Surah
Juz
According to Ibn Abbas, the entire Surah was revealed in one session in Makkah. Asma bint Yazid recalls that during the revelation, the Prophet ﷺ was riding a she-camel, and she was holding its nose-string. The she-camel felt the weight so intensely that it seemed as if her bones might break under it. Other narrations indicate that it was revealed in the last year before the migration (Hijrah), and the Prophet ﷺ dictated the entire Surah on the same night it was revealed. After twelve years of propagating Islam, the Prophet ﷺ encountered heightened opposition and persecution from the Quraysh, reaching its peak. Many Muslims had to flee to Abyssinia due to the intensifying hostility. Additionally, the Prophet ﷺ lost crucial support with the passing of key allies, Abu Talib and Khadijah, leaving him without much worldly backing. Despite these daunting challenges, the Prophet ﷺ persisted in his mission. In Makkah, while individual conversions to Islam increased, the broader non-Muslim community remained unyielding and resistant. Those expressing interest in Islam faced ridicule, violence, and social isolation. Amidst these hardships, a glimmer of hope emerged from Yathrib, where Islam began to spread through the efforts of influential figures from the tribes of Aws and Khazraj, who had embraced Islam in Makkah. The true potential of this development was known only to God. At first glance, Islam appeared feeble, lacking substantial support, except for modest assistance from the Prophet's ﷺ family and a handful of impoverished followers. Given their circumstances, these followers could provide limited help and were also enduring persecution.
During the revelation of this Surah, it addressed a variety of prevalent conditions, encompassing seven key topics. Firstly, it refuted polytheism (Shirk) and advocated the acceptance of the creed of Monotheism (Tawhid), emphasising the rejection of multiple deities. The Surah also underscored the belief in life after death and countered the misconception that existence is limited to the present worldly life. Superstitious beliefs were systematically dismissed, and the Surah enunciated fundamental moral principles crucial for the establishment of an ethical Islamic society. Furthermore, it tackled objections raised against the Prophet ﷺ and his mission, providing clarifications to dispel misconceptions. In times of persecution and anxiety, the Surah comforted and encouraged the Prophet ﷺ and his followers. Lastly, the Surah issued admonitions, warnings, and threats to disbelievers and opponents, urging them to relinquish their apathy and arrogance. Although these themes are intricately intertwined, the Surah skillfully combines them without distinct categorisation.
