Revealed in Makkah as a companion to Surah Ad-Duhaa, Surah Ash-Sharh (The Relief) consoles the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) by reminding him of the immense blessings he has been given: the expansion of his breast, the removal of his heavy spiritual burden, and the elevation of his name. It establishes the comforting law of ease following hardship, commanding him to devote himself to his Lord's worship when free.
Transliteration
Alam nashrah laka sadraka
Translation
Did We not soothe your heart
Recalls the divine expansion of the Prophet's heart ('Inshirah'): both his spiritual empowerment with patience and divine wisdom, and the physical opening of his chest by Archangel Gabriel during his childhood to remove any capacity for hatred or malice.
Transliteration
WawadaAAna AAanka wizraka
Translation
And lift from you your burden
Refers to God lifting the crushing psychological weight of sorrow and spiritual anxiety that pressed upon the Prophet's heart prior to revelation.
Transliteration
Allathee anqada thahraka
Translation
Which weighed down your back
A vivid metaphor comparing intense spiritual and emotional burdens to a heavy travel pack that causes the traveler's back to creak under the strain.
Transliteration
WarafaAAna laka thikraka
Translation
And raised for you your reputation
A stunning historical reality: 'And We raised high your renown' ('Wa-rafa'na laka dhikrak')—wherever God's name is called in the worldwide call to prayer (Adhan), five times daily from hundreds of thousands of minarets across every time zone on Earth, the name of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is recited immediately beside it.
Transliteration
Fainna maAAa alAAusri yusran
Translation
With hardship comes ease
The celebrated double promise of relief: 'Indeed, with hardship comes ease; indeed, with hardship comes ease.' In Arabic grammar, the word for hardship ('Al-'Usr') is repeated as a definite noun, while ease ('Yusr') is indefinite; hence, classical scholars noted that a single hardship can never defeat two eases.
Transliteration
Inna maAAa alAAusri yusran
Translation
With hardship comes ease
A profound linguistic guarantee in Arabic: the hardship ('Al-'Usr') is repeated with a definite article (referring to the same single hardship), while ease ('Yusr') is indefinite, guaranteeing that one hardship is surrounded by two waves of divine relief.
Transliteration
Faitha faraghta fainsab
Translation
When your work is done, turn to devotion
Transliteration
Waila rabbika fairghab
Translation
And to your Lord turn for everything