Exercises on Surrat Annaba' (Suurah 78)

Understanding the Qur’an

Exercises on Surrat Annaba' (Suurah 78)

Foreword: To Teachers

My aim is to provide some exercises for speakers of English for use in learning and teaching the Qur’an. Learning the Qur’an is like eating and drinking. We all need food and drink for survival. The quantity and type of food and drink depend on the level and needs of the learner. So, the exercises should not be seen as a prescription for all.

The exercises are to be used as seen helpful. For example, the teacher may concentrate on one verse at a time. The questions could be modified or simplified further. Also, searching the NET can be a very useful activity for some. In teaching and learning the Qur’an, it is good to follow Prophet Mohammad’s advice; we are advised to do good on a regular basis however little it might be. Let us think of the exercises as a means to digesting the aayahs (verses) and assimilating their meanings and messages. After all, the Qur’an is meant to be read and understood in order to guide our behaviour in daily activities.

The specific objectives of reading Qur’anic verses should involve:

• Listening to the verse in Arabic
• Saying and repeating the verse
• Listening and saying continue till they can be said correctly
• Listening to/reading the translation of the verse’s meaning in English
• Checking the learner’s understanding of the English text via exercises
• Some exercises are meant to help understand the verses properly
• Other exercises are meant to make the learner think

The questions can be selected and distributed over a number of times, as deemed appropriate for learners and conditions.

Understanding the verse should be the top priority. It is necessary for practical application in daily life. Reciting verses by heart without understanding cannot help use them as guidance in daily activities.

Suurat Annaba’ (Suurah 78)

Translation of the meanings of Suurat Annaba’ (Verses 1-40)

( 1 ) About what are they asking one another?

( 2 ) About the great news -

( 3 ) That over which they are in disagreement.

( 4 ) No! They are going to know.

( 5 ) Then, no! They are going to know.

( 6 ) Have We not made the earth a resting place?

( 7 ) And the mountains as stakes?

( 8 ) And We created you in pairs

( 9 ) And made your sleep [a means for] rest

( 10 ) And made the night as clothing

( 11 ) And made the day for livelihood

( 12 ) And constructed above you seven strong [heavens]

( 13 ) And made [therein] a burning lamp

( 14 ) And sent down, from the rain clouds, pouring water

( 15 ) That We may bring forth thereby grain and vegetation

( 16 ) And gardens of entwined growth.

(17) Indeed, the Day of Judgement is an appointed time -

(18) The Day the Horn is blown and you will come forth in multitudes

(19) And the heaven is opened and will become gateways

(20) And the mountains are removed and will be [but] a mirage.

( 21 ) Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait

( 22 ) For the transgressors, a place of return,

( 23 ) In which they will remain for ages [unending].

( 24 ) They will not taste therein [any] coolness or drink

( 25 ) Except scalding water and [foul] purulence -

( 26 ) An appropriate recompense.

( 27 ) Indeed, they were not expecting an account

( 28 ) And denied Our verses with [emphatic] denial.

( 29 ) But all things We have enumerated in writing.

( 30 ) "So taste [the penalty], and never will We increase you except in torment."

( 31 ) Indeed, for the righteous is attainment -

( 32 ) Gardens and grapevines

( 33 ) And full-breasted [companions] of equal age

( 34 ) And a full cup.

( 35 ) No ill speech will they hear therein or any falsehood -

( 36 ) [As] reward from your Lord, [a generous] gift [made due by] account,

( 37 ) [From] the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Most Merciful. They possess not from Him [authority for] speech.

( 38 ) The Day that the Spirit and the angels will stand in rows, they will not speak except for one whom the Most Merciful permits, and he will say what is correct.

( 39 ) That is the True Day; so he who wills may take to his Lord a [way of] return.

( 40 ) Indeed, We have warned you of a near punishment on the Day when a man will observe what his hands have put forth and the disbeliever will say, "Oh, I wish that I were dust!"

Transliteration of Suurat Annaba’ (Verses 1-40)

It is useful to listen to Arabic-English voice recordings of the Qur’an. They are available on the NET.

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

1) 'Amma yatasaa-aluun

2) 'Anin-nabaa-il 'atheem

3) Allathi hum feehi mukhtalifuun

4) Kallaa sa-y'alamuun

5) Thumma kallaa sa-y'alamuun

6) Alam naj'alil arDa mihaada

7) Waljibaala awtaada

8) Wa khalaqnaakum azwaaja

9) Waja'alna naumakum subaata

10) Waja'alnallayla libaasa

11) Waja'alna annahaara ma 'aasha

12) Wa banayna fauqakum sab 'an shidaada

13) Waja'alna siraajaw-wahhaaja

14) Wa anzalna minal-m'usiraati maa-an thaj-jaaja

15) Linukhrija bihi habbaw-wa nabaata

16) Wa jannaatin alfaafa

17) Inna yaumal-fasli kaana meeqaata

18) Yawma yunfakhu fiSSuuri fa-t’atuuna afwaaja

19) Wa futihat-issamaa-u fakaanat abwaaba

20) Wa suyyiraatil-jibaalu fa-kaanat saraaba

21) Inna jahannama kaanat mirSaaDa

22) LiTTaagheena ma ‘aaba

23) Laabitheena feehaa ahqaaba

24) Laa yathuuquuna feeha bardaw-walaa sharaaba

25) Illa hameemawwa ghassaaqa

26) Jazaa-aw wifaaqa

27) Innahum kaanu laa yarjuuna hisaaba

28) Wa kaththabu bi-aayaatina kiththaaba

29) Wa kulla shay-in ahSainaahu kitaaba

30) Fa thouquu falan nazeedakum illaa ’aththaaba

31) Inna lil muttaqeena mafaaza

32) Hadaa-iqa wa a'anaaba

33) Wa kaawa'iba atraaba

34) Wa ka'san dihaaqa

35) Laa yasma'uuna feeha laghwaw-walaa kiththaaba

36) Jazaa-am mirrabbika ataa-an hisaaba

37) Rabbi-ssamaawaati wal-arDi wa maa bainahuma arrahmaani laa yamlikuuna minhu khitaaba

38) Yawma yaquumur-rrhuuh wal-malaa-ikatu saffa- laa yatakallamuuna illaa man athina lahu arrahmaanu wa qaala sawaaba

39) Zaalikal-yaumul haqqu faman shaa-at ta khaatha ilaa rabbihi ma-aaba

40) In naa antharnaakum’athaaban qareeba yawma yanthu-rulmar’u maa qaddamat yadaahu wa yaquulul-kaafiru yaa laytanee kuntu turaaba.

1- Suurah 78 - Verses (1-16)

Read Verses (1-16), then answer the questions.

Transliteration:

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem

1) 'Amma yatasaa-aluun

2) 'Anin-nabaa-il 'atheem

3) Allathi hum feehi mukhtalifuun

4) Kallaa sa-y'alamuun

5) Thumma kallaa sa-y'alamuun

6) Alam naj'alil arDa mihaada

7) Waljibaala awtaada

8) Wa khalaqnaakum azwaaja

9) Waja'alna naumakum subaata

10) Waja'alnallayla libaasa

11) Waja'alna annahaara ma 'aasha

12) Wa banayna fauqakum sab 'an shidaada

13) Waja'alna siraajaw-wahhaaja

14) Wa anzalna minal-m'usiraati maa-an thaj-jaaja

15) Linukhrija bihi habbaw-wa nabaata

16) Wa jannaatin alfaafa

Translation of the meanings of verses (1-16):

( 1 ) About what are they asking one another?

( 2 ) About the great news -

( 3 ) That over which they are in disagreement.

( 4 ) No! They are going to know.

( 5 ) Then, no! They are going to know.

( 6 ) Have We not made the earth a resting place?

( 7 ) And the mountains as stakes?

( 8 ) And We created you in pairs

( 9 ) And made your sleep [a means for] rest

( 10 ) And made the night as clothing

( 11 ) And made the day for livelihood

( 12 ) And constructed above you seven strong [heavens]

( 13 ) And made [therein] a burning lamp

( 14 ) And sent down, from the rain clouds, pouring water

( 15 ) That We may bring forth thereby grain and vegetation

( 16 ) And gardens of entwined growth.

Exercises on verses (1-16):

Exercise [A]

Label as [T] True or [F] False.

1-[    ] It is  Prophet Mohamed that asks the question in verse (1).

2-[    ] It is Allah that answers the Question in verse (1).

3-[    ] The question is about something the disbelievers deny.

4-[    ] The disbelievers are in disagreement over it.

5-[    ] The verses (1-16) clearly tell us what the great news is.

6-[    ] The disbelievers will certainly realize the truth.

7-[    ] Verse 8 wants people to know they are males and females.

8-[    ] Allah wants people to think of what He has created.

9-[    ] Verse 9 tells people to sleep and rest.

10-[    ] Verse 7 tells people to climb mountains.

11-[    ] Verse 3 wants people to learn that the sun is a burning lamp.

12-[    ] Verses 6-16 are meant to remind people of Allah’s powers.

[B] Answer the following questions on Verses 1-16:

1- Who asks the opening question?

2- Who answers the question?

3- Who does the pronoun “they” refer to in verse (3)? How do you know?

4- Why, do you think, they are differing?

5- When, do you think, they will recognize the truth?

6- How many negative questions can you see?

7- What point are the negative questions supposed to support?

8- How can verse (6) be an evidence to the truth?

9- How can verse (8) be an evidence to the truth?

10- How can verse (13) be an evidence to the truth?

2- Suurah 78 - Verses (17-20)

Read the verses (17-20), Suurah 78, then answer the questions.

Transliteration

17- Inna yawmal-faSli kaana meeqaata

18- Yawma yunfakhu fiSSuuri fata’tuuna afwaaja

19- Wa futiĥatissamaa’u fakaanat abwaaba

20- Wa suyyiratil-jibaalu fakaanat saraaba.

Translation of meanings:

(17) Indeed, the Day of Judgement is an appointed time -

(18) The Day the Horn is blown, and you will come forth in multitudes,

(19) And the heaven is opened and will become gateways,

(20) And the mountains are removed and will be [but] a mirage.

Exercises on Verses (17-20)

Exercise [A]

Label [T] as True or [F] False.

1- [    ] The Judgment Day is fixed.

2- [    ] The Hadith says it will be a Friday.

3- [    ] The Qur’an mentions when it is.

4- [    ] Prophet Mohammad knew the date of the Judgment Day.

5- [    ] The Judgement Day has other names.

6- [    ] The first blow in the Horn marks the death of all.

7- [    ] The second blow marks the resurrection of all the dead.

8- [    ] With the Horn blow, mountains will vanish.

9- [    ] With the Horn blow, the heaven will become gateways.

10- [    ] Nothing will happen to the earth that Day.

[B] Answer the following questions. You may Google some questions.

1- Do you know when the Day of Judgment is?

2- Do you know someone who knows when it is?

3- What does the Qur’an say about its date?

4- What does the Hadith say about its date?

5- Do you believe that it will be on a Friday? Why?

6- Do you know of something significant that happened on a Friday?

7- Give other names for the Day of Judgment in the Qur’an.

8- What does each name signify?

9- How many actions are mentioned in the verses (17-20)?

10- In verse 18, what does the word “you” refer to?

11- Who will come forth in multitudes?

12- Where will they be coming from?

13- How can the great mountains become mirage?

14- Name other suurahs that mention what will happen to mountains.

15- What will happen to the heaven?

16- Name other suurahs that mention what will happen to the heaven.

17- What will happen to the earth that Day?

3- Suurah (78) - Verses (21-30)

Read the verses, then answer the questions.

Transliteration:

21- Inna jahannama kaanat mirSaada

22- LiTTaagheena m’aaba

23- Laabitheena feeha ahqaaba

24- Laa yathuuquuna feeha bardaw-walaa sharaaba

25- Illa hameemaw-waghassaaqa

26- Jazaa’aw-wifaaqa

27- Innahum kaanu laa yarjuuna hisaaba

28- Wa kaththabu bi aayaatina kiththaba

29- Wa kulla shay-in ahSaynaahu kitaaba

30- Fa thuuquu, falan nazeedakum illaa ’athaaba.

Translation of meanings:

(21) Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait

(22) For the transgressors, a place of return,

(23) In which they will remain for ages [unending].

(24) They will not taste therein [any] coolness or drink

(25) Except scalding water and [foul] purulence -

(26) An appropriate recompense.

(27) Indeed, they were not expecting an account

(28) And denied Our verses with [emphatic] denial.

(29) But all things We have enumerated in writing.

(30) "So taste [the penalty], and never will We increase you except in torment."

Exercises on Verses (21-30)

Exercise [A]

Label [T] as True and [F] as False.

1- [   ] On the Judgment Day, the Hellfire will be ready.

2- [   ] Hell is a permanent residence for the righteous.

3- [   ] The believers are transgressors.

4- [   ] The disbelievers will never get out of Hell.

5- [   ] The transgressors will be returning from their graves

6- [   ] The inmates of Hell will never get any drinks.

7- [   ] Scalding water is a cool drink.

8- [   ] The disbelievers deserve torment in Hell.

9- [   ] The disbelievers deny Judgment.

10- [   ] All of one’s deeds are recorded.

(B) Answer the following questions.

1- Do you believe that Hell is real? How do you know?

2- Some people say that none will go to Hell? Do you agree?

3- Does the Qur’an say that some jinn will go to Hell?

4- What is Hell for?

5- Who will remain in Hell forever?

6- What acts lead to Hell?

7- How can one avoid going to Hell?

8- What is purulence?

9- Why cannot people in Hell get cool drinks?

10- Do disbelievers admit they will be judged?

11- What do the words “Our verses” refer to?

12- Who does the pronoun “We” in verses 29 and 30 refer to?

13- What are the enumerated things?

14- Who will taste what?

15- Who does the pronoun “you” in verse 30 refer to?

4- Suurah 78 - Verses (31-40)

Read the verses, then answer the questions.

Transliteration:

31- Inna lilmuttaqeena mafaaza

32- Hadaa-iqa wa a'anaaba

33- Wa kaawa'iba atraaba

34- Wa ka'san dihaaqa

35- Laa yasma'uuna feeha laghwaw- walaa kiththaaba

36- Jazaa-am-mirrabbika ’ataa-an hisaaba

37- Rabbissamaawaati walarDi wamaa bainahuma-arrahmaani laa yamlikuuna minhu khiTaaba

38- Yawma yaquumur-roohu walmalaa-ikatu saffallaa yatakallamuuna illaa man athina lahur-rahmaanu wa qaala Sawaaba

39- Thaalikal-yawmul-haqq, faman shaa-attakhatha ilaa rabbihi ma-aaba

40- Innaa antharnaakum ’athaaban qareeba, yawma yanthurul-marr’u maa qaddamat yadaah, wa yaquulul-kaafiru yaa laitanee kuntu turaaba.

Translation of meanings:

(31) Indeed, for the righteous is attainment -

(32) Gardens and grapevines

(33) And full-breasted [companions] of equal age

(34) And a full cup.

(35) No ill speech will they hear therein or any falsehood -

(36) [As] reward from your Lord, [a generous] gift [made due by] account,

(37) [From] the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Most Merciful. They possess not from Him [authority for] speech.

(38) The Day that the Spirit and the angels will stand in rows, they will not speak except for one whom the Most Merciful permits, and he will say what is correct.

(39) That is the True Day; so he who wills may take to his Lord a [way of] return.

(40) Indeed, We have warned you of a near punishment on the Day when a man will observe what his hands have put forth and the disbeliever will say, "Oh, I wish that I were dust!"

Exercises on verses (31-40)

Exercise [A]

Label [T] as True and [F] as False.

1- [    ] The righteous will be living in grapevines.

2- [    ] Full-breasted spouses will be rewards for all.

3- [    ] Gardens can refer to beautiful natural sceneries.

4- [    ] Grapevines can refer to tasty fruits.

5- [    ] The full cups refer to abundance of drinks.

6- [    ] Residents of Paradise may offend each other.

7- [    ] Paradise will be free from bad talk.

8- [    ] There will be no backbiting or lies in Paradise.

9- [    ] All the rewards will be gifts from righteous friends.

10- [    ] In Paradise, its residents will realize the truth of Allah’s promises.

11- [    ] There will be no need for praising Allah.

12- [    ] There is nothing between the heavens and the earth.

13- [    ] In the Gathering on Judgment Day, none can speak without Allah’s permission.

14- [    ] Verse 39 gives hope for returning to Allah.

15- [    ] Verse 40 warns disbelievers in Allah and the Resurrection Day.

(B) Answer the following questions.

1- Name the rewards Allah promises the righteous.

2- Can you say what the grapevines refer to?

3- Can you say what the full cup refers to?

4- What makes one righteous?

5- What kind of speech will the righteous hear in Paradise?

6- From whom are the promised rewards? What for?

7- Who is the Spirit in verse 38?

8- Do angels act on their own, without command from Allah?

9- Can a disbeliever return to Allah? Why?

10- If one does not heed Allah’s warning, will one be excused?

11- Why would the disbeliever wish being dust?

12- What will one observe on the Judgment Day?

5- Exercises on Content and Organization

Read carefully, then answer the questions.

1-The Suurah starts with a question followed by an answer to the question. Then, it affirms that those disputing the answer shall see the truth.

The question and the answer are followed by a number of questions in the negative. The negative questions are meant to trigger thinking rather than to seek answers. They give examples manifesting God’s power and attributes. They are meant as evidence to the truth of the great tiding. The great tiding could mean one of the following: what Allah revealed to Prophet Mohammad; that Prophet Mohammad is Allah’s true messenger; that there is a Last Day, on which the earthly world ends.  On that Day, all the dead will be resurrected for judgment and sentencing either to eternal life of pleasure in Paradise or to eternal life of torment in Hell.

2-Then, the Suurah mentions some events that will occur on the Judgment Day.

3-The mention of the events is followed by the mention of the torment awaiting disbelievers in Hell.

4-The Suurah, then, describes some of the rewards awaiting the believers in Paradise.

5-The Suurah returns to an earlier scene on the Judgment Day. The scene is a serious one, where the angles are in lines. It is complete silence, and none can speak without permission; this is given only for saying what is right.

6- Having described the state of the losers and that of the winners on the Judgment Day, the Suurah ends with a stern warning. It warns whom it may concern, particularly disbelievers, about the consequences of their choices and deeds.

Questions on Organization:

• · Which verses ask and answer the original question and raise further questions for reflection?
• · Which verses mention some events that will occur on the Judgment Day?
• · Which verses mention the eternal torment awaiting the disbelievers?
• · Which verses mention the eternal pleasures awaiting the righteous?
• · Which verses describe a solemn scene of gathering on the Judgment day?
• · Which verses represent a warning to the disbelievers?
• · What do the words of the disbeliever in verse 40 express? Why?

6- What lessons can you draw from Suurah (78)?

Say whether you agree (Yes) or disagree (No).

1-To be Muslim, one must believe in Resurrection and Judgment.

3-Reflecting on what exists and how it works must show there is a Creator.

4-Believing there is a Creator means He is a Resurrector, too.

5-Since He can create, He must be able to put an end to and restart what He creates.

6-Believing in Allah means believing in His Qur’an.

7-The Qur’an repeatedly demands believing in Resurrection and Judgment.

8-To believe in Resurrection and Judgment, one has to be satisfied they are true.

9-Allah tests if one really believes at heart or not.

10-One has to investigate Allah’s creation to be certain He exists, creates, resurrects and punishes and rewards.

11-Information about Allah’s creation is found in the natural sciences, which show the greatness of His creation.

12-Man had better prepare for salvation on the Day of Resurrection and Judgment.

13-Salvation demands sound beliefs and good deeds.

14-The sound beliefs and good deeds are in the Qur’an and are exemplified by the Prophet’s Sunnah.