SURAH HAL-ATA'

It is generally believed that this Surah was revealed in Madinah or otherwise the beginning Ayahs about the “Righteous People” was revealed in Madinah. There are 31 Ayahs in this Surahs. Other names of this Surah are al-Dahar (Time) and al-Insan (Man). This Surah depicts deep, varied, and comprehensive themes consisting of:

Man's creation, guidance and free-will, reward offered to the Righteous – Ahlul Bayt, merits for the reward, the importance and manner of conducting the principles of the Glorious Qur'an, and the dominance of Allah's will.

Ayah 5 to 11:

“Verily, the Righteous drink of a cup; the mixture of which is (like) camphor. A fountain, where servants of Allah drink, flows in abundance (where ever they wish). They fulfill their vows and fear a Day, the chastisement of which is widespread. And they feed for the love of Allah, the indigent, the orphan, and the captive. (Saying): We feed you for the sake of Allah alone: no reward do we desire from you, nor thanks. We only fear from Allah for Day, frowningly severe. Therefore, Allah will guard them against the evil of that Day, and will grant over them a Light of Realty and a (blissful) joy.”

The occasion was an event of great evidence of superiority and excellence of “Ahlul Bayt (a.s.)”

As per Ibne Abbas young Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.) fell sick. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) and few of his companions came to see them. He (s.a.w.a.s.) suggested to the Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali (a.s.) to vow for their full recovery. So Imam Ali (a.s.), Lady of the Paradise Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.), and Lady Fizzah (their house-helper) took a vow that if Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.) would recover, they would fast for three days.

After a short while, both of them recovered. Therefore, the family fasted for the first day. Imam Ali (a.s.) borrowed some barley and Sayyida Fatima (s.a.) ground one-third of it into flour and baked some bread. In the evening, when they were preparing to break their fasts, an indigent (poor) person came to their house and said: “Peace be upon you, the Household of Muhammad, I am a needy Muslim, so please give me some food. May Allah bestow upon you, in kind, from divine sustenance.” All of them gave priority to him and gave him their share of bread. That night, they broke their fast with only water.

The following day they fasted again, but, like the previous day, in the evening, an orphan came to the door and requested for food. Once again they gladly offered their bread and ate nothing but drank water only.

The next day, they fasted the third time. On this day, a captive came to their house and they repeated their charity and gave their share of bread to the captive and drank only water.

On the fourth day, Imam Ali (a.s.) took Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.) to the Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.). When he (s.a.w.a.s.) saw their condition; they were trembling with hunger. He (s.a.w.a.s.) said: “It grieves me to see you in this condition.” When he walked with them and came to their house, he (s.a.w.a.s.) found Sayyida Fatima Zahra (s.a.) praying. Her stomach was sunk into her back-bone and her eyes were sunken too.

The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.a.s.) was greatly affected by her condition. At this moment Archangel Jibra'il descended and said: “O' Muhammad, receive this Surah, Allah congratulates you for having such a family.”

In the beginning of the Surah, the Righteous Persons referred are the Panjetan in whose honor this Surah was revealed. The characteristics of the “Righteous Persons” described in this Surah are: Fulfill their vows, they fear about Qiyamat, they are sacrificial in that in spite of their own hunger, they prefer Allah's creatures and give their food to them, do not remind about their favors to others, nor they expect any thanks or gratefulness in return.