094 - Sūrat al-Inshirāh/ash-Sharh

In the name of Allah (who is) Rahmān (and) Rahīm.

[For explanation, see Sūrat al-Fātiha: 1]

1

Did We not expand (an interrogative meant as an affirmative, in other words, 'We did [indeed] expand') your breast for you, O Muhammad "sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam", by means of prophethood and otherwise,

2

and relieve you of your burden,

3

that which weighed down your back? - this is similar to where Allahu ta’ālā says: that Allahu ta’ālā may forgive you what is past of your sin [Q. 48:2].

4

Did We not exalt your mention? For you are mentioned where I [Allahu ta’ālā] am mentioned in the call announcing [the time for] prayer (adhān), in the [second] call to perform the prayer (iqāma), in the witnessing ['there is no god but Allahu ta’ālā, Muhammad "sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam" is His Messenger (rasūl)'] (tashahhud), in the Friday sermon and in other instances.

5

For truly with hardship comes ease.

6

Truly with hardship comes ease: the Prophet "sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam" suffered much hardship at the hands of the disbelievers, but then he enjoyed ease when he was assisted to victory [by Allahu ta’ālā] over them.

7

So when you are finished, from [performing] prayer, toil, exert yourself in supplication [to Allahu ta’ālā],

8

and seek, devote yourself humbly to, your Rabb.