Surah Al-Buruj [85] 

Chapter 85 of the Quran is called Surah Al-Buruj. It is a Makkan chapter consisting of 22 verses. Here is a brief explanation of the verses in this chapter:

Verses 1-3:
"By the sky containing great stars, and [by] the promised Day, and [by] the witness and the witnessed."

These verses begin with oaths by the sky that contains great stars. It draws attention to the magnificence and grandeur of the celestial bodies. The mention of the promised Day refers to the Day of Judgment, a day of reckoning and accountability. The terms "the witness" and "the witnessed" may refer to the witnesses who testify on that Day or to the witnesses of the events described in the subsequent verses.

Verses 4-5:
"Cursed were the companions of the trench, [Containing] the fire full of fuel."

These verses allude to a historical event known as the "Companions of the Trench" or "the People of the Ditch." It refers to a group of believers who were persecuted for their faith and were thrown into a trench filled with fire. The verses condemn the actions of those who perpetrated this heinous crime and express the divine curse upon them.

Verses 6-7:
"When they were sitting near it and they, to what they were doing against the believers, were witnesses. And they resented them not except because they believed in Allah, the Exalted in Might, the Praiseworthy."

These verses describe the context of the persecution faced by the believers. The persecutors, who witnessed the acts of injustice against the believers, held resentment towards them solely because of their faith in Allah. The verses highlight the unjust motives behind the persecution and emphasize the believers' steadfastness in their conviction despite the hardships they faced.

Verses 8-9:
"To whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth. And Allah, over all things, is Witness. Indeed, those who have tortured the believing men and believing women and then have not repented will have the punishment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the Burning Fire."

These verses emphasize the sovereignty of Allah over the heavens and the earth, asserting His ultimate authority. They warn those who have persecuted and tortured believing men and women without repentance that they will face the punishment of Hell and the Burning Fire.

Verses 10-11:
"Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great attainment."

These verses contrast the fate of the believers who have faith in Allah and perform righteous deeds. They will be rewarded with gardens beneath which rivers flow, symbolizing Paradise. This is described as the great attainment, highlighting the ultimate success and felicity of the believers.

Verses 12-22:
These verses describe the stories of previous nations and their encounters with the messengers of Allah. They mention the people of Samud and their rejection of the Prophet Salih, the people of 'Ad and their rejection of the Prophet Hud, and the punishment that befell them as a consequence. These accounts serve as historical reminders of the consequences of rejecting the messengers of Allah and persisting in disbelief.

Overall Themes:
Surah Al-Buruj highlights the themes of divine justice, accountability, and the consequences of disbelief and persecution. It draws attention to the power and authority of Allah over the heavens and the earth. The chapter condemns the actions of those who persecuted the believers and expresses the divine curse upon them.

The chapter also emphasizes the rewards awaiting the believers who have faith in Allah and perform righteous deeds. It contrasts their ultimate success and felicity with the punishment that awaits those who persist in disbelief and persecution.

Furthermore, Surah Al-Buruj provides historical reminders of past nations and their rejection of the messengers of Allah. It serves as a warning about the consequences of rejecting the message of truth and persisting in disbelief.

Overall, the chapter calls individuals to reflect upon the power and authority of Allah, recognize the consequences of disbelief and persecution, and affirm the importance of faith, righteous deeds, and accountability. It encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to trust in the ultimate justice and rewards promised by Allah.

Here are some additional points about Surah Al-Buruj:

Verses 1-3:
The opening verses of Surah Al-Buruj highlight the greatness and magnificence of the sky, particularly its celestial bodies like stars. This draws attention to the grandeur and orderliness of the universe created by Allah. The mention of the promised Day refers to the Day of Judgment, a day when all individuals will be held accountable for their actions.

Verses 4-7:
These verses refer to a specific incident known as the "Companions of the Trench" or "the People of the Ditch." It recounts the persecution faced by a group of believers who were thrown into a trench filled with fire. The verses condemn the actions of the persecutors and express the divine curse upon them. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of committing acts of injustice and cruelty against believers.

Verses 8-9:
These verses emphasize that Allah is the ultimate witness to all actions and occurrences. They warn those who have tortured believing men and women without repentance that they will face the punishment of Hell and the Burning Fire. This highlights the concept of divine justice and the accountability of individuals for their deeds.

Verses 10-11:
These verses offer a contrasting portrayal of the fate of the believers. They describe the reward awaiting those who have faith in Allah and perform righteous deeds. Gardens beneath which rivers flow are depicted as a symbol of Paradise, representing the ultimate success and felicity of the believers.

Verses 12-22:
These verses recount the stories of previous nations, such as the people of Samud and 'Ad, who rejected the messengers sent to them by Allah. The accounts highlight the consequences that befell these nations as a result of their rejection and disobedience. These stories serve as historical reminders of the outcomes of disbelief and serve as warnings against rejecting the message of truth.

Overall Themes:
Surah Al-Buruj emphasizes the themes of divine justice, accountability, and the consequences of disbelief and persecution. It highlights the power and authority of Allah over the universe and serves as a reminder of the ultimate Day of Judgment.

The chapter condemns acts of persecution and cruelty against believers, expressing the divine curse upon those who engage in such actions. It emphasizes the importance of faith in Allah and the performance of righteous deeds, promising a reward of Paradise for the believers.

Furthermore, Surah Al-Buruj provides historical examples of nations that rejected the messengers of Allah, serving as a warning against disbelief and disobedience. It underscores the consequences that befell those who persisted in rejecting the truth.

Overall, the chapter encourages reflection upon the power and authority of Allah, emphasizes the importance of faith and righteous actions, and serves as a reminder of the consequences of disbelief and persecution. It calls believers to remain steadfast in their faith and trust in the ultimate justice and rewards promised by Allah.