حمٓ 1
Translations
Ḥā, Meem.
Transliteration
Haa Meem
Tafsir (Explanation)
This ayah consists of the isolated letters (Muqatta'at) 'Ha' and 'Meem,' which appear at the beginning of Surah Ad-Dukhan. Classical scholars like Al-Tabari and Ibn Kathir note that these letters are among the divine signs whose true meanings are known only to Allah (Al-Ghayb), though they may represent abbreviations or serve as a call to attention for the listener. The placement of these letters at the opening of a surah discussing the Day of Judgment emphasizes the mysterious nature of divine communication and the limitations of human understanding.
Revelation Context
Surah Ad-Dukhan is a Meccan surah revealed during the early Meccan period, addressing the polytheists' denial of the Qur'an and the reality of the Day of Judgment. The isolated letters at the beginning serve as a rhetorical device to capture attention before presenting the powerful themes of divine power, resurrection, and accountability that follow in the surah.
Related Hadiths
No direct hadith specifically interprets Haa Meem. However, regarding isolated letters generally, Ummm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would recite the Qur'an and pause at each ayah, as mentioned in various Qur'anic recitation traditions.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that the Qur'an contains profound mysteries beyond human comprehension, encouraging intellectual humility and trust in divine wisdom. Modern readers should recognize that accepting what we cannot fully understand is part of faith, while remaining confident in the overall message and guidance the Qur'an provides.