NAME: HAJRA TANVEER

Roll No: 261939691

Quranic Interpretation

Surah Taha:

INTRODUCTION:
The Quran's 20th surah, or chapter, is Surah Taha. It is known for its elaborate narrative style and
focus on the life of Prophet Musa (Moses). The Surah is categorized as a Meccan Surah because
it was revealed to Muhammad at Mecca during the early years of his prophetic career. It consists
of 135 verses. It is found in the 16th parah. "Taha" consists of two Arabic letters: ‫( ط‬Ta) and ‫هـ‬
(Ha) and its literal meaning is “the purest” while in this surah the meaning of "Taha" at the
beginning of Surah Taha is not definitively known and remains a matter of interpretation and
scholarly debate.

Quranic Text:
 ‫ُس ۡوَر ُة ٰطه‬
‫ِب ۡسِم ٱللِه ٱلَّر ۡحَمٰـِن ٱلَّر ِح يِم‬

( ‫) ٱل َّر ۡح َم ٰـ ُن َع َلى ٱۡل َع ۡر ِش ٱ ۡس َت َو ٰى‬٤( ‫) َتن ِزيل ً۬ا ِّم َّم ۡن َخ َل َق ٱۡل َأ ۡر َض َوٱل َّس َم ٰـ َوٲ ِت ٱۡل ُع َلى‬٣( ‫) ِإ َّلا َت ۡذ ِڪ َر ً۬ة ِّل َمن َي ۡخ َش ٰى‬٢( ‫) َم ٓا َأن َزۡل َنا َع َلۡي َك ٱۡل ُق ۡر َءا َن ِل َت ۡش َق ٰٓى‬١( ‫طه‬
‫) ٱل َّل ُه َل ٓا ِإ َل ٰـ َه ِإ َّلا ُه َوۖ‌ َل ُه ٱۡل َأ ۡس َم ٓا ُء ٱۡل ُح ۡس َن ٰى‬٧( ‫) َو ِإن َت ۡج َه ۡر ِبٱۡل َق ۡو ِل َف ِإ َّن ُه ۥ َي ۡع َل ُم ٱل ِّس َّر َو َأ ۡخ َفى‬٦( ‫) َل ُه ۥ َما ِفى ٱل َّس َم ٰـ َوٲ ِت َو َما ِفى ٱۡل َأ ۡر ِض َو َما َبۡي َن ُہ َما َو َما َت ۡح َت ٱل َّث َر ٰى‬٥
‫) ِإ ۡذ َر َءا َنا ً۬را َف َقا َل ِل َأ ۡه ِل ِه ٱ ۡم ُك ُث ٓو ْا ِإ ِّن ٓى َءا َن ۡس ُت َنا ً۬را َّل َع ِّل ٓى َءا ِتي ُكم ِّمۡن َہا ِب َق َب ٍس َأ ۡو َأ ِج ُد‬٩( ‫) َو َه ۡل َأ َت ٰٮ َك َح ِدي ُث ُمو َس ٰٓى‬٨(
‫) َو َأ َنا ٱ ۡخ َت ۡر ُت َك‬١٢( ‫ُطً۬وى‬ ‫ِس‬ ‫ۡلۡل ُمَقَّد ً۬و‬ ‫َك ِإَّنَكِبۡل َواِد‬ ‫َكَفۡخَل ۡلۡعَنۡعَلۡي ۖ‌ٱ‬ ‫)۟اٱ ِإۡخِّن ۡعٓىۡعۡيَأَنَكۖ‌۟ا َر ُّب ٱ‬١١( ‫) َف َل َّم ٓا َأ َت ٰٮ َها ُنو ِد َى َي ٰـ ُمو َس ٰٓى‬١٠( ‫ُهً۬دى‬ ‫َعَلى ٱلَّنا ً۬د‬
‫ِر‬
)١٥( ‫) ِإ َّن ٱل َّسا َع َة َءا ِت َي ٌة َأ َكا ُد ُأ ۡخ ِفي َہا ِل ُت ۡج َز ٰى ُك ُّل َن ۡف ِۭس ِب َما َت ۡس َع ٰى‬١٤( ‫) ِإ َّن ِن ٓى َأ َنا ٱل َّل ُه َل ٓا ِإ َل ٰـ َه ِإ َّل ٓا َأ َن ۟ا َفٱ ۡع ُب ۡد ِنى َو َأ ِق ِم ٱل َّص َل ٰو َة ِل ِذ ۡڪ ِر ٓى‬١٣( ‫َفٱ ۡس َت ِم ۡع ِل َما ُيو َح ٰٓى‬

TRANSLATION:
Surah Ta-Ha
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Ta - Ha [These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur'ân, and none but Allâh (Alone) knows
their meanings.] (1) We have not sent down the Qur'ân unto you (O Muhammad SAW) to cause
you distress, (2) But only as a Reminder to those who fear (Allâh). (3) A revelation from Him
(Allâh) Who has created the earth and high heavens. (4) The Most Gracious (Allâh) rose over
(Istawâ) the (Mighty) Throne (in a manner that suits His Majesty). (5) To Him belongs all that is
in the heavens and all that is on the earth, and all that is between them, and all that is under the
soil. (6) And if you (O Muhammad SAW) speak (the invocation) aloud, then verily, He knows
the secret and that which is yet more hidden. (7) Allâh! Lâ ilâhla illa Huwa (none has the right to
be worshipped but He)! To Him belong the Best Names[] (8) And has there come to you the
story of Mûsa (Moses)? (9) When he saw a fire, he said to his family: "Wait! Verily, I have seen
a fire, perhaps I can bring you some burning brand therefrom, or find some guidance at the fire."
(10) And when he came to it (the fire), he was called by name: "O Mûsa (Moses)! (11) "Verily! I
am your Lord! So take off your shoes, you are in the sacred valley, Tuwa. (12) "And I have
chosen you. So listen to that which will be revealed (to you). (13) "Verily! I am Allâh! Lâ ilâha
illa Ana (none has the right to be worshipped but I), so worship Me, and perform As-Salât
(Iqâmat-as-Salât) for My Remembrance. (14) "Verily, the Hour is coming and I am almost
hiding it from myself - that every person may be rewarded for that which he strives. (15)

MAIN THEME:
The primary focus of Surah Taha's first fifteen Ayahs (verses) is the revelation of the divine
message that confirms Prophet Musa's (Moses') prophetic mission. These verses, which
emphasize Allah's mercy and guidance as well as the value of worship and obedience, lay the
groundwork for the tale of Musa. Below is a summary of the main ideas:
 Emphasizing the purpose of the Quran as a source of guidance and reminder.
 Establishing Allah’s absolute authority and the sanctity of His communication.
 Introducing the story of Musa’s prophetic mission, highlighting themes of divine
selection, guidance, and the importance of worship and remembrance.
  Reminding believers of the inevitability of the Day of Judgment and the need for
righteousness.

Tafsir Ibn-e-Kathir:

1- Causes of revelation:

Although Surah Taha was not given in response to a specific incident, it is evident that it was
revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and his companions during a difficult time in Mecca in order
to offer consolation, support, and direction. The Surah's focus on Musa's journey and the
heavenly assistance he received strengthened the believers' trust and dedication to their purpose
by serving as a potent reminder of Allah's presence and assistance during trying times.

2- Interpretation:

In these Ayahs Allah Almighty clarifies that the revelation of the Quran was intended to serve as
a warning to people who fear Allah, not to incite terror. This responds to the Quraysh’s assertion
that the Prophet and his adherents suffered because of the Quran. These ayahs explain that Quran
is indeed a mercy, guidance and light, not a burden.

Allah says:
‫َأ‬
“‫َم ا نَز ْلَنا َعَلْيَك اْلُقْر آَن ِلَتْش َقى‬

“We have not sent down the Qur’an unto you to cause you distress”

It provides ease and is meant to remind believers of their duties to Allah. The reminder for those
who fear Allah is found in the Quran. It includes guidelines for believers in the form of directives
and prohibitions. The Quran emphasizes Allah's authority and power as a revelation from the
Creator of the earth and the heavens. In order to avoid anthropomorphism, early Muslim thinkers
did not provide a detailed description of Allah, the Most Gracious who is placed on the Throne.
Allah is the owner of everything in the sky, the earth, and the underworld, underscoring His
omnipotence and authority over the entire cosmos. Allah's all-encompassing wisdom is
demonstrated by the fact that He is aware of everyone’s secret and even more obscure
information.

(Tafsir ibn-e-kathir)

2nd interpretation:

The word "‫( "طه‬Ta-Ha) in the Qur'an has been interpreted in various ways by different
commentators. Sayyidna Ibn Abbas ؓ believes it means "O man!" while Ibn Umar ؓ interprets it as
"O my dear!" Some suggest that Ta-Ha and Ya-Sin are names of the Holy Prophet ‫ﷺ‬. However,
the most widely accepted explanation, supported by Sayyidna Abu Bakr ؓ and the majority of
scholars, is that Ta-Ha, like other isolated letters at the beginning of some Qur'anic chapters (e.g.,
"‫)"الم‬, is among the ‫( ُمَتشاِبَھات‬mysteries) whose meaning is known only to Allah. The Qur'anic
recitation and prayer sessions of the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬and his Companions ؑ during the early days of
Islam resulted in physical strain and anxiety about leading the non-believers, as stated in the
verse (We did not disclose the Qur'an to you to [make you] undergo hardship - 20:2). The term "
‫ِلَتْش َقٰى‬, which comes from the word ‫( شقاء‬pain and anguish), suggests that the purpose of the
Qur'an was not to bring about difficulty. The purpose of the verse is to lighten the Prophet's load
by letting him know that he doesn't have to spend whole nights in prayer or worry unduly about
whether the message is received. As such, the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬modified his schedule to sleep early
and offer the tahajjud prayer at a later time. The passage further emphasizes that his
responsibility is to communicate Allah's message, not to guarantee its acceptance. In verse 20:3,
the phrase " ‫ "ِإاَّل َتْذِكَر‌ًة ِّلَمن َيْخ َش ٰى‬refers to the early believers who were made fun of by
unbelievers because of their steadfast prayer life, which they perceived as a source of suffering.
Allah makes it clear that although the uninformed and misinformed do not comprehend this, the
Qur'an offers bounties and felicity. the verse " ‫( "ِإاَّل َتْذِكَر‌ًة ِّلَمن َيْخ َش ٰى‬Rather, to remind him who
has fear - 20:3) addresses the early believers who were mocked by infidels for their devotion to
prayers, which the disbelievers saw as causing hardship. Allah clarifies that the Qur'an brings
blessings and felicity, but this is not understood by the ignorant and misguided.

A Hadith from Sayyidna Mu`awiyah ؓ states that when Allah wishes to reward someone, He
grants them a correct understanding of religion (Sahihain). Ibn Kathir also relates another Hadith
through Tabarani from Tha'labah Ibn Al-Hakam, which promises good news for the learned: On
the Day of Judgment, Allah will tell the learned that He placed His knowledge and wisdom in
their hearts to forgive them despite their failings, showing that the true learned ones are those
who possess fear of Allah, a sign of genuine Qur'anic knowledge. In response to the atheists'
mockery of believers' dedication, the verse ")20:3( " ‫ ِإاَّل َتْذِكَر‌ًة ِّلَمن َيْخ َش ٰى‬emphasizes that the
Qur'an offers blessings, not pain. A Hadith from recorded by Ibn Kathir, promises forgiveness to
learned people who possess Allah's fear, showing true Qur'anic knowledge. The phrase " ‫َعَلى‬
‫( "اْلَعْر‌ِش اْس َتَوٰى‬Positioned Himself on the Throne - 20:5) is considered a 'Mutashabihat' (verse
with unknown meaning). The exact nature of 'Istiwa' (positioning) is unknown and
incomprehensible. Muslims must believe that 'Istiwa’ ‘Ala-Al-`Arsh' is true and befitting Allah's
high attributes but the specific nature of this positioning cannot be understood. Knowledge
known alone to Allah is referred to as "‫( "َوَما َتْح َت الَّثَر‌ٰى‬And whatsoever is beneath the earth -
20:6). Though the earth's circumference extends millions of miles, humanity have only
descended six miles into the planet due to impenetrable rock, despite extensive scientific
endeavors. This emphasizes that only Allah is aware to the knowledge of what is beneath the
earth.

"‫"َيْعَلُم الِّس َّر‌ َوَأْخَفى‬

(Knows the secret and what is even more hidden - 20:7).

“ ‫”اخٰف ی‬

refers to the thoughts not yet formed in a persons heart. But Allah Almighty is aware of both the
concealed current thoughts and the future thoughts of a person. The passage " ‫َوَهْل َأَتاَك َحِديُث‬
‫( "ُموَس ٰى‬And has the story of Musa reached you? - 20:9) uses the narrative of Musa ( ‫عليه‬
‫ )السالم‬to illustrate the hardships faced by previous prophets in order to prepare Prophet
Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬for his mission. Sayyidna Musa, having completed his service with Sayyidna
Shu'aib, seeks permission to return to Egypt to visit his family. With his pregnant wife, he loses
his way, encountering darkness and difficulty. Seeking guidance, he notices a light on Mount
Tur, symbolic of divine guidance. Intent on seeking help and fire, he sets off towards it. This
narrative highlights the challenges faced by prophets and serves to strengthen the heart of
Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬for his mission. Musa (‫ )عليه السالم‬came up to the fire and saw
something amazing: a green tree with a fire burning on it, but the tree was spared from the
flames, which added to its beauty. He was very confused as the flames either retreated or moved
closer to him, making it impossible for him to gather any more fire. After a while, he heard a
voice that seemed unfamiliar. This incident happened near the base of the mountain, on his right,
in the Tuwa plain.

As Musa (‫ )عليه السالم‬drew nearer to the fire, an enigmatic voice that could be heard throughout
his body and in all directions identified itself as his Lord. Musa ( ‫ )عليه السالم‬identified it as the
voice of Allah by means of a number of indications, such as the fire not consuming the tree and
the remarkable way in which perception occurred. In a direct message to Musa ( ‫)عليه السالم‬,
Allah confirmed that he was told to take off his shoes as a gesture of honor for the sacred ground.
Regarding holy sites, the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (‫ )ﷺ‬demonstrate humility and
respect by emphasizing the importance of taking off shoes. Similar to holy sites like Baitullah
and Masjid Nabawi, the Tuwa valley, the scene of this encounter, is very significant. ‫َفاْس َتِمْع ِلَما‬
‫( ُيوَح ٰى‬So listen to what is revealed - 20:13). Sayyidna Wahb Ibn Munabbih has said that the
correct behavior while listening to the recitation of the Qur'an is, that one sits still, refrains from
any unnecessary movement in a way that no organ of his body is involved in any other work,
keeps eyes down - concentrates the mind towards understanding its meaning. The person who
listens to the Holy Qur'an in this respectful manner is rewarded by Allah Ta` ala with a better
understanding of His word.
The verse "‫( "ِإَّنِني َأَنا الَّلـُه اَل ِإَلٰـَه ِإاَّل َأَنا َفاْعُبْدِني َوَأِقِم الَّصاَل َة ِلِذْكِر‌ي‬I am, of course, Allah. The
basic tenets of authentic faith are taught to Musa (‫ )عليه السالم‬in the verse, "There is no god but
I, so worship Me and establish Salah for My remembrance." " ‫( "َفاْس َتِمْع ِلَما ُيوَح ٰى‬Therefore pay
attention to what is revealed) denotes prophethood. "‫ "َفاْعُبْدِني‬The phrase "so worship Me alone"
highlights Allah's oneness. The phrase "Surely, the Hour has to come" ( ‫ )ِإَّن الَّس اَعَة آِتَيٌة‬denotes
the certainty of the Hereafter. "‫ "َأِقِم الَّصاَل َة ِلِذْكِر‌ي‬The phrase "Establish Salah for My
remembrance" emphasizes that Salah is a way for one to remember Allah from the heart as well
as the speech. Salah should be done as soon as you recall it, even if it takes longer than expected
because of distractions or forgetfulness.
Allah makes it clear that He intends to keep the details of the Day of Judgment a secret, implying
that not even the angels and prophets know when it will occur. The expression " ‫( "َأَكاُد ُأْخ ِفيَها‬I
would keep it a secret) somewhat suggests that revealing the Day of Judgment will motivate
good behavior. "To ensure that everyone receives a reward for their efforts, I pray that " ‫ِلُتْجَز ٰى‬
‫( "ُكُّل َنْفٍس ِبَما َتْس َعٰى‬so that everyone is given a return for their efforts). The ambiguity
surrounding the exact moment of death and the Day of Judgment encourages people to keep
going without stopping.

Ma’arif ul Quran (A. Maududi (Tafhim commentary)

3rd Interpretation:

The Quran is a constant reminder of the call to the Truth, but its full effect can only be
experienced by the one who has given up all for the cause of God and is totally committed to it.
He must be seen to prioritize the well-being of others over his own, even if doing so causes him
hardship and difficulty, if he is to lead others to the correct path. However, no matter how
flawlessly the call to the truth is presented, only those who are able to recognize and appreciate
the truth—for whom the reasoned argument alone is sufficient to open their eyes—will be guided
by it. The Quran was revealed by the same Divine Being who created the universe in its entirety.

There are those in this world who follow an ideal that calls people to the Truth and emphasizes
staying in line with God, and there are those whose philosophy is to compromise their morals in
order to further their material interests. The first group does not feel alone since it easily finds
friends and allies in its surroundings. On the other hand, those who raise the call to the Truth are
distinct and rest on the solid foundation of God, who exists outside the realm of human vision.
Though seemingly lacking earthly support, they trust in divine assistance, knowing that God
hears both their spoken prayers and the whispers of their hearts. Moses was born in Egypt.
There, by some mischance, a Copt got killed by him. Thereafter, he left Egypt and went to
Madyan. After he had spent many years there and was married, he decided to return to Egypt,
taking along with him his wife and his flock of sheep. In the course of this journey, Moses
passed through the Tur valley situated in the south of the Sinai peninsula. When night fell, he
was unable to make out the way in the darkness. Moreover, it was winter time and the weather
was bitterly cold. But soon he saw some far-off fire burning. Moses immediately set off in that
direction to obtain some burning brands to keep them warm and also in the hopes of finding
someone of whom he could ask the way. The fire seen by Moses was not an ordinary fire, but the
glowing manifestation of God’s glory. Therefore, when he reached there, he was made to realise
the importance of the audience he was having. He was asked to remove his shoes in order that, in
all humility, he should be fully attentive. Then came the voice informing him that he was in the
presence of God and that He (God) had chosen him as His messenger. At that time, the
instructions given to Moses were the same as were always given to all God’s prophets, namely,
to hold worthy of worship the one and only God, to pray to Him alone and to remember Him on
all occasions. Then, Moses was informed of the fact that the present world was a world of trial,
and that for a certain period God had kept the realities hidden in the realms of the unseen. On the
Day of Judgement, this curtain would be torn asunder. Thereafter, the second phase of man’s life
would start, when everybody would be judged according to his deeds in the present world. When
emotions and desires get the better of a man, he becomes unmindful of the Hereafter and starts
pursuing the ways of this world. To justify his misdeeds, he masks the true nature of the course
of his action in beautiful and charming words. Others are impressed. On hearing this, they too
become forgetful of the Hereafter. Under these circumstances, a man of faith needs to be
extremely watchful about his own attitude and actions. He needs to save himself from being
influenced by those who are unmindful of God and forgetful of the Hereafter.

Tazkir ul Quran (T. Usmani)