Surah - Ya Sin : The heart of the Qur'an

(first 23 verses)
A study of the style shows that it was either sent down during the last stage of the middle Makkan period, or it is one of those Surahs, which were sent down during the last stage of the Holy Prophet's stay at Makkah.

The object of the discourse is to warn the Quraish of the consequences of not believing in the Prophethood of Muhammad (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) and of resisting and opposing it with tyranny, ridicule and mockery. The aspect of the warning is dominant and conspicuous although along with repeatedly giving the warnings, arguments also have been given for the correct understanding by the people.

Arguments have been given for three things: (1) For Tauhid, from the signs of the universe and from common sense; (2) for the Hereafter, from the signs of the universe, from common sense and from man's own existence itself; and (3) for the Prophethood of the Prophet Muhammad, from the fact that he was facing all kinds of hardships in the preaching of his message without any selfish motive, and from this that whatever he was inviting the people to was rational and reasonable, accepting which was in the people's own interest.

On the strength of these arguments, themes of reprobation, reproof and warning have been presented repeatedly in a highly forceful manner, so that hearts are shaken up and those which have any capacity for accepting the truth left in them should not remain unmoved.

Imam Ahmad, Abu Daud, Nasai, Ibn Majah and Tabarani have related on the authority of Hadrat Ma'qil bin Yasar that the Holy Prophet said:"Surah Ya Sin is the heart of the Qur'an."This is similar to describing the Surah Al Fatiha has the Umm al Qur'an (the essence or core of the Qur'an), because Al Fatihah contains the sum and substance of the teaching of the whole Quran. The Surah Ya Sin has been called the throbbing heart of the Qur'an because it presents the message of the Qur'an in a most forceful manner, which breaks the inertness and stirs the spirit of man to action.

Again Imam Ahmad, Aba Da'ud and Ibn Majah have related from the same Ma'qil bin Yasar that the Holy Prophet said: "Recite Surah Ya Sin to the dying ones among you." The object is not only to revive and refresh the whole Islamic creed in the mind of the dying person but also bring before him, in particular, a complete picture of the Hereafter so that he may know what stages he would have to pass through after crossing the stage of this worldly life. In view of this, it would be desirable that along with the recitation of the Surah Ya Sin its translation also is made for the benefit of the person who does not know Arabic so that the purpose of the admonition is duly fulfilled.

In the name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

[1-6] Ya Sin.1 By the wise Qur'an, you are indeed one of the Messengers,2 are on the Straight Way, (and this Qur'an) is the Revelation of the All-Mighty, the All-Merciful One,3 so that you may warn a people whose forefathers were not warned, and so, they live in heedlessness.4

[7-11] Most of these people have already deserved the decree of torment; therefore, they do not believe.5 We have put on their necks fetters which reach to their chins, so they stand with heads upright.6 We have set a barrier before them and a barrier behind them: We have covered them, so they cannot see anything.7 It is all the same for them whether you warn them or warn them not, they would not believe.8 You can only warn him who follows the admonition and fears the Merciful God, though he cannot see Him. Give him the good news of forgiveness and of a generous reward.

[12] We shall certainly one day raise the dead to life. We are recording all the deeds they have done and also that which they have left behind.9 We have preserved everything in an open Book.

[13-15] Tell them, for instance, the story of the people of the habitation when the Messengers came to it.10 We sent to them two Messengers and they denied both. Then. We sent a third one to strengthen them, and they all said, "We have been sent to you as Messengers." The people said, "You are no more than men like us,11 and the Merciful God has sent down nothing.”12 You are only telling a lie."

[16-19] The Messengers said, "Our Lord knows that we have indeed been sent as Messengers to you and our only responsibility is to convey the message plainly"13 The people said, "We regard you as an evil omen for ourselves. If you do not desist (froth this), we shall stone you, and you will receive a painful punishment from us."14 The Messengers replied, "Your evil omen is with your own selves.15 Do you say this because you have been admonished? The fact is that you are a people who have transgressed all limits"16

[20-21] In the meantime a man came running from the remote part of the city, and he said, "O my people, follow the Messengers: follow those who do not ask any reward of you and are on the Right Way.”17

[22-25] “Well, why should I not worship the Being Who has created me, and to whom all of you have to return?18 Should I take other gods than Him? Whereas if the Merciful God intends to harm me, their intercession cannot avail me anything, nor can they rescue me.19 If I do so,20 I would be involved in manifest error. I have believed in your Lord:21 so, you also should listen to me.”
source:http://www.searchtruth.com/tafsir/tafsir.php?chapter=36http://www.searchtruth.com/tafsir/tafsir.php?chapter=36