Ash-Sharh

سُورَةُ الشَّرۡحِ

The Consolation

**In The Name of Allah, The Beneficent, The Merciful** It is commonly said that this Surah was revealed soon after Surah Duha and its contents confirm this since, again in this Surah some of the Divine Bounties are counted for the Holy Prophet (S). In fact, there were three important Bounties mentioned in the previous Surah (Duha) and there are three magnificent Bounties mentioned in Inshirah too. Those Bounties were material and spiritual Bounties, whereas in this Surah, all are spiritual ones. The theme in this Surah, mainly pivots on three different subjects: The first is the expression of these triple Bounties; the second is the good news for the Prophet (S) informing him that his burden and difficulties of his prophetic mission will be removed soon; and the third is that attention should be paid to Allah, alone, and be hopeful and encouraged in worship and supplication to Him. As it was mentioned before, according to the traditions of Ahlul-Bait (as) these two Suras are considered as one and then, in recitation of prayers, both of them are recited to form one complete Surah. A careful examination of the contents of these two Suras leaves no doubt that they are quite closely related to each other. Again, a similar case is found for Surah Fil and Surah Quraish which will be dealt with later. The above statements make it clear that this Surah (Inshirah) has been revealed in Mecca, but with regard to the verse: **"And We exalted for you your reputation",** some believe that it has been revealed in Medina when the name of the Prophet (S) and Islam had been known everywhere. But, this statement is not enough to prove their idea, because the Prophet (S), with all the problems that he had in Mecca, was completely known and his rise and invitation to Islam were talked about everywhere and in most gatherings, and also his reputation was spread in all parts of Arabia, especially in Medina, by the annual gathering of Hajj pilgrims.

1. بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ أَلَمْ نَشْرَحْ لَكَ صَدْرَكَ

   Alam nashrah laka sadrak

   HAVE WE NOT opened up your breast

2. وَوَضَعْنَا عَنكَ وِزْرَكَ

   Wa wa d'ana 'anka wizrak

   And removed your burden

3. ٱلَّذِىٓ أَنقَضَ ظَهْرَكَ

   Allazee anqada zahrak

   Which had left you devoid of hope,

4. وَرَفَعْنَا لَكَ ذِكْرَكَ

   Wa raf 'ana laka zikrak

   And exalted your fame?

5. فَإِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا

   Fa inna ma'al usri yusra

   Surely with hardship there is ease.

6. إِنَّ مَعَ ٱلْعُسْرِ يُسْرًۭا

   Inna ma'al 'usri yusra

   With hardship indeed there is ease.

7. فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَٱنصَبْ

   Fa iza faragh ta fansab

   So when you are free work diligently,

8. وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَٱرْغَب

   Wa ilaa rabbika far ghab

   And turn to your Lord with all your love.