Surah Quraish

Surah Quraish(سورة القریش) or Eilaf (إیلاف) or Li Eilaf (لإیلاف) as it is also known is one of the chapters of the 30^th juz of the Quran and discusses the favors God conferred upon the Quraish, the tribe of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him and his household).

Facts about Surah Quraish

Arabic Text and Translation of Surah Quraish

The following topics are discussed about this chapter in this article:

Virtues of Reciting Surah Quraish

The Holy Prophet (peace be on him and his household) is narrated to have said that one who recites this chapter will be rewarded ten good deeds for every person who circumambulated (performed tawaf of) the Ka’bah and did e‘tekaf (seclusion for worship) there.

In another narration, Ja‘far bin Muhammad al-Sadiq (peace be on him) states:

“One who recites it will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment conveyed on one of the conveyances of Paradise till he is seated at the light tables in Paradise.” ²

The Quraish and their Livelihood in Surah Quraish

لِإِيلَافِ قُرَيْشٍ ﴿1﴾

[In gratitude] for solidarity among the Quraish,

إِيلَافِهِمْ رِحْلَةَ الشِّتَاءِ وَالصَّيْفِ ﴿2﴾

Their solidarity during winter and summer journeys,

The word ‘ulfat’ (ألفة) means to gather in solidarity and affection; the Quraish is the tribe of the Prophet (peace be on him and his household) and ‘rehlat’ (رحلة) is to ride on a camel and travel.

The travel of the Quraish mentioned in the second verse of Surah Quraish refers to their travel outside of Makkah for business and trade. This traveling was one of the characteristics of this city as it was a dry land without water or vegetation and agriculture. The Quraish, therefore, found it necessary to travel for trade in order to manage their life and they would do so twice a year; once in the summer to Syria and once in the winter to Yemen. ³

Protection from Bandits in Surah Quraish

The people of Yemen and Syria would give the Quraysh much respect because the Ka’bah was in their land and, therefore, bandits and looters who had no way of life but robbing others, would not trouble them; they would neither block their paths on their journey and nor would they attack their city. ⁴

The Quraish Must Worship God

فَلْيَعْبُدُوا رَبَّ هَـٰذَا الْبَيْتِ ﴿3﴾

Let them worship the Lord of this House,

الَّذِي أَطْعَمَهُم مِّن جُوعٍ وَآمَنَهُم مِّنْ خَوْفٍ ﴿4﴾

Who has fed them [and saved them] from hunger, and secured them from fear.

According to Surah Eilaf, the Quraish must worship God who is the Lord of the House (the Ka’bah) as He is the one who made them familiar with the two journeys of winter and summer so that they can run their business and life and also remain safe in their country.

The last verse of Surah Quraish is a clear indication of God’s favor in the two journeys and the apparent blessings which cannot be refuted which is securing the livelihood and security of the Quraish; they lived in a place where there was neither provision for their bread and sustenance and nor for the safety of their lives and neither was it a blooming land where other would come.

Therefore, they must worship the Lord  who managed their affairs in the best way possible and that is the very same Lord of the House (the Ka’bah). ⁵

Summary of Surah Quraish

Surah Quraish, Eilaf, or Li Eilaf, is a short chapter in the 30^th juz’ of the Quran and discusses the biannual journeys of the Quraysh, the tribe of the Holy Prophet in winter and summer to manage their livelihood as Makkah was a barren land. These are blessings bestowed upon them by Allah, their Lord, along with safety in their land and they are obliged to worship Him.