compassion and grace,
Opening with the account of Allah's mercy and the word ?¢‚Ǩ?ì Rahmaan ?¢‚Ǩ¬ù appears 16 times in this chapter.
(Surah Maryam concluded)
TAHA
This is an early Makkan revelation that covers ?¢‚Ǩ¬¶
- Qur'an as Revelation and Reminder that is meant to simplify matters. (1-8)
- Account of the hadeeth /story of Moses, his mission, his prayer, his brother Aaaron/Harun as his helper, his miraculous powers, his experience at Mount Tur , his message; and his struggle with both the powerful authority of Pharaoh as well as his problem with his dogmatic, hair-splitting followers are detailed (9-114)
- Account of Adam, his mistake caused by the deception by the forces of evil. Safe-guard yourself by following the guidance conveyed by prophets (115-129)
- The Prophets and their followers continue worshipping Allah despite the obstacles posted by detractors and urged not to be disheartened (130-135)