INTRODUCTION TO SURAH QURAYSH
Surah Quraysh was revealed in Mecca as the 30th in chronological order. However, Qur’anic scholars such as Dahhak and al-Kalbī have argued that it was revealed during the Medinan period. However, the style of the surah and the way in which the Quraysh tribe is addressed in its statements clearly show that the surah is Meccan. Furthermore, the demonstrative adjective “هذا haza [this]”, which is used to indicate things that are near, is used for “البيت bayt” in the phrase “ربّ هذا البيت Rabba haze’l-beyt [the Lord of this bayt]” in verse 3. Since the word “bayt” refers to the Ka’bah, the addressees of the surah must be Meccans and the surah must be Meccan.
The people of “البلد الامين al-Balad al-Amin [the safe city]”, who were shown as “evidence/witnesses” in Surah At-Tin, are brought up again in this Surah with “Quraysh” who use the advantages of the safe city, and the warning message for all humanity is given by addressing the collective identity of Quraysh.
Some scholars have accepted Surah Quraysh as a single surah together with Surah Elephant. The reason for this acceptance is as follows:
– The technical structure of the verses of both surahs has features that can be related to each other,
– In Ubayy b. Ka’b’s mushaf, these two surahs were placed one after the other, without being separated by a Basmala.
However, these are not acceptable reasons for us. First of all, technical justifications are not sufficient. Secondly, The fact that some people recite the two surahs without separating them with the Basmala cannot be put forward as evidence in this regard. Because all surahs of the Qur’an can be recited without being separated by a Basmala, and there is nothing wrong with that. Lastly, the opinion of the majority of the Companions and the placement of the basmala between these two surahs in the mushafs sent by Caliph ‘Uthman to the centers of the Islamic world make it certain that they are two separate surahs.
In Surah al-Quraysh, The whole of humanity is addressed through the example of Quraysh, that especially those who are the owners of income/rent, should be sensitive to those who provide them with this income/rent, and that they should definitely pay for the blessings they have obtained without any labor.
29/ SURAH QURAYSH
Meaning of verses
1-2For the safety and welfare of the Quraysh; winter and summer; for their safety and welfare during their usual campaigns… 3,4Then let them worship Rabb of this House Who has fed them by saving them from hunger and has given them safety from every fear.
Analysis of Verses
Verses 1-2:
1, 2 For the safety and welfare of the Quraysh; winter and summer; for their safety and welfare during their usual campaigns…
Quraysh Tribe
In history books and encyclopedias, it is reported that the original name of the Quraysh, which is considered to be the ancestors of the people living in Mecca at the time when our Prophet proclaimed Islam and to which our Prophet belonged, was “Fihr” or “Nadr”. According to this information, the Quraysh tribe, a branch of the Kinane tribe, consisted of ten branches named Nawfal, Zuhrah, Mahzum, Asad, Jumah, Sahm, Umayya, Hashim, Taym and Adiy. The genealogy of our Prophet, starting with the person who gave his name to the tribe, is listed as follows: Quraysh [Fihr or Nadr] – Galib – Lu’ay – Ka’ab – Murra – Kilab – Qusay [Zayd] – Abdumanaf [Mughîra] – Hashim [Amr] – Abdulmuttalib [Shaybah] – Abdullah – Muhammad.
Before the advent of Islam, the Quraysh tribe, who ruled Mecca during the period of ignorance, worshipped an idol called Hubel, which was erected near a well in the “harem” around the Kaaba. This idol was brought from Syria by Amr b. Luhay, their leader, when the Ka’bah and the Hejaz were in the hands of the Khuza’ah, at a time when idol worship had not yet entered the Hejaz. One of the many idols worshipped by the people of Syria to bring rain and fulfill various wishes, Hübel, which was made of red agate and shaped like a human being with a broken right hand, was later fitted with a golden hand. Brought from Syria by Amr and placed on the top of the Zamzam well near the Ka’bah, the idol eventually became as revered as the famous black stone [Hajar al-Aswad] on the Ka’bah wall and was moved inside the Ka’bah.
In addition to Hubel, the Quraysh tribe worshipped two other idols, Isaf and Naileh, also located near the Zamzam well, and sacrificed in front of them. According to superstitious stories, these idols were a man named Yusuf [Isaf], the son of Bagy, and a woman named Nailee, the daughter of Dîk, who had committed adultery inside the Ka’bah and were turned into stones by Allah.
In addition to these great idols, there were idols in every family’s house, such as the idols that they would touch before riding their animals on the way out, and the idols that they would touch before seeing their family when they returned from the road.
القريش The word “Quraysh” is the noun form of the word “qosh” or “qirsh”, whose literal meaning is “to win, to gather, to gather, to search”. This pattern is used in Arabic to diminish the meaning of a word.
Various opinions have been put forward about the reasons why the Quraysh tribe was given this name:
1- This name was given because the tribe, which had previously lived scattered, later gathered together and started to live together.
2- The tribe, which was composed of people who collected goods, engaged in trade and earned, was given this name, which means “to earn, to collect”, because of these characteristics of its individuals.
3- The tribe was given this name because they searched for the needy among the pilgrims and met their needs.
4- Lisan al-Arab’s “قرش kırş” According to the article, Mu’awiya asked Ibn ‘Abbas why the tribe of Quraysh was given this name, and he said, “There is a beast [shark] in the seas called ‘Kirsh’. This animal is very strong; it eats other animals, no one can eat it; it rises above other animals, no one can climb on top of it” and quoted the following couplet:
“The Quraysh are those who live in the sea
It is in his name that the Quraysh were called quraysh.”[1]
The poem, of which Ibn Menzur quotes only one couplet in Lisan al-Arab without naming the poet, belongs to Tubba, according to Qurtubi, and continues as follows
“He eats both the weak and the strong and never leaves them
It leaves no feathers there for two wings.
Such is the tribe of Quraysh among the nations
They devour the land quickly.”[2]
According to these explanations, Quraysh means “little shark, little sea monster”.
İlâf
The word “إيلاف ilaf” in the verse is derived from the root “elf” which means “the number of a thousand”. The main meaning of the word “ilâf” is “to love, to combine things, to put them on top of each other”. In fact, the number “one thousand”, the largest number used at that time, was nothing but the sum of a number of numbers. The words “habl-i muellef [rope, twisted rope]”, which means a rope made by twisting thinner strands together, and “te’lif”, which means to prepare a book, are also derived from the same root, and both of them express combining and collecting.
Although the word “ilaf” has different qiraats [readings], differences in qiraats do not create a difference in meaning. Linguists have accepted three meanings for the word “ilaf” which are not very different from each other:
– To love, to follow, to be familiar with.
– To get used to, to stick to.
– To prepare, to equip.
By giving these meanings to the word, verse 1 can be interpreted in the following ways:
– Because of the Quraysh’s love, and their following after him, and their acquaintance.
– Because of the Quraysh’s habit of not letting go…
– Because of the preparation and equipping of the Quraysh…
For the safety and welfare of the Quraysh; winter and summer; for their safety and welfare during their usual campaigns…
The inviolability of the Ka’bah was a priceless and immeasurable blessing for the Quraysh, despite the barren and desert lands they lived on. The “Elephant Incident” reinforced the prestige of both the Ka’bah and its guardians and protectors, who were from Quraysh, throughout the Arabian Peninsula, and caused them to travel in safety and to be respected and protected wherever they went. Hence, the Quraysh opened two great trade routes from Yemen in the south to Damascus in the north, and established two great trade caravans that traveled from Yemen in winter to Damascus in summer, and earned abundant profits in safety.
Verse 3:
3 Then let them worship Rabb of this House Who has fed them by saving them from hunger and has given them safety from every fear.
In other words, “If they do not serve Allah for other blessings, let them at least serve the Lord of this House for the happiness and well-being that their long-established, long-standing, safe and profitable commercial voyages have brought them.”
In order to understand the message of this verse correctly, we believe that the expressions “this House” and “the Lord of this House” should be emphasized.
“هذا البيت This House”
This House’ refers to Baytullah [the House of Allah], the Ka’bah. As can be seen in the following verses, Allah has used the expression “بيتى my house” for it. The expression “بيت اللّه the house of Allah” means “the house that belongs to none other than Allah” and means that it is public property. This means that social issues will be discussed there, solutions to public needs will be found, and decisions will be taken on matters pertaining to society [such as education, legislation, and executive power].
“The Lord of this House”
Rabb means “the one who disciplines and educates, the one who leads His creatures to certain goals in accordance with a specific program, the one who programs and directs”. The attribution of the Lord to the “House” by saying “ربّ هذا البيت The Lord of this House” shows that the construction of the Ka’bah and all of its functions were programmed and implemented by Allah. Indeed, it is the first house built on earth in the name of Allah, and it is fruitful, and there is abundance therein:
96,97Indeed, the first house that was built as a blessing for the mankind and a guide for all universes is the one that is in Mecca. There are explicit evidences/signs; the place where Abraham performed duty [where he was educated, trained and rose up against association others with Allah] in it. And whoever enters there will be safe. And visiting the Bayt [House]/theological education center, going there for theological education is a right of Allah upon the people who are able. And whoever conceals the truth, let him know that Allah is certainly free of need of all universes.
(Ali-Imran/ 96, 97)
125And We made this Bayt [House]/the first school for the people a place to return and a place of security. –And get a place for Salah [a place where supporting financially and spiritually; enlightening the community will take place] from the place that Abraham served.- And We took covenant from Abraham and Ishmael, saying: “Keep my Bayt [House] pure for the travelers, those who worship, who submit, who acknowledge the oneness of Allah”
(Al-Baqara/ 125)
97Allah has made Kaaba; the Bayt al-Haram, the haram/forbidden month, offering beasts as food for those who fulfill hajj [pilgrimage] and marks attached to the animals that are sent so those who fulfill hajj [pilgrimage] may eat, a standing; shaking, salvation of themselves for the people. This is so you may know as well that Allah knows all that is in the heavens/universe and on the earth and Allah is the One Who knows everything in truth.
(Al-Ma’idah/ 97)
25Indeed, as for those who disbelieve; consciously deny the divinity of Allah and the fact that He is Rabb, those who forbid people from Masjid al-Haram [the untouchable school of theology] which We made to build for the people –both those who are there to worship and those who come from outside- and those who intend to go astray to the wrong path with injustice therein; We will make them taste a painful punishment.
26-29And when We prepared for Abraham the site of that house/Kaaba saying: “Do not associate anything with Me; keep My house pure and clean for those who walk around, rise against injustice, acknowledge the oneness of Allah, submit, proclaim among the people that theology education will be provided so they may witness certain benefits that belong to them and remember His name on certain days over the flawless animals which Allah provided for them. –So, eat from them as well and feed the poor that is in hardship.- Let them come to you on foot or riding fatigued beasts, passing over every deep valley! Then let them clean and purify themselves. And let them fulfill their wows. Let them walk around in the ancient house/free house/Kaaba”.
30,31Thus it is! And whoever shows respect to what Allah made untouchable, it is better for him in the sight of his Rabb. And all livestock other than which have been recited to you are made halal/permissible to you. Therefore, avoid the evil which is from those idols as the ones who have turned to Allah, who do not associate others with Him, and avoid lies as well. And whoever associates others with Allah is like that which falls from the sky and snatched by birds or that which the wind drags to a desolate place.
(Hajj/ 25-31)
35-41And when Abraham once said: “My Rabb! Make this city safe! Keep me and my sons away from worshipping idols! My Rabb! Surely, idols have led many among the people astray. Then, whoever follows me, he is of me; and whoever disobeys… Then you surely are the One Who forgives much and shows great mercy. Our Rabb! I have indeed settled some of my children in a barren valley next to Your untouchable House so they might establish Salah [establish and maintain the institutions that support financially and spiritually; enlighten the community]. Our Rabb! So make the hearts of some of Your servants incline towards to them so they may repay for the blessings that You have given. And provide for them from some fruits. Our Rabb! Indeed, You know that which we conceal and that which we disclose. –And nothing is hidden from Allah in the heavens/universe and on the earth.- All praise is to Allah Who has bestowed me Ishmael and Isaac in my old age; no one else may be praised. Indeed, my Rabb is the One Who hears my supplication very well. My Rabb! Make me a man who establishes Salah [establishes and maintains the institutions that support financially and spiritually; enlighten the community]! And from my descendants too… Our Rabb! Accept my supplication! Our Rabb! Forgive me, my parents and believers on the day when the account will be established!”
(Ibrahim/ 35- 41)
91-93Say: “I have been commanded to worship only Rabb of Mecca, Who is the owner of all and Who made here untouchable. And I have been commended to be a Muslim and to recite and follow the Qur’an. Whoever follows the righteous path he is guided, will follow the righteous path only for himself; and whoever goes astray; ‘I am only of the warners.’ And all praise is to Allah; no one else may be praised. He will show you His Ayat/evidences/signs and you will know them”.
– And your Rabb is not unaware of what you do. –
(Najl/ 91-93)
The Quraysh divided among themselves the responsibilities of serving the thousands of people who came to the Ka’bah for Hajj and Umrah.. Each clan had a specific task. Many jobs such as guarding and caring for the Ka’bah, distributing water to pilgrims, helping pilgrims, collecting money for pilgrims, feeding pilgrims, and litigating pilgrims were performed by the Quraysh. This sacred tourism provided the Quraysh with an indescribable superiority and prestige, as well as abundant earnings. However, the prosperity the Quraysh enjoyed in Mecca was not the result of their own efforts, but of Allah’s plans for the Ka’bah. Indeed, Allah’s plan for the Ka’bah is still in effect today, and holy tourism is today the source of the prosperity of the state of Saudi Arabia.
The rescue of the Quraysh from starvation, their feeding and their safety from every fear
In this verse, it is reported that the Lord of the House has saved the Quraysh from hunger, fed them and made them safe from fear. In other words, the Quraysh should worship Allah alone, even if it is only because they are blessed with security.
These blessings given to the Quraysh are also mentioned in other verses:
67Or have they not seen that We made Mecca safe and untouchable while people are being taken away by force around it? Do they still believe in falsehood and are they ungrateful for the blessings of Allah?
(Ankabut/ 67)
57And they said: “If we follow the guidance to the righteous path together with you, we will be driven out from our land”. Have We not established them in a secure place/Mecca, where fruits of all crops were harvested and brought to them as a provision from Us? But most of them do not know.
(Al-Qasas/ 57)
Before taking refuge in this House, the Quraysh were scattered and had no dignity. When they gathered together in Mecca and took over the service of the Ka’bah, they became respected throughout Arabia. At that time, people could not go outside their tribal boundaries anywhere in Arabia, and they slept restlessly and uneasily even in their beds, under the threat of being attacked at any time. Because the result of attacks was either death or slavery. The caravans could only proceed safely by bribing the elders of the tribes on their way.
The Quraysh in Mecca were completely safe from all these dangers in an environment where no tribe was safe during the period of ignorance. Because there was no question of an enemy attack on Mecca. As “servants of the Ka’bah”, the Quraysh traveled freely throughout the country and did not face any harassment in any area where they traveled in large or small caravans. Even if a Qurayshite traveling alone said, “I am from the Haram” or “I am from the Haram of Allah,” this would be sufficient assurance for him to avoid attacks.
It should not be inferred from the above that the Quraysh were blessed with material benefits alone. It is clear from the message of the Surah that they [indeed, the whole of humanity] were provided with spiritual as well as material values. For Allah fed them from the hunger of ignorance with the spiritual food of revelation and kept them away from error and disbelief [hence Hell] with the revelation of guidance.
Consequently, all these blessings for them and for all mankind are thanks to Allah, the Lord of this House.
The General Message of the Surah
Those who are the recipients of Allah’s grace and favor should serve their Lord who has given them these blessings in abundance. They should not be ungrateful. Our Lord has made the following explanation about this kind of ingratitude:
112And Allah presented a city as an example: That city was safe and peaceful and its provision was coming there from every location in abundance. Yet they became ungrateful for the blessings of Allah. And Allah made them taste garb/disaster of hunger and fear for what they had done and produced.
113And surely, a messenger came to them from among themselves then they denied him. Thereafter, punishment seized them while they did wrong; acted against their own good by associating others with Allah.
(An-Nahl/ 112,113)
Allah is the one who knows best
[1] (Lisan al Arab, article “krş” )
[2] (Qurtubi; al-Jami’a li Ahkami’l Qur’an)