Background of Surah Qaf:
Surah Qaf is a Makkan surah meaning it was revealed during the time when the prophet (pbuh) was still living in Makkah and had not yet migrated to Medinah. This surah is the first surah of the al-Mufassal surahs. Al-Mufassal surahs are surahs that are divided and have many breaks in between them meaning the basmalah ("Bismillah al-Rahmaan al-Raheem") appears frequently; thus they are very short surahs. The Qur'an has 4 categories of surahs and the Al-Mufassal surahs are the last (Surah Qaf to Surah An Nas). Surah Qaf was recited very frequently by the prophet (pbuh). The prophet (pbuh) used to recite this surah every Friday on the mimbar so this meant that the prophet (pbuh) used to recite a portion of this surah at the beginning of the Khutbah or the entire khutbah consisted of the recitation of surah Qaf. This shows how powerful this surah is as it being recited was sufficient to be the khutbah. Sadly this is a neglected sunnah that surah Qaf is not recited in khutbah. The prophet (pbuh) used to recite this surah on Eid as well as Fajr. The main theme of the surah is bringing of conviction about hereafter and strengthening faith.
VERSE 1
Qaf. By the honored Qur'an...
The first word of the surah is a huroof (letter Qaf).
Allah then takes an oath by the Qur'an. Here the Qur'an is described as being glorious. It is glorious as it is honourable over all other scriptures because in it is preserved message from all other scriptures , confirming the rest. The Qur'an is the last scripture and it won't be overpowered by any later scriptures. Qur'an is to be followed and not dictated.
VERSE 2
But they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves, and the disbelievers say, "This is an amazing thing.
Response of the people was they were amazed and found it strange that a prophet came to them to warn them so they disbelieved. But they shouldn't find it strange because this is not the first time a messenger came.
VERSE 3
When we have died and have become dust, [we will return to life]? That is a distant return."
Another thing they find strange is message that prophet pbuh brought. They find resurrection strange. They say it's a return that's far meaning it won't happen.
VERSE 4
We know what the earth diminishes of them, and with Us is a retaining record.
They don't need to tell the prophet pbuh what happens once we die. Allah swt knows best how we decompose once we're dead. Everything has been recorded in the book near Allah swt. Just because we decay and are lost in the earth does not mean Allah swt doesn't know who we are.
VERSE 5
But they denied the truth when it came to them, so they are in a confused condition.
The truth came to them but they rejected it. So now they are in a confused situation. When one has faith he/she has a foundation which he/she lives by but when doesn't believe, he has nothing. He has to come up with some explanation for his existence which is why many come up with their own stories and beliefs only to end up confusing themselves.
They were also confused about the prophet pbuh which is why they called him a magician, lier, etc.
VERSE 6
Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and [how] it has no rifts?
Allah swt asks why are they in amazement? Allah swt built the skies! The word used in Arabic is construct so its to emphasize the fact that the skies didn't just come out of the blue. Rather Allah swt created it and placed it together. In construction we take materials and place them together but none of us saw how the skies were put together so we often forget that it was created at some point in time. But Allah swt didn't just create the skies, rather He adorned it with the stars and the sky has no gap in it. If Allah swt can create the skies, He most definitely can recreate us after we've decayed into the earth. Besides, in comparison to the skies, we are so small.
