The Ocean of the Quran

A verse by verse explanation of The Ultimate Scripture

Merits of Sūrat-al-Nabaʾ

This surah is among a few surahs of the Quran that have been especially recommended to be recited on a daily basis. Here are some narrations in this regard:

  1. The Messenger of God said: ‘Whoever recites surah ʿamma yatasāʾalūn, God will provide him with a cool drink on the Day of Resurrection.’‎[1]

Note: There is a clear connection between this reward and verses 24-25 of this surah. Perhaps what the hadith means is that reading and reflecting about a state where there is neither any coolness nor drink, except boiling water and pus (verses 24-25) has a great potential to awaken the individual, make him reassess his beliefs, and motivate him to act in a way that will save him from these punishments.

  1. Imam al-Ṣādiq (a) said: ‘Whoever persists on reciting ʿamma yatasāʾalūna every day, will visit the house of God before the end of the year, if God wills.’‎[2]

Note: This narration suggests that there is some connection between this chapter and visiting the house of God. This can be verified by contemplating the rituals of hajj, which resemble the resurrection. Pilgrimage involves bidding farewell to one’s family, friends, business, possessions, and habits, much like death. It involves wearing the iḥrām, which resembles the shroud. The massive movement of the population in Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina resemble The day the trumpet will be blown, and you will come in groups (verse 18). There are more specific connections that can be made between some of the verses of this chapter in particular and the stages of hajj. This is left to the readers’ contemplation as they read through the chapter.

  1. The Messenger of God used to recite chapters 78, 88, 75, and other similar chapters in his morning prayer.‎[3]

Note: Apparently what is meant by other similar chapters are other chapters with the theme of resurrection, and/or similar chapters in terms of length.

  1. The Prophet said: ‘Learn chapters 78, 50, 85, and 86, for indeed if you were to know what these surahs consist of, you would have left aside whatever you are doing and would have turned to learning them and seeking proximity to God by them. Indeed God forgives every sin by them except for associating others with Him.’‎[4]
  2. Once, Abū Bakr told the Prophet: ‘O Messenger of God, how fast you have aged!’ He replied: ‘Chapters 11, 56, 77, and 78 [and 81] have made me old.’‎[5]

Notes: 1. This is apparently due to a common theme between all these surahs, which would be a depiction of the scene of the hereafter and the dreadful punishments of hell. This is confirmed by the inclusion of other surahs in the list in some other versions of this narration, such as chapters 69, 70, 88, and 101.‎[6] 2. In one narration, he said: ‘Chapter Hūd [11] and its sisters made me old, for the mention of the Day of Resurrection and the story of the previous nations.’‎[7] 3. Overall, chapter 11 has a clear centrality in these narrations. What makes it stand out among the other listed chapters is its extensive discussion of the rebellious nations of the past and their extermination. Therefore, their reports were also burdensome on the Prophet and created much grief on him, because there is no change in God’s custom and treatment of different nations. 4. These narrations show that the Prophet must have been very concerned for his nation, both with regard to punishment in this world and the hereafter, such that his hairs grew white at a relatively early age. There has certainly come to you an apostle from among yourselves. Grievous to him is your distress; he has deep concern for you, and is most kind and merciful to the faithful (9:128). 5. Likewise, we should take the threats in these chapters seriously and grieve over our heedlessness.

Mourn for yourselves, you dormant crowd!

Your sleep is death, so cry out aloud.‎[8]

These narrations show us an easy sign to assess our level of contemplation and understanding of these chapters of the Quran. They imply that contemplating the threats and warnings in these chapters would make one age.

[1] Thalabi, 10/113; Tabrisi, 10/637.
[2] Thawab, p. 121.
[3] Tahdhib, 2/95.
[4] Thalabi, 10/259.
[5] Tirmidhi, 5/76, h. 3351; Amali.S, p. 233, h. 4; Khisal, 1/199, h. 10; Mustadrak.S, 2/343; Kanz, 1/573, h. 2588 and 2/312-313, h. 4091.
[6] Suyūṭī, Jāmiʿ al-Ṣaghīr, 2/81-82; Kanz, 1/573, h. 2590 and 2/313, h. 4092.
[7] Suyūṭī, Jāmiʿ al-Ṣaghīr, 2/82, h. 4917-4918; Kanz, 1/573-574, h. 2591-2592.
[8] Rūmī, Mathnawī, vol. 6, line 801.