603 Page Notes

Page 603 Grammar 

Page 603 - Related Hadith/Sunnah

Surah Al-Kafirun

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Arabic  Grammar (Syntax and Morphology) ... Lesson extracts from corpus.quran.com

Surah An-Nasr

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Arabic  Grammar (Syntax and Morphology) ... Lesson extracts from corpus.quran.com

Surah Al-Masad

Translation of the meaning by Sahih International.

Arabic  Grammar (Syntax and Morphology) ... Lesson extracts from corpus.quran.com

Page 603 - Related Hadiths and Sunnah

Surah Al-Kafirun

On page 603 of the standard Madinah Mushaf, right after Surah Al-Kawthar, you will find Surah Al-Kafirun (Chapter 109), verses 1 through 6.

Known as the Surah of Bara'ah (complete disavowal or clearance), it is a powerful declaration of spiritual independence. It was revealed in Mecca when the pagan leaders of the Quraysh realized they could not stop the spread of Islam through physical persecution. In a desperate move, they attempted a political negotiation, proposing a "religious merger": “O Muhammad, let us worship your God for a year, and you worship our gods for a year. If your God is better, we win; if ours are better, you win.”

Allah immediately gave the Prophet ﷺ a direct, word-for-word script to flatly reject this compromise. The Hadith literature heavily emphasizes both the context and the immense daily virtues of reciting these six verses.

1. The Asbab al-Nuzul (Occasion of Revelation)

The background of how this Surah came down explains its highly repetitive, firm layout ("I do not worship what you worship, nor do you worship what I worship...").

Ibn Abbas reported regarding the negotiation:

The Quraysh elite (including Al-Walid ibn al-Mughirah, Al-As ibn Wa'il, and Umayyah ibn Khalaf) approached the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and said: "O Muhammad, come and let us follow your religion, and you follow our religion. We will worship your God for a year, and you worship our idols for a year..."

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ replied: "I seek refuge in Allah from associating partners with Him." Then Allah revealed: “Say, O disbelievers! I do not worship what you worship...” until the end of the Surah.

(Recorded in Tafsir at-Tabari, Ibn Abi Hatim, and Al-Wahidi’s Asbab al-Nuzul)

2. A Fortress Against Shirk (Polytheism) Before Sleeping

Because this Surah clears the heart of any compromise regarding the absolute oneness of God (Tawhid), the Prophet ﷺ advised his companions to make it the very last thing they speak or think before sleeping.

Farwah ibn Nawfal reported from his father:

He came to the Prophet ﷺ and said, "O Messenger of Allah, teach me something that I can say when I go to my bed."

The Prophet ﷺ said: "Recite: 'Say, O disbelievers...' (Surah Al-Kafirun) until its end, for it is a declaration of freedom (innocence) from shirk (associating partners with Allah)."

(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 5055 & Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3403; graded Sahih)

3. A Pillar of the Daily Sunnah Prayers

The Prophet ﷺ paired Surah Al-Kafirun with Surah Al-Ikhlas (Chapter 112, “Say, He is Allah, the One”) in his daily routine. Together, these two Surahs represent the perfect balance of negation (cutting off false gods) and affirmation (affirming the true God).

He would routinely recite these two chapters during high-leverage Sunnah prayers:

A. The Two Rakahs Before Fajr and After Maghrib

Ibn Umar reported:

"I watched the Prophet ﷺ twenty-four or twenty-five times reciting in the two rakahs before the morning prayer (Fajr) and the two rakahs after the sunset prayer (Maghrib): 'Say: O disbelievers' and 'Say: He is Allah, One.'"

(Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 5971 & Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 417; graded Sahih)

B. Upon Finishing the Tawaf around the Ka'bah

Jabir ibn Abdullah reported (in a long Hadith about the Prophet's Hajj):

"...When he reached the Ka'bah, he kissed the Black Stone, performed running (Ramal) for three rounds, and walked for four rounds. Then he went to the Station of Ibrahim (Makam Ibrahim) and prayed two rakahs. In these two rakahs, he recited: 'Say: He is Allah, One' and 'Say: O disbelievers.'"

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1218)

4. Weight and Value in the Quran

Due to its absolute definition of faith boundaries, the Prophet ﷺ quantified the spiritual weight of this short Surah for his companions.

Abdullah ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

"’Say: He is Allah, the One’ is equal to one-third of the Quran. ’Say: O disbelievers’ is equal to one-fourth of the Quran.”

(Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by At-Tabarani, Hadith 13319; graded Hasan)

Scholars explain that the Quran's central themes are split into fundamental pillars: Creed/Tawhid, Prophethood, Divine Laws, and Stories. Because Surah Al-Kafirun defines the absolute boundary of Creed and completely purifies the believer from polytheism, it covers a massive quarter of the Quran's thematic weight.

Summary of Source Citations for Page 603 (Surah Al-Kafirun)

• The Compromise Proposal & Revelation (Verses 1-6): Tafsir at-Tabari and Asbab al-Nuzul by Al-Wahidi.

• Protection from Shirk at Bedtime: Sunan Abi Dawud (Hadith 5055) and Sunan at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 3403).

• Fajr and Maghrib Sunnah Routine: Musnad Ahmad (Hadith 5971) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 3822/417).

• The Post-Tawaf Routine at Mecca: Sahih Muslim (Hadith 1218).

• Equivalent to One-Fourth of the Quran: Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by At-Tabarani.

Surah An-Nasr

Sharing the exact same layout (page 603 of the standard Madinah Mushaf) directly under Surah Al-Kafirun is Surah An-Nasr (Chapter 110), verses 1 through 3.

Known also as Surah al-Tawdi' (The Surah of Farewell), it consists of only three short verses, but carrying profound theological and historical significance. It was the last complete Surah to be revealed to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, serving as a divine victory lap and a gentle notification that his mission on earth was reaching its final chapter.

The Hadiths explicitly detailing the meaning, implementation, and background of these three verses are highly specific:

1. The Code for the Prophet's Approaching Death

One of the most famous historical moments recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari revolves around how the companion Ibn Abbas used these exact three verses to show his profound understanding of the Quran to the senior elders of Medina.

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

Umar bin Al-Khattab used to invite me to sit with the elderly veterans of the Battle of Badr. Some of them felt uneasy and asked Umar, "Why do you bring this boy to sit with us when we have sons like him?" Umar replied, "Because of what you know of his position (i.e., his deep knowledge)."

One day, Umar called them and invited me as well. He asked them, "What do you say about the statement of Allah: 'When comes the Help of Allah and the Conquest (of Mecca)...' [110:1]?"

Some of them said, "We are commanded to praise Allah and ask His forgiveness when we are helped and granted victory." Others remained silent.

Umar then turned to me and asked, "Is that what you say, O Ibn Abbas?" I replied, "No." He asked, "What do you say then?" I said, "It was the sign of the approaching death of Allah's Messenger ﷺ, which Allah was informing him about. Allah meant: When the help of Allah and the Conquest comes, that is the sign of your death; so glorify the praises of your Lord and ask His forgiveness..."

Upon that, Umar said, "I do not know anything about it other than what you have said."

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4970)

2. The Prophet's Exact Implementation in Prayer (Salah)

When Verse 3 commanded, "Then glorify the praises of your Lord and seek His forgiveness...", the Prophet ﷺ immediately altered his physical prayer routine to embody this instruction, explicitly reciting a custom supplication during his bowing (Ruku) and prostration (Sujud).

Narrated `Aisyah (the wife of the Prophet):

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to say frequently in his bowing and prostrations:

$$\text{سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّنَا وَبِحَمْدِكَ ، اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي}$$

"Subhanaka Allahumma Rabbana wa bihamdika, Allahumma-ghfir li"

(Glory be to You, O Allah, our Lord, and praise be to You. O Allah, forgive me).

He did this in order to interpret and fulfill the command of the Quran (i.e., Surah An-Nasr).

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4968 & Sahih Muslim, Hadith 484)

3. His Constant Dhikr Outside of Prayer

The Prophet ﷺ didn't just limit this practice to the ritual prayers; it became the dominant theme of his daily speech in his final weeks.

Narrated `Aisyah:

Before his death, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to intensely repeat:

$$\text{سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ ، أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ}$$

"Subhanallahi wa bihamdihi, astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilayh"

(Glory be to Allah and praise be to Him. I seek the forgiveness of Allah and I turn to Him in repentance).

I asked, "O Messenger of Allah, I see you repeating this supplication so much?" He replied, "My Lord informed me that I would soon see a sign in my nation, and that when I see it, I should multiply these words. I have indeed seen the sign: 'When comes the Help of Allah and the Conquest... and you see the people entering Allah's religion in crowds...'"

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 484e)

4. Equivalent to One-Fourth of the Quran

Similar to Surah Al-Kafirun listed right above it on page 603, Surah An-Nasr was highlighted by the Prophet ﷺ for its immense foundational weight.

Narrated Anas ibn Malik:

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said to a companion, "Do you not have 'When comes the Help of Allah and the Conquest'?" The man replied, "Yes." The Prophet ﷺ said: "It is equal to one-fourth of the Quran."

(Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2895; graded Hasan)

Scholars note that while Surah Al-Kafirun represents a quarter of the Quran because it deals with the absolute purity of Creed (rejection of falsehood), Surah An-Nasr represents a quarter because it details the historical fulfillment, victory, and completion of the message of Islam on earth.

Summary of Source Citations for Page 603 (Surah An-Nasr)

• Sign of Approaching Death (Umar & Ibn Abbas): Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 4970).

• Application in Ruku and Sujud: Sahih al-Bukhari (Hadith 4968) and Sahih Muslim (Hadith 484).

• The Prophet's Final Daily Dhikr: Sahih Muslim (Hadith 484e).

• The Weight (One-Fourth of the Quran): Sunan at-Tirmidhi (Hadith 2895).

Surah Al-Masad

Located directly adjacent to Surah An-Nasr on page 603 of the Quran is Surah Al-Masad (Chapter 111), verses 1 through 5 (also widely known as Surah Tabbat or Surah Al-Lahab).

Unlike other parts of the Quran that address general themes, this 5-verse Meccan Surah is entirely dedicated to condemning a specific, prominent enemy of early Islam: the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ own paternal uncle, Abu Lahab (Abdul Uzza), and his wife, Umm Jamil (Arwa bint Harb).

The Hadiths regarding the context of these verses explain the exact incident that triggered their revelation and how Abu Lahab's family reacted.

1. The Incident on Mount Safa (The Cause of Revelation)

The foundational Hadith explaining why verses 1 through 3 were revealed is recorded across multiple authentic collections. It marks the precise historical moment the Prophet ﷺ transitioned from preaching Islam secretly to declaring it publicly.

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:

When the verse: 'And warn your tribe of near kindred' (26:214) was revealed, the Prophet ﷺ ascended Mount Safa and started calling: "O Bani Fihr! O Bani Adi!" addressing various tribes of Quraysh until they assembled. Those who could not come sent messengers to see what was happening. Abu Lahab and the rest of Quraysh arrived.

The Prophet ﷺ then said, "If I told you that there is an enemy army in the valley intending to attack you, would you believe me?" They said, "Yes, for we have never found you telling anything but the truth." He then said, "I am a warner to you in the face of a severe punishment."

Abu Lahab exclaimed, "Tabban lak!" (Perish you / May you ruin this day!). "Is it for this purpose that you have gathered us?"

Thereupon, Allah revealed: "Perish the hands of Abu Lahab, and perish he! Neither his wealth nor his gains will benefit him!" [111:1-2]

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4770 & Sahih Muslim, Hadith 208)

2. The Reaction of Abu Lahab's Wife (Umm Jamil)

Verses 4 and 5 focus heavily on Abu Lahab's wife, describing her as the "carrier of firewood" with a "rope of twisted palm-fiber around her neck." This was due to her habit of carrying thorny bundles of wood and scattering them at night along the path the Prophet ﷺ walked to cause him injury.

When she heard the verses revealed about her on page 603, she went into a blind rage, leading to a miraculous encounter recorded by early companions.

Narrated Asma bint Abi Bakr:

When 'Perish the hands of Abu Lahab' was revealed, the regular-tempered, furious Umm Jamil came looking for the Prophet ﷺ. She was screaming verses of poetry she composed to mock him and carried a fistful of sharp stones.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was sitting in the Masjid (by the Kaaba) alongside Abu Bakr. Abu Bakr said, "O Messenger of Allah! She is coming and I fear she will see you." The Prophet ﷺ replied calmly, "Indeed, she will not see me." He then recited verses of the Quran as a protection.

Umm Jamil advanced until she stood right in front of Abu Bakr, but she completely failed to see the Prophet ﷺ. She barked at Abu Bakr, "O Abu Bakr! I have been told that your companion is satirizing and mocking me!" Abu Bakr replied, "No, by the Lord of this House, he has not satirized you." She then turned away saying, "Quraysh knows well that I am the daughter of their leader."

(Recorded by Ibn Abi Hatim & Al-Hakim in Al-Mustadrak 2/561; authenticated by Al-Albani in Sahih al-Sirah)

3. The Theological Miracle Embedded in the Sunnah

Islamic scholars and biographers highlight a profound reality regarding these verses that is heavily discussed in prophetic biography (Seerah): Surah Al-Masad is a living testament to absolute prophecy.

The Surah was revealed roughly 10 years before Abu Lahab died. It explicitly stated in verse 3: "He will burn in a flaming Fire," declaring definitively that both he and his wife would die as disbelievers condemned to Hell.

• For 10 years, Abu Lahab could easily have undone the validity of the Quran by simply pretending to convert to Islam—even falsely. Had he walked up to the Muslims and said, "I accept Islam," he could have claimed the Quran's prophecy was false.

• Yet, as recorded in the history of his death following the Battle of Badr (Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi), his stubborn pride bound him. He died of a repulsive, infectious skin disease (Al-Adas) exactly as an unrepentant enemy of Islam, validating the absolute divine foresight of the verses on page 603.