Surah Al-Ahqaf

Ibn Marduyah recorded from Ibn Abbas and Ibn al-Zubayr that it was revealed in Makkah, and many have stated its Meccan status without exception. Some have excepted the words of the Exalted: "Say, 'Have you considered: if it is from Allah...'" (the verse), for Al-Tabarani recorded with a sound chain from Awf ibn Malik al-Ashja'i that it was revealed concerning the story of the conversion of Abdullah ibn Salam to Islam; this is also narrated from Muhammad ibn Sirin. In al-Durr al-Manthur, Al-Bukhari, Muslim, al-Nasa'i, Ibn Jarir, Ibn al-Mundhir, and Ibn Marduyah recorded from Sa'd ibn Waqqas that he said: "I never heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) say to anyone walking on the face of the earth that he is from the people of Paradise except Abdullah ibn Salam," and regarding him it was revealed: "And a witness from the Children of Israel has testified..." There are many reports regarding its revelation concerning him (may Allah be pleased with him), and the apparent meaning is that it is Medinan, because his conversion took place there; indeed, the reports indicate its Medinan status from another angle as well.

Ikrimah denies that it was revealed concerning him, saying: "It is Meccan," as Abd ibn Humayd and Ibn al-Mundhir recorded from him. Similarly, Masruq, as Ibn Jarir and Ibn Abi Hatim recorded from him, said regarding this verse: "By Allah, it was not revealed concerning Abdullah ibn Salam; it was only revealed in Makkah. Ibn Salam’s conversion only occurred in Madinah, and it was merely a dispute he had with Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)."

Some excepted the two verses: "And the one who said to his parents..." Marwan claimed that the one whom the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed while he was in his father's loins—that these two were revealed concerning Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Bakr (may Allah be pleased with them both). Aisha contradicted him, saying: "You have lied, Marwan, twice. By Allah, it is not him. If I wished to name the one concerning whom it was revealed, I would name him, but the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the father of Marwan while Marwan was in his loins; thus, Marwan is a piece of the curse of Allah the Exalted." In another narration, she said: "It was only revealed concerning such-and-such," and she named someone else.

Another excepted the four verses: "And We have enjoined upon man..." as narrated in Jamal al-Qurra. It also narrates the exception of the verse: "So be patient, as were those of determination..." and this is conveyed in al-Bahr from Ibn Abbas and Qatadah, as is the exception of "Say, 'Have you considered...'"—the full discussion of which will follow, if Allah the Exalted wills.

Its verses are thirty-five in the Kufan count and thirty-four in others. The disagreement pertains to "Ha-Mim." It is called "Thirty" because it exceeds thirty [verses]. Ahmad recorded with a good chain from Ibn Abbas that he said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) taught me to recite a Surah from the Al Ha-Mim group, which was Al-Ahqaf. When a Surah exceeded thirty verses, it was called 'The Thirty'." It is reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) recited it in two ways.

Ibn al-Durays and Al-Hakim (who authenticated it) recorded from Ibn Mas'ud that he said: "The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) taught me to recite Surah Al-Ahqaf. I heard a man reciting it differently, so I said, 'Who taught you to recite it?' He said, 'The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).' I said, 'By Allah, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) taught me something other than this.' We came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, did you not teach me such-and-such?' He said, 'Yes.' The other man said, 'Did you not teach me such-and-such?' He said, 'Yes.' The face of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) darkened, and he said, 'Let each of you recite as he has heard, for those before you perished only by disagreement.'"

You know that what is mutawatir (mass-transmitted) is the Quran. As for its connection, when the Exalted concluded the preceding Surah with the mention of Tawhid (Oneness) and the condemnation and threat against the people of Shirk (polytheism), He commenced this one with Tawhid, then with a rebuke for the disbelieving among His servants, saying, may He be exalted and glorified:

Al-Ahqaf: (1-2) Ha-Mim

(In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful)

Ha-Mim

1. The revelation of the Book is from Allah, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

2. The discussion regarding this is the same as that which preceded at the beginning of the previous Surah.