View source for Ta-Ha

{{Short description|20th chapter of the Qur'an}}
{{Redirect|Q20|the bus services|Q20 (New York City bus)|and|Q20X (New York City bus)}}
{{Other uses|Taha (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Sura
|Name_of_Surah=Ṭā Hā
|Arabic_name=طه
|Screenshot_of_Surah=
|Caption=
|Classification=[[Makkan sura|Makkan]]
|Meaning_of_the_name= see: ''[[mysterious letters]]''
|Other_names=
|Time_of_revelation=
|Sura_number=20
|Number_of_verses=135
|Juz'_number=16
|Hizb_number=32
|Number_of_Rukus= 8
|Number_of_sajdahs=none
|Number_of_words=1534
|Number_of_letters=5399
|Harf-e-Mukatta'at=Ṭā Hā طه
|Subjectwise_ayat=
|Previous_Sura=Quran 19
|Next_Sura= Quran 21
|sound =}}
{{Quran}}
[[File:Illuminated Manuscript Koran, Illuminated heading for chapter 20 (Sūrat Tā Hā) with marginal medallion, Walters Art Museum Ms. 568, fol.21a.jpg|thumb|Illuminated Manuscript Koran, Illuminated heading for chapter 20 (Sūrat Tā Hā) with marginal medallion, [[Walters Art Museum]] Ms.]]
'''Ṭā Hā'''<ref name = "Quran 4 U">{{cite web|url=http://www.quran4u.com/Tafsir%20Ibn%20Kathir/020%20Ta%20Ha.htm |title=Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Surah TaHa |work=Quran 4 U|author=Ibn Kathir|author-link=Ibn Kathir|publisher=[[Tafsir]]|access-date=14 February 2020}}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|ɑː|ˈ|h|ɑː}}; {{langx|ar|طه}}) is the [[List of chapters in the Quran|20th chapter]] (''[[sūrah]]'') of the [[Qur'an]] with 135 verses (''[[āyāt]]''). It is named "Ṭā Hā" because the chapter starts with the  Arabic [[Muqattaʿat|''ḥurūf muqaṭṭaʿāt'' (disjoined letters)]]: {{lang|ar|طه}} (Ṭāhā) which is widely mistaken to be one of the [[names of the prophet Muhammed|names of the Islamic prophet Muhammad]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/tafseer-as-sadi-by-shaykh-abdur-rahman-al-sadi-10-volume-set-english/Tafseer-As-Sadi_Volume-06_Juz-16-18_English_%28www.TheChoice.one%29/page/110/mode/2up?view=theater | title=Tafseer As-Sa'di by Shaykh Abdur Rahman al-Sa'di (10 Volume Set) English }}</ref> But is just one of the many [[Muqattaʿat|unlinked letters]] at the beginning of many surahs of the holy Quran
Regarding the timing and contextual background of the revelation (''[[asbāb al-nuzūl]]''), it is traditionally believed to be a [[Meccan surah]], from the second Meccan period (615-619),<ref name=Ernst>Ernst, Carl W. How to Read the Qurʼan: A New Guide, with Select Translations. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina, 2011. Print.</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=The Message of the Quran, M. Asad, 1982, Introduction Surah Ta-Ha|quote=As is the case with the preceding surah, its position in the chronology of Qur'anic revelation is not difficult to establish. Despite the vague assertions of some of the later authorities that it was revealed during the last phase (or even in the last year) of the Prophet's sojourn in Mecca, we know for certain that it was fully known to his Companions as early as the sixth year of his mission (that is, at least seven years before he left Mecca for Medina): for it was this very surah which at that period accidentally fell into the hands of 'Umar ibn al-Khattab - who until then had been a bitter opponent of the Prophet - and caused his conversion to Islam (Ibn Sad 111/1, 191 ff.)}}</ref> which means it is believed to have been revealed in Mecca, rather than later in Medina.
Among the subjects treated in this chapter are God's [[Islamic view of Moses#God calls Moses|call of Moses]] ({{cite quran|20|10|s=ns}}), [[the Exodus]] of the Israelites and the crossing of the Red Sea ({{cite quran|20|77|s=ns|b=n}}), the worship of the [[Golden Calf]] ({{cite quran|20|88|s=ns|b=n}}) and the [[Fall of Man]] ({{cite quran|20|120|s=ns|b=n}}). The main theme of the chapter is about the existence of God. It addresses this theme through stories about [[Moses in Islam|Moses]] and [[Adam in Islam|Adam]].<ref name=Haleem>Haleem, Abdel. The Qur'an. New York: Oxford UP, 2010. Print.</ref> Sura 20 displays several thematic and stylistic patterns described by [[Angelika Neuwirth]] in [[Jane McAuliffe]]'s book "The Cambridge Companion to the Qur'an".<ref name=McA>McAuliffe, Jane Dammen. The Cambridge Companion to the Qurʼān. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge UP, 2006. Print.</ref> These include the eschatological prophecies of the Quran, signs of God's existence, and debate. Additionally, sura 20 employs what has been termed the "ring structure" to reinforce its central theme.
This is the chapter that convinced [[Umar]] to convert to Islam.<ref>as-Suyuti, ''The History of Khalifahs Who Took The Right Way'' (London, 1995), p. 107-108; T.P. Hughes, 1999, Dictionary of Islam, New Delhi: Rupa & Co.</ref>
The oldest surviving manuscript containing chapter ''Ṭā Hā'' is a Quranic manuscript<ref>Sean Coughlan, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-33436021 "'Oldest' Koran fragments found in Birmingham University"], ''BBC News'', 22 July 2015</ref> in the [[Mingana Collection]] identified as having been written on the [[Birmingham Quran manuscript]], dated 0-25 AH.
==Summary==
*'''1-3''' The Quran an admonition from God to the faithful
*'''4-7''' God one, a Sovereign King, [[omniscient in Islam|omniscient]], and possessed of most excellent names
*'''The History of [[Moses in Islam|Moses]]'''
** '''8-10''' He sees the [[burning bush in Islam|burning bush]] '''11-12''' God speaks to him out of the fire '''13-14''' He is chosen and instructed by God
** '''15-17''' The [[Judgement Day in Islam|day of judgment]] will surely come
** '''18-24''' God bestows on him signs and [[Islamic view of miracles|miracles]]
** '''25''' He is commanded to go to [[Pharaoh in Islam|Pharaoh]]
** '''26-35''' Moses prays for the assistance of [[Aaron in Islam|Aaron]]
** '''36-42''' God reminds Moses of former favours
** '''43-50''' He is sent with Aaron to Pharaoh
** '''51-57''' Conversation between Pharaoh and Moses
** '''58-59''' Pharaoh rejects Moses and accuses him of imposture
** '''60-62''' Pharaoh proposes to meet Moses and Aaron with countermiracles
** '''63-64''' Moses warns the [[magicians in Islam|magicians]] against deception
** '''65''' The magicians dispute among themselves
** '''66''' They counsel Pharaoh against Moses
** '''67''' Pharaoh encourages the magicians to do their best
** '''68-72''' The contest between Moses and the magicians
** '''73''' The magicians are converted
** '''74-75''' Pharaoh threatens the magicians with dire punishment
** '''75-76''' The magicians defy the wrath of Pharaoh, and express hope in God
** '''77-80''' God commands Moses to lead the Israelites through the Red Sea
** '''81''' Pharaoh pursues them, and is overwhelmed by the sea
** '''82-83''' God feeds the Israelites on manna and quails in the desert
** '''83-84''' God's treatment of the unbelieving and penitent
** '''85-87''' The Israelites worship a [[golden calf in Islam|golden calf]]
** '''88-89''' Moses reproaches them with idolatry '''90-91''' They lay the blame on [[Samiri (Islamic figure)|Samiri]]
** '''92-93''' The people disobey Aaron
** '''94-95''' Moses rebukes Aaron—his apology
** '''96''' Sámirí's explanation of his conduct '''97-98''' Sámirí's doom to social ostracism
* '''102-107''' The resurrection and the conduct of those judged on the judgment-day
* '''108''' No intercession on that day, except by permission
* '''109-111''' The fate of the wicked and reward of the righteous
* '''112-114''' The Quran made easy for Muhammad, but he is not to be hasty in repeating it
*'''[[Adam and Eve in Islam|The Story of Adam]]'''
**'''115''' Adam broke God's covenant
**'''116''' All the angels prostrate to Adam except Iblís
**'''117''' Adam warned against Satan
**'''118-119''' Adam and Eve will never struggle in [[Jannah]]
**'''120''' Satan beguiles Adam and Eve
**'''121''' Adam disobeys God
**'''122-123''' God pardons, but expels them from Paradise
**'''124'''  An admonition promised, with penalty of rejection of it
*'''125-127''' Infidels will appear in the judgment blind, and reasons for blindness
*'''128-129''' The Makkans warned
*'''130-132''' Muhammad comforted and encouraged
*'''133-134''' The Jews demand a sign, and the Quraish disbelieve
*'''135''' God directs Muhammad to proclaim his readiness to wait the final issue of the controversy between them <ref>{{cite book |last1=Wherry |first1=Elwood Morris |author1-link=Elwood Morris Wherry |title=A Complete Index to [[Sale's Text]], Preliminary Discourse, and Notes |date=1896 |publisher=Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, and Co |location=London}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>
==Structure==
The first two words of Chapter 20 are ''Ṭā Hā''.
Sura 20 focuses upon one theme, and is structured in such a way as to reinforce this theme repeatedly. Sura 20 begins with an introduction which proclaims the greatness of God. In the body of the sura, there are two distinct stories, one about Moses and one about Adam, each of which is broken into smaller sections. Both stories are prefaced by instructions from God to [[Muhammad]], and followed by a discussion of [[Islamic eschatology|judgment day]] and the punishment of the disbelievers. To conclude the sura, there is another section restating and reinforcing the main theme, followed by a brief instruction to Muhammad. This repetitive pattern is what [[Carl W. Ernst]] terms the ring structure in his book "How to Read the Qur'an".<ref name=Ernst/> The first part of the sura, up until the story of Adam, and the second part are, thematically and structurally, copies of each other. The story about Moses gives a much longer, more detailed description to introduce the theme, and the shorter story of Adam serves to summarize and repeat the theme already discussed. The introduction and conclusion paragraphs, including the verses where God addresses Muhammad, are the bookends to the sura, and bind the stories together.<ref name=Haleem/>
===1-8 Introduction===
This section is an introduction to the sura. It begins with God addressing Muhammad, then lists several of God's characteristics and praises Him. In this section, there is also a mention of the Quran as a reminder of God's existence, a theme that is seen throughout the Quran. One of the two verses in this sura mentioned in [[al-Wahidi]]'s "[[Asbab al-Nuzul]]" is verse 2. According to al-Wahidi, God sent this verse to Muhammad because the [[Quraysh tribe|Quraysh]] were saying that Muhammad was distressed because he left their religion, and that God only sent down the Quran to distress Muhammad.<ref name=Guezz>Guezzou, Mokrane. Al-Wāḥidī's Asbāb Al-nuzūl: Great Commentaries of the Holy Qur'an. [Amman]: Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought, 2008. Print.</ref>
Verses 2–3: "It was not to distress you [Prophet] that We sent down the Qur'an to you, but as a reminder for those who hold God in awe…"<ref name=Haleem/>
Verse 8: "God—There is no god but Him—the most excellent names belong to Him."<ref name=Haleem/>
===9–98 The story of Moses===
This section recounts the story of Moses's encounter with [[Pharaoh]], and how Moses's people were tested by God. Moses is originally tasked by God to go to Pharaoh, who has erred, and try to show him the right path.  Verses 25-28: "He said, my Lord, open up my heart, and make my task easy for me.  Loosen the knot in my tongue, so that they may understand my speech."
Moses is triumphant over the Pharaoh because he is helped by God, but is then chased from the land by Pharaoh. After escaping, Moses leaves his people to confer with God. During his absence, his people are led awry by [[Samiri (Islamic figure)|al-Samiri]], and begin to worship a [[golden calf]] instead of God. Upon his return, Moses is furious. He exiles al-Samiri, and chastises his brother [[Aaron#Islam|Aaron]] for allowing the people to worship anything other than the one true God. Samiri's provokation of Moses's disciples to worship a lowly calf beside the Almighty, clearly refuted God's grace as well as Moses and Aaron's preaching. Hence, Samiri's defiance that is quite similar to Iblis' or Satan's had earned him severe punishment from God.
Verse 56: "We showed Pharaoh all Our signs, but he denied them and refused [to change]."<ref name=Haleem/>
Verse 85: "…but God said, 'We have tested your people in your absence: the Samiri has led them astray.'"<ref name=Haleem/>
Verse 97: "(Moses) said: "Get thee gone! but thy (punishment) in this life will be that thou wilt say, 'touch me not'; and moreover (for a future penalty) thou hast a promise that will not fail: Now look at thy god, of whom thou hast become a devoted worshipper: We will certainly (melt) it in a blazing fire and scatter it broadcast in the sea!" <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.quran411.com/surah-taha.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206161619/http://quran411.com/surah-taha.asp |archive-date=2015-02-06 |title=Transliteration of Surah TaHa in Roman Script with English and Arabic}}</ref>
===99–113 Judgment day and the disbelievers' punishment===
This section again refers to the revealed nature of the Quran, and discusses the Day of Judgment. It gives a brief description of the events that will take place on judgment day. Disbelievers will be punished, but believers need not fear. This account of judgment day is an example of the [[eschatology|eschatological]] nature of the Quran, as described by Angelika Neuwirth.<ref name=McA/> Also in this section, in verse 113, is a specific reference to the Quran in [[Arabic]].
Verse 99: "…We have given you a Qur'an from Us."<ref name=Haleem/>
Verses 111–112: "Those burdened with evil deeds will despair, but whoever has done righteous deeds and believed need have no fear of injustice or deprivation."<ref name=Haleem/>
Verse 113: "We have sent the Qur'an down in the Arabic tongue and given all kinds of warnings in it, so that they may beware or it may make them take heed."<ref name=Haleem/>
===114–123 The story of Adam===
This section begins with a proclamation of God's greatness, and then another address from God to Muhammad. Then, God relates the story of Adam. When God created Adam and asked the angels to bow before him, all but [[Iblis]] did bow. Iblis (Satan) was punished and made the enemy of man. Satan tempted Adam, and Adam gave in, straying from God. But, Adam repented for his mistake and asked for God's forgiveness quite devotedly, for which God finally forgave him.
Verse 114: "Exalted be God, the one who is truly in control. [Prophet], do not rush to recite before the revelation is fully complete…"<ref name=Haleem/>
Verse 116: "When We said to the angels, 'Bow down before Adam,' they did. But Iblis refused."<ref name=Haleem/>
Verse 121–122: "…Adam disobeyed his Lord and was led astray—later his lord brought him close, accepted his repentance, and guided him."<ref name=Haleem/>
===123–127 Judgment day and the disbelievers' punishment===
This section restates what was said before: Those who follow God will be rewarded, and those who do not will be punished on the Day of Judgment.
Verse 126: "…You ignored Our revelations when they came to you, so today you will be ignored."<ref name=Haleem/>
Verse 127: "…The greatest and most enduring punishment is in the Hereafter."<ref name=Haleem/>
===128–132 Instructions to the believers===
This section contains another of the patterns discussed by Neuwirth, the signs of God's existence.<ref name=McA/> It references the ruins of old cities as signs that God exists and can easily destroy people. Also, this section instructs believers to pray, and not to long for others' possessions. Verse 131 is the second verse of the sura that is mentioned in Asbab al-Nuzul. Wahidi says that this was sent down because Muhammad once desired food to entertain a guest, but could not afford it. The Jewish man selling the food refused to sell it without a security, and Muhammad was furious with this.<ref name=Guezz/> To appease his prophet, God sent down this verse.
Verse 131: "And do not gaze longingly at what We have given some of them to enjoy, the finery of this present life: We test them through this, but the provision of your Lord is better and more lasting."<ref name=Haleem/>
Verse 132: "Order your people to pray, and pray steadfastly yourself."<ref name=Haleem/>
===133–135 Conclusion===
The conclusion includes another of the elements Neuwirth discusses: debate.<ref name=McA/> In the conclusion, there is a debate between the disbelievers and Muhammad. The disbelievers wonder why God does not bring them a sign, and in the final verse God instructs Muhammad what to reply to them.
Verse 135: "[Prophet], say, 'We are all waiting, so you carry on waiting: you will come to learn who has followed the even path, and been rightly guided.<ref name=Haleem/>'"
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
*[https://www.islamawakened.com/quran/20/4/ Q20:4], 50+ translations, islamawakened.com
*{{wikisource-inline|The Holy Qur'an (Maulana Muhammad Ali)/20. Ta Ha}}
*[https://quran.com/20 Quran 20] [[Clear Quran translation]]
{{Sura|20|[[Maryam (sura)|Maryam]]|[[Al-Anbiya]]}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Chapters in the Quran|Ta-Ha]]
[[Category:Moses]]
[[Category:Golden calf]]
[[Category:Muqattaʿat suras|Ta-Ha]]