Surah Quraysh, named after the tribe of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is the 106th surah of the Quran, consisting of only four verses.
This surah speaks of those who guarded the house of Allah; and Allah ensured the safety and protection of the Quraysh, and they lived in peace and were free from anxiety concerning their daily sustenance.
This article provides the complete translation and tafsir of Surah Quraysh, along with the Arabic text.
Translation and Tafsir of Surah Quraysh
First, the complete Arabic text of Surah Quraysh:
Translation
Because of the covenant of the Quraysh,
their covenant of winter and summer journeys.
So let them worship the Lord of this House [the Kaaba],
who has fed them against hunger and made them secure against fear!
And now, let us turn to the Tafsir of Surah Quraysh.
Tafsir
1. Because of the pact of the Quraysh,
As guardians of the Kaaba, the « protection of the Quraysh » is equivalent to the security of the Kaaba, in whose name Abrahah’s army was destroyed. In this verse, Allah Himself assumes responsibility for the protection of the Quraysh.
As in Surah al-Ankabut, concerning the security of the house of Allah, Allah says: [1]
Do they not see that We have truly made [Mecca] a secure sanctuary, while people are being removed from all around them? Will they then believe in falsehood and deny the favors of Allah?
2. Of their pact [concerning] winter and summer journeys.
For trade purposes, the Quraysh transported caravans of goods to the warmer climate of Yemen in winter and to the cooler climate of the Syrian summer, upon which the prosperity of Mecca depended. They were thus exposed to the dangers of hunger and theft along the way. Therefore, in this verse, Allah assures them of their safety.
3. Let them therefore worship the Lord of this House [the Kaaba],
After describing his favors in the first two verses of the surah, Allah commands the Quraysh to worship him, for he is the « Lord of the house » – Ka’bah.
4. who fed them against hunger and reassured them against fear!
Once again, in this final verse of the surah, Allah reminds people of His favor upon them. Linking this verse to the previous one, Allah says that they should worship Him alone because He is the One who protects them from hunger and protects them from fear.
When the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him) finished building the Ka’bah, he turned to Allah with the following prayer: [2]
And when Abraham prayed, « My Lord, make this city a place of security and provide for its fruits for those among its inhabitants who believe in Allah and the Last Day, » the Lord said, « And whoever disbelieves in it – I will surely grant him enjoyment for a short time [in this world], then I will force him into the punishment of the Fire [in the Hereafter]. And evil is that destination! »
And Allah answered his prayer and helped the people of Mecca to prosper and live in safety.
References
The Quran 29:67 (Surah al-Ankabut)
The Quran 2:126 (Surah al-Baqarah)