Topic: Passages from Holy Quran

Broad Theme: Allah in Himself : Set I

1: Surah al Baqarah 2.225 (Ayat ul Kursi)

A: Theme:
Theme of this long verse is Allah himself. It’s a verse of surah al-Baqarah, a Madni surah. It begins
with the expression of the shahadah (declaration of oneness of Allah) and then elaborates various
aspects of unity of Allah that make him matchless Allah is fee from all weaknesses and limitations,
has perfect knowledge of all times, is not dependent on anyone for his survival and enjoys autonomy
in exercising His authority.
His authority and his rule encompass the entire universe. This makes Allah not only unique but also
elevates him to the heights, we just can’t imagine and that is mentioned in the Quran as: “then he
established himself on the throne” (10:3, 13:2)
B: Importance of the Theme:
This passage tells Muslims to believe in Tawhid in terms of Allah’s uniqueness, majesty and glory.
The theme is important for Muslims as it crystallizes the belief of Tawhid and trains them to condemn
shirk. There is repetitive mention of Allah’s authority, unlimited knowledge and powers in order to
strengthen the faith of its readers.
For example, it says “He is exalted in power, Wise. He created the heavens without any
pillars”31:9-10, Luqman) and “but God is the one free of all wants “(35:15,Fatir). The objective
is to remind Muslims that Allah alone is to be worshipped and no authority can be compared with him.
Many Muslims recite this verse regularly to reiterate Allah ‘s power and high position as compared to
any worldly authority.

2: Surah: 6. 101—103 (Al-An’aam)

A: Theme:
Theme of this passage is Allah in Himself. It elaborates some of the fundamental aspects of unity of
God (Tawhid). It describes Allah as the originator of universe and rejects any kind of misconception
of Allah having any family. It also refers to His unbounded knowledge, power and grasp on His
created world.
The passage further stresses on the sublime nature of Allah and inability of human imagination to
encompass Allah’s person, though He himself can see to the unfathomable depths, as endorsed
elsewhere in the Quran: “for Allah is He Who understands the finest mysteries” (22:63).

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B: Importance of the theme
This passage is important for Muslims to clearly understand the doctrine of Tawhid in terms of Allah’s
nature and powers. Muslims need to learn that though Allah is too sublime to be perceived, He is
everywhere and all powerful. The Quran reminds Muslims this repeatedly: “and He is with you
where ever you are” (57:04, Al-hadid), and “for We are nearer to him (man) than his jugular
vein” (50:16, Qaf).
The passage also categorically negates the false belief of Allah having any wife or children and thus, it
strikes at the roots of shirk (associating partners with God). Muslims, in this way, develop a clearer
concept of tawhid and feel themselves bound to adore Allah only. They remember that shirk is the
only unpardonable sin in the sight of Allah.

3: Surah 41.37 (Surah Fussilat)

A: Theme:
This verse is from sura fussilat\Ha-Mim, an early Makkan surah, it describes the theme of God in
Himself. It mentions some of the signs and phenomena of nature that reflect Allah’s unity and
majesty. It refers to the cycles of day and night as evidence of divinity. The Quran supports it
elsewhere as:
“behold! In the creation of the heavens and earth; in the alternation of the night and the
day….are signs for the people who are wise’’ (2:164). The passage commands us to worship the
Creator of the sun and moon and not the creations themselves because the Creator is always superior
to the creations
B: Importance of the theme:
Theme of this passage urges Muslims to observe various objects of nature that reflect Allah’s
presence, majesty and glory. Since humans can not afford to see Allah physically, they are asked to
identify the real creator through his creations that bear witness to is existence.
Such observation encourages Muslims to develop a strong belief in Tawhid in all its aspects. The
Quran, for this reason, frequently refers to the need of pondering and observing So, Muslims should
express their gratitude to Allah for enabling them to see and think deeply. Muslims will thus avoid
Shirk that the earlier communities fell victim to, and worship one Supreme Allah.

4: Surah Al-Shura (42.4-5)

A: Theme:
The two verses are from sura al-Shura, revealed in Makka shortly after sura fussilat and its theme is
Allah’s unity expressed by His grandeur and authority. He enjoys unshared authority over entire
universe. The Quran says: “his are all things in the heaven and on the earth” (2:255). It also
mentions the effect of Allah’s might on the heavens that hardly sustain this immense burden.

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The passage also refers to the countless angels who are busy in the prayers and glorification of the
Lord and also invoke His mercy and pardon for humans who tend to disobey their lord. The Quran
declares this weakness of humans as: “It is man that wrongs his own soul” (10:44).

(b) Importance of the theme

Theme of this message guides Muslims about two articles of faith: belief in Tawhid and angels. The
passage tells Muslims about Allah’s power, authority and glory in order to make them His obedient
servants. By referring to the angels praising Allah and seeking forgiveness for humans, it tells them
about Allah’s Mercy.
Humans, because of free will, can commit sins but Allah is ready to forgive them. Belief in Allah’s
Mercy and forgiveness prepares Muslims to repent over their misdeeds. The Quran re-assures
Muslims by saying: “Despair not of the mercy of Allah; for Allah forgives all sins, for he is oft-
forgiving, Most merciful’’ (39:53 al-zulmar). Surah 97(al-Qadr) also tells about: “the angels and
the spirit” descending in the night of Power to distribute Allah’s Mercy”.

5: Surah Al- Ikhlas (112)

A: Theme:
Theme of this early Makkan is Allah in himself in terms of His unique person. It outlines the most
fundamental and cardinal aspects of Tawhid (oneness of Allah). It out rightly declares God’s unity and
emphatically negates the false belief of Allah having ancestors and descendants.

It further highlights Allah’s unity by saying that Allah’s nature or person can never be compared to
anyone throughout the universe. It also mentions Allah’s freedom from time and space by saying that
he has always been and will always be there. This way, the passage crystallizes the belief of Tawhid.

B: Importance of the Theme:

Theme of this passage purifies Muslim’s belief in Tawhid and that is why the passage is named al-
Ikhlas (the purity of faith). Muslims learn from this passage that Allah is unique in all aspects. This
uniqueness and supremacy of Allah highlights human inability and limitation before his Lord. Thus, it
eliminates all forms and degrees of shirk or associating partners with Allah.

Muslims recite this surah in daily prayers in order to reiterate rejection of shirk. It is so important that
the Holy Prophet S declared it equivalent to one third of the Quran. Its theme is so important that the
Quran repeatedly mentions this: “and your Allah’ is one Allah’” (2:163, al-Baqarah) and “Allah’s!
there is no god but He” (2:255). Belief in Tawhid, in turn affects the conduct of Muslims as they
develop a strong sense of Allah’s presence and knowledge.

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Broad Theme: Allah’s relation with the created World: Set II
6: Surah 1 AL-FATEHA (1-7)
A: Theme:
This is the opening chapter of the Quran and its theme is Allah’s relation with His created world. It is
believed to be the first complete sura revealed in Makkah. It declares that Allah alone is the sustainer
of all the known and the unknown worlds, ultimate source of Mercy, Justice and guidance for
mankind.
Only He can guide man to the way of life acceptable to him though he doesn’t compel anyone to
follow that way. Instead, in the words of the Quran, it is man’s duty to beg before Him for guidance:
“and your Lord says: call on Me, I shall answer your supplication” (40:60). He also tells man the
consequences of following this code of conduct or going astray. Therefore, man needs to praise and
worship him and resort to him alone.

B: Importance of the Theme

This passages sums up the message of the Quran. Muslims are told to worship Allah by following the
right path contained in the Quran and Sunnah and invoke Allah’s Mercy, because according to the
Quran: “he has inscribed for himself the rule of mercy” (6:12, 54, al-an’am). They should be pious
because Allah is not only Merciful, He is also Just as He will dispense absolute justice on the Day of
Judgment.

They should remember that they will surely get reward in the hereafter as is promised in the Quran:
“and only on the Day of Judgment shall you be paid your full recompense” (3,185, al-Imran).
Obedience to Allah enables Muslims to earn His blessing and avoid His Anger.

7: Surah Al-Baqarah (2.21-22)

A: Theme:
Theme of this passage is Allah and his created world. The two verses of surah al-Baqarah a Madni
surah outline Allah’s power to create and make arrangements for the sustenance and growth of
mankind through all ages. The passage commands humans to identify their real Lord by serving and
worshipping Him.
It further commands them to reject any form or degree of associating partners with Allah as He alone
is the Supreme Creator, Cherisher and care-taker of all as enunciated repeatedly in the Quran: “…
there is no god but I; therefore worship and serve Me” (21;25) and also, “and your God is one
God” (2:163).
B: Importance of the Theme:
The passage conveys the message of inculcating taqwa (piety/fear of God) and a sense of gratitude to
God for his countless bounties. Muslims should closely observe God’s favour and blessing as is
frequently mentioned in surah 55: “then which of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?, “ the
best way of remembering Allah’s favour is to obey and worship him by rejecting Shirk.
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Taqwa is the focal point of a Muslim’s life and the Quran very clearly instructs in this regard: “O, you
who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared and die not except in a state of Islam” (3:102, al-
Imran). So, Muslims should sincerely worship Allah and refrain from sins.

8: Surah Al-Alaq (96:1-5)

A: Theme:
Theme of the passage is Allah’s and his created world. It mentions Allah’s power to create and ensure
the survival and growth of mankind. He created man from a low origin and then matured him
physically, intellectually and spiritually by enabling him to read and write.
Human ability to acquire knowledge means to learn, both worldly and divine sciences so that man is
able to find means of physical survival as well as take care of his intellectual and spiritual
development. Allah has revealed divine books for spiritual guidance of mankind. Thus, man is totally
dependent on his creator Lord in all spheres of life and activity.

(b) Importance of the theme:

According to the theme of the passage, Muslims are required to acknowledge Allah’s goodness and
greatness as He created man from a low origin and then enabled him to acquire worldly and religious
knowledge. Human ability to learn has made him superior to all other creatures and the Quran
endorses this fact: “We have indeed created man in the best of moulds” (96:4al-Tin).

Muslims are taught to identify their Lord through the perspective of religious knowledge and adore
him alone because of his bounty of divine guidance mentioned in the Quran: “It is He who has taught
the Quran” (55:2, al-Rahman).

9. Surah Al-Zilzal (99)

A: Theme:
Theme of the passage is Allah’s relation with the created world. It elaborates the events and the final
outcome of the day of reckoning or end of time. That day will be marked by the most intense
convulsions that will reverse all the normal physical phenomena.

Mankind will be shocked to see earth emitting all its hidden contents, as mentioned elsewhere in the
Quran: “and when the earth is flattened and casts forth what is within it and becomes empty”
(84:3-4). Finally all mankind will appear in the divine court of justice for the rewards of their worldly
deeds.

(b) Importance of the Theme

This passage asks Muslims to have strong faith in Allah’s power to end time and make all stand
accountable before Him for the ultimate justice. With such a belief , Muslims will learn about the

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worthlessness of this world and realize the value of true worlds by saying: “Nay you prefer the life of
this world, but the hereafter is better and more enduring” (87:16, al-A’la).

Genuine and sincere faith in the hereafter shapes the conduct of Muslims. this belief reminds them of
Allah’s Mercy, Justice and powers the Quran repeatedly talks of this theme by using several
expressions that include: “when the sun is folded up” (surah: 81) “when the sky is clef a sunder”
(surah 82) and “when the earth is flattened out” (surah 84 ). The objective of this repetition is to
remind Muslims of the Hereafter.

10: Surah Al-Nas (114)

A: Theme
This is the last surah of the Quran and its theme is Allah’s relation with His created world. It mentions
Allah’s three-fold relation with man and, therefore asks man to seek Allah’s shelter against all evils
that are crafted by Satan and his host of assistants who may be humans or Jinns. They inject devil in
man’s heart and the Quran warns us about this: “for Satan is an avowed enemy to man” (12:5).
Man should however, also remember the Quranic instruction: “and on Allah let the believers put
their trust” (99:51)

(b) Importance of the Theme:

This passage together with sura 113, teaches Muslims to seek Allah’s refuge against all evils as Satan
is always there to misguide them. Muslims should, however strengthen their relation with Allah to
ward of all evil forces. The best way to do this is remember Allah as enunciated n the Quran:” and
establish regular prayer in order to remember me” (20:14, Taha).

Recitation of the Quran also shuns evil by bringing the reader closer to Allah: “when you recite the
Quran, seek Allah’s protection against the evil ones” (16:98, al-Nahl). Muslims should also be
ready to identify evil forces led by Satan and his assistants who accomplish their ugly task in various
ways the Holy Prophet S used to recite surah 113 and 114 to guard against evil, after his Makkan
enemies had cast magic spell on him.

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