Surah Al-Furqaan is entirely Makkan, according to the majority opinion. However, Ibn Abbas and Qataadah said that three verses of it were revealed in Madinah, from verse 68:
وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَدْعُونَ مَعَ اللَّهِ إِلَهًا آخَرَ
To the 70th verse, :
وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا
"And those who do not invoke any other god besides Allah... up to His saying: And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful."
Some few scholars such as Al-Imam Ad-Dhahhak said that the Surah is Madinan, but it contains Makkan verses.
The purpose of this Surah is to highlight the greatness of the Qur'an and address the criticisms of the disbelievers regarding prophethood. It refutes their claims and ignorance, such as their statement that the Qur'an was fabricated by Muhammad peace be upon him and is not from Allah.
Allah started this Noble surah with the following verses:
تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْفُرْقَانَ عَلَىٰ عَبْدِهِ لِيَكُونَ لِلْعَالَمِينَ نَذِيرًا. الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَلَمْ يَتَّخِذْ وَلَدًا وَلَمْ يَكُنْ لَهُ شَرِيكٌ فِي الْمُلْكِ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ فَقَدَّرَهُ تَقْدِيرًا. وَاتَّخَذُوا مِنْ دُونِهِ آلِهَةً لَا يَخْلُقُونَ شَيْئًا وَهُمْ يُخْلَقُونَ وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ لِأَنْفُسِهِمْ ضَرًّا وَلَا نَفْعًا وَلَا يَمْلِكُونَ مَوْتًا وَلَا حَيَاةً وَلَا نُشُورًا.
"Blessed is He who sent down the Criterion (the Qur'an) upon His servant to be a warner to the worlds.
He to whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth, who has not taken a son and has no partner in His dominion; and He created everything and determined it with precise determination.
Yet they have taken besides Him gods who create nothing but are themselves created and possess not for themselves any harm or benefit, and possess not [power to cause] death, nor life, nor resurrection".
Regarding the phrase "تَبَارَكَ", the scholars differed on its meaning:
Al-Imam Al-Farra said it is synonymous with تَقَدَّسَ (sanctified), and both indicate greatness.
Al-Imam Az-Zajjaj explained that تَبَارَكَ is derived from البركة (blessing), which denotes abundance in all forms of goodness.
Some scholars said it means تعالى (exalted).
Other scholars interpreted it as دام وثبت إنعامه (His blessings are eternal and constant).
Al-Imam An-Nahhas considered the latter interpretation most consistent with linguistic principles, as برك means to remain or be stable, like how a camel kneels or a bird settles on water.
The poet At-Turmah said:
تباركت لا معطٍ لشيء منعته... وليس لما أعطيت يا رب مانع
"Blessed are You; none can give what You withhold, and none can withhold what You give, O Lord!"
Another poet said:
تباركت ما تقدر يقع ولك الشكر
"Blessed are You! Whatever You will happens, and to You belongs all gratitude".
On the Word الْفُرْقَان
The word الفرقان refers to the Qur'an. Some scholars suggest it is a name for all revealed scriptures, as in:
وَلَقَدْ آتَيْنَا مُوسَى وَهَارُونَ الْفُرْقَانَ
"And We gave Musa and Haaron the Criterion".
This is because It distinguishes between truth and falsehood, and between believers and disbelievers. It clarifies what is lawful and unlawful, as Narrated by Al-Imam An-Nuqash.
The phrase "عَبْدِهِ" refers to Muhammad peace be upon him. Allah's use of "His servant" emphasizes the honor of servitude to Him.
Allah ended the verses by telling us the purpose of the Qur'an. The purpose of the Qur'an is to make the Prophet peace be upon him a warner to all of creation, both humans and jinn. The inclusion of العالمين signifies universality, affirming the Prophet's role as the final messenger.
Al-Imam Ibn Aj-Jawzi noted: "The Prophet peace be upon him was sent as a mercy to both realms, human and jinn." Similarly, Nuh peace be upon him was sent to all of humanity after the flood, but Muhammad peace be upon him uniquely combined this universality with being the Seal of the Prophets.
Abdulwahab Ibn Yusuf Isah
Qur'an Chronicles
