Surah Ash-Sharh — The Relief

Introduction to Surah Ash-Sharh

Eight verses, Meccan, ninety-fourth in the written order. It follows Ad-Duha closely enough in subject and tone that many commentators have treated the two as a pair, and some of the early authorities held that they were originally recited together.

What it recalls

It opens with three questions about things already done: the expansion of his breast, the removal of his burden, and the raising of his mention. The phrase sharh as-sadr, the opening or widening of the chest, recurs in the Qur’an as an image for the capacity to bear something, and the surah uses it to say that the capacity was given before the weight arrived.

The line it is known for

Then the statement that with hardship comes ease — and then, immediately, the same statement again, word for word. The repetition is in the Arabic and is not an artefact of translation.

Two things are worth noting about it. The preposition is with, not after. And the grammar of the two nouns differs: hardship is definite both times and ease is indefinite both times, which is the basis of the old and much-repeated reading that one hardship does not overcome two eases. That is a reading built on a grammatical observation, and commentators have differed on how much weight it will bear.

How it ends

On two instructions. When you have finished, labour on; and turn your attention to your Lord. The relief described is not offered as a place to stop.