Theme of Surah al-Hijr
According to the arrangement of the written copy of the Quran, the Mushaf, surah al-Hijr is number fifteen. It is named so because the story of the people of al-Hijr is mentioned therein. The people of al-Hijr were the people of Prophet Saleh [peace be upon him]. They used to dwell in a rocky area between ash-Sham and al-Madinah. It is called Madain Saleh in Saudi Arabia.
Surah al-Hijr was revealed in Mecca. The main topic that the surah discusses is the evil end of the disbelievers. It tackles this topic by mentioning the rules of Allah in respect of the disbelievers throughout history, indicating to the great creation and ability of Allah, and mentioning scenes from the Day of Judgment and stories of former disbelieving people and their end, such as the people of Lot, Shuaib, and Saleh.
In the beginning, surah al-Hijr refers to the sublime rank of the Quran, and the evil end of the disbelievers. Allah says, interpretation of the meaning,
Alif, Lam, Ra. These are the ayat of the Book and a clear Quran. Many a time, those who disbelieve will wish that they were Muslims.
Let them eat and enjoy and be diverted by hope. Indeed, they will come to know their end.
Never a city have We destroyed, but it had a predetermined term.
No people can advance their predetermined term, nor can they delay it. [Surah al-Hijr: 1-5]
Then the surah refers to the fact that Allah, Exalted be He, has guaranteed that He will preserve the Quran from whatever alternation or distortion. Allah says, interpretation of the meaning,
Surely We have revealed the Reminder and We will surely preserve it. [Surah al-Hijr: 9]
After that, the surah mentions some proofs, denoting the Oneness and ability of Allah. Allah says, interpretation of the meaning,
Indeed, We have made constellations in the sky and beautified it for the observers.
And We have protected it from every accursed devil.
But he who eavesdrops, then he will be chased by a visible flame.
And the earth – We have spread it, placed firm mountains therein, and caused to grow all kinds of things therein in due proportion. [Surah al-Hijr: 16-19]
Then the surah narrates the story of creating Prophet Adam [peace be upon him], that Allah commanded the angels to prostrate themselves before him, that they all obeyed His command, that Satan refused to prostrate before Adam, and that he was expelled from Paradise. Allah says, interpretation of the meaning,
Indeed, We created man from dry clay, made of black and molded mud.
And the jinn We created before from scorching fire.
Mention – when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I will create a human being out of dry clay, made of black and molded mud.’
When I have formed him and breathed into him the soul that I own, fall in prostrating before him.
Thus, the angels prostrated themselves, all together.
save Iblis. He refused to be among those prostrated.
[Surah al-Hijr 26-31]
After that, the surah mentions some of the stories of Prophet Ibrahim, Lot, Shuaib, and Saleh.
And tell them about the guests of Ibrahim.
When they came to him, they said, ‘Peace be upon you.’ He said, ‘Indeed, we are afraid of you.’
They said, ‘Do not be afraid. Surely, we give you good news of a knowledgeable son.’
He said, ‘Do you give me good news though old age has come upon me? So what good news you are giving me!’
They said, ‘We have given you good news of the truth. So do not be one of the despairing.’
He said, ‘No one despairs of the mercy of His Lord but the misguided.’
He said, ‘What is the matter you have come for, O messenger?’
They said, ‘We have been sent to a sinful people.
Except the family of Lot. Indeed, we will save them all,
but his wife, we have ordained that she would surely be of the doomed. [Surah al-Hijr 51-60]
Finally, the surah mentions a consolation to Messenger Muhammad [peace be upon him] regarding his people’s abuse and rejection of Islam. It told him that Allah would protect him from his enemies and make him victorious. Allah says, interpretation of the meaning,
We have not created the heavens, the earth, and what is between them but in conformity with the truth. Indeed, the Hour is coming. So pardon, with a gracious pardoning. Indeed, your Lord is the all-Creator, the all-Knowing. Indeed, We have given you the seven oft-repeated ayat and the Glorious Quran. Do not look desirously at what We have given some of them to enjoy, nor grieve over them. And be tenderly humble with the believers. [Surah al-Hijr: 85-88]
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