Names
This surah is called Surat Al-Furqan. [200] See: Al-Fayruzabadi: Basa?ir Dhawi At-Tamyiz, 1/340; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 18/313.
It was narrated that ?Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard Hisham ibn Hakim reciting Surat Al-Furqan during the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). I listened to his recitation, and found that his recitation differed in many places from what the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) had taught me. I was about to fight with him whilst he was praying, but I restrained myself until he said the salaam, then I caught him by his cloak and said: Who taught you this surah that I heard you reciting? He said: The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) taught it to me. I said: You are lying; the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) taught it to me in a manner other than what you recited. I brought him to the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and said: I heard this man reciting Surat Al-Furqan in a manner other than you taught it to me. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to Hisham: ?Recite it,? and he recited it. Then the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: ?Thus it was revealed.? Then he said: ?Recite it, O ?Umar.? So I recited it and he said: ?Thus it was revealed. This Qur?an has been revealed in seven modes of recitation, so recite whatever is easy for you.? [201] Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 4992; Muslim, 818.
Virtues and characteristics
In Surat Al-Furqan, there is one prostration of recitation, in the verse:
And when it is said to them, ?Prostrate to the Most Merciful,? they say, ?"And what is the Most Merciful? Should we prostrate to that which you order us?? And it increases them in aversion
Al-Furqan 25:60.
Makki or Madani?
Surat Al-Furqan is Makki, and it was narrated that there was consensus regarding that. [202] Ibn Hazm, Ibn Qudamah and Ibn Hajr narrated that there was consensus regarding that. See: Ibn Hajr: Maratib Al-Ijma?, p. 31; Ibn Qudamah: Al-Kafi, 1/272; Ibn Hijr: Fath Al-Bari, 2/551.
Objectives
The most important objectives of Surat Al-Furqan include:
Pointing out the high status of the Holy Qur?an and affirming that it is from Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted,; pointing out the high status of the one to whom it was sent down (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him); highlighting the proofs of his truthfulness and pointing out the high status of those who follow him. [203] See: Tafsir Al-Qurtubi, 13/1; Tafsir Ibn ?Ashur, 19/66.
Reassuring and consoling the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), and comforting him. [204] See: At-Tantawi: At-Tafsir Al-Wasit, 10/167.
Topics?????
The most significant topics addressed in Surat Al-Furqan include:
Glorifying and praising Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted,, ascribing divine attributes to Him, which belong to Him alone; stating that despite that, the polytheists have taken other gods besides Him Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted,, which are created beings and inherently incapable.
Telling of what the polytheists said and some of their specious arguments about the Qur?an and about the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), with a response to them and refutation of their specious arguments.
Comparing between the fate of the polytheists and what Allah has prepared for them, and what Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, has prepared for the believers.
Some aspects of the stories of some of the prophets with their people.
Consoling the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) for what he suffered from the polytheists of rudeness towards him and disbelieving him.
Some of the manifestations of Allah?s might.
Description of the characteristics of the worshippers of the Most Gracious, their attitude and conduct, their worship of their Lord, and their calling upon Him and beseeching Him.