Al-Jathiya (ٱلْجَاثِيَة)

Surah Al-Jathiya is the 45th chapter in the Holy Quran. It consists of 37 verses within 4 Rukus and was revealed in Makkah. However, some scholars maintain that verse 14 was revealed in Medina. The surah starts with the Muqattat letters “Hāʼ Mīm,” one of seven Quranic chapters to do so. The word ‘Jathiya’ translates to ‘kneeling’. It can also mean ‘kneeling down’ and ‘hobbling.’ This surah can be found in Juz 25 of the Quran. The message in this surah consists of different signs of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) that humans can reflect upon. It also discusses various punishments as a result of denying God in spite of seeing all these signs. This is also the only surah to mention the word ‘Sharia,’ a term that we now use for Islamic law. Due to this, another name for this surah is Surah Al-Sharia. 

The name of this surah, Al-Jathiya, comes from its 28h verse. It mentions how every community will kneel or be ‘on its knees’ on the Day of Qiyamah. Another name for this Surah is Al-Dahr, or ‘The Time,’ after a word in the 24th verse. While we are not sure about the exact period of the revelation of Al-Jathiya, the topics signify that it came directly after the revelation of Surah Ad-Dukhan. The two Surahs are very similar in subject matter. 

٤٥ - ٱلْجَاثِيَة

45 - Al-Jathiya

حٰـمۗ۝۱ۚ
Hameem

English

Ahmed Ali

HA MIM.

1

تَنْزِيْلُ الْكِتٰبِ مِنَ اللہِ الْعَزِيْزِ الْحَكِيْمِ۝۲
Tanzeelu alkitabi mina Allahi alAAazeezi alhakeemi

English

Ahmed Ali

The revelation of this Book is from God, the mighty and all-wise.

2

اِنَّ فِي السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالْاَرْضِ لَاٰيٰتٍ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ۝۳ۭ
Inna fee alssamawati waalardi laayatin lilmumineena

English

Ahmed Ali

Indeed there are signs for believers in the heavens and the earth.

3

وَفِيْ خَلْقِكُمْ وَمَا يَبُثُّ مِنْ دَاۗبَّۃٍ اٰيٰتٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يُّوْقِنُوْنَ۝۴ۙ
Wafee khalqikum wama yabuththu min dabbatin ayatun liqawmin yooqinoona

English

Ahmed Ali

In creating you and spreading all the moving things (on earth) are signs for people firm of faith,

4

وَاخْتِلَافِ الَّيْلِ وَالنَّہَارِ وَمَاۗ اَنْزَلَ اللہُ مِنَ السَّمَاۗءِ مِنْ رِّزْقٍ فَاَحْيَا بِہِ الْاَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِہَا وَ تَصْرِيْفِ الرِّيٰحِ اٰيٰتٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يَّعْقِلُوْنَ۝۵
Waikhtilafi allayli waalnnahari wama anzala Allahu mina alssamai min rizqin faahya bihi alarda baAAda mawtiha watasreefi alrriyahi ayatun liqawmin yaAAqiloona

English

Ahmed Ali

As there are signs in the alternation of night and day, and in rain that God sends with which He revives the earth once dead, as there are in the changing of the winds, for people who can understand.

5

تِلْكَ اٰيٰتُ اللہِ نَتْلُوْہَا عَلَيْكَ بِالْحَقِّ۝۰ۚ فَبِاَيِّ حَدِيْثٍؚبَعْدَ اللہِ وَاٰيٰتِہٖ يُؤْمِنُوْنَ۝۶
Tilka ayatu Allahi natlooha AAalayka bialhaqqi fabiayyi hadeethin baAAda Allahi waayatihi yuminoona

English

Ahmed Ali

These are revelations of God which we recite to you correctly: In what other lore but God and His manifestations would they then believe?

6

وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ اَفَّاكٍ اَثِيْمٍ۝۷ۙ
Waylun likulli affakin atheemin

English

Ahmed Ali

Alas the woe for every dissembling sinner

7

يَّسْمَعُ اٰيٰتِ اللہِ تُتْلٰى عَلَيْہِ ثُمَّ يُصِرُّ مُسْتَكْبِرًا كَاَنْ لَّمْ يَسْمَعْہَا۝۰ۚ فَبَشِّرْہُ بِعَذَابٍ اَلِيْمٍ۝۸
YasmaAAu ayati Allahi tutla AAalayhi thumma yusirru mustakbiran kaan lam yasmaAAha fabashshirhu biAAathabin aleemin

English

Ahmed Ali

Who hears the revelations of God being recited to him, yet persists in denying with arrogance as though he had never heard them! So warn him of a painful punishment.

8

وَاِذَا عَلِمَ مِنْ اٰيٰتِنَا شَيْئَۨا اتَّخَذَہَا ہُزُوًا۝۰ۭ اُولٰۗىِٕكَ لَہُمْ عَذَابٌ مُّہِيْنٌ۝۹ۭ
Waitha AAalima min ayatina shayan ittakhathaha huzuwan olaika lahum AAathabun muheenun

English

Ahmed Ali

When he comes to know something of Our messages he makes fun of them: For them is shameful punishment.

9

مِنْ وَّرَاۗىِٕہِمْ جَہَنَّمُ۝۰ۚ وَلَا يُغْنِيْ عَنْہُمْ مَّا كَسَبُوْا شَيْـــــًٔا وَّلَا مَا اتَّخَذُوْا مِنْ دُوْنِ اللہِ اَوْلِيَاۗءَ۝۰ۚ وَلَہُمْ عَذَابٌ عَظِيْمٌ۝۱۰ۭ
Min waraihim jahannamu wala yughnee AAanhum ma kasaboo shayan wala ma ittakhathoo min dooni Allahi awliyaa walahum AAathabun AAatheemun

English

Ahmed Ali

There is Hell before them; and whatever they have earned will not avail them in the least, nor those whom they take as friends apart from God. There is great chastisement for them.

10

Themes and Subject Matter of Surah Al-Jathiya (الْجَاثِيَة)

This surah was revealed to answer many of the doubts of the disbelievers in Mecca at the time. These people were mostly polytheists and did not believe in Tawhid or the Oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). The verses in this surah bring a warning against such attitudes and give signs to prove Tawhid. 

The Proof of Tawhid

Some of the signs that this surah talks about include the human body, the earth, the heavens, and many more. The verses also point out that anyone can easily find evidence that testifies to the Oneness of God, but many choose to ignore them. The beauty of creation, the rainfall, the way crops grow, and the huge variety of living creatures all provide testimony that there is God and only one God. However, if someone wants to stay doubtful and reject these signs, they will not be convinced even with all the logic and reasoning in the world. 

Everything in the Universe Is Serving Mankind

The verses then emphasize how everything in the universe is serving humans. While man is far from being the strongest of all creation, he is still able to manipulate and exploit the world’s resources for his comfort and benefit. All these resources did not come into being by accident, nor could nature work so smoothly if several deities were running it. If one uses their intellect, they will soon realize that there is God and He is One. He alone is worthy of worship, and He will decide what happens. 

Warning For the Disbelievers

After showing the signs, the verses then warn the disbelievers and rebuke them for mocking the Muslims. The disbelievers were also arrogant and stubborn, insisting upon resisting the message of the Quran. 

Children of Banu Israel

The verses mention that the children of Israel had been given the True message before. They were also given a lot of importance but eventually failed to value this blessing. They disassembled their religion, changed the rulings, and lost their standing. Now, there is a new and final guidance code that shows the one true religion to mankind. Anyone who obeys this message will become worthy of Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) mercy. 

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Al-Jathiya (الْجَاثِيَة)

There are several points of wisdom and guidance in Surah Al-Jathiya. When we recite and study this surah, we get to reflect upon the many signs of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). The verses also remind us of the dire consequence of rejecting the existence and Oneness of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). The surah also reminds us about the reality of the Day of Judgement. By reading about this day and what will happen then, we gain an understanding of what our lives should be like. In a nutshell, we should live our lives according to what Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) wishes. There will be several other goals that demand our attention, such as careers, family, etc. While it’s important to follow these paths as well, the ultimate path we take should be according to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). If we don’t stay on the righteous path, we will pay for it in the next life.  

Surah Al-Jathiyah also reminds us of the previous religions and nations that either changed their religions or denied the messages sent to them. By reading their stories, Muslims are warned against not believing. Regularly reciting this surah will help us reflect on the world around us. We will be more able to appreciate Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) creation. Finally, these reminders will help a Muslim gain a higher level of piety and taqwa.