Al-Furqan (Arabic: اَلْفُرْقَانْ, ’al-furqān; meaning: The Criterion) is the 25th chapter (sūrah) of the Qur'an, with 77 verses (āyāt). The name Al-Furqan,[1] or "The Criterion", refers to the Qur'an itself as the decisive factor between good and evil. This Surah is named Al-Furqan from the 4th word in the 1st ayat.[2][note 1]
The chapter emphasizes (25:68–70) that there is no sin, however great, that cannot be forgiven if sincerely repented, showing faith and working with righteous deeds.[3][4]
Al-Furqan refers to the Torah within the contents of the surah, saying "We sent Moses the Book, and appointed his brother Aaron with him as minister" (Sura 25, verse 35), but it does not address the Torah as al-Furqan itself.[3][5]
The Surah manages the questions and doubts that were being raised against the Quran, the Prophethood of Muhammad, and his lessons by the disbelievers of Mecca. Suitable responses to every single objection are revealed in the surah and the individuals have been cautioned of the results of dismissing the Truth. The significant issues, divine laws, and directly follows the following order in the surah:-[7]
The Quran is the rule, the criterion i.e. Al-Furqan to distinguish between the right and the wrong.
Transgressors are the individuals who dismiss Reality, distrust the Rasool, and preclude the Day of Judgment and hereafter.
Upon the arrival of Judgment Day, those False-deities worshiped by the mushriks will declare no divinity and consider the mushrik is answerable for their shirk, on the Judgement Day.
The disbelievers will lament not opting for the Righteous Path upon the arrival of Judgment Day.
Sequential, gradual, and bit-by-bit disclosure of the Quran is a pearl of wisdom.
Allah's decree is commanded to make Jihad against unbelief in the Quran.
Qualities of genuine devotees are portrayed.
Toward the finish of the Surah, a description of the character of a true believer is given at the start of Surah Al-Mu'minoon. According to Abul A'la Maududi
Here is the criterion for distinguishing the genuine from the counterfeit. This is the noble character of those people who have believed in and followed the teachings of the Holy Prophet and this is the kind of people that he is trying to train. You may yourselves compare and contrast this type of people with those Arabs, who have not as yet accepted the Message, and who are upholding "ignorance" and exerting their utmost to defeat the Truth. Now you may judge for yourselves as to which you would like to choose." Though this question was not posed in so many words, it was placed before everyone in Arabia in a tangible shape. It may be noted that during the next few years, the practical answer given to this question by the whole nation, with the exception of a small minority, was that they chose Islam.[8]
Time of Revelation
It shows up from its style and topic that it was additionally uncovered during the third phase of Prophethood at Makkah like Surah Al-Mu'minun.[note 2]
^Wherry, Elwood Morris (1896). A Complete Index to Sale's Text, Preliminary Discourse, and Notes. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, and Co. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
^Muhammad Farooq-i-Azam Malik (translator), Al-Qur'an, the Guidance for Mankind - English with Arabic Text (Hardcover) ISBN0-911119-80-9
