Surah al Sharh (Arabic: الشرح), also known as Surah Ash-Sharh or Surah Inshirah, is the 94th chapter of the Quran. It was revealed in Mecca during the early stages of Prophet Muhammad's ﷺ mission.
Reason for Revelation:
Surah Al-Sharh carries significant themes aimed at strengthening the resolve of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and comforting him amidst the challenges and rejection faced from the Quraysh. Recognizing this, believers understand that even the most convincing advocates of Allah ﷻ will encounter opposition and resistance, necessitating continual renewal of determination, broadening of perspective, and diversification of strategies. It serves as a source of comfort, serenity and reassurance, reminding believers that after every hardship, there is ease.
Grasping the essence of Surah Al-Sharh and discerning its objectives provides crucial guidance. Among its objectives:
- Allah ﷻ assures His servants and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ of forthcoming goodness surpassing past trials.
- Reminding Prophet Muhammad ﷺ of past blessings and promising more.
- Allah's ﷻ call to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to express gratitude and seek devotion.
Recitation:
In addition, Sheikh Muhammad Jad Al-Rab, an Islamic preacher, mentioned that Sheikh Muhammad Metwally Al-Shaarawy, the former Minister of Endowments and Imam of Preachers, emphasized the importance of Surah Al-Sharh for those facing distress, absence of offspring, or seeking fulfillment of their needs. He advised reciting Surah Al-Sharh 314 times in the last third of the night, as it contains the verse: "For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease" (Quran 94:5), assuring that hardship will be followed by ease.
Translation of Verses:
- "Have We not uplifted your heart for you ˹O Prophet˺" (Quran 94:1)
- "relieved you of the burden" (Quran 94:2)
- "which weighed so heavily on your back" (Quran 94:3)
- "and elevated your renown for you?" (Quran 94:4)
- "For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease" (Quran 94:5)
- "Surely with ˹that˺ hardship comes ˹more˺ ease." (Quran 94:6)
- "So once you have fulfilled ˹your duties˺, strive ˹in devotion˺" (Quran 94:7)
- "turning to your Lord ˹alone˺ with hope." (Quran 94:8)
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Companions:
There are accounts of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reciting Surah al Sharh during difficult times, finding solace in its verses. His companions also recited and reflected on its message during moments of distress, finding comfort in the promise of ease after hardship.
Benefits of Recitation:
- Provides solace and reassurance during times of difficulty.
- Increases faith and trust in Allah's ﷻ mercy and guidance.
- Serves as a reminder of the transient nature of hardships and the promise of relief.
- Encourages patience and perseverance in facing challenges.
Abu Hurairah narrated an incident where he asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about the first thing he witnessed regarding prophethood. The Prophet ﷺ narrated a vision he had when he was in the desert at the age of ten and a half, where he saw extraordinary things and received commands. Two figures approached him and performed the purification process symbolized by the removal of envy and hatred and the infusion of compassion and mercy. This purification process symbolized by Surah Al-Sharh. He was instructed to recite it to alleviate hardships.
Moreover, it is reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ once expressed joy and laughter, repeating the verse: "For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease" (Quran 94:5), emphasizing the message of ease following difficulty.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also stated the virtues of reciting Surah Al-Sharh, saying: "Whoever persists in reciting it after every obligatory prayer, Allah ﷻ will make his affairs easy for him, relieve his worries, and provide for him from sources he does not expect".
The benefits of the Surah include:
- One of the greatest blessings from Allah ﷻ upon His servants, after the blessing of faith, is to uplift their "hearts" [as in, spirits], as those with high morale do not grieve over the world or experience sadness about what they missed from it or become dismayed over its hardships.
- Forgiveness of sins is a great blessing from Allah ﷻ in the Hereafter, as it is in His grace and goodness.
- Sin breeds anxiety, sadness, distress, and sorrow within oneself.
- Allah ﷻ has linked His remembrance with the remembrance of His Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, even in the declaration of faith.
- Mentioning the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and honoring him is elevated even in the dealings of his enemies with him and in their discussions about him.
- Surah Al-Sharh gives glad tidings to those afflicted with calamities of relief and ease with hardship.
- A wise servant is eager to occupy all his time with the worship of Allah ﷻ, as this is the purpose of the creation of humans.
Real life matters of distress and their cure:
"So whoever Allah wants to guide - He expands his heart to [contain] Islam; and whoever He wants to misguide - He makes his chest tight and constricted as though he were climbing into the sky. Thus does Allah place defilement upon those who do not believe." - [Surah Al Anaam:125].
In this verse, Allah ﷻ is highlighting symptoms of fear and anxiety, describing how one's heart are affected by belief or disbelief. Surah Al Sharh contains the counter to these symptoms among its verses. From experience, many Muslims narrate it as a certain relief from the side effects of fear and anxiety even in an advanced state.
To further emphasize the significance of the verses and their correlation, another verse states: "Those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah. Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort." - [Surah Al Ra'ad: 28].
Translation and Pronunciation:
In the video below is a recitation that includes pronunciation and English translation. Kindly do not forget to leave a Like, and subscribe to their channel.
