Surah al-Mumtahana brings back the memories from the times we, as a group, got stuck with this Surah because this was the first time we ran into a verse this long right off the start, and had to make sure we could recite it in one breath.
Now, I forewarn my students of the struggles they will have when they come across this chapter in the Quran, so they’re mentally prepared to give it enough time. Only with thorough practice can we overcome these challenges; don’t give up when it becomes difficult to continue your hifdh- find solutions, divide it into smaller bits, practice more often, or even take a break. Just make sure you do whatever it takes for you to progress forward with your Quran goals.
The lessons Allah wants us to focus on in this chapter are also unique in their style, where He mentions the trials Prophet Ibrahim عيله السلام had to handle, and then struggles of Prophets Musa and Eissa عليهما السلام in the Surah after it, Surah as-Saff.
Just think of how this particular Surah starts off with Allah telling us: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تَتَّخِذُوا
“O believers! Do not take ..”
and ends with another piece of guidance: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تَتَوَلَّوْا
“O believers! Do not ally yourselves ..”
The beginning of the Surah is in perfect sync with the end.
