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Surah Alam Nashrah: Important Lessons and Advantages
The divine promise is nestled in Surah Alam Nashrah for Muslims when their burdens become unshakable and life feels heavy. Surah Inshirah or Surah Sharh is a powerful chapter conveying a message of divine reassurance, resilience, and hope. The Makki Surah is in Juz 30, and the Surah order is 94.
A total of 8 verses were revealed during a challenging time in the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s lifetime. This Surah serves as a spiritual treatment for people facing adversity. The verses echo with excellent encouragement, reminding Muslims that hardship comes with ease. Surah Inshirah holds immense significance, whether you are seeking inner peace or inspiration.
| Classification | Makki |
| Juz Position | 30 |
| Surah Order | 94 |
| Total Verses | 8 |
| Total Words | 27 |
| Meaning | Comfort, Consolation, Opening-Up of Heart, Relief, Expanding, Expansion |
Surah Alam Nashrah Transliteration and Translation
The transliteration of Surah Inshirah is as follows, just like the Quran transliteration and translation:
اَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ(1) وَ وَضَعْنَا عَنْكَ وِزْرَكَ(2) الَّذِیْۤ اَنْقَضَ ظَهْرَكَ(3) وَ رَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَﭤ(4) فَاِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ یُسْرًا(5) اِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ یُسْرًاﭤ(6) فَاِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَانْصَبْ(7) وَ اِلٰى رَبِّكَ فَارْغَبْ(8)
The translieration of Surah Inshirah is as follows:
Alam nashrah laka sadarak (1) Wawa da’anaa anka wizrak (2) Allaziy anqada zaharak (3) Wara fa’anaa laka zikrak (4) Fa inna ma’al usri yusra (5) Inna ma’al usri yusra (6) Fa iza faragta fan sab (7) wa ila Rabbika far gab (8)
The English translation of Surah Alam Nashrah is as follows:
Did We not expand for you your breast? And We removed from you your burden. Which had weighed upon your back. And We raised high for you your repute. For indeed, with the hardship [will be] ease. Indeed, with the hardship [will be] ease. So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up. And to your Lord direct [your] longing.
You can consider the best English translation of Quran to read and understand this Surah properly if you’re a native English speaker or a non-Arabic speaker. At Mahad Al Islami Lil Banat, we help you understand Surah Ash-Sharh with a comprehensive explanation.
Why was Surah Inshirah revealed upon the Holy Prophet (PBUH)
It was revealed as a direct consolation to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in Mecca during the hardship, loneliness, and emotional difficulty. Surah Ash-Sharh contains 8 verses to convey a message of perseverance, divine support, and hope to humanity.
Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) was facing:
- The emotional burden of his brilliant spiritual mission
- Ridicule and rejection by His own tribe, Quraysh
- Social isolation to preach monotheism
Allah Almighty revealed this Surah to relieve the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s stress, ensuring him that ease comes after the hard times.
Key Messages from the Surah
1. “Did We not expand for you your chest?”
The metaphor “opening of the chest” represents that Allah Almighty granted spiritual strength, patience, and clarity to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Several scholars connect this verse of the Quran in English to the Sharh Al-Sadr event, cleansing of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s heart in His childhood by the angels. Broadly, it reveals the readiness and peace for the divine mission of preaching Islam.
2. “And removed from you your burden?”
The ‘burden’ symbolizes the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s emotional heaviness due to the responsibility of conveying Allah Almighty’s message while facing rejection. Allah reminds Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) that He is easing the load, lightening the emotional and mental strain.
3. “And raised high for you your repute?”
Allah Almighty promises that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s name will be remembered and honored despite the opposition. Today, we can see that Hazrat Muhammad’s name is mentioned alongside Allah Almighty’s name in adhan (prayer call), shahadah (faith declaration), greetings, and supplications. You can also enroll in the Quran prayer course to learn different supplications.
4. “Indeed, with hardship comes ease.”
It is a central message of Surah Alam Nashrah, which is repeated twice, showing the emphasis. This divine promise highlights that difficult times in life are not permanent. Moreover, ease is not just after the hard times but also within them.
5. “So when you are free, strive.”
Allah Almighty instructed the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to keep moving forward and worship after completing one task. This Surah encourages Him to continue his mission of spreading Islam with energy. Therefore, it offers an effective reminder that purpose-driven action is ideal for worship and healing.
Struggles of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) before Prophethood
People in Makkah stopped listening to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) while also abusing and ridiculing Him when He asked them to follow the righteous path in their lives. He faced new challenges each time He tried to preach Islam. You can explore the benefits of Surah Yaseen because this Surah emphasizes the oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).
The initial prophethood days were very challenging, even though He became used to difficulties. That’s why Allah Almighty revealed Surah Alam Nashrah to console and inspire the last prophet. This Surah provides encouragement to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to strive for Allah Almighty’s compensation and blessings.
Allah Almighty told Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) that difficulties will end soon. The highlighting of blessings encourages the Holy Prophet (PBUH) not to feel down in the hard times, and divine help is on the way. Moreover, Allah ordered the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to boost His worship to lessen the stress of challenges.
What is the Tafsir of Surah Inshirah?
Allah Almighty reminds His Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)of many of His favors in the first half of Surah Alam Nashrah. An online Tafseer course helps you understand how Allah Almighty allowed Islam into the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s heart while opening His heart to Islamic teachings.
The purpose of recalling was to reassure Him that His Lord would continue to help and guide Him in the way, just as He had in the past. Expansion of the breast symbolizes the relief from uncertainty while ensuring satisfaction and motivation.
He could never accept the faith of His ancestors and also had no alternative substitute. Therefore, he spent most of His time in the cave of Hiraa to reflect and pray for the righteous direction. The revelation of this Surah provided Him the ultimate comfort and satisfaction while asking people to follow the Islamic teachings.
Allah Almighty showed the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) proper guidance with the blessing of the prophethood. The prophethood gave Him the ultimate bravery and serenity while relieving His hard times. You can enroll in the Quran translation course to understand this Surah properly.
Meaning and Explanation of Verses
There are two meanings of Sharh as-Sadr in the contextual terms. Therefore, it is used again in the Holy Quran:
“So, whoever Allah wants to guide, yashrah sadrahu lillslam (He expands his breast to contain Islam)”. Surah Al’an’am verse 125
“So is one whose breast Allah has expanded to [accept] Islam (sharah-Allahu sadrahu lil-Islam) and he is upon a light from his Lord…” Surah Zumar verse 22
Sharh as-Sadr in both of these verses represents satisfaction with Islam. It morally provides an acceptable living style. Surah TaHa verses 25-26 describe that Allah Almighty sent Prophet Musa (AS) to face the challenge of Pharaoh and his subjects. Hazrat Musa (AS) pleaded to the Lord, saying:
“Rabbishrah-li sadri wa yassirlii amrii (My Lord, expand for me my breast and ease for me my task).”
The expansion of the breast reveals that Prophet Musa (AS) requires more confidence and bravery to complete the religious task. Moreover, the last two ayat of Surah Baqarah also offer spiritual protection and blessings. There are two meanings of “Expanding the Prophet’s breast” in Surah Alam Nashrah. Therefore, it also highlights another point:
“When Allah has blessed you with sharh as-sadr, there is no longer any reason that you should feel distressed or depressed.” Moreover, Allah Almighty had lifted the weight from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Who was carrying it heavily.
Interpretations of Surah Alam Nashrah according to Commentators:
The commentators offered three types of interpretations for Surah Inshirah.
1. It represents two occasions, once during the Prophet (PBUH)’s boyhood. Another occasion just before Al-Israa’, when angels opened his chest and purified His heart. The terminology in hadiths is opening or splitting (shaqq as-sadr). Several scholars have denied this theory.
2. It pardons home for whatever He may have made. All prophets are free from crimes. The word burden is continuously used to symbolize wrongdoing or guilt. Therefore, His hard time was a result of his keen sensitivity to minor mistakes. Therefore, you can consider an online Qirat course to read this Surah beautifully.
3. It describes and lessens the Holy Prophet (PBUH)’s fear of rejection from people when He reminded them of Allah Almighty. This Surah highlights that Allah Almighty helped His Prophet even if the challenges made Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)’s religious objective tough.
Important Lessons of Surah Inshirah
Allah Almighty revealed this Surah to the Holy Prophet (PBUH) when nobody could have thought that a person with a few companions in Makkah would be honored across the entire world. However, Allah Almighty bestowed upon him immense rewards.
Muhammad (SAW) is a name that represents someone who is frequently praised and deserves honor. Moreover, Allah Almighty chose the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to deliver His divine message, which is the prominent reason to thank Him.
It is a fact that the opposition started to damage His reputation when He asked to stop idol worship and follow the Islamic religion and worship only Allah Almighty. These people also asked other people not to pay attention to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). You can learn and become an online Quran reciter of this Surah.
It is important to note that people started to admire the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)’s behavior, faith, and personality. The entire Arabian Peninsula was pronouncing Shahadah and Adhan within a period of ten years. Islam started to spread eastward across Asia and westward across Africa.
Allah’s Blessings
Allah Almighty granted the Holy Prophet (PBUH) the unique combination of His own name with Muhammad in the adhan. This name in adhan is chanted throughout the day and night across the different parts of the world.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) is also in the Shahadah, which is pronounced in each Salah. It is important to note that angels and Muslims recite the Sal-Allahu Alayhi Wa Sallam (invoking Allah’s blessings) whenever His (PBUH) name is invoked.
Last Prophet to Humanity
Allah Almighty granted the status of the last and greatest prophet to humanity. The Lord also bestowed the highest honor on the Holy Prophet (PBUH). He (SAW) will be the first-ever person to enter Heaven with the highest status in the hereafter.
You can join an Islamic educational center to enhance your religious knowledge. It is true that nobody can ever get that kind of status in this world and the hereafter. Allah Almighty reassures the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that ease will come with difficulty.
What does ‘Yusr’ denote in Surah Alam Nashrah?
The indefinite Yusr represents different characteristics and forms of easiness. The purpose of using the definite article (لا) is to convey that al-usr is a specific hardship. The scholars realize that difficulties will be overcome with ease. Allah Almighty repeatedly confirmed the ease after challenges in this Surah.
The discussion of ease before the difficulty highlights that ease is near the challenging situation. Allah asked His Messenger (SAW) to maintain His devotion. This Surah focuses on the fact that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) focuses on Allah Almighty after finishing the worldly and religious tasks.
The instruction is translated as “then stand and supplicate to your Lord.” The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) fulfilled his tasks of serving and worshipping while obeying Allah Almighty. You can enroll in an Islamic education course to understand that Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) was asked in Surah Ash-Sharh to pay attention to Allah through different worship forms after getting free from daily tasks.
What are the Benefits of Surah Alam Nashrah?
There are different benefits of Surah Inshirah, which encourage Muslims to recite and listen to this beautiful Surah. Several Islamic scholars suggest recitation of this Surah as a source of relieving pain while hoping for the best in difficult times. Let’s take a look at the advantages of Surah Alam Nashrah:
- Reciting this Surah opens the reciter’s heart.
- Reading Surah Inshirah relieves the heavier burdens.
- Elevate the reciter’s name throughout the universe. Hazrat Imam Sadiq (AS) narrated that “He who recites Surah Alam Nashrah during day and night, will die as a martyr and be resurrected as a martyr and resemble one who fights in the way of ALLAH with his sword along with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.”
- Maintain focus while improving memory, just like the benefits of Surah Mulk.
- Offer protection and assurance to the readers.
- Recitation cures all heart diseases, such as chest discomfort or abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia).
- Reciting Surah Alam Nashrah 21 times a day removes all of a person’s problems.
- Reading and blowing this Surah on water before drinking can blow away flu, cold, and cough.
- Safety from different illnesses such as hepatitis, diabetes, and cancer.
- Gain the honor and respect with the recitation of this Surah.
- Boost wealth and make you wealthy if you recite Surah Inshirah 21 times after the Fajar prayer.
- Boost reliance on Allah Almighty’s mercy and reduce anxiety while ensuring emotional peace.
- Develop trust and gratitude in Allah Almighty for divine support, similar to the benefits of Ayatul Kursi.
- Soothe spiritual distress while healing the heart.
- Ease in different affairs such as livelihood and exams.
Memorize Surah Alam Nashrah
Surah Ash-Sharh is one of the short Surahs in the Holy Quran and contains the immense message of encouraging Muslims to stay patient because there is ease with each difficulty. There are only 8 verses in Surah Inshirah.
Muslims can aim for memorizing this Surah while reading it on a daily basis. The memorization allows you to ease sorrows and struggles. Surah Alam Nashrah safeguards Muslims from the hell flames. The memorizers can embrace the prosperity of this world and the hereafter. Let’s enroll in the best Quran memorization course of Mahad Al Islami Lil Banat to memorize this Surah by heart!
FAQs
What is surah Alam Nashrah for?
Answer: It is for finding comfort and peace in difficult times.
Which surah eases hardship?
Answer: Surah Ash-Sharh eases hardship.
What are the benefits of Fa Inna Ma Al Usri Yusra?
Answer: This verse encourages believers to embrace patience as a proactive tool in hard times.
In which para is surah Alam?
Answer: Surah Alam Nashrah is in the 30th Juz or Para of the Holy Quran.
What is the meaning of Yusra in the Quran?Answer: Yusra in Surah Inshirah means comfort or ease.
