Ash-Shu‘ara’[1] (Arabic:الشعراء,’ash-shu‘arā’;meaning: The Poets) is the26th chapter (sūrah) of theQurʾan with 227 verses (āyāt). Many of these verses are very short. The chapter is named from the wordAsh-Shu'ara in ayat 224.[2] It is also the longestMeccan surah according to the number of verses.
The chapter talks about variousprophets and their tribes, and how thedisbelievers were destroyed after threatening the prophets with death. It also talks about the mercy of God (Allah). This surah starts with the story ofMoses, followed by that ofAbraham.
Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation (asbāb al-nuzūl), it is an earlier "Meccan surah", which means it is believed to have been revealed inMecca. The topic and the style appear, and the traditions affirm, that it was uncovered during the centerMakkan period. As indicated byIbn Abbas, SurahTa-Ha was uncovered first, at that point SurahAl-Waqiah, and afterward SurahAsh-Shu'ara.[3]
The foundation of the chapter 26 is that thedisbelievers of Makkah were in constant refusal to acknowledge the message of Islam given by Muhammad, stating that he did not provide evidence to support his claim to prophethood. They would mark him as a poet or a magician, mock his message and disparage his Mission. This situation was making incredible anguish and despondency for Muhammad.
The Chapter starts with uplifting statements to Muhammad, inferring,
For what reason do you fuss for their sake? If these individuals have not had believed in you, it is because they are stubborn, not the lack of signs for them. They will not yield to common sense they need to see a Sign which makes them bow their heads in inquietude. When this Sign appears at the appropriate time of time, they will themselves understand that what was being introduced to them was the Truth.[5]
After this discourse, up to verse 191, very much the same topic has been introduced persistently, and it is stated:
The entire earth possesses large amounts of such Signs as can bring a truth-searcher to The Reality, yet the obstinate and misguided individuals have never accepted significantly in the wake of seeing the Signs, regardless of whether these were the Indications of the natural phenomena or the miracles of the Prophets. These pathetic individuals have determinedly clung to their wrong statements of faith till the Divine scourge really overwhelmed them."[6]
NarratedIbn Abbas: When the Verse:-- 'And warn your tribe of near kindred' (Q26.214).[12] was revealed, the Prophet (ﷺ) started calling every tribe by its name,[13][14]"OBani Fihr!, OBanu Adi!, O people ofQuraysh!"[15]
NarratedIbn `Abbas: When the Verse:--'And warn your tribe of near-kindred (Q26.214),[7] was revealed, the Prophet (ﷺ) ascended theSafa (mountain) and started calling, "OBani Fihr!, OBanu Adi!, O sons ofAbd Manaf ibn Qusai![16] " addressing various tribes ofQuraysh till they were assembled. Those who could not come themselves, sent their messengers to see what was there.Abū Lahab and other people from Quraish came and the Prophet (ﷺ) then said, "Suppose I told you that there is an (enemy) cavalry in the valley intending to attack you, would you believe me?" They said, "Yes, for we have not found you telling anything other than the truth." He then said, "I am a warner to you in face of a terrific punishment." Abu Lahab said (to the Prophet) "May your hands perish all this day. Is it for this purpose you have gathered us?" Then it (surahAl-Masad) was revealed: "Perish the hands of Abu Lahab (one of the Prophet's uncles), and perish he! His wealth and his children will not profit him...."[17] (Q111.1–5)[18][19]
^Wherry, Elwood Morris (1896).A Complete Index toSale's Text, Preliminary Discourse, and Notes. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, and Co. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
^Sahih Muslim The Book of Faith (89)Chapter: Regarding the saying of Allah, the most High: "And warn your tribe of near kindred." 205In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 411USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 401 (deprecated numbering scheme)
^Sunan an-Nasa'i 3648In-book reference : Book 30, Hadith 38English translation : Vol. 4, Book 30, Hadith 3678
^Sahih Muslim 204 aIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 409USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 399 (deprecated numbering scheme)
^Sahih al-Bukhari » Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh)) – كتاب التفسير USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 294Arabic reference : Book 65, Hadith 4771
^Sahih al-Bukhari Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (pbuh) and his Companions(13)Chapter: Whoever related kinship to his forefathers 3526In-book reference : Book 61, Hadith 36USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 4, Book 56, Hadith 727 (deprecated numbering scheme)
^Sahih al-Bukhari Book of Wills and Testaments (Wasaayaa) كتاب الوصايا55 Wills and Testaments (Wasaayaa) 2752In-book reference : Book 55, Hadith 15USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 4, Book 51, Hadith 15 (deprecated numbering scheme)
^Sahih al-Bukhari 3525In-book reference : Book 61, Hadith 35USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 4, Book 56, Hadith 727 (deprecated numbering scheme)
^Sahih Muslim 207 aIn-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 414USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 1, Hadith 404 (deprecated numbering scheme)
^Sahih al-Bukhari » Prophetic Commentary on the Qur'an (Tafseer of the Prophet (pbuh)) – كتاب التفسير USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 6, Book 60, Hadith 293Arabic reference : Book 65, Hadith 4770
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
