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Al-Inshirâḥ, "Solace," takes its name from a word in verse 1, and also from its subject, which is relief from anxiety. It was probably revealed upon the same occasion as Sûrah XCIII; and, at a time when the Prophet was derided and shunned after having been respected and courted, must have struck the disbelievers as ridiculous. It refers to the inward assurance which the Prophet had received by revelation, and speaks of future events as accomplished, as is usual in the Koran, the revelation coming from a plane where time is not. Verse 4, speaking of his fame as exalted, must have seemed particularly absurd at that time of humiliation and persecution. But to-day, from every mosque in the world, the Prophet’s name is cried, as that of the messenger of God, five times a day, and every Muslim prays for blessings on him when his name is mentioned.

An early Meccan Sûrah.

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Have We not caused thy bosom to dilate, And eased thee of the burden Which weighed down thy back; And exalted thy fame? But lo! with hardship goeth ease, Lo! with hardship goeth ease; So when thou art relieved, still toil And strive to please thy Lord. Rh