Definition: The Hawamim are the seven surahs beginning with "Ha-Mim" — appearing consecutively in the Mushaf from Surah Ghafir (40) to Al-Ahqaf (46).
The seven surahs:
- Ghafir (Al-Mu'min) — 40
- Fussilat (Al-Sajda) — 41
- Al-Shura — 42
- Al-Zukhruf — 43
- Al-Dukhan — 44
- Al-Jathiya — 45
- Al-Ahqaf — 46
Similarities and coherence:
- Opening: All begin with "Ha-Mim" — disconnected letters.
- Theme: All Makkan, addressing fundamentals of 'aqida (monotheism, Quran, resurrection) and refuting polytheists.
- Glorification of the Quran: Nearly every surah glorifies the Quran at its opening — "A revelation from the Most Compassionate, Most Merciful."
- Stories of prophets: Using the fate of those who denied earlier messengers as proof.
Excellence: Ibn Mas'ud said: "The Hawamim are the brocade of the Quran" — its ornaments and gems. Ibn Abbas said: "Everything has a core, and the core of the Quran is the Hawamim."
Question: How many Hawamim surahs are there and what are they? Name three shared features.
Answer: Seven surahs: Ghafir, Fussilat, Al-Shura, Al-Zukhruf, Al-Dukhan, Al-Jathiya, Al-Ahqaf. Shared features: opening with Ha-Mim, all Makkan, glorification of the Quran.