Surah ash-Shu'ara'

Introduction

In the commentary of Imam Malik, it is named "Surat al-Jami'ah" (The Comprehensive Surah). It has been narrated in a report by Ibn Mardawayh from Ibn Abbas and Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with them both) that it is unequivocally a Meccan surah. Al-Nahhas recorded from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) that it was revealed in Mecca, with the exception of five verses from its end, which were revealed in Medina, starting from: (And the poets—the deviators follow them) to the end of the surah. This has also been narrated from 'Ata' and Qatadah. Muqatil said: "The verse, (Has it not been a sign for them?), is also Medinan."

Al-Tabarsi said: "The number of its verses is two hundred and twenty-seven according to the Kufan, Syrian, and the first Medinan counts, and two hundred and twenty-six according to the others."

The basis for its connection to the preceding surah is its inclusion of an elaboration and detailing of some of what was mentioned previously. It also contains elements of consolation for the Prophet (may the blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). Both surahs open with what serves to praise the Noble Quran and both conclude with a warning to those who deny it, as is not hidden.

The discussion regarding its parsing and other related matters has already preceded in similar instances, and the discussion here is the same as the discussion there. However, Ibn Abi Hatim narrated from Muhammad ibn Ka'b that he said regarding this: the Ṭa is from Dhu al-Ṭawl (The Possessor of Bounty), the Sīn is from al-Quddūs (The Holy), and the Mīm is from al-Raḥmān (The Most Merciful).

Hamzah, al-Kisa'i, and Abu Bakr inclined (imālah) the vowel of the Ṭa. Nafi' read it—as narrated from him by Abu Ali al-Farsi in al-Ḥujjah—between-between (a median sound), and did not incline it completely, because the alif is transformed from a yā', and if it were inclined toward the yā', the purpose of the transformation—which is lightening—would be negated. It is narrated from some that he read it like the rest of the seven without any inclination at all, considering that the Ṭa is a letter of elevation (isti'lā') which prevents inclination.

Hamzah read it with the iẓhār (clear pronunciation) of the nūn in Sīn, because it is originally—as it is one of the disjointed letters—separate from what follows it. The others assimilated (idghām) it, viewing it as connected in the ruling of a single word, especially based on the view that it is a proper noun. Isa read it with the kasrah on the Mīm of (Ṭa-Sīn-Mīm) here and in [Surah] al-Qaṣaṣ. It has also been reported from Nafi' in this manner, and in the muṣḥaf of Abdullah [ibn Mas'ud] it is written Ṭ S M without connection, which is also the recitation of Abu Ja'far.