NAME: سبأ, Saba.
Name taken from Verse 15 where there is a mention of the “Family”.
١٥ لَقَدْ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ فِي مَسْكَنِهِمْ آيَةٌ ۖ جَنَّتَانِ عَنْ يَمِينٍ وَشِمَالٍ ۖ كُلُوا مِنْ رِزْقِ رَبِّكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ ۚ بَلْدَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ
15 There was for [the tribe of] Saba’ in their dwelling place a sign: two [fields of] gardens on the right and on the left. [They were told], “Eat from the provisions of your Lord and be grateful to Him. A good land [have you], and a forgiving Lord.”
But It does not mean that this name is the actual topic discussed in the whole Surah. It is just a reference and mark/symbol to distinguish this Surah from others as is with most other Surahs of Quran. While there are diversified topics discussed in these Surahs.
ENGLISH NAME: Sheba.
CHAPTER NUMBER: 34
SURAH SABA TOTAL VERSES: 54
SURAH SABA TOTAL WORDS: 884
TOTAL UNIQUE WORDS WITHOUT REPETITION: 514
TOTAL LETTERS: 3,594
REVELATION PERIOD:
Meccan, Approx. 618 – 620 AD.
MAIN CHARACTERS:
God, Prophet Muhammad, David/Dawood, Solomon, Jinn, Saba People, Angels, Disbelievers.
SURAH SABA MAIN TOPICS:
David Story: Mountains, Birds Hymn With Him& Iron Become Soft, Solomon Miracles Of Wind, Copper, Labour Jinn, Solomon Death, Saba People: 2Gardens.
SURAH SABA KEY VERSES:
١٠ وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا دَاوُودَ مِنَّا فَضْلًا ۖ يَا جِبَالُ أَوِّبِي مَعَهُ وَالطَّيْرَ ۖ وَأَلَنَّا لَهُ الْحَدِيدَ
10 And We certainly gave David from Us bounty. [We said], “O mountains, repeat [Our] praises with him, and the birds [as well].” And We made pliable for him iron,
١٢ وَلِسُلَيْمَانَ الرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌ ۖ وَأَسَلْنَا لَهُ عَيْنَ الْقِطْرِ ۖ وَمِنَ الْجِنِّ مَنْ يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِ ۖ وَمَنْ يَزِغْ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ أَمْرِنَا نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ السَّعِيرِ
12 And to Solomon [We subjected] the wind – its morning [journey was that of] a month – and its afternoon [journey was that of] a month, and We made flow for him a spring of [liquid] copper. And among the jinn were those who worked for him by the permission of his Lord. And whoever deviated among them from Our command – We will make him taste of the punishment of the Blaze.
١٥ لَقَدْ كَانَ لِسَبَإٍ فِي مَسْكَنِهِمْ آيَةٌ ۖ جَنَّتَانِ عَنْ يَمِينٍ وَشِمَالٍ ۖ كُلُوا مِنْ رِزْقِ رَبِّكُمْ وَاشْكُرُوا لَهُ ۚ بَلْدَةٌ طَيِّبَةٌ وَرَبٌّ غَفُورٌ
15 There was for [the tribe of] Saba’ in their dwelling place a sign: two [fields of] gardens on the right and on the left. [They were told], “Eat from the provisions of your Lord and be grateful to Him. A good land [have you], and a forgiving Lord.”
١٩ فَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا بَاعِدْ بَيْنَ أَسْفَارِنَا وَظَلَمُوا أَنْفُسَهُمْ فَجَعَلْنَاهُمْ أَحَادِيثَ وَمَزَّقْنَاهُمْ كُلَّ مُمَزَّقٍ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ
19 But [insolently] they said, “Our Lord, lengthen the distance between our journeys,” and wronged themselves, so We made them narrations and dispersed them in total dispersion. Indeed in that are signs for everyone patient and grateful.
٥٤ وَحِيلَ بَيْنَهُمْ وَبَيْنَ مَا يَشْتَهُونَ كَمَا فُعِلَ بِأَشْيَاعِهِمْ مِنْ قَبْلُ ۚ إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا فِي شَكٍّ مُرِيبٍ
54 And prevention will be placed between them and what they desire, as was done with their kind before. Indeed, they were in disquieting denial.
SUMMARY OF TOPICS
1-2(God Knows What Penetrates Into The Earth And What Emerges From It), 3-8(They Say The Hour Will Not Come To Us, Not Absent From God An Atom’s Weight Within The Heavens Or Within The Earth ), 9(Hidden Sky& Earth: Do They Not Look At What Is Before Them And What Is Behind Them Of The Heaven And Earth?), 10-11(David Story: Mountains, Birds Hymn With Him& Iron Become Soft), 12-13(Solomon Miracles Of Wind, Copper, Labour Jinn, Made Castles Statues Bowls Kettles), 14( Solomon Death, His Staff Fell Down, Claim Of People That Jinns Know The Unseen Is Wrong), 15-21(Saba People: 2Gardens, Flood, Their Pray Of Make Our Journey Long Verse19, Rejected Allah’s Blessings, So Allah Made Them Narrations And Dispersed Them In Total Dispersion), 23(No Intercession Before Allah), 28(Muhammad Bashir/Nazir Bringer Of Tiding And Warner To All Mankind), 34-36(Rich People/Affluent People Of Cities Always Rejected God’s Messages), 40-41(Allah Questions Angels, They Reply; Humankind Used To Worship The Jinn; Most Of Them Were Believers In Them ), 47(Prophet Say; I Ask No Payment From You), 51-54(Last Day Disbelievers Will Be Terrified And Want To Return Back And Believe In It, How Can They Reach From Far Off, A Gulf Will Be Set Between Them & Their Desires)
SURAH SABA BRIEF COMMENTARY & BACK GROUND:
This Surah has 54 verses divided into 6 Rukus/Sections. Revealed In Mecca almost in the middle period of Prophet’s preaching at Mecca. This surah addresses and answers various questions raised by the non-believers on the oneness of God and the institution of Prophethood. The title Saba/Sheba comes from verses 15 where there is a mention of people of Saba and further it states their story to show how they were punished for their ungratefulness.
It also states the story of Prophet David and Solomon and the bounties and Miracles that God bestowed upon them. This is to show to the disbelievers of that time and of future generations that in these two examples there are lessons that how God-fearing people act when they receive God’s blessings and how is the attitude of people who are ungrateful and have no association with God.
The Messenger of Allah PBUH said: For one who recites Surah Saba there would none from the prophets and messengers who would not be his companion and shake his hand.