The Three Completed Acts (94:1-4)
“Alam nashrah laka sadraka, wa-wada’na ‘anka wizraka alladhi anqada zahrak, wa-rafa’na laka dhikrak.”
Sharh al-Sadr (expansion of the breast): the Prophet’s chest was opened and purified in the famous narrative of the opening of the chest — reported in early Meccan seerah, repeated before the Mi’raj. But the Quran here applies the term to his psychological and spiritual capacity: the Prophet was given the interior breadth to carry prophethood.
Removal of the burden: The weight of prophethood, of rejection, of years of persecution — the wizr (burden/sin) is removed. Classical commentators debate: what specific burden? The most common interpretation: the pre-prophethood state of not yet having guidance — “you were in error and He guided you” (93:7).
Rafa’na laka dhikrak (raised your reputation): The Prophet’s name (dhikr) is praised in every adhan, in every salat, in every tashahhud — his name coupled with Allah’s in the declaration of faith (la ilaha illa llah Muhammad rasul Allah). Every call to prayer everywhere on earth is a raising of his name.
The Grammatical Argument on Ease and Hardship (94:5-6)
Fa-inna ma’a al-‘usri yusra — inna ma’a al-‘usri yusra.
In Arabic, the repetition with the definite article (al-‘usri — the hardship, with al-) and the indefinite article (yusran — an ease, without al-) creates a significant legal-grammatical principle:
- Definite noun repeated = the same noun (al-‘usr = the same hardship both times)
- Indefinite noun repeated = different nouns (yusr ≠ yusr — two different eases)
Classical principle: “One ‘usr cannot overcome two yusr.” Hardship is singular; each instance of ease is new and different. The two eases can be:
- One in this world (resolution/relief)
- One in the Hereafter (reward)
Or:
- Present ease (the relief already with the hardship)
- Future ease (the ease that comes after)
The Command After Relief (94:7-8)
“So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship]. And to your Lord direct [your] longing.”
After relief, the impulse to relax into comfort. The Quran’s instruction: fa-iza faraghta fa-nsab — when you have finished one task, immediately stand in exertion (nasab = effort, toil) for the next. The cycle of effort never ends because wa-ila rabbika fa-rghab — the orientation is always toward the Lord, not toward rest.
See also: Quran Sciences, Tafsir Overview, Adhkar, Tawakkul Trust In Allah, Sulook, Prophet Muhammad