Quraysh (قُرَيْش)

The 106th Surah of the Quran is titled Quraysh (قُرَيْش), which also happens to be the name of a famous and powerful tribe in the Arab world. The name of the surah is taken from its first verse, لِاِيْلٰفِ قُرَيْـــشٍ, (Since the Quraysh became accustomed). The Quraysh tribe was initially gathered in Mecca by Qusayy bin Kilab. Soon, they gained control of Mecca and, in particular, the Ka’aba. The Quraysh tribe managed the affairs of the pilgrimage of Ka’aba, in a way to facilitate the pilgrims in the pre-Islamic era. Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ also belonged to a sub-clan of this tribe, known as Bani Hashim. Surah Quraysh is directly addressed to this renowned tribe of its time, the custodian of the Ka’aba and the beneficiary of the associated honour.  

It is a Makki Surah, which is one of the earliest Surahs revealed upon the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ during his stay in Mecca. Surah Quraysh is the 29th surah by the revelation order. In the order of recitation, it comes at 106th place. It is included in the Juzz 30 of the Quran. Within the 30th Juzz, it is the 29th surah. It is one of the shortest Surahs of the Quran, having only 4 verses grouped in a single Ruku. It consists of 17 words, comprising 73 letters. 

Themes and Subject Matter of Surah Quraysh (قُرَيْش)

The theme and subject matter of Surah Quraysh resembles that of the previous Surah, Al-Fil. It was reminded to the Quraysh tribe, in Surah Al-Fil, how Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ protected them and the Ka’aba from the people of the elephants, led by Abraha. Now, in surah Quraysh, they are directly addressed by Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ, reminding them of their position as the custodian of the House of Allah, Ka’aba. It is further recalled that it was Only Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ Who protected them from fear and saved them from hunger. 

The historical background of the Quraysh tribe is important to understand the background of the revelation of this surah. When the Quraysh tribe gained control of the Ka’aba as well as the administration of the City of Mecca, they got opportunities to develop trade relations with the outside world, such as Syria, Iran, Egypt, Iraq, and Yemen. Due to their frequent interaction with these developed parts of the world, they gained knowledge and education, apart from gaining monetary benefits, not only through trade but also by virtue of being the custodian of the Ka’aba. 

All these resulted in a prosperous life, as compared to the other Arabian tribes of that time. But despite knowing the reality that only Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ is worth worship, they still filled the Ka’aba with Idols. During the incident of the People of the Elephants, they had prayed to Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ to protect them as well as Ka’aba from the evil forces of Abraha. Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ did protect them, as they prayed for. At the time of the revelation of this surah, the incident of the People of the Elephants was just fresh in the memories of the people of Quraysh, so both Surah Al-Fil and Surah Quraysh briefly recall the virtues of being the custodian of the House of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ

All these blessings that Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ granted to the tribe of Quraysh are once again recalled in the Surah Quraysh. These four verses of this surah are the reminder for them that they admit that Ka’aba is the House of Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ and does not belong to any of the Idols they had installed in it. It is further recalled that the prosperity they enjoyed was only due to this Ka’aba by way of trade and commercial activities associated with it. Recalling all these blessings, they are urged to stop worshipping the Idols and follow the right path of worshipping only One Allah. 

Virtues and Benefits of Surah Quraysh (قُرَيْش)

Juzz 30 comprises 37 short Surahs. Surah Quraysh is one of those small Surahs. It consists of only four simple but precise verses. Reciting any of the verses or Surahs of the Quran is highly rewarded. Being the shortest of the Surahs, those included in the 30th Juzz are relatively easy to memorize. When a surah is memorized, it becomes easy to recite it anywhere, anytime, especially in the five regular prayers. 

So, the recitation of Surah Quraysh carries the huge benefit of getting rewards on the Day of Judgment. Additionally, there are also some specific benefits associated with the recitation of Surah Quraysh. It is believed that regular recitation of this surah protects from the fear of evils and enemies, as well as brings prosperity. Like any other verses or surahs, it also creates a direct connection with Allah سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَىٰ. It also strengthens Iman (faith), brings spiritual rewards, enhances inner strength, and causes peace of heart and mind.