This volume of Tafsīr al-Mīzān comprises of the tafsīr of five complete mid size chapters, namely, Sūrah al-Shūrā (42), Sūrah al-Zukhruf (43), Sūrah al-Dukhān (44), Sūrah al-Jāthiya (45) and Sūrah al-Ahqāf (46). All these sūrahs were revealed in Mecca and begin with the disconnected letters (al-ḥurūf al-muqaṭṭaʿah), Ḥā Mīm and are commonly referred to as the Ḥā Mīm sūrahs. The central theme of most of these sūrahs is about revelation
and warning the immoderate people with the threat of punishment. Besides the subject of revelation being the main concern of Sūrah al-Shūrā, the sūrah also discusses the signs of Divine unity, al-tawhīd and not to mention, the repeated discussion of sustenance (rizq). This chapter also consists of āyat al-mawaddah fī al-qurbā, which is the verse enjoining affection for the Prophet’s near relatives and everything associated with that:
That is of which God gives the good news to His servants, those who
Qur’an, 42:23
believe and do good deeds. Say, “I do not ask you any reward for it
except love of my near relatives”; and whoever earns good, We give
him more of good therein; surely God is Forgiving, Grateful.
Sūrah al-Zukhruf at the beginning mentions the sending of prophets in general and thereafter, discusses the immoderation of the faithless. The special concern of the sūrah is negation of the idea that God has any offspring. In addition, the sūrah discusses other interesting realities. Surah al-Dukhān begins by mentioning the sending down of guidance through the clear book (kitāb mubīn) as a mercy from God to His
servants on the Night of Ordainment (laylat al-qadr) and in which every definitive matter is confirmed. The sūrah then provides the faithless, who doubt the clear book, with a parallel of punishment in citing the story of Moses when he was sent to Pharaoh and his people to save the Israelites.
Sūrahs al-Jāthiya and al-Ahqāf have the purpose of a general call in the form of a warning. Surah al-Jāthiyah begins by mentioning the signs of God’s oneness and it emphasizes the importance of following the shariah (Divine codes) because ahead lies a day on which there will be compensation for righteous deeds—such as having faith and following the Prophet’s teachings—and punishment for anyone turning away from the religion. One of the most fascinating subjects discussed in this sūrah is how deeds are written down and recorded:
This is Our book, which speaks truly against you. Indeed We used
Qur’an, 45:29
to transcribe what you used to do.
Surah al-Ahqāf commences by affirming the Resurrection in order to fulfill its aim which is to warn the idolaters who reject the prophetic call to believe in God and His Messenger about the Resurrection and the painful punishment that awaits therein for those who turn away and deny. This sūrah also contains arguments for God’s oneness and prophethood, while referring to the destruction of the people of Hūd and of villages in the vicinity of Mecca and warning the idolaters of them.
