سُورَةٌ أَنزَلْنَٰهَا وَفَرَضْنَٰهَا وَأَنزَلْنَا فِيهَآ ءَايَٰتٍۭ بَيِّنَٰتٍ لَّعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
Important Words:
سورة (chapter) is infinitive noun from سار. They say سار الحائط i.e. he scaled the wall. سار الیه means, he jumped upon him and attacked him. سورة means, trace, mark, sign; rank, dignity, degree, excellence; a very high and beautiful building; a thing complete and perfect; part or portion of a thing; a chapter of the Quran. They say له عندک سورة i.e. he has a rank or dignity with you, i.e. you respect him. له سورة فی المجد means, he possesses a degree or rank in dignity. فأتوا بسورة من مثله means, so bring a chapter like it (Lane, Aqrab & Qurtubi).
فرضنا ھا (We have made it obligatory). فرضه means, he made a notch or an incision in it, namely, a piece of wood. فرضmeans, (1) He (God) made a thing or prayer or statutes or ordinances obligatory or binding upon men, (2) he (the Prophet) instituted or prescribed a thing as an ordinance or statute; (3) he (a judge) decreed or adjudged; he assigned or appointed a particular time for doing a thing or he determined or defined or limited it. They say فرض اللّٰه الاحکام علی عبادہ i.e. God has made the commandments obligatory on His servants. فرضناھا means, in which We have set down the obligatory statutes (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
All the different chapters of the Quran are called Surahs. But the present chapter has been specifically called a Surahbecause it draws pointed attention to the importance of its contents. The implication of the use of the word Surah—also meaning rank or dignity—is that Muslims by acting upon the commandments and ordinances embodied in this Surahwould make great social progress and attain national eminence, glory and dignity. The emphasis on the words, "which We have revealed and which We have made obligatory," also points to the great importance of the commandments of this Surah inasmuch as all other Quranic Surahs also have been revealed by God and their commandments have also been made obligatory and the present Surah possesses no peculiarity in this respect. The implication also seems to be that whereas the commandments contained in this Surah are specially intended to raise the moral standard of the Muslim community and to make them a great nation, they would be neglected and ignored by them; and regrettably it has so happened. In slavish imitation of the customs and manners of other nations the Muslims have infringed and violated the commandments of this Surah more than the ordinances embodied in other chapters of the Quran.
The words, "that you may remember," signify that Muslims should not ignore the important lesson that the Surah has been revealed for their social and moral uplift, leading ultimately to their spiritual advancement. They should remember that just as defiance of commandments about sexual relations does serious injury to physical and social development of a people, similarly wrong spiritual connections lead to moral and spiritual deterioration.
Of all the Quranic Chapters, the present one has been specifically called 'a Surah,' the significance being that as the word, "Surah," means rank or dignity, the Muslims by acting upon the commandments and ordinances embodied in this Surah can and will rise to great honour and dignity.
The emphasis on the words, which We have revealed and the ordinances of which We have made obligatory, points to the great importance of the commandments of this Surah inasmuch as all other Quranic Chapters also have been revealed by God and their commandments have also been made obligatory.
It is to be regretted that in slavish imitation of the customs and manners of other nations the Muslims have infringed and violated the commandments of this Surah more than the ordinances embodied in other Surahs of the Qur’an.