When we have times of sorrow, we feel very down often. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had many times of sorrow in his life, we’re going to focus on one time of sorrow here.
Ibn Abbas said that when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), there was a delay in the next revelation coming for a number of days, (it’s not actually clear the exact number of days); and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) felt devastated.
The Quraysh were goading him; they were laughing at him; they were saying “Muhammad’s Lord has left him”…
A Chapter of Comfort
But when this was said, chapter Ad-Doha was revealed, it was revealed as a comfort and it’s a direct address to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Imagine at this time, when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is losing hope, Allah speaks exactly to him through this chapter of the Quran. He addresses Himself as “your Lord”.
This is personal language, this is something very special between Allah and His Prophet. It emphasizes two things: Allah has not left you, and Allah is not displeased with you.
And it’s a response to the needs and the anguish that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is going through.
Two things we need: Allah and then others need us, and guidance; like with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) he needed Allah and other people needed him, it’s the same with us as well.
Allah gives us comfort as well through this chapter of Quran that when we have times of difficulty, Allah might even send ease, not just through looking into this chapter of Quran, but also by sending people to us so that we have the ability and the opportunity to help other people. Other people are being fulfilled by us and we are being fulfilled by our Lord.
(From Discovering Islam archive)