English Translation and Commentary of the Holy Quran (2010)
by Maulana Muhammad Ali
Chapter 15: Al-Hijr — The Rock (Revealed at Madinah: 6 sections, 99 verses)
Introduction:
This chapter is named The Rock after the Dwellers of the Rock mentioned in v. 80, whose fate is a warning to those who sought to kill the Holy Prophet. The chapter begins with the grand promise that the Quran shall forever be guarded against all corruption and all attempts to annihilate it (v. 9). It goes on to declare that evil-doers cannot inflict any injury on the chosen ones of God and that the devil’s opposition has always failed. Then it gives examples of how opponents of previous prophets were destroyed. This chapter was revealed at Makkah.
List of Sections (Rukus):
- The Quran is Guarded (Verses 15:1–15:15)
- Forces of Evil will be Destroyed (Verses 15:16–15:25)
- The Devil’s Opposition to the Righteous (Verses 15:26–15:44)
- Mercy for the Righteous — Abraham (Verses 15:45–15:60)
- Lot and Shuaib (Verses 15:61–15:79)
- Dwellers of the Rock and a Warning (Verses 15:80–15:99)