106: The Quraish (Al-Quraish)
Revealed at Makkah
This chapter continues the subject-matter of the last, reminding the Quraish of the great benefits conferred on them because of their guardianship of the Ka‘bah. The date of revelation is also the same.
The Quraish, the tribe to which the Prophet Muhammad belonged, were settled at Makkah and had charge of the Sacred House, to which pilgrims resorted from all parts of Arabia, and therefore, being guardians of the Holy House, they enjoyed special honour among the tribes of Arabia. Moreover Makkah had thus become the centre of Arabia, bringing prosperity to the Quraish. Verse 1 is connected with the last chapter, the significance being that the Divine protection of the Ka‘bah and the destruction of its enemies was a special favour granted to the Quraish, for it led to their protection. Being guardians of the Ka‘bah, they were respected when they set out on their journeys, while within the sacred territory they enjoyed an unparalleled security.
106:2
اٖلٰفِہِمۡ رِحۡلَۃَ الشِّتَآءِ وَ الصَّیۡفِ ۚ﴿۲﴾
their protection during their journey in the winter and the summer.
The protection mentioned in the last note was of special use to them in their journeys northward to Syria and southward to Yaman, the former of which was undertaken in the summer and the latter in winter, to carry on their trade.
106:4
الَّذِیۡۤ اَطۡعَمَہُمۡ مِّنۡ جُوۡعٍ ۬ۙ وَّ اٰمَنَہُمۡ مِّنۡ خَوۡفٍ ٪﴿۴﴾
Who feeds them against hunger, and gives them security against fear.
Feeding against hunger and granting security against fear were the two special favours conferred on the Quraish through the sacredness of the Ka‘bah, because the pilgrimage gave a special impetus to their trade and the necessaries of life were brought to their very doors, while they were totally secure from all fear of attack, to which the other Arab tribes were constantly exposed.