Sūrat al-Jumuʿa

سورۃ الجمعہ

Sūrat al-Jumuʿa was revealed in Madina al-Munawwara and contains eleven verses and two sections (rukūʿ).

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

يُسَبِّحُ لِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ الْمَلِكِ الْقُدُّوسِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَكِيمِ

yusabbiḥu li-llāhi mā fī l-samāwāti wa-mā fī l-arḍi l-maliki l-quddūsi l-ʿazīzi l-ḥakīm.

"Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth glorifies Allah — the Sovereign, the All-Holy, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." (al-Jumuʿa 62:1)

Yusabbiḥu — glorifies, proclaims His holiness. Al-malik — the Sovereign — what is He? He is the King, the absolute ruler of all. Al-quddūs — the All-Holy, the utterly pure — free from all deficiency. Al-ʿazīz — the All-Mighty and Powerful. Al-ḥakīm — the All-Wise — He does what is correct and appropriate.

Translation: "All that is in the heavens and on the earth glorifies Allah — the Sovereign, the All-Holy, the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."

هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ وَإِن كَانُوا مِن قَبْلُ لَفِي ضَلَالٍ مُّبِينٍ

huwa lladhī baʿatha fī l-ummiyyīna rasūlan minhum yatlū ʿalayhim āyātihi wa-yuzakkīhim wa-yuʿallimuhumu l-kitāba wa-l-ḥikmata wa-in kānū min qablu la-fī ḍalālin mubīn.

"It is He who sent among the unlettered a Messenger from among themselves, reciting to them His signs, purifying them, and teaching them the Book and wisdom — although they were previously in manifest error." (al-Jumuʿa 62:2)

Huwa lladhī baʿatha — it is He who sent. Fī l-ummiyyīn — among the unlettered people — those who did not read or write in their natural state. Rasūlan minhum — a Messenger from among themselves — of their own lineage. Yatlū ʿalayhim āyātih — he recites upon them the verses of Allah. Wa-yuzakkīhim — and he purifies them — cleansing them of corrupt beliefs and evil deeds. Wa-yuʿallimuhumu l-kitāba wa-l-ḥikma — and he teaches them the Book — the Qurʾān — and wisdom — the Sunna and the deep understanding of religion. Wa-in kānū min qablu la-fī ḍalālin mubīn — even though before his coming they were in manifest misguidance and clear error.

Translation: "He is the One who raised among the unlettered a Messenger from among them — who recites His signs to them, purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom — even though before this they were in manifest error."

Esteemed readers, what is "wisdom" (ḥikma)? Wisdom is a word with a comprehensive meaning — it refers to that natural guidance which is the foundation of righteous conduct. The word ḥikma is also used in English as "Attention" — in Arabic they say ṣamūj — the spiritual reality of attention which produces a divine radiance. I say that sacred knowledge (ʿilm) and spiritual purification (tazkyia-yi nafs) are two different things. ʿIlm is knowledge, and tazkyia is purification. Knowledge without purification does not purify the self. Our companions used to say: "We are at the court of prophethood" — and when the blessed company of the Prophet ﷺ was there, a spiritual state would descend.

Continuing: The Prophet ﷺ would give the companions purification through two means: (1) specific attention (tawajjuh), and (2) good company (ṣuḥbat-i nayk). Good company means this: a good person among you who has received the divine radiance by means of your company becomes like a fanā ī shaykh.

In whatever good company you sit, you will become good; and in whatever bad company you sit, you will also become bad.

Ṣuḥbat-i ṣāliḥ turā ṣāliḥ kunad — ṣuḥbat-i ṭāliḥ turā ṭāliḥ kunad. (The company of the righteous makes you righteous — the company of the corrupt makes you corrupt.)

وَآخَرِينَ مِنْهُمْ لَمَّا يَلْحَقُوا بِهِمْ وَهُوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيمُ

wa-ākhirīna minhum lammā yalḥaqū bihim wa-huwa l-ʿazīzu l-ḥakīm.

"And for others of them who have not yet joined them — He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise." (al-Jumuʿa 62:3)

Wa-ākhirīna minhum — and for others from among the unlettered people. Lammā yalḥaqū bihim — who have not yet joined the ranks of the first Muslims. Wa-huwa l-ʿazīzu l-ḥakīm — and He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise — this mercy and teaching is not limited to one generation; it extends to all peoples and all times.

Translation: "And for others of them who have not yet joined them. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise."

Explanation: the mission of the Prophet ﷺ encompasses not only his immediate companions but all Muslims who will come until the Day of Judgement — the chain of knowledge and spiritual purification is meant to continue through every age.

ذَٰلِكَ فَضْلُ اللَّهِ يُؤْتِيهِ مَن يَشَاءُ وَاللَّهُ ذُو الْفَضْلِ الْعَظِيمِ

dhālika faḍlu llāhi yuʾtīhi man yashāʾu wa-llāhu dhū l-faḍli l-ʿaẓīm.

"That is the grace of Allah — He gives it to whom He wills. And Allah is the Possessor of immense grace." (al-Jumuʿa 62:4)

Translation: "This is the grace of Allah — He gives it to whomever He wills. And Allah is the Possessor of immense grace."

مَثَلُ الَّذِينَ حُمِّلُوا التَّوْرَاةَ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَحْمِلُوهَا كَمَثَلِ الْحِمَارِ يَحْمِلُ أَسْفَارًا بِئْسَ مَثَلُ الْقَوْمِ الَّذِينَ كَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِ اللَّهِ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ

mathalu lladhīna ḥummilū l-tawrāta thumma lam yaḥmilūhā ka-mathali l-ḥimāri yaḥmilu asfāran biʾsa mathalu l-qawmi lladhīna kadhdhabū bi-āyāti llāhi wa-llāhu lā yahdī l-qawma l-ẓālimīn.

"The example of those who were made to carry the Torah but did not carry it is like that of a donkey carrying books. How wretched is the example of the people who denied the signs of Allah! And Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people." (al-Jumuʿa 62:5)

whom the Torah was laid as a burden — they were commanded to act upon it. Thumma lam yaḥmilūhā — yet they did not carry it, did not fulfil its obligations. Ka-mathali l-ḥimār — their likeness is that of a donkey. Yaḥmilu asfārā — carrying books — a book-laden donkey does not know what is written in the books, what they contain. Biʾsa mathalu l-qawm — how wretched is the parable of those people. Alladhīna kadhdhabū bi-āyāti llāh — who denied the signs of Allah. Wa-llāhu lā yahdī l-qawma l-ẓālimīn — and Allah does not guide the wrongdoing people — because guidance is not given to those who in their very nature are opposed to it.

Translation: "The likeness of those who were given the Torah to carry — but did not carry it — is like the likeness of a donkey carrying books. How wretched is the likeness of those people who denied the signs of Allah! And Allah does not guide wrongdoing people."

Esteemed readers, the comparison used here is remarkable. A donkey carries books upon its back — but it has no idea what is written in them, what benefit they contain, what guidance they provide. In just the same way, those who hold the Book but do not act upon it, do not understand it, do not reflect upon it — they are no better than the donkey. The ʿulamāʾ say: this is one of the most pointed parables in the Qurʾān for those who possess knowledge but do not act upon it.

قُلْ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ هَادُوا إِن زَعَمْتُمْ أَنَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ لِلَّهِ مِن دُونِ النَّاسِ فَتَمَنَّوُا الْمَوْتَ إِن كُنتُمْ صَادِقِينَ

qul yā ayyuhā lladhīna hādū in zaʿamtum annakum awliyāʾu li-llāhi min dūni l-nāsi fa-tamannawū l-mawta in kuntum ṣādiqīn.

"Say: O you who are Jews! If you claim that you are the intimate friends of Allah to the exclusion of all other people, then wish for death — if you are truthful." (al-Jumuʿa 62:6)

Qul — say, O Prophet. Yā ayyuhā lladhīna hādū — O you who have adopted the Jewish religion. In zaʿamtum — if you claim, if you pretend. Annakum awliyāʾu li-llāh — that you are the intimate friends and beloved of Allah. Min dūni l-nās — to the exclusion of all other people. Fa-tamannawū l-mawt — then wish for death, desire death. In kuntum ṣādiqīn — if you are truthful in your claim. The logic is: the friend of Allah would prefer to meet Him, and the one who truly loves Allah would welcome death as the meeting with the Beloved. The author cites a Persian verse: "Attar kī moṭ kī ghātī jā kōʾay jāna tāk — taqāẓā rāt din hai mujh se meray shauq bey ḥad kā." ("Like attar's (essential oil's) passage to the flower, so too for the soul: day and night my longing for the Beloved is boundless.") — (Ḥaḍrat Ṣiddīqī, may Allah have mercy on him)

Translation: "Tell them: O Jews! If you truly claim to be Allah's intimate friends to the exclusion of others, then wish for death — if you are truthful."

وَلَا يَتَمَنَّوْنَهُ أَبَدًا بِمَا قَدَّمَتْ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَاللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ بِالظَّالِمِينَ

wa-lā yatamannawnahu abadan bi-mā qaddamat aydīhim wa-llāhu ʿalīmun bi-l-ẓālimīn.

"But they will never wish for it, because of what their hands have put forth. And Allah is All-Knowing of the wrongdoers." (al-Jumuʿa 62:7)

Wa-lā yatamannawnahu — and they will never wish for it. Abadā — ever — they will not desire death. Bi-mā qaddamat aydīhim — because of the evil deeds that their own hands have sent forth — because they are fully conscious of those deeds. Wa-llāhu ʿalīmun bi-l-ẓālimīn — and Allah is All-Knowing of the wrongdoers — He knows every detail of their condition.

Translation: "But they will never wish for it — because of the deeds that their hands have sent ahead. And Allah knows the wrongdoers full well."

قُلْ إِنَّ الْمَوْتَ الَّذِي تَفِرُّونَ مِنْهُ فَإِنَّهُ مُلَاقِيكُمْ ثُمَّ تُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ فَيُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

qul inna l-mawta lladhī tafirūna minhu fa-innahu mulāqīkum thumma turaddūna ilā ʿālimi l-ghaybi wa-l-shahādati fa-yunabbi'ukum bi-mā kuntum taʿmalūn.

"Say: Indeed, the death from which you flee — it will surely meet you. Then you will be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the witnessed, and He will inform you of what you used to do." (al-Jumuʿa 62:8)

Qul inna l-mawta — say: indeed, death. Alladhī tafirūna minhu — from which you flee, which you run away from. Fa-innahu mulāqīkum — it will surely meet you — it is certain to come to you. Thumma turaddūna — then you will be returned. Ilā ʿālimi l-ghaybi wa-l-shahāda — to the One who knows all that is hidden and all that is manifest — the unseen and the visible. Fa-yunabbi'ukum — and He will inform you, He will make you aware. Bi-mā kuntum taʿmalūn — of everything you used to do — and you will be recompensed accordingly.

Translation: "Say: the death you flee from — it will certainly come to you. Then you will be returned before the One who knows all that is hidden and all that is visible — and He will inform you of everything you used to do."

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū idhā nūdiya li-l-ṣalāti min yawmi l-jumuʿati fa-sʿaw ilā dhikri llāhi wa-dharū l-bayʿa dhālikum khayrun lakum in kuntum taʿlamūn.

"O you who believe! When the call is made for prayer on the day of Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave aside trading. That is better for you, if only you knew." (al-Jumuʿa 62:9)

Yā ayyuhā lladhīna āmanū — O you who have believed, O people of faith. Idhā nūdiya li-l-ṣalāt — when the call is given for prayer — the adhān. Min yawmi l-jumuʿa — on the day of Friday. Fa-sʿaw ilā dhikri llāh — hasten towards the remembrance of Allah — rush to the sermon and prayer. Wa-dharū l-bayʿ — and leave aside trade and commerce — stop buying and selling. Dhālikum khayrun lakum — this is better for you. In kuntum taʿlamūn — if you have any knowledge, if you truly understand.

Translation: "O believers! When the call is given for prayer on Friday, hasten with speed to the remembrance of Allah and leave aside your trade — this is better for you, if only you knew."

Esteemed readers, what is happening today? Ordinary people do come to pray — the first thing they ask is: "When will the sermon begin and when will the prayer end?" They are told and they come — they arrive late, shove people aside to find a row, lean against each other from side to side, and then when the prayer is done they exit. They say "Allāhu Akbar" in takbīr and then after prayer recite "Allāhu Akbar" again — so what was the benefit of this sermon and lecture? As a last remark the preacher says: "O Muslims, give a little donation." They say: "That's fine, we'll manage" — and those who are capable of trust collect what they can. We hope that such gatherings will improve and good use will be made of what is collected.

Esteemed scholars say: if someone is riding a mount and the Friday call to prayer comes, he should dismount; if he was trading, he should halt — because failure to do so violates the injunction of the verse fa-sʿaw (hasten).

فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

fa-idhā quḍiyati l-ṣalātu fa-ntashirū fī l-arḍi wa-btaghū min faḍli llāhi wa-dhkurū llāha kathīran laʿallakum tufliḥūn.

"And when the prayer is concluded, then disperse through the land and seek from the grace of Allah, and remember Allah much — so that you may succeed." (al-Jumuʿa 62:10)

Fa-idhā quḍiyati l-ṣalāt — when the prayer is completed and finished. Fa-ntashirū fī l-arḍ — then disperse throughout the land — go your various ways. Wa-btaghū min faḍli llāh — and seek the grace of Allah — seek livelihood and provision. Wa-dhkurū llāha kathīrā — and remember Allah abundantly — keep His remembrance alive in your heart. Laʿallakum tufliḥūn — so that you may succeed — that your life may become a life of true prosperity.

Translation: "And when the prayer is concluded, then spread out in the land and seek the grace of Allah (seek your livelihood), and remember Allah abundantly — so that you may attain success."

Esteemed readers, how should one maintain constant remembrance? It can be achieved through dawām ḥuḍūr — presence of heart with every breath — through remembrance on the tongue and in the heart simultaneously.

وَإِذَا رَأَوْا تِجَارَةً أَوْ لَهْوًا انفَضُّوا إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَائِمًا

(continued on the following verse which concludes:)

قُلْ مَا عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ مِّنَ اللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ التِّجَارَةِ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ

qul mā ʿinda llāhi khayrun mina l-lahwi wa-mina l-tijārati wa-llāhu khayru l-rāziqīn.

"Say: What is with Allah is better than entertainment and better than trade. And Allah is the best of providers." (al-Jumuʿa 62:11)

Wa-idhā raʾaw tijāratan aw lahwā — and when they see a trade caravan or some entertainment. Anfaḍḍū ilayhā — they scatter towards it, they rush off to it. Wa-tarakūka qāʾimā — and they left you standing — they abandoned you while you were still preaching. Qul mā ʿinda llāh — say: what is with Allah. Khayrun mina l-lahwi wa-mina l-tijāra — is better than entertainment and better than trade. Wa-llāhu khayru l-rāziqīn — and Allah is the best of providers — He is the One who truly sustains.

Translation: "And when they see a trade caravan or some entertainment, they scatter towards it and leave you standing — Say: what is with Allah is better than entertainment and trade, and Allah is the best provider."