This Surah is the first Surah in the Mufassal section of the Qur'an, according to the correct view. It is said that the Mufassal starts with Surat Al-Hujurat. Some common people say that the Mufassal starts with Surah 'Amma An-Naba, (chapter 78), however, this is not true because none of the respected scholars ever supported this opinion. Aws (bin Hudhayfah) said; "I asked the Companions of Allah's Messenger how they divided the Qur'an. They said; 'Three, five, seven, nine, eleven, thirteen, and the Mufassal section as one.'" This was recorded by Ibn Majah and Imam Ahmad. If one counts forty-eight Surahs, the next Surah will be Surah Qaf. The details are as follows: The [first] three Surahs are Al-Baqarah (chapter 2), Al 'Imran (3), then An-Nisa' (4). The five are Al-Ma'idah (5), Al-An'am (6), Al-A'raf (7), Al-Anfal (8) and Bara'ah (or At-Tawbah) (9). The seven next Surahs are Surah Yunus (10), Hud (11), Yusuf (12), Ar-Ra'd (13), Ibrahim (14), Al-Hijr (15) and An-Nahl (16). The nine next Surahs are, Subhan (or Al-Isra' (17)], Al-Kahf (18), Maryam (19), Ta Ha (20), Al-Anbiya' (21), Al-Hajj (22), Al-Mu'minun (23), An-Nur (24) and Al-Furqan (25). The next eleven Surahs are Surat Ash-Shu'ara (26), An-Naml (27), Al-Qasas (28), Al-'Ankabut (29), Ar-Rum (30), Luqman (31), Alif Lam Mim As-Sajdah (32), Al-Ahzab (33), Saba' (34), Fatir (35) and Ya Sin (36). The next thirteen are Surat As-Saffat (37), Sad (38), Az-Zumar (39), Ghafir (40), Ha Mim As-Sajdah (or Fussilat) (41), Ash-Shura (42), Az-Zukhruf (43), Ad-Dukhan (44), Al-Jathiyah (45), Al-Ahqaf (46), Al-Qital (or Muhammad) (47), Al-Fath (48) and Al-Hujurat (49). After that comes the Mufassal section, according to the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all. Therefore, Surah Qaf (chapter 50) is the first of the Mufassal, just as we stated, and all praise is due to Allah and all favors are from Him.

The Virtues of Surah Qaf
Imam Ahmad recorded that 'Umar bin Al-Khattab asked Abu Waqid Al-Laythi, "What did the Prophet recite during the 'Id Prayer?" Abu Waqid said, "Surah Qaf and Surat Iqtarabat [i.e. Surat Al-Qamar (54)]." Muslim and the Four Collectors of the Sunan collected this Hadith. Imam Ahmad recorded that Umm Hisham bint Harithah said, "For around two years, or a year and a part of another year, our oven and the oven of the Prophet was one and the same. I memorized Surah, (Qaf. By the Glorious Qur'an.) from the tongue of the Messenger of Allah who used to recite it every Friday while standing on the Minbar delivering the Friday sermon to the people." Muslim collected this Hadith. Abu Dawud also recorded that the daughter of Al-Harith bin An-Nu'man said, "I only memorized Surah Qaf from the mouth of the Messenger of Allah who used to recite it in every Friday Khutbah. Our oven and the oven of the Messenger was one and the same." Muslim and An-Nasal collected this Hadith. Therefore, the Messenger of Allah used to recite this Surah during large gatherings such as the 'Ids and during Friday sermons. He did so because this Surah contains news of the beginning of creation, Resurrection, the Return, Standing (before Allah), the Reckoning, Paradise, the Fire, Allah's reward and punishment, lessons of encouragement, and lessons of discouragement. Allah knows best. (Qaf.) which is one of the letters of the alphabet that are mentioned in the beginning of some Surahs, such as, (Sad.) (38:1) (Nun) (68:1) (Alif Lam Mim.) (2:1), (Ha Mim.) (40:1), and (Ta Sin) (28:1) and etc., Mujahid and several others said this. We also discussed this in the beginning of the explanation of Surat Al-Baqarah, and therefore, it is not necessary to repeat it here.

The Disbelievers wonder at the Message and Resurrection
Allah said, (By the Glorious Qur'an.) means by the Honorable and Great Qur'an, which, Falsehood cannot come to it from before it or behind it: (it is) sent down by the All-Wise, Worthy of all praise. The subject of the oath contained in this Ayah is specified afterwards, even though it does not appear by word, emphasizing prophethood, resurrection and affirming that they are true. There are similar kinds of oaths in the Qur'an, whose subject is included in the meaning but not by word, such as, Sad. By the Qur'an full of reminding. Nay, those who disbelieve are in false pride and opposition. Allah said here, (Qaf. By the Glorious Qur'an. Nay, they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves. So the disbelievers say: "This is a strange thing!") They wondered at the wisdom behind sending a Messenger who is a human being. Allah the Exalted and Most Honored said in another Ayah Is it a wonder for mankind that We have sent Our revelation to a man from among themselves (saying): "Warn mankind.", meaning, this is not strange, for Allah chooses Messengers from angels and humans. Allah the Exalted and Most Honored mentioned that the disbelievers also wondered about the Resurrection and discounted its coming, (When we are dead and have become dust. That is a far return.) They said, 'after we die, disintegrate, with our organs torn apart and we become dust, how can we be brought back to our original shape and bodies,' (That is a far return.) 'it is not likely that it will ever occur.' They thought that Resurrection was far from happening and will never occur. Allah the Exalted responded to their statement by saying, (We know that which the earth takes of them,) meaning, 'We know what the earth consumes of their dead bodies.' Where and how the bodies fell apart, what they became and how they turned out, all of that is never hidden from Allah. (and with Us is a Book preserved.) 'that keeps all records.' Therefore, Our knowledge is all-encompassing and the Book of decrees has everything perfectly recorded in it. Al-'Awfi narrated that Ibn 'Abbas commented on the Ayah, (We know that which the earth takes of them,) "It means, what the earth consumes of their flesh, skin, bones and hair." A similar view was recorded from Mujahid, Sa'id bin Jubayr, Ad-Dahhak and others. Allah the Exalted further explains the reason behind their disbelief, stubbornness and denial of what their minds cannot comprehend, (Nay, but they have denied the truth when it has come to them, so they are in a Marij state.) This is the state of all those who defy the truth: whatever they say or do afterwards is false. Marij means, in a state of confusion, flaws, contradiction and entanglement. Allah said in other Ayat, Certainly, you have different ideas. Turned aside therefrom is he who is hinted aside.