Surah Ad-Dukhan

44

It is Meccan, as narrated from Ibn Abbas and Ibn al-Zubayr, may Allah be pleased with them both. Some have excepted the verse: "Indeed, We will remove the punishment for a little while; indeed, you will return [to disbelief]." Its verses are, as Al-Dani said, fifty-nine in the Kufan count, fifty-seven in the Basran, and fifty-six according to the others. The variation in counting, according to what has been gathered, pertains to four verses: (Ha-Mim), (Indeed, these people say), (The tree of Zaqqum)—which is Iraqi and Levantine—and (The bellies)—which is Iraqi, Meccan, and the latter Medinan.

The aspect of its connection to the preceding Surah is that the Exalted ended the previous one with warnings and threats, and He inaugurated this one with a form of stern admonition. Here, He, glory be to Him, mentions the statement of the Messenger, may Allah bless him and grant him peace: "O Lord, these are a people who do not believe." There is a parallel to this in what He recounted of His brother Moses, peace be upon them both, in the words of the Exalted: "Then he called upon his Lord, 'Indeed, these are a criminal people.'"

Furthermore, He mentioned in the preceding [Surah]: "So turn away from them and say, 'Peace,'" and He recounted from Moses, peace be upon him: "Indeed, I have sought refuge in my Lord and your Lord, lest you stone me. But if you do not believe me, then leave me alone." This is close to the former, among other examples.

It is one of the parallels that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to recite in prayer, as Al-Tabarani narrated from Ibn Mas'ud: Adh-Dhariyat, At-Tur, An-Najm, Iqtarabat (Al-Qamar), Ar-Rahman, Al-Waqi'ah, Nun (Al-Qalam), Al-Haqqah, Al-Muzzammil, La Uqsimu (Al-Qiyamah), Hal Ata (Al-Insan), Al-Mursalat, Am Yatasalun (An-Naba'), An-Nazi'at, Abasa, Waylun lil-Mutaffifin, Idha ash-Shamsu Kuwwirat, and Ad-Dukhan. Reports have been transmitted regarding its merit.

Al-Tirmidhi, Muhammad ibn Nasr, Ibn Mardawayh, and Al-Bayhaqi narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Whoever recites Ha-Mim Ad-Dukhan in a night, he wakes up in the morning with seventy thousand angels seeking forgiveness for him."

The aforementioned [scholars] also narrated from him in a marfu' (elevated) manner: "Whoever recites Ha-Mim Ad-Dukhan on a Friday night, he wakes up forgiven." In a narration by Al-Bayhaqi and Ibn al-Durays from him, also marfu': "Whoever recites Ha-Mim Ad-Dukhan and Ya-Sin on a Friday night, he wakes up forgiven."

Ibn al-Durays narrated from Al-Hasan that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Whoever recites Surah Ad-Dukhan in a night, his past sins will be forgiven." Ibn Mardawayh narrated from Abu Umamah that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said: "Whoever recites Ha-Mim Ad-Dukhan on a Friday night or Friday day, Allah will build for him a house in Paradise."

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

1. And the Manifest Book.

2. The discourse concerning this is the same as that which preceded in the previous surah.