Fussilat (فُصِّلَت)

Surah Fussilat (فُصِّلَت), also known as ‘Ha-Meem Sajdah,’ is the 41st surah of the holy Quran. This surah is spread across 2 juz (paras), i.e., 24th and 25th. The first 46 verses are in the 24th juz (para), while the 25th juz (para) contains verses from 47 to 54. It is a Makki surah and was revealed before the Prophet (ﷺ) migrated to Medina. This surah contains 6 ruku and 1 sajdah (al-tilawah) on the very first verse.

Fussilat, meaning "Explained in Detail," lives up to its title by presenting clear and detailed verses. It confronts the prevailing polytheism of the Quraysh tribe, urging them to embrace the truth of one God, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎. This surah unveils the power and sovereignty of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎. The gut-wrenching stories of the past communities that denied Allah’s messages are eye-openers for the readers. But Surah Fussilat does not focus on warnings to the nonbelievers. It serves as a beacon of hope for the righteous, giving them good news of glad timings. It reminds those seeking the right path that the Quran is the source of guidance and healing. 

٤١ - فُصِّلَت

41 - Fussilat

حٰـمۗ۝۱ۚ
Hameem

English

Ahmed Ali

HA MIM.

1

تَنْزِيْلٌ مِّنَ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ۝۲ۚ
Tanzeelun mina alrrahmani alrraheemi

English

Ahmed Ali

A revelation from the most benevolent, ever-merciful,

2

كِتٰبٌ فُصِّلَتْ اٰيٰتُہٗ قُرْاٰنًا عَرَبِيًّا لِّــقَوْمٍ يَّعْلَمُوْنَ۝۳ۙ
Kitabun fussilat ayatuhu quranan AAarabiyyan liqawmin yaAAlamoona

English

Ahmed Ali

A Book whose verses have been distinguished and explained, a lucid discourse for people who understand,

3

بَشِيْرًا وَّنَذِيْرًا۝۰ۚ فَاَعْرَضَ اَكْثَرُہُمْ فَہُمْ لَا يَسْمَعُوْنَ۝۴
Basheeran wanatheeran faaAArada aktharuhum fahum la yasmaAAoona

English

Ahmed Ali

Announcing happy news and warnings. And yet most of them are averse and do not listen,

4

وَقَالُوْا قُلُوْبُنَا فِيْۗ اَكِنَّۃٍ مِّمَّا تَدْعُوْنَاۗ اِلَيْہِ وَفِيْۗ اٰذَانِنَا وَقْرٌ وَّمِنْۢ بَيْنِنَا وَبَيْنِكَ حِجَابٌ فَاعْمَلْ اِنَّنَا عٰمِلُوْنَ۝۵
Waqaloo quloobuna fee akinnatin mimma tadAAoona ilayhi wafee athanina waqrun wamin baynina wabaynika hijabun faiAAmal innana AAamiloona

English

Ahmed Ali

And say: "Our hearts are immured against what you call us to. There is a deafness in our ears, and a veil lies between us and you. So act (your way), we are acting (ours)."

5

قُلْ اِنَّمَاۗ اَنَا بَشَرٌ مِّثْلُكُمْ يُوْحٰۗى اِلَيَّ اَنَّمَاۗ اِلٰــہُكُمْ اِلٰہٌ وَّاحِدٌ فَاسْتَقِيْمُوْۗا اِلَيْہِ وَاسْتَغْفِرُوْہُ۝۰ۭ وَوَيْلٌ لِّـلْمُشْرِكِيْنَ۝۶ۙ
Qul innama ana basharun mithlukum yooha ilayya annama ilahukum ilahun wahidun faistaqeemoo ilayhi waistaghfiroohu wawaylun lilmushrikeena

English

Ahmed Ali

Say: "I am a man like you, (but) it is revealed to me that your God is one God, so take the straight path to Him, and ask Him to forgive your sins. Woe to the idolaters

6

الَّذِيْنَ لَا يُؤْتُوْنَ الزَّكٰوۃَ وَہُمْ بِالْاٰخِرَۃِ ہُمْ كٰفِرُوْنَ۝۷ۙ
Allatheena la yutoona alzzakata wahum bialakhirati hum kafiroona

English

Ahmed Ali

Who do not give a due share of their wealth for the welfare of others, and do not believe in the Hereafter.

7

اِنَّ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا وَعَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ لَہُمْ اَجْرٌ غَيْرُ مَمْنُوْنٍ۝۸ۧ
Inna allatheena amanoo waAAamiloo alssalihati lahum ajrun ghayru mamnoonin

English

Ahmed Ali

But those who believe and do the right, will have a continuing reward.

8

قُلْ اَىِٕنَّكُمْ لَتَكْفُرُوْنَ بِالَّذِيْ خَلَقَ الْاَرْضَ فِيْ يَوْمَيْنِ وَتَجْعَلُوْنَ لَہٗۗ اَنْدَادًا۝۰ۭ ذٰلِكَ رَبُّ الْعٰلَمِيْنَ۝۹ۚ
Qul ainnakum latakfuroona biallathee khalaqa alarda fee yawmayni watajAAaloona lahu andadan thalika rabbu alAAalameena

English

Ahmed Ali

Say: "Do you refuse to believe in Him who created the earth in two spans of time, and set up compeers to Him, the Lord of all the worlds?

9

وَجَعَلَ فِيْہَا رَوَاسِيَ مِنْ فَوْقِہَا وَبٰرَكَ فِيْہَا وَقَدَّرَ فِيْہَاۗ اَقْوَاتَہَا فِيْۗ اَرْبَعَۃِ اَيَّامٍ۝۰ۭ سَوَاۗءً لِّلسَّاۗىِٕلِيْنَ۝۱۰
WajaAAala feeha rawasiya min fawqiha wabaraka feeha waqaddara feeha aqwataha fee arbaAAati ayyamin sawaan lilssaileena

English

Ahmed Ali

He placed firm stabilisers rising above its surface, blessed it with plenty and growth, and ingrained the means of growing its food within it, sufficient for all seekers, in four spans.

10

Theme and Subject Matter of Surah Fussilat (فُصِّلَت)

Surah Fussilat unfolds a compelling message of believing in one God and criticizing polytheism. Throughout the surah, the reader is reminded of the day of judgment and the stories of prophets that came before Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). These narrations explain with examples the rewards Allah bestows on those who stand firm in the path of Allah. Key themes of Surah Fussilat are as follows:  

Oneness of God

This surah was revealed at a time when nonbelievers were spreading false information about Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎. Polytheism was at its peak, and people were worshipping many false idols. Surah Fussilat reinforces the concept of Tawheed. Verse 6 is a clear message to everyone, “Say, O [Muhammad (ﷺ)], "I am only a man like you to whom it has been revealed that your god is but one God; so, take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness." And woe to those who associate others with Allah.” 

Divine Creation

The surah invites reflection on the wonders of creation, from the natural world to human development. These signs are presented as evidence of Allah Almighty’s power, wisdom, and unique design. Verse 9 showcases the power and design of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ to create the earth, mountains, and sky by saying, “Say “What! You disbelieve in Him Who created the earth in two days, and you appoint equals to Him? He is the Lord of The Creation!”

The Day of Resurrection

Surah Fussilat is a warning for the disbelievers. It foretells them that they will have to face the consequences of their sins on the day of judgment. Allah says in Surah Fussilat, “Indeed those who distort Our verses are not hidden from Us; so, is one who is cast into the fire better, or one who comes in safety on the Day of Resurrection? Do whatever you wish! He is indeed seeing your deeds.” (41:40). This verse beautifully explains that each person is responsible for his or her course, and they will be fairly judged on the final day!

Stories of Prophets

The surah is full of stories of prophets, including Hud, who was sent to the Banu A’ad, Musa (Moses), sent to the Bani Israel, and Salih, who was sent down to the Thamud. From the stories, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ shares valuable lessons for mankind. Verse 13 is a reminder for people who choose to go astray. “Then, if they turn away, say, “I warn you of a thunderbolt like the thunderbolt which came upon A’ad and Thamud.”

Outcome of Deeds

It is important to remember that every human has to bear the result of their own deeds. The outcome of a good deed is paradise, while that of a bad one is hellfire. In Surah Fussilat, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ explains this, “And the good deed and the evil deed will never be equal; O listener! Repel the evil deed with a good one, thereupon the one between whom and you was enmity will become like a close friend.” (41:34). Similarly, in verse 46, Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى)‎ reminds us all that “Whoever does good deeds, so it is for his own good, and whoever commits evil, so it is for his own harm, and your Lord does not at all oppress the bondmen.”

Benefits and Virtues of Surah Fussilat (فُصِّلَت)

Surah Fussilat has significance for every Muslim as it is called ‘the fruit of the Quran’. Reciting Surah Fussilat can be a source of forgiveness. Narrated Abu Hurairah: 

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever recites Ha Mim Ad-Dukhan during the night, in the morning seventy thousand angels seek forgiveness for him." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2888)

This surah has been nominated as a war cry against an enemy, which means it should be recited in the face of trouble. In Sunan Abi Dawud 2597, Narrated A man who heard the Prophet (ﷺ):

Al-Muhallab ibn Abu Sufrah said: A man who heard the Prophet (ﷺ) say: If the enemy attacks you at night, let your war cry be Ha-Mim. They will not be helped.

The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) used to recite this surah in prostration (sajdah), which signifies that it should be recited during salah for added benefits.