Quran’s Mention of Tribal Life in Surah Al-Quraysh
Al-Quraysh is the 106th chapter of the Quran that has 4 verses and is in the 30th Juz. It is Makki and the 29th Surah revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The first verse points to the Quraysh Tribe and the summer and winter trips taken by its members, and hence the chapter’s name.
Quraysh was one of the main and most known tribes in Arabia and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was a member of this tribe.
Many interpreters of the Quran consider Surah Al-Quraysh to be the continuation of Surah Al-Fil. In Surah Al-Fil, the Quran points to the enemies’ threats and their attempts to destroy the Ka’aba. But in Surah Al-Quraysh, it highlights the peace and calm that the Quraysh Tribe has achieved in Mecca, a peace during which Muhammad (PBUH) was appointed as the Prophet of God and spread Islam.
The second verse in Surah Al-Qurasyh points to the winter and summer journeys of the members of the tribe. They would travel to Yemen and the Levant in summer and winter for trade. These journeys and trade activities helped them develop better living conditions and strengthen friendship and unity among themselves.
After Muhammad (PBUH) was appointed the Prophet (PBUH), the people of Quraysh no longer needed to travel because people from all over the land would come to Mecca to see the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and there they also sold their products and the people of Mecca would buy whatever they needed.
The Ka’aba, too, was a source of blessing for Quraysh and the Surah emphasizes that the members of the tribe should worship the Lord of the House who saved them from hunger and insecurity.
“Therefore let them worship the Lord of this House, who fed them from hunger and secured them from fear.” (Verse 3-4)
