Surah 34: Sheba - Overview

Verses	Description
34:1-30	God's Mercy and Power endure forever; Human glory, whether in David or Solomon or the City of Saba', only fleeting
34:31-54	Unfaith has no stable foundations; True values will come in the end

Introduction

Now we begin a series of Surahs S.34 to S.39 which recapitulate some of the features of the spiritual world. This Surah leads off with emphasis on God's Mercy and Power and Truth. Then (in S.35.) we are told how angels manifest the Power of God, and how different is Good from Evil and Truth from Falsehood. S.36 is devoted to the Holy Prophet and the Qur'an that came through him. In S.37 the emphasis is on the snares of the Evil One; in S.38, on the conquest of evil by wisdom and power as in the case of David and Solomon, and by Patience and Constancy as in the case of Job; and in S.39, on the Final Judgment, which will sort out Faith from Unfaith and give to each its due.

The chronology has here no significance. This Surah belongs to the early Makkan period.

Summary

1- No Good or Truth is ever lost; Human Power and Prosperity are fleeting; but God's Power and Justice endure, and will enforce personal responsibility on man on the Last Day (34:1-30)

Mercy and Power [34:1-30] God's Mercy and Power endure forever; man should understand and not resist God's Revelation. Human wisdom and Power, as given to David, were only for establishing Righteousness. Human glory, like Solomon's rested on slender foundations. Saba' (Sheba) but enjoyed her fair and prosperous state as long as she obeyed the Law of God, but perished for unrighteousness. Learn, then, that the Mercy and Power, Wisdom and Justice of God are beyond all comparison. Do right and prepare for the Last Day.

2- Faith and Unfaith will eventually find their true places and true values; Falsehood has no power; Truth is with God (34:31-54)

Period of Trial [34:31-54] Unfaith has no stable foundation to rest on: misleaders and misled will all be responsible for their deeds. True values are not to be judged by the seeming good of this Life: true Good will come to its own in the End, however derided and scorned in the period of Trial. Revelation and the mission of the men of God will stand every test. God's Truth will endure, while Falsehood will perish, and its votaries find the door of Repentance closed in the End.