Observation

This question contains no ambiguity in its setting. The three areas expected to cover by the candidates are well outlined. It is as a result of this that candidates treated the answers as expected. Most of the candidates who answered the question performed well. The question demanded the candidates to explain the following points:

Completion

i. Mā wadda ‘aka rabbuka wamā qalā

ii. Wala’ākhiratu khayrun laka minal ’ūlā

iii. Walasawfa yu‘tīka rabbuka fatarḍā

iv. Alamyajidka yatīman fa’āwā.

v. Wawajadaka ḍālan fahadā.

vi. Wawajadaka cāilān fa’aghnā.

vii. Fa’ammal yatīma falātaqhār

viii. Wa’ammā sā’ila falā tanhar.

ix. Wa’ammā bini cmati Rabbika faḥaddith.

Translation

i. Your Lord (O Muhammad) has neither forsaken you nor hates you.

ii. And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present life.

iii. And verily, your Lord will give you (good) so that you shall be well pleased.

iv. Did He not find you (O Muhammad) an orphan and gave you a refuge?

v. And He found you unaware (of the Qur’ān) and guided you.

vi. And He found you poor and made you rich.

vii. Therefore treat not the orphan with harshness.

viii. And repulse not beggar.

ix. And proclaim the Grace of your Lord.

Comment

i. The Sūrah points to the significance of natural phenomenon such as forenoon and the night in the life of man.

ii. The Sūrah is a direct promise by Allah that He never forsakes the Prophet (S.A.W.).

iii. This promise extends to all faithfuls.

iv. The Sūrah teaches that the “morrow” of the righteous will always be better than their today.

v. It also teaches that no sincere supplication will go unanswered by Allah.

vi. It teaches that Allah has solutions to all problems.

vii. The ability to guide aright is exclusively in the Hands of Allah.

viii. This can be seen through resumption of revelations.

ix. With the resumption of revelation, the Prophet (S.A.W.) was able to overcome his initial difficulties.

x. His marriage to Khadijah solves his financial challenges and protection.

xi. Neither the poor nor the less privileged should be looked down upon.

xii. As much as possible also, we should assist those who need our help, support and assistance.

xiii. Mankind should always appreciate the bounties of Allah through verbal confession backed with good deeds.

xiv. The chapter demonstrates that the last 10 years were the most useful in the Prophet’s life.