Surah Fussilat

It is named al-Sajdah, Surah Ha-Mim al-Sajdah, Surah al-Masabih, and Surah al-Aqwat. It is Meccan, without dispute, and I have not encountered any exception regarding this. The number of its verses, as al-Dani stated, is fifty-two according to the Basran and Syrian counts, fifty-three according to the Meccan and Medinan counts, and fifty-four according to the Kufan count.

Its connection to the preceding Surah is that He, Glory be to Him, mentioned before it: "Have they not traveled through the earth..." (Surah Ghafir), which contained a threat and a rebuke to the Quraysh. Here, the Exalted mentioned another type of threat and rebuke for them, specifically addressing them in His saying: "But if they turn away, then say, 'I have warned you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt of 'Ad and Thamud'." Then, He, Glory be to Him, explained the manner of their destruction, which provides a form of clarification for what is in His saying: "Have they not traveled through the earth..." There are other facets of connection between them beyond what has been mentioned.

Al-Bayhaqi recorded in Shu'ab al-Iman from al-Khalil ibn Murrah that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would not sleep until he recited Tabarak (Surah al-Mulk) and Ha-Mim al-Sajdah.

Fussilat: (1) Ha-Mim

(In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Ha-Mim.

If it is designated as a name for the Surah or the Quran, then it is either a predicate for an omitted subject, or a subject whose predicate is [the following verses].)