042- AL-SHURA
COUNSEL
Al-Shūrā
Al-Shūrā is considered to be a Makkan sūrah revealed directly after the previous sūrah, Fuṣṣilat, although some maintain that vv. 23–26 are from the Madinan period, since they are understood as a reference to the Helpers (Anṣār) of Madinah. Some add v. 27 to the list of Madinan verses when v. 27 is understood as a reference to the poorest members of the nascent Muslim community in Madinah, known as the People of the Veranda; see 2:273c). Others maintain that vv. 23–24 and vv. 39–41 are from the Madinan period or that only vv. 38–40 are Madinan. Al-Shūrā takes its name from v. 38, which describes their af air being counsel among them as a characteristic of the believers; it is also known by its first two verses, ḥā Mīm ʿAyn Sīn Qāf.
The sūrah is framed by references to the continuity of Divine revelations (v. 3 and vv. 51–52), each of which is followed by an assertion of God’s Omnipotence (v. 4 and v. 53). The continuity between the teachings of Islam and previous religions is also addressed in v. 7 and vv. 13–15. This discourse culminates in vv. 51–52, which are understood as a reference to the various modes by which God delivers revelation as well as an affirmation that the Prophet has received revelation in the same manner as did previous prophets. In relation to the discussion of revelation, this sūrah emphasizes God’s function as the Provider and Sustainer unto Whom belong the keys of the heavens and the earth (v. 12) and Who provides as He wills in accord with His Wisdom (vv. 11–12, 19–20, 26–29, 32–34, 49–50), a characteristic that applies to the bestowal of wealth, offspring, and revelation. Nonetheless, most human beings seek sustenance elsewhere, taking protectors apart from Him (vv. 6, 9), arguing about God (vv. 16–19), disputing the Hour (v. 18), and disputing His signs (v. 35). In this vein, the sūrah outlines the contrast between those who seek the harvest of this world and those who seek the harvest of the Hereafter (v. 20; cf. vv. 22, 36–39) and emphasizes that no one has any protector beyond or apart from God (vv. 8–9, 29, 44, 46).
(source: “The Study Quran” a new translation and commentary by Seyyed Hossein Nasr)
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