Meccan surah facts for kids

The Meccan surahs are the earlier chapters of the Qur'an, the holy book of Islam. They were revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammed before he and his followers moved from Mecca to Medina. This important journey is called the Hijra. Chapters revealed after this move are known as Medinan surahs.

Meccan surahs are usually shorter than Medinan ones. Their verses (called āyāt) are often brief. Most of these chapters are found near the end of the Qur'an. Generally, the Qur'an's chapters are arranged from longest to shortest.

Scholars divide the Qur'an's chapters into "Meccan" and "Medinan" mainly by looking at their style and themes. They consider things like the length of the verses. They also look for certain words or ideas, such as al-Rahman (a name for God).

What Makes Meccan Surahs Special?

Meccan surahs have several unique features. These include their style, content, and main topics:

• Any chapter that asks believers to prostrate (bow down) to Allah is usually Meccan. Exceptions are chapters 13 and 22.
• Chapters with the Arabic word kalla (meaning "never") are Meccan. These are only found in the second half of the Qur'an.
• If a chapter says "O people" (ياأيها الناس) but not "O you who believe" (يأيها اللذين آمنوا), it is Meccan. Chapter 22 is an exception.
• Many chapters that start with special initial letters, called Muqatta'at, are Meccan. Chapters 2, 3, and 13 are exceptions.
• Stories about Adam and Iblis (who is Satan) are found in Meccan chapters. Chapter 2 is the only exception.
• Stories of earlier prophets and their communities are mostly in Meccan chapters. Again, chapter 2 is an exception.
• Meccan verses are often short. They use a strong, powerful style and have a clear rhythm.
• They often repeat ideas for emphasis. They also use encouragement, comparisons, and oaths.
• These surahs focus on believing in Allah, the Day of Judgement, and describing Hell and Paradise. Chapter 2 is an exception.
• They encourage good morals and universal values. These include being truthful, kind to relatives, and respectful to elders and neighbors.
• Meccan surahs often argue with polytheists (people who believe in many gods). They challenge the idea of associating partners with Allah.
• They warn polytheists by telling stories of past messengers. These stories show how punishment came to people who rejected God's message.

How Meccan Surahs Are Ordered in Time

Scholars have different ideas about the exact order in which Meccan surahs were revealed.

One well-known order was suggested by Abu al-Qasim `Umar ibn Muhammad ibn `Abd al-Kafi. This "traditional order" includes 86 chapters. Another order, called the Nöldeke-Schwally chronology, suggests 90 chapters. These different orders show that figuring out the exact timeline can be complex.

Early Meccan Surahs: The First Period

The First Meccan period is when Prophet Muhammad first began receiving revelations. The chapters from this time are often short. They were likely easy to remember and share by speaking, which was important back then. Many of these surahs were also used in early prayers.

These early chapters are shorter than later ones. They often use many rhymes. Some are very short, like a single paragraph. Others are grouped into two, three, or four verses.

A main theme in these surahs is showing how clear God's existence is. They use strong language and often mention the power of nature. They also talk about destroyed civilizations, saying their destruction was God's will. These surahs emphasize that God created Earth, Heaven, and everything in between. They also speak of His great generosity.

Additionally, some of these surahs discuss ethics and values. They teach that people should be humble before God's power. They should not live too extravagantly. They should be loving and share, especially with those who are poor. These surahs also contain prophecies about the future, like the Day of Judgement. They warn people about this day and describe what Heaven will be like.

Middle Meccan Surahs: The Second Period

There are 21 surahs from the second Meccan period. Their verses are usually between twelve and twenty syllables long. Some have fewer than 50 verses, while others, like chapter 20 ("Ta-Ha"), have over 100 verses.

These surahs combine features from both earlier and later Meccan chapters. They continue to use a three-part structure for verses. This structure often has shorter first and third sections that are similar. The middle section is usually longer and tells a story of prophets and their struggles.

These surahs use fewer oaths than earlier ones. However, they are much more direct when speaking to disbelievers. Some chapters in this period begin to resemble a monotheistic worship service. For example, chapter 20 starts by praising God. Then, it tells a long story about Moses. After the story, several verses explain its meaning, especially for those who do not believe.

The surahs from this middle period show how the Qur'an's revelations developed over time. This happened as Muhammad's community grew and changed. These surahs also start to refer to the Qur'an itself. They use words like "qur'an" (recitation) and "kitaab" (book) to mention its own existence. This highlights that it is a holy message from God.

Later Meccan Surahs: The Third Period

The Third Meccan period began when Muhammad started his public ministry. It lasted until the Hijra, the move to Abyssinia. This period, roughly from 619 to 622 A.D., was a time of difficulty. Muhammad and the Muslims faced persecution from the Quraysh tribe. The Quraysh even boycotted Muhammad's clan, the Hashem, to try and stop them from protecting him.

Revelations from this period describe the resurrection, paradise, and Judgment Day. The three-part verse structure is less common now. Instead, chapters become longer and less complex in their structure. They contain long messages for the community of believers, which was much larger by this time. Also, God begins to speak directly to Muhammad, rather than just using him as a messenger.

Surahs from this period show how believers should act, even when they face challenges and opposition. They teach how to build a community that follows God's word.

See also

In Spanish: Sura mecana para niños

• Medinan surah
• List of chapters in the Quran