Surah 106. Quraysh

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Verses [Section]: 1-4[1]

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Quran Text of Verse 1-4106. Quraysh Page 602106. Qurayshبِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِلِاِیْلٰفِFor (the) familiarityقُرَیْشٍۙ(of the) Quraish اٖلٰفِهِمْTheir familiarityرِحْلَةَ(with the) journeyالشِّتَآءِ(of) winterوَ الصَّیْفِۚand summer فَلْیَعْبُدُوْاSo let them worshipرَبَّ(the) Lordهٰذَا(of) thisالْبَیْتِۙHouse الَّذِیْۤThe One Whoاَطْعَمَهُمْfeeds themمِّنْagainstجُوْعٍ ۙ۬hungerوَّ اٰمَنَهُمْand gives them securityمِّنْagainstخَوْفٍ۠fear

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Translation of Verse 1-4In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

(106:1) Since the Quraysh became accustomed,¹

(106:2) accustomed to the journey of winter and summer,²

(106:3) therefore, let them worship the Lord of this House;³

(106:4) Who fed them against hunger,⁴ and secured them against fear.⁵

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Commentary

1. Ilaf means to be accustomed. The definite article prefixed to it in the verse, according to some Arabic lexicographers, is exclamatory, expressing shock over the Quraysh’s misconduct. For, by Allah’s grace alone they were unified and undertook trade journeys that brought them riches yet they refused to serve the same Lord. This above view ascribed to Akhfash, Kisa’I and Farra’, is endorsed by Ibn Jarir. As opposed to this, however, Khalil ibn Ahmad, Sibawayh and Zamakhshari maintain that the definite article represents lam ta‘lil and is interlinked with the next verse. For them, the meaning of the verse is: Of the numerous bounties granted to the Quraysh by Allah, they should thank and serve Him, at least, for His grace for facilitating their trade journeys. It alone represents a large divine favor to them.

2. The journeys of winter and summer correspond with their trade journeys undertaken in summer to Syria and Palestine, and in winter to south Arabia in view of the favorable weather conditions then pertaining.

3. “This House” stands for the Ka‘bah. The Quraysh owe their prosperity to it. They recognize that the 360 idols inside it are not their Lord; it is Allah alone Who is their only Lord. It was He Who defended them against Abrahah’s attack. They had invoked His help against the invading army. Before their association with the Ka’bah, the Quraysh were scattered all over Arabia and did Not enjoy any elevated position. Indeed, they were like any other ordinary Arab tribe. However, as they assembled in Makkah and acted as the custodians of the Ka’bah, they earned acclaim throughout Arabia. Their trade caravans passed freely without molestation. They owed all that they had to this House of the Lord. They should, therefore, worship only Him.

4. Prior to settling down in Makkah, the Quraysh had been starving. After their settlement there, they were blessed with provisions and the following supplication by the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) came true regarding them:

“Our Lord! I have made some of my offspring settle in a barren valley near Your sacred House. Our Lord! I did so that they may establish Prayer. So make the hearts of people affectionately inclined to them, and provide them with fruits for sustenance...” (Ibrahim 14: 37)

5. Lawlessness hurt everyone in Arabia yet the Quraysh enjoyed peace and security. Every town then was vulnerable to night raids and people were terribly afraid of sudden attacks. No one dared step outside the territory of his tribe, for they could be killed or enslaved, if they so ventured out. Trade caravans were exposed to robberies and only after paying exorbitant bribes could they pass safely. In contrast, the Quraysh had no fear of being attacked by any of the other Arab tribes. As keepers of the Ka’bah, their trade caravans, large or small, passed freely throughout Arabia and no one molested them. Even a single Qurayshi individual travelled without any fear and on being intercepted his introduction as a member of the Quraysh prevented any attack.