Summary of Quran Chapter 106 Surah Quraish (Quraish) The Tribe

Summary of Quran Chapter 106 Surah Quraish (Quraish) The Tribe 

Surah Quraysh: Revelation and Meaning 

Surah Quraysh is the 106th chapter of the Holy Qur'an and consists of 4 verses. It was revealed in Makkah, during the early days of Islam—an important time in the Prophet’s mission. This Surah focuses on Allah’s protection and blessings upon the Quraysh tribe, urging them to show gratitude and worship Allah in acknowledgment of His favors. 

Time of Revelation 

Surah Quraysh was revealed when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had just begun preaching in Makkah. During this period, the Quraysh tribe was the most powerful and dominant group in Makkah, enjoying great wealth and a secure environment for their commercial activities. 

Name and Meaning 

The name "Quraysh" refers to the noble tribe of Makkah, which was the Prophet Muhammad's own tribe. The essence of this Surah highlights the privileged status of Quraysh and Allah’s protection over them. 

The Surah affirms that Allah granted them the blessing of safety during their trade journeys and provision of sustenance. It emphasizes to the Quraysh the importance of honoring the Lord of the Kaaba and expressing gratitude for His blessings. 

Explanation 

The first two verses of Surah Quraysh refer to the monopoly held by the Quraysh over trade in the East and West during the era before the birth of Muhammad (PBUH). At that time, goods from the Far Eastern countries (such as India, Java, Malaya, Sumatra, China, etc.) would arrive via the Indian Ocean and be unloaded at the coast of Yemen. On the other hand, ships coming from Europe would anchor at the coasts of Syria and Palestine. After that, goods from Yemen were transported to Syria, and vice versa, using a land route. Thus, during that period, the route between Yemen and Syria was essentially considered an international trade highway. 

It is obvious that the sea route connecting Europe to India (around the Cape of Good Hope) was discovered centuries later by Vasco da Gama in 1498, while the Suez Canal, which connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, was constructed in 1869.  

Until about 150 to 200 years before the birth of Muhammad (PBUH), the Sabaean tribe held a monopoly over this trade route. However, when the Ma'rib Dam broke, it caused a devastating flood in the region, leading to the disintegration of the Sabaean civilization. As a result, this trade route eventually came fully under the control of the Quraysh of Makkah. 

Since the Quraysh were custodians of the Kaaba, they were held in great respect and reverence throughout Arabia. At that time, when no trade caravan was safe from robbers and bandits, Quraysh caravans could travel across Arabia without even being looked at with suspicion. One of the reasons for this was that all the Arab tribes had placed their idols in the Kaaba. 

In other words, every tribe's "god" resided in the Kaaba solely due to the favor of the Quraysh. Therefore, no Arab tribe dared to lay a hand on their caravans. As a result, the Quraysh caravans moved throughout the year without fear or danger along the trade route from Yemen to Syria and back. 

During the summer, they would travel to the cooler regions of Syria and Palestine, while in the winter, they would head to the warmer areas of Yemen. This Surah (Surah Quraysh) refers to these trade journeys. 

Clearly, complete monopoly over an international trade highway, guaranteed safety for trade caravans at all times, and the seasonal advantage of traveling between cold and warm regions were such blessings that no amount of gratitude to Allah could be enough for them. 

It is evident that their forefather, Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), peace be upon him, built this House of Allah (the first House of God among all the idol temples in the world) as a center of monotheism. When Prophet Ibrahim settled his children near this Sacred House, he reminded them of their responsibility regarding monotheism with these words: "لِيُقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ" — so that they may establish prayer as a form of worship to Allah. 

Therefore, it would have been proper that those who were granted prosperity and honor due to their custodianship of the Kaaba should have recognized the true Owner of the House and fulfilled His rights. But instead, they placed 360 idols inside the House of Allah, transforming it into the largest idol temple in the world, and completely forgot its true Owner. 

He (Allah Almighty) protected them from starvation by providing them with sustenance. Even when the common people of Arabia were suffering from poverty and hardship, Allah Almighty blessed the Quraysh of Mecca with economic prosperity due to successful trade and the guardianship of the Kaaba. 

Their caravans traveled safely throughout the year between Yemen and Palestine without fear or danger. This God-given guarantee of protection was granted to them in a land where the law of the jungle prevailed everywhere. 

Dr Israr Ahmed's Point of View.