Luqman () is the 31st sūrah of the Qur'an. It is composed of 34 verses (āyāt) and takes its title from the mention of the sage Luqman and his advice to his son in verses 12–19. According to asbāb al-nuzūl or Islamic traditional chronology, it was revealed in the middle of the Meccan period and is thus usually classified as a Meccan sura.Asad, Muhammad (2008). The Message of the Qur'an (2nd ed.). Watsonville: The Book Foundation. .
Summary The focus of this sura, once broken down into its many elements, can be seen as emphasizing principles of moderation.Oliver Ceaman, The Quran: An Encyclopedia, pg. 356 The sura uses the mustard seed analogy to emphasize the degree to which God maintains his purview over man's actions, possibly emphasizing the fact that any evil or good deed no matter how small is recorded and will be brought out by Allah in the Day of Judgement.Ibn Katheer, Stories of the Quran, pg. 4 of Chapter 16 A final point of focus for Sura 31 comes down to the purpose of God's creation. 31:29 and 31:20 show how God's intention through creation was to better mankind, and his signs are theoretically everywhere, from rain to vegetation.Abdel Haleem, The Qur'an, Sura 31 This emphasis once again reminds people of their subservience to Allah while also driving home the idea that man is meant to do good on Earth. Man's purpose is to serve God, while the Earth has been created in order to facilitate man's needs.Fazlur Rahman, Major Themes of the Quran, pg. 79
Āyāt 1–2 The Quran a direction and mercy to the righteous 3–4 The righteous described 5–6 An unbeliever rebuked for his contempt for the Quran 7–8 Blessed rewards of the righteous 9–11 God the Creator of heaven and earth 12 Luqman gifted with wisdom 13–19 Luqman gives his son advice 20 The unreasonableness of infidel contention 21 The security of true believers 22–23 The certain punishment of unbelief 24–26 Praise to God, the self-sufficient Creator 27 God’s words infinite in number 28 Man’s creation an evidence of God’s sovereignty 29–31 The heavens declare the glory of God 32 The ingratitude of idolaters to God 33–34 Men warned to prepare for judgment
Reading Qur'an 31
Like many Quranic narratives, Sura 31 features many intertextual references. Carl Ernst identified what he calls "ring structure" Sura 31 can be reinterpreted based on its inherent conceptual breaks.Carl Ernst, How to Read the Qur'an, The University of North Carolina Press, also dina is the best pg. 117 He proposed breakdown of Surah 31 and its "ring structure":Abdel Haleem, The Qur'an, Sura 31, pp. 261–263
A1–11 Omniscience and self-sufficiency of God for the betterment of mankind pt.1 2–5 The Righteous are mentioned and their good habits are encouraged 6–7 The disbelievers are highlighted, contrasting the early practices of pious practicers 8–11 Paradise is revealed as reward, God's omnipotence is prominently highlighted as being predominantly for the betterment of manFazlur Rahman, Major Elements of the Qur'an: Second Edition, pg. 79 B12–15 Rules and guidelines 12–13 Luqman bequeaths knowledge to his son, No partners may be ascribed to God, and He is the highest power 14 Obey and be good to parents, a powerful reference to the struggle of motherhood 15 It explain that God believers should not obey their parents when they try to make them to believe in other partners with God but accompany your parents in life with kindness. X16–17 The chiastic middle 16 Omnipotence of God is compared to ability to see everything [i.e. the size of a mustard seed] 17 It is revealed through prayer, forbidding wrong, and employing moderation, are the values a believer should aspire too. B': Rules and guidelines pt. 2 18–19 Employ manners and moderation in society to better follow God A': 20–34 Omniscience and self-sufficiency of God for the betterment of mankind pt. 2 20–21 Disbelievers are called out once again and reminded of their punishment 22 Believers counter the disbelievers 23 The Prophet should not be sad that disbelievers are astray 24–34 The Omnipotence and infinite scope of God's power is reiterated 29–32 All of God's acts are for the betterment of mankind 31–34 Judgement day is a bookend, emphasizing the need for right practice and submission to God
References
External links
Quran 31 Clear Quran translation Q31:2, 50+ translations, islamawakened.com Surah Luqman