Surah Shams
The word “Shams” actually means “sun.” The beginning of this Surah employs an oath taken in the name of some astronomical bodies, for example, the sun. What follows are verses about a commitment taken with the soul of man. The more significant part of this Surah, however, describes the accounts of the fate of Thamud.
The name of this Surah was chosen based on the first lines of the text. The word “Shams” appears several times throughout the Surah. There are lots of benefits of reciting surah shams regularly, Allah will accept their testimony, favorable circumstances, divine guidance, resilient, courageous, and popularity with the people and grant them a place in Janna.
When was Surah Shams Revealed?
The Surah, known as shams, was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad during a time of significant opposition to his call for monotheism. The style and content of the Surah indicate that it was revealed when the Prophet was in Makkah al-Mukarramah and its Makki surah in Quran. The topics covered in the Surah show that the Messenger of Allah faced intense pressure to reject his beliefs and worship Allah instead.
Benefits of Reciting Surah Shams
There are lots of benefits to reciting this surah and its helps us in many of our daily life issues.
The messenger of God (S) says about surah ash-Shams,
“He who recites it (Surah ash-Ash-Shams like he who has given charity (in the way of Allah) to all things that the sun and the moon shine upon.” (Ṭabrisī, Majmaʿ al-bayān, vol. 10, p. 367.)
Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (AS) says,
The body limbs and the adjacent objects near he who recites Surah Shams will testify in favor of him on Judgement Day, and God, the Almighty, shall say to them, ‘I will accept your testimony about my servant and shall reward him. Accompany him to heaven, and he shall select that which pleases him.’ (Ṣadūq, Thawāb al-aʿmāl, p. 123.)
It is advised to recite Surah ash-Shams in the 2nd Rakat of namaz and, per some sources, in the initial Rakat of the Eid al-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha prayers as well. (Najafī, Jawāhir al-kalām, vol. 11, p. 358.)
On the day of Dahw al-Ard (Dhu al-Qi’da 25th), it is also advised to offer a two-Rakat prayer and to recite Sura al-Shams five times following Surah al-Fatiha.
(Ḥurr al-ʿĀmilī, Wasāʾil al-Shīʿa, vol. 8, p. 182.)
The reward for reciting this Sura has been compared to those that shine on the sun and moon according to our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallal laahu alaihi wasallam.
Imam Jaffar Sadiq (Radi Allahu Tala Anhu) states that those who recite Surat as-Shams, al-Layl, ad-Dhuha, and al-Inshirah will find all creatures of the earth testifying on their behalf on the Day of Judgment, and Allah will accept their testimony and grant them a place in Jannah. (Sawabul Aamal p168)
In reciting Surat Ash-Shams, the Reciter is like the rich man who gives away everything he has as charity. If the Reciter is not wealthy, Allah will provide him with favorable circumstances and divine guidance. (Majma’-al-Bayan 10/496)
When you recite Surat Shams, you become more resilient, courageous, and popular with the people. (Fawaid-e-Quran)
Molana Ashraf Ali Thanvi writes
Reciting Surah Ash-Shams in the patient’s ear is believed to be very beneficial against epilepsy. (Remedies from the Quran p94)
Allama Alam Faqr writes
Surah Ash-Shams is beneficial in granting desires and ensuring the safety of people and their possessions. It should be repeated for this reason at least once each day, especially during the Ishraq Salah, which will guard against harmful infections.
For the sake of the unborn child’s security, pregnant mothers can also recite Surah Ash-Shams. After the Ishraq Salat, it should be repeated 41 times, blown into the water, and then given to the mother to drink.
A person who has terrible character or uses filthy language will give up these bad habits and gain piety in his nature if Surah Ash-Shams is recited 41 times, blown on water, and given to him for drinking. (Majmooa Wazaif p173)
Lesson from Surah Shams’s
Surah Shams is a powerful surah that illustrates the reality of good and evil through a clear example of the Sun, the Sky, the day, and the night. Inshallah, Surah Shams will help us to comprehend the reality of good and evil and why we should act upon Allah’s and Prophet Muhammad’s teachings.
As part of Surah Shams, our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH teaches us. We should recite Surah Shams with a better translation source in order to find the answer to this serious concern. Collectively, we can reach reality by reciting Surah Shams and reading its translation.
In a Hadith, narrated by Abdullah bin Buradah RA, ‘the messenger of Allah almighty PBUH used to recite Surah Shams in the prayer of isha. ‘
Central theme of Surah Shams
The primary purpose of the sham’s surah is to emphasize the greatness of the signs of Allah through examples in the universe. The Surah begins with the sun and how it is a sign of Allah’s power. It then talks about the moon, day, night, heaven, and earth and how these are all signs of Allah’s greatness. The Surah then talks about how humans still cannot understand the secrets of the universe or the human soul and how this signifies Allah’s greatness.
Separately, the surah shams clarify the fate of the creation. Among them, we find a group purging themselves of sins and misdeeds in order to seek Allah’s pleasure. Another group commits what they like of sins and follows their desires and the abomination of the Shitan. However, Allah rewards or punishes each individual according to his merits. The good is rewarded by his work, and those who are unjust and unbelievers are destroyed by it.
Conclusion
To achieve success in this life and after death, we need to learn about our religion. One of the important chapters of the Quran, Surah Shams, offers us rewards for reciting it.
The rewards and virtues we seek should be attained as best as possible. At the same time, it is necessary for the Day of Judgment.
Read more about Surah Falaq Benefits.
