JUZ TWENTY-FOUR
This juz begins at verse thirty-two of Surah al-Zumar, contains all of Surah Ghafir, and ends at verse forty-six of Surah Fussilat. A common theme that runs throughout these three surahs are the conversations of angels with or about the believers.
Surah al-Zumar ends with the angels greeting the believers at the gates of Paradise, Surah al-Ghafir mentions the angels under the Throne making duʿa for the believers, and Surah Fussilat shows us the glad tidings of the angels to the righteous at the time of death.
Surah al-Zumar ends a descriptive passage about the groups of people entering Hell and Paradise, and how the guardians of both places will greet these two different groups.
Those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups. Until, when they have reached it, and its gates are opened, its keepers will say to them, “Did not messengers from among you come to you, reciting to you the revelations of your Lord, and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?” They will say, “Yes, but the verdict of punishment is justified against the disbelievers.” It will be said, “Enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein eternally.” How wretched is the destination of the arrogant?
And those who feared their Lord will be led to Paradise in groups. Until, when they have reached it, and its gates are opened, its keepers will say to them, “Peace be upon you, you have been good, so enter it, to abide therein eternally.” And they will say, “Praise be to God, who has fulfilled His promise to us, and made us inherit the land, enjoying Paradise as we please.” How excellent is the reward of the workers? And you will see the angels hovering around the Throne, glorifying their Lord with praise. And it will be judged between them equitably, and it will be said, “Praise be to God, Lord of the Worlds.”
Another theme flowing through this juz is repentance. Surah al-Zumar contains the verse of hope, and the next surah is named al-Ghafir. Al-Ghafir is one of Allah’s Beautiful Names. It means the Most Forgiving. Many of Allah’s names and attributes related to punishment and forgiveness are mentioned in this surah creating that balance between hope and fear.
So be patient. The promise of God is true. And ask forgiveness for your sin and proclaim the praise of your Lord evening and morning.
At the beginning of this surah, we have a powerful passage about the angels around the Throne of Allah and the duʿa they make for the believers.
Those who carry the Throne, and those around it, glorify their Lord with praise, and believe in Him, and ask for forgiveness for those who believe: “Our Lord, you have encompassed everything in mercy and knowledge; so, forgive those who repent and follow Your path, and protect them from the agony of the Blaze. And admit them, Our Lord, into the Gardens of Eternity, which You have promised them, and the righteous among their parents, and their spouses, and their offspring. You are indeed the Almighty, the Wisest. And shield them from evil deeds. Whoever You shield from the evil deeds, on that Day, You have had mercy on him. That is the supreme achievement.”
Surah Fussilat describes the angels that meet the believer at the time of death and the glad tidings they bring with them.
Surely, those who say: “Our Lord is God,” and then go straight, the angels will descend upon them: “Do not fear, and do not grieve, but rejoice in the news of the Garden which you were promised. We are your allies in this life and the Hereafter, wherein you will have whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you call for. As Hospitality from an All-Forgiving, Merciful One.”
Themes of redemption, forgiveness, the unseen, and punishment all flow together throughout this juz. Central to all of this is the story of Musa in Surah Ghafir. There is a unique focus in this surah on a member of Pharaoh’s family who believed in Musa and followed him, showing how Allah’s guidance and forgiveness reach the hearts of the sincere, no matter what family they come from.
A believing man from Pharaoh’s family, who had concealed his faith, said, “Are you going to kill a man for saying, ‘My Lord is God,’ and he has brought you clear proofs from your Lord? If he is a liar, his lying will rebound upon him; but if he is truthful, then some of what he promises you will befall you. God does not guide the extravagant imposter. O my people! Yours is the dominion today, supreme in the land; but who will help us against God’s might, should it fall upon us?” Pharaoh said, “I do not show you except what I see, and I do not guide you except to the path of prudence.”
By Dr. Omar Suleiman & Sh. Ismail Kamdar
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