3. Surah 'Al 'Imran

This is the 3rd Surah of the Qur'an according to its arrangement, but it is 89th Surah according to the order of revelation. It is a Madani Surah. This means that it was revealed after the Hijrah, some part of it was revealed in the 3rd year of Hijrah and some later.

'Al 'Imran means "the family of 'Imran". Imran was the father of Prophets Musa and Haroon -peace be upon them. There are references in this Surah to these two great Prophets of Allah and then the story of Mary and birth of Jesus is mentioned.

The main topics of this Surah are Tawhid, Prophethood and the truth of the Qur' an. As Surah al-Baqarah discussed the issues related to Bani Israel, this Surah discusses some issues related to the Christian community and their religious positions. It also discusses the subjects of Hajj, Jihad, Zakat and Riba. It ends, like Surah al-Baqarah, with a du'a.

This Surah consists of 200 verses divided in 20 sections.

Introduction to the Sections

1. Allah is the Ever-Living, Self-Subsisting. He sent the Qur'an as He sent before the Tawrat and Injil for the guidance of people. True believers are those who accept every thing of the Book of Allah and try to understand it. Believers pray always for Allah's guidance for them.
2. Those who reject the truth, their wealth and their progeny will not avail them anything against the chastisement of Allah.
3. Allah bears witness for His own Tawhid as well as the angels and the people of knowledge. The religion acceptable in the sight of Allah is Islam.
4. To love Allah one must follow the Prophet. Obedience to Allah and His Messenger are necessary for faith. Allah chose Adam, Noah, Family of Ibrahim and the Family of Imran to guide humanity through them. Many prophets and messengers of Allah came for this purpose.
5. Birth of Jesus -peace be upon him- and his true message.
6. Jesus preached the message of Tawhid. His true followers are those who recognize Tawhid. Jesus’ birth was miraculous, just as Adam’s was miraculous. Some Christians argued with the Prophet. He asked them to come for an open Mubahalah.
7. Invitation to the People of the Book to come to a common word of Tawhid and obedience to Allah.
8. Some People of the Book try to discredit Islam. Muslims are warned to be conscious of this challenge.
9. Previous prophets and their scriptures confirm the truth of Islam.
10. Charity and sacrifice are necessary to attain faith and piety. Muslims should pay attention to the Ka’bah and stand firm to give the message of Islam to the world.
11. Muslims must remain conscious of Allah and must hold fast together the rope of Allah, i.e His Book and His guidance.
12. Role of the Muslim Ummah in the world.
13. Critical review of the Battle of Uhud
14. Prohibition of Riba and emphasis on charity. Believers must hasten to seek the forgiveness from their Lord. Some beautiful characters and qualities of the believers are mentioned.
15. Prophet Muhammad is only a Messenger of Allah like other messengers. His death should not mean giving up the faith. Believers must persevere and be patient in difficulties.
16. Criticism of those who showed weakness during the Battle of Uhud. Muslims should be strong in their commitment to faith.
17. True believers and the hypocrites. Hypocrites' delinquency at the time of Uhud
18. Steadfast attitude of the Believers. Shaitan tries to frighten the Believers, but the true Believers become even stronger after trials and tests.
19. Some propaganda of the People of the Book against Islam and how to respond to such challenges.
20. Allah’s promise of success for the Believers. How the believers should pray to Allah and seek His blessings.

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